Author's note:

Sorry for the delay. Also, not sure what it is exactly, but the chapter reads a but weak to me.

Oh well.

Also... trust the process? I swear we'll get there in the end... maybe.

Chapter 40: Dual-Pronged Approach

Tuesday, September 13th, 20XX After school

Maruki sat in his chair, legs crossed, pen poised above his writing pad. Already a wry smile had crept onto his face, and it was a challenge to not break out into laughter.

The reason for his amusement was a certain girl with a curtain of luxurious red hair that paced back and forth in his consultation room. Within the small space, she only got three or four steps before being forced to turn around.

As the charade passed the five-minute point without a single tangible word exiting her lips, Maruki wondered if the girl had lost it. "I do not like to press the people that come to me, but if you want to go for a walk, I hear the campus has… shall we say… longer routes."

"Urgh," Sumire blushed but did not stop her pacing. Thankfully, it did get her to start talking. "Umm, doctor… is there a person you love?"

"I love? A rather personal question but yes, there is." Maruki replied evenly.

"Are you scared to mess it up?" Sumire asked another question her voice increasing in pace. "Like, how do you know that's real? Maybe you just think you like them because they are tall, dashing, and amazing. Is that possible?"

"Ms. Yoshizawa," Maruki spoke slowly. "It sounds to me as if you are scared of committing to Mr. Amamiya, do you think that's a fair conclusion?"

"H-Huh!?" The girl shrieked, finally stopping pacing to gape at him. "I-I never brought up senpai! I just meant in general!"

"I see," Maruki spoke conciliatorily. "Well, perhaps I may be able to give better advice if you would tell me the events that have transpired between this hypothetical dashing man and confused woman."

"Exactly! A hypothetical woman! This is not about me!"

"Indeed, why don't we call them your friend."

Sumire nodded happily, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. Unfortunately, she also started pacing again. "So, my friend has known this boy for about… well since the beginning of the school year."

"I see."

"And they started off real good! He's pretty popular in some ways, but not so much in others, you know?"

"I think I can imagine."

"So, she was always wondering if she was good enough for him, but how could that be? She had never been good enough before. Over time though she thought that maybe, just maybe, that he needed her. That they could become more than friends."

"Riveting."

"Precisely!" Sumire agreed, raising a dramatic finger for a moment, but never pausing in her pacing. "Anyway, when she was at a low point, like real low, he rejected her."

Maruki raised an eyebrow in surprise. It was the first twist that he had not expected.

"Anyway, that taught her that she needed to live by herself, be self-sufficient. Only for the imbecile to tell me that he only wanted 'what was best' for me and stuff like that. So now he has confessed his feelings to me, and I have no idea what to do!"

A friend, huh? Maruki had been a counselor for a long time, but never before had he come so close to laughing at a client. "Well, what are your feelings for him?"

"M-Mine!? This is about a friend!"

"…Right. And did your friend tell you their feelings?"

Slowing her pace, Sumire pushed up her glasses. "T-They like me of course… It just, it doesn't seem possible. Everything went wrong, like it always does… Can they really be fixed just like that?"

"Just like that, huh…" Maruki mused. Closing his pad, Maruki uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. The motion finally getting the girl to stop and look at him. "Do you remember what you said to me at our last appointment?"

"What I said… last time?"

Maruki felt the emotions building within him. A frustration that she did not remember the words that had changed his life, a sense of relief that he finally got to share it with someone. "I know that I'm going to have more bad days, but I won't forget to keep moving. Do you no longer believe in that mentality?"

"I-I… No, of course I do! I tried to move on after the rejection! My friends helped me get back on my feet!"

Maruki pressed the issue, curious. "Have you considered the possibility that you've lingered so long in darkness that now that you have finally found a light you are unable to embrace it? The possibility that you want things to continue to go poorly for you, so you have no issues complaining about how hard your life is?"

"That…" Sumire's eyes broadened under his verbal tirade. "That can't be true… I do want to be happy!"

"Then why not accept his apology and attempt to make your feelings a reality?"

Sumire collapsed, finally sitting on the couch, head in her hands. The girl looked completely defeated. "That's what I wanted you to tell me…"

"So, you reject my hypothesis and search for one that is a little softer, huh?" Maruki pursed his lips uncertain of how to continue. Sumire was a phantom thief and unlikely to be susceptible to his… alterations, as he referred to them. Still, she was a link to Ren, the leader of the phantom thieves, Maruki was certain. His previous theory about her leading them was clearly not correct.

"Because it can't be right!" Sumire protested. "I don't want to be miserable! That's absurd!"

Maruki was silent for a moment and then gambled. "Your sister."

"What?" The visceral reaction from the girl told Maruki he was on the correct path.

"Do you perhaps have latent feelings of attachment to her? A promise surrounding dating? Or maybe debts that you never repaid?"

"T-That has nothing to do with this!"

All humour and levity had been wrenched from the conversation. To Maruki's trained, analyzing eyes, Sumire was a font of emotion. Every variety was spilling out of her as her mental state shifted rapidly.

Anger at me and others, fear that I'm correct, and a desire for this all to be solved… Those were the easy ones to make out. There was a more nuanced layer underneath that Maruki did not have the correct information to piece out. What was clear was an abundance of stress.

"Your sister won the tournament last month, correct? Do you see yourself as inferior to her?"

"THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM!"

She screamed at him, eyes of fire leaking a flood of tears. Grabbing her hair in both hands Sumire stood up and began to walk away, facing the far wall to avoid him.

"This is about Senpai… Ren. He's off doing important work and I… I'm here wondering how to accept him."

"I think," Maruki spoke once he was sure she was finished. "That you should return regularly. You have a lot of baggage that needs to be unpackaged. Until we process the hold that your sister has on your heart, we can't determine the extent of your relationship with Mr. Amamiya."

"I keep saying… Never mind. I need to practice." It was not until she had opened the door and took a step through that she remembered her manners. "Thank you doctor."

Tapping his pencil against the pad in a rhythmic motion, Maruki thought through the conversation again. The things she had said the last few visits, his revelations. At last, he came up with an answer that suited him.

"A single change is not enough. It requires a constant guiding hand. Something that will catch you before you fall." Maruki did not consider that such a divine force could actually exist, but he hoped that it did anyway. A single councilor could not reach the number of people he needed to.

Closing his eyes, Maruki wished truly and deeply for a world where everyone could live in peace and happiness.

Tuesday, September 13th, 20XX After school

"Ah, hah," Panting, Kasumi's muscles strained as her arms bent, lowering her head and suspended body closer to the ground. Once her head touched, she pushed, lifting herself back up. The standing push-ups were perhaps a bit of extravagant nonsense, but Kasumi liked how well they tested her whole body. The precision and muscle control of the abs and legs, the strength in the arms.

It is an exercise that demands perfection. Any slight mistake sends you into an unstoppable tumble. That was the best part.

"Hey, Kasumi…"

From her upside-down view, Kasumi struggled to find the unexpected male voice. Narrowing her eyes, she eventually found the suspect. Falling toward her back, Kasumi tucked her legs in, landed on her feet and allowed the momentum to propel herself into a standing position. "What do you want, Yoshito?"

"W-Well, I guess I'm a little confused. Minami and Yuuki are complaining about how elitist you are and that we weren't good enough for you…"

"But?" Kasumi pressed.

"You seemed so happy to be with us. To have friends… I refuse to believe that those emotions of yours were a lie."

Kasumi could not look at him. If she did, the boy who saw a little too much would see how pained she was. Getting ambushed like this in the middle of her workout prevented Kasumi from generating a convincing lie. Thankfully, the truth worked just as well.

"Yeah, I was happy. There is just no place for me in your group. And honestly, I don't have time to spend with you anymore."

"Okay."

Kasumi tensed for a moment. She hadn't heard him walk away, but the silence was awkward. Eventually, she turned around and he was indeed still there. "What is it?"

"I… I'm struggling to find the words."

"Well, I'm going for a run. So find them quick."

Yoshito nodded as if she said something wise and not incredibly rude. "Even though you looked happy, I could not help but feel that to you, we were no more than a substitute for the people you really wanted to be with. I apologize that we weren't good enough. I hope you find the people that truly suit you. Goodbye, Kasumi."

Each word was a cutting knife. Kasumi had never expected something like this from the shy boy that fawned over Yuuki. He saw too much. Was currently seeing too much. Kasumi's wounds were still too fresh.

I don't care! I don't need this from a stranger.

"Ah, goodbye." Leaving it there, Kasumi took off. Her run was not a workout, it was a flight. Her only way to escape from those knowledgeable black eyes.

Tuesday, September 13th, 20XX Night

"G-Good work today, everyone…" Stuttering her words, Haru's mind was still reeling from the sights she had seen in her father's palace. Besides finding the key words, Haru's group had only gotten into the space station and through the first few obstacles.

"Bye Haru!" Ann waved at her. "Feel free to call if you need something!"

"Unn, I will…" Haru confirmed. Morgana went with Ann, and Ryuji departed with a big smile. It was a small but competent group. Haru briefly wondered how Mako-chan's group had done. With Futaba navigating, Yusuke as a strong attacker and Ren as a wildcard, they should be able to tackle everything stupid enough to mess with them.

With a jolt, Haru's phone vibrated. "Oh, speak of the devil." They had made a deal to tell each other how the day exploring had gone when they finished. With the sun already almost set, Haru knew that she would have to hurry home. It seemed like Mako-chan's investigation had also gone long.

The name on the screen was not hers, it was Okumura Kunikazu. Swallowing, Haru picked up the phone. "Father? Is there a development."

"Yes, the development is why are you not home!? I brought people here to show you off only to learn you were galivanting the streets like a delinquent. You must refrain from this behavior."

"C-Coming!" Haru responded instinctively. Running for the nearby station, she panted out her question. "What excuse did you use?"

"Supplementary business classes." Her father responded. "Speaking of which, I have taken the liberty of enrolling a private tutor for you and backdated the payment to start yesterday. Highschool will not teach you everything you need."

"E-excuse me?" Haru could not believe what she hearing. "Father… you did that for me?"

"Of course. I should have started them a month ago."

"Ahh, real business lessons…" Then the sight of the robots flashed through her mind. The people that her father did not even view as human.

"Well, that is everything, return soon."

"Umm, Father…" Haru asked hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"How do you think about the people that work for you?"

He laughed softly. "You will learn about that soon. Basically, in economics people are simply agents that seek to maximize their money. That applies not only to our consumers, but our employees. People desire raises, overtime work, more responsibilities, all to make more money. As such, the people that endure more than others, make the most."

"Is that… common?"

"Of course. It is the basis of our world. Goodbye, daughter."

"Bye… Father…" Hangin up the phone, Haru sighed and stepped into the train that was just arriving. Getting a seat on the empty evening train, Haru mused to herself. "If it's so common… Why do you have a palace?"

There were no answers for her. Nothing that would tell her what exactly was wrong with her father. In some ways, many ways, Haru still supported her father. These people knowingly applied for these jobs. Despite the anger at him, they still had fully staffed restaurants.

Could you exploit people that applied for a job and worked within the contract they were given? Without breaking the law either? Originally, Haru would have said no. After talking to her friends and her father earlier, she had thought yes. Now… it seemed like the answer was in the middle.

What was now becoming increasingly clear to Haru was how incredibly complex these issues were. Her father had not built society, nor was he the sole person benefitting from it. Haru was confident that he could be better. That changing his heart was for the best. But even if she changed his heart, what would happen?

"Why… is nothing simple in the world anymore?"

Wednesday, September 14th, 20XX After school

"Senpai?"

Turning to greet the beautiful red-haired girl, Ren bowed his head in greeting. "Hi Sumire. You're heading to your practice gym, right?"

"That's correct," the girl nodded her head. Her cheeks were gradually growing redder and redder. Be that because of the students passing by gossiping or just being around him, Ren did not know why.

"Can I walk you there?"

"S-Sure…"

Assuming a side-by-side gait, Ren kept a cautious gaze on the nearby students. There was no vitriol in their gazes or conversations though. If they did make mention of them, most were casual comments to friends about their supposed relationship status.

I guess things really can improve around here… Ren was relieved that the student body had mostly forgotten about his past and the rumours around him. That was good. He did not want to drag Sumire into that mire… assuming they really were going out.

"D-Don't you have a palace to start clearing?" Sumire asked him suddenly.

Whether to get rid of him or avoid the conversation, Ren could not decide but the words stung either way. "Are you so eager to get rid of me?"

"N-No… I was just curious."

"Hmm… Well, Haru can't join today so most of the others volunteered to help out Makoto so I can rest."

"Oh…"

The conversation lulled as they approached the station. In the mess of bodies, it became impossible to talk anyway. Sticking to Sumire's side nonetheless, Ren did his best to interject himself between any men that may be looking to capitalize on the rush.

The ride itself was more of the same, no space, only the sound of coughing and shoes scuffing. A few stops later they disembarked and got out into the relative quiet of the city.

"Busy today, wasn't it Senpai?"

"Yes, it was."

"Umm, are you mad at me?"

Ren pushed up his glasses, glancing away awkwardly. "No, I don't think so. Just… confused."

"Urgh, sorry…"

That made things only more awkward between them. In only a couple of minutes Sumire would be starting practice and Ren would have lost his chance to figure things out. "Sumire," Ren forced himself to speak, heart beating wildly in his chest. "I don't want to force you into something, but you seem to enjoy everytime I touch you."

To prove his point, Ren took her hand in his, running his smooth over the soft skin of the back of her hand. It contrasted the worked calluses of her fingers. Sumire's hand jerked in his but did not pull away.

"I talked to Dr. Maruki yesterday…"

The words sounded like a confession. Ren nodded. "There is no shame in going to counseling. "You talked to him… about me?"

"W-Well… yes." Sumire flushed even brighter. "He thinks I'm pulling away from you because of my sister."

"Huh?" Ren add to run the words through his mind again to make sure he did not misunderstand. If he heard right, the words were meaningless to him. "I don't understand what you mean. Kasumi was the one that gave us another chance."

"Maybe that's why… Hey, Senpai, how would you describe me?"

"Beautiful." The word slipped from his mouth before he could even think about being embarrassed. "You carry with yourself a presence of dignity, your kind, thoughtful, yet sensitive. All of that wrapped up with grace, and the occasional moment of goofiness."

"I… I see."

"Did I say something wrong?" Ren pressed. He had calmed down, but his nerves were rising again. Sumire's embarrassment was fading and in its place she was wearing a distant expression.

"No, you did not. But Senpai… I have a strange request."

Stopping outside of the gym door, Ren waited, trying to keep his features composed.

Sumire looked him straight in the eyes, her ruby orbs earnestly conveying the truth of her words. "I think… I will struggle to accept you fully until I surpass Kasumi."

"…What?" For the second time in mere minutes, Sumire's words had no meaning to him. "What are you talking about? You sound like an anime character swearing revenge."

"I'm being serious!" Sumire retorted, raising her voice. "Do you know what I saw in my mind when you described me? My sister. She is literally me but better!"

"…" Half a dozen words formed in Ren's mouth but he put them away, frustration rising. He wondered if another kiss would dislodge the blockage from her mind. Finally, taking a settling breath, Ren made one more attempt with the truth. Raising their still linked hands before them, Ren wrapped his second hand around hers, completely enveloping her small yet strong hand. "I don't love your sister, I love you."

"But how little would have to change for Kasumi to be here instead of me?" Sumire whispered, "with only a few things happening differently she would be a phantom thief, she would be standing here now…"

"And with one change I never move in with the Sakura's and never meet either of you." Ren retorted angrily. "Why does this matter?"

"It matters because I'm flawed." Sumire bit out, leaning her head against their linked hands, adding her second one on top. The words of her confession strangled with emotion. "I'm sorry… I just… I just need to know that I'm worthy of you."

"You are," Ren insisted.

"But I don't think that I am." Sumire retorted. "Do you really want to date a girl that caves to your every whim in a desperate desire to make sure you don't leave her? I would turn into your slave. I… I was ready to accept in Kyoto."

Ren gaped, the conversation finally clicking in his mind. "…You're right. You need to do this for yourself but… what are we?"

"Hmm, how about promised?"

"Promised?" Ren repeated the word with a strangled voice.

Sumire finally blushed again. "Umm, when I win the gold medal… I want to marry you!"

Ren would not have been more surprised if she punched him in the gut. Actually, that would have made more sense. "W-We aren't even dating… What are you saying?"

"…Eh?" Sumire's eyes widened with horror.

Moving quickly, Ren stepped in, wrapping one hand around her waist while keeping his grip on her hand with his left. If she wanted to try and escape, she would need to struggle.

Body shivering like a leaf, Sumire did try to pull away a little. "I-I didn't mean, n-not that I don't want to but…"

"Sumire," Ren smiled at her, trying to be gentle yet firm. "There is a step between married and friends. What. Are. We?"

She stopped trying to pull away, but the shaking did not. "One year…"

"One year?"

Sumire nodded to Ren's qualifying question. "This competitive season actually. So until April. If I don't surpass Kasumi by then… I will not date you."

Ren wanted to shake the girl. The way she made such insane promises was infuriating. Preparing his words, he was cut off by Sumire's hand on his lips.

"I see what you want to say. Your reaction embarrassed me, but it's true. I want to spend my life with you."

"Then—"

Sumire overrode him again. "I refuse to it as an invalid. I want to be able to stand beside you as an equal. I can't do that right now."

"Because Kasumi is better than you at gymnastics? Do you understand how ridiculous that sounds?"

"Yes."

"Then why!?"

"Because I'm broken!" Sumire yelled, her voice cracking with heartfelt emotion.

The admission in her voice was like a knife to Ren's heart. She looked so pitiful as her eyes welled with tears. Her petite face framed by hair and glasses.

"I've seen Kasumi break down this year. I've surpassed her in academics… I know she isn't perfect. I know those things! I tell them to myself… but my heart doesn't believe them. Just once I need to know how it feels to stand atop that podium, to have my family cheer for me. Just once I don't want to be the one of the sidelines, clapping with an empty smile, trying not to cry and ruin the moment."

"Oh Sumire." Pulling her closer to himself, Ren laid his head on hers. It was probably inappropriate based on what she had said, but right now, he was consoling her as friend. "If this is your decision, I will respect it."

"Thank you, Sen—"

"However," Ren bulled over her words, "I do not agree with it. Your feelings of inferiority or whatever you think it is that is wrong with you… This method is not necessary. I will not help you against your sister."

"…That's so cruel."

"I don't want to be," Ren whispered. Before pulling back, he kissed her forward gently. Laying his own forehead against the spot his lips had been, Ren stared into her eyes. Their glasses clinked softly once, breaths mingling. Through the distorted glass, Ren tried to convey his heart, his emotions. "I just want you to know Sumire that I do not care about your gymnastics ability. That is not why I love you. I love your heart, your kindness, how much you are willing to risk to help others."

"I-I… I need to practice."

"Unn, practice hard." Disengaging from Sumire, Ren gave her a small wave which she returned before entering the building. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Ren tried to still his rampaging heart. He had no idea if he should be happy or enraged. The answer likely laid somewhere in the middle that Ren would have to spend a long time trying to figure out.

Thursday, September 15th, 20XX After school

Makoto was the last of the group to enter Leblanc. Bowing once to the Master, Makoto hurried up the stairs at the back to Ren's room. The room was filled with an odd air. Ryuji and Ann were standing over a harassed looking Ren.

"Surely you aren't going to leave it like that!"

"Yeah dude! You got to force your way in!"

"Hehe, you should just take another girl on a date and see how long this lasts!"

"Hmm, there in an inextricable beauty to young love."

Makoto blinked. One nice, long action to try and recalibrate her brain. "Umm, what is happening here?"

"Oh, you won't believe this," Morgana laughed. "Sumire dumped Ren for her sister!"

"Don't say it like that!" Ren snapped. "I can't believe I told you guys…"

Shaking her head, Makoto stomped a foot. "We have more pressing issues. I'm worried about Haru!"

"She cancelled again today, didn't she?" Ren mused, eager to take the change in topic. "We've made it to the second floor of your sister's casino and should be able to get to the third relatively easily if Futaba's idea works."

"What does that have to do with Haru?" Makoto grumbled. Crossing her arms, she waited impatiently for the group to focus. "I tried to talk to her today after school and could barely get a word from her. She just apologized and slipped into a sleek limousine that came to get her!"

"Ohh, I heard about that!" Ryuji lit up, face excited. "Happened yesterday as well. People are still trying to figure out who's getting picked up and why!"

"The point," Makoto growled, "is that Haru is hiding things from us!"

"I thought she was past that," Morgana tsked.

"Haru's life is very different from any of ours. She wasn't lying about wanting to change her father's heart. Let's put our trust in her and hope things get better."

Ann's words made sense to Makoto's mind, but her heart refused to accept them. "Being someone's friend does not mean just trusting them! It means doing what needs to be done for them, even if they don't ask you to. Especially if they don't ask you to!"

"Is that right…?" Ren's voice was distant, eyes staring at something Makoto could not see. "But that's the problem, isn't it? What do you need to do? What will make it better and what will only make it worse?"

"We can start with making her confide in us!" Makoto huffed, daring someone to disagree. "After that we will know what to do!"

"Makoto," Ann spoke gently, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you aren't rushing into this a little too quickly?"

"Indeed," Yusuke spoke up, "Haru's words to us were heartfelt. She will not give up on us."

Gritting her teeth, Makoto did not know what to say to convince them. How could they all sit around and not be worried? Haru had gone into her father's palace once and then started ghosting them. There was no way that that could be a coincidence.

"Fine, chill out and do nothing, I'm going to talk to her."

"Makoto!" Ann cried out, grabbing her wrist. "Calm down and listen to our words. We care about Haru as well."

Makoto almost ripped her hand away but could not. She could feel her arm shaking in Ann's grasp. "What if she needs us?"

"And what if we make it worse for her?" Ann replied gently. "Wait for school tomorrow. Talk to her at lunch, get the truth then."

"I…" Bowing her head, Makoto's emotions raged through her. "I don't want to lose her."

"We know," Ann smiled at her softly.

"Can we go punch stuff now?" Makoto growled. "No point in sitting around all day."

"Lead on," Ren spoke, standing silently. "We are behind you and Haru for this. These targets are important people to you. We only go when you give the ok."

"…Thank you." Makoto returned the same gesture to Ann, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Now, let's go."

Thursday, September 15th, 20XX After school

"Welcome back, Master."

Akechi smiled smugly at the beautiful woman that greeted him into the apartment above a maid café in akihabara. "Hello, Rose. Keeping things clean around here, I hope?"

"Of course. Thank you so much for allowing me to use this apartment."

As she bowed again, Akechi cast an appraising eye over her head. In the span of a short few weeks, the hair had begun to grow back, filling in the bald spots that had started to appear from the stress and malnutrition.

"Has anyone recognized you yet?"

"No. As you said, my hair colour is rare enough that they assume it is a wig."

"Good. Now, aren't you forgetting something?"

"Hmm? I cleaned the whole apartment, I worked, I have coffee prepared for you…"

Akechi sighed in disappointment. Shaking his head, the woman began to panic. Her eyes widened with fear of a torture past. To help her out, Akechi pointed at his shoes.

"Ahh, of course!" With an urgent fervor, she dove at his feet; thin fingers picking unsteadily at the laces to his dress shoes.

Akechi held in his giggle. He loved how submissive the girl had become. She was so worried about being sent back to prison that she fulfilled his every whim. Dressed in a cute maid's outfit, she worked downstairs during the day to afford the place. She would be a crucial key for him to use against Shido. A pawn fully in his control that he could sacrifice at any moment.

Akechi was still distracted by his rapture by the time she had finished and pulled away. "Where are you going?"

"Huh? But I un—"

Akechi shoved his foot into her, sending her falling backwards. "Take it off."

"…Y-Yes."

For a brief moment, her eyes flashed with anger. That was all though. No complaints, no hesitation before removing his shoe. When it was off, Akechi gave her his other foot.

"Good… Very good. Now grab me a cup of coffee."

Handing her his jacket to hang up, Akechi sank into the lone chair in the unfurnished bachelor pad. The kitchen was a cramped space in one corner which directly backed into the living room. The futon for sleeping was left out but made up. Beyond that, the apartment room had a small showerless bathroom and closet.

Moments later, she was there with a cup of coffee. When Akechi took it, she scuttled back to the far wall, standing at attention in her own home. Sipping the coffee, Akechi absorbed the warmth, the harsh bitterness. Each of these meetings with Rose were both crucial and stressful. Akechi could not let her realize how much power she had over him. To get her out, Akechi had to tell Shido that she was dead. News of her existence would send the plans that Akechi had spent years carefully constructing collapsing to the ground.

"Well then, are you ready?"

Akechi's words took the hope in her eyes and made it a tangible object that permeated her whole face. A heartfelt smile resurrected from the ashes of her long torture. "Yes! Please!"

Flipping out his phone, Akechi ran the ID masking program and installed it with a fake caller-ID. Loading up the number that he had saved ahead of time, Akechi turned the phone to her. "Remember, one mistake—"

"And we're both back in the cell." She finished. "I would never harm you."

"Good girl." Relinquishing the phone, Akechi leaned back and waited. The buzzing sound came through the speaker phone loud and clear—one of his conditions.

"Hello?"

"Hi sis," Rose whispered, her voice breaking with emotion.

"ROSE!? Orchid, come, it's Rose!"

"Huh!?"

There was a brief exchange of pleasantries and tears as the girls wept over their virtual reunion. While the contact may be fake, the tears that stained Rose's cheeks were not. Akechi could not help but admire those tracks of wetness. They blurred her make-up, adding further flaws to the girl… and yet, she looked more beautiful here than Akechi could ever remember seeing her.

Maybe when Shido is defeated, she can see her siblings again…

Akechi jerked at the thought that wormed its way inside his mind. That was a sentimentality, a weakness, he could not afford. This girl was a loose end, she would need to be disposed of when Shido was defeated. As would Kasumi.

So I just become my father?

The son kills the father he hates and, in the process, becomes him. Akechi scowled at the useless adage. He was not Masayoshi Shido. Akechi was not fucking dozens of prostitutes, forcing them into abortions and cutting them off if they refused. He was not splitting families apart with his greed and lust for power…

Looking at the girl, sobbing over her siblings, Akechi winced. His determination flickering like a small candle in a storm. His mind was reeling, but Rose's words helped pull him back out.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you where I am. I got help from a very nice man and am out of prison, but they still want me."

"Huh? I don't understand! Why can't you return home—"

"That's enough complaining Lily." Rose spoke harshly, enforcing her position as eldest. "I want the two of you to live your lives. Support each other and enjoy every day."

"How? How are we supposed to just give up on you!? Just come home and tell us—"

"Goodbye." The soft click of the call ending, and the room was silent again. Rose's tears had stopped, and she stood staring at the phone with a gentle smile. That lasted for nearly a quarter of a minute before she looked up at Akechi. "What happens if they call back?"

"You only thought of that now?" Akechi sighed, using the pathetic question to settle himself back into his role. "The number links to a business in Hokkaido. It does not matter what they do, they cannot trace it to my cell phone."

"Oh, that's great!" Handing back the cell phone, she writhed in place, clearly nervous. "Umm, is there anything else I can for you? I'm just so happy that I got to talk to sisters that—"

Akechi held up a hand to cut her off. Taking one more sip of his coffee, he put down the half full cup and rose. "I need to go."

"Huh, already? I thought—"

"Things change!" Akechi snapped. Walking to the doorway, he threw his jacket on and put his own shoes on.

"D-Did I upset you? Or was the call too long? Or…?"

Pausing with his hand on the handle, Akechi growled his reply. "It was… nothing. You did well today. I will… I will make sure you see your sisters again… When its safe." Unable to remain there, Akechi slammed the door behind him before his confusion could grow further.

Thursday, September 15th, 20XX Night

"They stayed away…" Murmuring the word as she stared at her phone with zero notifications, Haru stretched. Glancing out the window, she watched as her tutor's car slid away from her home. It was another long evening of learning after a day at school.

Her brain felt like mush after only a couple of days. The basics of income, profit, and margins were ringing through her head in complex swirls until Haru was dreaming about them. Seeing her surprisingly blank phone however had pushed that down for the moment.

"They probably just spent all night in Mako-chan's sister's palace…" Yeah, that was it. Definitely.

Just to double check, Haru typed out a quick message to her best friend. Sorry I couldn't make it today! Did everything go well?

It only took a few moments for the reply to come. Total disaster. Need to go to a court proceeding my sister is in to keep progressing.

That was all. "Does she not care about where I've been?" Haru knew the words were preposterously hypocritical. She was the one who had ducked out twice.

Stamping her foot, Haru huffed. "I just thought that they would try to win me back! My father did that much!"

"Your father did what?"

"Huh?" Whirling, Haru found her father walking into the room. He didn't even knock.

"Haru, something has come up, I need you tomorrow."

"Hmm? After school? Alright…"

Kunikazu shook his head, "no, the whole day. I used some connections to get you a trial. If you impress, they'll get you a slot on air."

"Oh, so you don't want me to…"

"That was an irrational hope I am afraid." Kunikazu frowned. "It would have been an unseemly abuse and probably exposed instantly. This way is much better."

"That's… That's great father!"

"Well then, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight!" Sighing, Haru felt like a weight had been lifted from her. She had not mentioned her father's wishes to the others and now she did not have to. "He's changing…"

Glancing towards her closed door, Haru could hardly call the man that had just spoke to the one from a few months ago. So he really was just mad at that time…

It was understandable. Anyone would be upset when people were spreading rumours about them. "I need to explore his palace… figure out what's happening."

That was the route that Haru had denied previously. She had accepted changing her father's heart, but Haru needed to know first. Was her father actually a bad person, or just warped to public perception?

Haru's phone vibrated again.

The others will probably be mad that I'm asking but… what's going on? Are you honestly busy or did you back out from changing your father's heart?

Haru smiled at the message. "Oh, Mako-chan." That straight-forwardness was a precious gem. Haru's reply was similarly short and honest. I've been busy, but this weekend I'm finding the treasure.

Friday, September 16th, 20XX Lunch

"Hey, you invited the wrong sister." Kasumi drawled the words out to the black-haired boy that had texted her earlier. Stepping out onto the roof, she scanned it for other people. It would be just like him to send her such ambiguous messages and then ambush her with people she didn't want to talk to.

"No, I didn't," Ren replied simply, turning to look at her.

As usual, Kasumi could see nothing behind those glasses. The reflective surfaces hiding everything but the faintest tint of black from the eyes behind.

Frowning at him, Kasumi let the door swing shut and leaned against the fence on the opposite side from him. "Well then? There has to be a reason."

"Does there have to be?"

Kasumi's smile twitched in irritation. "Are you stupid? I could have sworn you were smarter than this last time we talked. As my sister rubbed off on you that quickly?"

"Rude," Ren replied.

Kasumi could tell that she had managed to embarrass him at least. That was one skill she still had. "But accurate?"

"But accurate," Ren agreed with a sigh. Pushing up his glasses he walked over to approach her. "Do you want to eat? This may take awhile and I know…"

"That I'm a voracious animal?" Kasumi cut him off with a raised eyebrow. "You shouldn't call a growing girl that."

"…Either way," Ren replied weakly.

Staring at him for a long moment, Kasumi sighed and gave up. She had brought her lunch just in case. Settling in on one of the benches, Kasumi straddled it in a very un-ladylike manner and began to munch on the high-calorie food.

"Thank you," Ren said sincerely. "I'm just very worried about Sumire and I wanted to talk to you about her…"

"Sumire…" Kasumi should have known that this was what it was about. The chopsticks snapped in her hand as she tightened her grip too much. "You really are stupid, aren't you? Sumire, Sumire, Sumire. I got you another chance to fix things already! I'm not your matchmaker! If the two of you aren't working, then end it!"

Kasumi paused for breath momentarily, then against her better judgement, she twisted the knife a little harder. "But I guess all you've been able to do is care for one sister poorly."

"…I was right then."

"Huh?" Raising her head, Kasumi stared at Ren. The boy had none of the anger that he should have. No rage or embarrassment colored his cheeks. There was only a far-off look in his eyes as he stared at nothing.

"Sumire needed help, still needs it… but you do too, don't you Kasumi?"

"HUH!?" Jumping to her feet, Kasumi jabbed a broken chopstick into his chest. "Save your sympathy for my sister!"

"I've only been able to care for one sister poorly, wasn't it?" Ren asked, his eyes turning to hers.

From this distance, Kasumi was taken in by the genuine care in his expression. The worry. Her very own words betraying her as Ren turned them against her. "T-That's right! So focus on Sumire!"

But Kasumi could tell that she was losing now. She didn't want this. She didn't need this. She already had Akechi. There was no space for this boy nd his friends in her life.

"I have recently learned, unfortunately," Ren continued speaking, "that I cannot care for one of you."

"What are you talking about," Kasumi whispered hoarsely.

"Your sister has rejected me until she accomplishes something."

"Huh? What? That's ridiculous! What does she possibly want to achieve first!?"

"To defeat you at gymnastics."

"Liar." Kasumi could not believe the words. It made less than no sense. "She originally asked you out! She accepted your confession!"

"She did not." Ren shot down her objections. "I confessed my love to her and that was her response."

Kasumi ground her teeth together. Nothing made sense anymore. Every sacrifice she made for Sumire, every little thing that she gave up… Sumire slapped her in the face with it. She wanted to run away and simultaneously track her sister down and beat the truth out of her.

"…Thank you for listening to me. I'll leave you alone now."

Kasumi could not come up with a reply. She did not understand what was happening. Sumire had looked so driven, so happy these past few weeks. Kasumi had chalked that up to her new relationship… "Idiots. All of them."

Left alone on the rooftop, Kasumi could express her feelings with no need to wear a mask.

Friday, September 16th, 20XX Afternoon

"So you are the daughter of the CEO, is that right?"

"Correct!" Haru replied with the cutest smile that she knew how to make. "Okumura Haru, third-year student!"

"Oh, my! Well, I must say it an honour to have you on with us, especially as it seems that there are a lot of rumours circling about your father's company, can you tell us a bit about that?"

Haru was prepared for the question, but her heart was still beating out of her chest. With the bright lights and cameras focused on them, the pressure was incredible. Still, the host was a middle-aged man with a warm smile that helped calm Haru a little. "Yes, it would be my pleasure. Do you have one in particular?"

Haru had spent most of the last two hours drilling on how to do this interview. This was an important one according to the person her father had paid to help them: never admit to anything first. Force them to make the claim, then respond.

"Oh, w-well… I suppose that…"

Haru could see the man's reluctance. Her innocent and frilly look made it a challenge to pin her father's sins on her.

"Well, your father's company apparently mistreats its employees."

"Oh, that's dreadful! How are they being mistreated?"

"Uhh… Well apparently, some of the stores are stopping their employees from taking breaks."

"That's dreadful!" Haru gasped innocently. "All workers on a shift longer than three hours are entitled to a break. How are they stopping them?"

"The managers say they are short-shifted and ask them to continue to work."

Haru tilted her head in a puzzled manner. "The employees can always decline and take the break, right?"

"Err, I-I guess so?"

"Oh, those dedicated employees," Haru smiled. "I'm sure my father would weep if he knew they were overworking themselves for the prosperity of the company!"

As the host brough them to commercial break, Haru wondered if she had overdone it. Still, it was a valid defense. Being asked if you could skip a break was not forcing a person to.

"Hmm, you got a point there, little lady," the host laughed, speaking the words Haru had been thinking. "Keep going like that for a bit more and you'll change some minds, mine included!"

"Oh," Haru smiled warily, "you… dislike Okumura foods?"

The host shrugged. "Can't be everyone lying right? Feels like every other day there's another story about that company's stores…"

"Isn't that suspicious?" Haru spoke. Too quickly.

The host shrugged. "I've seen it before. Lots of companies manage to keep a spotless reputation. Then, when one thing goes, the dam breaks."

Haru could think of no reply to the accusation. Although it wasn't really one. Just a belief that this situation was no different. Maybe it isn't?

Haru's heart was still disturbed by the conversation when the cameraman spoke up. "We on in ten!"

Forcing that smile back on her face, Haru waited for the resumption, nerves hanging on by a thread.

Friday, September 16th, 20XX After School

Kasumi stretched, worked out, and executed forms under her coach's watchful eye. It was a group event and five of them were there. Right by her side was Sumire. Her red-haired mirror image kept up every step of the way.

Kasumi found herself being matched in every exercise, in every stretch. It was infuriating. Where did my advantage go? They had been together for the entirety of Hawaii and Kasumi had been clearly the better dancer. Now, barely a week later, they were evenly matched, at least physically.

For the first time ever, Kasumi had lost her physical edge.

"What's with that face, Kasumi?" Hiraguchi barked out. "You know the motto, perfect faces, permanently! You perform as you practice."

Trying to stamp down her irritation, Kasumi forced a rough approximation of a smile back on her features. Hiraguchi frowned but she did not press further. Moving down the line, she corrected the other girls in their spreads, remarking on their flexibility or lack thereof.

"Haha, she's a stickler, hey sis?"

Kasumi did not look over at Sumire and her whispered words. After her meeting with first Yoshito and then Ren, she was likely to yell at her sister. Instead, she focused on the stretch, lifting her leg a little further, a little straighter, searching for those one hundred and ninety degrees of perfection.

"Umm, Sis?"

"We're practicing," Kasumi had to growl back. Of course it was her own whisper that was too loud and Hiraguchi's head snapped over to look at her.

"Got something to say?"

"…No, coach."

"What was that?"

"I said no, I do not coach!" Kasumi repeated louder, a flush of embarrassment rising to her cheeks.

"Good! Because if you did, say it so everyone can hear. In the meantime, you all look over at Sumire here. You see the grace that she holds the position with? As if there is no struggle at all? That is what you are striving for. That is what elite level gymnastics looks like."

Later, when Kasumi emerged from the shower after deciding against drowning herself, she found her sister. "What are you doing here?"

"Huh? Waiting for you of course."

"You never have before. Not since…"

Standing there, a connection passed between them. It was true. The last time they had left this building together, Kasumi had been forced to run after her sister, destroying her phone in the rainstorm.

If she ran now… what would I do?

"A-Anyway, coach was pretty harsh on you today. Do you want to stop and grab some ice cream?"

They'd done that a lot in Hawaii. It was a good break from the practice. Looking back on it though, Kasumi did not remember a single significant memory between the two of them the whole trip. They had travelled to the US, trained, and travelled back. The only important things were predicated upon Ren and Sumire's relationship with him.

"She wasn't harsh. She was being honest; I should be better."

"Huh? You were amazing as always!"

"I was average, not even, compared to a professional."

Sumire stomped a foot in frustration. "There you go again comparing yourself to ridiculous standards again."

"My goal is to be the best. Lowering my standards will lower my limits."

Kasumi's abrupt reply upset her sister further who rolled her eyes. "Seriously? Urgh, are you ever happy with your progress?"

"In the moment." Kasumi shrugged, not understanding the point. "What about yourself? Aren't you throwing away your happiness to strive for greatness?"

Sumire froze. Stumbling back a step to the door, she looked on the verge of running away. "He told you."

"Yes," Kasumi did not deny the fact. She met her sister's gaze, watching as various emotions played across it. Unbridled, fiery anger settled into guilt.

"I'm sorry."

"Oh?" Kasumi's mouth twisted into a sneer. Vitriol poured from her every word, thick and poisonous. "Shouldn't I be the one apologizing? After all, I'm clearly the enemy ruining your life."

"T-That's not what—"

"Oh, save it," Kasumi snapped. Unable to face her any longer, Kasumi shouldered past her sister and out the door. With the door open, she stared up into the sky. She almost wished it was raining like it had been that day. "Hey, Sumi?"

"Y-Yes!?"

The words came deep inside Kasumi. Something she had noted that fateful day in April but had never seriously contemplated. "Do you wish that I had died? Am I an obstacle to you?"

"W-What?"

"…Never mind." Letting the door close behind her, Kasumi walked away down the street toward her home. For a brief moment, Kasumi thought, hoped, that her sister would chase after her.

She didn't.

Saturday, September 17th, 20XX Afternoon

"Shit! This one's a tough bastard!"

Noir agreed fervently with Skull's words. Raising her scythe diagonally in front of herself, Noir gritted her teeth against the pain and force of the blow from the giant robot's fist.

"Disobeying work schedules is punishable by death!"

"Noir, use psychic against it!" Oracle called out from the back. "Green bastard is weak to it!"

"Got it!' Standing up straight, Noir flourished her scythe before slamming the butt of the handle into the tiled floor. "Milady!"

The purplish contours of an energy that none of them really understood materialized and drove into the robot. With jerking motions, the hulking monstrosity fell to its knees. In that vulnerable position, it got destroyed. Attacks rained down from every direction. Skull and Fox battering it with weapons, Panther's fire and Mona's wind. Completing the slaughter was a dual close-range strike from Joker's knife and Queen's fist.

It was the synchronous destruction of what was once a tough foe. "We should stick together more," Fox noted, sheathing his blade. "This is far easier."

"Don't get used to it," Queen warned, "we will need to split after we attend my sister's trial tomorrow."

"Well, if we find the treasure today," Joker interjected, "we won't have to split again."

Queen had to nod in agreement to that. It was the perfect solution to everything. Finish this palace while the other one was stalled.

"Ah, yes, let's," Panther sighed, stretching in a way that augmented the sexiness of her form. "I really need a break from these places."

Haru smiled nervously. Part of that was her fault. On the other hand, they were better rested than they would have been split between both palaces. Flipping her scythe back into its holder on her back, Noir walked alongside the group.

They had been in her father's palace for more than three hours by now, but she had yet to come to an answer. There had been a concerning large pale robot earlier that was discarded, a black spear buried in its chest. It had twitched violently when Haru had walked in front of it, but nothing more. Any words it tried to say had been reduced into a scrambled, robotic mess.

Could that have been someone who failed father?

That was the likely explanation to the extent that Haru understood palaces. There was no discussion in the group about it and they continued to power through the palace, searching for her father. So far, there had been no hide nor hair of the man. Only a confusion of corridors with identical robots, some fake, some real.

At last, they had their final key and were ready to move on.

Joker stopped them in front of the elevator. "Good work everyone. We've made good progress, but we have a lot ahead of us yet."

"Yep!" Panther agreed happily. "Let's thank Skull and Noir for taking all the punches!"

Finding Panther's arm looping around her shoulder, Noir was pulled down. Her hat deforming as a head on the other side dug into it.

"Oi!" Skull protesting, the identity of the likewise trapped soul.

"Grr, standing in front of shadows is hardly a feat worthy of praise, Lady Ann!"

"Oh, hear that Noir? Mona wants to trade places with you."

Buying into the joke, Noir smiled from her prison. "Why thank you, Mona-chan. That's such a gentlemanly offer."

"Well, it is not ideal tactically, but if Mona insists…"

Ren's serious sounding jab was the last straw for the cat. "AHH! No, I was just kidding! I can't heal the stupid oaf if I'm getting punched in the face!"

Laughing, the group moved on. Noir was released and she saw Skull stumble away, casting an embarrassed look back at Panther. However, Noir found herself now grabbed by the elbow as Panther paced beside her.

"Hmm?"

"Uhh, I just thought I should let you know that I saw your TV segment."

"Oh, right." Noir nodded. It made sense that one of them would have at least seen clips of it. "I was going to mention it later."

"Haru, the things you said…"

Noir shrugged, ripping her arm from Panther's hand at the same time. "It's fine, alright?"

"…Sure." Panther's voice was not one of acquiescence. It had the timber of a hunter that had missed its mark once but would doggedly track its prey for a second chance.

I'm not embarrassed of the things I said, Haru repeated in her mind. The seed of guilt curdling her stomach said otherwise. That guilt was not logical though. Sure, people were suffering in her father's stores, but far more would suffer if they closed down. It was a job that had a low barrier for entry and could be abandoned at a moment's notice with no repercussions.

Panther was at least true to her word and did not bring it up again as they assaulted the next section of her father's palace. After the cramped corridors of the barracks, the palace really opened up. Stepping into the open confines of the surrounding spaces, Haru gaped at the scene.

A shadow could walk up to her and slap her in the face with no trouble whatsoever. For the first time, the reality of being inside a space station made itself apparent. With a large dome of glass suspended with triangular struts, Haru could look out into the vast expanse of nothingness. The gorgeous view was a welcome change from the brutal fighting below and the seemingly complex area that they still had to navigate.

"Hmm, there's a lot going on in here," Joker said. Those words brought everyone's gazes back from the vista to the problem at hand.

"Seriously," Skull sighed, "like, where the hell do we go?"

"According to the map… Straight ahead."

With unerring accuracy Joker led them through areas that turned out to be far more linear than they first appeared. After avoiding some shadows and annihilating others from the shadows the section disappeared in a matter of minutes.

Next, Haru found herself in a room that she could only describe as a factory. She'd never been in a room like this one, but the vaulting flat ceiling with exposed piping and conveyors could be nothing else. The only nonstandard thing—besides the robot workers—were odd piles of cubed rocks that obstructed paths.

"What the hell is this?" Skull grumbled.

Despite his protestations, they continued through almost unopposed. Until they reached the uncrossable path.

"I know I can miss some stuff," Panther started.

"No, you aren't an idiot," Mako-chan cut her off with a sigh. "There are no obvious routes across."

"Oh, how about we smack that robot arm until it stops working and walk across it!" Skull suggested happily.

"That's… Not actually that stupid of an idea…" Joker muttered. He walked over to the purple device that was doing something to the material on the conveyor. "Hold on… Hey, Oracle, a hand."

"Hmm?" Sauntering over, the girl grabbed onto Joker as she leaned in, examining whatever they were looking at. Noir did not really care and took another look around the giant place. Unlike the previous section, this could have easily been on earth. No windows at all to show the majesty of the environment.

"This place is a lot more normal than I thought it would be."

"How so?" Noir responded to Queen's sudden question.

"Just… all of it," she waved her hand threw the air. Maybe it's because of my sister's over-the-top casino, but your father's spacestation is… kind of normal?"

"Is that right…? But he considers all of his employees to be robots."

"Does he? Or is that just a setting thing? I mean… the one's in the barracks that we got the cards from all had different personalities and working habits. Their bodies may not have been human, but they acted human."

"That's…" Noir wanted to say a good point. Agreeing felt somewhat cowardly however after she had already defended him on television. Noir doubted that it would make much of a difference, but she did desire her father's approval.

"Oh oh, press the four times speed one!" Oracle yelled. Turning away from Queen, Noir watched the girl hop up and down, hand reaching for a screen attached to the assembly machine.

"Hold on," Joker tsked, "let's start with double speed."

All of a sudden, the entire conveyor whirred and then accelerated. The conveyor moved at a ridiculous speed while the arm stabbed again and again. In mere moments, a black smoke began to billow from the device. It lasted only another dozen seconds beyond that until the arm, with a great spasm of metal grinding on metal, halted.

Flopping down like a fish drained of energy, the arm spanned the gap, creating a perfect bridge for them to cross.

"Couldn't even handle double speed," Mona scoffed, "pathetic."

"I've seen first-year student's sculptures that could handle more abuse than these things," Fox scoffed.

Skull shrugged in an exaggerated fashion. "I don't know about that. It's hard to double your speed and hold it."

"You don't need to defend his shitty equipment," Joker snorted, jumping on top of the beam and beginning to dash across.

"I'm not!" Skull protested. "But as a runner, you're gonna die trying to run twice as fast!"

Another unclear situation… Noir thought idly, following on the group's heels. Simply below average or cruel. There was a lot of gray area between the two and there was no consensus among the group upon which side each individual trait falls into.

From then on, they made incredibly good time through the factory line. It was still an obscure mess as to what they were making. Haru thought maybe she would see hamburgers or something, but the factory was producing… rocks? The one's that were occasionally piled up on the path she conjected but that didn't seem to be right either.

"Now then," Joker smirked, "let's see what's next."

He pushed open the door and froze. The factory may not be producing anything of note, but it was certainly disposing of something. Robots in various states of disrepair lined a conveyor that brought them towards a fall into a vat of their comrades. Even as they watched, the weight exceeded the capacity and the door hidden under the pile opened to empty the broken bodies into the abyss of space before snapping shut again. Immediately, the first metal body crashed against the closed exit with a defeated grunt.

"How horrible," Queen gasped.

Noir's stomach twisted in agreement. There were many things so far that were questionable, but this was simply cruel. Tired and broken workers abandoned and discarded. No care, no second chances. It was all a simple number's game to her father. Caring for these people took more effort than finding replacements.

"Let's get to the end."

No one tried to argue with her. There was nothing else to say.

Fueled by the sight perhaps, they tore through the shadows in their path like a storm. Their essence dispersing like a candle's flame in a gale as their repeated attacks cut them apart. In no time, they arrived at a very final looking platform.

"Stop them!" A robot's high-pitched voice cried out.

"These idiots again?" Skull growled. "Let's get rid of them!"

Lined up before them was a wave of five small robots. Each came up to their waist and individually could not be said to be very impressive. Noir felt bad for the arrayed line of defects.

"Come, Milady!" She felt it to be almost a mercy to destroy their fragile minds and send them to the scrap heap.

From the side, another line of robots rushed out. Five more to block the door forward. An unstoppable line of volunteers. Desperate for a chance even after knowing the fate of their predecessors.

Again, they blew these away and more came.

And again.

"Stop it…" Noir gasped, voice breaking.

They did not. Another group of five to replace the most recent set.

"STOP IT!" Screaming her defiance and rage against her father, Haru pulled off her mask and unleashed the full power of Milady. She did not know how long she fired for, but by the time, the sound of Milady's guns fell silent, the robots were all gone. No more came. The platform was now a field of scrap parts.

Collapsing to her knees, Noir wept. The legality did not matter. Being able to find replacements did not matter. Her father was wrong.