Greetings! Just got back from reading the latest chapter of JOJOLands to give you the forty-fourth chapter of Living Things! Things are gonna pick up very quickly as we gear up for the final fight against our main antagonist! Please enjoy!
Blood trickled out from his mouth as Shino lies against an uprooted pine tree, the ground below him stained by blood. He gasps for air, his throat tasting like iron due to the lot of blood filling it in as his vision starts to slowly blur, preventing him to see the fast-moving clouds up in the sky above and the partially destroyed area of the pine grove consisting of more uprooted pine trees, burned trees and grasses, and disturbed ground having impact marks in various spots.
His body is absolutely battered with his Victorian or Edwardian-styled clothes, are almost ripped to pieces. Singed marks are visible all over his coat and pants, exposing some of his skin, while his half-burned cravat and pristine white shirt are stained with blood that seeped through all his clothes though they're not normally seen due to the darker coloring. Nonetheless, his injured left eye, fractured right leg, exposed burned skin, and obvious blood flow gushing from his head and mouth are enough proof to let one know he's grievously injured.
In spite of the great pain he's likely feeling, Shino appeared calm. This is not a normal reaction one should feel towards a serious injury he was inflicted with. In fact, the expression he's donning is one full of acceptance on what will happen to him in the end. Perhaps his gasping of breath could be the only reaction he's making to denote his acknowledgement of his battered state.
As he lay there without any resistance from him, slow footsteps are heard coming to him. The owner of the footsteps is another familiar person. Someone he recognized, alongside her two pets limping beside her.
Having little energy left in him to strain his head up, Shino's unharmed right eye gaze upon the woman standing over him. She looks down on him, her expression seemingly unreadable at first glance until one noticed the tears flowing out of the corner of her eyes and her trembling body. Similar to him, she got beat up too with her clothes also ripped apart or stained with blood, either her own or Shino's, and her normally wavy hair frazzled. She could be greatly injured but unlike Shino, she's doing fine. Physically.
Mentally? Not so much.
Without sparing a few words for her fallen opponent, Emi aims her right hand to Shino's head. Flickers of flame danced around her fingertips before manifesting completely into a ball of fire. Her intention, as well as what may have happened that led Shino to his injured state, is now clear.
Shino sees he's helpless against his inevitable death at the hands of Emi. This is it, he thought. He's going to die after a nearly two decade of living as a social pariah of Saga Prefecture. He should be scared of what comes after his death, wondering if he's worthy to enter the afterlife and reunite with his parents and pet he regrettably ki-. No. He regrettably outlived.
In this moment of ironic tranquility however, Shino can take comfort within his fluctuating mind that he's not gonna die alone, and unloved. That is one of the greatest fear every living being have when they will eventually deal with their own mortality. This is especially effective for one who is capable of emotions and sentimentality. He never thought he is lucky he's not going down that method of dying. He believes he didn't deserved it after he found out his true role for Saga that made his existence too miserable.
Well, no use thinking about it since he's going to die. At the hands of her beloved undead woman.
"E-E… E-Em… E-Emi…" Shino uttered her name with a small smile. Hearing him speaking out her name as his last words made the Memory-Emi hesitate, her tears and silent sorrow over having to put him down becoming too much for her to bear that her right hand is shaking. She hesitated for three seconds…
…before she closed her eyes and mercifully put Shino out of his misery by shooting his head.
"AaaaaAAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH! ! ! !"
Her scream is the last thing he, and the stunned audience, heard before everything went blank. Afterwards, the mirror showing the entire memory shatters by itself before breaking apart into tiny particles…
"Ahhh!"
Pretty much everyone flinched back in surprise when the 'memory' they were watching ended with the unmistakable sight of Emi killing Shino before the display shattered into tiny pieces and dispersing or dissipating to join with the cold air of the Castle of Glass, like they have seen it happen four times.
Having saw what could possibly be Shino's last memory after they witnessed his four other memories, one of which was related to one of the memories and extending past it, the twenty zombies trapped in the ever-changing dimension of the Castle of Glass stare at the space where they watched Shino's apparent last memory as they digest the contents in their heads. Most of them may have foreseen the outcome of the last memory after they discerned Shino's past when he was possibly alive would end with him somehow dying, and watching that memory confirmed it, but they are shocked nevertheless. If only because the cause behind his death was thanks to one woman who is in the group.
"Holy shit…" Narancia let out after the group went silent for a few seconds. "So that's how Shino died? Got shot in the head by that 「woman」 in the memory… Or in other words, 「Emi」."
With that knowledge, Yugiri has an epiphany as she remembers a certain word she heard from the pale-skinned woman. "Could this be…? The 「sin」 Emi-han mentioned?" Franchouchou and Rianima perked up in attention when she reminded them. "That 「sin」 being executing Shino, after an arduous battle that might have occurred before the alloted timeframe of the memory."
"There's no mistaking it," Mamezuku crossed his arms with a sure look of conviction. "Emi killed Shino using her Stand. And even if in the unlikely event she chose to decline, the… 「ichor」 we keep hearing about might had put him through a slow and agonizing death akin to a disease, possibly a cardiac one. Or to put it simply, Shino was doomed, probably from the very beginning."
Ai turns sideways with an unsure expression over how she should react over Shino's memory. "We have guessed we are watching his memory after we encountered his second memory, and given Sakura-chan's and Emi-san's influence to him, they would somehow factor in in his past life. But we didn't expect she was the one who killed Shino near the end of his troubled life. To think she was the killer all along…"
Kakyoin adopts a pained expression, having not anticipated his reunited friend had blood on her hands for so long. He's not counting the number of times Emi possibly burned a lot of undead for over a century, most of them including Ira. He's talking about a personal kill he's sure she doesn't want to do it but have no choice. "It is a surprise, no mistaking that," he replied. "In any case, regardless of our reactions, what we all saw in Shino's last memory being alive must be Emi-san's 「greatest regret」 ever since she came into existence and swore to protect Saga… Her 「sin」 like Mamezuku-san said."
"Greatest regret,huh?" Repeating those two curious words, Lily remembered the red and white woman is still with them. The same thoughts are echoed by the rest. "Erm Emi-san, what can you say about…?"
Expecting to see her react accordingly to what they saw in the memory, the zombies turn to Emi, only to see Emi Lea Essence, the real Ghost of Niji-no-Matsubara, adoptive mother of five girls with each unique traits born from a brown-haired girl, and all-around eerie but well-meaning woman who wishes for Saga's continued prosperity, staring intently and inertly at the dispersed memory where she was the second focus in. Her expression is similar to her usual fish-eyed face, meaning she's keeping up her stoic face…
…until they saw a single tear on her cheek. Upon seeing it, they then sense a high amount of emotions brimming behind her blank expression that her teary eyes betray that perception.
If they are somehow not convinced, Emi lowers her head as she begin sobbing. Her hands hover to where her hood is attached to cover her entire head, leaving her face to be partially obscured. It is a habit for Emi to put on her hood whether to act incognito or if the emotions are too much for her face. It was too late for that though since everyone saw the regret and shame written on her face, but she didn't care. She wanted not to dwell more on her biggest regret of ending to Shino's life whether she wanted to or not.
"Mother…" Whether it's because she, her sisters, Hartzler and Lynn can share her emotions at any time or it's her empathy speaking through, Goldia looked up to Emi's face with a sad expression. "The events we saw on his memory… Is that what… really happened? Your then-last meeting with mister Shino?"
Emi didn't turn to her, lifting her face up to at the empty space again. She instead nods. "Yes."
She didn't need to confirm it vocally if a nod is all they need to see from her since everyone already guessed it. But her simple response is made effective by the total look of regret on her face and in her body language when she let out a grieving sigh before lowering her head again with a wincing look, as if she doesn't want to look anymore.
"…Why?"
The group heard someone mutter that. They didn't waste a second before they turn to Sakura Minamoto looking at Emi in disbelief, tears streaming out of her eyes threatening to smudge her makeup if she had put one on. Having seen the red-haired girl being a playful and affectionate friend to a 15-year-old Shino, they didn't have to take a guess as to what her strong reaction will be like. It was only one memory they watched, but their interactions proved what Sakura is claiming about being Shino's only friend to be true.
Locking sights with the similarly distraught and teary-eyed zombie differing in how they expressed their grief outwardly, Sakura asks, "Why did you… k-kill him…? I thought… I thought you loved him?"
Somewhat expecting Sakura may view her in a bad light, especially when she learned she was friends with Shino, Emi uncovers her head and faces her properly with the intent of providing clarity while not daring to downplay or brush aside her wrongdoing. "Believe me, Sakura. I do love Shino as he did to me in return. Ending his life was the last thing I would ever do."
"So then why!?" Sakura insisted with a glare. "Why did you kill him?!"
Grimacing from her sharp glare compounding her pre-existing guilt more, Emi didn't hesitate to say her reasoning. "I have no choice! I have to kill him at that point! If Shino were to roam free with the 「ichor」 possessing his body, he…! He….! H-He…" Excessive tears are becoming too much for her eyes to bear so she wipes them with her sleeves and openly wept.
"At that point, mother?" Harpae parroted, finding the choice of those words intriguing.
"He would what, signora Emi?" Bucciarati prodded her to finish in a calm manner.
Sensing they are waiting for her complete reason, Emi lowers her arms before she looks at every zombie with the same teary-eyed face before turning away. "He, or his 「body」 possessed by the 「ichor」, would had… 「destroyed」 Saga."
Another surprise came in their way when they heard that term being spoken out in past tense. They looked at Emi more keenly. "The… 「ichor」?" Sakura repeated.
"There's that word again." Johnny muttered.
"You brought that up again in relation to your last meeting with Shino…" Junko stated, ruminating on what that means. She then gasped after comprehending a worrying set of words and repeating it in disbelief. "H-Hold on! Did you say that he would've destroyed Saga!?"
"I did say that," sadly nodded Emi. "I believe you already heard it from him earlier and had watched most of his memories here, but Shino got infected by Ira's ichor a couple of months before his death. The ichor would have indubitably killed him as it proceeded to infect his body, until he became a zombie subservient to Ira's control. I have burned a lot of possessed zombies because of her, something I heavily regret putting their short lives out of their misery since I could not stop it in time. Unwilling to let it happen to Shino, especially when I fell in love to him, I managed to cure him of the premature condition through Bring Me to Life, erasing any tiny traces of the ichor in his body. With him free from its influence, everything seemed fine…"
"…Unfortunately, on the month of March, the ichor somehow came back," she continued. "It happened on White Day, when Shino intended to give me chocolate as part of the tradition of the holiday after I gave him one during Valentine's Day. Though as you unmistakably saw or heard in the previous memory, he suddenly collapsed and went sick. Upon witnessing Shino coughing up blood, my worst fear came true after using Bring Me to Life to see what caused him to collapse: Inexplicably, the ichor had returned to infect him again. Naturally, I immediately disposed the tainted blood out of his body, hoping he will be fine the next day and he was on the clear. But I was wrong… Horribly wrong."
Judging from her bleak tone occurring over that last part and her flowing tears increasing, they can tell the problem worsened, probably leading to Shino's current state.
"The ichor returned for the third time tomorrow, which I would not have known if Shino kept it quiet. Once more, I burned off the ichor, only for it to come back tomorrow again. Each time I worked to cure Shino again and again, the ichor is showing signs of becoming resilient and resistant to my Stand, something I was in disbelief for I have never encountered such a problem before. And each time the ichor was removed, Shino began feeling weaker and weaker over the span of nine days, to the point he was confined to the bed for the last three days. All that time, I was wondering how did the ichor continued to infect Shino out of nowhere. Since Ira is dead, there was no way it could come back since it originated from her, so it boggled my mind on what is happening to Shino. I examined his soul, body, and even other places I suspect to be places where the ichor may have originated, hopeful as I am it was not true, but so far, I found none. And then on the night of his death, the inevitable happened…"
Already knowing what became of Shino based on the last memory, Johnny states, "Were you forced to kill him to finally burn the ichor for good?"
"…That is half of the answer," revealed Emi to everyone's mild surprise. "The inevitable I mentioned is Shino… actually 「dying」 to the ichor and becoming an undead under its influence, before I killed him after a heartrending fight I did not want to happen."
!
"W-W-Wait what!? You're telling us that… Shino was… w-was…" Sakura's lips quivered, her early animosity to Emi upon discovering she was his killer evaporated as she learned what Emi's perspective is like "…dead?"
Emi nodded reluctantly, much to Sakura's trepidation. "More accurately, he was converted into a zombie thanks to the ichor like I said. When I confronted Shino standing near the shoreline under the belief the ichor had not returned yet, it only took me eight seconds after I saw his state that I realize in anguish I am not speaking to the man I fall in love with. I am facing the 「creature」 who had gained surprising sentience upon possessing Shino's body after killing him through a disease. And so, with a heavy heart, my pets and I engaged what was left of Shino in a vicious fight, eventually weakening it enough to deliver the killing blow."
She stops speaking briefly to glance at their distraught or stern faces before she proceeds to finish. "As I stand before Shino's body ebbing with what little life force he had left, I reluctantly and silently aimed my hands onto his head before shooting a straight fire to him. With that, Shino is dead. Afterwards, the weight of everything that happened before made me hug his body, tearfully apologizing for killing him. I remembered begging for his forgiveness on having to kill him all to save Saga… and lament the cruel fate I realize in that moment he did not deserve thanks to his hard life. If I have known the last thing I want it happen between the two of us did came true, I should have left him alone…" She raised her eyes up to the ceiling, her tears flowing profusely over her face. "And that, everyone, is the 「sin」 I did on Shino, all to protect Saga. A sin where I had killed an innocent and troubled man to save hundreds of people living in the prefecture." A deep sigh escapes from her mouth once she finally finished, lowering her head again.
With Emi finishing recounting her own view to that day's events and corroborate it, the zombies look at the still weeping woman wiping her eyes with her hands or sleeves with contrasting emotions. They would have never thought there was more to her and Shino's situation than meets the eye if Emi herself didn't came into their lives, and Sakura hadn't revealed somewhat out of the blue she knew Shino. It could be a good thing they came around to view Emi and her family as their allies after she nursed Kakyoin back to help, of which they are really grateful, and were patient enough to hear her reasoning why she insists they don't kill Shino. They would have dismissed her pleas and go on to kill their target for sure, if not for Sakura and watching his entire life story focused on his struggles to maintain a normal life after seeing his loved ones dying partially through his fault thanks to Linkin Park.
Kakyoin spares a glance to Emi being comforted by her two pets and daughters with a look of sympathy. All the events that transpired on that day, and the bad things that happened on Shino, were too cruel. Emi only wanted to protect Saga against any threat the Curse throws at it, mostly stemming from Ira, and it is this devotion that led her to Shino, who didn't deserve to be treated as possibly the Curse's trump card according to what she told him. It is perhaps for this association that he suffered a miserable life where almost nothing good happened because the Curse intends to mold him into someone who has nothing left to lose. In this point, his view towards Shino completely changed if he wasn't convinced before.
"Hey uhhh… there's something that's bugging me."
Everyone heard Gyro say that as they turn to Spin Cowboy. He's rubbing his chin in thought, looking over to the space where the memory was placed there before he looks straight at Emi. "During your killing of Shino, what the heck is going on in the background?" He asks.
"The background?" Emi repeated, momentarily forgetting to cry.
"Yeah. I ain't sure if I should said it out loud buuuut…" He lowers his arms before putting one hand on his hips. "Why is the background moving too 「fast」? And why ain't you two affected?"
Predictably, the zombies look at him as if he told a bad joke, until Emi gasps, indicating she understood Gyro, punctuated by her reply. "Ah! So you noticed it!"
"Huh? What do you mean, mom? What does that cowboy mean when the background was moving too fast?" Fleta questioned.
Sensing everyone's attention back on her again, Emi elaborates what her reply to Gyro. "I was only focused on Shino's dead body that day, but I did notice everything was going too fast. From what I can understand, it appears non-living beings like the sea, clouds, and air are moving past their average speeds. By the time our fight ended, everything is moving so fast that day and night passed by in a matter of seconds."
That last part really intrigued them because it seemed so unnatural, and in practically sense, terrifying. "Huh? Day and night occurring in only a few seconds? What, you're telling us time is moving fast in a blink of an eye?" Saki insinuated.
"Yes, miss Saki. At least, that is what I thought." Emi's reply surprised Franchouchou's leader as well as the rest.
"H-Huh? I… got that right?"
"Well umm, I could not explain accurately what happened that day other than that," Emi looked unsure. "As I continued cradling Shino's body, time seemed to be going faster and faster, to the point the sun became a streak of light across the reddish orange sky. I am not sure what came after I saw the sun became almost unrecognizable, but Hartzler, Lynn and I were bathed by a bright light that engulfed us, and then… We were back in the forest grove. Like, we were dropped in so suddenly."
The group grows more confused, something Emi couldn't blame them due to how confounding the whole experience was. She shakes her head, saying more, "It was raining on that day, and the three of us were sitting on a wet grass, looking at our surroundings in calm confusion."
"Wait, three?" Sakura parroted.
"Yes, the three of us were only present under the rainy sky. Shino was nowhere to be found." Emi clarified.
"What? But how could that be?" Goldia asked.
Emi shakes her head. "I wished I know. All I found out on that day was we were sent back to the 30th of November. The same day I killed Ira for the umpteenth time."
Lily's eyes go wide as she realized what that day meant to her. "T-That…! That was the day I died!" She gasped.
Franchouchou and Rianima flinched in surprise, realizing Lily is right while Emi's family look at her intriguingly. "Are you certain, little Lily?" Number Six nodded affirmatively, leading Emi to become contemplative before gasping too. "It was also the day when I met Shino… whom I somehow…forgotten, and… I did not encountered him that time, too." She becomes gloomy at that thought.
The group didn't say more as they think over what Emi described to them about the events during March 23, ending with her and her two pets somehow going back in time to November 30, the same date Lily Hoshikawa died and Emi fought Ira once more. It was also the day when she first met Shino, which should have happened before Emi fought Ira according to what they heard from Shino's second-to-last memory. Aside from that confounding assumption, they quickly note that at least three events happened on November 30, all of which were related to each other one way or another. It feels more than just a coincidence if that specific date housed few events occurring before, after, or at the same time.
It's like fate was micromanaging their schedule.
"We can figure that out later," suddenly stated Sakura, shaking her head to get the confusion off of her. She starts walking past them as she says, "Now that we learned details of Shino's past, we must find him quick. The ichor has been possessing him from many years, and he will continue to suffer under its control. I don't know what we must do to free him, but I can't let him die again or resume his plan to be killed."
Emi completely wipes off excess tears on her face. "Sakura is right. We must continue further in the Castle of Glass in hopes of finding him soon. He may not have admitted it to us, but he dearly needs my… our help to free him from the ichor's hold on him." She declared, referring to the two groups she was glad to be acquaintances with.
"You're talking about us?" Bucciarati asked.
Emi turns to him and nods. "Yes. I should not say what your group has compared to Franchouchou, Bucciarati. If we were to save Shino, I would need your assistance."
"I don't want to make you worry more, but we will attack Shino if he does attack us." Johnny pointed out.
"That may be so, and I personally dislike hurting him…" Emi averted her eyes for a moment. "But the ichor will not easily yield to my pleas. It will attack all of us indiscriminately. As long as you do not kill Shino, you must do everything you have to subdue him so I can free the ichor's hold."
"Hmm, well you and your pets didn't escape the fight against Shino unscathed," noted Ai, remembering what they looked like after the fight is over. "I suspect it gave you a hard time."
"That it did." Emi sighed.
"Either way, I suppose we all have no choice. We agree to your terms Emi," Bucciarati stepped forward. "In exchange, we would like if you could spare us a lot of details over what's happening behind the scenes. I'm not sure how it would benefit us, but quite frankly, we feel like we were being kept in the dark, probably by Kotaro."
"Ah, I am fine with that too," she readily agreed, to their little surprise. "I believe it is imperative for you all to know more what is truly going on in Saga Prefecture behind the curtain. I already informed Kakyoin here of the details while I was nursing him to health, I must add."
That earned many looks to Kakyoin, who lets out a sheepish chuckle and rubs the back of his head. "What Emi-san said is true, guys. And trust me. It heavily contextualizes everything that happened to us after our revival, from Kotaro's ludicrous plan to the girls' deaths."
"Eh? Are you sure, Kakyoin-san?" Junko questioned.
"Yes. I'm positive." Kakyoin nodded somewhat grimly.
"Hey! Are you all done talking? Let's go! We're not staying here more to let Shino continue suffer somewhere in this place!" Sakura's impatient words make them aware she was waiting for them to move, having listened to their conversation idly by that makes her curious like the rest. Seeing no more words should be said, they proceed to resume their search for Shino, whom they now know was a man who didn't deserve to go through all that they have saw in his memories. Even if some of them are looking forward to see him get trounce again, they are not heartless enough to watch him suffer more.
Twenty zombies and two zombie animals would have continue further in the Castle of Glass.
"Uwaaarrrggghhh!"
Were it not for Tae's whining bring Sakura's eyes to her again, as well as everyone else's attention.
Once again, she's standing before Sakura holding a magazine that was opened to a page she wants to show to her. The twelve zombies look closely to the magazine, and they see Tae is showing an article about Franchouchou's Saga Rock concert. Ai is the one who notifies it. "Isn't that the article about our concert during Saga Rock?"
"Oh, you're right!" Lily responded. "Why is Tae-san showing that article to Sakura-san though?"
"And where did he get that magazine?" Avdol questioned.
"…Maybe she got it from the van? Again?" Gyro suggested.
Ignoring their idle chatter, especially as she's feeling more irritated of Tae's odd behavior to her, Sakura smacks the magazine out of her hands with clenched teeth before shouting, "Stop bothering me! I DON'T CARE!"
The child-like zombie could only stare at the smacked magazine on the floor as the aggravated Sakura walks away, intending to continue moving further in the Castle of Glass. The others, surprised of her little outburst, also stared at the magazine, then to Tae and to Sakura. With the knowledge of Tae showing the article of the girls' successful concert in Saga Rock, and before that, demonstrating the Drive-in Tori dance the girls did for their commercial shoot, they now realize what Tae is doing. Like what Rai, Saki, Junko, and Lily did earlier in their home, Tae is trying to cheer her up, and perhaps awakening her post-death memories back.
"Tae was not being her usual self at all," stated Saki, picking up the magazine and closing it neatly. "She's trying to make her remember all the things we've done."
"…Oh! Now that I think about it, didn't Sakura-san always look after Tae-san the most out of all us, aside maybe Mamezuku-san?" Junko reminded, tapping her chin with a finger in thought.
"Ah, that's right," concurred Mamezuku. "The two of us are the only ones who guides Tae over our daily activities and, in Sakura's case, taught her even the simplest of dancing so it will become muscle memory for Tae's developing mind. However, Sakura deserves the credit here since I didn't do as much as she did."
"Don't sell yourself short, Mamezuku-san," disagreed Kakyoin. "Even if you did the bare minimum for Tae-san, you did help her relearn our daily routine and get her used to be living with us while she remained as a wild zombie to this day." The rest of the girls and boys share his sentiment and voice it out to him. Most of that may be because they're really convinced he's… attracted to her, but still.
"HEY! Why are you still standing in one place!? Let's go already!"
Angry quick footsteps approached them belonging to the irate Sakura, having only realized they were not following her when she looked back and saw no one behind her. The group frowns upon seeing her still irritated over her gloomy thoughts and Tae's attempts to make her remember the times she cared for her. Said zombie followed everyone's sights on Sakura, emitting a groan.
Glaring at every single zombie, Sakura exclaims, "We don't have time to stand idly around! We still have to find Shino so he can get us out of here, you know!? Come on, let's get moving!"
Instead of following her words, Franchouchou, Rianima, and even Emi's family remain unmoved, opting to give her either a judgmental stare or pleading look. Sakura noticed their way of staring at her, making her more irritated when she sees they're not moving. "Hey! Didn't you hear what I said?"
"We did Sakura-han," responded Yugiri, disliking her increasingly dreary attitude. "But before we can do so, I believe I speak for everyone here that we shall need to discuss with your issue."
Eyes going a little wide, Sakura immediately guessed what Yugiri meant. "…You can't be serious. Like, right now? Right after I made it clear that I'm not coming back to being an idol?" She groaned.
"It is imperative we must find Shino and save him from his self-loathing, true. But Shino himself is not the only one who needs to be 「saved」," interjected Emi, staring unblinkingly at her. "You already told us you want to prioritize saving Shino over your own, and after musing about it, I came to a decision that I disagree if you will continue showing that demeanor to us."
"H-Hnngh…" Sakura didn't like what Emi is insinuating.
"Listen to us, Sakura!" Kakyoin said next, moving one step forward with a begging look. "Even if you believe you have no hope of succeeding again after you've gone through so much misfortune, all of us beg to differ! Try as you might to not accept our help and insist on your pessimistic thoughts, we won't waver on our 「resolve」 for you… because we witnessed your potential! Not only as an idol, but as a Stand User!"
"Huh?" She's finding herself listening in spite of her mounting annoyance.
"You may not remember our talk on the day after our first meeting, but I'll say this to you! I will always be by your side, no matter how much you dislike me or what might happen to you!"
Hearing Kakyoin's pledge for her makes her remember what Kotaro told her before this entire predicament started.
"LISTEN TO MEEEEE! I SWEAR I WILL NEVER ABANDON YOUUUUUU! ! ! ! !"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"I'm sorry, but I really can't."
Sakura's simple response is effective in shattering Kakyoin's reassured behavior to her, and everyone else's hope she would come around. "If I did join back, I would bring all of you down." Her pessimistic demeanor won again, showing them her somber eyes and frown.
"B-But Sakura-" Goldia tries to speak up.
"No! Forget it!" Sakura cuts her off, scaring her a little. "There's no hope that it'll work out! I know that better than anyone else!"
She's set on telling them that, again, she's absolutely over with it, but Tae throwing her hands on her shoulders prevented her, surprising her. "H-Huh? What now!?" She exclaimed
"Uwaaaaahhhhhh!" Tae shakes her shoulders rather desperately, flapping her mouth open and close as she groans again. She seems to be trying to say something if she's groaning a lot, especially since she chose to grab her shoulders.
"Tae-chan…" Ai cannot help but look at her in pity. Everyone do the same too.
"She really looked up to Sakura because she was, more or less, her 「caretaker」." Bucciarati stated.
Having enough of being shaken around, Sakura angrily pushes Tae's hands off her, stepping away after then giving her an irritated look. "Grrrr! When will you stop pestering me!? Whether you can listen well or not, I'll say this again and again! I'M NOT GOING TO BE AN IDOL! DO YOU HEAR ME!?"
Her harsh shouting and statement stopped Tae's desperate groaning in hopes of reminding Sakura of what she used to do to her. Even with a mind of a developing child, Tae is not blind on the affronted look Sakura is giving her. "Uaaaaaaahhhhhh!" And so, with her hands over her head with a sad look, Tae lets out a howl as she lowered her face down, her hands going limp beside her. Two drops of liquid fell below her face, visible by everyone watching somewhat hopelessly. "Aaaaarrrggghhhh…"
"She's crying!" Lily exclaimed in surprise.
"Really? That's the first time we're seeing her cry!" Avdol shared.
"You're kidding…" Saki muttered. They continued watching Tae releasing her first tears… until the "tears" gushed out in high amount.
"Wait. I think that's drool." Junko corrected when she realized it seemed abnormal for tears to come out like that.
"What? It's actually her drool…? Eww." Lisette expressed her disgust, also shared by Goldia, Fleta, and Lisette.
"Uhhhh… That's… not a good thing, right?" Kakyoin assumed worryingly. "Since Tae was being ignored by Sakura, I fear she's gonna do something… wild."
He didn't expect his assumption will come true when, before their very eyes, Tae goes berserk, raising her head and throwing her arms aside while screaming ferociously. "RAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH! ! ! !"
Naturally, everyone is freaked out or terrified of her sudden monstrous appearance befitting a zombie like her and her equally terrifying scream, but none of this are truer to Sakura, who flinched and recoiled back from the berserk Tae, realizing instantly why she became mad.
"AWAWAWAWAAAH!"
Now fearing Tae, Sakura's first instinct is to get away from Tae as far as possible. Unfortunately for her, she couldn't take one step backward when Tae chomped Sakura's head after leaping toward her so fast she can't react. "AAAAAAAAHHHH! ! ! !" She screamed again, panic written on her face that was more pronounced when Tae, with Sakura secured tightly in her mouth, scurried on both her hands and feet farther in the corridor. Before they knew it, the two are gone from their sights quick.
"What the hell!? What on earth is Tae doing!?" Johnny asked an obvious question if only to express his shock, him and Gyro reining in Slow Dancer and Valkyrie when they reacted badly to Tae going berserk.
"Less asking, more running! After them!" Saki exclaimed, already ahead of them. Everyone else followed after her, hoping they didn't go very far or Tae hasn't done anything bad to Sakura.
Thankfully, the two haven't really went too far down the never-ending hallway. They found them situated near a very long mirror hall encompassing half both sides of the walls where the windows and lanterns were supposed to be on. They choose to ignore the slight change of location as they run up to Sakura and Tae, the latter having ungraciously plopped the panicked former on the floor. She is aware she's not home, so she couldn't bring Sakura to their usual practicing room, but seeing their reflections on the mirrors that seemingly came into existence on these walls are similar enough to the big mirror they have back home, so she decided to stop.
Looming over Sakura with furrowed eyes, who in turn looked up in confusion as to what her intentions might be, Tae gently but firmly places her hands on her cheeks and pulls her face close to hers. "Ge Ihh Togegaaaa!" She exclaimed before pulling her hands back.
Believing she's watching intently, Tae proceeds to swing her arms around while lightly moving her body in tandem with her grunting. "Yaaa! Gaaa! Rraaa! Ngaaa! Ureee! Graaa!" Perplexed as ever of this strange zombie who appeared to give a damn about her and is doing some kind of weird hustle, Sakura lowered her head again, muttering, "What's with you…"
"Tae!" Saki called out to the zombie trying her best to emulate a simple dance. "Everything okay? Uhh, what are you…?" Rianima and Franchouchou immediately noticed something familiar about Sakura and Tae's position and the latter's weird movements and groaning. That's when they remember what she is doing. "Ohhh! I get it! Was wondering why this looks so familiar!"
"What is so familiar about this, Saki?" Emi inquired.
Ai faces her with a mirthful smile. "Many months ago, back when we were starting as idols, Sakura was teaching Tae simple dance movements to accommodate her less than mobile motions owing to her not being conscious yet. She was counting to time Tae's movements, and after many attempts and lessons, Tae is able to dance a little properly, even if she still has ways to go before she can match us six."
"Ah, we see now," understood Goldia. "I think she was… reminding Miss Sakura through her little dance. *giggle* It's a cute sight, actually."
Yugiri closed her eyes with a smile as she crossed her arms, liking what Tae is doing. "I think I understand."
"Yeah. Sakura was never the type to half-ass it, was she?" Saki complimented.
"That's right," agreed Junko. "And she refused to give up."
"When she helped her learn the routine, I bet it made Tae happy." Lily speculated with a smile.
"I think it's only because she and Mamezuku promised to feed her dried squid they loaned from Kotaro if she did well," clarified Johnny, side-eyeing Peel Planter. "But you're right Lily. She was happy."
"They must felt like kindred spirits due to all the care Sakura gave her because she wanted her to feel like she belonged to us even if she's yet to regain consciousness," added Kakyoin. "So that's why…"
"She's trying to teach Sakura 「this time」." Ai finished.
"When someone had a problem or kept messing up, she's the first one to jump in." Saki proudly said, speaking not only from her experience, but for the girls. That is the Sakura they knew. The one who is determined to encourage her friends and make the best out of their undead lives. They may come from different backgrounds, but that didn't matter to her. If she wants to, she's willing to help even strangers or a member of a different but related group, all because she's a compassionate girl who wishes for a united team of idol singers and Stand Users. Of which herself is could be the best of both worlds.
"In her own awkward manner…" Ai jested. Junko then adds, "Thanks to all her encouragement, I've conquered my fears of working in a group."
"She was always willing to listen to my ideas," Lily happily said. "So let's think of this as a chance to pay Sakura back!"
The girls and even members of Rianima agree, with Bucciarati stating, "A correct assertion. Sakura needs you girls more than ever. Of course the same goes for us too, so it is important we shouldn't let her down."
"If we all try hard, I'm sure we'll think of something!" Gyro hoped.
"Yeah, sounds good! This is what teams Franchouchou and Rianima's all about, right!?" Saki pumped her fist. "We got each other's back no matter what! Okay! Time to get your head on…"
So excited they are on the thought of repaying Sakura back that when they look again to Sakura, Saki's voice trailed off and everyone's elated faces disappear when they see the redhead's deadpan expression, her half-closed eyes staring at them back apathetically.
"…straight…" Even with her trailing voice, Saki finished her sentence. A moment of silence pass between them until Narancia mumbles, "Yeaaaaah… Somewhat knew she hasn't come to our terms yet."
"You're only seeing her face just now?" Lisette said with folded arms, indicating she and her family have seen her apathetic expression the entire time.
"I'm telling you, there is no point," repeated Sakura somberly. "You guys are getting yourselves all excited over a bunch of stuff I don't even remember happening in the first place."
Oh. So not even Tae can't bring her post-death memories back. Though that should be expected.
"Oh dear… Your intentions were in the right place, but your encouragements to Miss Sakura didn't work." Harpae disappointedly sighed.
"Well… If you guys are done, let's continue, okay?" Totally convinced she's in the right, Sakura made this statement to their aghast faces, deciding she should not care any of their little encouragements from now on…
パァン! ! !
"GUGH!?"
All of a sudden, Yugiri decides she has had enough of Sakura's repeated ramblings of her inevitable failure to be an idol, so she exerted what could be her strongest slap she ever did to someone. In fact, this could surpass her previous slappings in terms of strength and force applied, considering how loud her slap was (or it could be the sound echoed within the glassy walls).
ドゴン
Falling to the floor in a thud, Yugiri's outstretched arm is lowered after hearing her fell. Everyone stare at her in shock due to the audacity of slapping Sakura when she is still feeling all the doom and gloom, something Johnny instantly jumped on. "Y-Yugiri! What the hell did you slap her!? Didn't I already told you slapping anybody can be detrimental to them, especially when they're feeling miserable!?"
"…You did Johnny-han, and I understood that I must exercise restraint," replied Yugiri, setting her eyes determinedly on Sakura nursing her slapped cheek.
"So then why!? Slapping Sakura will not make her snap out of-"
"Of her dour state? I expected she wouldn't, and may have made it worse. But I believe it is necessary this time so she can finally listen after ignoring us the whole time."
Hearing her reason, Johnny remains reluctant and worried for Sakura. "Well, we did want her to listen to us even once, but still…"
"Please don't worry," she maintained her stance and acknowledged the risk with a graceful smile directed to him and everyone else. "I only want the best for anyone. In this case, Sakura-han's," she turned back to Sakura with a frown before talking to her. "And as for you, that is enough. I cannot let you run away any longer. You've encouraged us till now and you must see this through. Whether you can remember anything or not, you're still going to join us on that stage!"
That irritating statement rile Sakura a little to glare back at Yugiri, shouting, "Of all this selfish-!"
"I'm fully aware that this is selfish!" Yugiri's honest statement stops her from finishing as she continues looking at her sternly yet pleadingly. Seeing she did acknowledge it, Sakura gets up on her feet before glancing at her and every zombie watching. They moved up close, standing behind Yugiri and Johnny so she sees they're on Yugiri's side even if some didn't like the courtesan resorting to slapping her, necessary or not.
"I don't get why all of you care so much about me… What difference does it make if I perform with you!?"
"Just look at their faces!"
Stopping herself from running her mouth once more, Sakura flinched as she obeyed Yugiri's stern plea, glancing at every zombie watching. Regardless of what they thought of Sakura, they all wear a look of sympathy, pity, and worry to her, making her really see how deep their care for her is and that they are not faking it.
"We understand that you no longer have your memories. And that your luck may be bad. But…" Yugiri begins conveying to Sakura the sorely needed words she, subconsciously, wanted to hear all along. "These are troubled times, Sakura-han. And we need you. Our bonds among the girls and bodyguards may be strong now, but without you holding us together, we would never haven't gone this far."
Glancing at Tae holding her mouth by the tips of her fingers while groaning worriedly at Sakura, Yugiri says these words she must hear. "Tae-han made me see… that if the only way for the show to be a success is without you… then I would much rather the 「seven」 of us 「fail」 together. Please… Try to understand that."
Even if she didn't show it since she looked to the floor somberly again, Sakura is taken aback by Yugiri's statement that they would like to fail altogether instead of the desired outcome. They are willing to go that route just to be by her side? Rianima and Emi's family don't appear to argue against that, signifying they accept that outcome.
"Sakura," the redhead turned to Ai Mizuno, the girl who inspired her to be an idol in the first place. "You seem to think that you and Shino are the only ones here with bad luck. But let me remind you… The rest of us are zombies too. We all died. There's not an ounce of good luck in our groups, and even if there are, it wouldn't be enough to overturn ours!" She walked closer to her before she drops this familiar saying. "I don't think mistakes or failures as 「bad」 things. That's not how it works! They always end up 「helping」 me with what happens next. And if I wanna be the 「best」 version of me, then I'll have to find a way 「over」 the hurdles."
Ai's wisdom, on top of Yugiri's speech, is what finally made Sakura let her guard down indicated by her fist loosening and letting it hang on her side. Just seeing the girls willing to side with her and that no amount of bad luck will make them think twice tugs at her heart so well. She really thought she was all alone in suffering every misfortune other than Shino, but she was so blinded in her misery she didn't acknowledged the others went through misfortune or tragedy.
Sakura wanted very much to believe in Yugiri and Ai's words, but her doubt yet remains. "Think about it guys. I could've wind up turn this show into full-on catastrophe."
"As I said before, we are well-aware." Yugiri reaffirmed their stances without reluctance.
"And if something gets wrecked, Shades can deal with it! See, problem solved!" Saki added with a grin.
With their unshakable will being made clear to Sakura, she begins considering if she should really try once more to get on stage. They're not giving up on her so easily like she was doing to Shino, so maybe… Maybe she could do it. Overcome her misfortune, or at least not let it completely take her over.
"Um, may we have a word please, Sakura?"
"Hm?"
The one who said that is Goldia stepping forward along with her sisters, mother, and two pets. Sakura lifts her face up to them. She didn't reply but quietly allowed her to say her piece. "About what those two said… I wholeheartedly agree that your bad luck can affect me, mother and my sisters if we wholeheartedly support you. However, we won't be bothered by your bad luck if it means siding with you not as your fan, but as your new friend."
Reminding herself she's Goldia's most favorite member, Sakura becomes worried over disappointing not only her, but the rest of her family for turning the upcoming show into a disaster. She conveyed this to them. "I… I could ruin the concert if all of you attend. You'll be disappointed and saddened the show might get cut off when it happens."
"Yes, I wouldn't dare ignore my reaction, but whether your show will succeed or fail, I can rest easy that all of us got to attend Franchouchou's concert and see all you seven in person!" Goldia maintained with a smile. "Like I said, we're serious on being by your side not as your fan, but as a friend."
"…You're considering me your friend already? Even though we haven't talked for long?"
Goldia nods. "Yes! We are already friends with Kakyoin, so why shouldn't I do the same to his other friends? I think I'm liking all of you, which makes me glad that we get to meet you all at last!"
Lisette huffed at her oldest sister's display of goodness. "Your selfless concern for a stranger never wavered huh? Miss Goody Two Shoes. But I wouldn't complain since your empathy is why we liked you." She let a small smile appear to let them know she meant it in a good way.
"You hear that? You better be grateful Goldia is being kind to you! Don't you dare ignore us again, alright?" Fleta's haughty remark didn't come off as sarcastic, and never did after Emi lectured her, as she shot her a smile. "You agree, right Egliette?"
"Of course. It never crossed my mind to treat her as a stranger no more." The doll replied, much to the princess' delight.
"Please don't hesitate to ask any of us if you need comfort, miss Sakura," gently assured Harpae. "I wouldn't like someone be so unhappy."
Enjel giggled, saying, "Like Fleta said, don't push your friends away again, alright? You've kept your group together all this time as they said, so it would be rude if you continue doing it!"
"Meow!"
"Hoo Hoohooooo! Hooooo! Hooohoooooo!"
"Hartzler and Lynn are singing you praises and assurances, Sakura," Emi translated their calls. Even before she did, Sakura suspected they're uttering the same kind of support. The woman gives her a smile that not even her eerie complexion detracts her good intentions and wish for her to try again. "T'was true you suffered a lot and it left you woeful to yourself and anything related to achieving even a little ounce of comfort, but… I assume you already know what I will say, but I shall not leave myself hanging regardless: I fully believe in your 「potential」 Sakura. I prithee you… Ignore your friends no longer, because they care for your well-being and are willing to repay everything you have done to them. Commit it to memory."
Sakura's eyes widen a little at that word she never believed it would be used for in a positive manner. "My… potential…"
"Not only for being a great idol singer, but as a sole member of Franchouchou who is a Stand User."
The familiar voice one may associate her with pulls her attention to the last group to speak out their reassurances for her. She sees Kakyoin took a step forward, leaving the other six hanging behind him, their smiling or staring in the stoic Mamezuku's case pretty much telling her their stances.
"Due to your second amnesia, you didn't remember what I said to you on our first, though technically second, day as fellow zombies under Tatsumi-san's employ. Whether you may remember it or not, I will say this again to let you know for sure you're not alone in our fight to save Saga: I will always be by your side," affirmed Kakyoin, placing a hand over his chest and shooting her a smile. "And while my own friends didn't interact too much to you and the girls, we are your 「bodyguards」. No matter what the future holds for us, we are all 「resolute」 in the face of hardship we will face along the way. All of us here? We are in this together."
"Did what they said have gotten through your head already, Sakura? I'm sure you did!" Narancia added with a nod.
"Our future looks bright with you accompanying us. Without you, it doesn't feel the same. So we're grateful to have you around, Sakura." Bucciarati smiled at her.
"I better not hear those words again Sakura after seeing you're stuck with us! Do your best, alright?" You can do it, I know you can!" Gyro believed.
Glancing at every zombie having made it clear to her they would never abandon her, Sakura lowered her eyes, letting her bangs obscure them. Few seconds later, they heard sniffling from her.
"*whimper* Y-You… You g-guys… *sob*"
"Oi oi. Looks like you're gonna cry." Saki stepped forward with a concerned smile.
"M-Me? Cry? I-I'm… *sob* I'm not crying. I'm… I-I'm not-" She throw her hands to her face in spite of her words, feeling the tears all over her face.
"Let it out, Sakura," gentle insisted Bucciarati, going beside her to lay his hand on her back. "Release all those bottled up emotions until you're done. Cry as long as you need to, Sakura. We won't leave you, we swear on that."
That's all she needs to hear before she starts openly crying, bawling out all her pent-up anger and sorrow to everyone. "Nnngh… U-UWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! ! ! ! !"
True to Bruno's words, everyone didn't leave her, even moving closer to her and forming a circle. Saki, Ai and Tae allow Sakura to lean on them, the former two hugging her and rubbing her back to comfort her. Her crying is so strong that some of them, specifically Junko, Lily, Narancia, Goldia, Harpae and Enjel shed few tears. They may not know how her experience went for many years and how much grief Sakura was holding all this time over having to suffer misfortune after misfortune, alone and having nobody to relate on until now. However, what they do know for sure is that they would stay by her side through thick and thin, never wavering in their stance even if fate may punish them by just associating with her.
Many minutes later, Sakura's crying has calmed down enough that she's sniffling. She removes her hand off her wet face.
"There we go… Feelin' better, Sakura?" Saki patted her back with a concerned smile.
"I-I… I think so…" Sakura replied, wiping off more tears with her finger. "But honestly… I'm still feeling… *sniffs* not okay."
"Keep yourself together. We're all here for you." Ai assured her, hand placed on Sakura's shoulder.
"Mmmmggghhh…" Tae gently nibbles her head to soothe her more.
Even if she continues sobbing quietly, a small smile appears on Sakura's face as she didn't dare ignore them any more after listening them declare their support and conviction for her. Her smile didn't go unnoticed by her peers, lifting their spirits up. They chose to stay silent though because it would be redundant, just seeing her smile is enough.
"If you're still feeling sad Sakura," suddenly spoke Johnny, directing Slow Dancer to face her. "Maybe Gyro can cheer you up through cracking a joke. He's fond of it just to let you know."
"Ohhh yeah! And what perfect timing!" Gyro exclaimed in anticipation as he gets off Valkyrie to stand up. "I have already created a joke that I'm sure your lungs will burst out laughing!"
To those who knew Gyro's penchant for (un)funny jokes either winced or chuckled nervously over what kind of joke he's going to say, while those who didn't know, mostly from Emi's family, stared at the Italian cowboy in curiosity or skepticism. Regardless of their feelings, they are morbidly eager to hear him, and he intends to cheer Sakura up soooo… They decide to bite.
"What… joke is it, Gyro-san?" Sakura asked, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief given by Goldia.
"For this joke, I'm opting to use verbal communication," informed Gyro. "Better watch closely all of you, or you'll never get what my joke is." Smiling giddily, he begins showing his joke.
BGM: Cheerful Journey – Stardust Crusaders OST (World)
First, he claps his hands, then he flashes a peace sign, connect his index finger and thumb to form a circle, and lastly, puts his hands over the brim of his hat like he's looking at something.
…
…
…
"Pantsu maru mie. (I can see your underwear)" Kakyoin pops up behind Gyro to correctly guess his verbal joke, something he was familiar of.
"Hahaha! You got it!" Gyro singed his praises to Kakyoin as the two claps their hands then, with their eyes shaded and gaining a serious look on their faces, rub and clash their fists a few times before finishing their weird gesture by smacking both of their fists together.
The group pretty much react as usual, some of them giving Gyro a confused or dirty look while others, specifically the prudish ones, blushed after guessing his crass joke, while the rest opt for a deadpan or blank look. "Of all the jokes you showed to us, you chose one that is inappropriate?" Bucciarati lightly scolded with a raised eyebrow.
"Never thought I would see that same joke again…" Avdol cryptically said, remembering it was Polnareff who made the joke.
"Wow. That suuuuuure is funny, Gyro. I admit, a verbal joke is new, and it really seemed special. Your punchline is really funny, in case you're wondering." Johnny shakes his head after indulging himself in a sarcastic response, which flies over Gyro's head as he stared at Johnny excitedly.
"I knew you wouldn't let me down with that kind of reaction! It's not my first time actually, but I definitely had a blast making it!"
"Seriously, can't you see Johnny-san is being sarcastic?" Lily's statements fell on deaf ears as Gyro praised himself with a toothed smile. "I wonder why he remains dense to his sarcasms."
"A-At least he's having fun, right?" Junko said, her face blushing up a storm after she immediately guessed his joke and heard Kakyoin correctly said it.
"Oh my. That is an inappropriate joke you made, Gyro…" Emi sighs, shaking her head disapprovingly. She's covering Fleta's ears to spare her the punchline, confusing her. Goldia has also covered Enjel's ears, who's also blushing like Junko. "There are young girls in your vicinity."
"W-We would like it if you chose any joke that is not indecent." Goldia agreed with a sheepish expression.
"Huh? What… What joke did that man with a golden teeth make, Goldia? And why did you cover my ears?" Enjel innocently asked. Harpae and Lisette moved close to her and Fleta to shake their heads, silently telling them to forget it.
"…Oh. I get it. P-Pfft… It's… It's actually f-funny."
Everyone stops what they are doing to look at Sakura, who has her cheeks puffed as she tries to contain her laughter with both hands near her mouth and waist. Eventually, she couldn't hold it in anymore so she bellows out in hilarity, hugging her waist as she didn't expect she would be laughing so hard. "Ahahahahahahaha! Y-Your joke, and doing a w-weird celebratory gesture with K-Kakyoin… I-It's s-s-so f-funny! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
They are really surprised Sakura is reacting well to Gyro's joke intending to cheer her up, and it would work. In spite of the unexpected result, they let themselves relax and smile at Sakura, relieved she has her spirits raised.
She was laughing so much she couldn't hold her balance and would have fell if not for Saki grabbing her shoulders. "Hey, whoa there! Take it easy Sakura! You almost fell on your butt while laughing." She told her.
"Ahahaha, o-oh! I-I'm sorry!" Sakura realized she looks silly in front of them so she gradually stops laughing, inhaling a lot of air when she's now chuckling. "Huh… That's the biggest laugh I ever did. It was unexpected, but I'm glad I did." She chuckled as she stands up straight. She turns to Gyro and expresses these, "Thank you Gyro-san, Kakyoin-san. Your joke helped lift up my mood even though it's actually a little indecent. I'm still feeling nervous, but it's not as prominent as it was before."
"Hey, no worries!" Gyro smiled openly. "Just wanted to cheer up a friend!"
"That's right. Seeing your spirits roused up is enough for us," replied Kakyoin with a simple smile. "It's like the Sakura we know has returned."
With Sakura having cheered up thanks to everyone's support and assurances, they are very happy she's starting to feel better. They are aware she's not out of her depression yet, but seeing her willingness to pull herself away from the gray clouds that are obscuring her the whole time ever since her past memories returned fills them hope that Number One will ultimately come back. If her bad luck do rub off of them, they shall take it in a stride if it means being always by her side. It is unknown how bad it is having misfortune strike them from this point forward. Few of them are anxious and uncertain over how it will go. Despite this, they are not gonna complain because they will march straight to their hard-earned victory with their heads held up high.
First things first. They must find Shino quick. Sakura is really worried and determined to find him in order to save him next. She and Emi hopes they can pull him out of his own misery and free him from the ichor's hold, this time without killing him. With their next goal in mind, Franchouchou, Rianima, and Emi's family proceed to move forward further in the mirror hallway.
"HUUUUUH!? RUN BY THAT TO ME AGAIN?"
BGM Stops
However, a melodramatic voice stops them from moving as they flinched. "Huh? Who shouted just now?" Ai asked.
"It's not us!" Narancia raised his hands up in defense. "All of us don't sound like the loud voice we heard about!"
"Hmm, I believe you're right," Yugiri taps her chin in thought. "I know how you boys sounded and I can confirm the voice we heard seconds ago didn't match any of you. Although it sounded… familiar…"
"Familiar?" Kakyoin parroted before they hear it again.
"You…! You're gonna leave before we could commence the start of our project!? After you contributed so much to it!? W-What has gotten into you!? I know you said you'll only stay temporarily, but it seems absurd you're leaving so soon!"
The two groups turn to each other in confusion, all wondering why the voice and manner of speech sounds so familiar… then it hit them.
ドドドドドドドド
"Wait! It's… Kotaro-san's voice we're hearing!" Junko exclaimed with a gasp.
"K-Kotaro Tatsumi!?" Johnny and Avdol repeated in surprise, shared by the others.
"Kotaro Tatsumi? You're talking about your manager, right?" Goldia questioned curiously.
"That is odd. Mister Kotaro was left behind in the real world as of now," added Emi. "Why are we hearing his voice here in the Castle of Glass if he is not with us?" She punctuated this question.
"…You're sure about this?" "Kotaro's" voice was heeded thrice, sounding like he's asking someone. "I do respect your decision, and I'm glad we partnered up so you can provide me and the girls protection against the threat you told me about, but… Wouldn't it be nice if you can stay for at least one day, until all 「fourteen」 zombies have wake up? That way, you can get to see them regain their minds back like if they're still alive!"
Emi's group is naturally confused over "Kotaro's" statement. Not so much for the two groups familiar to him, most of whom are surprised to hear "him" mention fourteen zombies and are wondering what is he talking about.
"Fourteen zombies? That's… us, right?" Sakura inquired, facing her groupmates.
"Yeah. Who else could he be referring to?" Lily answered.
"Wait, now that 'he' said it…" Mamezuku spoke up, snatching everyone's attention. "We all still don't know the identity of Kotaro's partner who brought our bodies to him to create a bodyguard team to protect Franchouchou. From what I can tell from 'his' statements, I think he could be speaking to his unknown partner, who may have told Kotaro that he wants to leave."
"His partner?" Bucciarati ruminate over the implication. "But, isn't that… 「odd」?"
"Odd? Why do you say that?" Saki raised an eyebrow.
"Since we don't know Kotaro's partner to this day, and based on what this 'Kotaro' is saying to someone Mamezuku believes to be his partner…" He began. "Why are we hearing it in Shino's 「domain」?"
Franchouchou and Rianima rose in attention when they heard that. They now agree that hearing Kotaro's voice in the Castle of Glass is really strange. What reason could there be, and why are they hearing him when he was left behind in the real world?
"Ah! Everyone, look!" Emi raised her voice unexpectedly. "Another memory! In the mirror!"
"Memory?" The two groups repeated as they turn to the mirror Emi is pointing at. She and her family are already staring at it, leaving the groups to look at the mirror last. On the mirror's screen, it shows Kotaro in full, facing a silhouetted figure, possibly the partner Mamezuku mentioned. No background details are provided, but some of them can hazard a guess over where that Memory-Kotaro could be in.
"Is… that so? I… didn't know. This is the first time I learned you were on borrowed time," 'Kotaro' expressed his condolences surprisingly, shooting what appeared to be a look of sympathy to the silhouette. "You said you don't have much left? Hmm, well I guess there's no changing your mind. If that's your decision, then I won't interfere anymore. It sucks you won't be around to see the seven 「idols」 and 「bodyguards」 waking up and doing their part to save Saga. The most you'll get from them is watching them prowl around as zombies. But hey, at least you did see them."
Idols? Bodyguards? Saving Saga? Why are those terms being heard from what they know for sure is a sixth memory? If this is Shino's memory, then the fact Kotaro Tatsumi is in it and those words are heard makes it sounds like the manager/necromancer is talking to…
"…Huh? Waaaaaaait, waitwaitwaitwaitwaitwait." Narancia suddenly lets out, backing away from the mirror. "Um, guys…? Am I… the only one who might have guessed what Kotaro is talking to, right?" He chuckled nervously. "Please say yes! 'Cause I can feel relieved I was only crazy, hahaha."
The wide-eyed look Franchouchou and Rianima are giving Narancia indicates they have the same guess as him. Narancia's face fell, knowing well what they are thinking about.
"You're not crazy in thinking it, Narancia," Mamezuku almost muttered, also really shocked. "If what we strongly suspect about the nature behind this memory is true…"
"It matches up what you and I said about our speculation on why we're hearing Tatsumi's voice." Bucciarati finished, slowly turning back to the memory.
Junko stared to him, then to the rest of Rianima, in shock as she in disbelief says, "No… No way. Are you telling us that… Kotaro's partner… and the one who most likely brought you seven… is…"
Emi's family grow more confused and concerned over why the zombies are so surprised that none of them, even the wild Tae, want open their mouth. "Kotaro's partner? All of you have already figured out who he is?" Emi asked, unable to look away from their quiet shock.
"Yes we have," confirmed Kakyoin. "And it's actually someone we all knew, especially to you and Sakura here."
"Eh?" Emi blinked.
They wanted to ask more, but then they notice the memory continues, pulling their attention to it again. Maybe watching it will confirm who Kotaro's partner really is.
"Well then, guess this is goodbye. I hope you spent your last day happy, and checking off your bucket list if you have one," Kotaro shakes hands with the figure with a sincere smile. "Just remember: being a zombie doesn't mean you should wallow in a corner until you die."
"…I remember, Tatsumi-san," the figure finally responds in a very familiar voice and tone, returning the hand shake and locking themselves in that position. "I'll… try to keep it in mind. Please say hi to Kakyoin and the six Stand Users in my name, okay?"
Afterwards, the silhouetted figure's instantly unveiled, showing his Victorian-inspired clothing with a dash of gothic touch.
ドドン
To say the twenty zombies are very, very shocked to see Kotaro's partner in the flesh at last is an understatement.
"T-That's…! It's 「Shino」!" Fleta shouted, unable to contain her surprise.
"What?! Are you sure it's 「Shino」!?" Harpae quickly inquired since she couldn't see the memory's contents.
"Yes. That's him. It's really him! Kotaro-han's 「partner」!" Yugiri covered her open mouth as she answered her.
Silence prevails over everyone as they stared wide-eyed at the unmistakable sight of Shino Wakefield shaking hands with Kotaro Tatsumi. Even if the colors are muted due to the memory appearing in a hologram-like state on the mirror, they couldn't forget his face and image whether they want to or not.
…
…
…
…
"Shocking, isn't it? Kotaro's partner who assisted him in ensuring the zombie girls' safety by bringing seven Stand Users is none other than us."
As soon as they heard a spine-chilling voice from behind, the large group spins around on their feet. Standing before them is a really disheveled-looking man caked in blood, calmly staring at every zombie in his vicinity.
! ? !
BGM: Third Bomb (Diamond is Unbreakable OST)
In an instant, nine Stand Users assembled in front of the zombie girls, ushering them to take cover which they followed immediately. Even with alertness rushing through their undead bodies, they didn't forget to study the man before them. That is when they let out gasps when they recognized who the man is, made apparent from Emi and Sakura.
ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ
"Shino!?" Both girls shouted in unison.
The disheveled man recognized to be Shino thanks to his exquisite clothing similar to those worn by Emi's family glances to the two when he heard them say his name. Or in his view, their former name.
"Shino? Heh heh heh heh. My apologies, but we don't go by that name anymore after I finally took over our body."
"What? W-What are you saying?" Sakura pointlessly questioned in confusion.
"And… you said 'we'. Who are you referring to other than you?" Kakyoin added, glaring hard to him.
Emi's eyes go wide after she perceived a strong sensation radiating out of his body and studied the amount of stained blood in his person. Looking straight into his red eyes, she made a terrifying connection. "No… What…What have you done to Shino!? You…! Did you-!"
Everyone glances to Emi after her little outburst, only to snap their attention to "Shino" again when he chuckled ominously. "His soul is resting inside me. I couldn't kill him quick even after I forcibly wrench control to his body. But please do not worry. He will be free from this shell in about an hour so I'm the only one who can have this body…"
More chills are sent to their spines the more they hear his polite-sounding tone of a voice. Even with Tae unable to properly comprehend well, she shares everyone's thoughts that the… abomination using Shino's body like a puppet is hiding malicious intentions behind his faux-politeness.
Rianima immediately guesses what this all means, with Kakyoin asking, "Who the hell are you!? Are you the 「ichor」 possessing Shino's body!?"
"Shino" smiled widely, his face lowered in a way his irises are pointed upward and his smile looking terrifying. "Yes. The same blood that allowed Shino to survive as an undead in the first place. As for our name?" He snaps his fingers, causing the current surroundings to disperse, leaving them all in a featureless black space devoid of stars. Everyone didn't have time to think about the sudden disappearance of the hall of mirrors as their upcoming opponent reveals their new name.
"We… are… Xero."
To be continued
Finished!
What a shocking reveal it is, right? Kotaro's unknown partner/benefactor who brought the seven Stand Users to him so he could resurrect them back to create a bodyguard group for the zombie idols and informed him about their histories and the enemy Stands attacking Saga is none other than the story's main antagonist and Rianima's target, Shino Wakefield! I'm so glad I finally revealed it after every foreshadowing I wrote in the past chapters! This plot twist had persisted ever since I drafted the general outline of the fanfic in my mind about three years ago, and aside from some minor details being changed, it never changed nor did I abandon it. As to what Shino being Kotaro's partner all along and having brought six JoBros and one JoJo, presumably after learning who they are, mean, I'll explain more come post-final fight.
We also see Sakura finally lowering her guard after Franchouchou, Rianima, and Emi's family made it clear to her that they would rather suffer misfortune with her than carry along without her. It's already heartwarming in the original episode, but I think I made this scene more uplifting and poignant by having Emi, Goldia and her sisters, and finally Rianima add their own encouraging words after Yugiri, Ai, and Saki spoke. I also thought of making Sakura cry, which I admit, made me sad and took pity on her more. I'm sure that when Sakura finally summons her Stand, it will bring a lot of catharsis and clarity to her that in spite of going through many misfortune in her life and undeath, her efforts bear fruit in the end and what her friends told her being vindicated.
That's right, in a later chapter, Sakura Minamoto will awaken her own Stand! What I will say next goes into minor spoiler territory, but she will awaken her Stand when it looks like it's all over for her after most of the zombies are compromised. I'm very excited to be showing what her Stand is! I already decided what her ability is months ago, and I'm still picturing what it will look like, which it will take after Sakura's form. That's all I can say about her Stand is everyone, so please forgive me for being vague.
And as you have seen in the last part of the chapter, Xero shows up before the zombies. And yes, the ichor is using the alias Shino used when he confronted Franchouchou and Rianima back in Mt. Tenzan. Before you speculate over what the words are implying, I must inform you that the ichor itself isn't in control of Shino's body and soul yet back then. Yes, it is true the ichor is keeping Shino alive as a zombie and it had influenced his behavior and actions enough he brought Rianima's bodies to Kotaro in a roundabout attempt of having them kill him by attacking Franchouchou and, to a lesser extent, Saga, but at that time, it was not active until Emi found Shino and unintentionally reunite with him. At that point, it no longer stayed dormant and was working on seizing Shino's body to fully control him.
Now, you might be wondering what the deal of the ichor is? Well if you want to know how it, and the upcoming battle, will work, think of it as like the symbiote from Spider-Man. In fact, I was inspired to go with the route of a blood as an amorphous being originating from Ira, who I designated her as like the creator of the symbiotes in the comics, Knull. I can thank Spider-Man 2 PS5 for giving me the idea of a hostile bloodform taking control over their host like Venom did to Harry after completing it.
Alright, I should stop here. Thank you for taking your time reading the author's notes, everyone. In the meantime, I think I would like to go back and re-edit certain chapters by fixing the grammar, change some parts of each chapters, and include small scenes involving the Pocket Mirror characters so their eventual inclusion to the plot isn't a little abrupt. Oh, this goes the same to Emi and Shino too, after I figured out what my two OCs are like and how they act within the fanfic's lore incorporarting the three lores of JJBA, ZLS, and PM/LGTS.
Speaking about my OCs, are you enjoying them? Liked their own roles in the story? If you didn't like them, do you believe their presence in the story is a bit too much and might be prone to overshadowing the casts? I hope I didn't made them too prominent because I created these two with the lore of the three franchises in mind so they could fit within any of those three. Well mostly JoJo and ZLS since those two anime are the main meat of the story. Whether your opinions about them is either positive or negative, I hope you appreciate Emi and Shino and what they bring here, especially when the fanfic is completed.
See you next chapter, everyone! Oh, don't forget to leave a review if you like! Hope you have a good day/night and have been staying safe and healthy!