-AKARI'S POINT OF VIEW-
Fuyutsuki was already waving at me as I arrived at the bridge, her coat fluttering in the morning breeze.
"So... have you decided yet?"
I blinked. "Decided?"
She placed her hands on her hips and puffed her cheeks dramatically.
"About what else? Joining Kakusu, of course!" she exclaimed, her eyes glinting with excitement.
I looked down at my hands, turning them over slowly as I thought about everything—my failures, my tears, my loneliness, my desire to change.
"Hey, if you don't want to, it's oka—"
"I will."
My voice was quiet but firm.
Fuyutsuki froze for a moment before her entire face lit up with a beaming grin.
"Fantastic! Come with me!"
I followed her down the winding streets, the sun peeking through the leaves, dappling the ground with shifting light. I realized I didn't even know where we were going.
"Where are we heading?" I asked.
Fuyutsuki winked over her shoulder.
"To the Kakusu headquarters, obviously! Don't worry, Rikuu will be there."
I nodded, clutching my small bag against my chest as we walked.
When we reached the headquarters, it felt strange, yet amazing. A voice from the technology. Lasers aiming at us.
[Halt. State your business.]
I shrank back, but Fuyutsuki stepped forward boldly.
"She's with me. Suzuki Akari. She's joining us."
The lasers disappeared.
[Proceed.]
As we entered the headquarters, I felt a wave of warmth and unfamiliar security wash over me. There were people training in the courtyard, sparring with wooden swords, others running drills, and a few quietly studying under the trees.
That's when I saw her.
A girl with a messy ponytail, waving at me.
"Ah, you're the girl who was getting bullied yesterday, aren't you?" she called out.
I blinked, recognizing her as the one who intervened back then.
"Ah, that's her!" she said brightly. "Good to see you again! I'm Katou Ichika."
She pointed to a tall man standing beside her, a stern but kind presence radiating from him.
"And that's my dad—well, my adoptive dad."
The man chuckled, resting a hand on Ichika's head.
"Ichika, you can just call me Dad, you know."
He turned his sharp eyes to me, but they weren't cold; they held warmth.
"Inoue Akihiko. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I bowed deeply.
"Suzuki Akari. Thank you for having me."
Another man approached us, his uniform crisp, eyes calm but intimidating in their clarity.
"Are you Rikuu's sister?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
He nodded approvingly.
"Takahashi Touma. Fuyutsuki briefed me about you last night. Welcome to Kakusu."
Ichika stepped forward, holding out her hand.
"Let's be friends from now on, okay?"
For a moment, I hesitated, my hand trembling before I grasped hers.
"Okay."
And for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like I might truly belong somewhere.
---
Akari's eyes fluttered open.
"Huh?"
She sat up, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Was it... all a dream?"
The room around her was dim with early morning light. Her heart squeezed painfully.
"Fuyutsuki-san... where did you go? It's been two years since you left."
She got up, mechanically moving to wash her face and prepare for the day.
Stepping out of her room, Akari nearly tripped over Ichika, who was sprawled across the hallway, still half-asleep.
Ichika blinked groggily before her eyes snapped open as she recognized Akari.
"Akari, wait—! I need to talk to you!"
Akari looked away, ignoring her as she walked past. Ichika tried to get up and follow but her limbs were still weak from their last duel.
As Akari reached for the door, it swung open, smacking into her forehead.
"Ow—! Watch where you're going!" she snapped.
Takeshi stood there, blinking.
"Sorry, I'm not a wizard. I can't see through doors," he replied calmly.
He glanced past Akari, spotting Ichika struggling to stand.
"You two should talk," he said lightly. "It's your brother's request for your apology."
"He doesn't need my apology," Akari muttered. "It's his fault."
Takeshi shrugged, leaning against the doorframe.
"Maybe. But I bet Akane would be upset if she knew you were acting like this."
Akari remembered Akane in her dream. her fists tightened at her side before she turned and stormed toward Ichika.
"What is it?" Akari snapped, crossing her arms.
Ichika swallowed, then patted the space next to her.
"Please... sit. I need to say this properly."
Akari huffed but sat down, her gaze hard.
Ichika took a shaky breath.
"I want to start by saying I'm sorry for interrupting you both last night. I shouldn't have. I realize it was a personal matter."
Her voice cracked.
"You beat me in that duel... I hit you, but somehow, you made me weaker. I still can't move properly, you know?"
Ichika's eyes glistened as she clenched her fists.
"But the worst part... I saw you crying so hard last night. I didn't think someone as strong as you could cry like that. And it hurts. It really hurts seeing you like that."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I don't want to lose you, Akari. I'm sorry."
Tears fell down Ichika's cheeks, her shoulders shaking.
Akari stared, frozen, before a soft, bittersweet smile crossed her lips.
"It's okay," she whispered. "I forgive you."
She looked away, her voice trembling.
"Last night, I dreamed about someone important to us. It reminded me... I should try to be more compassionate. More understanding."
She turned back to Ichika.
"You and Fuyutsuki... you both healed me. You helped the person they used to call 'The Crestfallen Chemist.' Thank you, Ichika. Thank you for healing me."
Ichika wiped her tears, a wide, relieved grin spreading across her face.
"Of course, Akari... of course."
They sat there for a moment, two girls once burdened by loneliness, finding a fragile but real connection.
Far away, within the shadows of a crumbling building, two figures observed a monitor displaying the scene of Akari and Ichika's duel from the previous night.
"Two Kakusu members... sword duel... exceptional skill... and a girl with an alchemical reaction in her body that boosts her strength," reported Commander Aikawa Fuji of Kaosu, his voice cold.
A deep, guttural chuckle echoed through the room.
"Well done, Fuji," the leader of Kaosu replied, his eyes gleaming in the dark. "Let the haunting begin."
Laughter, dark and chilling, filled the room.