Yui has spent the last few hours buzzing about the gym, making sure that things would be fine without her for a few hours. Kiwako had double and triple checked the route provided by Cecilia, as well as the time where it would be safe. Yui had a large backpack on her back, and a small duffel bag in her left hand. At the entrance to the gym, she looked around one last time. Mei and Ueno were doing some light sparring in the ring. Kiwako was overseeing. Kohaku was at the front window, as always. Yuzuki was in the office, and Aoi was, of course, down in the clinic. As Alice emerged from the office, Yui gave a small wave.

Yui: I’ll be back before ya know it. Don’t worry, alright?

Alice: (she crosses her arms) I don’t get why you have to be the one to do this. Anyone can go look for supplies, but only you can keep this rowdy bunch under control.

Yui: I kinda wore them all out with training last night in preparation for that. Besides, there’s like a bunch of us elders here that they’ll listen to. Just put cartoons on your phone, Kiwa’ll be completely pacified.

Kiwako: Hey!

Yui: It worked last time, right?

Kiwako: …

Yui: See? Easy. More to the point, I stand the best chance of makin’ it back in one piece if things go south.

Alice: I’ll help you carry stuff. Don’t exactly have anything else to do. (she heads towards the coathanger, putting on her scarf and jacket) Besides, knowing you, you’ll just pilfer all the sugary snacks and carbs and leave all the actual food for the raiders, and I’ll get to go on a diet for another week; (she grins)

Yui: O-Oi! What, carry stuff with your one good arm? No, Sis was clear, I gotta go alone, babe! Just gimme a list, yeah?

Alice: Alone, she said? No alarm bells going off on that one? (she heads towards the door) And before you start, I know I won’t be much help if this does turn out to be a trap, but in that case at least you won’t have to die alone.

Yui: (Yui paces a bit, running her hands through the back of her head) …I don’t like this, Alice. But there’s not a shot in hell I can talk you outta this, either, right?

Alice: Look, I’m safer with you, okay? Not to toot my own horn, but if these Balancers get to me, they’ll have you dead to rights. (she pats Yui on the shoulder a few times) And the only way to make sure they don’t get to me, is to make ‘em have to go through you first. 

Yui: Heh… I mean, I guess that’s undeniable. If it came to this whole gym an’ me, I think I’d have better odds at bein’ a better fight to protect ya. …But I still don’t like this. We’re throwin’ off Cecilia’s vision here, probably in a big way.

Alice: Right, cause it’s all sunshine and rainbows when her visions do come true, right?

Yui: She even said she’s havin’ a hard time keepin’ the future straight at this point… ugh. Well, if we’re goin’ off script as it is, then we may as well make the most of it. We ain’t goin’ alone.

Alice: Is that common sense I’m detecting in Yui Arashi?

Yui: I guess even I gotta display some caution from time to time. Much as I like the idea of bein’ a one woman army, there’s no reason to be so risky right now. Mei.

Mei: (Mei leans against the ropes of the ring, panting a bit.) Yeah?

Yui: Hold down the fort, yeah? You an’ I have the easiest telepathic link, an’ since you have that power, I can trust you on the front lines, just in case. Kiwa, you help her out. Just don’t kill Mei while I’m gone, okay?

Kiwako: Aye, captain!

Yui: …Huh, that’s an idea. Kohaku, Ueno. Y’all feel up to a little shopping trip?

Ueno: Oh! Yes! Yes, please! (She jumps up and makes a quick bow)

Kohaku: I guess so. We’re running low on a lot of things. 

Yui: (Yui simply nods, then looks between the group) A’ight here’s the plan. Ueno, you stay near Alice. If we get attacked, you book it with her back to the gym. Kohaku and I take point. If we hit any danger, we’re probably the strongest Puellae in town, so we’ll probably make it back to the gym safe enough. I’ll see if Yuzu’s cool keeping an eye on Aoi, with Mei and Kiwako takin’ the front lines, just in case something finds this place. Cool? (Yui telepathically relays this to Yuzuki in the office)

Yuzuki: {O-oh, okay. I’ll hold down the fort here. I’m sure it’ll be nothing as usual… be careful out there.}

Yui: {You’re the best, Yuzu. If things get tight, hold the fort down literally, I guess, but it shouldn’t come to that. Mei’ll listen to you, don’t worry. I’ll kick her ass again if she doesn’t.}

Alice: (she turns to Ueno) I’ll be in your care then, Asaharu. I’ll have to warn you, I’m not exactly great with candy.

Ueno: Um, you shouldn’t have to eat any of it! If we’re eating my Puella powers we’re in a serious pinch… 

Yui: It shouldn’t come to it. Ueno, you can scamper on back to the gym with Alice here, right? I’ve seen you fight, you’re pretty quick.

Alice: Really should’ve gotten my license when I had the chance… Could’ve come in real useful!

Yui: It’d be too high profile. I would’ve taken Lynx out already, but they’d probably get a beat on a motorcycle in like a heartbeat.

Alice: Alas. I ought to be driven around like a princess.

Yui: Maybe after this is over, Princess. Anyway, Captain, Bubblegum, let’s roll.

Alice: Let’s see how good of a navigator you are, brave boy scout. (she takes a brief glance at the stairs heading to the basement, where the Baton is locked away) Aoi knows how to use the Baton, just in case. I don’t think she can actually, like, wield it, but she should at least be able to maintain the illusion, like when I let Hanako have it for a while.

Ueno: Just Ao-ch… Aoi? Nobody else knows how? 

Alice: The fewer people are focusing on maintaining the illusion, the less likely it is to get muddled. It’s not enough to just think of “rubble”. You need to keep the exact composition of the rubble you’re projecting in mind, at all times.

Yui: Aoi can handle that, at least for a while now. While we’re gone, it’ll probably be fine. We’re just goin’ to a nearby store to get supplies anyway.

Alice: Lead the way, babes. I need some fresh air.

The group ventures out into the quiet streets, yet as soon as they exit the alleyway the gym is located in, they are surprised to see quite the number of people out and about — people carrying around large bottles of water or packets of food, volunteers cleaning up rubble, Peacekeepers patrolling, or even just neighbors sharing tea from a thermos or playing a game of shogi. As they follow Yui’s directions, however, they eventually find themselves in a part of town that appears to have been abandoned entirely.

Alice: I think my father used to work around here somewhere.

Yui: Huh, no kidding? Makes sense then if we’re robbin’ him blind. …Remind me to pay these folk back when the city stops burning.

Alice: He didn’t work at a convenience store… This is a business district. No wonder there’s nothing going on.

Yui: Lucky us then, eh? Probably those assholes went after the populous areas first. Lookin’ for us, if I had to guess. 

Alice: Better keep watch, though. Easy to get lost around these parts. Every building looks the same.

The group finds the shop Cecilia showed Yui. Sure enough, it is nearly impeccably stocked, as if it were abandoned yesterday. Yui is quick to direct traffic, helping Alice with their gathering while Kohaku and Ueno venture to another side of the small store.

Yui: Y’know… there’s something kinda comfortingly nostalgic about going shopping with you, Alice.

Alice: (she chuckles) Nostalgic for three months ago?

Yui: More like, about a year ago. Or however long since we moved into the dorms.

Alice: We can always go shopping together again if you want to. Well, when all this is over, that is. Gonna have to get used to the dorm though. Not even your Conductor money can pay for the rent in this city. (she tilts her head) Then again, maybe this whole situation’s fixed that problem, at least.

Yui: Well, yeah. But who knows? A bunch of this city bein’ destroyed probably lowers the property value. That, and the mayor being burned to death. …Call it Stockholm Syndrome or whatever, but I’m gettin’ used to stayin’ in the gym. Can’t pretend I’m not tempted to make it a full time gig, y’know?

Alice: Hey, you don’t have to stick around at the dorm for my sake… Honestly, running an honest business is probably a smarter choice than trying to make it in music. That’s… That’s my dream. It doesn’t have to be yours, it… It doesn’t need to be yours.

Yui: I’m still good enough at the bass to help you get your dream, babe. Who knows what kinda opportunities’ll come of this? People’ll be scramblin’ for any source of comfort ‘cause of all this. Maybe our music’s the thing this city’s gonna need to heal?

Alice: (wryly) Well, the fact that the competition has committed several murders at this point will certainly play in our favour, that’s for sure.

Yui: (Yui shrugs) I mean, I wasn’t gonna say it, but…

Alice: (she suddenly stops walking) … Should… Should we feel guilty? About her? I… I mean, I always thought the whole self-destructive sex, drugs and rock-’n-roll spiel was just… just her doing a bit.

Yui: …Man… she wasn’t like this before. Right before I went and asked her father about Conductor shit, she gave me this big spiel about how she was turnin’ her life around, things were lookin’ up. Some shit must’ve happened. She hadn’t made her wish yet, an’ even started goin’ by her birthname, Satomi again. Next thing I know, she lit the old mayor up. Goddamn genie-cat must’ve done something to fuck it all up.

Alice: “Things were looking up the last time I saw them…” Yui, that’s… That’s something you say when someone’s committed suicide. I… I’m not sure she was turning her life around. At least not in the way you… might’ve thought she was.

Yui: Most people, yeah. But if that were the case, it’d be evident in her soul. She was actually fine, babe. Something must’ve happened.

Alice: I’d love to take your word for it, Yui. But I don’t think you can just know people inside out because you can read their… souls, or whatever we’re calling it. I know you’re trying to see the bright side here, but… I… I don’t think it’s that easy. Or that… black-and-white, or… whatever. You know what I mean.

Yui: Man… I wish I could describe it, or show you somehow. It’s literally a sense I attuned to ‘cause of my wish. But like, no matter what a person’s been through, a soul can’t lie. If someone’s on the edge like that, it comes through. Like it used to for Hanako.

Alice: … Sometimes, I wish… No, never mind. (she continues walking) I think we… left simplicity behind ages ago.

Yui: Can’t argue that. …Then again, did we? Things were still messed up in high school. When was the last time anything was ‘simple’?

Alice: Never. Maybe.

Yui: Just gotta stop these assholes from burnin’ everything down, then we can get somewhere close to simple. …Maybe.

Alice: I think we’re far beyond that point, Yui. You’re basically a living god.

Yui: Heh… if that’s the case, I resign from the post of almighty god after this is done. ‘Sides, can’t play god if I still can’t mess with a soul in order to undo someone’s wish completely, right? Best I can do is knock ‘em out.

Alice: (she sighs) If you… know you don’t want to be almighty, then… why don’t you listen to me? You don’t want to claim to have all the answers, right? Is… Isn’t that why you tell me? Ask me? About what to do? Then… Then listen to me. (she looks Yui in the eyes) Whatever Shiori has become, it doesn’t come from Kyubey, and… I think you need to understand that, if you want to beat her. Kyubey didn’t plant it, it… it only nurtured it. But it’s been there for a long time. I know, Yui, because it’s in me, too. And I know for a fact that I don’t set off any of your alarm bells.

Yui: …Denial is a hell of a drug, Alice. You can’t blame me for wanting to save her somehow, right?

Alice: I’d kick your ass if you didn’t.

Yui: Heh. Not like I have a gameplan though. Just… kick her ass and see from there, really.

Alice: Impeccable as always. Have a cookie. (she tosses Yui a pack of sugar-free cookies she took off the nearest shelf) That’s a start at least. It feels nice being acknowledged.

Yui: (Yui catches the cookies with ease) Heh. Y’make it sound like I never listen. Well, if you got a plan for me to deal with Shiori, I’m all ears.

Alice: I was talking about the cookies. (she smiles, continuing in a sing-song tone) Thank you, large corporations, for granting us diabetics the right to consume your product, too!

(Ueno and Kohaku approach, with duffel bags full of canned goods and other non-perishables)

Ueno: Um, should we put any of this back if you’re diabetic…? I dunno anything about that…

Yui: Well, nah. We have room for other stuff, I’ll help make sure Alice’s needs are covered. Besides, there’s like… seven more of us who aren’t diabetic that’ll make good on the rest. Good job, guys.

Alice: It’s not like I’ll die. We gotta work with what we have. (she sighs) Even if it means we’ll have to eat Kiwako eventually…

Yui: Are you out of your mind?! Alice… you know Kiwako’s like 95% sugar, right?

Alice: More like 95% aspartame. That girl’s sweetness is as artificial as a six-pack of Diet Coke.

Yui: I mean, she believes her own lies. That kinda makes her pure sugar— (catching the faces of Kohaku and Ueno, Yui stops her shtick) …Okay, I really hope it’s obvious we’re doin’ a bit.

Alice: (she grins) I’m not.

Kohaku: You all have quite a dark sense of humor. Reminds me of my sister when she was missing her soul… 

Yui: Is… is that dark humor too? Damn, man, didn’t think ya had it in ya!

Alice: At this point, any humor that isn’t dark seems kind of inappropriate… Anyways, everyone packed and ready? Didn’t forget the essentials? Not just snacks?

Yui: Ueno, mind double-checkin’? Since you were worried about Alice an’ all. So like, how’d you deal with that anyway, Captain? Shinju bein’ down a soul an’ all.

Kohaku: I didn’t. Not until the day I realized what had happened and gave it back to her. Her death changed her… that was all I thought at the time. 

Yui: …Couldn’t have been easy. Hell, probably still isn’t, seein’ as she ain’t here right now. But uh… you probably don’t need me to tell you she’s alright out there.

Kohaku: I wish I could be that sure. If something happens again, I doubt she’ll have a third chance.

Yui: …Let’s just say I have it on good authority, an’ leave it at that. While we’re out in public, anyway.

Alice: You might wanna share that little tidbit with Segawa.

Yui: She might claw me to death if I so much as breathe her name.

Alice: … Would be one hell of a way for you to go out.

Yui: Whoever had that bet would be richer’n I am now.

Kohaku: … Sorry, what would be the problem with telling Segawa? Or me? Is there a point in withholding information?

Yui: …Long story short, no, not really. S’why I told you now. I’ll tell Segawa next time I see her. Just, I don’t want it widespread. Certain people might use that info to make her not so safe out there. 

Kohaku: … That might be true… why would Segawa claw you to death? 

Yui: (she can’t help but laugh) Have you met our resident disaster lesbian? She yanked that crown right off my head!

Kohaku: I say her name all the time and she’s not clawed me.

Yui: I tell Segawa that I have info about her girlfriend, she ain’t gonna let me rest until she knows every single detail of her day-to-day life out there. An’ that’s not info I got. But because I have some info… ya get me?

Kohaku: (She folds her arms and goes quiet) So she and my sister are in that kind of relationship, are they?

Yui: Man, I don’t know. Maybe? I’d pay money to be a fly on that wall if ya ask Segawa about it, an’ I’m right, though. Funny as hell… (she nudges her head in Ueno’s direction) Oh, uh… same with Hanako. She’s fine too.

Ueno: Oh, great! Hanako’s not my girlfriend though. Sorry to disappoint.

Yui: Oh, yeah, I knew that. Hanako ain’t the type. Always came off as a straight Ace, if ya catch my drift.

Alice: (she groans)

Ueno: Um, I dunno what her grades are like… I guess so?

Yui: Ah, er… what I mean is, she’s not interested in datin’ anyone. Ever.

Alice: … Maybe we should leave it up to Hanako whether she’s up to discuss that with others.

Yui: From what I know of the girl, there’s two kinds of stuff with her. Stuff she cares about hidin’, which she’s really bad at, and stuff she doesn’t give a damn about. I guarantee her if I addressed her asexuality publicly, she wouldn’t care, s’long as I wasn’t makin’ fun of her or bein’ derogatory about it. An’ if I was, I’d be first in line to kick my own ass. But that’s just the type of girl Hanako is.

Alice: How do you even—Ugh, never mind. I dunno, I’m not exactly comfortable discussing the kind of stuff, given the circumstances.

Yui: An’ I wouldn’t talk about your stuff for that exact reason. I’d bet though, that Hanako doesn’t care at all. Wanna put some money down?

Alice: It’s not about— (she sighs) You’re just subtle as a sack of bricks, aren’t you?

Yui: Yeah, thereabouts.

Alice: That’s what you have me for! (she gently leans into Yui, by lack of a free arm to hug her with)

Yui: (Yui smiles and gently hugs Alice around the shoulder, being extra careful)

Alice: Seriously, though, we should go. This isn’t exactly the place for banter.

Yui: Mm. We all good here, Kohaku? Ueno? Nothin’ else weighin’ ya down?

Ueno: Huh? N-no, all good here!

Kohaku: Don’t worry about me. 

Yui: A’ight. But uh, in the future, if y’all ever need an ear, I’m good for it. ‘Kay… let’s move on out.