The Three Knights sat around a table near an old shrine. They weren't there to pray, but to soak in the scenery. The summer days made themselves the most beautiful. There was an unusual pleasure and peace to it all.

A gentle breeze flowed through the green leaves of the trees above. Sunlight filtered through the leaves above, illuminating the Knights' faces.

A little pond's clear water reflected light in wavy little shapes onto the wall above it. The little blue figures danced around as the wind made little waves.

Looking up, Tsukiko spotted the trail of a passenger jet thousands of feet above. She swore she could hear its engine. Passenger jets were a constant in Tokyo's sky, and seeing them made her feel at home.

"Yo, you okay there, Tsuki?" Haruka nudged her.

Tsuki was caught off guard. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"I think she might've taken a few hits to the head too many" Haru spoke to Shizuka, who sat across from them. "Isn't it kinda weird to zone out like that?"

"I do it all the time, it's peaceful." Shizuka admitted.

"Why?"

"It clears your mind, makes you sharp. It's mostly relaxing though." Shizuka shrugged.

"You should try it." Tsuki suggested.

"Alright, just shut up a bit, okay?"

Haruka took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She looked around, staring at the little bluish reflections of the water, then up at the sky. She stared intently at the clouds, before her eyes traced the path of a plane cutting through the sky.

Tsukiko nudged Haruka. "You alright there? You still breathing?"

"Yeah, yeah... You guys're right." Haruka sighed.

"Told you." Tsuki laughed.

"Wasn't this a nice place to visit?" Shizuka smiled.

"You still haven't explained why we're here." Haru straightened up.

"Call it a test."

"Test for what?" Tsuki immediately cut in.

"I'll tell you if I get the results I want."

"I don't think it counts if you root for a certain result." Tsuki played with her hat.

"I'm expecting something. It'll be a pain in the ass to deal with. Still valuable information." Shizuka put her hands together and cracked her knuckles.

"What kind of pain?" Haru asked.

"...a pain in the ass, what I just said."

"No, like-- nevermind." Haru gave up.

"We'll be fine, it'll just be an inconvenience." Shizuka slouched.

"You better not drag us into a fight." Tsuki's eyes turned into daggers.

"Quit lookin' at me like that." Shizuka looked away.

"Aren't you the one always lookin' down on people with that creepy stare?"

Shizuka turned back and stared at Haruka. "I'm not creepy at all."

The look on the First Knight's face was ghastly. It felt like it would be the last thing someone saw before dying. It would be the last act of terror upon them.

Haruka unconsciously made herself smaller. "Stop, stop, stop, stop."

Shizuka turned to Tsukiko, cocking her head to the side. "What's she talking about?"

Tsukiko tried to avoid the fear, but she had to look away. "Quit it."

"Hah, cowards." Shizuka seemed almost proud of herself.

"Stop doing that, you look like a ghost." Haruka complained.

"Nah, real ghosts are worse, trust me." Shizuka's voice got serious.

"Real--" Tsuki started.

Haruka nudged her. "Don't worry about it."

"Nah, let's talk about ghosts." Shizuka demanded.

"Why?"

"Cuz they're neat. Don't you think?" Shizuka appealed to Tsukiko for support.

"I... guess?" Tsuki reluctantly agreed.

"Yes!" Shizuka slammed her fist on the table, scaring off a bird sitting on a tree above.

"God, why?" Haruka rolled her eyes.

"Do you believe in ghosts, Tsuki?"

"Mmm, I've never dealt with the occult, but I'll say... Yes, I think I do." Tsuki nodded.

"What?" Haruka was taken by surprise.

"After meeting Aurelia, anything's possible." Tsuki scratched her head.

"Do you have something to share, Haruka?" Shizuka grinned.

"Fuck off." Haruka put her head in her hands.

"What's with her?" Tsuki moved closer to her sister.

"A few years ago--"

"Shut it." Haruka growled.

"Why don't you tell the story yourself, Haru?" Shizuka chuckled.

"That shit was traumatizing, it isn't fucking funny!" Haru shouted.

"Face your fears, you lunatic!" Shizuka mocked her.

"I'm gonna kick your ass!" Haruka stood up and shouted.

"I'd like to see you try!" Shizuka jumped up with a big smile on her face.

"Hey, sit down you two!" Tsuki pulled Haruka back down to her seat. "Just tell the damn story."

Haruka sighed. "So, a couple years ago, Shizuka and I went out together at night..."

Shizuka sat down too. "Real shady part of town."

"Yeah, really empty. We heard something about a color gang..."

"And?"

"Shizuka told me she dropped something. She ran off, but she told me to stay behind. Had to tell her if I spotted anyone wearing purple." Haruka looked ahead as she told the story.

"Remember color gangs?" Shizuka intentionally lengthened the story.

"Shut it." Haruka paused for a second then began again. "I heard this weird grindy sound coming down an alleyway toward me. I ignored it at first, but it gets louder. I turn, and in the street light, I see a girl with a mask. I nearly jump out of my skin, but she seems nice."

"This is the good part." Shizuka whispered.

"Let her tell the damn story." Tsuki complained.

"She asks me if I think she's pretty. Naturally, I tell her I don't swing that way. She asks again, and truth be told, she was really cute. I tell her that, and she takes off her mask..."

"...and?" Tsuki leaned in.

Haruka looked down at the table. "She smiles, but... It looks like someone's torn her mouth open from ear to ear. So she's got this super wide smile. I freeze and she asks me again. I say no, and she pulls out a knife, and I swing. Shizuka runs up and asks me why I'm trying to punch the air."

"...Jesus." Tsuki frowns.

"I still don't know how Shizuka pulled that prank off." Haruka sighed.

"Hehehe-- prank? I didn't do that."

"Yes you did!" Haruka raised her voice.

"No, that story is legitimately fucked. I had nothing to do with it." Shizuka turned deathly serious.

"What? Ghosts aren't real!" Haruka slammed her hand down.

"Okay, how the hell would I get a girl to disappear?" Shizuka leaned over.

"No, that's bullshit!" Haruka shouted.

Tsuki put her hand on Haru's shoulder. "I'm so sorry..."

"Okay now that Haruka believes in ghosts like us, it is settled." Shizuka smiled.

"Is that really something to be proud of?" Tsuki held her scared sister.

"It just bothered me. She's been through the doors but ghosts were too much to handle." Shizuka crossed her arms.

"I think it was more a defense mechanism." Tsuki frowned.

"Oh... you're probably right... Well, she had to face her fears some day!"

Haruka sobbed. "Sh-sh-she was so scary!"

"You'll be fine, you big wuss. You punched a fucking ghost." Shizuka complained.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Haru's sobbing weakened. "Yeah... I did..."

"Yes, you punched an actual ghost. That's pretty impressive." Shizuka tried to be supportive.

"You sure it was a ghost?" Tsuki laughed. "You might've been looking in a mirror."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Haruka's fear turned to anger.

"No offense, but you smile like a shark." Tsuki nudged Haruka.

"I take offense to that!"

"Ahh, this is the life." Shizuka's comment killed all of the sound for a moment?

"Ehh?" The Second and Third Knights asked together.

"Oh, whoops, shouldn't have said that out loud." Shizuka hid her face.

"What did you mean?" Haru asked.

"I got all sentimental, don't worry about it." Shizuka blushed.

"Sentimental about what?"

"I-I dunno, It just feels nice to hang out with people sometimes. I got too used to being a shut in."

"Well, you're still kind of a shut in." Tsuki spoke softly. "You've still got those tired eyes."

"I'll always be tired, I like to work myself to death, whether it be online or off." Shizuka shrugged.

"There's a reason she's a legend." Haruka had a toothy grin.

"You give me too much credit." Shizuka shook her head.

"Well, I owe you a lot, so thank you." Tsuki bowed.

"Nah, I haven't done much. You should be thanking Haru over there more than me." Shizuka shook her head.

"Ehh, why me?" Haru turned to Shizuka.

"You've been helping her longer, haven't you?"

"Yeah, but--"

"She's right." Tsuki nodded. "You've helped me a lot through this. I really owe you one."

"Uhhm, thanks." Haruka awkwardly acknowledged her sister's praise.

"Don't make it weird, Haru." Shizuka scolded her.

"Why're you thanking me anyway? We're not even done yet." Haruka ignored Shizuka's complaint.

"I dunno, I just... I think Shizuka rubbed off on me." Tsuki chuckled.

"Not you too!" Haruka groaned.

"Y'know, I really missed you when you were gone."

"Eh?"

"I dunno, I just feel like I've got a ton to say to you, now that you'll listen..." Tsuki had a tense tone in her voice.

"Alright, alright, say it." Haruka sighed.

"I still love you, Haru. Every day without you hurt. You were my best friend back then. I was never mad at you, I just... didn't know how to take it all." Tsukiko forced herself to look her sister in the eye.

"Tsuki..."

Tsukiko began to tear up. "I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry for being an idiot and pushing you away. I just didn't know what to do. I was scared--"

Without a word, Haruka wrapped her arms around her younger sister, holding her tight.

Shizuka wiped her eyes. "Sorry, I'm not any good at times like this."

"Sorry." Haruka pulled back. "I missed you too, Tsuki. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry from keeping the Knights a secret, I'm sorry for holding you back"

"It's fine now." Tsuki shook her head.

"Well, yeah, I know that now." Haruka choked.

"You kept her from becoming a Knight?" Shizuka leaned forward.

"Yeah." Haru admitted.

"Why?" Shizuka narrowed her eyes.

"I thought she'd end up replacing me or something." Haruka admitted.

"C'mon, who put that in your head. Nothing could replace you, especially after everything you've done for me. Besides, once a Knight, always a Knight, you know that." Shizuka laughed it off.

"Nah, I owe you. You took me in after everything went to hell." Haruka frowned.

"Nobody owes anyone anything." Tsuki complained. "We're family."

Shizuka sighed. "She's right."

"I'm sorry for being scared." Haruka looked down at the table.

"It's okay to be scared you know, but you have to be scared of the right thing. I'm not gonna cut you off cuz your sister's a Knight. We spent years together, just you and me, I'm not about to throw that all away. You should be glad Tsuki's here with us. Now we have someone else to hang out with." Shizuka threw an arm around Tsuki, as if welcoming her.

"But--"

"Don't try to say something stupid like how much you'll miss the days when it was just you and me. You and I both know that's a load of horseshit. I just watched you squeeze the life out of her."

"...sorry for holding you back, Tsuki." Haruka bowed her head.

"Don't be so formal." Tsuki looked away awkwardly. "You're making it weird."?

Haruka straightened up. "Sorry."

"I look forward to working with you, Haruka." Tsuki held her hand out.

"Ehh?"

"Think of our work as Knights like something to make up for lost time, y'know?"

Haruka grabbed her sister's hand. "Mm, it wasn't that long was it?"

Tsukiko shook her hand. "...still hurt."

There was a pause. It was a harsh, cold silence. They let go of each other's hand and sat back normally. None of the Himura Knights dared to look toward each other.

Shizuka broke the silence. "...enough of the heavy stuff."

"Yeah." Haruka cleared her throat.

"Wait." Tsuki broke the train of thought. "What were we supposed to be doing here again?"

"Yeah, you never explained." Haruka looked at Shizuka.

"Nah, I think we'll be fine." Shizuka blew off the concern.

"Was this your test?" Tsuki stared.

"Huh?"

Tsuki leaned closer. "Was your test actually some sort of weird plan to get Haruka and I to talk?"

"What're you talking about?" Shizuka had a strange look on her face.

"Yeah, what the hell?" Haruka joined in.

"What?" Shizuka's face grew more and more confused.

"Nothing happened while we were here, just us talking. You said it would be an inconvenience, so--"

"I was waiting to see if any what's his face sent out Shakudos to look for us!" Shizuka rolled her eyes.

"Why a shrine?" Tsuki asked.

"Cuz this place is empty. If they found us here, it would be less of a coincidence." Shizuka threw her arms up in frustration.

"Oh, that actually kinda makes sense." Haruka scratched her head.

Tsukiko narrowed her eyes in skepticism. "Why would that matter?"

"Cuz it gives us another way of finding 'em." Shizuka looked proud of herself.

Haruka put her hand on her face. "You know Sylvie and Etsuko are already doin' that, right?"

"Wait, really? Shit!" Shizuka slammed her hand on the table.

"You were actually hoping for them to attack us?" Haruka whined.

"Sorta? It would've been cool, I guess. I like fighting those kids." Shizuka shrugged again.

"Why?"

"Brings back memories of the good old days, y'know?" Shizuka smiled.

"Fighting teenagers brings back memories?" Tsuki chuckled.

"Yeah! Don't you remember, Haru?" Shizuka had a jolly voice.

"Yeah, kinda. It was fun, but annoying. It was like doing the laundry, or something. Satisfying, but it was more fun with a friend." Haruka looked down at the table as she tried to remember.

"...and the days before Haru became a Knight? Man, I was a legend!"

"That must've been a while ago." Tsuki broke the illusion.

"Ten years ain't that long. Still, times have changed. Back in those days we still listened to CDs!"

"Uhh, we still listen to CDs." Haru reminded her.

"Well... It was a long time ago!"

"But you just said--"

"Let me taaaaaaaalk!" Shizuka groaned.

"Fine, go." Haruka rolled her eyes.

"It was a different time, you know? I was like..."

"...a teenager?" Tsuki suggested.

Shizuka boasted. "I was pretty cool, I used to get hit on a lot, some guys invited me to clubs!"

"...host clubs?"

Shizuka took a deep breath. "Yeah..."

"Get to the good parts already." Haruka rested her head on her arms.

"Well, back then, it was just color gangs. That's how I met the Chief, back when he was just an officer."

"Really? How?" Tsukiko expected a heroic answer.

"He arrested me a couple times. Turns out, cops don't like it when you try to do things yourself." Shizuka frowned.

"He doesn't seem too against us. He actually let me out of jail twice. I'd probably still be there if it weren't for him." Tsuki scratched her arm.

"Haruka told me they wanted to book you for stabbing Fumi. Cops don't like stabbings, they're too common, so they like to railroad folks. That, and they started finding Shakudos in the force." Shizuka straightened up.

"Yeah. I nearly killed one of 'em." Tsuki looked sad.

"Don't kill anybody." Haruka reminded her.

"I won't, I promise." Tsuki shook her head.

"I heard." Shizuka nodded. "I get it though. After all, I nearly killed Fumiko's father."

"You still haven't done a good job of explaining that story." Haruka perked up.

"It's been almost twenty years. Back then, I was really dumb. I remember it happening around the time Tsuki was born." Shizuka tried to focus.

"Why'd you two fight?"

"He had a way with words. I thought I was fighting for justice against bullies. He just made me pick fights with anyone that questioned him." Shizuka stared off into the distance.

"Yep, sounds like him." Tsuki nodded.

"I kinda fell for him, in a dumb kiddie way. He started getting weird and handsy and my feelings flipped hard. He gets into a fight with my brother, your dad, and starts telling me all sorts of bullshit about him. Then he up and gets some girl pregnant and starts talking about abandoning her with the baby. I snapped."

"That's why he walks weird?" Tsuki stared intently.

"Yep. That's what he gets."

"...and that's how we got Fumi. Weird how it all works out like that. Must be awkward, huh, Tsuki." Haruka mocked the Third Knight.

Tsukiko responded with a harsh jab in the stomach.

"Say, ain't your birthday coming up?" Shizuka asked.

"Me? Yeah." Tsuki responded.

"Summer babies are always so tough, but also so angry." Haruka laughed.

"Lily's birthday is kinda close after, too." Tsuki added.

"Really? Two birthdays?".

"Yep. Tsuki's the twenty-eighth of July and Lily's like... August ninth?"

"Summer babies, that's adorable!" Shizuka beamed.

"I'm from the spring, and you're like, deep winter, right?"

"Yeah, kinda sucks. No one ever visits me cuz it's usually too damn cold out." Shizuka pouted.

"Kazuo must be used to it, I hear Hokkaido's really really cold." Tsuki remarked.

"Think he'd visit?"

"Well, we'd all visit. You've got a heater, right?" Haruka asked.

"I prefer cuddling up under a blanket." Shizuka grinned.

"Fine, we'll bring blankets." Tsuki countered.

"Better be prepared, December's a bitch." Shizuka chuckled under her breath.

"Yeah, well you better come over to my place next April!" Haruka shouted.

"Fine, fine."

"Now it's Haruka's turn to talk about the early years." Tsuki nudged her sister.

"Ehh? Mmm, it's not that special of a story." Haruka seemed almost embarrassed.

"Really?"

"Mom and Dad used to fight a lot, so I spent a lot of time alone. I met Shizuka early on, and we spent a ton of time together. I used to just watch her fight, but one day, Aurelia gave me this jacket. I just sorta became a Knight, no special reason."

"Do you need a special reason?" Tsukiko asked.

"Well, you had to defend Fumiko. That's a pretty noble reason. I really hope they didn't attack you cuz you're related to me. I'd never forgive myself." Haruka frowned.

Shizuka shook her head. "Nah, it was random. If they really knew, they probably would've stabbed Tsuki, not Fumi."

"Still sucks."

"It's in the past. Fumi's healthy as ever, y'know." Tsukiko reassured her.

"Well, I think that's enough talking about the past." Shizuka groaned as she stood up and stretched out her arms.

"Huh?"

"I'm getting hungry, okay?" Shizuka laid her hand over her stomach.

"Fine, fine." Tsukiko stood up too.

"Who's payin'?" Haruka hesitated to stand up.

"Don't worry, I've got cash." Shizuka put her hand in her pocket.