Disclaimer: I do not own the properties of Kill la Kill or any of the works that belong to Kasuki Nakashima that are related to the Trigger company. I only own the canon original characters that are in the story and this is not used for any advertisement or profit, it is only for entertainment.
CHAPTER 6: To Have or Not to Have, her Sisterhood
[KIRYŪIN MANOR]
In the dead of night, the helicopter flies to the Kiryūin family's home. Satsuki waits patiently for the helicopter to land at the house where she can retrieve the family heirloom. While doing so, Satsuki was looking at a tablet with her eyes scanning the screen. She is watching her sister, Akane, who is eating dinner while studying. Regarding privacy, it would be illegal to spy on someone via a satellite camera, but not for Satsuki. She's always keeping an eye on Akane.
Her little sister refuses to put up a fight in the school. It makes her sick to think about how her mother could allow such a person like Akane to be a part of the family. It was revolting to watch Akane try to act like a normal person. She felt the helicopter touch down on the helipad. Satsuki places the tablet aside and takes the Bakuzan with her.
She strode ahead on the walkway with a firm resolve on her face, the servants of the manor bowing to the girl. She could hardly notice their presence; her thoughts were focused on taking the prize in the family. In such a large manor, the Kiryūin family is stinking rich, enabling them to create a marble hallway with the servants bowing their heads to the family heir.
Of course, some secrets lie within the family house when it comes to wealth and power. Satsuki comes across a giant metal door with a large sign that reads, "Keep Out." Restricted Area." Mitsuzō was well behind her as needed to aid her with anything. She knows what is behind the metal door.
When she opens it, there is no turning back. Satsuki dials the code first and then presses her thumb on the scanner to capture her biometric fingerprints. The door hinges open once the scanner turns green, allowing alarms to blare off around her. The metal clinking of the doors reveals to Satsuki the stairs that lead her down to the underground levels of the manor.
Her eyes show no fear or hesitant feelings in the dark of the stairwell as she descends further down, Satsuki's butler keeping pace with her from behind. She heard more loud steps from above as her heels clicked on the floor. She was well aware of the vault's protective nature. Two guards rush in and block Satsuki from entering the vault.
"Stop!" the one guard ordered.
"You can't. We have orders not to let anyone through here, not even to you, Lady Satsuki." The other guard said, Satsuki scoffing.
"Stand aside," Satsuki ordered.
"We can't, milady."
WHAM!
SMACK!
In one swoop, the guards got their guts smashed by the sheathed Bakuzan, knocking them to the ground. Satsuki was determined to retrieve the prize no matter what it took.
"I don't have time to argue with idiots like you." Satsuki walked forward, coming to the final door at the lowest level of the manor. She stops at another set of metal doors; motion sensors detect her presence and slide themselves open. The clanking gears hadn't been moved for ages, shifting with the noise of the clattering metal. The dim light from the tunnel illuminates a raised, cabinet-like container. Satsuki places her hand on the final scanner, and a soft beep confirms her biometrics.
The cabinet opens smoothly, with steam venting out of the system. Despite being dark at the lower levels, the red light inside of the cabinet was as clear as day—a set of airtight clothes holders within the cabinet, each containing a specific uniform.
By looking at it, Satsuki can sense the energy radiating through the entire area with an intense burst of beauty. It was the one she had been dreaming of for years. "I've come for you, Junketsu," Satsuki said, lightly brushing her hand along the holder, keeping the Kamui inside.
[JUNKETSU]
Junketsu is the first Kamui to exist. It is a white-and-blue sailor uniform. Unlike a regular sailor uniform worn for schools or the Goku Uniform, Junketsu is more militaristic and regale, with a high collar covering the entire neck, shoulder epaulets, and gold adornments along the sides. The neck label on the uniform appears to have a set of red and orange-yellow lines underneath. A blue metal band with three clasps is attached to the upper left side of the sleeve.
As Satsuki looked at Junketsu admirably, footsteps clapped the stairs until they stopped. A smaller, stout man with black hair and eyes, wearing bespectacled glasses, appears before the lady at the vault entrance. He is very angry with Satsuki.
"How could you just stand by and let this happen? Soroi, explain yourself!" The man shouted. Soroi, Satsuki's butler, merely turned without a change in expression.
"Well, if it isn't Master Kuroido," Mitsuzō greeted.
"Lady Satsuki, you know your mother has forbidden anyone from removing that outfit!" Now please, return it to the containment unit," Kuroido informed, but Satsuki would not heed the warning.
Satsuki does not even look back, but one could feel the annoyance of the stoic girl. "I will not," she refused.
"Ugh, this won't do! The care of this manor has been entrusted to me, Kuroido Takichi, steward to the Kiryūin family!" Kuroido protested. "Even if youarethe lady of the house, I cannot allow such willful behavior!"
[KIRYŪIN FAMILY STEWARD]
[TAKICHI KUROIDO]
"Cannot allow it? Who do you think you're talking to?" Satsuki questioned, lights flickering on and illuminating her, shining the boldness of her actions. Satsuki had unstripped herself of her clothes in a quick span of seconds.
"A lady is trying to get changed here," Satsuki said. "Get out, you peasant." Regarding Satsuki's privacy, Kuroido and Mitsuzō cover their eyes to avoid seeing her bodily form.
"Lady Satsuki, you're not really going to try the Kamui on?!" Kuroido shouted, straying his eyes away from her.
Satsuki couldn't care less about what the others would think. She is going to put Junketsu on. "I'm not just trying it on. I am fulfilling my ambition!" Satsuki ripped the plastic seal open with a quick grab.
"Please, milady! If you put it on now, you may not survive it!" Kuroido warned.
"Calm yourself," Satsuki replied. "Clothing is meant to be worn." She slightly unsheathes her Bakuzan and runs a finger along its sharp edges. Her finger drips with blood leaking from the tip as she holds Junketsu in her arm. Hovering her finger above Junketsu, her blood slowly drips onto the fabric, allowing it to soak in. "Now, take my blood, Junketsu. It is the eternal vow between you and me, the crimson thread of our covenant."
Every drop of red fades into the fabric as it falls on. The fabric absorbs the blood, infusing it into the clothing. As the blood disappears into the fabric, Junketsu responds with a vicious awakening. The "eyes" on the collar snap "open," and then Junketsu suddenly latches onto Satsuki like a wild animal.
It was tight. Very tight. Satsuki can feel her chest constrict to the point of pain from Junketsu's obsession. She groans in pain as Junketsu wraps around her. Her limbs stiffen as she touches the fabric of the Kamui, restricting her lungs. It's making it hard for her to breathe. She holds on, but the more she resists the entity, the harder it becomes to breathe. It's just as she imagined. The power of the Kamui is so great that Junketsu was bending her back over, making her grunt in pain.
"Lady Satsuki!" Kuroido and Mitsuzō gasped, calling out in fear for Satsuki's safety.
Satsuki refuses to let something like Junketsu be in control. She is the wearer, and Junketsu is clothes. She snaps her back forward and holds on to the cabinet. "Hold your tongues and watch!" Satsuki shouted, gritting her teeth. "'Ask not the sparrow how the eagle soars!' You aspire to nothing more than the thoughts of commoners!" Satsuki keeps herself in control of her body, refusing to submit to something like Junketsu. "I will not allow anyone to beat me to my own ambition! My will is absolute!" Her words declare the solemn vow of her resolve. She wants Junketsu to be the only Kamui with supreme power. Satsuki's will to make Junketsu bend causes blue light to pulse from the Kamui, and sparks flare off all over the area.
"A Kamui is just clothing! And I shall make it bow to my will!"With her iron-willed resolve, Satsuki let out an agonizing roar as she stood, the silhouette of Junketsu's true form growing within the ball of light. She was close. Junketsu was almost hers. It was like a raging animal that needed to submit to its master. Satsuki bellowed so loud that her voice shook the room as the ball of light shot upwards, blue stars glinting to an almost blinding degree.
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The wind blew right through the broken window in Akane's living room. The first-year girl felt a sudden chill that made her shiver. It was freezing, so she took another sip of her hot chocolate to warm herself up.
"Brrrr. " It's kind of cold today," Akane said, almost to herself. The only light source was a candle that lit the living room. She notices that the crescent moon is shining brightly through her window. Looking up at the clear night sky, Akane cannot help but admire the beautiful crescent moon, which causes a small smile on her mouth. "But tonight's kind of beautiful, isn't it?" Her eyes stayed up, looking at the moon for the rest of the night.
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The following day, Akane was woken by a thunderous rumble. Whatever makes a small quake seems to shake Akane awake. She looked over her shoulder, seeing it was past 7:20. She felt another rumble in her home. The windows rattled with every thunderous tremble. The sound of rumbling echoed throughout the entire No-Star district. She kept wondering what was causing tremors. If it is an earthquake, she can't help it. She lives right on the coast. If the booms came from within Hōnno City, then so be it. The city was practically floating on water, its unstable structure built by the Kiryūin family estate.
Despite these tremors, they don't seem to bother her daily routine. She toasts bread in her solar-powered makeshift oven, brushes her teeth, ties her hair with pins, and puts on her uniform.
It was an average morning for her. She hurries to pick up something for her lunch and then takes the trolley up to the academy. She notices that the sky is still cloudy. The trolley was empty, leaving her to herself—the trolley bucked to a halt on top of the school. Akane exits and heads to her class. As Akane steps out, she happens to notice that there are several bodies of No-Stars, all groaning in pain, and some can't be sure if they are alive or dead.
"What the…?" Akane inquired. "What the hell happened here?"
Akane comes to one of the First-Year No-Stars and helps him sit up. "Hey, are you okay?" The student didn't answer and ended up falling back down. She can hear something mumbling from the student. It was gibberish at first, but then Akane got a better hearing of what the student was saying.
"Huh? What was that?" Akane asked again.
"S-so powerful…" the student grunted. "So…much…body…."
Akane blinked in confusion, unsure of what the student meant. Then, the only thing that came to her mind was Ryūko and her sailor uniform lingerie. "Ryūko?" she realized. The first-year girl strides herself to the school courtyard. It was right there that her answers were what awaited.
Some powerful force practically destroyed the courtyard. The walls around the school had giant craters as big as a truck. Bodies of students lie everywhere around the ground. Some had cut slices, and the school building seemed to have a giant hole in one of them.
"What the hell?" Akane uttered, her back sweaty from feeling the shock after seeing the near destruction of the courtyard. She slowly walks around to avoid the bodies, hearing some muttering things describing the female body and such power that drives them over the wall. She scans the courtyard, noticing a massive ring formed at the center, seemingly created by Ryūko, standing tall with her crimson-red scissor blade in front of many students.
"Ryūko?" Akane wondered. She saw the red staircase from the pedestal, already being released to the courtyard.
"And speaking of my word, I trust you will not try to be too hard on my little stepsister right here." Akane freezes up after hearing Satsuki mention her name. "Perhaps she could be useful to you, but it'll be a waste of time if you even try." She doesn't even know what a Kamui is, let alone what Junketsu is anyway." This time, Akane stands still in her place, spotting Ryūko turning her head to look at her.
The girl has no idea what to say or how to respond to Ryūko now that she is fully aware of her relationship with Satsuki. Ryūko moves away from the ring crater and approaches the first-year girl. Akane has taken a better look at the lingerie mode Ryūko has in her uniform, noticing the few clear differences from the last time she saw it.
The new-look Ryūko is donning has changed from yesterday. Her hair becomes slightly longer and has more flair than when she first transformed. The single red highlight Ryūko had seems to extend under her lower hairline and has horn-like clips on her head. The uniform appears larger than before, with the under collar extending into winged crests that jut out from the shoulders and the upper and lower parts transforming into a black, streamlined suit of armor featuring red stripes. The skirt seems to have metal spikes at the end.
Akane is stiff to the bone, thinking of what might happen now. Will Ryūko ignore her like the others and leave her alone? Does Ryuko hate her now because she is Satsuki Kiryūin's stepsister? Ryūko's stern gaze makes it hard to tell. Akane stays silent and then waits for Ryūko to respond. It seemed like forever that they both stood in the middle of the courtyard, unresponsive to one another.
After a minute, Ryūko makes the decision. She seems to deactivate the uniform and go back to its regular mode. She walks past Akane, leaving her behind in the courtyard. Akane kept her eyes on Ryūko until she disappeared behind the front. She wants to call out to Ryūko, but deep down, she knows Ryūko will not respond because she is related to Satsuki.
It hurts Akane. It was the day she feared the most. Just as she was making new friends again, Ryūko ended up leaving her like the others from middle school. She had no one now. She was all alone. Akane turns around to head over to class when she bumps into someone.
"Oomph, I'm sorry," Akane apologized, unaware that the person she bumped into was Gamagōri. "Oh, Gamagōri-senpai." She backs up and adjusts her tie to look pleasant in front of the Disciplinary Committee Chair. "I didn't see you there."
Gamagōri's stone-like towers overshadow the girl in ego. "Lady Satsuki has requested your presence immediately," he said, much to Akane's surprise.
"Now?" Akane turns to the half-destroyed school building. "But I have the first period."
"That's already been taken care of," Gamagōri replied.
Akane didn't respond to the statement from Gamagōri, raising one eyebrow in curiosity.
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Satsuki stood in front of the window, overviewing the entire school courtyard. She was lost in thought, recalling the events of her youth. It was right before Akane came into her life, the day she had her talk with her own father, her real father. He had a special wedding dress made for her, saying it would be hers one day. She cannot comprehend the idea of another dress with something more powerful than a Goku Uniform. To think that Ryūko Matoi has a Kamui designed specifically for her needs, suited even to the best of her Two-Stars.
It somehow infuriates her. She can't think of anyone else but herself to be the first to wear a Kamui. Junketsu was the first Kamui that the Kiryūin family created, but Ryūko had worn the Kamui of her own, and she wore it for the first time.
As she stares out the window, Satsuki hears the doors being opened from behind and turns around, watching Gamagōri and Akane strolling into the room. She was expected to talk with her sister after settling the matter with Ryūko.
Gamagōri crosses one arm across his chest and slightly bows his head. "Lady Satsuki, as you requested, I have brought Little Miss Akane over to see you," he informed.
"Leave us," Satsuki ordered. "I wish to speak with my little stepsister alone." Gamagōri follows her order and about-faces to march away, leaving the two stepsiblings alone.
Akane was unsure what to say to Satsuki, who stood on the higher ground watching the courtyard being repaired.
"Uh…" Akane breaks the ice. "You wished to see me, sister?"
Without turning her head, Satsuki begins her conversation with Akane. "Tell me, Akane," she said. "Do you know why Goku Uniforms exist?"
Akane shrugged. "I don't know. Do they create power or something?" She carefully clarifies her understanding of the purpose of the Goku Uniforms. "I heard that you built them for combat, so I assume you wanted to take over other schools with the power of the Goku Uniforms."
"They are power," Satsuki replied. "And do you know how I created these Goku Uniforms?"
Akane shook her head.
Satsuki finally turns her head around to stare at her sister. "It is because we have the tools and the technology to create these uniforms," she said. She walks down the steps from her higher ground and faces Akane eye-to-eye. Akane seems to notice the new outfit Satsuki has donned to herself. It's a lot different than yesterday.
What's more perplexing are those sets of colors that resemble eyes. "Come, little stepsister," Satsuki insisted. "I have something to show you." Akane is now getting curious by the second. She can't be sure what Satsuki wants to show her. Satsuki is a secretive sister; she would never even let Akane be informed of the school's rules until she called her. It must mean something big.
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In the strangest places of Honnōji Academy, Akane follows her sister to a secret laboratory she had no idea the school had. She is aware that the Sewing Club has been established in the school. Still, she never knew the club had its place to test and design experimental Goku Uniforms.
"Do you know that human clothing is made of 70% polyester?" she questioned.
When Akane shook her head, Satsuki continued without looking back. "In Goku Uniforms, we used very strong polyester ten times more durable than normal polyester. It is because these pigs in human clothing need to know their place. They need to know who is the master of this school." While Satsuki spoke, Akane looked around the dark laboratory where the Goku Uniforms were manufactured on an assembly line. She finds it amazing how the school is making such a powerful uniform as these clothes.
"What is this place, sister?" Akane asked.
"Our lab," Satsuki answered. "This is where we design and manufacture our own uniforms for the students here at Honnōji Academy." She glanced and watched the students move in their uniforms during production.
"I always marveled at how the schools make our students wear these military-inspired uniforms." She leads Akane to a catwalk above the lines of students from the Sewing Club making the Goku Uniforms from hand. "The boys with the high-collar uniforms come from the army, and the girls' sailor uniforms come from the navy. In our country, these uniforms the youth are forced to wear are for learning, but in Honnōji Academy, we designed these uniforms for combat." Satsuki leads Akane to the one person monitoring the process of manufacturing Goku Uniforms.
Akane has never met anyone like this one. He's probably from the Sewing Club. He is taller than Akane but not as tall as Satsuki. He is a slender individual with long, yellow-blond hair that falls to his upper back, tied back in a ponytail, while two long, split bangs are positioned on either side of his face. He wears oval-shaped glasses over his golden eyes. Akane is curious to know why he would wear a transparent, clear orange mask covering the bottom half of his face.
"Akane, allow me to introduce you to the Sewing Club President, Shirō Iori," Satsuki announced.
Shirō greets the two sisters, his arm crossing his chest, and bows to the council president. "A pleasure to meet you again, Little Akane," he greeted.
[SEWING CLUB PRESIDENT]
[SHIRŌ IORI]
Akane had no memory of meeting Iori at any given time. "Have we met before?" she asked.
Iori stood up straighter and then said, "Oh, right. This is the first time we've met in person." His eyes rolled over to Satsuki. "You once told me you had a stepsister but never told her about my uncle."
"Uncle?"
"Shirō Iori is Mitsuzō Soroi's nephew," Satsuki revealed.
Akane soon realizes how Iori knows her despite never having met in person. "As in our butler's nephew?" She looked at Iori. "Is Mr. Mitsuzō your uncle?"
Iori adjusts his glasses. "I shouldn't be surprised," he said. "You have been in the dark for as long as Satsuki graduated middle school." He turns back to the computer monitors to survey the package of the cargo Satsuki has requested. "Anyways, it looks like the fresh batch of Life Fibers are ready to be woven."
"Good," Satsuki replied.
The first-year girl is starting to be bewildered by the conversation. Shirō and Satsuki seem to be talking like old friends and nothing more. She wonders what else Satsuki is not telling her. "What are Life Fibers?" she asks.
Satsuki and Shirō heard Akane's question, making them turn their heads toward the girl. Akane felt herself stiffen as if two officers were observing her. Satsuki turns her head and gestures the hand holding the Bakuzan to the right. "Let me show you what they are," she said.
The younger stepsister followed her older stepsister into a dark, ambiguous room. She had no idea what kind of room Satsuki would take her to. Her back was starting to sweat with anxiety, making her fingers twitch every step of the way. Satsuki placed her hand on the scanner to have her biometrics verified. The device beeped loudly, allowing the door to slide open. Once the doors slid open, a bright red light illuminated the dark hallways, causing Akane to cover her eyes from the intense light.
"Behold, little stepsister," Satsuki said. "The answer to your question." She enters the other side of the door, making Akane follow closely behind her. Akane was astonished at what her sister showed her as she adjusted her sight. She was expecting something big, but her expectations were somewhat a letdown.
Inside the container is a small red glowing ball of yarn. It's not even the size of her hand. It's so tiny that Akane cannot distinguish what it was other than being a ball of yarn. "Uh… that's just a ball of yarn," she stated.
"Correction, this is a ball of yarn made of Life Fibers," Satsuki pointed out.
"Huh?"
Satsuki turns her body to face her little stepsister, eyes showing annoyance. She scoffs. "You really are shallow, little stepsister," she said, making Akane turn a bit red, annoyed over being called shallow. "This is what gives the Goku Uniforms their powers."
It was then that Akane finally got the picture in her view. "You mean this ball of yarn? Is that why these Goku Uniforms can deliver a punch?" she inquired.
"The Life Fibers are a special type of fabric," Satsuki explained. "These fabrics are eight times denser and sixteen times more durable than the average woven. They cannot be destroyed so easily. What's remarkable about this special fabric is that it's made with aesthetic material designed to enhance combat capabilities for those who wear it. Anyone wearing human clothing is given absolute power depending on the percentage of Life Fibers woven into it.
"There is a reason why we have the Star system here in Honnōji Academy, and what you've been seeing is only the Two-Star and One-Star Goku Uniforms. The Two-Stars are made up of 20% Life Fibers. The One-Stars are made of 10% Life Fibers. We developed these Goku Uniforms based on the amount of Life Fibers woven into them. The more Life Fibers are woven, the stronger the uniforms get."
The more Satsuki explained, the better Akane understood. It was all slowly becoming clear for Akane. The reason why these Goku Uniforms are powerful. It's because of the glowing red strings from the ball of yarn that gives them power.
Akane looks between her sister and the ball of yarn. She seems to notice something off with her own uniform. She can tell by the two odd layers of color on Satsuki's. "So, if the Student Council had these Goku Uniforms, don't you need one yourself?" she asked.
"You're looking at it," Satsuki revealed.
Akane was taken aback. Did Satsuki have a Goku Uniform of her own ready to go? It doesn't seem like much has changed in Satsuki's new uniform, except for the three metal bands clamped to the upper left forearm. As her eyes continued to stare at the uniform, something unexpected happened. The layers of color under the collar appear to move independently and make direct eye contact with her. She flinches slightly from the slight movement, unsure what the thing is.
"Did it just stare at me?" Akane asked.
"Nonsense," Satsuki proclaimed. "It must be your eyes. Junketsu is in a dormant state; it does not move."
"Junketsu?" Akane queried. "As in purity?"
"That's the name of the uniform I have received from our house," Satsuki replied. "The infamous heirloom of the Kiryūin Family, the great Kamui: Junketsu." None of it makes any sense to Akane. She wasn't familiar with the concept of a "Kamui" and Junketsu.
"Kamui?" Akane recalled. "You spoke of seeing the power of Kamui yesterday. What is that?"
Satsuki takes a step around the container to show Akane her uniform. "This is a Kamui," she revealed. "A Kamui is clothing made of 100% Life Fibers. The most powerful weapon in its entire existence. One of which you cannot wield because its powers will kill you when you try it on."
Akane gasped, horrified at what kind of thing Satsuki was wearing. Reflecting on the Boxing Club and Tennis Club presidents' Goku Uniforms, they comprise only a quarter of the Life Fibers. What will happen if anyone else wears the Goku Uniform made of 100%? She can't imagine the devastating powers a single Kamui possesses.
"So then, why are you wearing one?" Akane asked. "If a Kamui is made of 100% Life Fibers, it must be dangerous, right?" Why do we have something like that in the house?" There were so many questions that Akane wanted to ask, but she didn't seem like she would get them anytime soon. She would know because Satsuki would never tell her much unless there was a condition.
"Only when you are ready will it be clear," Satsuki interjected.
Akane wanted to ask for more information, but she would probably be denied any information from her stepsister. There is another factor that prompts her to reconsider Satsuki's reasoning. "When I'm ready?" she questioned.
"When you are ready to carry out my legacy," Satsuki answered. "It is only then when you are willing to do what is necessary to keep the secrets of the Life Fibers in check and to show the pigs the true meaning of absolute." Holding the Bakuzan in front of her, Satsuki makes a clear statement to Akane. "Only when you are ready to put the pigs in their place will you know."
No matter how often Satsuki convinces her otherwise, Akane will deny her sister's way of ruling the school, bringing misery, and enforcing her law through anything such as violence. Akane shakes her head somberly, refusing to be like her sister. "I do not want to use violence on others like how you do to the other students," she proclaimed. "I don't want to live my life like that."
Satsuki raised an eyebrow of interest. "Oh, then what do you seek?" she asked.
The ominous silence was all Akane could muster in response to Satsuki's questions. The glowing red light from the ball of yarn makes the room feel eerie from the lack of response. In thought, the older stepsister knows that kind of response. She comes to understand Akane's reasoning for denying her place. Only then does Satsuki have her answer from Akane. "I see…" she understood. "So if that's what you want, then..." With two taps of her Bakuzan to the ground, the door slides open, revealing Gamagōri standing at parade rest while waiting for the sisters.
"Escort my little stepsister back to her first period. My work is done for the day," Satsuki ordered.
Gamagōri crossed one arm over his chest and then bowed slightly. "At once, milady," he complied.
Akane starts to head on out but stops and turns to Satsuki. She wants to say something but has her own problems to deal with. Whatever she has to say, it can wait until Satsuki calls her. She looks at her sister before Akane walks away, leaving her big sister alone to contend with her thoughts.
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Lunchtime was practically lonely for Akane. It's not the first time she's ever eaten alone. Many students had gangs to be a part of; some had their own social groups, while others were all part of the club. Akane does not. She didn't have anyone to come to join because they were afraid of her. They know how the Student Council treats her, and practically everyone knows about her relationship with Satsuki. It was hard.
Akane barely eats her own lunch. Sitting alone on the anchor chain, right below the school, she communes with herself, thinking about all the talks Satsuki had given her. The existence of Life Fibers. The creation of Kamui, Junetsku. It was all surreal to handle. Nothing makes any sense for her. How are there materials enabling them to be used in combat? There are many things that Satsuki has to keep her in the dark about. She only got glimpses of the light from their secret.
While Akane was lost in her thoughts, a recognizable voice called out her name. "Hey, Akane." The first-year girl turned up and saw the one person she was at least expecting.
It's Miyashiro.
A lukewarm smile brought Akane some relief after talking with Satsuki. "Hey, Miyashiro," she said. "How's your math quiz?"
Miyashiro jumped up and sat next to Akane to start eating his lunch. "Bombed it," he answered. It's hard to believe we still have tests and quizzes to go through, especially since we're in Hell. He opens his bento box and begins eating the food he has packed. "Did something happen with your sister again, Akane?" He knows how tense Akane has been with her sister lately, and it's not a good sign.
Akane brushes it off as if it's no big deal. "Oh. Pfft, you know. The whole "changing the world' thing, the animals, and "pigs in human clothing"-nothing serious," she dismissed.
Miyashiro raised an eyebrow with skepticism. "She still wants you to take her place?" he asked.
"What do you think?" Akane inquired. "Should I?"
Miyashiro shrugged, unsure of his response to that question. "I don't know; I mean, your sister's in her Third Year, right? She's going to be out of school soon, and that means everyone can finally relax and not be bothered by her anymore." He drinks some of his juice. "Now, what about Ryuko? Did she take it hard?"
"She knows I'm Satsuki's little sister," Akane replied. "And I think she did."
Miyashiro looked ahead to see Tokyo Bay. "Well, maybe it's best that you don't get involved," he suggested. "This won't end well if you get caught between your sister and Ryuko." He looked back at Akane. "I mean, you didn't see what happened this morning. They nearly destroyed the whole school with those uniforms alone."
"They're Kamuis," Akane replied. "What did you expect?"
"Kamuis?"
"They're a special type of uniform," Akane revealed. "Trust me, you shouldn't know them."
Miyashiro had second thoughts but decided Akane was right and didn't question them further. While both of them were sitting alone, they heard footsteps from behind, and someone called out.
"Oh, there you are, Akane."
The girl and boy straightened up when someone called to them. They turned around and were surprised to see who was behind.
Ryūko and Mako seem to have found her in the most secluded spots in the school. It's a large academy, but there were many places where Akane could have gone. "So, this is where you've been, huh?" Ryūko speaks to her since she's been seeing Akane for however long.
Akane had no idea what to tell Ryūko and Mako. It's difficult for her to know that Ryūko has profound thoughts about her. "Uh…hey, Ryūko…Mako," she stuttered. "How'd you find me?"
"Mako said she saw you walking here, and I guess she was right," Ryuko answered.
Mako shrugs as if it doesn't matter to her. "I saw you were talking to a boy, but I didn't want to interrupt your conversation," she says.
"Hi there, I'm Mako Mankanshoku," Mako introduced herself to Miyashiro.
"Uh, Miyashiro Kunieda," Miyashiro stated.
Mako's energetic beam never falters or wavers from their previous yesterday's encounter. "Would you like to have some lunch with us?" Mako takes her big bento box, ready to eat on the spot.
The boy was taken by Mako's request, pointing at himself. "Wha…wait, me? As in, having lunch with you two?"
Mako nodded. "Yeah, I'm Ryuko's bestie, and Akane's my best friend, so any friend of Akane is a friend of mine," she said.
Miyashiro sweats profusely, wracked with anxiety. He closed himself to Akane and whispered in her ears.
"Hey, uh, do you want me to go?" he asked. "I…uh…I know this is between you girls, but… I'm…I'm a bit confused. Should I even have lunch with a girl group?"
Akane gives him a look. "C'mon, Kunieda, just play along, you'll be fine," she assured.
They all sat together, eating at their own pace. Mako was stuffing herself with food while Ryūko and Akane ate slowly. Miyashiro didn't eat because he was flustering red all over his face.
Ryūko always felt uncertain about how to approach Akane. She never expected Akane to be Satsuki's younger stepsister, especially considering Satsuki is her greatest enemy. In contrast, Akane embodies a different type of sisterly love; she is kind and nurturing, like Mako. Physically, she bears no resemblance to Satsuki. Ryūko perceives the implications of Satsuki's treatment of Akane. She clearly knows that Akane is just another girl from the No Star. Yet, this situation feels strange for Ryūko; she struggles to fathom what Akane experienced as the younger stepsister.
"So, you're really Satsuki Kiryūin's little stepsister, huh?" Ryūko questioned.
Akane nods in agreement.
Mako props her head with food in her mouth. "No way, you're Lady Satsuki's little sister?" she asked, her mouth stuffed with food.
Akane nodded again.
Ryuko glances over her shoulder, ensuring no one listens to their conversation. "Why didn't you tell us before?" she asked.
Akane's eyes gaze down at the ground, noticing the minor bug crawling beside her shoe and rethinking her status as the lowest form of life on the planet.
"Satsuki doesn't treat me the way you think," she said. "My punishment for defying her is sometimes harsher than last time. I had people get punished for my mistakes, I got kicked out of my house, and my living expenses were cut in half. It's hard to come by in this school now." She gripped the bento box slightly harder, thinking of how many times she had defied Satsuki. "It's not like I want that to happen, but every time my sister uses violence to impose order in the school, I just couldn't stand by and watch someone get beaten up for the simplest mistake. Plus, it's not easy to make friends in this school."
Ryuko raised an eyebrow and looked at Miyashiro. "And you? How'd you know Akane?"
"We have known each other since elementary," Miyashiro answered. "Me and the other Freshmen Shits."
"Freshmen Shits?"
"Akane, Nanako, Haruto, Kouta, and I were the only middle schoolers ever to pass the Honnōji Academy's entrance exam," Miyashiro revealed. "It's not the hard way to get out of here, but harder to get in."
"I know what you mean," Mako said. "I took that exam during my freshman year, and it was super hard; I'd only got in because I was able to strike out."
There was no deception on Akane's part. It was all Akane being honest and telling the truth. Ryūko has seen deceptions before and knows whether anyone is telling the truth. Based on her encounter with Akane and her good nature, it's clear that she's different from Satsuki.
"Geez, even Satsuki's that cruel to her siblings?" Ryūko inquired.
"Satsuki and I were the only child before my father married her mother," Akane explained. "And even so, I still try to be a better sister for Satsuki."
Ryūko shifted herself to sit comfortably and listened to Akane's story. "What happened to your other mother?" she asked.
"My other mother died when I was a baby, died of some disease," Akane answered. "And Satsuki's dad died in a car accident. So, we became some sort of a family. Well, at least a functional one at best."
Ryūko observes the sorrow in Akane's eyes as she brings up her father. Tears begin to well up, revealing Akane's reluctance to discuss her own father, a sentiment Ryūko understands deeply. "Hey, uh, Akane," Ryūko said. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Akane replied.
Ryūko has to know one thing from Akane, but she thinks maybe Satsuki is right. Akane doesn't know much. She could know who her father is, but she doesn't seem to know anything about her father's murder. She seems to know nothing about Honnōji Academy's activities. It's as if Satsuki doesn't care about Akane, whether she's her little stepsister or not. That's not how she treats family like that. She doesn't seem like a stubborn person or someone with a bad ego. She is rather pleasant and sweet.
"Do you know if Satsuki killed my father?" Ryūko asked.
Akane has more composure than before, being honest with Ryūko as close as possible. She shakes her head, denying involvement with her sister in any other specific line of work. "She never lets me in about her activities. My sister doesn't get me involved often," she replied. "All I knew was that your father was once a former employee of my stepmother."
Ryūko's ears perked up, picking up the information she needed. At least a part of what and who killed her father. "Really? Your stepmother knew my dad?" she quipped.
"My mother doesn't say much to me either," Akane said. "My whole family never told me about what they're doing at home."
Ryūko had hoped to find the answers she sought from Akane because she is a Kiryūin, but after what Akane explained, it became clear that, despite being Satsuki's stepsister, she was never truly a part of the family. Her only shot of finding who killed her father was now cold, back to square one. She can wait for another time to get her answers, but Ryūko wonders another thing about Akane.
"Why didn't you tell me who you are from the beginning?" Ryūko questioned.
Akane kept her gaze fixed on her bento box, lost in thought. "Because I was scared."
Mako catches on and props her head over to look at Akane better. "What are you scared of?" she asked.
"I was scared of losing you gals," Akane admitted. "It's not easy, you know. I had friends from middle school, and we all came here to Honnōji Academy together, but I had to split, knowing Satsuki would get the best of them."
The more she speaks, the sadder she becomes. Her voice becomes softer with every word. "And you guys were the first friends I had in months. I didn't want to scare you of how I relate to my stepsister."
"Well…I'm not scared just because you are Satsuki Kiryūin's little sister," Ryūko replied. "I mean, I was surprised at first, but then you were a different person than the queen bee of this school. I can see why you never wanted to fight her." She looks up at the sky, thinking deeply about what she's seen from seeing Akane in person over the past few days.
Hearing Ryūko being nonchalant about her relationship is a source of disbelief for Akane. "But why?" she asked. "It's obvious that the student body doesn't want me in their group because I am Satsuki's sister."
"Doesn't matter to me," Ryūko responded. "You and Satsuki seemed to be completely different people. Personally, I like you better than Satsuki Kiryūin.
Mako raised her hand suddenly. "And I like you too, Akane!" she exclaimed. "You put yourself out there saving Ryūko all the time, and I think you're terrific!" She takes a spot on Akane's left side, giving the first-year girl a pat on her head as always. "And I think you are amazing, too."
Akane felt her cheeks blushing, feeling exquisitely relieved and happy at the same time. It's what she always wanted, to have somebody accept her regardless of her relationship with her sister. She wasn't good at showing people that she was different from her sister, but it was hard for her to tell people that she was a lot nicer than Satsuki. "Th-thank you, Ryūko, Mako," she choked, trying hard to hold tears back.
"Hey, don't worry about it," Ryūko reassured, patting her hand on Akane's back. "I still think you're cool. Standing up to your sister while risking your life to save my ass. That's kind of brave of you despite being Satsuki's sister."
Akane felt her mouth curving upward, making a very pleasing smile of satisfaction. She was so happy that people like Ryūko and Mako accepted her regardless of her being Satsuki's sister. She looked at Miyashiro, who smirked in response, nodding that the girls were okay with her.
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At the end of the lunch period, the girls separated from Akane and Miyashiro to return to class.
Mako waved at them both as they took off. "Bye, Akane! Miyashiro! Let's see each other again sometime!"
Akane and Miyashiro waved at her as Ryuko took Mako to class with her. "Bye," they said.
Ryuko glanced over her shoulder and smirked at the two freshmen. "See ya later, little freshmen," she said.
Miyashiro stiffened and immediately turned red from embarrassment. He turns away, covering his face with his arms. "Uh crap, I messed up," he groaned. "I should have said something back there. Oh man, now they'll think I'm a dork. Damn it, I should've been better at talking to her."
Akane giggled at Miyashiro's mishap. "You did fine," she assured. "They don't seem bothered by it."
The boy glanced at her. "Really?"
Akane nodded.
Miyashiro contemplated what Akane said and relaxed. "Okay, I trust you," he said. Then he had another thought and turned to Akane. "Hey, Akane," he said. When did you last speak to Nanako, Haruto, and Kouta?"
Akane turned to Miyashiro. "When? I don't know; they were so busy with the club activities that I didn't want to bother them."
"You should talk to them too," Miyashiro suggested. "I'd like to have all of us come together again, just like old times."
Akane thought of his words thoroughly. "Maybe."
With that, they head back to campus. Akane can only hope it will stay that way for as long as she attends Honnōji Academy.
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Wow, I haven't update this story in a while since I'm working on primaily other ones. This was just a side quest I wanted to do since I had much thought about it. Anyways, for those who wanted something different, then give this story a chance and see what you thought of it.