Inside a police station in Yonaga City central, there were two middle aged men. The first one, who was standing up and moving around in the room, was an investigator. The second one was a murderer who was "drunk" on his own insanity and about to be questioned.
The lights of the room and a few other cameras were focused on the murderer sitting at the desk and could easily capture any of his actions or statements.
The murderer had his eyes closed shut for a long time. He had an expression similar to that of a dying man and couldn't remember anything that had happened to this point.
The Investigator soon started asking questions.
Investigator- Open your eyes, Eiko. D'you remember me?
Eiko- Who.. are you?
Investigator- The name's Jakepon. I'm the investigator assigned to your case.
Eiko- What is it th—that you're investigating about me?
INV Jakepon- You'll be the one to tell me. Don't you remember what you did yesterday, Eiko? The LIVES you took mercilessly... mean NOTHING to YOU?
Eiko- (...)
The man walking back and forth in the room opened a drawer and threw three envelops on the desk.
INV. Jakepon- Last night, three silver haired women were killed while walking down the street. A witness wondered "why are these women getting killed that way?" and then, they disappeared. The witness reported these murders and said "They were killed as if they were some birds."
Do you remember now who that killer was?
Flashbacks of his own murder scenes appeared in Eiko's head. He couldn't understand himself anymore. He knew that he was out of control but he never thought it'd end up this way. It all sounded surreal to him.
Eiko- I— I didn't kill them!
INV Jakepon- Don't play dumb on me! Why did you kill 'em? WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?
Eiko- My wife has always worked for our family to make ends meet. For more than ten years, I've been unemployed! You've gotta believe me!
The investigator face palmed himself and sighed.
INV Jakepon- If you don't follow along the easy way, then you may spit out the truth the hard way...
Eiko- No please! I work for noone! ——————
Jakepon / Eiko - ?!
The door was widely opened by a police officer. Together with a witness, they entered the room.
Police Officer- INV Jakepon, this witness wants to provide information on the case. He says that he knows about what may have triggered the murders.
Jakepon hid a nail crusher and two needles behind his back and sat on his armchair.
INV Jakepon- Err--- Ahem* What's your name, mister?
???- My name's Ichigo and I have to say something about these murders, information that will help with the case.
Eiko turned his head towards the door where the familiar man stood by and said
Eiko- Ichigo?! What are you doing here?
Ichigo- I'm not talking to you, Eiko. Listen Investigator. I'm a close neighbor and an old friend of his. Although I haven't heard his voice in years, about 20 days ago I heard it in screams and desperate shouting.
Eiko was arguing with his wife intensly for an hour. I heard vases being broken, Eiko's yells and screams and tragic truths unfolding...
I wasn't eavesdropping or anything— just passing by the neighborhood... (hehehe...)
And when it all ended, his wife stated that that was the end of their relationship and that they would never meet again . For more than two weeks, I couldn't even hear a whisper anywhere near that house. Both of them had left for good and their family had certainly collapsed from that point on.
These murders may be related to the hatred that he must have developed for her. Besides, the victims had a similar hair color to his wife and—
Eiko- YOU'RE WRONG! MY WIFE HAD DESTROYED THE FAMILY FROM THE VERY BEGINNING! SHE IS A MURDERER! NOT ME! SHUT IT ICHIGO! YOU'RE TALKING NONESENSE! STOP IT OR I'LL KI—
INV Jakepon- I've heard enough. Thank you for helping me out in this case, Ichigo. I'll take over from here. You can leave now.
Ichigo- Have a good one.
The police officer and Ichigo left the room, leaving behind the investigator and Eiko Tokiyama. Eiko could be seen holding his head with both hands and his fingertips trembling. The moment he was reminded of Kanae Tokiyama, his madness seemed endless.
INV Jakepon- I see. You now remember everything, don't you? The hatred towards your wife... Your inner beast wanting to kill her -or anyone resembling her- without the slightest remorse... Isn't that right, Eiko?
Eiko's palms were sweating and his heartbeat had exceeded even dangerous levels. The Investigator could now tell the whole story. It was all just a matter of time before he showed Eiko his despicable actions.
INV Jakepon- So, you got yourself drunk one day and let your killer instincts come forth. You didn't work for anyone. You just wanted to satisfy these malicious thoughts. And the anger burning inside you was so uncontrollable that you got to the point to murder three women.
Your mind blacked out only to protect you, Eiko, but you cannot escape your inhumane deeds. Neither your subconscious nor Judgement can save you. You are a disgusting criminal and in court, noone will save you. Your life is as good as over now...
Further rejecting these accusations will only lead to harsher punishment. Do you UNDERSTAND?
With tears flowing down his face, Eiko nodded twice and confessed about everything. Soon enough, he went to court to be given punishment.
In his time in the court however, he had noone there for him. His madness had overwritten any sense of logic and when the critical moment came, he acted irrationally. He objected to the accusations and claimed that he was innocent.
Not only that, but he blamed his wife for everything. He exposed past murders and accused her of child abuse while also saying her name outloud(Kanae Tokiyama). These unfounded accusations made his situation dramatically worse.
The penalty for it all was life imprisonment. With noone by his side, Eiko had lost everything. His handsome appearance, his wits, his will for life and even his own life.
Eiko was doomed to spend his entire life inside Yonaga City's worst prison in terms of "hospitality". It was the icing on the cake for his already miserable life.
——————————————————————
For a couple hours Geord couldn't sleep as a result of his sadness and anxiety.
Geord- SHIT!
Gripped by his stressful thoughts, he kicked an empty can of cola to calm his nerves. Thinking back on it, it wasn't very wise as it could have woken up the others. Seeing him in this state would certainly not be ideal.
But he had no other way to vent. These feelings were getting all over him, thus becoming uncontrollable. When his ephemeral feelings of anger had settled down, he sat on his knees while crying out the name of his brother.
Geord- Ja--mes..... Oh... J--- Jaa-- mes.....
After he had shed his last tears, his physical and mental fatigue forced him to go to sleep. Upon entering his bedroom, though, he saw Yonuro and Samei sleeping together with Ramael used as a light blanket. They were all sleeping soundly.
"Erm... I'll take the couch then." Geord thought before carefully closing the door.
And with long face, Geord lay down on the couch. So sleepy was he that he went out like a light.
—————————————————————————
The next morning...
It was their final day staying in the Overworld. Yonuro and Ramael had these last twelve hours at their disposal that they needed to spend wisely. What's more important than training and discussing a plan together with Ramael? Yes, that was what Yonuro thought thirty minutes after waking up at 9:00. That's Impressive if we take into account her extreme drowsiness every other morning.
And Yonuro wasn't the only one acting out of character. Geord, who generally sticks to schedules and timetables was apparently still sleeping despite it being 12:00!
By then, Yonuro and Ramael had finished with their practice and were physically ready for the Lingering world. The only thing remaining was to figure out a plan.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
When the time to discuss about a plan came, however, Yonuro didn't notice Geord's absence.
After talking for a while with Ramael about the Lingering World, Yonuro sensed that something was off. Something or someone was missing... It didn't take much time for her to realize that Geord was the one out of the picture.
Yonuro- Wait a sec... Where's Geord? Did something happen to him?
Ramael- I didn't see him anywhere at all...
Yonuro- Let's ask Samei.
Yonuro and Ramael were sitting at a table outside Geord's house. For a small house, it was well decorated even from the outside. Mainly flowers and ceramic pots embellished this neat lil' place. The table was located on the right of the main door, still close enough to the interior.
Samei who was preparing something for them to eat in the kitchen managed to hear Yonuro's question clearly.
Samei- He's sleeping on the couch. Did you guys seriously not notice him? I thought you wanted to let him rest.
Although she shouted loudly, Geord didn't wake up. He slumber was uninterruptible.
Yonuro- Oh... Wait... that's not like him, though. He always wakes up early. Did something happen last night?
Ramael- Well, you should know better, Yonuro, not us. If you say so then we should go check up on him or something.
Yonuro- Yeah, let's ask him when he wakes up.
Then, Samei, Yonuro and Ramael gathered around Geord waiting for him to wake up
——————————————————————
Upon waking up, right next to Geord were two female heads and a cloak staring at him intently.
Geord- ?!?!?!! GAAAAAAA!! What on earth are you three doing?! WERE YOU WATCHING ME SLEEP?
Samei- Sorry. We didn't mean to scare you...
Yonuro- We were just checking up on you.
Geord- Checking if my heart skips a beat?
They all made a wry smile to get away with it.
Geord- Anyway what time is— 12:30?! Where the fuck is my alarm clock?
Upon looking at a broken alarm clock which was aparently thrown on the floor, Geord kept his mouth shut.
Yonuro- Is everything okay, Geord? I sense that something's bugging you...
Geord gulped as he knew very well why all this had happened. It was all cause of the truth behind Eiko's disappearance...
After noticing him gulping and anxiously breathing, Yonuro was pretty sure that he was hiding something important from them.
Yonuro- Yeah... Something did happen then... Do you mind telling us? I'm kinda worried...
Telling Yonuro about Eiko though would be devastating. Learning that her father will be serving life imprisonment wouldn't be a good way of psyching her up to her future journey. It could also split her goals and emotions in half. That was a risk not worth taking.
But making up an excuse was no good either. Making Yonuro anxious and having her worrying about Geord was certainly not ideal.
The solution Geord came up with was lying but still spilling some of the truth.
Geord- Traces of your dad were found yesterday by the police. They still don't know exactly what happened to him but we have to be hopeful. I stayed up late yesterday going through articles about his disappearance. That's all...
Ramael- Now that I think about it, I did see you opening and closing the door late at night, yesterday. So that's what you were doing. That's reassuring.
Yonuro- Yeah, that's great actually. Sorry for assuming the worst possible scenario. And thanks about everything that you've done for my dad. I hope we get to see him again someday...
Although he was trying to hold back his tears, Geord managed to say the following
Geord- I'll do whatever I can to save him. I promise, Yonuro.
Before continuing on with a plan for the Lingering World, they all ate mouthwatering pancakes made by Samei earlier. For every minute that passed after midday, however, the temperature seemed to rise more and more. Talking inside felt awful with the absence of airconditioners. Although it was a bit cramped for all of them, they all talked at the table outside.
Samei- What's with the weather nowadays? Climate change SUCKS!
Geord- The problem with climate change was resolved a few years ago. That's not the problem here...
Yonuro- Then what is?
Geord- Don't just assume I know everything just cause I'm a bit old! Hahaha!
Ramael thought for a second and then spoke her mind.
Ramael- Now that I think about it, it may be related to the Barrier's decline. Spending my last day in the Lingering World, it was mid summer. This flactuation of the weather temperature must be because of the imminent world collision. That's my theory.
Yonuro- Oh, That's why! Ramael's always so sharp with things like that.
Ramael- Well, it's just a theory at the end of the day. So—
Yonuro- Seems legit to me.
Ramael- Hm 'kay then. You're easy to pursuade apparently. That's not a particularly good thing, but whatever... He he...
Geord and Samei looked at each other for a split second and read each other's minds clearly.
"What the hell is going on?"
Anyway—— After that, a serious discussion was opened and a basic plan was decided. Even though in the near future nothing was going to go according to plan, it was pretty fun seeing everyone coming up with their own idea and the others approving or making fun of it.
For a serious talk, they had a lot of fun, indeed.
————————————————————
When all was done and dusted, they had four more hours before they could use the Pendant of Immortality again. Their options however were very limited as this heat was getting in the way of many activities. Even staying inside was a challenge by that point. And what's the best way to counter this unbearably hot afternoon?
Yonuro- How about going to the beach everyone?
They all reacted in a different way. Samei was really excited, Ramael was a bit confused, yet still down for it and Geord... well he wasn't that fond of the idea.
Samei- Yessss!!! That's a brilliant idea!
Ramael- Seems fitting. I'm down.
Geord- Ermmm, I'm not feeling like it to be honest... I need some time alone to think, so the beach isn't it for me.
Yonuro- Ow... It's a shame then...
At that moment Geord shook his hands and said
Geord- Don't mind me, really! The three of you will have a lot of fun regardless, so why not? We'll meet again later before you leave for the Lingering World, okay?
Yonuro- Hm, If you're okay with it then...
Yonuro moved her head towards Samei and Ramael, extended her clenched right hand upwards and shouted
Yonuro- Get ready, Samei, Ramael! We're going to buy swimming suits and then head straight to the BEACH!
Everyone except Geord yay-ed and left the scene. Even though he had a lot on his mind, Geord was really happy for them and did smile while he was waving back at the girls who were leaving.
—————————————————————————
After they had left the house, Samei, Yonuro and Ramael, who was inside Yonuro's comfy pocket, took a bus that was headed to a station near the beach. Before getting there, they wanted to buy swimsuits from a shop nearby. At a certain point when they were on the bus, Samei asked Yonuro
Samei- Wait a minute. Who's going to pay for the tickets and the swimsuits?
With a smug facial expression Yonuro responded with
Yonuro- Leave it all to me. I'mma pay for them swimsuits and tickets alright.
"Boasting about this kind of money should be illegal!" thought Ramael.
Samei- Okay then. Thanks for the "treat" he he!
Soon enough the got off the bus and walked to a chain of shops.
A shop bell ringing sound could be heard when they entered a swimwear shop. There, they bought two different swimsuits as of size and body exposing areas. Samei's swimsuit was more revealing than Yonuro's and of a larger size in the chest area. Yonuro's was exposing her back and thighs by a big margin and was really fitted for her slim body.
Samei and Yonuro were extremely happy with their purchases. As of Ramael, however, inside the shopping bag was she once again. Old habbits never die or so they say...
The beach was really close though, so Ramael didn't have to endure it for long at all.
And then, they got there. A wonderful view of Yonaga City's cleanest beach...
Every summer it is filled with life as many citizens and tourists enjoy themselves in the beautiful waters of the sea. Organised seaside bars and sunbeds occupied with people, as well as taverns and beach ball courts were... They were... Ehm... NOWHERE to be seen apparently...
Yonuro- Oof, nobody's here besides us. (Steve taking damage sound effect*)
Samei- That's a shame... But it's not that weird if you think about it. It's still January after all! And all that's been happening with the Rifts... It makes sense.
Yonuro- Yeah. Buuut, that doesn't mean we won't have fun. On the contrary, now it's time for us to act freely and do whatever we like! Come!
Samei followed Yonuro to a vacant sunbed. Noone was there to take an order from them, so it was kind of free of charge. There, Yonuro left her shopping bag inside of which was Ramael, their normal clothes and a few other things they had bought.
Ramael then got out of that bag and was able to finally see for herself the beauty of the sea and the beach.
Despite anyone's expectation the first thing that Ramael said was the following.
Ramael- The waters seem so nice to swim in! It'll be a blast!
Samei- Wait... are you going to swim as well? Is it even possible in your current form?
Ramael- My body can become hydrophobic if I want it to and on top of that I can also float in the water. It's enough for me to enjoy the sea as well!
Yonuro- Yess! That's great! Let's dive in together, everyone!
They swiftly ran on the sand barefeet and then they made it in. After that, they all had the time of their lives. From splashing water to one another to messing with Ramael who was not used to swimming in her state, it was a memorable experience.
When they had had enough with swimming, they returned to the sunbed to get ready to play Beach-Racket. Before they did that however, they needed to dry off first. "But with what towel?" they wondered.
Well the answer laid just before their eyes. Yonuro asked Ramael if it was okay to use her as a towel which she had no problem with. Utilizing Ramael's ability to both absord water and become hydrophobic when needed, Yonuro used her to clean her body from the salty water.
It was— quite interesting to say the least.
"We're both girls so it's fine, right?" Ramael thought innocently.
And as if she was a common towel, Ramael was used to wipe Yonuro's head, back and belly.
When it came down to cleaning her chest and thighs however, things were very different. Ramael was embarassed to have her body clean these parts... Left and right, up and down... She blushed a bit but closed her eyes to retain her coolness. Yonuro was blushing as well so she tried to make this quick.
After Yonuro was cleaned, she thanked Ramael who was using her hydrophobic now body to get rid of the water herself.
Afterwards, it was Samei's turn and... Oh, boy...
Let's not get into more details regarding Samei... It was on a whole other level...
So, Beach-Racket now was it? They had so much fun playing this sport with their newly bought—24 god damn dollar—rackets . Ramael was keeping the score in her head while playing the role of a referee.
Their highest score was 86.6 passes as Ramael pointed out, because the 87th pass was done with the edge of Samei's racket.
And the final thing they did at the beach was relax their bodies on the sunbeds with the umbrella closed. They sunbathed for a while and then packed their things in order to head back home.
—————————————————————————
When they departed the bus, the sun was starting to set. Therefore, on their way back to Geord's, Samei and Yonuro enjoyed the sunset while talking about the fun experiences they had made.
Though in the back of their heads was the same question; "Is everything okay with Geord?"
Yes, they couldn't help it but worry a bit about him. He had done so much for them that they felt indebted to him. And going to the beach without him was the opposite of that. Although noone said anything about it, some kind of regret was lingering in everyone's souls.
After meeting him again one last time before leaving, however, those regrets vanished at the sight of Geord's smile. He welcomed them with open arms (literally) and a bowl of soup for each for dinner.
The girls talked about their fun experiences at the beach and Geord was really glad to hear them. After eating, Samei and Yonuro took turns at having a shower.
In the same way that the temperature had escalated earlier, it would also drop at night. Therefore, everyone wore their normal attires and then they gathered around the kitchen table one last time.
Ramael- So this is the last time I see you guys, isn't it?
Samei- That's right, Ra-- mael... I'm so going to miss you.
Geord- Me too, Ramael. In times like these, I get emotional...
Moved by the scene, Yonuro also teared up.
Yonuro- I'm gonna miss you guys too. But I'll return before you even realize it, with the best of news! That the Worlds are forever saved. And Ramael, when it's all done, I'm going to miss you the most. You're the best partner one could wish for!
Ramael- I— I'll— never forget you guys, too... You mean the world to me...
At that moment, the Pendant of Immortality shone bright with Dark Essence indicating in this way that it's power was ready to be harnessed once more.
Before leaving, Yonuro hugged Samei and Geord and especially thanked Geord for everything. Before giving back Geord's "old" smartphone, she typed something quickly and then tapped on it some more.
They said their last goodbyes and then Ramael showed Yonuro the way to the Lingering World through the Angelic Bond. Not entirely unfamiliar with the process, Yonuro managed to use the Pendant of Immortality and teleport herself and Ramael to their last destination. Their Journey was finally nearing its end...