Kronos Journalism School prides itself on being one of the most vital news agencies for all of Kivotos – always on standby to report everyday happenings within mere hours or even mere minutes away. Kawaru Shinon, the tanned, curvaceous, ponytailed blonde, is one such ambitious student within that school. Although she and her senior, Mai, are constantly bringing facts in their reports, they're also dragged with their own controversy of speaking rumors they heard about and interpreting them as something real, as a fact when it's not confirmed. A sin she has committed so baselessly that led to Sensei's justification to shoot her head. Although Hina's trial has been concluded, and they retracted their headlines out of shame and apologies, the full video given by Valkyrie pulled their interest to the next level.
The enigmatic 'Clicker,' dubbed by Valkyrie, is a rare person of interest in Kivotos. Not only was he an unknown element, just like Sensei, but how his actions influenced that dreadful case intrigued the two of them so much that they decided on a new project: to make a documentary about the Clicker. If it wasn't because of all of that, then it was certainly because of his unhealthy interest in playing the clicker counter. Luckily for Shinon and her senior, today was their lucky day.
Under the supervision of Officer Kirino, they are permitted to enter room 414 in Jiramiagi Apartments in the early morning to see the scene of the incident for themselves. It feels weird for Shinon to see that the place is no longer blocked by the yellow tapes. Upon entering the room, exactly like the video, the place was neat, clean, homey…. The only evidence that the Clicker was ever here was the single hole in the wall by the bed that had yet to be fixed. The floor where the clicker was found dead is naught of any blood.
"So, this is the Clicker's home?" Shinon asked as she looked around.
"For an anonymous musician, this place is rather comfy," Kazemaki Mai, the slender brown pig-tailed four eyes, commented with envy. "Even feels better than my apartment."
"Well, here we are, guys," Kirino placed her hands on her hip. "We cleaned up the place right after that trial ended. This apartment is now Valkyrie's property for the time being, so have fun looking around, and please don't make a mess while we're here."
"Sure!" Shinon nodded enthusiastically. "Mai, let's set up the recording equipment and look around."
"I'm right on it," Mai responded, unloading their camera equipment.
"Officer Kirino," Shinon called. "Do you mind if we ask some questions regarding the Clicker and his case? I would like to know your insight about the case other than the publicly available information."
"Sure, I don't mind," Kirino stepped toward the TV cabinet with a solemn smile. "I'm… not sure how I feel stepping in here again."
"Mm?" Shinon raised an eyebrow. "When did you enter this room for the first time?"
"It was early morning after that incident. I got a call about it and came here right away. I was one of the officers who had to carry his body all the way to the station."
"Oh gosh…," Mai stared in concern. "That must be horrible."
"Yeah… but that's what we have to do. To clean up the mess," Kirino laughed bitterly. "I wonder if his family knew what happened to him…."
Shinon dared not ask and opted to traipse around the bed to look closer at the holed wall. "So, this is where he…."
"Yes. It was grim, so to speak," Kirino pointed at a spot on the bed. "That's where Hina was sitting."
Shinon looks around for more. There wasn't much of interest to speak of about the furniture and the interior itself. The paintings, though, it's another story. Other than the notable paintings of the tiger and the blind man, two or three more paintings are left undisturbed on the other walls. Unlike the notable paintings, these ones represent the picturesque beauty of natural landscapes. And the other one… looks like a framed photograph of a landscape with a giant rabbit in the background.
"He has… an interesting choice of art," Mai commented. "Are these oil paintings?"
"Looks like it from the textures," Kirino came over to Shinon who's staring at the painting of the blind man. "Makes me wonder where he got these kinds of paintings anyway."
"I doubt someone sells something like this so publicly," Shinon commented. "Unless he asked someone for a custom painting."
"Actually, now that I think about it, Trinity does teach students on oil painting," Kirino elaborated. "Maybe you can check that one out if you have the time."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Hey, officer," Mai called. "Do you think Sensei might know more about him?'
"He knows as much as we do," Kirino shrugged. "But if I know him that well, he might have some idea or two about the Clicker after a while."
"Hmm…," Shinon contemplated at the room for a moment. "Okay."
With the cameras and recorders set up, they are ready to film. As they are about to, though….
"Uh… officer," Shinon sheepishly smiled, her knees moved slightly inward. "Can I use the bathroom in this room?"
"Oh, go ahead," Kirino responded. "It should be unlocked."
"Be back in a moment."
Shinon soon walks fast into the bathroom, a haste understandable by the two girls. She soon… well… partly undressed and used the antique toilet to relieve herself (Not going to describe more here; I know what you're thinking). As she dresses up again, she takes a cursory look at the bathroom. It's cramped but pristine: white tiles, white sink and cabinets, the frame of the only mirror is gold, and a bathtub across the toilet. Having a bathtub in close proximity to the toilet actually bothered her a lot since, at least in the DU, the toilet has a separate room from the bathroom to maintain the hygiene of the bathroom. Seems not all buildings could accommodate such a culture.
Then she spots something curious above the antique toilet, specifically its high-mount water tank. There is a metal vent just above it, and she can see some sort of paper behind the grate.
She soon peeks out the bathroom door to look at the girls. "Hey, officer, you said that your guys cleaned this whole place out before?"
"Uh, yes, we thoroughly searched the place," Kirino answered, perplexed at her inquiry. "Why? Did we miss something?"
"There's a vent above the toilet. I think there's a paper inside it."
"Wait, really?!" Kirino quickly straightened up. "Show me!"
The three of them soon enter the bathroom, and Shinon points to where the vent is. Kirino climbs up the closed toilet and unscrews the grate with the coin she happened to bring along. A minute later, Kirino steps down with the retrieved paper and unfolds it for everyone to see.
"Oh wow, how could you guys miss this?" Mai asked.
"I… honestly don't know, but this is definitely Clicker's handwriting," Kirino nodded.
"But the contents of this letter," Shinon paused as she read it. "It's not evidence, rather…."
"Yeah. I'm going to send this to station and see what they can do about it."
"…. Can we add this letter to our documentary as well?"
"Well…, I'll ask Director about it and let you guys know."
"Alright. Got it, officer."
Never would she have thought that she was finally free.
Free to return to civilization. Free to return to Gehenna. Yet… It's hard to feel like it after staring at the abyss for too long; the abyss is her memory. She may have avoided her downfall, but that doesn't mean she doesn't feel pain from such a distressful event. Despite that, however, as the Head Prefect, she can do nothing but keep going forward and try to move on. If only it was easier done than said.
Days after completing her sentence, she was welcomed with an incredibly touching reunion. All members of the Prefect Team, including its officers and Problem Solvers 68, greeted her back with warm, open arms and cries of joy. Her officers and friends, especially Ako and Aru, have prepared each of their gifts for her to receive.
Ako: a special coffee mug.
Aru: a novel about a fictional outlaw protagonist.
Mutsuki: a teddy bear with a bow.
Kayoko: an MP3 player containing various rock and classical songs.
Haruka: a potted plant of weeds (not drugs and without cost).
Iori: a custom repair toolset for Hina's MG42.
Chinatsu: a lucky charm in the shape of a cute rabbit.
Hina didn't celebrate much, but she smiled all along the way and thanked her friends and colleagues for such a kind gesture. But deep down…. She pushed that thought aside to enjoy this celebration. It was only by tomorrow that things finally calmed down, and her mind finally fixed itself up. Hina wants to say that things finally go back to normal, but that would be a lie.
During one busy noon, Hina can only get a moment of a coffee break before continuing her usual duties since the others are out on a break. The paperwork is quite less than expected, thanks to Problem Solvers' diligent work while she's absent. Hina feels so indebted to Aru's group that she had offered them more money upon her return, but Aru declined, more or less saying that Hina's return was a reward enough for them. Hina couldn't get around as to why Aru had declined such a huge reward, but she appreciated her caring gesture.
Despite having finished her sentence and rejoined Gehenna, she couldn't focus as much on signing the documents and feeling too down to even write a single letter. Of course, she forces herself to do so with some difficulty.
Content that she has finished signing, she looks over at the instructions given to her by the Pandemonium. Have specific documents stapled and other specific papers hole-punched before inserting them into the folders. Simple enough.
She collects a few papers and neatly straightens them out, then uses the stapler on the papers.
*CLICK* *CLICK*
Hina's eyes winced for some reason. But she shakes her head and continues with the next batch.
*CLICK* *CLICK*
Her breath hitched for a moment. She almost loses focus upon inserting them into the folder.
*CLICK* *CLICK*
There it is again….
*CLICK* *CLICK*
*CLICK* *CLICK*
*CLICK* *CLICK*
*CLICK* *CLICK*
*CLICK* *CLICK*
She couldn't staple the next batch as she could feel herself having trouble breathing. She puts the staple and the paper away reluctantly. She can continue that later, she guesses.
She wondered for a moment why she felt like this, but she paid it no mind. She grabs the hole puncher and uses it on the paper so it can be inserted into a folder like a page of a book.
*CLICK*
That discomfort immediately comes back again.
*CLICK*
Her heart feels more uneasy.
*CLICK*
*CLICK*
*CLICK*
*CLICK*
*CLICK*
"Eegh…."
Just like before, she couldn't punch the paper. Her nausea is threatening to come back up again, so she puts away the hole puncher but with slight carelessness than her normal cautious and perfected self. For some reason, she can't do both now, even though it's a part of her routine. She shakes her head and opts to keep signing other in-due papers instead.
Just when she's about to work on the sixth paper, her pen decides to stop spitting out ink, much to her chagrin. She opens up the contents of the pen only to see that the ink has run out. With that fact, she threw the empty pen at the nearby bin and looked at her desk for the other pens. Only a retractable pen is available, and she presses its tail.
*CLICK*
Okay, that wasn't such a good idea. She feels a hitch in her chest.
*CLICK*
She presses it again out of habit, and it does nothing but irritate her ear and make her uncomfortable.
"Dammit…."
With frustration beginning to well up, she tosses the pen aside and squeezes her own forehead. She pulls the drawer and finally gets herself a new pen with a cap on it. Almost signing a rejection of a request, she suddenly realized that she didn't hear the ticking clock. Looking at the clock at the center wall on her left, the clock indeed stopped moving at 09:32. Sighing to herself, she stands up, grabs the battery from the nearby shelf, and reaches for the clock. Then she decides to grab a wooden stair after an embarrassing realization she wasn't high enough to reach it.
Setting the time according to her phone, she inserts the new battery and lets it hang on the wall again.
*TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK*
The sound wasn't as irritating as the previous ones, but she could've sworn it sounded a bit similar to a click. Nevertheless, she returns to her desk and continues with her work.
*TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK*
She was distracted a little, thanks to the ticking, but that didn't stop her much. Still, she wasn't sure why her hearing was this sharp, but she guessed that she was feeling tired from this work.
*TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-CLICK*
Her eyes twitched, and her hand immediately sprawled all across the paper, leaving a trail of ink on the signage and rendering the paper useless to submit.
Why? What's going on? Why is this happening to her?
She drops the pen and holds her own head, arms placed in such a way that they cover her ears. Her face may look like she's frustrated, but internally, she's panicking. She can only stare forward, locked in that position, while she continues to hear the faint sound of the clock.
Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-*
*CLICK*
"Head Pre-"
*BRADADADADADADADADADADADADAR!*
A hail of purple bulletstorms begins to shred at the door in the thousands. By the time Hina finally calmed down, a large round hole had formed where the door once stood. Hina widens her eyes and gapes her mouth, staring at her MG42 and then at the scorched wall beyond the large gap. Out from the edges of the gap are members of the Prefect Team, Iori and Ako, and a cuffed, horrified delinquent hiding behind a Prefect mob. With controlled shame under their gazes, she leans her MG onto the desk. Hina's eyes and crown halo lose their wrathful glow.
"H-Head Prefect…," Ako stuttered. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah…," Iori added in. "Why did you try to gun us down?"
In disbelief at how Hina herself had behaved, she placed both hands on the desk, trying to make sense of what was going on with herself.
"So… you gunned down the door just because you heard it clicked?"
When Rin said that she'd be assigned to a mental counselor, she expected to be someone professional straight from the GSC. Not Sena, the Medical Emergency President, of all people. But considering Sena's relationship with her, it does make sense as it makes opening up about herself much easier. Hina was content enough not to bring her usual trouble of overworking to Sena whenever possible, but now, she didn't have much of a choice.
"Yes…."
"Well…," Sena looked at all of Hina's officers, including Chinatsu, the few Prefect members, and the delinquent they detained. "That explains our guests here."
"Wait a sec, why am I here?!" the Gehennian delinquent asked frantically.
"Because you're almost turned into a Trinity cheese like the rest of us," Iori answered. "Ugh, it feels weird to say it like that."
"Yes…, it's my complete fault for almost harming you all like that," Hina spoke timidly.
"Before you continue, there's no need to compensate us," Chinatsu quickly cut in. "We just need to know why exactly a single click makes you snap."
"You haven't returned to your overwork routine, aren't you?" Sena asked. Although sounded neutral, there's a somewhat hint of caution laced in her words directed at Hina as if she was Hina's strict mother.
"…No, not yet, at least," Hina shook her head. "I'm trying to take it easy for this week, but then... that happened."
Sena takes a deep breath and then opens up her notebook. "I know it's repetitive by this point, but is there something you need to talk about? Something to get off your chest?"
"I.. don't think there's anything else, but… yeah," Hina frowned. "I still haven't come to terms that he… died."
"Hina-"
"Look, I know. You don't have to tell me about that. It's just…."
Hina squeezes her fist and lets it drop to her side. "It's a recurring dream for me. Just because it's not my fault, it doesn't mean I didn't have any choice. If only I were… I…."
"H-Hina…." Ako muttered in sympathy.
Sena writes in her notebook. "I suggest that you take some time off from the academy for a while."
"And neglect my duties?" Hina inquired. "As much as I want to do so, I can't put it off again for later. Not because I still have more business to attend in the Prefect Team, but because I've been away for so long, I really have no choice but to catch up with a lot of studies that I have missed, including the exams."
"I understand that," Sena nodded. "But with how much the event had impacted you, I can guarantee that you will be given quite the clemency to ensure that your grades are back to normal despite how many lessons you have missed."
"Assuming such a thing is granted within Gehenna."
"She's right. I'm aware Pandemonium hasn't caused us trouble for some time now," Ako added in. "Let's assume Makoto isn't retarded enough to commit to her schemes; she knows how long Hina was absent and how much she is left behind in terms of grades. If we were to ask them to grant her such remission, won't she weaponize the aftermath results Hina had gone through so she could penalize the Prefect Team?"
"The Pandemonium Society may be pridefully corrupt, but they won't stoop so low as to weaponize Hina's current struggles to fulfill their own needs," Sena responded. "Especially after Sensei knocked some sense into Makoto."
"Huh," Iori scratched her neck. "I wish I stepped outside to see it myself."
"You and me both," Ako shared her sentiment.
"If it makes you feel better," Chinatsu interjected. "President Sena and I can accompany you to talk to them to discuss your remission."
"Is that a good idea?" Hina asked. "I'm sure Sena will be busy for today, considering the Medical Emergency's nature."
"It would've been had the trial not been concluded," Sena answered. "We still receive corps- I mean, patients time from time, just not in a large margin. I can spare some time."
"Okay, but this is Makoto we're talking ab-"
"You let me worry about that. All I need you to do is to finally get some damn rest."
"…. If that's the case…," Hina sighed. "I guess I can count on y-."
*CLICK*
Hina squirms her eyes and immediately stares to her left at a Prefect mob who just so happens to be checking her MP18 magazine. Everyone was caught off-guard by her uncharacteristic response, and the Prefect mob, who was perplexed at first, had been gestured by the delinquent to look at Hina's slightly irritated gaze. Understandably, she, and indirectly everyone else, was quivering under Hina's glare, and she couldn't find the courage to attach the magazine back in.
"U-uh…," the Prefect mob whispered to the delinquent. "Did-did I do something wrong?"
"I.. don't think so," the delinquent whispered back. "I think she got some issues with you and your gun."
"Wha- I-I was just checking the magazine!"
"H-Hina?" Ako nervously called.
"Huh? Oh, s-sorry," Hina looked away and scratched her head. "I don't know what's gotten into me."
Sena observes her behavior critically before putting down her notebook. "Chinatsu, if you could be a dear, please help me out with something."
"What do you need, President?" responded the former medic.
"I like to test out a few things. Please open that door."
"… Okay?" Chinatsu walked to the nearby door and opened it.
*CLICK*
Hina's whole body hitched as if she heard the high-tone metal scraping. Everyone else notices it and becomes concerned.
"… Close it."
*CHA-CLICK*
Hina winced her eyes but now sat frigidly still.
"Okay…. Press that bell desk."
"Ye- wait," Chinatsu stared back. "Why do you have a bell desk?"
"I just like to hear it ring. Just press it."
Chinatsu does so.
*TING-NING-NING-NING-NING*
No noticeable behavior from Hina other than slight confusion at Sena.
"Huh…. Okay. Chinatsu, press the computer keyboard."
"Any key?"
"Yes."
Since the computer is off, she taps the key a few times.
*CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK*
Her face distorts into discomfort, so much so that she suppresses her hands from reaching her ears.
"Hmm…." Sena nods a few times, then at the Prefect mob with the unloaded magazine. "You there. Put the magazine back in."
"Err…. Okay?"
*TOK-CLICK*
Hina quivers, glaring at the Prefect mob, much to everyone's anxiety save for Chinatsu.
"Good. Unload it and load it again."
*CLACK. TOK-CLICK*
Mild reaction at the start. Sharp reaction at the end. Hina is noticeably gritting her teeth.
"Chinatsu, this will be the last one. Grab a stapler and press it a few times."
She wordlessly obeys and presses the staplers in her hand.
*CLICK-CLICK, CLICK-CLICK*
Although the sound is distinctly faint, Hina gradually clasps her own head with both hands, covering her cheeks, ears, and the crown. "Stop it…," she whispered.
Sena looks back at Chinatsu. "Faster."
*CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-*
"I SAID STOP IT, GODDA-!"
In the next moment, Sena pushes down Hina's MG forcefully, and Chinatsu recoils at her superior's rage. The others, especially Iori and the delinquent, are terrified to see her eyes glow a purple hue with such intensity that they might as well replace the sun. It took more than ten seconds for Hina to realize what she was doing and calm down. She sits down again with embarrassment as Sena finally lets go of her destructive weapon.
"M-my apologies," Hina bowed her head. "I didn't mean…."
"I-it's fine, Head Prefect," Chinatsu cautiously put away the stapler. "But what was that reaction?"
"Y-yeah, what she said," the delinquent agreed. "I know I crossed you before, but why are you this angry over a stupid stapler?"
"Well, this is concerning, Hina," Sena sighed. "With the state that it is now, how much do you think that incident affected you after returning to Gehenna?"
"Very," Hina answered gravely. "The welcoming party yesterday was touching for me, I won't deny that. But it's still really hard for me to come to terms with all that happened. It's just… gnawing in me. It's still painful…. I'm still as distracted today, but I managed to do my job. Now? I don't even know what is happening anymore. Feels like I'm still stuck in a dream. Feels like… I shouldn't be here."
Sena scrutinizes her sympathetically. Initially hesitant, Ako places a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
"I understand. I don't know how to comfort you, but rest assured, we will all be there if you have some troubles to get off your chest."
Hina merely nods solemnly.
"…Give me a moment to write down the report."
Sena moves to her desk and writes down her report with an open pen regarding Hina's situation today. Sena soon returns with the clipboard in hand.
"From hearing the previous events and the small tests conducted here, I'm afraid that you might have suffered a phobia from that incident."
"Eh?!" Iori and Ako responded, and the others frowned at the result.
"Phobia…," Chinatsu muttered. "Is Hina suffering from a sound phobia?"
"A specific phobia," Sena answered. "It's called Clickaphobia."
Everyone glares at the stupid name, whereas Hina looks on, dumbfounded.
"Clicka-what?" Iori asked.
"Such a stupid name," Ako scoffed. "Does such a name exist in your medical knowledge?"
"No," Chinatsu responded. "I never heard such a name before."
"Clickaphobia…?" Hina soon lost in her own thoughts.
"Is there even a source to back up that phobia even exists?" Ako asked with gritting teeth.
"I'm afraid I cannot," Sena answered.
"Why is that?"
"It's because my source is I made it the -BLEEP- up."
Everyone jumps away, shocked at her sudden profanity. Hina is, more or less, surprisingly terrified to hear her cuss with such an indifferent face.
Hina looks at Sena with uncertainty. "It is so uncanny to hear you speak like that as a medic."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"That wasn't a compliment," Iori elaborated. "I think I trust the Remedial Knights by this point."
"Oh well, unfortunately, Hina, you have an excessive fear of the sounds of clicking and probably the act of it. This will prove to become a challenge to work your capacity as the Head Prefect."
"Is that so..?" Hina hesitantly asked. "Wait, does that mean-?"
"Yes, this phobia will hinder you greatly in both administrative and combat tasks."
"That's nonsense!" Iori protested. "Head Prefect is still capable of doing her duties. It's just the sounds of clicks. We can just get rid of items that make the clicking sound, and we'll call it a day."
"It is virtually almost impossible," Sena glanced back at Iori. "Can you name me some items that could make that sound?"
"Well, there's the stapler, hole puncher, button pen, doorbell, gun, computer…," Iori gradually widened her eyes. "Wait a second."
"Handphone, cash register, car ignition, any doors, anything with a button. Do you see the problem now?"
"…Oh crap," Ako turned to Hina with dread. "H-Hina…."
"No…," the petite student covered her face. "Nonononono."
"I understand this is hard to take-"
"No, you don't understand!" Hina abruptly stood up, cutting Sena off. "This is no longer my dignity as the Head Prefect or as a student that is at stake! It's me! ME! My own sanity is at stake, and that is the only sound that I became terrified of! The one I abhor so much! Just-"
Hina clenches both her fists, then drops onto her chair on the verge of tears. It's a shameful display. It truly is for the Prefect Team. But for the delinquent, she really, really wants to hug her despite how powerful she is in Gehenna.
Hina rubs her forehead and subtly wipes her almost teary eyes before looking up at Sena. "So, I have to endure this stupid hell?"
"I'm afraid so," Sena replied. "Don't worry; we'll figure out together how we can get rid of your phobia. In the meantime, I will prescribe you some vitamins and anti-depressants to help you get through the day. Also…."
Sena hands over some kind of two small plugs attached to a rope. "These are earplugs. It won't completely block all sound, but block significantly enough to prevent you from hearing any clicking noise."
"…." Hina silently stared at the item. "How did you get appointed as my counselor in the first place?"
Sena inhales. "Trinity recently opened up optional lessons about human psychology, which are open to all students aspiring to be nurses and medics, including Gehenna. Under President Rin's decision, she personally appointed me to be your counselor in consideration of my background knowledge and my ties with you."
"…And your apparent indifference to a lot of things," Hina jabbed with some irritation.
"Touche," Sena bobbed her head sideways. "Visit me again within the next two days for your daily counseling."
"Same time?"
"Same time. For now," Sena stood up. "Shall we tread towards the Pandemonium's office?"
"Uh, one moment, Sena," she rubbed her eyes before turning to the delinquent supervised by the Prefect mobs. "So, why was she detained?"
"Trespassing of restricted school area," Iori answered. "Vandalism of Prefect property."
"And…," Ako glared at the delinquent, who was quivering sheepishly. "Sabotage of School Lunch Club's food materials."
"…," Hina stared tiredly at the delinquent. "Is Juri cooking again today?"
"Y-yes…," the delinquent responded. "I don't know where Fuuka went, but I heard in passing that Fuuka got kidnapped again."
"Ah, about that," Ako checked her clipboard. "Fuuka is absent today because she caught a fever. She said that she'll be back within two days."
"Those GRS twerps, I swear…," Iori scoffed with her arms crossed.
"Really? Oh..," the delinquent fell speechless.
"I see. Understandable on the last part, but still unacceptable," Hina nodded, then looked away. "Your punishment will be community service, and you will serve as a temporary replacement member for School Lunch Club starting today until Fuuka returns to Gehenna."
Ako and Iori jerk their heads forward at the ridiculousness of such a lenient sentence, whereas the delinquent commented. "W-wait? So, my punishment would be just cooking in the cafeteria? That doesn't sound bad to me. I like cooking from time to time."
"Well, I think you should be concerned," Chinatsu responded.
"Why?"
"How many Lunch Club members are responsible for feeding thousands of our students?"
"…Oh shit…."
It dawned on Iori and Ako that they should've realized that and suppressed themselves from slapping their own heads.
The delinquent gulped, then turned to Hina. "P-please tell me I can ask for help during that."
"Prefect members can help out whenever they can," Hina added. "Just make sure we see you doing the heavy work instead of us…, and Juri as well."
"Y-yes, Head Prefect!"
"Good, that ought to teach you some important lessons. Do keep an eye out if Juri decides to use a shotgun to mince the meat."
"Waitasecond, was that why it tasted like lead?!"
Iori, Ako, and the rest of the Prefect Team couldn't help but heave at such a description. Chinatsu sighed tiredly while Sena smiled softly at the scene. As for Hina…, she has a mental note to keep in mind.
Check up on Fuuka by the end of the school day.
The trip to the Pandemonium's office was uneventful, but it was strange for a start. The supposed sneer looks of the Pandemonium members (at least, that was what Hina was expecting) were replaced with indescribable gloom and hesitancy. Sena and Chinatsu took notice of this oddness until they saw one of them give them a slight nod at their presence. A nod that seems to indicate that their presence, including Hina's, is welcomed. Admittedly, such an atmosphere is weird for Hina, considering their distaste for her organization.
They reach the doors to Pandemonium's office, where two of the members are guarding. They are indeed surprised by their visit here.
"President Sena!" one of the guards responded, immediately and formally resting their rifles by their sides on the legs.
"Good day," she responded.
"And…, Head Prefect."
Hina bows her head. "Good afternoon."
"Wait," Chinatsu squinted her eyes. "Aren't you the one who gave us apology letters?"
"That's right," she nodded. "I believe we didn't cause you any trouble for this past week?"
"You gave us none, rest assured," Hina responded.
"Good to know," she assuredly looked at the other guard before turning to the visitors again. "What brings you all to the Pandemonium's office?"
"We would like to discuss with your leader about Hina's remission," Sena answered.
The tall guard straightens her footing, then stares at Hina with concern. "Regarding how that incident affects her study?"
"Yes."
"I see. Give me a moment; I'll inform our great leader of your arrival."
"Please do."
The guard slips inside (with a click, which startled Hina) as the other returns to her guarding posture. It took a while to wait, but the guard came out with some good news.
"You're in luck. Our leader, Hanuma Makoto, is not busy at this time. You have been permitted to enter the office. Come right through."
"Thank you," Chinatsu nodded.
Before they enter, the guard calls out. "Head Prefect."
Hina turns at her. "Yes?"
"I just want to say I'm glad to see you well. And…," the guard wore off her official Pandemonium cap. "You have my deepest condolences."
Hina falls pale at first but then steadies her breath at the reality of it. "Thank you…."
The guard wears her cap and lets them enter the office.
*CLICK-DAKLICK*
Suppressing her discomfort, she witnesses the grandeur of this spacious office. Still following the purplish color theme of Gehenna, there are golden accents around the room and fancy furniture appropriate for the higher classes. Many portrait paintings depicting Makoto in her glory and supremacy (rather fitting for a dictatorial, deluded woman), and… a framed child's painting? Odd.
The curtains envelope in such a way that it makes the light seemingly glow from Makoto's throne. Sitting there is indeed Makoto, who is now cuddling happily with Ibuki on her lap. Iroha is still sleepy and lazy as ever by her side. Satsuki and Chiaki… their smiles seemed forced, and it wasn't because of Hina's presence.
"Ah, Makoto-nee~!" Ibuki called out happily. "It's Sena and Hina-nee-chan!"
"Indeed, they are!" Makoto answered with a smile, then turned at her right hand with a firm stare. "Now, would you please leave us for the moment?"
"O-of course!" Satsuki answered as they hastily left. "Excuse me…," added Chiaki.
Iroha also follows suit- "Not you, Iroha."
"Huh?" Iroha glared at Makoto with annoyance. "What do I need to be here for?"
"You can't certainly expect me to discuss business with the Prefect Team and Medical Emergency Club myself," Makoto persuaded. "Especially not with Ibuki by my side."
"Trying to drive a hard bargain because Ibuki is around?"
"I shall grace you with two hours of break time, Salmanca chips, and playtime with Ibuki if you decide to be my reliable, obedient minion."
"…Fine…, you convinced me. I'll stay."
"Kehehehe! Good, good! As expected of my right-hand minion!"
"…." Hina stared on with confusion. "Good day to you, President Makoto."
"Head Prefect, we've met again," she said, standing up after Ibuki got off. She then walked over to the visitors with her entourage behind her. "It is safe to assume that my minions haven't laid a finger on your organization, have they?"
"As far as the eye can see," Hina responded, and that tone of hers…. "What kind of scheme are you cooking up now, Makoto?"
"Bold and audacious of you to assume that I plan such things," Makoto placed a hand on her chest. "But it is tempting to seek more about your weakness while you were away with your- Ack!"
Iroha elbows her with irritation. "Cut the crap, Makoto. Ibuki's still here."
"Makoto-nee," Ibuki looked up, upset. "Didn't you say you want to apologize to her directly?"
"A-aah, y-yes, yes, Ibuki!" Makoto immediately sweated up. "I'll get to it right away!"
Hina looks on, more perplexed. "Did I miss something during my absence?"
Chinatsu turns around with a raised eyebrow. "Ako didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"To make it short," Iroha yawned. "Makoto incited a riot against KSPD to claim that you are indeed a murderer, then Sensei came out and slapped her so hard, it looked like her dad was scolding her."
"W-what!? What makes you think he's my father!?" Makoto ranted back. "I'm the great leader-!"
"Yada, yada, and you ran away after Sensei scolded you for your stupid move."
"That's-!" Makoto paused, finally calming down. "Ja, you're right. Even as the great leader of Pandemonium Society, I never thought I would stoop so low as to falsely accuse the Head Prefect of her supposed false innocence. The fact that I even wanted to see her fall so far…."
Hina didn't realize it, but her face recoils in disgust. She thought she had it enough after besting her during that piano performance, but this? She wishes she could describe how disgustingly petty she can be, yet…
Makoto steps forward, to which Chinatsu and Sena part aside to give way to Hina. The disdain was still there, but Hina could see it in her eyes. It was less intense, significantly so. Makoto looks down at her petite form, noting her disgusted face before wearing off her cap and, soon, bows towards her within a 90-degree angle. Hina is extremely taken aback by her gestures while the others look on with curious admiration.
"I, the Fuhrer of Pandemonium Society, would like to formally apologize for committing such transgression against you. Had it not been for my pettiness, all of this would have never happened."
"Just so you know," Iroha added without any care in the world. "Even Sensei refused to associate with us for the foreseeable future."
"Y-yes, that's true," Makoto's body shook a bit but maintained her pose. "It is atrocious of me to commit that act that I unknowingly disrespected the dead. So, I say it again. I am sorry for what I have done. If you like, I will accept any punishment you give me for such a horrendous crime."
Hina… couldn't believe her eyes. The first time, she received an apology from Makoto. If anyone told her that she's been hallucinating this, she would believe them. Her repugnance at Makoto soon dissipated upon realizing the sincerity of her confession. No matter how much she wanted to 'knock some sense' into her on account of her pettiness and idiocy, she was already too tired to even consider such punishment.
"I've received your apology letter, Makoto," Hina clasped her hands together. "And I accept your apology. I do not wish to dispense any punishment against you. However, I must demand compensation for the trouble you caused me all before the incident happened."
"You, in all your righteousness, decided to be humble against me? You know you'll lose the chance to reign in your anger against me. Or is it that you recognize-ack!"
"I said knock it off, Mabaka," Iroha elbowed again. "Curb your tongue for once."
"Fine!" Makoto stood straight. "Your humbleness is appreciated. How do you wish me to compensate for your trouble?"
"I only ask that you finally grant the Prefect Team access to our budget as well as some funding for our future Prefect drills," Hina responded.
"Of course," Makoto wore on her authoritative cap. "I know that the Prefect Team actually has their own budget for the time being: 50 million yen, more or less."
Hina opens her mouth, then stops. She feels a slight choke before she answers. "Yes…. It's true."
Makoto slightly shows her teeth, but it is one of discomfort for Hina's situation. "If that is the case, you keep the money and use it as you see fit. You may file a request for more funding if it runs out."
Hina masks her surprise, but she nods with a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Chair Makoto."
Chinatsu sighs as well. "That's good to hear. Oh, and President Makoto?"
"What is it?" the white-haired demon dictator asked as the former medic approached.
*PLAK*
Hina and Sena are taken aback to watch her slap Makoto with a firm hand. Iroha widens her eyes, and Ibuki still processes what just happened, leaving her confused and startled. Makoto didn't fall this time, but she was holding her pained cheek in confusion.
"What in Trinity's bum was that for?!" Makoto asked, still confused.
"That's for pulling that stunt back at KSPD," Chinatsu spat back, tapping a finger straight on Makoto's chest.
"…Duly noted."
Chinatsu steps back, noticing the wary glances of her group. "Apologies. I can't bottle it up for a bit longer."
"I understand that," Sena turned at the little sunshine. "Please pretend you didn't see that Ibuki."
"Okay!" the little one innocently and happily replied.
"Yeah… so, is there anything else you need us for?" Iroha asked. "I doubt you're here just to listen to Makoto's genuine attempt at an apology."
"It is genuine, Iroha. Please don't twist my words here," Makoto remarked.
"You even confused your own words."
"There is something else that needs your attention. Our attention," Sena explained. "Hina has been absent for so long, and she's getting left behind in her studies. We would like to request you to give the Head Prefect some leniency or remission that could enable her to improve her grades despite missing the majority of the lessons."
"Consider it done."
The group blinks, but Hina bobs her head forward. "That's it?"
"Yes," Makoto placed a hand on her hip. "I'm still fixing my mistakes even prior to the trial. If you like, Head Prefect, we can discuss your remission right now while we're not busy."
Hina looks into her eyes. "That would be delightful."
"I'm sure you are aware that Hina is attending weekly counseling as we speak," Sena explained. "And she also has to attend to her usual Prefect duties. Catching up her academics in the normal way wouldn't suffice, so to speak."
"I hear you," Makoto nodded. "We can grant her grade forgiveness, as well as modification to her studying schedule so that she studies the critical parts of the subjects instead of all of them. In addition, we're willing to extend deadlines for any homework or projects she hasn't turned in yet whenever possible."
"What do you say, Hina?" Iroha asked, refraining herself from reading the book. "It is better than seeing you wake up again after three hours of sleep."
"It is more than enough. Thank you, both of you," Hina took a deep breath. "Do you have details on them?"
"We're still working on it," Makoto replied. "I will have one of my underlings deliver the details to you later. Now, you don't happen to be busy right now, correct?"
"Well…, I still have some paperwork to do," assuming she could do more without hearing the damn click again. "Why do you ask?"
Makoto turns to Ibuki. "Little Ibuki, do you want to play with Hina?"
"Ooh, can I?" Ibuki asked, to which Makoto nodded with a smile. "Yay! Hina-nee~!"
"Oof," Hina reluctantly accepted Ibuki's sudden embrace. "What brought this on all of a sudden?"
"Ibuki misses you so much, Hina-nee!" the demonic sunshine answered. "Ibuki was so worried about you, you know? They said Hina would stay in jail forever, but they were wrong. Ibuki is so happy that you came back, Hina-chan~!"
Chinatsu chuckles. "How cute."
"I'm happy that you're worried about me," Hina smiled a little. "But I don't think I could spare some time to play with you."
"Please, Hina-nee~! Ibuki knows that you are really tired of dealing with all those bad things. Even Ibuki is tired because Ibuki has to scold Makoto for even wanting Hina locked in jail forever in the first place."
"I-I promise, Ibuki. I won't do something like that again," came Makoto's shaken voice.
"Please, Hina-nee~? Can you play with me?"
Sena holds Hina's shoulder. "I suggest you take up on her offer. It's been a long while since you have some fun."
Hina ponders momentarily, then gives Ibuki a smile, almost solemn. "Very well, Ibuki. Let's play."
"Yay!" Ibuki soon dragged her to the playroom. "Over here, Hina-nee! Ibuki wants to show you something."
"Man…. Almost worried she denied her offer," Iroha commented. "Who would even think ignoring someone so adorable like her?"
"Agreed," Makoto smiled, an almost dramatically wicked smile. "Now the Head Prefect will understand why Ibuki is appointed as our mascot of the Pandemonium! No one could refuse the symbol of authority that is little Ibuki!"
"And there she goes again," Iroha annoyingly sighed.
"Well, that's one out of the way," Chinatsu closed her eyes and corrected her glasses.
"Great, now, we do have one last thing to talk with you, Chair Makoto," Sena added. "And it's about Hina."
"Ja," Makoto looked over to make sure Hina wasn't present. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I have written up a report regarding Hina's counseling results," Sena spoke. "Normally, I won't share this detail with Pandemonium, but I believe the struggles she is currently facing might pose a significant risk to her studies and her work as the Head Prefect."
Chinatsu gives a disapproval look but trusts the medical president. Makoto and Iroha share a concerned look.
"Whatever do you mean by that?" came Iroha's question.
Makoto and Iroha never said a word as they worked well into the late afternoon, occasionally working on some of the studies in their downtime. Even though her hatred for Hina is curbed, she still retains some of her disdain, mostly because Hina holds more authority than her, despite the fact that her club is technically under Pandemonium's mercy. Nevertheless, she poured herself a glass of grape juice as she read Sena's report again. It was… hard to understand how Sena came to that conclusion, but she has to trust her judgment for now.
She quickly hides it in the drawer once she sees Ibuki and Hina come out from the playroom, to which Makoto smiles at the two of them.
"So, Head Prefect," she began. "How was it like to play with Ibuki?"
"It is… extremely refreshing," Hina answered with a happy smile, but Makoto noticed how solemn her eyes still were. "It's been a long time since I had this kind of break. I appreciate it, Makoto, Ibuki, Iroha."
"No problem, Hina-nee~," Ibuki circled around happily. "If you want to play with Ibuki again, you can come here anytime you like! Maybe we should play with Sensei next time!"
"With Sensei…," Hina held the hem of her outfit. "It's a lovely idea."
"Don't think I did not notice that, Hina," Iroha added in. "Invite me too. Can't have all the fun for yourselves."
"But it seems that you have to return to work again, ja?" Makoto digressed.
"Yes," Hina paused. "I understand that we never see each other face-to-face, but I would like to have an opportunity to discuss with you the future of a collaboration between Pandemonium Society and the Prefect Team. It would be in our best interest as authorities of Gehenna to set aside our differences and make… meaningful changes for the order and well-being of our students."
It is thought-provoking that she might get some leash on the Head Prefect with how at odds she is against her, but owing to the fact that her hatred of her was the reason she was forced to deal with a lot of consequences and backlash, losing Schale's trust being one of them, it is more distasteful to have that thought than to hate her.
"That can be arranged," Makoto firmly agreed, though her voice was slightly shaken. "When do you-?"
*Click*
At that split-second moment, Makoto sees her twitch her eye. She then follows where Hina is staring at.
"Mein Präsident-"
"Who dares interrupt-?! Oh, my underling," Makoto calmed down, staring at her Pandemonium minion. "You better have a good reason for your presence here."
"Forgive my interruption, Chair Makoto, but there's someone who wishes to see you and the Head Prefect," the guard responded. "She hails from Valkyrie."
"Huh? What the heck Valkyrie is doing here now?" Iroha asked, a little exasperated.
Makoto couldn't help but quietly notice how paled Hina's face was. She swears she can her inner thoughts, saying, "It's over." It's amusing, but she doesn't want to take this moment to taunt her fright.
"Very well, let her in."
"Yes, President."
The guard exits the room.
*Click. Cha-click*
Ignoring the odd jolts from Hina, an officer with navy and light blue twin-tail hair comes into the room. She strides along the carpet with her rifle slings around her shoulder and eats a donut in her right hand.
"Yo, guys, what up?" she greeted them.
"Officer Fubuki," her visit surprised Makoto. "What brings you here?"
"I happen to be assigned to a route passing through Gehenna, and I thought it wouldn't hurt to stop by and see how everyone's doing."
"Ah, it's the lazy cop!" Ibuki happily called out. "Hello~!"
Fubuki choked on her donut, and Iroha felt jabbed by the unintended insult. Makoto stifles her chuckle. Hina… is still staring a thousand yards.
"H-hey now, I'm still doing my job, you know?" Fubuki scratched her cheek.
"A bit rich coming from you," Iroha remarked.
"Doesn't mean I want to, alright?" Fubuki retorted with weary disdain. "After this patrol, I will get a lot of downtime and donuts. Please let there be no work after this…."
"Sounds pretty nice," Iroha agreed. "I prefer books, though."
Fubuki turns at Hina with a smirk. "Yo, Hina, still holding up well?"
"I'm… fine," the petite demon replied. "Why are you here?"
"Well," Fubuki pocketed her left hand. "It's about the Clicker."
The atmosphere within suddenly turns gloomy, and Hina… doesn't seem to blink even once.
"Am I going back to jail again?"
"Heh? No, of course, you're not," Fubuki answered with a slightly high tone. "What gives you that idea?"
"Oh…. Oh," some of the lights returned to Hina's eyes. "T-then.. what is it?"
"Director Kanna told me by radio to fetch you to the station," Fubuki answered. "They managed to open up the Clicker's mask."
Makoto and Hina sharply gaze at her, whereas Iroha widens her eyes and Ibuki tilts her head.
"So, his face…?"
"Yep. That's why I'm here to fetch you."
Hina and Makoto stare at each other, a mutual understanding.
"Head Prefect, I appreciate that you came as soon as possible. But…," Kanna eyed Makoto, Iroha, and Ibuki behind Hina. "Why are they here?"
"They helped me to drive here," Hina answered. "Spares me the trouble of finding my own transport."
"Yeah~," Fubuki answered, contented. "I even get to ride Iroha's tank. It feels like I can take on the world."
"Hehe~," Ibuki tugged on Fubuki's jacket. "It is, right?"
"Looks like we'll be getting along just fine," Iroha eyed Fubuki.
"…. Admittedly, it's a good thing you decided to come along, Pandemonium," Kanna gazed at Makoto with some malevolence. "That makes it easier to negotiate your compensation to us."
"We can discuss the damages later," Makoto nodded with a frown. "Fubuki told us that you managed to open up the Clicker's mask."
"Yes. We should've done it much earlier, but with the chaos boiling around before the trial, we couldn't get the time or even the people for it," Kanna crossed her arms. "We hired a few specialists from Millennium post-trial to get his mask open. It took a long while to carve it open with precision and caution, but they did it."
"How did they open it?" Hina asked.
"They used a device to scan underneath the mask to help them measure how far they shouldn't cut the mask and used specialized carpentry tools and even a portable laser to cut his mask open. His head remains unscathed, save for the… you know?"
"Can you lead us there?" Makoto asked.
"Yes, it will be cold, though."
"I'll stay here with Ibuki," Iroha suddenly said. "As much as I want to see him, I don't think we…."
"Iroha-nee," Ibuki looked up. "Is it really that scary to see a dead adult?"
"I wouldn't say it's scary, but… it's a really grim sight," Iroha squinted her eyes. "Trust me when I say it's best not to see him."
"…Okay then, I trust you, Iroha."
Iroha nods at the three of them, to which Kanna says. "Alright, President Hina, President Makoto, follow me."
They quietly follow Kanna deeper into the office. They have to go down one level via elevator to reach a certain facility. It bothered Makoto a little with how Hina fidgeted every time she heard a click, but it seemed Kanna never noticed it. Just before the door is a couple of Millennium specialists talking to Acting President Rin and, to the Gehennians' surprise, Sensei.
Sensei soon notices their arrival. "Hina, it's good to see you here."
"Likewise, Sensei," Hina made a small smile.
"Kanna," Sensei greeted. "Still busy as ever?"
"Things calmed down on my end," Kanna returned a smile, showing her sharp teeth. "I got more free time in the evening for you, Sensei."
"That's good to hear. And… Makoto," Sensei frowned at her.
"…Sensei," Makoto bowed. "You're also here because of the Clicker?"
"Precisely," Rin answered on his behalf. "I'm disappointed that we managed to do it now, but it's better late than never."
"Is he…?" Hina pointed at the doors.
"Yes," Sensei answered. "Still laid rest on the table."
"Can I see him?"
Sensei looks at Rin, who returns a nod. "Yeah. I'll accompany you inside."
Makoto crosses her arms and nods. "I'll wait out here."
Hina returns a surprised look at her. "What? Don't you want to see the Clicker?"
"No, no," Makoto shook her head, exchanging a blue look. "I attempted to cause more than your downfall, and I insulted his death. I do not deserve to see what he truly looks like."
"But-"
"Head Prefect," she shook her head again. "Don't. Don't convince me. You're the only one who should see him, not me."
Sensei places a hand on Hina's shoulder and stares at Makoto. A silent understanding was bonded, and Sensei gave her a slight nod.
"Besides," Makoto glances at the Feral Hound. "I believe I'm due to have discussions with the Feral Hound."
"That is true, but I would prefer if you don't call me by that," came Kanna's irritated reply.
"It is a nice coincidence that you are here too," Rin approached Makoto. "I need to talk to you about your involvement in the defamation campaign, as well as your proposition to GSC and Schale to… 'mend our wound,' shall we say?"
Makoto clears her throat, nervous about Rin's authority. "Of course."
"Come on, Hina," Sensei held the door. "Let's go see our Clicker."
Hina takes a long, deep breath, and then she looks up at him with faith. "Let's go."
*CLICK* *CLACK*
For some reason, this particular click didn't bother her. Perhaps it's because she's nervous. And the place is indeed cold, almost like winter.
The room is immaculate, with white walls and metallic floors that seem to indicate that this room was originally empty and recently repurposed. There's not much furniture inside besides a few extra metal tables, stacks of white cloth, and medical and surgical items. There is also some sort of a metal cabinet where its back is extended into the wall at the corner of the room, realizing almost immediately it was a corpse refrigeration unit.
And before them lay where the Clicker's body is now resting, respectfully covered wholly under the white blanket. Hina slowly approaches his resting place and remains hesitant to touch the cloth. Sensei walks around the metal table and meticulously uncovers the Clicker's face on her behalf. She finds herself… aghast to see clearly his human face, another adult like Sensei. There were simple words that crossed her mind as she examined his face.
Fair-skinned, rugged, middle-aged, thin bearded, square eyes, short dark hair.
Ordinary.
Peaceful….
The hole where the bullet punctured through has been patched up. Hina has to cover her mouth to overcome her sickness. Such a grim memory: intimate turmoil, too much blood, a lost light vanquished without her realizing.
The clicker.
The goddamn clicker.
Was this what Hoshino had to go through?
Hina grips tightly on the edge of the table. She stares and cries quietly at the departed's face until she can't look anymore. She falls to her knees, both hands still gripping the table as she hugs her face to the table's side. She couldn't move, she couldn't feel anything else, even the cold air seemed as noticeable as the whisper uttered from miles away. Unremarkable, insignificant, yet it was still there.
Hina cries, faint at first but soon a bit louder the longer she sobbed. Sensei crouches beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder to let her know there is no shame in being this sorrowful, to let her emotions run free.
Unbeknownst to them, her weeps echo beyond the door. Only Makoto and Kanna faintly hear it.
Kanna approaches Hina, who is sitting by her lonesome in the lobby. "Head Prefect, are you okay?"
She looks back at Kanna, showing her how red her eyes are and how humid her face is. "What do you want..?"
Kanna sighs quietly, then sits next to her. "We… found something else within the Clicker's apartment-"
"Another evidence?"
"…. No," Kanna softly replied. "We found a letter of will within his apartment."
Kanna hands over the letter to Hina. Hina drowsily reads the contents of the letter, but the more she reads, the more she is focused and dazed at the fact.
"'-All of my personal possessions are entitled to the one who took the job and kept me from my lonesome until the inevitable…,'" Hina widened her eyes. "Wait…, is he…?"
"Yes, you get to keep all of his stuff. Well, most of them," Kanna corrected. "The last few are left for his family, and we're trying to reach out to his family."
"…." Hina folded the letter, staring blankly. "Will there be a funeral held for him?"
Kanna grits her teeth, sighing as she looks away. "Next week, Thursday morning. Sensei will personally hand out an invitation for everyone involved within the next few days."
Both of them fall silent. The white-haired demon gradually looks forward, occasionally wincing and partially covering her ears whenever that specific sound is heard within the hustles of the office; otherwise, she just stares forward without a sense of purpose. Shuffles of paper, faint voices, telephone ringing, sounds nothing more than static, and then the damn clicks. It's… demoralizing for Kanna to see how shattered she was. Kanna noiselessly pulls a gun from underneath her jacket, something that Hina barely notices. But Hina snaps immediately upon recognizing the sidearm.
"That's… his gun," she muttered.
"One of his possessions," Kanna added. "He was rather adamant in his letter to give this to you."
"Yeah, I read that part," Hina took the gun and carefully examined it.
It is a rather iconic gun, even by Kivotos' standards. This M1911 still saw many uses even through the tests of time and still maintains its reputation as a power-stopping sidearm of all time. Its wooden-furnished grip is the most notable, as it has diamond checkering on both ends. Its hammer is jagged, spurred, and fitting for a thumb. The grip safety curved so seamlessly into her palm that she could subtly feel its loyalty to its master and comforting assurance of power. The barrel, polished, simple, elegant, never fails to gleam in the light, even in the olden times. A classic of all times.
There is no noticeable change on the gun, save for one detail. An engraving is written on the slide of the pistol.
'Fight for your Dream'
Is it an irony or reassurance? She doesn't know. She wants to laugh, but it strikes hard within her heart.
That's when she realizes another thing.
"Is there… something else you have for me?"
"…There is another," Kanna pulled out a small item. "He asked you to keep this for him."
Kanna doesn't know the Head Prefect intimately, but she was taken aback by how Hina recoiled terribly at the sight of the item. The four zeros stared back at the petite demon as if to ask her to tempt fate, delicately hidden by the mask of being a harmless number counter. Hina hitches her breath, shifts slightly away from the clicker, and looks back at Kanna with fear. Kanna was at a loss at her petrified reaction but kept her composure.
"Do…?" Hina whispered, whimpering. "Do I have to take it?"
"You have to," came her firm reply. "It's been written in the will. The case is over anyway, so we don't see any need to keep it around."
Hina winces her eyes. Feels like there's no choice in the matter. She reaches out for the clicker, resisting any urge to just strike it away. Holding it in her hand, she looks down on it with a new vigor, one motivated by nothing more than the illusion of freedom. It's somewhat concerning how intense she is staring at the thing because Kanna can see that her entire arm shakes. Hina grips it tightly before putting it away carelessly in her overcoat's pocket. By then, she finally calms down, though her chest seems to heave severely.
"Hina?"
Hina barely glances back. "I'm-I'm fine. I'm just…. Heeh…."
Kanna observes her behavior and then shuffles her own jacket. "If you need a shoulder to lean on, I'll be here."
Hina didn't seem to register at first. Then, she inaudibly shifts closer to her, still looking away, before placing her head on her shoulder. Just from the touch of her head, Kanna could feel more than frustration: a sense of hopelessness. Hina trails her eyes on the pistol in her hand, holding onto it dearly like Sensei's World's Most Useless Gadget. They immerse themselves in their own silence, ignoring the officers and staff who give curious glances as they pass by.
Afar, from where they are, stands Iroha and Makoto, watching the scene unfold. Makoto doesn't wear any expression but bows her head. The bushy-haired tanker leans off the wall and turns to Makoto.
"Let's go find Ibuki," Iroha suggested. "Looks like she's having too much fun with Fubuki."
"Ja," Makoto glanced at the scene for the last time. "Let us depart."
They soon leave the lobby, and the place seems more melancholic than it needs to be.
"How are you doing, Fuuka?"
"Ugh…, I can't move much with this headache, but I appreciate that you called me. Is there something important, Head Prefect?"
"No, no, I just wanted to check up on you. Have you visited the doctor?"
"Yeah. Got a friend to help me out on the visit. I need to take some paracetamol, naproxen, and vitamins to get me back up again."
"I guess the GRS kidnapped you one too many times this time."
"They did…. But don't worry, though, they got their sorry butts locked up in Red Winter for the time being. So, I don't think they'll give me any trouble for a while."
"You heard they were locked up there?"
"Hina, I was there. At least they're more reasonable enough to help me out and lock them up. *Sniff* I guess trudging back home through the snow has its own risk…."
"Guess I'll need to take care of that later. Take as much rest as you need, Fuuka. I already have someone filled in for your club for the time being."
"Really? Thanks, Hina. And Hina?"
"Yes?"
"Good luck on your recovery as well."
"…. Okay, thanks, Fuuka. I'll see you later."
"See you!"
*NUNG*
That's the last of her business for tonight. She sets the alarm clock, which currently reads 10 PM, to ring at 5 AM. A normal thing to do as the Head Prefect since she also has to deal with Prefect business even during off-school. What's not normal was for her to sleep this early, thanks to her counseling session with Sena. Caressing her pajamas once, she drinks some of the sleeping pills before settling into bed. With some difficulty, she sleeps soundlessly once the drugs have taken effect.
She then wakes up after a while but realizes the alarm did not ring, nor did the room graced with the dim light from the curtained window save for the night lamp. With weary confusion, she shuffles closer to the night table and looks at the alarm clock.
It reads 2 AM.
"Huh…, even sleeping pills aren't that effective, hm?"
Rather than sleep again with some difficulty, she gets off the bed and traipses towards her desk, where her laptop, printers, and folders of documents are neatly sorted. She might get a headache for this, but there are some documents she needs to look over and print for some more.
"Wait, then I need to press…. Alright, look over the documents first."
She sits down and grabs the first pile of papers. As she is about to uncap the pen, she notices the handgun on the table, right where she left it last night. She holds onto it again, still glamorous as ever and cold to the touch. She makes a mental note to find some ammo for it. Unnecessary, yes, but she likes to know what it feels like to bring around a backup gun or shoot someone with one during her job.
She puts it back down and begins writing the forms. After four papers, for some reason, she felt a strange sensation: an urge to check that cursed item. Her throat feels tight to think about it, but she's going to check it regardless. She opens the drawer on her right and-
Wait, it's not there.
"What the-?"
In a gradual panic, she checks the other drawers only to find none save for stationary items and more MG ammo. She quickly stands, staring down at her desk as she tries to remember where the hell she did store the damn thing.
"Looking for this, Ms. Sorasaki?"
That voice came from her bed.
"How did-?!"
She grabs the sidearm and aims at the origin of the voice. "Who is-?! W-what?"
Lo and behold, there sits the Clicker on her bed, holding the counting digit in his right hand. He lifts his head- his mask and stares at her with those unnerving, shining eyes. He looks unscathed, yet the dim light fearfully greets him as if he came here to discuss a debt she shouldn't have forgotten.
"M-mister?" she stuttered. "..How are you-?"
"I wonder the same thing myself. Wonder I'm still here," he spoke. "Wonder why I'm in a place where I shouldn't exist."
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
Hina's ears pained as she reaffirmed her aim. "M-mister, stop clicking it."
"Why is that, Hina?" he stood up and gradually approached her. "You know I can't do that. This clicker is what defines my whole life. Of emptiness, of worth, of light."
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
Hina nervously shakes her head. "Stop it, mister. I don't want to hear it."
"It doesn't matter. You have no control over this, so as I. None of us are free."
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
"I don't know what you are saying! Please, stop clicking it!"
"We both SHOULDN'T be here. But there is only one way."
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
"STOP IT FOR GOD'S SAKE!"
Hina blinks a few times in her ordeal to realize she has already put the gun on his wooden mask. The man kneels before her, his right hand caressing the counter's button gently. She is horrified at what she's doing, but the man before her never trembles. His eyes seem to speak of respite and understanding despite her actions.
"So, you know what to do."
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
"S-stop…. Stop it!"
"I can't stop now. I can't stay here like this. I CAN'T STAY HERE LIKE THIS."
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
"STOP IT WITH THE CLICKER GODDAMMIT! I DON'T WANT TO SHOOT YOU!"
"I know, but you have to."
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
"I'll keep clicking again and again, and the only to stop it is to shoot me."
"No, don't-!"
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
The man holds her hands and keeps the gun glued onto his mask. "You do have to do it, please. If you can't do it, I'll keep clicking."
"N-NO, STOP..!"
"Please…."
Her arms shake as her trigger finger inches closer and closer. Resisting all her might to shoot him, no matter how these damn clicks ache her ears, heart, her sanity so much.
*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK*
But she couldn't take it anymore.
*DAR*
"HIICK! Huh…. Huh…."
Her eyes jolt open and meet the ceiling. She feels herself still lying on the bed, sprawled over it seems, judging by how unkempt her blanket, her pillow, and sheets are. She quietly sits up and sees that the room is still dark save for the lamp night. She looks at the alarm, signifying 4 AM. So…, it was just a dream.
"Why…. Why it has to be that dream? I couldn't…."
Hina loses any simple motivation to get out of bed, nor even get more sleep because of that dream. All she can do is sob, sob till the early morning in despair.