Disclaimer: I do not own the properties of Kill la Kill or any of the works that belong to Kasuki Nakashima that are related to the Trigger company. I only own the original character that is in the story and this is not used for any advertisement or profit; it is only for entertainment.
Chapter 4: Family is Un-Ordinary
The little boy takes Akane and Miyashiro to a dark back alley in the No-Star district. The smell of decay and filth suffocates Akane's nostrils. She wondered how much further the little boy was taking her with him, carrying that big scissor inside the guitar case in his tiny arms. As soon as they turned left, Akane came across a very torn-down house with a very big poster board named "Back-Alley Doctor Mankanshoku Clinic."
"Mankanshoku?" Akane inquired. "As in, Mako Mankanshoku?"
"You know my sister?" the little boy asked, making the girl turn down to the boy.
"Mako is your sister?" Akane questioned.
"Yep. My big sister is one amazing sister you can count on," the little boy boosted. "And don't think I'm doing this because I like you." He pointed at her to give Akane some clarifications. "I'm doing this because you need me to help you carry this super sexy modeling bust who saved my big sister from those big mean guys wearing the uniforms."
[MATARŌ MANKANSHOKU]
Akane could tell the distinct similarities between Mako and the little boy. "So, you'll help me?"
"Hell no, your chest is way too small to get any of my assistance," said Matarō. "But I will make an exception if you let me handle this here." Matarō was giving Akane some devious look like he was making a swindling offer that would bribe him of something that requires a body.
Just unexpectedly, a very hard book bag was thrown from the wall of the house and right at Matarō's face, catching Akane and Miyashiro by surprise. The next thing was Mako breaking through the wall with an angry pout on her face.
"HOLD IT, MATARŌ!" Mako shouted. The girl gets on top of Matarō in an arm bar, holding him very tight until he starts to cry uncle. "Insulting her chest and taking advantage of their plea for help! What have I told you about swindling from their disadvantage!?" Mako shouted.
"Crap, it's my big sister! I'm sorry!" Matarō shouted.
"You got a death wish or something!" Mako was giving Matarō a very painful experience in various positions that made him want to scream. "This poor girl is asking for help, and all you're doing is depriving her plea just so you can steal anything in value! You should know better than to do that!" Mako punished Matarō with various painful positions as Matarō cries uncle.
Miyashiro turns to Akane with a no-so-serious look. "Are you sure this kid's found a doctor?" he asked. "Looks kinda sketchy if you ask me."
"If there is a back-alley doctor, then it's clear we'll need one," Akane replied, ignoring the painful noise coming from Matarō.
"Now get your fanny butt back in the house and help Daddy prepare the medicine!" Mako was making so much pain for Matarō that he gave in and zooms into the house.
Akane doesn't know what to say in the sibling relationship with Mako. Despite being a No-Star, she thinks Mako is just a cheery girl, but they act like real brothers and sisters. Something Akane wished she could have with Satsuki. She heard a phase going through Ryūko's uniform before it shifted back from being skimpy exposed lingerie to a normal sailor uniform.
"What the…" Akane uttered.
"Did this uniform change forms?" Miyashiro inquired.
"Oh, hi Akane," Mako beamed, casually talking to her in her usual self. "When I heard you needed help, I sought to rush out here and come." The older girl notices Ryūko in Akane's arms. "Hey, is that Ryūko?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Well then, come on in," Mako replied, offering the door for her.
Akane lifts Ryūko higher to make Miyashiro hold her bride style. "Here, hold her for me," she called, oblivious to Miyashiro blushing furiously with Ryūko in his arms. Akane drags the guitar case, holding the scissor blade inside, and then makes room for Miyashiro to come in with Ryūko in his arms.
The house where Mako lives is smaller than the one Akane lives in. She can barely get through all the stuff, cramming the living room. She wonders how Mako can live where she cannot focus on her studies. The doors slide open as Miyashiro carefully lays Ryūko down on the floor. The first years are greeted by Mako and an older man with glasses, tall and overweight, with slick-back brown hair, thick eyebrows, and brown eyes.
"Hey Akane, Miyashiro, I'd like you to meet my dad," Mako introduced, popping her head from the other room.
[BARAZŌ MANKANSHOKU]
"I heard that you need help caring for a patient," said the older man. "So, I came out here as fast as possible to see what I could do." He places down a toolbox full of sharp objects, such as a rusty hammer, a dirty saw, and an incredibly old wrench.
"Uh, are you sure you are a doctor?" Miyashiro asked.
"He's a doctor, alright; he can patch Ryūko back into shape in a jiffy," said Mako. "He claims to be famous because he kills more patients than the ones he saved."
Miyashiro and Akane glanced at each other, now concerned. Neither of them couldn't be sure how much of a professional is Barazō considering their living conditions.
"I'm not so sure if that's even legal," said Akane.
"Please, the only good thing is that they can't sue the crap out of me if they're dead. Am I right, or am I right?" Barazō responded.
Akane does not know how to respond to the family. The door slid open again, and it was a young slim woman with light brown hair tied up in a bun holding two cups on a plate.
"And of course, you two must be exhausted carrying her all the way down here, so why don't you rest while my hubby fixes your friend?" said the woman, offering teacups for the first years.
"Uh, thanks." Akane places the teacup down and makes some of her own tea. "Are you Mako's mother by any chance?"
"Why, I am," the woman confirmed.
[SUKUYO MANKANSHOKU]
Akane was about to mix some tea when she spotted a couple of things wrong. The water was not clean enough to be suitable for drinking. It wasn't even warm enough since there was no steam. Akane knows about it because she often gets some tea with Satsuki. Now that she lives in the No-Star district, there is no way she could get the same conditions as before her banishment. She will have to do what she has around the place.
However, Miyashiro lightly dumps some of the water and replaces it with cleaner water, knowing how dirty the tea looks. He refuses to drink something that's contaminated or filthy.
"This is now something you're supposed to drink, miss," Miyashiro said, pouring some clean water into the pot.
Akane rolls her eyes with amusement. "So, what brought you guys here to Honno City?" she asked.
"Well, my family was poor before we came here in the first place," Mako explained. "When Honnōji Academy offered service, we decided to come and then be in school."
"Despite knowing how this school runs their place?" Miyashiro inquired, sipping some of his own tea.
"It wouldn't matter a thing or two because Matarō and I are going to school," Mako replied. "And as long as I can provide my family some living, then it should be fine for all of us." In their condition, they would have fallen in despair, but the Mankanshoku is making the best out of their living space. It is like how much Akane wanted to make her residential home more livable.
Akane felt something snuck up on her right leg and turned down to find herself rubbed and rolled around by a pug in pale cream fur with large eyes and a dark face. He seems to be wearing a small light blue hoodie that covers his ears.
"You have a pet dog?" Miyashiro questioned as Akane placed the teacup down and picked up the pug.
"Yep. His name is Guts," Mako introduced.
[GUTS]
"Guts!" The little pug barked. The dog licks Akane's cheek, which makes her laugh with joy.
"He's cute," said Akane, rubbing Guts' head. Guts gets off and runs around the girl like he wants her to always be attentive to its needs. Akane can't help but bend over and scratch its face as Guts keeps running around Akane.
Seeing how energetic the pug was running around her was an enjoyable thing to experience. Akane wished she could have one pet that was like Guts. Of course, she isn't even allowed to have pets in the Kiryūin Mansion. Not even her sister would approve of her keeping an animal close to her.
Akane played around with Guts until she heard loud crashes from the other side of the room where Ryūko was resting after Barazō patched her up. She then hears Ryūko shouting, "You stinkin' pervert! Do you even know who you're messing with? I'm the crazy bitch from Kanto with the sciss—Crap! Where is my scissor!" It was the right time for Akane to step right in before things got messy. She slides the door open with Ryūko covered in bandages. She wraps, holding her red signature scissor blade, and Barazō on the ground, holding his stomach after getting punched all the way to the ceiling.
"Wait, Ryūko, stop!" Akane called. "Don't hurt him! That's Mako's father!"
Ryūko paused in the middle, looking between Akane and Barazō in confusion. "Wait! Father?! You mean that's Mako's dad?" Her voice sounded like they were in panic mode. She makes noises, exchanging looks between Mako and her father in fright for punching a relative of Mako.
Ryūko backs away and bows her head to the ground in shame. "I am so sorry!" she apologized.
Barazō gets back on his butt with blood oozing from his nose and from his mouth, holding his head to stop the nausea from taking over. His left cheek was heavily swollen after taking a punch from Ryūko. "Wow, I'm seeing stars," he said. "You sure have one heck of a punch." He grabs a paper towel and cleans off his face.
Mako, beside her father, makes one pouty, disappointed look. "Of course she does," she clarified. "I was in trouble at school, and I owe her for saving my life."
Akane takes a seat beside Ryūko to take a better look at her condition. Despite being a claimed doctor clinic, Barazō sure did an excellent job patching Ryūko up from getting further hurt. She had bandages all over her body.
"And you were totally badass," Matarō proclaimed. "All swinging that blade around, dressed up as a hooker." Akane could tell Matarō was into Ryūko for her outfit and fighting skills or because she had a better body that could attract even the youngest boys in Honno City. "Only a psycho would fight with her boobs hanging out," he commented.
Of course, Ryūko didn't like that comment and punched Matarō on the head until he hit his head to the ground. "Shut up," she retorted. "I've got my reason for that, you dick."
"Ow! What did you do that for?!" Matarō grunted. "I have to help this cardboard girl and her friend here carry your half-naked ass all the way back to my place, damn it."
Sukuyo slides the door open with extra cups of tea. "But if beating the bejeebers out of my hubby and Matarō will make you feel any better, then you can go right ahead," Sukuyo inclined.
Miyashiro raised an eyebrow, incredulous of the mother reacting to her youngest son getting beat up. "Are you sure that's okay for you?" he queried. "I mean, he is your husband. Don't you want him safe?"
"It's just how they are," Sukuyo replied. "Sometimes, even they need to get the punishment they deserve."
Akane and Miyashiro make a gape in surprise, unfamiliar with Mankanshoku's family customs. They looked at each other, confused about what to make of the Mankanshoku family.
Ryūko notices the boy sitting beside Akane, inspecting the teacup in his hand. "Hey, who's this guy?" she asked.
"Oh, Ryūko, this is Miyashiro Kunieda," Akane introduced, gesturing to the friend beside her. "He's my best friend who helped me bring you to Mako's place."
Ryūko raised an eyebrow, staring at the first-year boy with curiosity. At first, he doesn't seem all much. Miyashiro is just as young as Akane, and despite his medium figure, he seems intimidated by her gaze.
"Hey," Ryūko said, which caused Miyashiro to flinch. His back straightens, and he blushes furiously.
"Uh…uh…hi…I'm…" Miyashiro stammered. He was so embarrassed that he turned to Akane, averting her gaze. His hand was on one ear to whisper a conversation with Akane. "Is this okay? I'm talking to another girl. I've never talked to another girl before, and I'm in another girl's house." Ryūko heard him whispering to Akane, making her more confused than ever. She doesn't mind the gossip unless it angers her for some reason. Yet, Miyashiro looked nervous.
Akane gives an assuring smile beam to Miyashiro and lays a hand on his shoulder. "It's fine," she reassured. "You can talk to her like how you talk to me." She appears to be nonchalant about Miyashiro's anxiety, even though it is clear to Ryūko that Miyashiro is the one acting strange.
"But what if she starts talking to me again? How am I supposed to react?" Miyashiro inquired, already building up anxiety inside of him. "Oh, man. What am I supposed to say? This is different than you and Nanako. She's in her second year, and I'm only a first year. What if she thinks I'm a weirdo? And her outfit was already weirding me out. Do I have to talk to her?"
Ryūko doesn't know how to respond to Miyashiro and his mumbling. At first, she was sure Miyashiro was just talking about her like a disease, but she proved wrong. Her expression was none other than deadpanned. He's very nervous around her. She's met boys who are obsessed with dominating her, beating her, trying to get her affection or are afraid of her. However, the case can't be left out for Miyashiro. He seemed worried, but Miyashiro attempted to build the courage to speak to her normally. She could've sworn that she saw mumbling words postering out of him, bouncing off her like rocks.
"Uh…dude, I can hear your mumbling," Ryūko called, causing Miyashiro to straighten his back with jumpy feelings.
He turns his head and covers his face with his arms. "Sor…sorry," he said. "I'm just…I'm just not used to talking to other girls."
"But you were talking fine to Akane just now," Ryūko pointed out.
"O-only because she's my best friend," Miyashiro replied. "And I…I never talked to any other girls besides her and Nanako. We aren't exactly popular here in Honnōji Academy, uh… Matoi-senpai."
Ryūko held up a hand. "Okay, I'm gonna stop you right there," she admonished. "It's not Matoi-senpai. It's just Ryūko, okay?" She didn't feel like it was a privilege to be called a senior, especially in the first years of Honnōji Academy. Still, Ryūko did not want to be hard on the boy since he was younger than her.
"Oh. Okay, Ryūko-senpai."
A tick, angry vein popped in her head, annoyed by having someone call her a senior despite being a second-year transfer student. She sighed, pondering how the people in Honnōji Academy can be so weird in the city.
"So, uh…Akane, Miyashiro, right?" Ryūko said to her. "Why'd you guys risk your necks out there saving mine back there?"
Akane caught on and told Ryūko her reasons. "Uh…well…I just didn't want to see another student getting hurt," she answered. "You took heavy beatings today, and then you just came back with some weird lingerie outfit, and then you were tired…so we…I mean…I just wanna help you. That's all." Like Miyashiro, Akane's cheeks turned slightly red with awkwardness coming out of her mouth. "And Miyashiro's my friend too, so — I don't mean to offend you— but you were kind of heavy."
Ryūko isn't sure what to make of the first years. They don't seem intimidating and speak to her like she's their senior. She snorted with amusement over their awkwardness. "Well, you guys got guts, I'll give you that," she said.
"It…is that a bad thing?" Miyashiro asked.
"Nah, it's fine," Ryūko dismissed, waving her hand. "I never met a couple of folks like you out there. So, we're cool."
It was already dinner time, and Akane was staying to have something to eat before returning to her home on the border between the No-Star and the One-Star. "Hey, will you stay with us for dinner, Miyashiro?" she asked.
"No, it's okay," Miyashiro replied, getting up. "I better get home already." He dusts off his pants and picks up his book bag. "My folks are wondering what's taking me so long."
"Oh, okay," Akane said. "So, see you tomorrow then?"
Miyashiro nodded. "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow in the second period." He turns to the door and slides it open.
"Hey," Ryūko called, halting Miyashiro by the door. She waves at him. "Thanks for sticking your neck out there for me."
Miyashiro was as stiff as a rock, unable to respond properly as he only replied with stammering noise. "Oh…uh…okay…th-thanks." As Miyashiro steps out of the door, he slaps a palm to his face, already making cursing words in his hand. "Damn. You blew it. I can't believe I've finally talked to another girl, and you blew it." He seems to be talking to himself, oblivious to the others in the living room hearing him.
Ryūko is sure a sweat droplet ran down the back of her head, awkwardly staring at Miyashiro walking out of the alley. "He's…he's strange," she commented.
"Oh, you've got nothing to worry about," Akane reassured. "Miyashiro's delicious when you get to know him. He doesn't always talk like that; he's just shy." She gestures dismissive waves to Ryūko. "When I first met him, it took Miyashiro about six months before he could talk to me without stammering. And yet, that's what makes him delicious."
Ryūko gaped, bewildered at what kind of relationship Akane had with Miyashiro. "Delicious?" she inquired.
"Yep. Miyashiro is delicious, you'll like him," Akane stated. "When you get to know him."
Matarō has a look of skepticism. "I don't know how he's delicious," he said.
"But he is." For some reason, Mako agrees with Akane.
"Delicious…how?" Ryūko questioned, still confused about what makes Miyashiro delicious.
Akane shrugged. "I don't know, he's just delicious," she admitted. Even Akane herself doesn't know why Miyashiro is "delicious."
"And you know what's even more delicious?" Sukuyo returns to the small room with a big cooking pot full of stuff that makes both Ryūko and Akane sick to their stomachs. They can even tell that the food Sukuyo made was very disgusting. The content from the pot seems to be overfilled, spilling right under Sukuyo's feet. "I know it's not fancy, but it's filling," she said.
The next thing Sukuyo placed was a big plate full of croquettes, which was a huge disappointment for Akane. She loves anything crispy like katsu or croquettes, but the way Sukuyo makes it seem unhygienic and undercooked. Some had a fish head, a chicken bone, and fried maggots, and some had a banana peel sticking from inside. Even the way Ryūko's expression came looking at her can say one thing in common for both: "These foods are disgusting."
"Dig in, girls," Mako insisted. "Go on, don't be shy. My mom's the best cook in the world. Over there, you got some croquettes filled with I-don't-know-what, and over in the pot is miso soup filled with all sorts of unknown things."
"Oh, don't listen to her," Sukuyo stated. "I only used non-poisonous things."
Matarō and Barazō were already diving into the huge stack of croquettes, stuffing their mouths with the food made from maggots and whatever made Akane and Ryūko sick.
"You guys bette' dig in before it's all gon'," said Matarō, stuffed with food in his mouth.
Akane wishes she could've made some of her own food back at her place, but she can't do it out of sympathy for the hospitality from the Mankanshoku. She tries to pick whatever nearly clean croquettes and not with fried maggots inside of them, and she wants to avoid having the miso soup because she cannot tell what is made inside of the thing.
Right then, Guts slides the door open and starts eating Ryūko's croquettes on her plate, though she does not seem like she will be eating a lot of it anyway.
"Whoa! Down, Guts! Bad dog!" Mako shouted as she grabbed the pug and threw the dog out the window. "Your bowl's outside!" While eating, Barazō opens the window and closes it right after Mako throws the dog out, but the pug just comes back in and starts taking a chow on Akane's plate.
"Uh, why is Guts eating my food?" Akane asked.
"That's because we named him Guts," Matarō informed. "He eats with a lot of "gusto"."
"And speaking of. You both look like you could use a very big meal after one crazy day," Barazō claimed. "But Little Ryūko, here, was very anemic. So go on, eat up."
Akane and Ryūko look at each other with uncertainty with their hospitality during their dinner. The first-year girl smiles as a gesture of gratitude for the Mankanshoku offering dinner to both. In return, Ryūko makes a similar one too.
"Here, don't just sit there! Eat!" Right out of the gate, Mako shoved some croquettes in Ryūko's mouth, much to her shock. The more Mako shoved the croquettes in Ryūko's mouth, the harder it gets to chew. Ryūko was caught off guard and started pounding her chest to stop herself from being choked by the food, which made everyone in the house laugh with amusement.
Akane isn't sure what the food tastes like, but if Ryūko is eating some of the croquettes, it shouldn't be too bad if it is good. Besides, the Mankanshoku were very nice to offer her some dinner. She can only return the favor by eating some, too. Akane took one bite, and instantly, her cheeks turned tomatoes with such excitement and amazement from the taste. "Wow! This is incredibly good!" she exclaimed.
And for the rest of the night, Akane was enjoying dinner.
Akane is outside of the Mankanshoku's house with Ryūko and Mako. She had to leave because her home still needed to adjust and clean up before tomorrow's school.
Akane felt herself smiling at Mako and Ryuko. "Thank you for the dinner, Mako," Akane said. "It was quite surprisingly delicious." She bows her head as a sign of gratitude and respect for the girl who gave her some hospitality. She lifts back up and asks Ryūko, "Do you have a place to stay for the night?"
"Well, Mrs. Mankanshoku offered to let me sleep in for the night, but I'll see what I can find in this crazy ol' dump they called a city," Ryūko stated.
"You should come by sometime too, Little Akane," Mako suggested. "My mom and dad really liked your company and appreciated it for bringing Ryūko under our care."
"Then I'll be sure that I can," Akane affirmed.
Ryūko lets out a loud yawn, stretching her arms. "Well, better get some shut-eye; it's going to be a very long day ahead tomorrow," she said. "Oh, and squirt." The first-year girl turns her full attention to the older one as Ryūko makes a small smile. "Thanks for saving my butt back there. I wouldn't have gotten here all better if you hadn't dragged my ass down from that fortress."
Akane nodded. "You're welcome," she said. "Then I'll be seeing you tomorrow, then?"
"Yep, see ya then." Ryūko gives a light fist bump on Akane's arm. "You take care now." Ryūko turns around and slides the door open to let herself inside to get ready for bed.
Alone with Mako, Akane turns to the other girl and bows her head in gratitude. "Thank you for taking care of Ryūko," she stated. "I wouldn't think Ryūko would be okay if your father hadn't come and patch her up."
"It was nothing," Mako chuckled. "Besides, Ryūko did save me, so this is the best way for my friend to stay over and sleep with me."
"Just make sure Matarō, your father, and Guts don't try anything while she's under your care," Akane replied.
"You got nothing to worry about." Mako pats Akane's head like a puppy. "You have a good night."
"You too." Akane wouldn't mind getting her head patted by Mako. She's a very cheery girl, and Akane is kind of liking her every bit.
Once more, out and alone in the cold night, Akane listens to her iPod and hums to herself while walking back home. It was a blissful night despite the filth and decay in the streets. It never bothered her. She is trying to make the most of her school year as best as she can. Along the way, she stops by to pick up some groceries for herself tomorrow.
As she pays the food clerk some cash, Akane turns to a street corner, where she pauses herself. She removes the earbuds, confronted by a squad of One-Star students in their Goku Uniforms. Akane doesn't like it one bit. She felt bad about their presence, especially in the No-Star district. Akane turns around to find another way home. Another squad of One-Star students was already waiting behind her as she did. She was trapped.
Akane was surrounded by a platoon of One-Star students from all over the direction. She knows that if their presence is here, it would mean that it can't be good. An opening was created by the One-Stars, and the one person Akane comes face to face with is not what she was expecting.
From the small opening is a petite student with pink hair and an angular face, and the student has a small bust and medium hip compared to Akane, who has a smaller bust but a borderline medium hip. Regarding the height differences, the student is only as tall as her chin, with pink eyes showing gleaming interest.
"So, Little Miss Akane's got some new friends, I see," the student said. She seems to be holding what appears to be a long baton that is taller than her. "Kinda sketchy, though, especially since we're in the bad neighborhood."
Akane raises an eyebrow, surprised to see her in the No-Star district. "Jakuzure-senpai," she addressed. "What are you doing here?"
[NON-ATHLETIC COMMITTEE CHAIR]
[NONON JAKUZURE]
"Salutations, Little Miss Akane," Jakuzure greeted. "As much as I don't want to come to this filth, I came because Lady Satsuki requested an audience with you."
Akane blinks in confusion. "Just with me?"
"Yep. She asked to see you, and I sought to get you," Jakuzure replied.
"Not Gamagōri or Sanageyama this time?"
"The dog and the monkey are busy preparing for Hokkaido, though it's not my kind of department."
Akane looks around at the One-Stars surrounding her. She has another thought that came to her. "Have you guys been spying on me?" she questioned.
As her question is answered, another opening shows up in the formation, and another student with the same higher authority as Jakuzure emerges. It was an older boy with light teal blue hair that was perfectly neat and straight. He seems to be wearing a collar-neck suit and unique parallelogram-shaped eyeglasses tinted in blue glass. His collar opens to reveal his mouth.
"Only when we feel necessary, though Lady Satsuki has always been watching you," he said. "It's not hard to pinpoint your exact location considering you ignore the cameras around you."
[INFORMATION AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE CHAIR]
[HŌKA INUMUTA]
In response, Akane cringed at the thought of Miyashiro's reaction when he found out her stepsister was spying on her. "Yeah, Miyashiro's not going to like it," the first-year girl commented.
Akane isn't sure she should be offended or concerned by her invasion of privacy. She hasn't spoken to her stepsister since she was banished from the Kiryūin household. Now, what does her stepsister want?
"Am I in trouble?" Akane asks the same question every time something like this happens. It's not much of a surprise for Akane to meet the highest-ranking students in the council, the Elite Four. She's met all of them before, and her meetings are not always good.
"No, Lady Satsuki just wants an audience with you, that's all," Jakuzure replied.
Despite Jakuzure's assurance, the girl feels in big trouble, especially since two Elite Four members are coming down to the No-Star District to get her. She learns a few things about the Student Council's Elite Four. They never come down to the No-Star unless necessary, even if it means to come and get her themselves, as per her sister's request. She wouldn't mind if it was Gamagori or Sanageyama, but these two are a whole new story.
"But my errands need to be taken care of," Akane pointed out.
Jakuzure sighed in annoyance. She makes one snap of her finger, and in the instant, two One-Stars take the two bags in her hands and then move out in a split second. "They'll be back in your place before you know it," she said. "Now, come. Lady Satsuki is waiting for you." Akane is sure she will have terrible feelings about her stepsister.
Akane can't seem to stop the gutting feeling in her stomach. The security measures inside the Academy are like going into a secretive military base guarded by highly trained special forces. The last time she and Satsuki came face-to-face was right after Suzuki was killed for being an associate with her and using her to steal the Goku Uniform.
Jakuzure, Inumuta, and three One-Stars were escorting the first-year girl to the elevator. Then, the senior pressed a button to call it.
"Alright, toad, leave us, I'll take it from here," Jakuzure ordered.
"Fine by me," Inumuta complied. "I only came to gather data on the new software update for our satellite camera feeds anyway." The slim boy turns to the first-year girl and slightly bows his head. "If you would excuse me." Inumuta and the One-Star escorts leave the scene with the senior and the first year.
"So, what does big sister want me for this time?" Akane asked as she watched the numbers above the doors start to count down. "Because if she sent you and Inumuta-senpai down to come and get me, then it must mean something big, or I am in trouble."
"You'll just have to ask her yourself," Jakuzure answered unenthusiastically.
"Is this about what happened with Takaharu Fukuroda? It wasn't my fault, I swear. I was just trying to help my new friend," Akane wondered.
Jakuzure sighs and then turns around to have her make eye contact. "Little Miss Akane, let's get a couple of things straight," she said. "Lady Satsuki doesn't care who your friends are or who you can be with, but so long as they don't get her way, then it shouldn't matter. However," she points at Akane, "you've disobeyed Lady Satsuki many times. Especially with the new girl. She's already being a thorn, and I can't stand it if she influences you badly." She has her hands on her hips, showing her disapproval of her friendship with Ryūko.
"I won't try anything, but if you happen to interfere with her, or if you have any hidden agendas that will go against her, then you, little girl, are in serious trouble," Jakuzure warned.
It would've been embarrassing if anyone had spotted their conversation since Jakuzure is shorter than Akane. Yet, she is older than her and has more brass. The doors to the elevator opened, and the two girls entered. Neither speak for the rest of their trip up inside the tower. Sometimes, Akane wonders why the elevator doesn't have any music. She would've loved to hear music in an elevator.
The elevator doors opened, revealing a white marble-tiled hallway that led to an ornate wooden door at the end of it.
"Lady Satsuki is awaiting your arrival, so please be respectful when you are in her presence," Jakuzure advised.
"Thank you, Jakuzure-senpai," Akane replied, bowing her head respectfully. She stepped out of the elevator and walked into the hallway. The doors behind her at once closed as the elevator flew off.
Walking to the large double door, Akane took a deep breath to calm herself and placed her hand on the polished wood, pushing it open as the door made a loud creaking sound.
Akane has been to the room a few times before, and one of them was when she first enrolled during the opening ceremony of the new first-years. The floor's design hadn't changed much since she arrived, but the walls had been replaced with glass, enabling her to see the city below. The room itself had no lights other than a few candles from the chandelier as the natural lighting of the city came in through the glass.
At the far end of the room stood a butler wearing a black and white tuxedo, with a white towel draped over one arm and a plate of tea in the other. He was elderly, with several wrinkles adorning his face and a bald head that showed a resigning old age hairline.
"Miss Akane," Mitsuzō announced as he walked over to him, bowing slightly. "We have been expecting your arrival. Please, take a seat."
"Mr. Mitsuzō Soroi, it's good to see you again," Akane addressed.
"And a pleasure to see you as well, Miss Akane," Mitsuzō greeted.
Akane turns her eyes to the one that is closest to him: Satsuki Kiryūin herself. She was hidden from view due to the back of her chair, but her heels and hair could still be visible from the back.
She walks over to the seat pointed out by the butler and sits on its cushioned surface directly across from Satsuki. She felt nervous, unsure what to say in front of her stepsister. Trying to not let her surprise be revealed, she waits patiently as Mitsuzō pours some tea into her teacup. She slowly drank from an ornate teacup with her eyes closed, acknowledging the tea to be the same as before. Green tea was her favorite. Even Satsuki knows about it.
The academy's president turned her chair around and opened her eyes. "Stepsister," Satsuki greeted. "Our talk will be long, but I promise we will get straight to the point."
"Okay…," Akane responded, drinking her tea.
The butler bowed and backed away, leaving their presence.
Akane sipped her tea, and her eyes kept on Satsuki. "What do you want to talk about?" she asked.
"About Ryūko Matoi," Satsuki answered. "You are aware of who her father is, right?"
Akane didn't have to be reminded of the man. She nodded. "He was Isshin Matoi, our mother's former coworker."
"Then you know what will happen, don't you?" Satsuki questioned. "If you think she will value you as a friend over Isshin's revenge, then you are truly mistaken." She drinks some tea and then says, "Matoi is an enemy of the Kiryūin family. You know she will undo the very foundation of this school."
Akane keeps her emotions in check to listen to what Satsuki is saying. "But Ryūko's not a threat," she objected. "She can be a hothead sometimes, but she's a good person."
"You are shallow when it comes to seeing the bigger picture," Satsuki criticized, fully aware of Akane and her dislike of being called "shallow." "The masses. They are all fools. The pigs in human clothing, domesticated by the establishment of authority. All of humanity is not created equal. Some are born swifter afoot, some with greater beauty, some with a stronger body, others born into poverty, and others born into luxury. That is why these pigs discriminate against each other, one of which is what Honnōji Academy was built on.
"The struggle, the competition, and the unfaltering march of progress. Honnōji Academy alone moves forward, and with the power of the Goku Uniforms, we will dominate the very aspect of human life."
Akane did not like the philosophy of Satsuki's view of the people. Social Darwinism is the very thing that makes all of humanity cruel and very wicked in nature. And yet, Satsuki herself doesn't have a Goku Uniform on. "So where is your Goku Uniform?" she asked. "If you are the Student Council President, shouldn't you be leading an example?"
"I have my sword," Satsuki answered. "It is more than sufficient for me."
"Then I supposed it's got to do with finding the right uniform," Akane suggested.
Unexpectedly, Satsuki lets a small scoff as she drinks her tea. "You seem to care more about these pigs in human clothing than your own self-interest," she replied.
Akane's eyes shower with sympathetic concern. "Sister, please," she pleaded. "They are people like you and me. They can't survive this place you've created."
Satsuki places the teacup down and brings both hands on her lap. "You seem to forget your place, little stepsister," she said. "Honnōji Academy is my kingdom. I run this school, and I, alone, rule this domain." Showing her blue, cold eyes tells Akane of her serious demeanor. "You're just a guest living in my house."
Akane didn't want to get into an argument with her sister. She is still trying to reason with Satsuki to sympathize with her subjects. However, Satsuki's mind is not an easy one to persuade. She can get away with anything and everything that she wants in school.
"So, I'm just a little bug waiting to be stepped on?" Akane inquired.
Satsuki narrows down on her little stepsister. "That depends on you. The choice is yours to decide," she replied. "Unlike them, you have potential; a fine example to carry out my legacy, but you are wasting your potential for these animals. How far are you willing to go to disgrace the Kiryūin name?"
Those words are harsh even for Akane. It's not her choice to be a member of the Kiryūin family after her father married Satsuki's mother. She was just trying to be a good sister to Satsuki, and the girl only gets criticism from her sister all the time.
"Was that a rhetorical question? Or do you just want to talk regularly about my way of living?" Akane asked.
Satsuki closed her eyes in thought. "Maybe both," she answered. Satsuki's cold-hearted gaze froze Akane by her core when she opened her eyes. "Akane, the time has come for you to stop your foolish kind-heartedness and start living yourself easier by joining the Student Council System," she said. "Like I said before, your kindness doesn't mean anything in my school."
It's just as Akane thought. It was another lecture about what it means to rule with an iron fist. It's always the one thing that Satsuki wanted her to be: to be as ruthless and merciless as her. Satsuki is willing to do everything to make sure she will be the one who will take her place should anything happen to her.
"We may be stepsisters, but we are not blood," Akane pointed out. "I am not going to become like you."
"Even if you don't share my bloodline, my teachings, my will, and my soul have already been infused into your veins," Satsuki replied. "It just takes time to accept the facts. Are you willing to disappoint me again, like always?"
Akane knows of Satsuki's methods. It wasn't like she wanted to, but every time she tried to be nice or show kindness, Satsuki responded with the same cold stare and a scowl, depending on her interest. Her hand holding the teacup felt tightened, almost scorching to an angry feeling. Akane doesn't want to do that. Satsuk's just trying to make her feel uneasy.
"All I want is to live in peace with my friends in Honnōji Academy," Akane answered. "Nothing more."
Satsuki inclined her head to her right. "Friends? You mean to those cocky little freshmen boars that came with you, or are you referring to Ryūko Matoi?" she asked.
Akane's eyes started to harden slightly. She has no words for what became of her old friends from middle school years because she had to cut ties for being connected to her sister, and they could inflict brutal punishments for both of them.
"I'd be careful of friends," Satsuki advised. "You will never know who is allies or enemies."
Akane sets her finished teacup down and then postures herself to be formal in front of Satsuki. "Is this all you want to talk about?" she asked, inclined to end their conversation.
"That is all I want to talk about," Satsuki confirmed. "You are dismissed."
Akane nodded and then got up to start walking away from her sister. As she was on the ground, Satsuki called to her again again. "Oh, and little stepsister."
The first-year girl paused at the foot of the steps and turned her head to the chair where Satsuki was sitting. "Tell me, does Ryūko know about you? About your relations to me?" she questioned her little stepsister. "What would she think about you if she discovered the truth?" It is a question Akane doesn't want to answer, even if she has it in her heart.
"About what?" Akane inquired.
"You know…" Satsuki replied.
The girl couldn't respond to her question like she wasn't ready to admit, but she was willing to let her be informed of her status with Ryūko. Her head turns down to the ground with her head back against Satsuki. "She doesn't need to know," she answered. "I will tell her myself. No one else. Just me." Her hands unconsciously clench to fists, upset about the secret she keeps deep in her heart.
"I see…" said Satsuki, seemingly satisfied with Akane's response. "Then you should be ready for what's to come."
Akane felt her heart grow heavier from keeping secrets from her friend, even from Ryūko herself. "I know what I'm doing, so please don't let Ryūko know until I tell her myself," she pleaded. And so, Akane walks over to leave the room with an intrigued Satsuki, watching her close the big door.
Now alone, Satsuki turns her to face the window, deep into thought. She has prepared everything for tomorrow by then. "In due time, stepsister," she said, almost to herself. "In due time."
NGL, I've been working on other projects and this is a side hustle because I couldn't get it out of my head until it's completely gone. If you readers are still keeping in touch with this story, then I thank you for giving your time to read this story. If you like what you've read then, don't forget to follow and favorite this story or recommend this to another reader who may seemed interested in another story besides teh whole mainstream ones.