Thanks to Crimson for edits.
Very sorry for the delay.
She said she will try to edit the next chapters.
Thanks for reviews/comment/faves and follows.
The zoo,
Honoka keeps her eyes on the three women—holding her walkie-talkie in hand, planning to warn them as soon as they decided to head towards the building. It seems that something is going on behind the trees, but she has no idea what that might be. She could see Eve putting her palm on her face as she looks another way. Her face bright red, holding… her sister's jacket…and clothes?
What is she doing without her clothes? What about the detective…?
The ginger head has no idea of what exactly is happening down there, but she is glad that they are taking their time.
The stage,
With a creature standing in front of them, the group began to feel discouraged. An unknown fear took over… causing everyone's legs to tremble without their knowledge. Supposedly, they could face this kind of situation as they are trained enough and used to facing death, souls or a huge monster…
Eli stood right in front of them, with Nozomi slightly behind her.
"What are you all waiting for…? Run!" Eli said clearly.
Starting from Maki, everyone began to run away from the very place except for Nozomi who was still trying her best to overcome her fear. She feels like she know this kind of fear… but it's still unclear about what is it exactly.
For some reason, the creature let the group leave the two… or perhaps that's one of her intentions by creating a frightening atmosphere…
"Nozomi! Why are you still here…?! I said, run!"
"No! I'm not going anywhere before you do…!" Nozomi replied.
"Fool! You are no match for her, not yet!"
"I don't care…. I want to be with you!"
"Then run! We will meet again later!"
"When? Are you trying to tell me to meet you in the afterlife? No! I refuse! I want to stay here by your side!"
And the creature responds to the drama with a chuckle.
"Interesting…." She said.
"….A fight for who loves who better… but sadly, such a pathetic act will not help you win against me…. I am the ruler…. And you are all just mere souls. Not even you are better than ordinary souls for me…." the creature continued.
"You are only going to fight against me, not her…" Eli said clearly.
"I'll fight with you…. I don't want to leave you alone…" Nozomi said.
"Shut up, Nozomi! I told you, you are no match for her…"
"I'm very-very-very sure I can get rid of that thing if you let me work with you… didn't we promise that?"
"You are stubborn!" Eli said.
"You are more obstinate!" Nozomi replied.
"Enough! You two—trying to act like you care about each other makes me sick… there will never be true love in this world, not even true friends exist. Everyone is selfish… everyone wants their own life to be better than the others….Everyone pretends to be kind so that they are appreciated. Everyone wants to be a hero so that they are hailed….. and everyone wants to be needed so that they are paid with respect… There is no such thing as kindness in this world—it's all fake, everyone deserves to suffer!"
"Well—certainly, if everyone suffers, there will be one person who will be happy and that would be you. So that's why, I'd rather make you suffer while the rest of the population remains happy!" Nozomi replied.
The creature frowns and the first swing of her claws flew by—Eli quickly sets up a spiritual barrier to protect her.
"Nozomi! Are you here just to provoke her? Seriously?"
"It's not provoking, I'm just telling her the truth!"
"Hah! Ridiculous! Your truth is based only on your blind guess! You can't convince me otherwise, unless…." The creature pauses.
"Unless…?" Nozomi smiles as she clenches her fist,
"….we speak in another language…." She continued.
"And what language is that…? A spiritual one?" Nozomi replied playfully again.
"The Battle Language… fight me and if you win—I'll listen to you…and if you lose…you'll have to listen to me…."
"I've ever got that sort of thing—Bring it on!" Nozomi replied.
"Nozomi! You are ridi—….!" Before Eli was able to finish complaining, a very strong force grabs her and throws her away like she has no weight at all. Nozomi panicked for a moment, she was about to call after her but a very swift hand attempted to thrust her with claws. Nozomi quickly dodges, thanks to her physical training from Eli before, she is somewhat agile enough…
She could see a pair of spectral hands attempting to grab her once more, making her dodge again.
As she finally got a chance to see what exactly happened to her dear blonde, she noticed, on the ground, Eli lay unconscious. A look of relief flashed by, knowing Eli is only unconscious, with her huge fox spirit still attached in her body, things could have been worse if someone else was thrown that hard and far from the very place. But another thing caught her eye… the fox is sealed into sleep. There's a soft transparent chain surrounding her, the worst part about this is that someone who could seal a nine-tailed fox like Eli that fast must be truly strong. Eli didn't exaggerate the woman's powers…
But what should she do now? There was history of this kind of situation in the past…something that has changed her life completely…or perhaps…something that made her regret of what she did….
The first move—Nozomi quickly charges her spiritual power, attempting to fire a shot to the creature, though in a speed of a light, the creature released a strike that she has never witnessed before. It knocks her away at ease, not even breaking a sweat.
Nozomi tries to endure the pain she got from the fall. It's not like it's going to kill her—or so she thinks.
Once again, she attempts to use a small fire to attack, yet when it hits—it feels like it did no damage to her.
Now she realizes…
She really can't do this alone…she can't challenge her….but whats done is done… her wit might save her, but won't serve a victory as an option. She needs to escape…but…doesn't that mean she will have to leave her girlfriend here…? What will happen to her if she does…?
Will she have a chance to fix this mistake later…?
Probably not…
Her girlfriend just proved her betrayal against this creature…. They are not that good in their relationship, most likely, with this strength, her girlfriend will be doomed...
She really has to do something….
"What's wrong…Nozomi Toujou….? Had enough? Or you want to fight me till death part you with your body…?"
Nozomi didn't respond…she took her time to think of a way to fight this impossible battle…
"What a pity…I thought you were stronger than that…. I have heard you trying to challenge the whole spirit world…and become infamous…but with that kind of power...you'll most likely be beaten up badly by a mere demon…"
"Well…I didn't even intend to be that extreme… who told them that anyway? You?" Nozomi replied—still with prideful smile.
The creature grabs her with her spectral grasp, and lifts her up to the air….
"It was you who did that—by showing off your power against minor demons. You were clearly trying to be the big bully for us…" the creature said.
"…is that really how it is? Huh? Or maybe you were just jealous because I was getting closer with Ericchi and you're just making things sound extreme…?"
The grip strengthened. Even if her physical body looks fine, Nozomi's spirit feels like it's being squeezed so hard and it's about to be destroyed…
"Kill me if you like…. Ericchi and I love each other and she'll be the first to get angry, once she finds out…"
"She is nothing but a betrayer! What do I care about her?!" she yells again, as an unexpected spark of flame ignites Nozomi's spiritual body.
It's hot…
Really hot and painful…
"I'll burn you like the way you have burned our kind!" she shouts again loudly as the flame gets bigger.
Nozomi feel like no one can save her anymore…not at this point…
Has her God left her…?
Or perhaps…
This is just how God is reminding her where arrogance can lead…
She should've not done what she did…
She should've listened to Eli…
If only she was more prepared to do this…
If only—….
"Nozomi-chan!" A familiar voice is heard from the distance. A gust of freezing air comes by, extinguishing all the fire that was burning her. Then a swift air cut the spectral hand— making her fall and just right before she reached the ground, a huge white hand caught her…
Recognizing the abilities…
She knew the spirits…
The Snow Girl, Hanako, and Reiko.
And they have come to save her.
"Nozomi-nee-san! I'm glad you are still alive!" Hanako said as she pulls the big white hands away to a distance.
"Akamanto! Now!" Reiko said.
Then a huge cape surrounds the area, within a few seconds they all escaped from the very building.
Outside the building,
The group who has left, stopped somewhere further from the circus. Honoka was also somewhere down the roof along with two women… Eve and Lilith…
"Ooo…! Everyone! You are all here… did something happen inside…?" Honoka asked.
The group remained silent as they tried to catch their breaths….
"You all look horrible…and…where are Nozomi and Eli…?" Eve asked.
Lilith remained silent, she seems to be slightly worried.
A few minutes passed, the group was finally able to talk. Starting from Umi who has already composed herself well enough…
"Sorry…we ran away…for some reason, we were scared and we couldn't think of anything but to run…" she said.
"Running away? That's unlikely of you… is there really a strong creature that only can be dealt by those two…?" Eve asked.
"…yes… she was really huge….and…gave out a fearful aura…" Kotori said.
"She also seems to be furious… and…I don't know what else…it feels like we were going to die just from looking at her…" Hanayo said.
"Now-That's extreme! I want to meet this creature…" Lilith said.
Eve sighed heavily…
"Lilith Faith, my dear sister….can you please…. Just…. not be an extreme sport lover for now? I mean….now…sister….i think this is serious…someone might actually be dead…" Eve said.
"What with that seriousness, my dear-dear sister…Eve Faith? Aren't we supposed to be on a trip? We need to have fun…"
"Well, can you have fun when your friend is in trouble…?"
"Saving them from the trouble is a lot more fun…"
"You're impossible!"
"Eh—now that we speak of it, I saw you two with the detective… where is she…?" Honoka asked.
"She went home, said she is exhausted…what an old lady…Ohohohoho!" Lilith said playfully.
"Oh...I thought she got into trouble…."
"She will return here tomorrow to do some more investigation… she isn't done with this case yet." Eve added.
"Ok!" Honoka replied.
"Really…being a detective must be tough…I believe she will have to deal with the real thing soon…" Umi said.
"Yeah…and that the murder is the circus leader…" Niko said.
"Yep, we know…. she already has the same thoughts as me…" Lilith replied.
"Sometimes I think, being a detective could be fun if there's someone like you, Lilith-san…" Kotori appreciated.
"Of course! Ohohohoho!" Lilith laughed proudly.
Eve rolls her eyes and gives out another sigh…
"Investigating itself is quite fun…I say…thanks to Nozomi and Eli for bringing me up to this…" Maki said.
"mmm…I have to say the same thing too… I feel like I have a reason to move forward and make my life better, so that I don't go astray and be like the spirits we encounter…" Kotori said.
"Same with me-nya! There's so much I learn from looking at the soul's past!" Rin said.
"Yes…me too…even though they are just mere souls, I think the adventure itself makes me grow…" Hanayo added.
"Yeah…same with me! I feel like life is so much more exciting!" Honoka said.
"Well… I do feel the same way….but I can't say I like how things always go… There's always Eli, who makes us feels uncomfortable with all of her nonsense…" Niko said.
"I understand how Eli feels, or at least that's what I learned in theory…so…I thought…perhaps… we should just keep trying anyway…? I mean…it's not her fault, being who she is…" Umi said.
"Heh…What are you saying? Being in that state is definitely her fault, no one told her to sulk in that state…" Maki said.
"Oi… can you get over that on your own? I know you have the same state of mind as her, even until now…" Niko said.
"Well, what about you? You are on the same boat…" Maki replied.
"I told you I got over it, because I'm awesome…"
"Then let me tell you that I did too because I'm a lot more awesome than you… Look…Hanayo and Rin are my friends because of my own will, you are all my friends too because I think that so… stop trying to make me feel like I'm trying to have myself be pitied!"
"Now-now, Elichika surely never wants to be pitied… nor be approached too close by random people… she is just cautious—not an idiot who sulks in her anxiety…" Lilith said.
"Eh…Lilith-san knows about Eli?" Kotori asked.
"Of course I do! I'm her number one stalker!" Lilith said proudly…
Everyone remained silent, trying to think of the right response to that statement…
"Hmm…I'm not sure if thats something anyone can be proud of from being a stalker…but now that you mention it… what do you think of her and what do you know about her…?" Niko asked,
"Well, she is someone high in the other world—someone who will always be hailed and loved because of who she is… whatever she did, she will always be right and whatever she says will always be an order to fulfill…her greatest weakness is friendship though, because of her pride, she always tends to make people feel anxious and afraid… a rough one I say… that's why she never had friends as a child… but then, there's a woman who fell madly in love with her… she stalked her every single second and pretended to—…!"
A rough kick lands on Lilith's face.
The group went flustered of what just happened. Eve kicked her so hard that she flew a couple of miles…
"Please ignore the slattern talking… let me tell you what I know about her instead…" Eve said…
"O…oh…ok…" the group nodded.
"Let me make this simple… Eli isn't a bad girl… nor is she a good girl either, she always has this mischievous side to her, but you will only see that when you are close with her. She never understands herself because she tends to overthink a lot. She is a pride that fell and now trying to be a fool, looking for a face to wear. She could've become a great villain, but thanks to you all she began to re-think her choices…" Eve said.
"We all…? What did we do…?" Hanayo asked.
"Huh? Isn't it clear? By trying to be her friend is a good thinking… she started to think that the world isn't that bad… if it was only Nozomi next to her, the two could go astray and be a pair of jerks who are trying to rule the world together… they are merciless!" Eve replied.
"Oh…we…did something that great?" Umi asked.
"Yes, of course! Sonoda Umi… I thought you don't need any horns to notice that…" Eve replied.
"H-Horns? I…I don't get it…" Umi replied.
"Let me say this too, Nozomi and Eli are actually a mirror to each other, they are different but the same. It's like The Fool and The Jester… if they never meet any other cards, they will just be wild cards and nothing more…that's why, meeting peoples will complete their pieces and soon become a complete pair with positive energy than a pair of zero, who is either trying to jump off the cliff or trying to commit suicide by randomly stumbling into a ridiculous prank…" Eve replied again.
"In other words, they need you all to make their life…" Lilith added as she walks back to Eve—there is no bruise on her face so they suppose Lilith is fine.
"….I….." Umi tried to say something, the rest of the group seems to be troubled as well…
"Wh…why did you all run away? We need to get back there and fight with them!" Honoka said.
"Y…Yes! Why are we running away?! Let's fight again!" Umi said.
The rest of the group nods and quickly runs back to the circus through the door which was never locked for some reason...
Eve and Lilith remained quiet for a moment as they stare at them running in with full of spirit, then by the time they were sure that they got in…
"Should we check inside…?" Eve asked.
"Of course, my dear… let's check what's inside the underwear…"
The group keeps running until they reached to the stage,
The huge fear aura still remained in the place, but there's no sign of Nozomi inside. The creature is now currently in silence as she stares into the unconscious body in the corner of the room—still complete with the sleeping soul.
"Eli!" Umi quickly ran in as she brought out her spiritual weapon—but as soon as she tried to approach closer, a huge barrier deflects her.
"U-Umi-chan!" Kotori quickly catches her before she completely falls on the floor.
"W-Whoa…what the hell…?" Honoka exclaimed as she could see the huge creature finally avert her attention to the group...
"What are you all doing here, critters? Trying to save this betrayer as well?" the creature asked.
"Well, you are not going to harm her or you'll have to face me…" Maki replied.
"Big words from a princess, you can't even fight… and you could only see me because I let you…" the creature said.
"W-Where's Nozomi-chan?" Hanayo asked.
"Her? Escaped with her friends… Hmmph…but I'm sure she will return to save this traitor…that's why I'm keeping her here…" the creature replied again as she tended to a crow that came from nowhere.
"Oi, you're not that bad for a monster… you actually talk to us…" Niko said...
"What on shattering earth you are saying you little faggot. I could crush you if I wish!"
"Well, no one is challenging you right now…not me at least…" Niko replied.
"But…aren't we all here to fight her…?" Honoka asked.
"Honoka…be quiet…. If we can communicate, why not?" Umi said.
"I have no intention to communicate with you all, I'm done talking. Get out of my sight before I changed my mind!" the creature said.
"Tch how troublesome.… Why are you doing this to begin with…?" Maki asked.
The creature remained silent.
"Uh…Maki-chan…she…she said she is done talking…" Hanayo said.
"Hey, answer me, it's not like I'm trying to communicate with you, I'm just asking a question…" Maki replied.
"W-what's the difference…?" Umi whispered to herself.
"They are different in a way…alright…" Kotori replied to her with a whisper.
"…What are humans living for…? Why does everyone want to be heard and why does everyone want to have an answer? Everyone is selfish…Everyone is living for themselves…. There is no such think is true love, and nor will anything match up to it…. No one loves anyone more than they love themselves… it's all fake… it's all just an illusion of life…when they die, they will lose everything…nothing will last other than their name's written in history…." The creature said.
Maki isn't sure if that's the answer to her question.
"Akane…. That's the name of the woman whose death was caused by the hands of her own beloved husband. She could've just lied about what she did instead of lying about her intentions… the monkey was contracted with rabies, yet he didn't want him killed for good. More than five people were killed for trying to take care of it according to his command. He cares nothing of it…and even, he said, he will take care of the monkey by himself if no one is 'willing' to do it…. that's why his wife decided to take action before he fell victim…"
The group remained silent… amazed by the details of story that they have never heard.
"…in return, her husband killed her and treat her worse than how she killed that monkey…her price is not even bigger than a monkey who has killed five people….he wore a mask and used an uncommon weapon, he doesn't want to be known for betraying someone he was committed with… even though he said that she is his true love…he regrets nothing… he regrets nothing at all because she died and set him free from the bond. He is now free to do whatever he wants and treat people worse than animals…but his wife knows and haunted this place for a while in order to get her message to him—though it will come to an end as you found her piece…knowing that he will be brought to justice soon…" the creature said as she stare into Kotori and Umi.
"But I can't let it end like that… I want to teach someone that being in love with someone else is a mistake… I want to teach someone that she isn't worthy of any friendship…someone like her will turn same as that man. Someone so twisted, will never find peace in their own mind… sooner or later, she will destroy the world… she will say that everyone deserves to suffer…everyone deserves to disappear…and no one can stop her…."
"You are planting hate. Did you know that good resides in this world as well…?" Umi said.
"What's so good about that? Everyone acts good, so that they are praised…. Everyone is kind so that they are loved…there will always be that selfish side to them… the side that always wears a good mask…that side that always wants to be paid attention to…."
"…and what's so wrong about that? At least they are sharing some happiness, we all can't be living in sorrow like you…it just makes things heavier…" Niko said.
"What's the problem with living in a white lie? Truth is good but if it becomes a burden, why carry it barehanded?" Kotori said.
"Do you think it's easy for us to live like that? No…! It's a struggle too and you should appreciate that!" Umi said.
"Enough! Enough! Enough!" The creature started to rage…
"I've warned you all that I will change my mind… now that you are all pissing me off!" the creature prepared to fight.
Umi quickly stood up and readied her weapon again, Honoka also tried to summon her spiritual weapon as well but only a frying pan came up to her hand. Kotori worked up her healing ability that was taught a moment ago.
The three nearly stood on the front line…but…
"Ok…stay back everyone… let Mommy Lilith do this…" Lilith said as she walks to the front.
"E-Eh…Lilith-san…?" the group flustered.
"Here...come back here everyone… it's time for you all to retreat and watch the show…" Eve said.
"Uh….r-really?" Hanayo tried to confirm…
"Lilith-san…what are you…" Umi asked.
"Me…? Well…" she holds her shirt.
"….I'm…." she pulls up her shirt,
"—a fabulous creature!" she throws her shirt away, leaving her with only a bra, trouser and boots…"
"W…why the heck did she do that…?!" Niko said.
"Don't ask for the name of her ability…but that's her…a professional stripper…" Eve said.
"What's the name of that move-nya?" Rin asked.
"Well…it's called a—!" and before Lilith was able to finish, the creature smack her away into the air—she is now gone from her place…
Eve placed her palm on her face…
"W…wow…." Everyone said with a slight jaw drop….
"I want to go home…" Eve said.
"I'm fine!" Lilith said from somewhere.
"What are you even doing here and who are you?" the creature turns her sight to Lilith—somewhere around the place…the group was hardly able to see in the darkness.
"I'm here to take that body and soul back to the owner…" Lilith said.
"I am the owner! Stay away!" the creature angrily said.
"No-no-no…you don't quite look like the owner… I remember the owner is kind of bouncy and furry?…not sure about the fur though…does she have fur here?"
"F-Fur…?" the group flustered…
"M…Maybe she means the inside of her underwear… uh…. she is vulgar like that….I'm sorry…" Eve said.
"Actually…I believe she is the owner of that bouncy girl…so I'm taking her master back to her…" Lilith said happily.
The creature completely ignored that sentence and bashed Lilith once again.
"L-Lilith-san!" the group yelled out in worry.
"She is fine… trust me… she can't be deader than she is supposed to be…" Eve said.
"You're pretty annoying aren't you? Why can't you just get along with me and let me take her?" Lilith said—somewhere in the building.
"Stay—away—from—my belonging!" the creature smacks her a lot of times.
"Aaaahh…why are you so rough! I'm not that much of masochist myself… I prefer whips rather than spanks!" Lilith said again.
"…what the heck is she talking about…?" Maki said.
"You don't want to know…." Eve replied.
The creature blasts spiritual fire at Lilith.
"W-whoa…?! W-Will she survive that one?" Honoka asked…
"Huh…? That's a spiritual fire… no problem…" Eve replied.
"S-seriously…what is she….?" Umi smirked.
"Ok! That's enough you naughty-naughty woman! I'm angry!" Lilith said.
The creature ignores her and begins to blast more fire and claws at her. Not long after, another creature flies through the air—a creature with a pair of big horns and wings….
"T-that's….." Umi pauses.
"L-Lilith-san?!" Kotori said.
In a very swift motion, Lilith dives in and claws the creature…causing a very deep wound on its soul. Without a second to spare, Lilith flies up again and makes her second gash with her claws, continuing with following movements, which were impossible to keep up with. But the clashing noises, and flashes of light going around the creature, indicated Lilith's movements. Lastly, Lilith hovers away from the creature and charges a freezing power—then blows it away to the creature.
Even after the creature tried to shield herself, the blast passes through her and damages her badly.
Lilith smiled with her smug face and placed both of her hands on her own hips…
"So…? I'm taking the body, right? You go away and wait until Nozomi is back for you?"
"You're just impossible…what creature are you?"
"A creature that is much closer to God than you, of course... He doesn't really like us, but you know… we have the choice to approach Him even if we are born far away from Him…" Lilith replied.
The creature remained silent before she disappears into thin air—they believe it isn't over yet… but at least… they could save someone's body…
The temple,
Nozomi lay down on the temple's lounge—again…this time, she feels like her reason to wake up is gone completely…She doesn't even want to question herself—especially about how her girlfriend will be now…
"Nozomi-chan…." Yuki, the snow girl called her sympathetically.
Nozomi didn't respond, her eyes blank and her lips shut.
"Get up and drink the tea…will you? You need to recover yourself…" Yuki continued again.
Once again, no response from the purplenette…
"Nozomi…. don't be stubborn now… we are all worried about her… it's not only you…" Reiko said—her body, somehow sliced into half again. It's from the fight with the creature before…
Nozomi is still not responsive…
"Hmm….looks like this really hit her hard…" Reiko said.
"I believe that so… but it's unlikely of her… I mean… I thought Nozomi-nee-san was carefree?" Hanako said.
"That be a case, but… maybe…she is still thinking of how to defeat that creature…" Yuki replied.
"…it's impossible to be done any sooner, right? I'm too late to practice for this…" Nozomi finally said something.
The souls remained silent, they know well that Nozomi has been slacking and she totally got what she deserves in this case….
Getting beat up and becoming a complete idiot in front of that creature….
What else could crush her pride more than that…?
Losing someone she loves perhaps…?
"With that attitude, you are not going to get any stronger and will officially fail this mission…" a familiar voice speaks up. Nozomi didn't even try to look for this voice, but the souls quickly bend over and places their face to the floor.
"Oh…. Kagemi-san… you look like you know about something…huh?" Nozomi replied.
"I'm still surprised that even after three years, haven't realized who I truly am… this shows lacking you are in your spiritual studies…"
Nozomi finally gets up from her resting bed and looks at Grandma Kagemi, for the first time realizing a huge aura surrounding her…and her soul somewhat looks different from her body…but Nozomi is still not quite clear about who she truly is…
"Many years ago, you made a contract with my husband… something about that you working for him to do the population control…"
"Dai Mao…? Then you are…." Nozomi pauses…
"Yes…I am the Demon Empress…I'm in charge here to watch over my worker's tasks… you are one of them…and that fox is also one of them… but something is out of control…so I guess someone like you has to sort it out…" Kagemi said.
"Unfortunately…I had no other vessel to wear other than of an old woman…if only there was someone kind enough to let me use their young vessel…hmmm…maybe that detective…?" she continued again.
Nozomi remained silent, she look down to her own hands…
"No…I don't want you to do that favor for me… your job is not done yet….and being suicidal is really not you…get a grip of yourself…" Kagemi continued again.
Nozomi remained silent.
"Sheesh…humans…so fragile… but now, Nozomi Toujou… your….uhm…girlfriend….should be safe somewhere…. my informer says that they saw the creature enter the afterlife realm with a fox soul in her hand…so that means, she must be still keeping her… I don't know about where her body might be… but I also heard that a group of people are taking the body somewhere safe. So now the problem is… you have to find this soul and bring her back before the 8 hour mark. You have been sleeping here for about 3 hours, which only leaves you with 5 hours to get your job done…"
Nozomi chuckles, her eyes pathetically looking into her own reflection on the tea inside her cup...
"5 hours….? Learning to be stronger and beat her within 5 hours….? Impossible… Who am I to be able to do that? I'm not a super human… I'm just an idiot who neglects her lover…"
"She will feel more neglected if you don't go and attempt a second time…we will save you again if you fail…" Kagemi said.
"Then…may I ask you… what's so good about me…? Why are you being so kind and trying so hard to convince me to try again? Don't you all have better things to do than to take care of a loser like myself…?" Nozomi asked plainly.
"Well, why don't you ask why you, yourself are kind to others? Do you truly think that everyone wants something in return…? Who taught you that?"
"….it's not that I think that way, you know…I just feel like this is just hopeless… maybe you better spend your time for someone else better than me… I'll move on later… don't worry…"
"So…you're telling me… to leave you alone in that kind of attitude…?"
"Maybe…."
"Fine, then let me outwit you in this… that fox, Ayase Eli… is one of my precious worker…I want you to save her… starting from right now!"
Nozomi remains silent—she is totally defeated in this argument…or maybe not…
"Alright… but I'm afraid I'm not capable of doing that…" she tried to reply again.
"Follow my instruction, believe me you will get her just fine…"
"Ok…so what's the first instruction…?"
"…drink that tea…." Kagemi said. Nozomi turns her eyes to the tea again and drinks it immediately.
"…that will help you recover your damaged soul. You have enough skills to enter the afterlife realm… but not sure about the realm the creature made…"
"The realm the creature made…?" Nozomi asked.
"Didn't you realize… that creature is what someone calls as the anxiety monster…?"
"No…not at all…" Nozomi replied.
"Well…she is definitely someone's anxiety that grows stronger than the basic soul, she isn't the first… in fact… there are plenty that goes around this world… it's hard to beat that one if not by the basic soul themselves. Anyhow…once you get there… all you have to do is to find her realm, then you must crush her with your wit. Try to prevent a direct fight because you are in the disadvantage for that…"
"How can I fight her without a direct fight…?"
"…that will be your mission to figure out… I cannot pamper you for everything. You truly love her, right? So go…risk your life…act like no one can tell you to stop trying…"
Nozomi remained silent to think again…
The Nishikino Hospital,
"How did you know that we have something to make the body live longer without a soul…?" Maki asked.
"We do, Maki-chan… you should get to know your hospital better…" Lilith said, fully clothed and already back into her human form. The group follows them as they push around a soulless Eli on a wheeled bed.
"I've never heard any doctor say that… I mean, if someone is dead temporary, the chance of them returning to life is only within 8 hours after…" Maki replied.
"Your doctors are all low quality then…?" Lilith replied.
"D…Don't say that…! My parents are the one who hired them!" Maki said.
"I'll go to the storage to get what we need…" Eve said.
"H-Huh? Hey… storage is staff only…!" Maki said.
"Sssh…just get along, Maki-chan…you need to help me too in the room later…" Lilith said as she drags the bed to a room, the group decided to wait outside as they watch Maki and Lilith go into the room along with Eli's body.
"H-Huh? What? But I don't—…."
"Don't tell me…? You don't know how to help around the clinic…?" Lilith cuts in as she closes the door behind her.
"I never—…."
"You never help your parents?! That's not the Maki-chan that I remember… I mean, Maki-chan should've been a really good doctor because she always helps around since she is in high school…" Lilith said as she takes the paper placed next to the room, taking notes on everything that needed to be written like she has already known how to do it.
"I just entered High school not long ago! B-Beside… I don't remember knowing you before!"
"Oo…then this should be the start? Well then… Maki-chan… let me teach you a few things that you can do as starter…!"
The World of After Life;
It isn't night time nor is it day time, and the sky seems to change in short periods of time. At times it becomes red, blue and at times the sky doesn't shine at all.
Nozomi didn't take her time to enjoy or get bewilder at the view. She keeps searching for the realm that was said to be created within this world. A lot of souls passes through her like they could care nothing about her—but at times some attacked her immediately without any hesitation.
A lot of realms were created around her, wanting to know what was inside these realms sparked a growing curiosity inside her, but she doesn't have any time to waste. A pocket watch was given to her by Kagemi—one that appeared to be the Demon Empress…
Of course she wouldn't expect someone to be that kind to her… she can say that she is lucky…but not really. She has to do her best and not fail in this one…
4 hours… 20 minutes…
The clock reminded how much time she has left.
7 hours 9 minutes….
Another clock said—showing how much time she can last in this world.
She continued to move through all the realms that she saw—trying to find the right energy with all her senses, from the ones she built herself and the one that were given to her.
As she finally reaches a door to a particular realm, she could feel something familiar to her senses. The scent… the atmosphere…and more importantly, her heart really told her that someone she holds dear is inside…
She decided to knock it once…
But no one responded.
Believing what Eli would do knowing if one was a stranger, Nozomi decided to barge in without permission. Immediately, she found herself inside a big room filled with iced furniture. For a moment there, she couldn't recognize it, but after taking a few seconds to think, she began to realize… this is definitely Eli's apartment room. There are a few parts of the room that seems to be different though—but she knows that the part looked like Otonokizaka High School council room…
Nozomi smiled faintly to herself…
This is a good step, good job, me…
She said in her mind. She processed to get further in—closing the door behind her and heading to the next door.
"Why are you here…?" said a familiar voice...
"Ericchi…?" Nozomi quickly turns herself around. She could see Eli sitting on a chair that looked like the student council's seat, complete with the desk as well. She was even wearing her uniform and that usual cold expression on her face…
"Answer me…. why are you here…?" Eli asked coldly.
"I'm came to take you back home…" Nozomi replied with a relieved smile.
"No point of me going with you…I'm just an emotion…" Eli said.
Nozomi remained silent, her smile fading instantly.
"….you better go home by yourself… it's dangerous inside…" Eli continued.
"But… what about you…? I mean… the real you…. is she inside…?" Nozomi asked.
"She is…but I don't want you to go in… as I said… it's dangerous inside… so stay away and live for yourself…"
"I refuse… let me in. Let me try and reach the real you once again… this is my only chance…and I don't have that much time… you are separated from your body, I need to get you back before it's too late."
"That creature is still inside…along with the real me… if you meet her once again—she will show you no mercy… and you'll be doomed for real…"
"I thought you promised that you will protect me…?"
The blonde remained silent.
"…sadly…I know I can't fight her either… how can I protect you if I can't fight her…?"
"Work together… let's work together….that's what we always do, right?"
"Your power and my power combined will still do nothing to her…"
"Then wit, I told you that I will do it with my wit…."
"And your wit didn't save you before…right?"
"That's why I'm trying again…so allow me to go further in…"
Eli sighs heavily, rolls her eyes and remains silent. Nozomi knows that she will not say anything else in the future…so she decided to walk towards the door anyway and try to open it but it won't budge…
Well…it's time to use something else…
She thought as she begins to scan the room, trying to find a few small tools to pick the lock, then heading back to the door.
There is a keyhole there, but as Nozomi tried reach in with her tools….
"Eh…? What is this…? There's nothing inside…?" she said.
"….that door doesn't have any keys…you can't pick it…" Eli said
"Then...maybe I should copy the spiritual version one…" Nozomi tried to copy the tools and try again—but there's still nothing inside…
"…I told you, you can't…."
Nozomi pouts, she drops all the tools and tries to look again.
Maybe a little force this time…
She thought as she eyes a small crowbar placed near the bookcase, heading there to pick it up…
"You are into breaking my furniture now…?" Eli raises her eyebrows as she watches Nozomi head towards the door with the crowbar.
"Blame the one that's too stubborn to open this—….!" Nozomi tried to open it with crowbar…
"Hnnnnnnnrrrrrggghh…..!"
It's too heavy….
"Well…tell you what… the door will never be opened without my permission…"
Nozomi drops her crowbar,
"Gah….too heavy…." She said.
"Aren't you listening to me? Just go home already… this is for your sake too…"
Nozomi frowns at her, and picks up the crowbar again, smashing it to the door…
The crowbar flew away—lucky that it didn't hit her head….but still…
"Nozomi… that's dangerous… I'm not allowing you to use that again…" Eli said.
"I'm not listening!" Nozomi replied as she quickly grabs the crowbar again—for some reason, now the crowbar won't budge…
The purplenette smirks, and tries to look for something else…
"Everything in this room is mine… If I'm not allowing you to use one, then you will really not be able to use it…" Eli said.
Nozomi completely ignores her and she heads to one of the chair.
"…no…you are not going to throw that…" Eli said.
The purplenette becomes slightly disappointed, and decides to sit on it instead.
"Fine…then I'll just sit here…" Nozomi said.
Eli sighs and once again goes quiet….
Nozomi keeps scanning the room, grueling to find what she can use until an idea comes up to her mind as she saw a clock hanging on the wall.….
"—I'm going to sit here until you open the door for me… even if I have to wait after my time is up…."
Eli becomes slightly surprised as she hears the statement.
"….I don't care about my life anymore…so I don't mind if I have to wait here forever…" Nozomi continued again.
The blonde bit her lips, she once again sighs at her and finally…
Opens the door for her….
Nozomi giggles, kind of wishing that she got that idea sooner…
"Yay! Ericchi—you are the best!" she quickly heads through the door.
Back in the hospital;
Maki just finished setting up an arrangement along with Lilith and Eve. She honestly has no idea what exactly she is doing but she did it anyway. Placing Eli on the right bed—properly, they said, also changing her to patient clothes, giving her a pillow, putting the blanket, and so on…
Is this really doing anything at all…?
"I don't get it, is this actually doing anything…?" Maki asked.
"It will if you believe…" Lilith replied.
"H-huh? Now you are not making any sense…" Maki complained.
"Did you know? The most effective medicine is belief…"
"Huh…? Sounds stupid, I mean… you can't be healed with only prayers…"
"Prayers…. What prayers you're talking about? A prayer doesn't have to be for people with religions…an action is also a prayer…for example, if you are going to an exam, studying is your prayer to succeed…" Lilith replied.
"Yea-uh… parading your body is also your prayer to be called as a slattern…" Eve mumbled to herself.
"Now-now, Eve! I can hear you. Is that your prayer to be tickled till you cry?" Lilith said playfully.
"There's some truth in it though, right?" Eve replied.
"Well, that's just an example anyway!" Lilith said cheerfully to Maki.
"Mmm…I see…I somehow grasped the idea… but now…back to the topic… how much longer do you think she can last if this is actually doing anything…?"
"How long… I wonder…?"
"Hmm….i wonder too…how long do you think that specific girl will need to save her soul?"
"Eh…uh…you shouldn't ask me... but…I get the feeling that she will try her best to work it out before the actual time is over… I'm not sure though…maybe she needs more time…?"
"Then… what about an extra 3 hour? Do you think that's enough….?"
"Eh—I don't know…really…I would hope that she can last longer than a month if possible… I bet Nozomi needs a lot of time to improve her skills…"
"A month…. Huh? Sadly I don't have that much time myself… 3 hours is really the best I can do…except…." Lilith pauses…she look into Eve.
"I don't mind…but I can't do a month either...what about 7 hours?"
"I still think that it will be too fast… building her skill to match that creature should be longer than that…"
"Oh—come on, I beat her hard enough already… I bet anyone can poke her with a stick and she will die from it…"
"Sister, I don't think it's that easy, what if she has some sort of an instant regeneration—? Or at least…something that would make her stronger…?"
"You're right, Eve… maybe she has Autotomy…?"
"That's what a lizard has…sister….not a creature like her… let's just call it regeneration…"
"H-hey…why should I bother with what it's called! The point is, how much longer is Eli's body going to live for?
"Well, she probably has extra 7 hours… so if you really want to help, why don't you get your group and yourself to where Nozomi is…?"
"We don't know where she is!" Maki said.
"That creature said she was saved by her friends, right? Any chance of you to know anyone who has the courage to meet spirits and nuts enough to jump in and save her…?"
"Eh..I don't know any of her friends, other than Eli….." Maki tried to think…
"Or…if it's the spiritual kind of friends…then…." She continued before she began to twirl the tips of her hair while placing her other hand on her waist, glancing up to the ceiling….
"Hmm…how is that even possible…? I believe none of us told them about Nozomi's situation?"
"You know, miracles happen…." Eve replied.
"Or perhaps one of them is some sort of an oracle like me…" Lilith said.
"Stalker, you mean?" Eve said to her sister,
"Stalker…Oracle…what's the difference… I'd suck both…" Lilith said.
Eve rolls her eyes and sighs heavily.
"Ignore her… you should go ahead now…maybe she needs you all…" she said.
"I hope we can be of help… I feel like our power combined still won't catch up to Nozomi's level…put aside that creature…" Maki said.
"Just go already! You shouldn't make her wait for too long!"
The other world,
Did anybody tell her to stop after going through the hallway, connecting her to another door? What kind of realm did Eli and that creature actually make…? If that creature truly is a form of someone….or Eli's anxiety… then what exactly does her anxiety want from her…? Will she really be too dangerous for her…?
The thought of Eli's desire to suicide makes Nozomi feel uncomfortable...what if she truly kills herself this way? Did she still fail to convince her about how the world isn't always that bad? Did she still have doubts about it…? How can she convince her to stop thinking that way?
As soon as she takes a step in past the door at the end of the hallway, she found herself in a very dark and…an abandoned room. She continues to venture further….
And stopped right after she saw a body being thrown to the ground—right in front of her….
"Oh…sorry…didn't notice you there…" again—it's Eli's voice…but this one is rather…calm…? Is she really calm…?
Nozomi remained silent, trying to understand what emotion she is seeing right now…
"Well… my coldness has told me about your arrival…." She said—as she shows up close to Nozomi, with blood all over her face and clothes.
"Welcome… do you intend to save the real me…?" she asked with a mischievous smile...
Nozomi once again remain unresponsive, looking down at the dead body near her feet.
"….yes….? Well...the door is open for you…." the blonde continues as she opens the door to another hallway,
Nozomi looks at the door, feeling uncertain of the things she will face upon walking through it and of the unknown words she will hear.
So she decided to keep being silent as she observes every detail that she could grab from the current room.
There's a lot of ragged curtain, wardrobes and…. coffins?
"What emotion are you…?" Nozomi finally speaks her question.
"…I am….hatred….nice to meet you…." she smiled at her.
Once again, Nozomi tried to think of something that might come up if she decided to just walk away….
"….mm…do I make you feel uncomfortable? What if I give you some more introduction…will you feel any better…?"
"What introduction…? I know almost everything about you…" Nozomi replied.
"Of course, it will be my trophies— you don't know about them, right…?" Eli replied to her.
"Then, show me your trophies…" Nozomi replied.
"What a good spirit, mmm...I love that part of you… or…no… I love everything from you, Nozomi…" Eli said as she walks to the most corner of the coffins.
"Let's make it short, shall we…? I'll start from this person…"
She opened the first coffin, it's the Inn owner that said to be chasing after Maki and friends—the one soul that everyone was looking for…
"She is my first victim…the one who became my very first kill… I have never known this ability of mine if she, the most powerful one never told me about it. To be able to drag one soul out of the vessel…then devour at will…. Isn't it amazing…?" she chuckled as she closes the coffin again.
"Then I keep going with my row… with her guide….I just dragged their souls and absorbed them into my soul—converting them into my spiritual power…." She explained while she points her fingers through the coffins until the second to last coffin.
"….and for now…this is the latest person I have eaten….a flower shop keeper… " she smiled proudly.
"…Why did you eat them…?"
"Hmm….? She told me to just bring from the most worthless souls…so these are the most worthless souls I gathered…"
"….Alright… so tell me any reason as to why you killed the first and the last…"
"The first one? Simply because I was very jealous…. Extremely jealous and felt my territory being threatened….someone like her shouldn't exist…not in history, not in a life time…." She explained,
"….and for the last one…it's simply because I…don't like the way she was treating me….as a customer…"
"What were you trying to get…" Nozomi asked,
"A bouquet of flower…. I told her I wanted a most beautiful and flawless one—she obeyed my request until she figured out that the flowers were meant for a girl…she tried to give me the blue one, saying that it's a lot better for friendship…"
Nozomi feel like she knows where this is going…
"At the time I told her that it's more than friendship… she gave me old…dry flowers…. and told me that such feelings aren't worthy to be described with any living flowers. I was really angry and I left her shop…I could've just tried to buy from another shop… leaving that one big asshole alone with her phobia… but that powerful soul told me… maybe I better not try…it's better that way than to realize that the majority of the world is someone like that jerk…"
"One does not describe the whole world… you should've realized that, right?"
"I did… but the majority of the world is someone like her… so….why bother?"
"You see, Ericchi… if your life now is surrounded by assholes and jerks, you just need to get yourself to see the bigger world—or to at least make some space for someone who is kind to you instead…or maybe just for someone who loves you as who you are… me…your sister… Niko and those juniors perhaps? I mean…. there's no point of you to keep all these people in your memories— they aren't worthy of your life time…"
Eli remained silent for a moment, then gives her a soft smile…
"My dear, Nozomi… I knew you would say something like that to this emotion. Anything to convince me to stop hating and holding grudges… but you know what, I'm listening to you… I truly always do…that's why…this last coffin is prepared, specially made to make you a happier girl…" she said.
Nozomi slightly flustered…
"That coffin…. For me…?"
"No…of course not! Someone as kind as you shouldn't be in this coffin… you should've just fled rather than waste your precious time for me…."
"So….you're saying….?" Nozomi tried to understand her intention….
"….this coffin…is for me…. without my hatred lurking in your world, you'll be a happier girl…you'll make a perfect friend for everyone… "
Nozomi clenched her fist, she should've expected these kinds of words coming from her hatred…
"After all... the person that I hate the most…is me…. I should have never been living with a person like you. Why do you like a murderer like me anyways?" the blonde chuckled,
Nozomi shook her head, she believes that perhaps, it's better for her to just ignore this one emotion… she will just be wasting her time and make herself fail to save the real one.
"Well…there are two doors open for you… which one you are going to pick? One will lead you to your own doom…and the other one will lead you to your happiness…"
The purplenette decides to go to deeper into the realm without question and as soon as she steps out of the door, one that said to be leading to her doom….
"….that's a poor choice…you know. But come back here if you happen to change your mind…. The other door will still be open for you…."
From there, Nozomi realized, even though she is the hatred… she still has the same kind of love with the coldness that she encountered in the first room. She smiles at her, making a short run-back to reach her again….
"Well… can you send a message for the coldness as well? I might've be a little too rough on her…" Nozomi holds the blonde's hand, who looks somewhat confused…
"What message?" she asked,
Without doubt, Nozomi kissed her on her lips…just for a few seconds…
"…I love both of you, so make sure to save me if I'm in trouble with the rest of emotions ok?" she said before she runs off again to do her mission.
The blonde is dumbfounded, she has no idea of what to say to that. A slight blush colored her cheeks—unseen in the darkness….
"Stupid… you're not supposed to love me…."
She whispered to herself before she realizes that her body and her room began to fade...
The temple;
The group arrived at the temple, and immediately began to search for the souls that allied with them. It took a while for them to finally find someone they know—Hanako, the said to be legendary toilet ghost…
"Ah—Hanako-chan!" Kotori shouted as she becomes the first to notice her presence.
"Oh! Kotori-nee-chan! It's been a while!"
"Hehehe! How are you?" Kotori started the conversation.
"Good! Hehe! Are you all here to ask about Nozomi-nee-chan?" Hanako asked.
"Yup! Do you happen to know where she might be…?" Kotori asked as the rest of the group started to join in on the conversation.
"Of course! Hehe! But…she isn't in this world right now… she is traveling within the other realm to save someone!"
"T-Traveling within the other realm?!" Umi exclaimed in her surprise.
"Yep! It's pretty dangerous there so I don't suggest you to go there…" Hanako said.
"Uh…but, we have information for her…" Hanayo said.
"What information, Pana-nee-chan?" Hanako asked.
"Eli's body durability is prolonged for about 7 hours… she can try taking a little of her time to be less careless…" Maki said.
"Ah—that seems to be not too important…hehe…I believe, either way, she will try her best to work on it…" Hanako said.
"It is a very important information..." someone else said. The group tried to look for this someone, Hanako quickly silenced.
"Ah—Kagemi-san…" Honoka greeted her first.
"…my prediction says that there will be more struggles within that realm…if there's someone…or a group of people who could deliver the information to her…" Kagemi said.
"Heh—then, alright, I'll do it…" Maki said.
"Oi-oi, for some reason, I feel like you're being too arrogant yourself. We don't even know where in the other realm she went to… it's a huge place!" Niko said.
"Have you ever been there…?" Umi asked.
"Errh…well…accidentally…actually…when I was…uhm… watching someone specific…"
"Stalking, you mean?" Maki asked teasingly.
"S-shut up! Either way! It's a huge place… so … I doubt we can do the delivery…"
"Hey, do you think I'll be stupid enough to transport you to a place far from the destination? My power isn't limited to something like that… You're all ones who has limited power…" Kagemi said.
"E-eh…? Uh…Kagemi-san….? Are you sure about that? I mean… you look…..well…fragile yourself…" Honoka said.
"I have to agree… I mean, it's fine if we have to be a little further, as long as we have a guide, I think we're fine…" Umi said.
"Why are you all doubting me…? Is it because I look old…?"
The group remain silent, trying their best to not show that they agree with that statement.
"..fine…" Kagemi said with a sigh.
The old vessel slowly crumbles into dust, leaving only the shrine dress on the ground. Then a huge—tall—dark creature… a woman with black dress shows up in front of them them…
Umi recognizes her form, but she isn't quite sure of her memory… there are some things that feel different than the one in her memory… the group is somehow able to see her as well—even Maki.
"Y...You—….?" She lost her words,
"Sheesh, so troublesome… now I have to find another empty vessel…"
"…are that one soul who haunted Eli before…?"
"Hmm…? How rude, you made me leave my only vessel—then accuse me for following that fox?"
"N-No? But you really look alike…"
"I know, but still doesn't make me happy to be similar with her anxiety form…"
"Any idea of why you two look alike…?"
"Not that I have any idea…" Kagemi replied.
"..but…this is just a guess… I met a little nine tail in the past, she was so sad and lonely...i didn't approach her until at one point, she began to show some kind of vengeful aura towards people around her…." she continued again.
"V-vengeful Aura…?" Hanayo began to shiver,
"Yep, a really bad one… I don't know what was with her, but as I approached her, she ran from me and hid behind bushes… it was somewhat cute to be honest So I tried to be as gentle as possible…"
"Did she see you…?"
"Yes…she did… at first, I was a little worried of her growing up with that malicious attitude and becoming a big problem for me. I did want a population control, but not a huge massacre…so I put her fox soul to sleep, while keeping her human consciousness wide awake…"
"….oh….now I see, that's why Eli wasn't that powerful back then…" Niko said.
"Wasn't that powerful? You're joking, right? All nine tails are born strong—it's just about time for them to learn what they can do. Perhaps that's the reason why she gave birth to her anxious self, because her feelings are conflicted and forced to change too quickly… I believe you all know who is responsible for that…"
"Nozomi…" they said with a soft sigh.
"It's not that it's something bad though, the faster, the better—just a lot of risk taken…"
"Wait, how could she give birth to that creature…?"
"Not the same way with how woman usually give birth normally…"
"No…no…what I mean is, why did she give birth to that creature from such an act? I mean...I feel like Nozomi has a good point…she wouldn't change if someone didn't force her to change quickly…"
"….Say, if someone is trying to make you to act quickly while you are still thinking about it—will you be confused?"
"Uh…yes….maybe?"
"That's exactly what I'm telling you dear, a confused person could do anything and it's worse because the host of the soul is a powerful spiritual creature… or we can just say it's an extreme panic reaction of hers…"
"So…basically… what do we need to do…?" Maki asked, trying to hasten the discussion that seems to be wandering somewhere else…
"What do you need to do? More like, what do you want to do…. I can be of help if you need…but if not, I'd be happy to still go.. because…as you can see…I am in need of a new vessel… if anything happens to those two, I'd take the liberty to possess their fresh vessel…"
"H-Huh? What? Let's not come to that conclusion yet!" Niko said.
"We need to act fast, what should we do…?" Umi asked.
"Let's go there together and save them!" Kotori said.
"Y-yeah! We need to do that-nya!" Rin said.
"But what are we actually going to do…? Aren't we just going to give the information?" Hanayo asked.
"I suppose there's that, we never actually know the exact situation…" Maki said.
"Ooo… Kagemi-san! Take us all there in an instant! We have no more time to lose!" Honoka said.
Kagemi chuckles at her,
"Hahaha—I like that spirit of yours! Be prepared to witness my awesome power….!"
Before the group was able to say anything else….
The other world,
Nozomi passed through another hallway and found herself to be standing in front of another emotion room. She wonders what this emotion might be, getting somewhat excited to know…
When she enters the room, she could see tons of book piled up—like it was meant to be for hiding instead of reading.
"Ericchi!" Nozomi tried to call out.
No response given…
Well, perhaps she shouldn't bother searching and mess around with every emotion… she has to go through the door and continue her mission.
By the time she is about to step into the door, a pile of books suddenly collapsed to block her way…
She noticed someone hiding between the colorful books.
"There, Ericchi…! Come out and talk with me, will you?"
Again, no response…
"It's fine, I won't scold you or bite you…. I'm not Nikochi…" Nozomi said.
The blonde finally shows herself—but still hiding behind books anyway….
"Ericchi…I need to pass through…. To save the real you…" Nozomi said.
"G…..ghh….." a shy voice coming out from her….
"Ghh….Go home….!" She finally said.
"I can't… I'm here now and I'll finish this…"
"I…it's dangerous deep inside… so…G..Go home! I don't like you!" the blonde said shyly before she escaped...
"Well then, I'll just dig through these books…." Nozomi said, but before she was able to try—another pile of books dropped there.
"Hey-hey! Ericchi! Quit doing that already! Come out and talk to me!" Nozomi said.
"No! Go home! I hate you!" she replied.
"Sheesh… I'm going to count to three and if you are still stubborn—I'll be the one who will hate you!"
"Harasho! Leave me alone!"
Well…perhaps that's not the right approach….she needs to do something else…
"Mmm..alright, I changed my mind…I don't hate you…. I really-really-really love you… that's why, you need to come out or at least—allow me to go further!"
No response.
Nozomi sighs and instead of waiting for her, she decided to dig into the pile of books. This might be risky as Eli might drop more stacks of books on her—but she knows her well...
Eli will not harm her—that's what she has always believed. As for that someone who almost killed her soul… is that person really Eli's anxiety?
Either way, she will have to deal with her later…this time, focus on getting through this room…
At the times she got so close to the door—to be exact, at the time she is about to open the door, a specific blonde jumped in and pressed herself to the door.
"I said, don't go there!" she shouted with blush all over her face.
A playful smile comes out on the purplenette's face, she presses herself against the shy blonde and kisses her lips tenderly.
"N-N-Nozomi….!" Eli shoves her away, making distance while her face turns even more red.
"T-T-This is embarrassing!" she said loudly.
"What's so embarrassing about this? We've seen each other naked…!" Nozomi said teasingly.
"Y-y-you know… I…I'm not worthy of your soft lips… not for your love either… it made me sick that I was forcing you to accept me… and I don't like the way you are so nice to me and pretend that everything is fine! You can tell me if you don't like me! You don't have to make me feel embarrassed of myself!"
"Hmm….I see…so that's what you were thinking…but Ericchi, you see, if I can split myself into many emotions like you… everyone will want to have some nice sex with you as their priority...from the one you can see in my surface until the core of me…"
"Y…you're doing it again…."
"You are attractive Ericchi, believe it. There's no reason for anyone to pretend to like you because if there's anyone attracted to you physically, it mostly is an honest attraction…"
"Lies…"
"Well, if I said everyone is attracted to your attitude, I lied… but I didn't say that, right? So I'm truly being honest…"
The blonde remain silent. Nozomi giggles,
"Now, you're convinced? Or…should I tell you that with your attitude, you drive almost everyone to go nuts? Maybe some can tolerate as they might be able to relate with you, but… not everyone can do that, ok?"
Eli nodded shyly.
"So…will you let me pass through? To save the real you….?" Nozomi asked.
The blonde nods, giving her the path to get the door.
"T-Take care…" she said.
Nozomi smiles and before she leaves, she plants a gentle kiss on the shy girl's forehead.
Meanwhile….
"W-woah?! This is the other world?" Honoka said excitedly as she keeps looking around. A lot of creature seems to be scared as they see the group—including Kagemi herself and Yuki the Snow Girl.
"Yes, dear… I'll take you all to where many realms are created… but behave, ok?" Kagemi said.
"Ok! Got it!" Honoka replied.
"S-she is fearless…." Umi whispered.
"I…I think she just finds it amazing to see these creatures..." Kotori replied.
"eh…these creatures do look amazing-nya! They seem harmless too!" Rin said.
"….maybe they are just harmless because they are scared of Kagemi-san…" Hanayo said.
"I believe that's the case… but…now… do the souls you see in the world, look like them too?" Maki asked.
"Not really, I thought you've seen some…" Niko replied.
"Huh? You can see too… I thought you can only see the past?"
"Sort-of…! Some souls are seen by normal people, right?" Niko replied again.
"Alright…but I guess, the thing that I should be surprised about is that you being useful in our team…"
"So you admit that I'm useful! I'm surprised!" Niko said.
"Yeah… I know… I'm surprised that I admit it…" Maki replied.
The group keeps moving forward without any obstacle as every other soul that sees them quickly move out of the way.
Deep inside the core of one specific realm,
A tall creature with pale skin and dark dress floats above the air as she stares into one specific blonde, sitting on a chained throne with dark barriers surrounding her. She looks very exhausted from whatever that was done to her…
"…so… are you going to give up, betrayer?" the creature asked her.
The blonde doesn't respond.
"….this is the only way for me to save you… just imagine if you have to deal with more pain from what they will do to you in the future…"
"….I still don't get it… why did you say that they are going to harm me later? I have not seen any reason for me to be anxious about them…they're being honest…not trying to intentionally harm me."
"That is what you have said to me long time ago! Then you soon realized that you're only being used… you regret changing yourself…and that's where I came along, to tell you that you don't need anyone else..."
"They are different…they are not pretending, I'm very sure of that!"
"No… you are being too innocent… you are opening yourself too much…you'll be harmed…!"
"I don't care! I want to believe them! I want to make myself comfortable around them!"
"You said you don't care about yourself, but you are always the first to be hurt!"
"So…? I'll learn and live with it! I don't want to make you my barrier anymore! I'm not going to run away either! I want to be strong and live by my own way! I don't want to live in fear! I'm going to face them!"
"You cannot live with that! You are too weak! Too stupid! Too naïve!"
"That's why I want to come out! I don't want to be weak, stupid and naïve forever!"
"There's no point of you being wise, you'll just be mere garbage and society is going to lead you to your doom! No one in this world thinks about anyone else more than themselves. They are all selfish!"
"What's wrong with being selfish? Isn't that normal for someone to do so? I'll be the most selfish one if I expect everyone to think about me—my feelings or always being nice to me! Truthfully, no one can live like that! Everyone struggles to live for themselves! That's why it will be nice to have a friend who we understand and understands us as well! Someone like Nozomi…someone like those kids!"
"You've seen it yourself, they were all running away!"
"It's because you hurt them first! You were scaring them!"
"True friends will—…."
"Bullshit! What true friends? You are not making any sense! This is not a perfect world where you can find everything at first sight! You have to struggle—just like everyone else!"
"You'll be the only one to struggle, there is no struggle needed if you find the right person…"
"You're talking nonsense to break my confidence, right? So that I feel like I've never found one? So that I don't want to try? Stop lying to me! Especially with those sweet words! There's no safety behind these barriers! Only fear! This will never make me any stronger! You're making me the weakest of all!"
"Fine…if you keep refusing me… I have no choice but to take your place! I'll save you from this cruel world!"
Not so far away,
Nozomi is still running to hasten her journey, she looks into her watch and finds out that she only has 2 hours left to save her girlfriend…
She doesn't know how many emotions she will need to get through—but as soon as she finds a door to a room, she quickly enters without hesitation, ignoring the details of the room that looks very-very melancholic. There's one specific blonde sitting on the bed, crying and seems to have never taken any breaks from it.
The purplenette also ignored the pool of water on the floor, which most likely came from Eli's tears, heading to the door and attempted to open it. Yet….
It's locked…
She said to herself.
Quickly, she turns her sight to Eli—or more like, Eli's sadness…
"Ericchi…open the door, I need to pass through..! I don't have much time left!"
The blonde continues to cry, showing no hints of responding…
Nozomi sighs softly. She decided to head towards Eli and take a seat next to her. Now she noticed that the bed is soaked by her tears….
"Ericchi, please stop crying and listen to me, will you?"
The blonde still quiet in her cries…
"Look, I really don't have that much time left…and I don't know how deeper this realm is going to be…so… really…2 hours might be too short for me…"
"Can't you just use those 2 hours to leave? I don't want you to suffer for me… it makes me sad…." The blonde finally speaks.
"It will make me sad too if I lose you… I really love you… truly… love you…so…think about my feelings too…"
The blonde sobbed, she shows a hint of calming down…
"Please…open the door…and let me pass through…."
"Will you promise me that you will succeed?"
"Yep! We will be together forever too! I promise!"
The blonde nodded, she turns her sight to the door and raises her hand—unlocking and opening it at the same time.
"It's a promise, Nozomi…I believe you…"
The purplenette smiles and again, gives her a kiss on her lips.
"I'm glad you are convinced quickly… but, just to let you know… if you want to show yourself to me later—I'll listen to you and I promise I will not try to shame you for being sad…"
The blonde nods again,
"just go…. Don't make me start thinking about the chances of you being a failure..!"
"I know-I know! But I'll succeed! Trust me!" Nozomi replies before she quickly runs to the door and leaves.
The entrance to the realm,
The group finally arrives along with Kagemi and Yuki.
"So…this is where Nozomi and Eli is…?" Umi asks.
"Most likely…" Kagemi replies.
"Most Likely? Now you're not convincing…" Niko said.
"No one can sense a a target person, you know, I only could feel a big uncomfortable presence and a presence of a living person inside—so I thought, this must be where they are…" Kagemi replied.
"Huh? Ok…so…I guess we just have to go inside then?" Niko said.
"Yep…" Kagemi said.
"Alright…let's get this over with…" Maki said as she heads in first, followed by Rin and Hanayo. Honoka, Kotori and Umi joins in afterwards, while Niko is left doubtful.
"Hey, is it really ok to do this…?" Niko asked to Kagemi..
"What's wrong with trying…? I thought you all wanted to do this…"
"I know…but…I feel like, even if we are there, we might not be able to do anything…"
"Say, one day, you really-really want to eat a hamburger—that one human food… then suddenly, someone informs you that there's a very delicious hamburger shop open in the city… what will you do?"
"Uh…move my ass there and buy one…?
"Exactly… a little information as such is very important at the right time…maybe some people will brush you off—but still, you tried… and you just need to believe that they will be glad to be informed."
"Hmm..alright… but…really…what do you think we should do after that? Can we really be of any help?"
"Someone's wisdom isn't only placed in what they speak of, but in their actions as well. I don't know what your friend want–or what you want… so… I'll leave that to you all to decide…"
"Huh…? Alright… I guess I'll take that…helpful advice…"
"You're welcome…" Kagemi replies as she watches Niko heading into the realm as well.
The two souls are quiet for a moment until Kagemi begins to move away,
"M'lady…." Said the snow girl.
Kagemi didn't reply…but she stops to listen.
"….I know I have never requested you of anything, and nor am I worthy to make any request to you at this moment…. but….can I–…."
"I'm just going to pretend that I don't know what you are going to do tonight…" Kagemi replies coldly and clearly before she continues to walk.
Yuki silenced,
"So come back when you are done… and I'd expect you to not come back by yourself…" Kagemi continues again as she fades away from the snow girl's sight.
The snow girl smiles at her,
"Maybe you're not as bad as I thought you to be…M'lady…."
She turns herself to the realm's entrance,
"I'll make sure to apologize to you later…"
The Hall to another room,
Again, Nozomi isn't quite sure of how long she will have to go on. So far, she has met Coldness, Hatred, Shyness, and Sadness. She wonders if she will ever see any positive emotions such as Happiness or Playfulness. She want to believe that Eli really does have those emotions. Maybe they should be deep inside?
As soon as she proceeds further, very close to the next room's door…
"Ah—Nozomi! I've been waiting for you!" a voice she knows, shouts
The door in front of her opened, without doubt—that's another emotion room.
Nozomi smiles—she is happy that there's one emotion that was expecting her to come by.
What emotion is this?
She wonders.
She has passed through almost all of the negative emotions, could this be something positive…?
Either way, she needs to get through this room and get the real one out of her realm.
See you next chapter!