Chapter 4 – Memories Before the Nega Dimension
"I see…so, that is all that has happened, so far. It really does explain a lot."
The four of us had settled in my apartment and I had just explained to Aria why we came after her. What Chiharu told me beforehand and…what's been going on with me.
That part, in particular, was a bit difficult to explain.
"I know this is really sudden for you, Aria. Especially after what you experienced before being warped here." I said. "But…I was hoping that you at least remembered something about Tsuzuki. What she said or what she was doing there…we just really need to find her."
"Tsuzuki…Tsuzuki Hirase…your parallel self who unwillingly brought you to this world, correct?" Aria then went silent for a bit. "Hmm…I…I do not seem to remember much. After you had disappeared, myself and the others began looking for you. All of the times we would search that hopeless wasteland now known as the Nega Dimension from top to bottom…exploring deep within holes and penetrating through dangerous creatures…"
"W-Woah, woah! What?! Th-The hell?!" Chiharu shouted with a huge blush on her face.
"Chiharu, what does "penetrating" mean?" Kanako asked.
"N-Nothing you need to know!"
"Aw~…"
"So, I see that you still have that phrasing issue…" I exasperatedly said to Aria while she looked back at me with a confused stare.
"H-Hey, I know that we tracked this girl down…but who the hell is she?" Chiharu asked me. "And what's with the poor-as-hell phrasing?"
"Well, for context…you know how after the Nega Dimension became a thing, colonies were made all across Japan as a way to at least survive?"
"Well, yeah. Of course, I do. Kanako and I formed our own and had a few people join us after we defeated Akemi back then."
"There was Ayuko and Sakura and Kanae…ooh~! Kanae and I would play with Bunny a lot together! It was SUPER fun!" Kanako added.
Well, I know that Ayuko is Ayano…if I had to guess, Sakura is probably Sakurako and…wait…is Kanae supposed to be Kaede?!
"Many of them appointed leaders to help guide us to live in somewhat livable conditions. And this here is one of them…Aria Nijinosaki. The parallel doppelgänger of a girl named Aira Nishinotaki. A girl somewhere in this world."
"Aria Nijinosaki…I think I've heard of you." Chiharu said. "You and your group made what was left of Harajuku into your colony, right?"
"That is correct." Aria said before bowing in front of the duo. "It is an honor to meet you both. Chiharu Yoshitaka and Kanako Tokashiko. Myself and the other colony leaders have heard of your efforts to put the vile Akemi Akase in her place years before. Thank you both for keeping that distorted world safe enough to live in."
"Eh. Don't mention it. Any excuse to shove it up Akemi's ass is fine by me."
"She's a super big meanie. So, it's totally fine." Kanako added.
"I see…" Aria went silent for a bit. "…So, you two have a butthole fetish?"
"TH-THE HELL?! NO! HOW THE HELL DID YOU EVEN COME TO THAT CONCLUSION?!" Chiharu yelled with yet another huge blush while covering Kanako's ears.
"What's a butthole…"
"QUIET, YOU!" Kanako tried to ask but was cut off.
"By the way, the bad phrasing is completely normal of her." I said.
"W-WAY TO CASUALLY BRING THAT UP, DAMNIT!"
It's only casual because I'm so used to it…
"*sigh* Wh-Whatever…" Chiharu took some time to calm down. "…so, there were 5 colonies in total, right? If Takaoka was one and Harajuku was two…what were the other three?"
"Uh…I believe they were Sapporo, Kichijōji, and…Odaiba."
"Odaiba?! That city survived but Tokyo didn't?!"
"Well, to be fair…Odaiba is a manmade island. They probably had some time to prepare."
"Even then, it's RIGHT NEXT to Tokyo! Not to sound like an ungrateful ass, but that city should've been destroyed, too."
"Yeah, you have a point…"
I guess Odaiba was just lucky…
"In any case, Tsubaki…" Aria said to me. "…is what's happening to you really the truth? Are you really…"
"*sigh* Yes, Aria. It's true. After using my power against Akemi that day, I've been slowly deteriorating. Everyday I'm leaking ooze from my body…slowly getting weaker. To the point where…I-I worry about the next day being my last."
"Tsubaki…*sigh* this is truly my fault. When we gained those strange powers, yours was always the most unstable. Making you an easy target for vile people like HER. I should have done better to help you control them. As your leader, I truly feel ashamed."
"Aria, please. This isn't your fault." I said as I held her into a hug. "With how I am, this was bound to happen eventually. I just wish we could delay the inevitable for a while…"
"Well, until we find Tsuzuki, that will have to be put on hold for now." Chiharu said. "After all…we still need to find Akemi and make her talk. No doubt in my mind she's involved in all of this."
"But to what extent, though? I mean, yeah…she did try to sell me out to HER. But…does she even know what they're trying to do?"
"What ARE they trying to do? You seem to have an idea…"
"I do…but I can't be certain. For now, it's only a theory."
Though if it does tie in with the heatwave, I'll know for sure…
"*sigh* Well, whatever. We'll just have to save it for later." Chiharu then got up from sitting on the floor. "Come on, Aria. I'll take you back home."
"Thank you ever so much, Chiharu." Aria said. "I am sure Himawari is deeply worried about me. Especially since tomorrow is school."
"Huh? School?" I asked.
"Oh, yes. I forgot to tell you, Tsubaki. Since I have been here for quite a while and do not know how to return to our world, Himawari has enrolled me into the school she attends. What was it called again? It seems to be on the tip of my tongue…"
"Sh-Shinohara? Y-You're attending Shinohara?!"
"Yes! That is it! I start attending Shinohara tomorrow!"
…
…
…
"WHY?!" I shouted with pure confusion and rage.
"Huh? I do not understand, Tsubaki. Are you not happy about us being together once more? It has been a long time since we last did it together."
"O-Okay, one. Phrasing!" I gained a sweatdrop. "And two. Shinohara isn't as great as you think it is. There's perverted boys and teachers who don't give a damn. Plus, the hallways smell like raspberries. Even though the school had no choice on that one…"
"It should be fine. Both you and Himawari will be there, correct?"
"Yeah, but…what grade are you in?"
"Uh…I think Himawari made me a second-year."
"A second-year? Aw, damn…"
"I-Is that bad?"
"Aria…I'm a third-year. I won't be able to keep an eye on you because I'll be on an entirely different floor."
"Oh…I see. That is a problem." Aria gained a sad look.
"What's the big deal?" Chiharu asked. "Won't Himawari look after her like she's been doing this whole time?"
"Yeah, but I don't want her to know about what's going on. Aria's too dense to be keeping secrets."
"Hey…" Aria whined.
"Well, you better think of something before tomorrow. She's your responsibility now." This was all Chiharu said as she left my apartment. Along with Kanako and Aria. Leaving me alone to think of what to do about Aria coming to school tomorrow.
"*sigh* Aw, damn…what am I gonna do?" I said to myself in a stressed tone. Then, just a few seconds later, an idea popped into my head that could possibly work out for me. Hopefully.
I already told her so much…might as well tell her about this. I mentally said to myself as I dialed up a number on my phone.
Akari's POV
"…She's from the Nega Dimension? And she's been staying with Himawari this whole time?"
"L-Look, I'll explain that later. But for now…she's gonna start attending Shinohara tomorrow and I won't be able to look after her. So…"
"So, you want me to do it? Tsu…"
"Please, Akari! I'm begging you! You're the only one who knows about all of this and I really don't want the others to find out! I can only rely on you for this…"
"Really…?" I went silent for a bit. "*sigh* Fine. I'll do it. Let's meet in the clubroom before the Entrance Ceremony."
"Yes! Thanks so much, Akari! I totally owe you for this!" Tsu cheered before hanging up. Leaving me with an exasperated look of my own as I sighed to myself.
I know this is technically my fault for this happening…but I can't handle any more secrets like this!
"*sigh* Whatever. I think Chinatsu and Ayano gave up on that conversation by now. Maybe I should start heading baaaaaak?!" I was about to start walking back home when I suddenly felt a huge tug from the back of my shirt and was being dragged to a nearby ally. When the tugging finally stopped and I saw who it was that grabbed me…
"Well, well…it's been awhile, Akari~. *giggle*"
"Tch! Akemi?!"
…Let's just say I was NOT happy in the slightest.
"Well, don't you sound disappointed. Is seeing me again three months later really that much of an eyesore?"
"You're an evil version of me who killed a bunch of people and destroyed an entire world for "revenge". Of course, you're a damn eyesore."
"Well, fun fact: you're me. So, you're also an eyesore. *giggle*"
"Grr…"
Damnit! How did I fall for that?!
"Look, what do you want, Akemi? If you've come out of hiding just to screw with me again, I won't hesitate to fight back this time."
"Relax. I ain't here for that. I just got something really interesting to tell you. Care to hear it~?"
"Why would I sit here and listen to anything you have to say? You've REALLY gone crazy if you thought I would agree to that so easily. I'm leaving." I then tried to leave this demented doppelgänger of mine and actually make it home before it got dark.
…
And I say "tried" because…
"You're really not interested? It involves Tsubaki, ya know~…"
"Wh-What?"
"She told ya that she was a doppelgänger, didn't she? Well…let's just say she ain't doing so hot right now."
"Wh-What are you talking about? Is Tsu okay?"
"Hmph. NOW you're showing interest? Why should I tell you when you were trying to leaving me before? I show just leave myself…"
"W-Wait, damnit!" I yelled out just as Akemi was about to leave the alleyway. "*sigh* F-Fine…I-I'll hear you out."
"*giggle* That's a good little girl, Akari~." Akemi teased with a smirk on her face. "Now, listen up~. Cause this story's about to get REALLY good~. *giggle*"
What did I get myself into?
Author's Note: As Tsu's dilemma becomes more dire, Akari's involvement becomes a lot more grander. Just how long can the duo keep this a secret from the rest?
Thanks for reading. Later.