Despite having terrible night sleeps these past couple days, Samei and Aniik get to school on time, without any issues whatsoever. With perfect coordination—Samei readying their packed lunch and Aniik selecting the correct books to put inside their school bags—the girls managed to lay the working ground for that to happen.
Coordination and teamwork are not two words to describe the friendship Aniik-Samei. So what's going on here? The girls thought about Yonuro's last letter a great lot and came to a realization. Their everyday lives that Yonuro sacrificed herself to protect must not be wasted.
Crying about something they cannot fix, is akin to breaking it apart even more. Of course and they will keep on thinking about Yonuro and worry about her, but not to a point that it backfires and opposes to Yonuro's will. That being their own happiness and normal fulfilling lives.
Samei- High five, Aniik!
Aniik- Not only did we make it in time, we're the first ones to enter the classroom!
Samei- Well said!
Aniik- Eat our dust, other classmates!
Samei changes expression.
Samei- (...) 'Kay, you got a bit off topic there. But, sure!
Teacher- Good morning to you, too, Samei, Aniik...
The called out students turn around 180 degrees and astoundingly say "Haha... Good morning, sir!"
Talking to each other with their eyes— "WHEN DID HE GET HERE?!"
A few moments after this awkward one, the students all sit at their desks and say "Good morning" to the teacher and some among themselves. The teacher waits a little bit for the students to get ready and says
Teacher Gidenir- I think... Yeah, everyone's here. Except for Ikki, of course. Alright, let's start things off with some chemistry—
Out of the blue, the teacher's words are drowned out by an unexpected loud sound. The classroom's door being opened...
In an almost lifeless tone of voice, the "summoned" student speaks the following
???- I'm here... Ikki Kendomo, present.
The confused teacher blinks a few times as silence then fills the classroom.
Most of the students give the boy a perplexed and intent stare. His ear-length, light blue dyed, frizzy hair with a faint purple hue on the tips, his also blue eyes which embellish his already pretty face, his nicely maintained physique and body and lastly the semi-formal elegant clothing he wears are all, without a doubt, characteristics worth staring at.
The girls whisper among themselves "Who's the hottie?" "Who the hell is that?! Woo!" "I hope he sits with me! UwU"
The boys shout among themselves "Fuck off..." "Who's the wynorrific freak?" "He's gonna take all the gals! AHHHHH!"
Aniik- What a MirAcLE! The school's ghost has appeared in the flesh! Hahaha!
Samei- (...)
The good looking boy approaches the unoccupied, right-cornered desk that Samei was sitting at before joining Aniik. Instead of taking a seat, however, the boy does something that nobody ever expected. He grabs the desk and slides it to the other side of the room with one strong swing.
Soon enough, the desk finds the wall and a loud thud resonates throughout the room.
As a result, the desk is now located behind Samei and Aniik's desk, and it now represents the new last-row, left cornered desk.
Aniik- Wha—Wha— WHAAAT IS HE DOING?! THAT'S OUR SPOT!
The teacher is left dumbfounded, so much so that he is unable to find a way to punish this inappropriate behaviour.
Despite his elegant looks, the new student, Ikki, disrespects the teacher entirely by putting his legs on top of the desk while dosing off and chewing gum.
The lesson continues nonetheless. Most of the students have a lot of mixed feelings about Ikki. They don't dare look at him anymore. He's quite weird and his actions clearly controversial, so I do get them.
Some time later, the chemistry lesson is almost over and the first break is on the horizon.
But as the lesson ends, Samei is the only student not to react to the bell's ringing sound. She has a monotonous look on her face and doesn't seem eager to move an inch. She looks like she is stuck to her desk.
But, no, that's not the truth. She is in fact moving. Her hands are slightly trembling from anxiety.
Aniik- Hey, is everything alright, Samei?
Samei abruptly moves her whole body 90 degrees to the left and fearfully tells Aniik the following.
Samei- B-B-Be quiet, Aniik! Do—Don't talk to m-me right n-now!
As soon as Samei properly sits down her chair again, she feels something on her right shoulder. Astoundingly creepy, this feeling is identical to a person's touch.
Ikki- I found you at last, Samei.
Samei and Aniik turn around to look at him.
Samei- !!!
Aniik- Who the hell are you?!
Ikki- Me? Hah.. I'm not that special of a person. On the contrary, now I'm just some nobody. A mere trash can you can simply toss away.
But back then, in Hokoyama, I was proud to be what Samei used to call me her "l i t t l e b r o t h e r" (o n i i - c h a n).
Samei tightens her right fist.
Samei- I still want to forget it all... Don't remind me of this dreadful past! I still hate my disgusting name, Samei Kendomo, and of course, this corrupted family. After all those years, and knowing my actions, why did you come searching for me again, Ikki...?
Aniik lets the siblings talk it out. Not that she could say anything if she wanted. She is at a loss for words.
Ikki- I simply want to know why. Why you abandoned us like that. What got on you and you decided to leave out of nowhere. And the reason why you never reached out to me... Why...? WHY DID YOU BETRAY US, SAMEI? I'm your little brother for the love of God...
Samei- The fact that you're asking yourself these questions is the answer itself. You're still in the dark, Ikki...
Ikki- Yeah, says you who left us to live in Yonaga City, out of all places, with some stranger. You are the one lost, Samei. This isn't where you belong...
Samei- You're talking very much like Father... I didn't know that he manipulated you more than he did me...
Ikki stands up and speaks louder.
Ikki- HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT DAD! Dad was fucking murdered! Not only didn't you go look for his disappeared killer, but you didn't even show up at his funeral!
Samei- He's the reason I left in the first place! What did you expect? To come back crying for his death? Whoever murdered him, it doesn't really matter to me, don't you get it?!
Ikki- Take that BACK! APOLOGISE RIGHT NOW!
Samei gets up as well and the heated arguement intensifies even more.
Samei- I don't have ANY reason to apologise! After leaving home, I was always pittying you for what you were going to go through. But, it seems you are not in need of pitty. You are just a pathetic immitation of him...
Ikki gets real mad and assumes an attacking stance.
Ikki- Should we settle this like back then, in the training ground?
Aniik- Whoah whoah! Are you two going to fight or what? Class is gonna start soon!
The siblings disregard Aniik and keep on exchanging intimidating stares.
Samei- Have you already forgotten? You don't stand a chance.
Ikki- I—I've trained with dad a whole lot after you'd left, you know. I'm not the same as before!
Aniik- GUYS!
Samei / Ikki- WHAT?
Teacher Gidenir gives them a frightening, serious look and speaks up.
Teacher Gidenir- Sit down you two! Biology class is starting in a minute!
Ikki- Tsk*
Ikki gives Samei one last death glare and proceeds to leave school pretending not to be feeling okay. Even on his favorite subjects, Ikki is willing to pay no attention whatsoever.
For the rest of the school hours, Samei is feeling down in the dumbs. Aniik has never found herself in a situation like this and she doesn't know what to do or say to her.
"What would Yonuro do in my shoes? Hm... Well she's a good person so she would comfort Samei in a way or another. But I can't do that... I'm not suited for stuff like that. So what do I do?"
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Although Aniik finds herself unable to come up with a solution herself, she seems as though she has had an epiphany.
"I got it! If I can't figure out something as natural for others as comforting a friend, then I'll just copy what others do. I'll write down notes for Samei and let her copy them from me later! That's what Samei has done for me numerous times and it always made me smile!"
During the time that Samei spends with her head touching the desk, Aniik has her utmost attention on the board and her sharp hearing focused only on the teacher's voice. And I'm quite surprised at the outcome of her effort. The notes she proceeds to take are the best ones in class.
Aniik- Yoshi!
The last period is over and the final bell rings for the day. Everyone starts packing up their things to head back home.
Aniik- Hey, Samei. It's time to go home. Are you coming?
Samei- Yeah, gimme a min.
Samei doesn't have anything in particular that she needs to pack up so she just zips her bag, wears it and nods to Aniik to head toward Geord's.
On their way back, Aniik takes a few peaks on Samei's face here and there. From the look on her face, she seems to be in a really bad mood, as she's looking down the pavement in complete silence.
Aniik continues doing awkward gestures, hand movements and gives fleeting glances at Samei as she doesn't know how to approach her.
To catch her attention somehow, she stops walking for a sec and joins the tips of her index fingers together before reluctantly saying the following.
Aniik- Samei... I've noticed that you weren't taking notes earlier so I kinda... made my own notes for you to copy! Tada!
Aniik quickly opens her bag and shows her the notes in an attempt to make her feel better and avoid awkwardness.
In a monotonous way, though, Samei responds with "Oh. Thanks. I'll copy them later."
"That's it?!" Aniik ponders. But the situation forces a different answer.
"That's great. Haha! (...)"
A few minutes later, Aniik is lost in thought. She wants to find the courage to directly ask Samei about the earlier happenings that are most likely linked to her bad mood. But it's not so easy for her. She's never had friends before, so she lacks basic experience. Nevertheless, she takes a deep breath and gives it a shot.
Aniik- Look, Samei. You seem really down. Do you want to talk about it?
"HOW ON EARTH DID I DO THAT?!" Yeah even Aniik wonders where her sudden social skills are coming from.
Samei- I dunno.. I don't talk much about it.
Aniik- About your past?
Samei- Yeah. My family and such.
"WHAT DO I SAY NOW?!" Aniik wonders.
Aniik- Understandable. But if you ever feel like getting it out of your chest, just letting you know, I'm here.
Samei- Ow, thanks, Aniik. That alone made me feel a lot better.
"I SWEAR SOMEONE ELSE IS TALKING ON MY BEHALF!" Aniik feels peculiarly happy about how that went. She didn't believe in her social skills in the begining but now she's killing it.
Aniik- And if you don't feel like talking it out, you can write it down and then show it to me!
Samei- ???
Nevermind, she's still got a long ways to go.
Samei- Uh...? Anyway... Let's get moving.
Aniik- Yeah... (And I was starting to feel a bit sociable...)
As soon as they resume walking, however, Aniik's train of thought instantly loses coherence and she momentarily freezes. She then quickly turns around and looks left and right. She attentively looks around while silently being on her guard.
Samei- What's the matter?
Aniik- I'm not sure. I thought I heard something for a moment...
Samei- Come on, Aniik. We're late as is. Geord must be waiting for us.
Aniik- You're right.
After that moment, Samei and Aniik make their way back to their remote neighbourhood, where Geord greets them with a wonderful meal-- Omurice!
-------------------------------------------------
A few hours later...
Late in the evening, Aniik and Samei are in their room, ready to "exchange" notes. After looking at the detailed and well written notes Aniik took, Samei congratulates her on her diligence and also thanks her.
Samei- Your notes are amazing! These sketches are so pretty and explanatory! They are way better than the ones I usually take! Thank you, Aniik!
Aniik- Hehe.. I was thinking about selling them, actually, so I'm glad I found my first buyer! It'll be 1000 yen, please!
Samei- You're kidding.
Aniik- Of course!
Samei- Hahaha...
Aniik- Not.
Samei gets slightly pissed off and says "Don't mess with me!" In response, Aniik drops the act and talks more seriously.
Aniik- Jokes aside, I really need some cash to buy a few notebooks. I only have one and even this one I borrowed from you.
Samei- Oh, you're right. I didn't consider the possibility of you paying attention in class so I'm kinda at fault for that.
Samei thinks about it for a moment and reassures Aniik.
Samei- Alright, I know of a good bookstore nearby, recommended by Yonuro, so I'll go buy you some books, alright?
Aniik- Oh, the Aligdas.org one? That's a good choice, thanks!
Samei- Yeah, see you in a bit!
Aniik- Mhm!
After informing Geord about it, Samei leaves the house and heads for the bookstore. Five minutes later, after realizing something, Aniik changes her mind and suddenly wants to go to the bookstore with Samei.
Aniik- Now that I think about it, I want to be the one to pick my notebooks! I want something with an edgy quote or a drawing of something bloody and dark... AHHH! Samei is gonna pick notebooks with cute cats or flowers! I need to stop her while I can!
Aniik briefly talks to Geord about it and leaves the house as well.
Only a few steps in and Aniik already approves her decision to go out.
Aniik- Oh this cold breeze at night, this dark sky, these quiet roads and this sense of uncertainty, it reminds me of the old days when I was living a life full of danger and risks. Frankly speaking, I kinda miss this part of myself. And rightfully so. Besides, it's Zanir's power core, the fear of the unknown. Woo, I should do this more often! This kind of "liberty" gives me the chills.
Since noone is in the vicinity, Aniik keeps talking to herself for a while. From her internal dialogues, her true antisocial character is exposed and with it, her many intrusive thoughts that she never dares to tell others. These past months she's suddenly inherited the habits of normal humans, so she never had time for breaks such as these.
Some time later, Aniik is still lost in thought, while following after Samei's most probable path to the bookstore. The scenery is quieter than ever. The roads are usually this empty but due to it being nighttime it is all the more so.
And Aniik gladly takes that. Despite this creepy sense of mystery and lurking dangers, Aniik seems to be smiling. Well she had always been the one lurking so it kinda makes sense...
But in the next moment, even Aniik's smile is extinguished. She hears an intense, loud conversation that seems about to explode into a fight a couple roads ahead. And apart from the most likely participants, she also recognizes the area it takes place. Right next to Samei's place.
Aniik runs as fast as she can to ascertain her doubts.
Ikki- Have you already abandoned your second home, Samei, and the stranger that took you in with it? I think you are the one in the dark, sister... Do you really prefer living like a HOMELESS person instead of going back to your OWN family?
Samei- YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, IKKI! My old man is still recovering in the hospital. And for your information, only when I was with y'all did I EVER feel like lacking of a place to call 'home'!
Ikki- You cannot run from your past forever, Samei. I will never stop pursuing you. I have orders from my master to bring you back. Don't make this difficult, Samei. Let's go home together. Like the old days.
Samei gives the young man an angry glare and blatantly refuses.
Samei- I ain't going anywhere!
And before anything too crazy were to begin without her, Aniik makes her appearance.
Aniik- Stop it you airhead! Samei's desicion is hers and hers alone! You can't force her! You'll touch her over my dead body!
Samei- You're exaggerating, Aniik--
Ikki- Fine then! I'll take you both at once!
Aniik takes this way too seriously and asks for help from her demonic self, Zanir.
Aniik- Answer my call, Zanir!
A pair of Dark Essence infused Demonic Claws appear on her hands. Ikki doesn't budge however. He's got too much confidence in himself.
Ikki- Is this some sort of magic girl trick? Hah! Lemme show you how true hunters fight!
Ikki brings out of his pockets a few kunai and some firecrackers. He starts with the firecrackers to blind his enemy.
Ikki- Take that!
But before he throws them he covers his ears for good measure. Aniik is confused. Unfortunately for Ikki, the firecrackers missed.
Aniik- Were these supposed to throw me off guard?
Ikki- How could she ever dodge that? The enemy is too fast!
"But I was standing still--" ponders Aniik.
Ikki then throws his kunai with great force at the cost of some accuracy.
Ikki- Haaaa!
The alarm of a nearby car goes off.
Aniik- Is he serious? How can anyone be this bad at aiming?
Ikki- Shit! I missed again! You only leave me one fateful choice. Melee combat!
Samei- Please, Samei, hold it in. Deep breaths.
Ikki- AHHHHHH!
Ikki charges at his enemy with full force and unveils his techniques of ninjitsu or hell if I know what he's doing.
Ikki- Dragon fist!
Aniik scraches her head and dodges the attack. Ikki trips on his own and falls down on the road.
Samei- I can't hold it in. HAHAHAHAHA!
Aniik raises her hands up in the air.
Aniik- Is this all-talk bozo, really your brother?
Samei- Sadly, yes.
Aniik- Hold on, has he passed out?
Samei- It's not the first time, don't worry.
"Ah, little brother... Whatever am I gonna do with you...?"
Some time later...
Inaudible murmurs... Blurry faces...
(1) ???- Dinner... Sushi...? Order..
(2) ???- Pizza! I like... Hungry...
(3) ???- Yesterday's... food... leftovers...
He slowly opens his eyes. His senses are back.
(1,2,3) ???- Ah, you're finally awake...
Ikki- Where am I...?
Geord- This is my apartment! Welcome to Geord's!
Ikki gets scared from seeing Geord and crawls backwards in fear.
Ikki- AHHHH! This guy is gonna break me to pieces!
Geord- He must be hungry like you guys.
Samei- Nah, he's just a bit of a coward.
Aniik- Yes, I'm hungry! Let's order pizza!
Ikki grabs the nearby telephone and calls a certain number.
Ikki- 911, I have an emergency.
Geord- Oh, don't bother. It's out of order. I've yet to pay the telephone bills. Anyway come to the kitchen for dinner. The girls ate all the omurice, but I have okonomiyaki from yesterday's leftovers!
Aniik- He means we'll order pizza, come!
Geord- It's so good you can't taste the difference!
Geord brushes Aniik's comment away and sits at the kitchen table. The girls do the same and then it's Ikki's turn. He's so confused that he cannot even put up a normal reaction. Nevertheless, he spontaneously follows the other girls and sits at the table.
Geord takes a glimpse at Aniik's newly formed sad expression and says after sighing.
Geord- Alright.... Since we've got a guest over, we'll order some pizza.
Aniik "yays" but everyone else keep their mouths zipped. And after ordering via his phone, Geord tries to break the ice with the young man.
Geord- So, tell me a few things about yourself, Ikki. I'm so eager to hear from Samei's long lost brother.
Ikki- And who the hell are you? What do you want from me?
Geord- It's not a nice thing to say to a person who just helped you. We're just here to chat a bit.
Ikki- Mind you, I do not need anyone's help nor do I have the time to spend chit-chatting. I have a single goal, an objective that I need to undoubtedly achieve, all alone. The last thing I need is your pity.
Aniik- And what's this goal you're talking about, genious?
Ikki- To bring Samei back home and reunite my family...
Geord- I see... But that must be hard to do, considering Samei's you know...
Samei is looking at him with sheer fury.
Geord- Mild disobedience...
Aniik- More like downward denial.
Ikki- I don't care. If I return things to how they were...
Geord- No, you can't force things like that! No matter the desired outcome, you can't alter someone's life choices. Maybe you should try changing your own life instead of enforcing a change on others, Ikki...
What powerful words did Geord just utter... He checkmated Ikki to the point that only his pride and selfishness are here to prevent his defeat.
The others join forces with Geord and unite--as some kind of family-- to dispute Ikki's claims. Seeing them together like that makes Ikki mad in every sense of the word.
Samei- That was great, Geord!
Aniik- Let him cook!
Ikki- What is this.... Some kind of circus you've got going on here, big guy? Manipulating my sister and creating a fucked up "family"? What do you know? What could you possibly know, HUH? This mess you've created is sickening... Mark my words all of you. One day I'll get Samei back and..... I'll make things...... as they were before......
Ikki disgustingly distances himself from the others and proceeds to leave before silently saying the name of his sister "Samei..."
Aniik- Oof... Dinner has gotten cold...
Geord- It's not even here, yet!
After hearing the sound of the aparment's main door being closed, Samei takes a moment to organize her thoughts and feelings. At some point in all of her hard processing, Aniik's peculiarly heartwarming words "If you ever feel like talking it out, keep in mind that I'm always here" pop up. Samei tightens her right fist and makes a critical desicion.
Samei- Listen guys. I want to talk to you about some things. You probably know what I'm refering to...
Aniik / Geord- Yeah, whenever you're ready, go for it.
Samei- I should not wait any more, then. It's been long enough. I'll tell you a bit about my past and my relations to my old family. That's the only way to clear my name and explain the difference in beliefs between us siblings. Me and Ikki.
Samei thinks to herself the following and lets out a single faint teardrop.
"The hidden wounds I only opened up to you, dear Yonuro, will gush out blood once more."
𝕍𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝟜— ℍ𝕒𝕫𝕪— 𝕌𝕟𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕣. "𝔹𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕕𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕞𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤..."