Author's note:

Welcome back.

I have no additional excuses so... Enjoy?

Chapter 25: Selfish deeds

Monday June 27th, 20XX After school

"Hah!" Letting out a grunt of effort, Sumire barely caught the hoop prop she was practicing with. Thankfully, there was a brief break in the routine as Sumire had to hold the position. Even still, it was far from the grace it should have been filled with.

"Ha… Ha!" Panting, Sumire leapt from the one foot into a front somersault and landed on the same foot.

Oh no!

Feeling her foot slip, Sumire's arms waved ungallantly through the air to no avail. Collapsing to the ground, Sumire lay there panting. Making no effort to get up and continue the routine, the music cut-off.

Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, Sumire winced and curled her shoulders, as if preparing for a beating.

Instead, only a heavy sigh emerged from the person behind her. "What the hell was that Yoshizawa? Why are you showing up to practice absolutely exhausted?"

"I… I am so sorry sensei. I… I just have a lot of things that take up my time."

"Hmm… Well, it isn't that you haven't grown stronger, that's easy to tell… But your routines have not improved."

"Urgh," taking the criticism, Sumire slowly peeled herself off the ground. Bowing to coach Hiraguchi, Sumire spoke the traditional words. "Thank you for helping me, coach."

"…"

"I-Is something wrong?" Sumire asked as the pause became uncomfortable.

"Are you busy?"

"W-Well… not really…"

"Then come with me. We need to talk."

"…Yes." Nodding meekly, Sumire left for the showers. Making the excursion quick, she did not even dry her hair before rushing out to meet coach. As she left the change room, she swept her hair back into a ponytail. It would dry slower, but at least it was less obvious she had showered with it tied together.

Sumire gave the ponytail a quick look of disgust before throwing it over her shoulder. She hated the dark maroon colour that it assumed when damp. The flat colour was dull and boring.

Like me.

Before she could get lost in negative thoughts, coach Hiraguchi flicked her forehead. "Spacing out already?"

"S-Sorry!"

"I appreciate the speed of your changing. Let's go."

"Yes!" Following half-a-step behind, Sumire prepared herself for the awkward silence. It materialized instantly as they got outside. Sumire supposed it was to be expected with such a large age gap.

With no conversation to distract her, Sumire had time to stare around the busy Tokyo streets. The heat from the afternoon sun combined with car exhaust and humidity to create a nearly unbearable blaze as they walked along.

Panting heavily, Sumire wished she had a better fan than her hand. Sweating, the details of the street began to blur.

"Ah!" Stumbling, Sumire placed a hand against the wall and caught herself. Why… Why did I stumble? …It's so hot.

"Sumire? You're overheating? It isn't even that—"

"Hot…" Muttering the word, Sumire's vision flashed black. When it returned a moment later she found herself in coach Hiraguchi's arms. "Did I… pass out?"

"…Yes." She sighed. "Here, this café is good enough."

"Sorry."

"Don't be."

Getting escorted inside the small café, Sumire felt instantly better as the air conditioning blasted her. Out of the sun, she sighed complacently as she sat at a table.

"I'm lucky you asked…" Sumire muttered. If Hiraguchi had not asked to come along… Sumire's fate would have rested in the hands of strangers.

"Hmm, apparently. So, tell me. Why are you so tired? Why has your practice been lacking?"

"I…" Biting her lip, Sumire did not have an answer. Thankfully, she did not have to as a glass of water came for her. Chugging it down, Sumire sighed as some more life returned. Once she had though, Sumire knew she had no more escapes from Hiraguchi's searching gaze. "I… I guess I've been spending a lot of time with my friends."

"Hmm, and you do strenuous activities with them?"

"S-Strenous?" Sumire laughed nervously. "N-Not really. It just takes time."

Hiraguchi did not accuse Sumire of lying. After a moment she leaned back and swirled her own glass of water. "School, personal life, sleep, and training. Most people seeking to become a professional are unable to balance all four. Something more common in the western countries is to give up on school and do homeschooling. By extension, this aids in helping balance the personal life as one accrues less friends."

"T-That's…"

"That is not as common in Japan." Hiraguchi agreed, a small smile stretching her lips. "So, the question is Ms. Yoshizawa, what are you willing to sacrifice? Currently, you are sacrificing your training for the sake of your friends. Is that your decision?"

"NO!" Sumire yelled back, her heart beating wildly. Slamming her hands down on the table, the ringing noise in the café drew the gazes of the wondering patrons. "I promised Kasumi that I would beat her! I… I want to beat her!"

"Then there is something you will have to learn from your sister."

"…What?" Sumire replied tensely. What else? Was what she wanted to say.

"How to be selfish." Coach Hiraguchi winked.

Blinking, Sumire was so surprised, she could not formulate a thought about it. "Selfish?"

"That is correct."

"…I don't understand."

Hiraguchi chuckled, "I figured as much. Then let me ask you a question. If your friends asked you for help and you were supposed to be training, would you?"

"Of course!" Sumire replied, ready to fight the point.

Simply nodding, Hiraguchi continued. "And if your friends ask you to simply spend time with them? Would you cut training short or skip it entirely?"

Cut it short… Does she know? Sumire wilted beneath her guilt. "I… I guess I would."

"Then you will never catch your sister or reach a professional level." Hiraguchi mercilessly doled out judgement. "Reaching that level is both sacrifice and selfish actions. It requires one to love the sport enough to dedicate their life to it. Can you really do that?"

"O-Of course I can!"

Hiraguchi raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you happier now? Last winter you dedicated yourself to training and burnt out by the spring. You have improved mentally so much during that time. Can you really dive back into training as you once did?"

"Ah…" Swallowing, Sumire could not move. "Ah…" Resting her head in a hand, Sumire stared blankly at the café table.

"Have something to eat, think it over. If this is the end… It was a pleasure working with you."

Sliding two thousand yen onto the table, Hiraguchi exited the door. A small chime notifying the store the door had been opened.

"Ah… I… I really can't have both?" Sumire's clenching chest told her that Hiraguchi's words were correct. She had gotten better recently. Ever since she met Senpai, the darkness that had consumed her began to recede. "How? How can I choose between my childhood dream and helping Senpai change society?"

It truly was an impossible choice for Sumire. Body trembling, she had to acknowledge how overworked she was. How she had begun to dread the group chat from Senpai calling them together. At the same time, she owed Senpai and the phantom thieves her life.

Lastly, Sumire could no longer deny it. Senpai had stolen her heart. With his earnest effort and kind smile, the mysterious boy that shouldered unbearable burdens without breaking was truly incredible.

Unlike me… Sumire's eyes dropped as she was forced to realize that she could not maintain both of her pursuits. Her body was beginning to break from the overwork. The metaverse was a cruel mistress that sapped physical and mental strength at an astonishing rate. To finish her homework, Sumire had to drink coffee to stay awake long enough. This led to sleep deprivation which spiralled into increasingly sapping her strength.

Collapsing during the performance and then from heat stroke were the final signs that sealed Sumire's fate. Trying to continue would end with her in the hospital and a loss of her hard-earned muscles.

"I wonder… if I called Senpai… What would he say?"

Pulling out her phone, Sumire heard his words echo through her mind. I'm sorry… I'm not a therapist. I don't know how to help you.

"Ah, that's right." Dropping the device, Sumire leaned back as another voice interrupted her chaotic thoughts.

"Umm, would you like to order something?" The waitress spoke, her eyes pointedly flicking from Sumire's face to the money on the table.

Unable to say no, Sumire nodded. "I-I'll take a sandwich then."

"What kind?"

"Err… A BLT?" I'm not even hungry right now…

"Whole wheat or white?"

"Whole wheat."

"I'll be back shortly. Did you want something else to drink?"

"No." Please leave… Sumire begged silently. Each line of the exchange driving her slowly more insane.

"Okay." Turning around, the waitress finally left. Sumire would have guessed they were the same age as her. A part-time job, a luxury for some, a curse for others that Sumire would never experience.

"Hmm… But would Senpai say that this time?" Reviving her previous line of thought, Sumire pulled on her ponytail that had finally dried.

Trying to run through the conversation mentally, Sumire conveyed to herself the decision she was faced with. In her mind's eye, Senpai's mask did not break, instead, he gave her a confused look, as if Sumire had asked a stupid question.

Don't you remember when I was concerned about Ryuji?

…No. Sumire replied to her mental conversationhonestly.

I did not want him making the phantom thieves his entire life. I refuse to let the phantom thieves ruin yours.

"Oh… Right…" Chuckling to herself. Sumire felt the weight recede slightly. This was not goodbye, nor did it have to be. She would just come less often.

So, your time is more valuable than theirs? Her mind asked.

"Urgh…"

What if one of them die because you aren't there?

"I… I am selfish. I am going to use my time to follow my own dreams instead of helping others." Saying it out loud sounded incredibly stupid. Blushing, Sumire felt at the same time an excited thumping in her chest.

There was a certain exhilaration to it. "Am I… a villain?" Sumire did not feel particularly evil. But she also could not deny that the heroic thing to do would be to sacrifice her aspirations in the name of helping the world.

"Here is your sandwich." The waitress declared. "And the bill."

"Unn," Barely looking at the cost, Sumire slid the excessive money over.

"Oh. Thank you very much maam." Bowing, the waitress looked happier as she returned to the counter.

A true villain would not tip, Sumire decided. Appetite returning, Sumire took a large bite of the rather mediocre café food.

All the while, the content Sumire forgetting that the money tipped was not even hers to begin with.

Monday June 27th, 20XX After school

Haru sweated nervously as she stood outside a store she had never expected to visit so soon. Apparently the mystery woman would be here soon. Haru had only gotten out of yesterday because she had woken up with chills that had her bedridden. Forced to school today, Haru had not breathed a word of her father's ultimatum to the other thieves at this point.

Maybe I never will.

Drowning in depressing thoughts, the pedestrians on the street started pointing and murmuring at something behind Haru. Turning to look, Haru watched as one of her father's fancy limousines slowed to a halt.

Emerging from the vehicle before it has even finished stopping was an elegant middle-aged woman. Wearing a white scarf, the woman had a bold face, her brown hair styled up. She did not have the teenage beauty of Ann, but with her impeccable make-up and done-up hair, she had a commanding presence that made the passers-by take a second look.

"Haru!" The woman's face broke into a sunny smile, the imposing disposition shattering into a mother's gentle embrace.

"I… wait… MARI-SAN!?" Unable to contain her shock, Haru's memories of the woman came rushing back.

"Ah, to think I could be here to help you for this day!" Rushing forward, Mariko pulled Haru into a tight hug as a mother might.

"M-Mari-san!?" Haru protested at the contact. It wasn't that she minded personally, but the societal conventions driven into her stiffened Haru's back.

"Ah, my apologies." Mariko released her with a small nod of her head in apology.

Feeling the cold of her absence, Haru wished she hadn't complained. She could not remember the last time she had felt the embrace of another person. The quick reminder of what her life was missing only served to depress Haru further.

"Oh my, are you still sick? We can push this back to tomorrow if…"

"No, I'm fine." Haru interrupted. Her father had made it clear yesterday that more delays were prohibited.

"Well then, let us prepare for your happiest day!" Mariko beamed at Haru cheerfully. Taking her by the arm, Mariko steered Haru into the last place she wanted to be: a wedding boutique.

"Have you done this before?" Haru asked.

"Hmm? Oh yes, from my college days I have been a bridesmaid to many of my friends whom I helped get everything organized for. It is no trouble to help you."

"No, I meant have you been married."

"Me? Oh no. The only men I have met whom I would have considered were already married."

"Oh… I see." Standing in the entrance, Haru could not find any motivation with which to continue this trip. Even reuniting with a mentor from her childhood could not shake off the impending doom that she felt.

Would she… help me? Haru wondered. The overly friendly acquaintance was treating Haru like a daughter. It certainly was not impossible.

"Well, let us grab an assistant and start with the dresses, why don't we?"

"Ah, yeah… Hey, Mari-san, what are you doing nowadays?"

"Me? I moved to Sapporo. Recently, I was elected mayor there. Why?"

Mayor!? And she dropped it so casually! "T-That's amazing! You must be so happy!"

"Is it?" Mariko's face fell somewhat. "The position is frustrating… No matter what direction I try to move to help, the chains of bureaucracy tie me down. Then the very citizens that voted me in bemoan my inaction."

"Mari-san?"

"Ah, forgive me. This is about your special day, not my troubles." Striding confidently forward, Mariko signalled one of the bridal assistants adjusting the displays and removing any speck of dust that dare mar the surface of an item.

Can she really not help? Haru wondered, her resolve flip-flopping. Holding a hand to her chest, Haru tried to remember that resolve, the strength of heart, that had allowed her to awaken her persona.

"So, you're the bride? You are very young; you must have found an excellent man!"

"Huh? Ah, yeah… I suppose so." Haru replied to the query with no enthusiasm. The female saleswoman had thick make-up and a fake smile. Her perfume had a cloying aroma that chocked Haru's throat.

"Oh my, do feel free to brag, I will try my best not to feel jealous. Hahaha!"

Grinding her teeth, Haru wondered if it would be rude to plug her ears.

"And you, it must be so hard to give up your little girl so young!"

"Ahaha, I am afraid, I am just a stand in."

Haru was relieved that Mariko's smile was also forced. The overbearing attendant was more friendly than Haru wanted. If she only had the solemnity of a funeral director, this may have been bearable.

"I see… My apologies. Anyway, this is the first one! The long train and lacey veil are quite popular. It is certainly more risqué than older models with a lower cut in the bust, the lace patterns there revealing more skin than some women are comfortable with. Being so young however, it would be a shame not to show off that youthful glow!"

"Urgh…" Grunting, Haru's whole body was slowly freezing. It was a nightmare that she would not wake from. The white dress emanating an aura of finality. A decision that would lead her down a long, cold road from which she could not recover.

"As for the arms, you can see here the optional gloves. They are an ivory colour, just slighter darker than the pearl colour that the rest of the dress in. Many girls love this modest look combined with the lowered bustline which contrast to make an irresistible look!"

Shut up… Please, stop talking!

"Of course, the dress would not be complete if we did not talk about the pattern. Your special man may not notice it, but every woman in attendance will be analyzing it. This dress holds in common with most others and sports a flower theme. However, if you look really closely, you can actually see the three-dimensionality of the rose designs. When you move in it, it will look like you are covered in white roses!"

I can't… A lone tear fell from Haru's eyes. She was not strong enough to go through with this. Neither was she strong enough to leave.

"Haru?" Mariko asked.

"Well, that's a run-down of the main features. As expected for a dress designed by the famous Natsuko-sama, the cost is on the higher-end… but you don't want to skimp out on the dress, after all, it is the only time you will wear one!"

"Hic…" Sobs threatening to leak out, Haru covered her mouth as the tears flowed faster now.

"Miss?" The attendant finally catching on to the abnormalities. "Ah, I see. Do not worry, many women get emotional when they finally see the dress of their dreams."

"…I think she needs to sit down for a bit. Please excuse us."

"Of course. Ah, just make sure to find me when you want to continue!"

The attendant's voice was almost cut off as the door shut behind Haru. Mariko pushed her along at a fast rate that Haru barely stumbled along to. The Limosine door was suddenly open and Haru found herself pushed within.

"My dear child, whatever is the matter."

"I hate him." Haru sobbed. Unable to contain it any longer, she completely broke down. "I can't bear the thought of being his wife. Of having him… touch me."

"T-Then why?" Mariko gasped in surprise. "Kunikazu told me that you had chosen him yourself."

"NO! He arranged everything… Just to get another political ally… My father sold me off as simply another tool."

"…That Kunikazu, when did power become so important to him?" Mariko wondered to herself.

"Can you… help me, Mari-san?" Haru asked, looking up hopefully. Looking into the older woman's eyes, Haru already knew the answer.

Tuesday June 28th, 20XX After school

"Ah, another solo workout…" Kasumi stretched languorously. Her body was bursting with energy and ready to conquer the workout. It was one of her favorite feelings, why she would never stop doing athletic activities, regardless of how old she got. It felt amazing when your body moved exactly as you imagined, no pain, no hindrances.

"Now, one lap into stretches, or…"

"Umm, do you want a partner?"

Sumire!? Turning, Kasumi blinked in surprise at her sister. "What are you doing here?"

"…Training." The girl answered hesitantly, or guilty, Kasumi wondered.

"Hmm, but Senpai, Ryuji, and Ann were leaving together. I thought you would be with them."

"Urgh."

"Hmm…" Stroking her chin, Kasumi was confident that it was guilt bending her sister's back. "Are they upset you ditched them?"

"No, actually they were really positive…" Sumire muttered.

Ah ha! Information clicking, Kasumi grabbed Sumire and pulled her into a headlock. "Look at you and your friends. So popular!"

"Gah! S-Stop it!"

"Hmm? But if you are going to act like a child, why can't I treat you like one?" Kasumi teased.

"Gah!" Ripping herself out, Sumire stumbled and fell hard on her backside. "Ow! How am I acting like a child?"

"You. Are pouting." Kasumi informed her happily, poking her nose while she was at it. "Come on, get up, we are going running."

Directing her pout at Kasumi's friendly hand, Sumire was slow to take it. "I still don't understand."

"Sounds like a you problem." Kasumi was quick to reply, her personality as pernicious as ever.

With only one final glance back, Kasumi hit the lakeside track. Her bag and tracksuit top were ditched beside a tree. Even with just spandex and a tanktop it was hot out. The early afternoon sun beating down upon her brown hair.

"Ha ha!" Sumire panted, sprinting to catch up.

Giggling to herself, Kasumi could tell that her pace was faster than it would have been by herself. With competition she could not help but show off.

"So, this is your level?"

Kasumi barely caught Sumire's gasped words. Not slowing down, Kasumi was pleasantly surprised that Sumire's steps continued to echo hers. A shadow running on her tail, waiting to overtake her.

Not yet! Kasumi thought happily. It was far too early for a girl that had been slacking off on her training to pass Kasumi. Winding around the halfway point in only three minutes, Kasumi sped up more. Her stride opening up into a form one could only describe as running.

"Ah, ah…" Sumire's panting grew quieter in Kasumi's ears as a gap opened up between them.

Proud of herself, Kasumi did not slow until she reached the starting tree. The entire lap had only taken about five and a half minutes for almost a kilometer and a half. Slow for professional runners, but Kasumi was far too short to ever compete seriously in that sport.

"You… destroyed me…" Sumire panted as she showed up almost half a minute later. Despite her evident exhaustion, Sumire did not collapse to the ground.

"Well of course. You've been doing other things." Kasumi retorted haughtily, sticking out her tongue.

"…"

Facing Sumire's serious face, Kasumi was unsure if she had gone too far. "W-What is this?"

"…"

Is she going to punch me? Sweating inside as well as outside, Kasumi tilted her head.

"I'm sorry!"

"…Huh?" Blinking, Kasumi scratched her head as her sister bent over at the waist. "Hmm, hasn't something like this happened before…"

"I… I want you to help me again!"

"…" Her turn to stay silent, Kasumi's good mood started to fade away.

"I have re-evaluated my priorities and I want you to start training me once more!"

"Hmm… No."

"Eh?"

"I'm not looking for a student. What I want is a rival." Kasumi declared. As her sister's confused, perfect face looked up at her, Kasumi felt that oh-so common rush of jealousy hit her. Unconsciously, Kasumi's hand touched her own marred face.

"…You're right. Haha, sorry sister. I guess I can't surpass you as your student. That would be silly."

"Hmm…" Kasumi smiled, pushing her unwanted emotions away again. "Nee, I have a question for you… At the selection competition… Why were you so happy?"

"I… I was able to improve. For the first time it felt like I was moving forward again."

"…So why come back to me?"

"…Because I have stopped moving forward." Sumire answered honestly. "In order to do so… I'm being more selfish."

Snorting, Kasumi covered her mouth as to not laugh at her serious sister.

"W-What!?" Sumire blushed.

"You? Selfish? I'll believe it when I see it." Kasumi snorted. "Well, enough chitchat, let's get to training!"

With some of the displeasure that had been eating at her washed away, Kasumi threw herself into honing her body into the perfect gymnastics machine.

There were now less than two weeks until the tournament.

Tuesday June 28th, 20XX After school

"No Haru… and No Sumire!" Skull complained as he cut down another shadow. Bashed down, more accurately as his club caved in the shadow's head.

"You mean no Noir or Violet!" Queen corrected him, smashing a different shadow.

Despite the number of people that they had accumulated, Joker agreed that it felt more oppressive without them. They still had six members, but it was hard to split up. Giving up on that, they resigned themselves to a long day of crawling through the seemingly endless tunnels of mementos to find their requests.

It was a list that grew longer by the day. Mishima showed up to school nearly half dead. Ren was unsure if he was the only person doing it, but it felt like most of Tokyo was issuing requests. Despite requests only coming from within the greater Tokyo area, the 37 million residents flooded forums with far more information than they could ever process.

"There is a rest area just ahead. Let us take five minutes there." Joker declared.

"Okay…" No one counteracted Joker's declaration.

The mood is horrible… Joker did nothing to help it. He hadn't been blindsided by Sumire's request; Joker knew they were using too much of her time. However, there was still a noticeable gap when one of the longest serving members of the group was not there.

They barely managed to sit down before Queen made her declaration. "Something is wrong with Haru. She was not at school today."

"You mean Noir?" Skull rebuked her. The words had no bite to them as the boy slung himself ungainly across the train station seats.

"It must concern her father and that man she declared to be her fiancé back in Kaneshiro's palace." Fox deduced calmly. Of all of them, he appeared to be the most neutral. Joker supposed that made sense since his goal of finding art in their pursuits was unchanged.

"Why not just tell us?" Skull sighed, "and what about Futaba!? We've done fuck all to help her!"

"…"

Joker looked over at Panther who did not rebuke Skull's language. Mona likewise was too busy observing Panther to contribute.

"Also," Skull continued to rant, "we are drowning in requests! How is so much shit wrong in this country right now!? What are the police doing!?"

"…It isn't even the whole country." Queen muttered softly.

"HUH!?"

"All of the requests are from within the greater Tokyo area." Queen informed him.

"N-No way…" Skull gasped. "You mean… we can't even help the entire country!? Wait, how do you know this!?"

Joker caught Queen's eye and nodded. Staying silent, he watched the trains pass as Queen explained why Joker had told Mishima to limit requests to the Tokyo area.

"Mementos is the reflection of the public's subconscious, correct?" Queen started with a question.

"Yeah, and it looks like this because everyone is always trapped in these cramped metal boxes!" Skull replied.

"Of course!" Fox's eyes opened wide.

"Ah, why did I not see that!" Panther tsked.

"Huh? What are you seeing?" Skull continued blindly. He was not along as the stranger to the world Mona also appeared unable to grasp the conclusion the others were making.

"How universal is this subway system?" Queen asked another question.

"Well… Err, I… I do not know."

"Put simply, most cities in the world do not have a subway system, especially the more rural places. Even in Japan, think about Okinawa, or Inaba."

"W-Well…"

"The number of times citizens of those places think about subways… is roughly zero times per day on average."

"For real!?" Ryuji gasped. "Wait… that's not surprising at all."

Joker barely contained his sigh, the women did not.

"Do you have proof of this?" Fox asked, cutting to the heart of the matter.

"Yes," Joker answered, taking over. "A request was submitted about a corrupt politician in a distant city. The metanav gave an error: out of range."

"Damn it!" Skull cursed. "Bringing down a lazy politician like that would be exactly what we need to get real popular!"

"Nothing that can be done about it," Fox shrugged. "For now, our focus must be on the already absurdly long list of tasks ahead of us. How many more requests do we have today?"

"Nine." Queen answered dully. "We have nine more people to talk to and fix the distorted desires of."

"H-Hey, why not stop after three more?" Panther recommended.

"If we do that though we have to come back in tomorrow…" Skull sighed. "Just getting down this far is a pain!"

"…Skull is right." Joker decided. "We will have to split up and take them on in groups of three. Queen, you lead the other group. Pick your members."

"Urgh… W-Well… Panther and Fox."

"Deal. Mona, Skull, you're with me." Standing up, Joker flourished his knife before sheathing it again. "Let's finish this and get out of here."

They left the rest stop understanding something fundamental: this pace was not sustainable with their resources.

Tuesday June 28th, 20XX Evening

"Heee… Haa…" Alternating between wheezing and panting, Sumire was on all fours, her limbs shaking. She could no longer find the energy to stand up.

"Hehe, not used to workouts of this degree?" Kasumi teased.

"What… the hell…" Sumire panted, unable to recover. The workout was beyond what she remembered doing. More than before they had split up. This was another level entirely.

"You did well." Kasumi said suddenly. "Let's go home and I'll rub your sore muscles!"

"I… I don't need a rival's help taking care of my body!" Sumire pouted.

"Hehe, what are you talking about? You're only my rival during training and competition. Right now, you are my sister!"

"Just… the logic… I would expect from you."

"You? So ru… Huh?"

"What?" Looking up in confusion, Sumire followed her sister's confused glance into the distance. Walking along the sidewalk at the edge of the park was a distinctive figure with brown hair and parted bangs.

"Haru-senpai!" The twins yelled in harmony.

"Odd she isn't with your group…" Kasumi commented.

If she knows I wish she would just say! Sumire lamented. Finally finding the strength to pull herself to her feet, Sumire could only sigh as Kasumi left her behind, making a beeline for Haru.

"Nee, Haru!" Kasumi called loudly running over.

Following as fast as her legs could hold her, Sumire watched as Haru jerked to an odd stop. She just stood there, not moving.

Seeing such a strange sight, Kasumi slowly halted a dozen meters away. Getting an odd feeling, Sumire stopped beside her.

"Umm… This is odd, yeah?" Kasumi whispered.

"Uhh, yes. Yes this is." Sumire confirmed. "I… I am going to talk to her. Would you…?"

"Leave? Fiiine." Kasumi paused and frowned. "Are you sure though? She seems…"

"Yes, and you will surely say something like 'Huh? How is that a problem? Just go yell at this person!'"

"Haha… I would not do something like that…" Kasumi laughed awkwardly. "A-Anyway, she is waiting for us. Let's go!"

"K-Kas!" Rolling her eyes, Sumire jogged to catch up to Kasumi as she arrived at Haru's side.

"Hey, Haru! Fancy seeing you here…"

"…"

"Umm, I hear you weren't at school today. Not feeling well?" Sumire asked, trying to take over the conversation.

"…Why?"

"S-Sorry, I didn't quite catch that…" This is so awkward… Sumire could only sweat profusely as the standoff continued. Moving a bit to the side, Sumire caught a glimpse of Haru's face. The puffy eyes and dried tears gave away her state.

"Why are you here?" Haru's strangled voice finally formed audible words.

"Training of course!" Kasumi responded happily. "You? Eek!"

Getting a squeal of pain from shoving her sister hard in the side, Sumire stepped slightly in front of Kasumi. "Umm… Haru? Do you want to… talk about it maybe?"

"There is nothing to say…"

"H-Haru?" Sumire asked.

"I am going to marry a man I hate on behalf of a father that hates me. As I said, there is nothing to tell you."

That's something! Sumire raged mentally. "B-But Haru! Just tell your father you—Mff!" Mouth roughly covered by a strong hand, Sumire felt Kasumi's mouth by her ear.

"Hey, Sumi, weren't you the one worried I was going to say that?"

Ah… My bad.

"Hmm? W-What was that?" Haru asked, polite even in the midst of a crisis.

"Haru…" Sumire frowned. AHH! What would Senpai say here!?

While Sumire was struck speechless, Kasumi took that time to get back in front of her. "Haru, this decision of yours, I think you should re-evaluate it."

"You think this was my decision? Of course not. I hate this!"

"Yes, it was." Kasumi continued, her voice flat. "Deciding not to decide is still a decision."

"Some cliché saying?" Haru glared. "Seriously?"

"It may be cliché but…" Sumire followed Kasumi's eyes as she trailed off. A vehicle had just pulled over. It was long, a limosine of some sort.

"Seriously? A scummy run-down place like this…"

"That man…" Sumire's eyes widened. She had seen him before, or at least a likeness. A shadow in Kaneshiro's palace. A failed ultimatum, Haru's awakening.

"S-Sugimoto…" Haru's shoulders sunk even lower somehow.

"This is Haru's?" Kasumi asked, her eyes flicking to Sumire's.

Nodding, Sumire watched as the man stalked over, scowling at the grass and watching for anything that could dirty his white suit. He towered over all three of the girls by at least half a foot.

"Hmm…" Sugimoto's eyes tracked over Kasumi's sweaty, half-naked body. There was a note of appreciation in them. "Far better than the men I expected to find you with."

"W-What does that mean?" Haru retorted.

"Nothing," the man smirked. "Still, do you know how much of a pain it is was to find you out here? …At least the deal was worth it."

"D-Deal?" Haru's voice quaked with fear.

"Your father said, if I found you, I could keep you for the night."

Even though the eyes weren't directed at her, Sumire shivered as the man licked his lips.

"However…" Sugimoto's eyes turned from Haru to eye up Sumire and Kasumi again. "I have a counteroffer for you…"

"W-What is it?" Haru asked, her voice containing a note of desperation.

"If you give me your two friends instead, that will be good enough for tonight."

If he thinks I'll let him lay a hand on Kasumi…

Even as she glared at him, Sumire felt something was wrong. Kasumi was not reacting, her face showing no emotion.

"N-No! Leave us alone!" Hysterical, Haru shoved the man as he encroached on her space and staggered away.

"Gah!" Caught off guard, Sugimoto slipped and fell. Shakily raising a hand, he stared aghast at the dirt on it. "You… You bitch!"

Sumire froze as the angry man rose up from the ground. Cowing before him, she felt an intrinsic fear as he began to rage.

"See how you like it!" Bringing his hand back, Sugimoto stepped forward to deliver a heavy-handed swing.

"Huh!?" Sugimoto yelled in surprise, as his arm stopped suddenly. Kasumi's hand had caught his forearm midswing and stopped it. "Tsk!"

Even as he tried to pull his arm away, it did not budge. Sumire got the distinct pleasure in watching as the man's eyes slowly widened with fear as he realized that the small girl holding his arm was stronger than him.

"L-Let go!"

"Hehe, are you sure?" Kasumi asked with a strained high voice. Sumire could only imagine the terrifying smile that was on her sister's face.

"Your life will be ruined if you don't!" The man threatened.

"STOP!" Haru yelled. Grabbing their arms, she forced the two of them apart. "If you swear to forget about them… I'll come with you."

"Heh." Sugimoto's cracked ego, settled back into place. "Very well. Sweaty gym brats are no good afterall."

"Umm, t-thank you Kasumi. You were right, I guess did make a decision after all…"

"Haru…" Once again, their sorrowful voices merged as their pink-haired friend bowed and ran swiftly to the parked vehicle. Shooting them one final sad smile, Haru entered the vehicle and disappeared into its depths.

"Haru!" Sumire screamed as the vehicle began to pull away. Taking off to follow it, Sumire was stopped by an iron grip on her arm. "Kasumi, what are you doing!?"

"Don't bother," Kasumi replied, a small smile growing on her face. "Our role in this is over."

"W-What!? N-No, we need to save her before…"

"Do you not trust her?" Kasumi interrupted. "Haru will make her choice now. We have to live with it."

"She can't decide!" Sumire yelled back. Glaring at Kasumi, she could not understand her sister's baffled but calm expression. "You have no idea what it is like to be trapped, to be in a situation where every decision is painfully impossible!"

"…Then clearly you don't know me as well as you think you do. I trust Haru. I'm going home, are you coming?"

Watching as Kasumi began to slowly walk away, Sumire called out to her. "…Why are you so sure she will succeed?"

"Why do you think she will fail?" Kasumi logically countered.

"I…" Sighing, Sumire ran a hand over her face. "I give up. You are right, you're always right."

"Hmm, I wish little sister, but this time… This time I am."

You can do it, Haru! Sending her prayer to her now absent friend, Sumire walked home with Kasumi.

Tuesday June 28th, 20XX Night

"You want me to… wear this?" Haru held up a sheer piece of nightwear. The pale green material became transparent if it shifted or stretched. Haru could imagine what it would look like on her body. Nothing would be left to the imagination, nor would she be truly revealed.

"Well, you do not have to… but I am afraid there is no other nightwear for you…" Sugimoto laughed, swirling a glass of wine as he lounged upon a couch in one of his bonus rooms.

One of his father's. Haru corrected. Sugimoto was not special, nor did Kunikazu care about him, it was about his father. Just as Haru was here because of her father. Unlike Sugimoto however, Haru was a woman. That meant her only value was as a sellable breeder.

Haru came to grips with this as she held the piece of sheer cloth. But one question still rankled her. Does he have any value at all?

"Well, why do you hesitate? It is getting quite late after all. I wouldn't want to keep you up late enough for you to miss school… If you can walk in the morning at least."

Eyes bulging, Haru wondered if she had misinterpreted the whole thing. "W-What are you planning to do to me?"

"Huh? Oh, you think I'm… No, No…" Sugimoto's smile grew more sadistic. Putting down the wine glass, he leaned forward on the cough, resting his chin against his steepled fingers. "After the first time, you may be too sore to walk."

"…" Blushing, Haru averted her eyes. No! I have to be strong! "Very well."

"Huh?"

"If you are able to answer my inquiries to my satisfaction, I will follow your demands tonight."

Sugimoto, expecting a trap narrowed his eyes. "Inquiries?"

Haru nodded. "Nothing hard. But if you decline to answer, or cannot provide an acceptable one, then I must decline your wishes as well."

"Tch, this is your friends' fault. They made you think you still have some power in this situation. You don't! All you have to do is what women for generations have been doing! Obey your master, lay on your back and spread your legs!"

Swallowing, Haru curled her hands into fists to stop them from shaking. With all the poise she could muster, Haru walked slowly to an armchair that faced the couch and sat down. The plush, faux leather was indicative of its quality. Sinking into it, Haru crossed her legs as if settling in for a long sit.

"You little…" Curling his fist, Sugimoto sighed and sat back. Grabbing his wineglass, Sugimoto took a swig. Raising one finger, Sugimoto retorted. "I want to add one more condition to this."

"…What?"

"If the… inquiries, as you called them are impossible… you must concede and submit to me."

"…Very well." Haru agreed. It was pretty much what she had said at the beginning.

Waving his hand, Sugimoto sat back and waited for the first question.

"Do you… have any intrinsic value?" Haru asked.

"Do I…" Face flushing, Sugimoto rose from the couch, face red. "What the hell is that question!? Of course, I am valuable!"

"Are you?" Haru asked, pressing. The angrier he got, the calmer she felt. "I mean, what intrinsic value do you have?"

"I-I am rich!" He yelled, waving a hand at the room. "Look at my value!"

"But it isn't yours, is it?" Haru's retort froze Sugimoto where he stood. "This house… your money… it all belongs truly to your father."

"Urgh… Fine, even without them, I have my good looks and amazing hair!"

"I see…" Haru lost some confidence in her questioning. Sugimoto hadn't hesitated for a moment. His ego was out of control. "But those things… aren't they the result of other people's skills? Your stylist and tailor among others?"

Face darkening, the wine glass shook in Sugimoto's clenched hand, bordering on breaking. "I will someday inherit vast amounts of wealth and rule this country as one of its elites! I am one of the most valuable people alive."

"No," Haru rejected him with a calm shake of her head. Narrowing her eyes at him, she dealt the killing blow. "Your father that built the wealth has value. You are simply feeding off his worth."

"Grr… Why you…"

"Do you want the next inquiry?" Haru asked.

"Huh? But…"

"You answered my first one, do you want the second?"

"…" Blinking, some of Sugimoto's composure returned. "Heh, fine. You can ask two more questions before we end this farce."

"Fine. If we were married, what do you see our future as?"

Sugimoto's lips twitched. Head rolling back, he unleashed peals of laughter. "Ah, yes, this is better. Consigned yourself, have you?"

"…Just answer the question." Haru replied, struggling to have this conversation. Was there a chance they could get along? What would Haru do if they couldn't? Even as these uncertainties fleeted through her mind, Haru focused on Ren. The boy had been beaten down far more than she. Even in the face of bullying and harassment, he never lost his cool. If she could emulate just a fraction of his resolve she would survive this.

"Hmm, let us see…" Swirling his wine, Sugimoto considered the question a write-off. His second step to securing a submissive Haru for the night. "I suppose, I will inherit both my father's wealth as well as Okumura foods when the time comes. Until then, I will live like a king socializing at parties while you stay home and take care of our children."

"That's… all?" Haru blinked at how… ordinary it sounded. It was very close to the life Haru's own parents had lived until her mother's death.

"Too boring?" Sugimoto chuckled. "Well, too much of one thing gets boring, so I'll probably change out my mistresses every few years or so. Probably have to use them to put me in the mood by the time you're in your mid-twenties."

Unable to bear the relentless assault on both her appeal as a woman and more importantly her dignity as a person, Haru lowered her eyes. "So that's it… Huh?"

"It? Oh, no, of course not. I imagine I will go on many… business trips… to sample the delicacies in different regions. It really is a shame I will be unable to bring you on them."

"…" Haru stood up from her armchair.

"Where do you think you are going?" Sugimoto returned the gesture in kind and closed half the distance. "Since I'm feeling kind, I'll let you get changed right here…"

"I am not wearing that." Haru retorted, throwing it at Sugimoto. The man stumbling backwards and flinching as he failed to catch the light piece of fabric. "You have failed to suitably answer my questions."

"What!?"

"In fact, I feel sorry for you. You have no genuine friends, and no one will ever love you. Every interaction you have will be based on money."

"Huh? W-What do you think you are saying!? Do you know who I am!? If my father heard what you—" Cutting himself off, Sugimoto blushed as he himself had brought his father back into this conversation. "I'm going to bed."

Haru stood still as Sugimoto stormed off into the rest of the mansion, his almost empty glass of wine forgotten on the nightstand.

Exhaling a heavy sigh, Haru wiped her forehead with her sleeve. Extracting her phone, the time was after midnight. "Ugh, school is so soon… What do I do?"

I'm so indecisive… Recognizing her weakness again, Haru grabbed a nearby folded blanket and laid on the couch. Somehow she would have to get up early enough to get home in time to get her outfit and then…

Leaving plans for tomorrow, Haru's exhausted brain sunk into unconsciousness. Today, she had won. Tomorrow, the war would continue.

Some disclaimers:

Due to no canon knowledge, I had to make up Haru's mother's fate

I also made up the dress designer and something else I think... Idk.