A/N: This will be the last story I upload this year, so…Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you! Hope you had a joyful 2023! I will see you again in 2024 with new chapters!
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- Kosaka Wakamo Substory 1 -
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Kosaka Wakamo was no ordinary girl. She considered herself different, feeling like an oddity in a world that expected everyone to fit a certain mold. But she didn't mind the labels that might be thrown her way; being called peculiar or deviant didn't bother her in the least. She had long abandoned any pursuit of conformity, rejecting the strict norms set by Hyakkiyako and the wider world of Kivotos.
From as far back as she could remember, Wakamo sensed a deep emptiness within herself, a void that seemed impossible to fill. Even in her carefree childhood and as a diligent student in Hyakkiyako, while her peers dreamed big, her heart remained strangely unaffected. The uncertainties of the future failed to stir any emotion within her.
It was only when chaos and anarchy erupted around her that Wakamo felt a fleeting sense of completeness. The explosive release momentarily filled the emptiness within, offering relief from the perpetual void. Yet, this satisfaction was short-lived, vanishing like smoke once the destructive impulse subsided. In the quiet aftermath, she struggled with the realization that she lacked the enduring passions that fueled others. Instead, she found herself bound to fleeting desires that fizzled out as quickly as they flared up.
She wouldn't argue against being seen as a lost cause. Understanding others was beyond her, and she didn't care if they failed to understand her. Why bother building connections when mutual understanding seemed impossible? At best, it promised disappointment; at worst, it was a waste of time.
The thought of joining a club never crossed her mind. She saw no purpose in being part of something larger or dedicating her life to others. Ironically, everything changed after she encountered Sensei.
Ah, Sensei—beloved Sparda-Sensei. Just saying his name filled her heart with joy. The memory of their first meeting was etched vividly in her mind. He appeared as if from thin air, his eyes shining unlike anyone she'd ever met. Unlike her peers and the adults she knew, his eyes remained untainted. In those sharp, blue eyes, she glimpsed reflections of herself, not a predetermined image he thought she should embody.
His eyes captivated her, and the absence of malice only deepened her interest. Though too embarrassed to admit it, she realized that must have been the moment when the seeds of her feelings were planted.
Subsequent encounters with him, though not under the ideal circumstances she expected, only served to water the seeds of her emotions.
Their second meeting occurred a month later at the palace of perpetual winter. It was by chance; she sought refuge from pursuers while Sensei was on an errand for the tyrant of the winter palace. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that fate had brought them together again so soon. Traveling with Sensei made her forget the biting cold of the land of perpetual winter.
Their third encounter took place in the chamber of the lost palanquin in the depth of the black desert. Sensei was hunting down a group of white-robed adults, apparently connected to an incident in Millennium during Sensei's first week in Kivotos. Although she didn't know the details, witnessing Sensei being relentlessly attacked ignited a flame of anger she never knew existed. Her rampage resulted in a scolding from Sensei, but the joy she felt stemmed from realizing he wasn't angry for the destruction but for her putting herself in danger to protect him.
His words from that moment were etched in her memory.
"If adults hide behind children, then who should the children seek help from when they need it? Wakamo, you're my student, but first, you're a girl with a bright future ahead. You still have much to see, learn, and experience. I'm happy you care about me, but I care about you too. Take good care of yourself. I don't want to lose you. I don't want to see you throw your life away for me."
Wakamo found herself grappling with a multitude of emotions as Sensei's words resonated within her. The warmth in her heart was a novel sensation, a contrast to the cold indifference she had grown accustomed to in her tumultuous past. It marked the first time someone genuinely cared for her well-being.
In the wake of this unexpected connection, Wakamo felt an internal struggle, not only with the unfamiliar warmth but also with the question of how to reciprocate. She replayed their conversation in her mind, each word etched into her memory, and the warmth persisted long after she had parted ways with Sensei.
As days unfolded, what deepened her love for Sensei was his persistent pursuit of her. Despite her acknowledgment of being a complex and emotionally unpredictable person, Sensei sought her out with an invitation to join SCHALE. This act of inclusion stirred a sense of belonging in Wakamo, a feeling she hadn't known before.
Sparda-Sensei's understanding nature extended beyond the initial invitation. When faced with Wakamo's uncertainty about joining SCHALE, he didn't pressure her or express disappointment. Instead, he listened attentively, offering his perspective with a wisdom that only came with age and experience.
"Isn't it fine?" he had said. "To be uncertain about who you are, what you should do, and what you want to become… I think that fear is entirely normal. Not many people live their lives with certainty, satisfied with their decisions."
His words lingered in her thoughts, becoming a guiding light during moments of self-doubt. Sensei's insight provided her with the comforting reassurance that it was okay not to have everything figured out, a sentiment she had never encountered before.
"There will come a time when you question your choices, reflect on them, and consider how they shaped you. Perhaps you'll regret some decisions and ponder how different your life could have been if you chose otherwise."
His wisdom resonated deeply with Wakamo, revealing a profound understanding of the complexities of life. It was a perspective that went beyond the immediate decision of joining SCHALE, offering a glimpse into a broader philosophy on personal growth and the inevitability of life's uncertainties.
"As your teacher, my role is to extend a helping hand, guiding you to become a person you can be proud of. Whether you join SCHALE or not, it won't alter how I perceive you."
Sensei's acceptance of her, regardless of her decision, fostered a sense of security and trust. It was an assurance that she could navigate the twists and turns of her own journey with his support, a sentiment that brought a renewed sense of purpose to Wakamo's life.
"But speaking as myself," he continued, "I would love it if you decided to join SCHALE. Embarrassing as it is to admit, I can't help but feel agitated for your safety whenever you're out of my sight."
Wakamo found herself stirred by Sensei's words, a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty swirling within her. The prospect of joining SCHALE was both appealing and daunting. Sensei's genuine concern for her safety was a warmth she had never experienced before.
In the days that followed, she grappled with her decision, torn between the desire to be part of something meaningful and the fear of her own insecurities. Sensei, respecting her need for space and time, didn't press her. Instead, he continued to offer guidance when she sought it, patiently helping her navigate through the labyrinth of her emotions.
While Wakamo never officially joined SCHALE, she became an integral part of Sensei's adventures, always ready to lend a hand whenever he needed assistance. Even when he didn't explicitly ask for help, she would rush to his side at the slightest hint that he might be in need.
In a poignant turn of events, she received a gift from Sensei. The gesture filled her with joy, a tangible proof of her significance in Sensei's world. Yet, amidst the happiness, a tinge of bittersweet emotion crept in when she noticed the conflict reflected in Sensei's eyes.
"It's alright, Sensei. This way, I can be more useful to you," she reassured him at the time, attempting to ease the tension she perceived. However, even then, Sensei responded with a faint, slightly bitter smile.
Despite her joy at constantly being by Sensei's side, annoyance crept in due to the persistent flies that seemed to swarm around him. The dog-eared girl from Abydos, in particular, never left Sensei's side whenever she made an appearance, hindering Wakamo's attempts to get closer.
Then there was the two-faced girl from Trinity, attempting a level of intimacy with Sensei that Wakamo could only dream of. When the three of them were present in SCHALE, the potential for conflict was palpable. Only Sensei and the white-haired girl's presence prevented an all-out war. Wakamo, not wanting Sensei to harbor any ill feelings, always complied with his requests to calm down—a sentiment echoed by the dog-eared and two-faced girls.
Despite the challenges, Wakamo couldn't deny that her life had become much more colorful than she could have imagined. Engaging in friendly banter with other students who dared interrupt her time with Sensei became a regular occurrence.
There were memorable moments, like wearing a swimsuit and heading to a summer resort with Sensei, though it ended in disaster due to a scheme by the ingrates from the Black Market.
Or that one incident where they got lost in the mountains and had to deal with a renegade group of onryo because of the mistakes made by a group of clumsy self-proclaimed ninja.
Then there was the explosive quest for a hot spring during a competition against students from Gehenna. The stories seemed endless, and Wakamo couldn't help but marvel at how much more colorful and interesting her life had become since meeting Sparda-Sensei.
Truly, it was fun.
…
…
…
Yet, a profound regret and sorrow had left their mark on Wakamo's heart.
Why?
Why had she never summoned the courage to tell him that she loved him, that she cherished him, that she wanted to be by his side forever? Countless opportunities had presented themselves, yet she squandered them all. So many chances slipped through her fingers, and she was haunted by the realization of her own cowardice.
Why?
Why did she take his presence for granted?
The answer was clear. She saw Sensei's strength, and as a result, she thought he was capable of handling anything and everything on his own. Fueled by this belief, she foolishly presumed he would be invincible, that there would always be an opportunity to confess her feelings to him, that no matter the adversary they faced, he would always return to them.
Now, the painful truth lingered—Sensei was gone. Even though Kivotos was saved, it felt utterly meaningless without him. The smile she loved so much, the warmth of his presence, all gone. She had lost Sensei that day.
A world without Sensei seemed meaningless to Wakamo. A world without him wasn't worth living in. The realization struck her like a dagger to the heart.
And so, Wakamo made a decision.
She no longer wished to exist in a world bereft of Sensei.
o-0-o
"Do you believe in a second chance? Or, perhaps, reincarnation? Or, a time loop?"
These were the plot devices that Wakamo, thanks to the promotions by merchants in Hyakkiyako, came to know as she browsed through books on romance. She initially scoffed at the perceived ridiculousness of these plot devices, seeing them as overused mechanisms for writers to escape into a fantasy world and reinvent themselves while avoiding their true selves in the real world. The popularity of this particular genre in Hyakkiyako, she thought, was a testament to how far the literacy level of the school had fallen.
Yet, against all odds, that was precisely what happened to her.
When she 'woke up,' her eyes were met with the familiar sight of Sensei.
Confusion and disbelief gripped Wakamo. The world she knew, the one without Sensei, seemed like a distant memory, a fading dream. The very plot devices she dismissed now wrapped around her reality, and she found herself questioning her own sanity?
Was this a second chance? A new life where she could rectify the mistakes she made and express the feelings she had kept buried? Or was it reincarnation, a cosmic cycle that granted her another opportunity to share moments with Sensei in a different form?
Or, perhaps, everything that she had experienced was just a long, bad dream that never happened in the first place?
Then, Sensei spoke to her.
It was the exact same line he had uttered on their first meeting, a familiar melody that stirred emotions long dormant within Wakamo. The desire to do nothing more than leap into his arms, to embrace him tightly, overwhelmed her. Yet, her mind and emotions were entangled in a chaotic mess, and she felt sick with the overwhelming clash of conflicting feelings.
Tears welled in her eyes, fueled by the sheer happiness of hearing his voice again. Yet, sorrow gripped her heart, a heavy weight pulling her into the depths of regret. The dichotomy of emotions left her paralyzed, torn between joy and despair.
She yearned to leap to him, to embrace him with all the strength she could muster. But a nagging feeling lingered, a sense of unworthiness that restrained her. The guilt for failing to protect him in the previous life weighed heavily on her conscience, making the prospect of a warm embrace seem like an undeserved luxury.
In the whirlwind of emotions, Wakamo found herself grappling with conflicting desires. She wanted to cry tears of joy, to express the happiness of seeing him alive once more. Yet, an indescribable sadness clouded the moment, overshadowing the joy and making her question whether she truly deserved this reunion.
Above all, in the midst of this emotional storm, one desire burned fiercely within her: she wanted to see him alive. The past regrets, the conflicting emotions—they all melted away in the face of this primal need to witness his continued existence. The complexities of her feelings paled in comparison to the simple, desperate wish to hold onto the reality of his presence.
Everything erupted in a burst, a torrent of memories and emotions that drowned Wakamo in their overwhelming intensity. The shame and regret felt like a tidal wave crashing over her, leaving her bewildered and vulnerable. Unable to grapple with the surge of conflicting feelings, she turned away from Sensei and sprinted, leaving behind a perplexed expression etched on his face.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she ran out of SCHALE, the weight of her emotions echoing in each hurried step. Amidst the confusion, a bittersweet happiness lingered — Sensei was alive. However, the joy was tainted by the foreboding realization that if things continued as they were, only oblivion awaited him. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him once again.
In the midst of her tearful escape, a determination sparked within Wakamo. She needed to address the problem at its roots, to prevent Sensei from encountering whatever peril threatened to engulf him. The urgency of the situation spurred her into action.
"Yes," she muttered to herself, her voice choked with a mixture of emotions. She needed to intervene before Sensei even had a chance to face the danger head-on.
"Everything was its fault."
That thing cloaked in the guise of a student must be destroyed. It was Sensei's enemy, a threat that needed to be eliminated before it could lead Sensei to his demise.
o-0-o
Let it be known that Wakamo was far from a simpleton. Despite her penchant for spontaneous actions based on whims, she possessed the capability to craft intricate long-term strategies when the need arose. However, the sudden escalation of the situation left her with little time to devise a proper plan on how to locate the dormant threat slumbering in Millennium.
Taking refuge in one of her hideouts, Wakamo received wind that Sensei had entered Millennium. Panic gripped her as the urgency of the situation unfolded. She knew she had to act swiftly to find that thing before Sensei did, even if it meant resorting to extreme measures, potentially razing Millennium to the ground.
Thus, with a determination bordering on madness, Wakamo dismantled the barriers that separated Millennium from the rest of Kivotos, forcibly inviting herself into the school. The audacity of a single student launching an attack on an institution as vast as Millennium, armed with nothing but a single firearm, defied all logic and reason.
Madness or not, sheer idiocy be damned, Wakamo cared little for conventional wisdom. Her singular focus was on finding that elusive entity and eliminating it. The halls of Millennium became a battleground for her relentless pursuit, and she pressed forward with an unwavering resolve.
Where?
Where is it?
Show yourself, AL-1S!" she screamed, her voice reverberating through the echoing corridors like the howl of a mad beast. The intensity of her demand betrayed the desperate frustration that gripped her. Each step, each scream, was a manifestation of the tumultuous emotions she harbored—fear, anger, and a fierce determination to protect Sensei.
The persistent flies that had buzzed around Wakamo since her entrance to Millennium showered her with bullets. Yet, miraculously, not a single projectile managed to touch her. Flames erupted from the ground, encircling her with a protective barrier that seemed to defy the laws of physics, shielding her from the relentless attacks.
Wakamo, in the midst of this chaotic onslaught, couldn't fathom the details of this inexplicable phenomenon. It might not be something that could be explained scientifically, but it was evident that she retained the extraordinary gift Sensei had bestowed upon her. Now, it felt only right to utilize this gift to protect Sensei, to ensure that this time, everyone would return home.
With a surge of determination, the flames that enveloped Wakamo exploded violently from her body. The conflagration incinerated everything within a 100-meter radius, reducing the concrete of the street, the dilapidated remnants of abandoned buildings, and the security robots sent to apprehend her to ashes. Even the heavily armored drones, designed to bring her down, succumbed to the inferno.
As more drones approached, firing missiles in an attempt to quell her advance, Wakamo responded with swift evasions and precise shots. She, recognizing the danger of getting hit by those missiles, chose instead to maintain a calculated distance. However, the drones, seemingly having learned from previous encounters, adapted their strategy. They attacked from higher altitudes, out of the range of the flames and rendering Wakamo's bullets futile against their aerial assault.
In response, in a display of control over the flames that enveloped her, Wakamo extended her influence. With a focused intent, she 'grabbed' the fiery energy, shaping it into a long, snake-like whip. The flames responded obediently to her command, taking on the form she desired.
Swinging her flaming whip with practiced precision, Wakamo effortlessly sliced through the approaching drones, cleanly severing them in half. For those hovering out of her immediate reach, she wielded the whip like a versatile weapon. With a flick of her wrist, she launched flaming, needle-shaped projectiles at the distant drones, impaling them briefly before the fiery explosions consumed them.
The battlefield transformed into a mesmerizing dance of fire and skill, each swing of Wakamo's whip a testament to her newfound mastery over the flames. The chaotic clash continued as she deftly navigated the onslaught, countering the drones with a lethal combination of agility and precision. The once-imposing adversaries crumbled in the face of Wakamo's fiery onslaught, their mechanical forms unable to withstand the ferocity of her determined counterattack.
As the acrid scent of burning metal and circuits filled the air, Wakamo pressed forward, unwavering in her determination to eliminate every trace of the threat looming over Sensei. However, the daunting task of razing Millennium to the ground seemed impractical and time-consuming.
"Ara?"
A sudden realization struck her. How could she forget? Weren't there girls who managed to befriend AL-1S? Though Wakamo considered them fools for attempting such a risky endeavor, the unexpected result was undeniable—they formed attachments with the elusive entity, even if it ultimately ended poorly for them.
The fastest way to draw AL-1S out of hiding dawned on Wakamo. What better way to grab its attention than by putting those befriended girls in danger? It was evident that AL-1S became frenzied when it lost one of its newfound companions, particularly the salmon-haired one.
A sinister smile played on Wakamo's lips. To any onlooker, this smile would be an ominous warning to steer clear of this determined girl.
"Yes... I think I should pay a visit to them. Let's see... What's their club called again? Game Development Club?"
The notion of endangering those who had managed to befriend AL-1S didn't deter Wakamo. Instead, it fueled her resolve. The calculated decision to exploit this vulnerability became a means to an end, a strategy to draw out AL-1S and confront it directly. With a determined glint in her eyes, Wakamo set her sights on the Game Development Club, ready to exploit the weaknesses of her adversary and protect Sensei at any cost
A moment later, the air was pierced by several bullets, yet none managed to come close to Wakamo. The flames dancing around her combusted each projectile upon contact.
"My," Wakamo's eyes scanned her surroundings, attempting to identify the location of the sniper. "So there are still some rats skulking around? Who is it, I wonder? Considering the place, could you be that awkward maid who was more brawn than brain?" she inquired, addressing the hidden assailant.
Silence reigned, only to be broken by a nervous voice emanating from nearby speakers mounted on a pole. "W-Wakamo-san, p-please...stop this," pleaded a girlish voice.
Wakamo recognized that voice. It was the trembling, awkward voice of a girl she had encountered before—a fragile rabbit lacking confidence in herself. An image of a small girl wearing a bunny ear-shaped accessory on her head flashed in Wakamo's mind.
A smile played on Wakamo's lips, though it was more habitual than reflective of any personal feelings toward the rabbit. "It's been a while—no, it should be 'nice to meet you,' right? After all, this is our 'first' time meeting each other."
"Wakamo-san..."
"It's bad manners to hide yourself on a first greeting. Why don't you show your face to me, Miyu-san?" Wakamo suggested, her tone carrying a mix of amusement and challenge.
A faint rustle echoed from a nearby dilapidated building, accompanied by the soft sound of small rocks tumbling down. Moments later, someone leaped down from the topmost level, landing gracefully behind Wakamo.
Turning around, Wakamo was met by a pair of red eyes, belonging to a girl on the verge of tears. "There you are," Wakamo smiled. "You look as lovely as I remembered, Miyu-san."
"Wa-Wakamo-san… P-please, quit what you're doing before you injure someone…" the rabbit girl, Miyu, pleaded desperately.
"Hmm…Miyu-san, I have no plan of injuring anyone."
"E-eh? B-but, then why would you–"
Miyu's red eyes glistened with a mixture of fear and concern as she faced Wakamo, who seemed resolute in her mission. The dilapidated surroundings only added to the tense atmosphere, creating an unsettling backdrop for the impending confrontation.
Wakamo, with a smile that seemed almost detached from the gravity of the situation, observed Miyu's distress. "I'm here just to get rid of that 'thing'. If anyone decides to protect it, then it is their problem." Her words were straightforward, devoid of any malice or personal vendetta. To Wakamo, this was a mission, a duty she had shouldered to ensure the safety of those she cared about.
Miyu, however, couldn't hide the anguish in her eyes. "But Wakamo-san, it's not that simple. AL-1S... Aris-san was not just a 'thing.' She had feelings, emotions, and…and…"
Wakamo's expression remained unchanged, her resolve unwavering. "Feelings, emotions? Miyu-san, it's not human. It's a dangerous entity, and I can't let it harm anyone, especially Sensei."
The tension in the air thickened as the two girls stood at an impasse, each anchored in their convictions. The dilapidated building cast long shadows, emphasizing the gravity of the moment.
"Sensei will be sad, you know? We might have failed back then, but we did try our hardest, Wakamo-san. It might only be for a short time, but Aris-san was our friend, wasn't she?" Miyu asked, her voice laden with a mix of pleading and nostalgia.
Wakamo gritted her teeth, frustration and anger evident in her face. "Miyu-san, please, I ask of you…never repeat that line again to me."
"Eeep!" Miyu took a step back, frightened by the intensity of Wakamo's response.
Wakamo sighed, a heavy breath that seemed to carry the weight of unspoken burdens. Then, she turned her back on Miyu, intending to proceed directly to Millennium's main campus.
"S-stop!" Miyu pleaded desperately, her voice trembling with desperation.
"Or? Will you shoot me, Miyu-san?" Wakamo asked, her tone calm yet laced with a challenge.
"T-that's–I—"
"If you want to stop me, you should have prepared yourself for a fight," Wakamo declared, each word sharp and resolute.
A step.
Two steps.
After a few steps had been taken, a gunshot rang out, shattering the silence that hung in the air.
"I see… It saddens me that it has to come to this, but…" Wakamo turned back to face Miyu, who was aiming at her with a sniper rifle, her red eyes conflicted. "I, too, have someone I want to protect no matter what."
"Halt! Don't move, Wakamo-san!" Miyu ordered, her voice strained. "Y-you know what I can d-do! S-so…if you don't want to be s-s-shredded! To p-p-pieces! I implore you to stop moving!"
"Can you do it, though?" Wakamo asked, taking a deliberate step towards Miyu, her eyes locked onto hers.
Then, Wakamo sprinted towards Miyu.
"I-I said, stop!" Miyu fired a round towards Wakamo, but it combusted before it could get anywhere near the fox-eared girl.
With a swift and decisive movement, Wakamo's boot connected with Miyu's stomach, sending her sprawling across the concrete ground.
"Aagh!" Miyu's pained groan echoed through the dilapidated surroundings as her back collided harshly with the unforgiving surface. The searing pain in her stomach left her momentarily breathless, struggling to regain her composure.
Leisurely, Wakamo closed the distance, her strides purposeful and unhurried. Observing the vulnerable state of Miyu, a cloud of confusion lingered in Wakamo's mind. "Miyu-san… why aren't you using the 'gift' that Sensei gave you? You know full well that you don't stand a chance of defeating me unless you use it," Wakamo pressed, her tone a mix of genuine curiosity and frustration.
"B-because," Miyu stammered, her glare carrying an unexpected intensity that cut through her usual timidity. "I promised Sensei I would only use it to protect my friends, and Wakamo-san… you're also my friend."
Wakamo fell silent, grappling with the weight of Miyu's words. The dilapidated building cast long shadows around them, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Then, steeling her resolve, Wakamo stared back at Miyu, her expression a blend of appreciation and sadness.
"Miyu-san, what you said just now… I'm fully aware that Sensei–everyone will come to hate me if they know what I'll be doing…" Wakamo admitted. A single tear traced a path down her cheek as she shakily continued, "I'm fine with that. A world where Sensei is alive, even if all of you shun me forever, is worth much more than a world without Sensei."
Miyu's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and understanding dawning on her face. "Wakamo-san."
Raising her gun, aiming it at Miyu, Wakamo said, "Goodbye, Miyu-san."
Miyu closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable pull of the trigger.
Wakamo's finger moved, and the sound of a gunshot rang out.
Miyu grimaced, anticipating the pain that usually followed, but to her bewilderment, there was none.
The silence between them stretched, each second feeling like an eternity.
Nothing happened?
Frightfully opening her eyes, Miyu was met with the surreal sight of Wakamo suspended mid-air, ensnared by ethereal tendrils crafted from shadows. In her disoriented state, Miyu observed Wakamo's gun pointing skyward, an unsettling tableau unfolding before her.
"Nyahahaha~."
Wakamo's features twisted into an expression that mirrored both displeasure and exasperation. "This repulsive laughter… Niya-san, you're there, aren't you?"
"Of course~, who else could it be but me?"
The shadows around them pirouetted and converged into a single point. Niya materialized from the darkness, a mischievous grin adorning her face.
"It's been a while since we last spoke like this, hasn't it? Oh, by the way, Miyu-chan, what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to go pick up The Maid?" Niya asked.
"W-well…I-I'm worried…" was all Miyu managed to articulate, her voice laden with concern.
Niya regarded Miyu for a moment, then shrugged, smiling with an air of exasperation. "Should've expected it from Miyu-chan," Niya said, diverting her attention to Wakamo. "Now then…what should I do with you?"
"Niya-san? Do you truly believe this is enough to stop me?" Wakamo asked, her voice edged with defiance.
"Hmm? No," Niya readily admitted. Despite her acknowledgment, her smile widened. "But I have several days to think of a plan just for you. Don't worry, you won't die so easily."
Before Wakamo could inquire further, the shadows swirled around them, cocooning Wakamo within a sphere crafted entirely from darkness.
"Is this it?" Wakamo mused, unimpressed by the seemingly simple confinement. If she believed this was sufficient to thwart her, perhaps she had overestimated Niya's abilities.
"You think this isn't enough to stop you, right?" Niya's voice echoed within the inky blackness. "Well, in terms of construction, this certainly isn't the sturdiest prison, but, you see~," Niya's tone shifted playfully, and she added, "How long can you stay conscious without breathing?"
Wakamo's eyes narrowed as the realization of Niya's trap dawned upon her. The challenge presented a daunting prospect, a test of endurance within the confines of the shadowy sphere—a relentless battle of wills and survival in a race against time.
Desperation etched across her face, Wakamo attempted to breathe, to inhale the life-sustaining oxygen she desperately needed. Yet, the oppressive darkness offered no solace; there was nothing to breathe, no oxygen to fuel her body. In this lightless void, the very essence of life eluded her grasp.
Struggling against the suffocating abyss, Wakamo sought to conjure her flames, the source of her strength. However, the absence of oxygen left her powerless, rendering her attempts futile. Her once-vibrant flames flickered weakly, gradually dimming in the vacuum of nothingness.
"Ni…ya-san…!" Wakamo's curse echoed in the oppressive silence as she glared hatefully at Niya, the orchestrator of her current plight. She knew, even in the darkness, that Niya was smirking in delight at witnessing the once indomitable Wakamo reduced to such vulnerability.
In the final moments before the encroaching darkness claimed her, Wakamo heard Niya's voice. It cut through the silence with an oddly calm and caring tone, offering an unexpected respite.
"Go to sleep and calm your head first, alright? Don't worry, our home still exists at this moment."
The soothing words fell upon Wakamo like a gentle lullaby, ushering her into an uneasy slumber within the confines of the shadowy prison. As her consciousness slipped away, the promise of their shared sanctuary offered a fragile comfort to Wakamo.
o-0-o
Niya delicately unfurled the shadows, revealing the prone form of Wakamo within the ethereal sphere. The once indomitable spirit now lay dormant, a stark juxtaposition to the tumult that had just cascaded around them. "Miyu-chan, I'm retreating to Hyakkiyako with this one. I trust you can traverse the path homeward unscathed?"
Miyu nodded, though the furrows of concern etched across her features belied her acquiescence. "I–I'm unharmed. Just a minor injury, nothing of consequence."
Niya's amusement danced in her eyes as she remarked, "Hmm...she does have a softer side, it seems. Despite the capacity to engulf you in flames, she opted for a more physical approach," her words carrying a subtle undertone of irony.
Concern etched Miyu's face as she sought guidance, "Niya-san, with this chaos, should I still seek TheMaid-san?"
Niya, an enigmatic smile playing on her lips, considered the query before responding, "Better to abstain. The situation has burgeoned into unnecessary complexity. Moreover, for the time being, TheMaid's presence isn't an imperative," her words laced with a mischievous nuance.
Observing Miyu's complex expression, Niya playfully inquired, "Do tell, Miyu-chan, why gaze upon me with such suspicion?"
"Y-you're s-scheming something again, aren't you...Niya-san?"
Niya, feigning innocence, retorted, "You wound me! I've done nothing of the sort! I certainly didn't inject anything into Millennium's network when conversing with that Seminar blockhead!"
"..."
"A-anyway! Let's make our exit! The security robots are resuming their advance!" Niya's urgency reverberated in her words. "Best shield your eyes, Miyu-chan, or you'll be swept away by dizziness."
Embraced by the shadows, they vanished from the chaotic tapestry unfolding in Millennium. The shadows enveloped them, offering a shroud of anonymity as they seamlessly slipped away, leaving behind a trail of enigmatic remnants.
o-0-o
End of Chapter
