It’s no longer just Her laughter he still hears in his head now. No longer just Her life fading from Her eyes he sees. There’s another one. A trail of blood leading down the stairs. Splinters on the wooden floor. Silence.

Yosuke holds the crumpled picture in one hand, and his phone in the other. Everything else is a haze. Putting one foot in front of the other takes effort, takes energy he needs to stare at the two girls in the picture, for slightly too long. They are opening up the door to an otherwise inconspicuous gym, looking entirely unlike the kind of person who would frequent a gym. They are also going to kill him, he now realizes.

Worldeater hasn’t come to hold him accountable in his dream yet. At least not actively. Not consciously. He knows that masked face will never stop appearing in front of him, not for the rest of his life. Just like Hers. The people in the picture must have finished what he started, Yosuke realizes. They killed him. They are also going to kill him, probably.

What is he going to say? He turns the corner, following the instructions on his phone like a well-trained dog. He has the pictures. He can tell them Punisher’s real name. He can tell them what he assumes must be Firestarter’s weakness. He could even tell them when and where Kyubey first came to this planet, if he ever felt desperate enough to comb through the creature’s entire history. But does any of that actually matter? Compared to the weight of what he’s done, it might as well be aether.

Aether. Do ordinary people even know what aether is? She did. Koharu would.

The blurriness fades and he sees the doorstep, the oddly distinctive doorstep he recognizes from the picture. Beyond this doorstep lies his destiny, he has decided, even though he doesn’t particularly believe in destiny. Neither did she. Neither does Koharu. He thinks. 

He reaches for the doorknob. But above the doorstep is no door. Above the foundations, no walls. Above the beams, no ceiling, no roof. The place is a ruin. The gym that is in the picture is no longer there, in front of him. It is gone. They are gone. She is gone.

Yosuke: N-No…

He lowers his arm, letting it hang limply next to his body. His knees give out under the weight — Literal? Proverbial? Who knows. How many people are going to die because of what he did? Who knows. Is he even still allowed to care? Who knows. Punisher and Worldeater have gotten to them. And now, they are also going to kill him. 

The sound of a revolver chamber spinning into place, as well as the hammer pulled back all but confirms this. The cold steel against his temple doubled down on his assumption.

???: ‘Fore I count ‘two’, might as well get a name. ‘Cause with only one exception, no one knows what this place was, ‘sides the people who brought it down. An’ I sincerely doubt Kiwa had any guy friends.

Yosuke: (he immediately raises his hands) W-w-w-w-w-wait! It’s me! Y-Yosuke Nishioka! I-I traveled along with Ko — S-Shirahara, a-and Sasaki and Hayama!

Yui: (A moment of hesitation, and then a sigh) So you’re the guy, huh? The fifth Balancer? Honestly, I’m not impressed. (Yui lowers the gun)

Yosuke: I-I get that a lot, yeah… 

Yui: Anyway, I’m not gonna shoot you. …Or punch you. But what the fuck are you doing here?

Yosuke: I-I have information… I’m not with the Balancers anymore — Actually, I’m pretty sure I was never with them to begin with, I… But, I-I can, like, tell you about, like, their pasts and stuff, a-a-and… I just… they’re gonna kill me!

Yui: And I should take this at face value and not as another spy venture that got a good friend of mine killed because…?

Yosuke: B-Because… I’m sorry, I… I can’t prove I’m not here to spy on you, but… I’ve done that before and it… it was the greatest mistake of my life… W-Wait! I-I can! (he holds out his camera) T-Take a picture of me with this. You’ll be able to see my entire history, my… Well, a-as pictures, but, like, you can judge me based on that if you won’t take me on my word!

Yui: (Yui takes the camera, looking it over carefully) Fuckin’ hell… this works like a Conductors Artifact, don’t it? Just how many people like them are there, anyway? Anyway, just like, a normal picture of you? And it’ll work for someone other’n you?

Yosuke: Yeah, uh, I dunno what a “Conductor” is, but… if you take a picture of someone with that camera, you… It’s like you get an entire album of shots of their entire life… like the whole thing has been photographed.

Yui: Explains how Shiori found the gym, at least. But I got a better way to know if you’re lying or not. (Making a show of carefully handing his camera back to him, she kneels down beside him, her eyes crackling with violet lightning as she stares at him in otherwise total silence)

Yosuke: Uhm… I just kinda, have to… I dunno if I can show you the whole album, but… ask me some point of my life you want a picture of. Like, just a random date or something…

But Yui doesn’t respond. For a long moment, almost frozen in time, her gaze remains fierce, as does her expression. Only after a while does it soften, as the storm behind her eyes intensifies. Finally, finally Yui’s eyes close, a more relieved sigh leaves her lips as she just shakes her head. When they open again, her voice comes out much more softly than before.

Yui: …You’ve uh… you’ve lost a lot, haven’t you? For someone your age, I mean?

Yosuke: Huh? W-what…? My age?

Yui: …What keeps you goin’, kid? What gets you outta bed in the morning, when you lost somethin’ enough to shatter that fragile little heart of yours? …What’s kept you from eatin’ a bullet or something?

Yosuke: … D-Didn’t you want to know how the camera works?

Yui: I don’t give a shit about how the camera works. I wanted to know how you worked. Pictures can lie, but your soul can’t. But I didn’t expect such a heavy read.

Yosuke: You… You’re Yui Arashi? The soul reader?

Yui: That’s me, yeah. Now answer my question, how the hell do you keep yourself from jumpin’ in front of a bus or somethin’?

Yosuke: … Because I love her.

Yui: (another flash of lighting in Yui’s eyes) …You really do, huh. But there was a gap between all that blood on your hands and even meetin’ her, right? So how’d you do it then? Or is that how you got all tangled up with the Balancers in the first place?

Yosuke: K-Kyubey… he told me he’d grant my wish if I did what he said. A-At first, he just needed my camera. Then, he had me transfer to Mitakihara High and join the newspaper club…

Yui: …That god damned cat. Always the fucking Genie Cat… (She slowly rises to her feet, speaking just loud enough to reach the inside of the rubble) ‘Kay, Alice. He’s clean. Let him in.

Slowly, the image of the ruined gym fades into the sight of an intact building, and a door appears in front of Yosuke’s eyes. It opens, revealing an emerald-haired girl, wearing her bandaged arm in a makeshift sling.

Alice: … Now you’re definitely not getting your office back.

Yui: …I don’t have enough money to pay Aoi to clean up afterwards, either. ‘Sides, Aoi’s done her time as it is. (Her tone and demeanor returned in a flash to that of a normal twenty year old girl as she entered the gym) Oi, Camera Man. Get in ‘fore someone sees ya.

Yosuke: (he quickly gets up, scurrying inside)

Alice: Hold up. (she puts her free hand on Yosuke’s shoulder, causing him to face her, upon which she promptly produces a wand from her sleeve and taps him on the forehead with it) There. Entry ticket.

Yosuke: I-I didn’t know you girls used literal magic wands.

Alice: Not a wand.

Yui: Conductor shit works different. I’ll give the details later. Anyway, uh… yeah. Koharu’s in my office. Whether or not she wants to see you is up to her, though. If ya wanna debate that, we can step in the ring.

Yosuke: W-What even is a “Conductor’ anyways — (interrupted by the sound of a door closing, he turns his head towards the origin of the sound — to see a familiar face glaring up at him from underneath a familiar head of seemingly infinite, unkempt brown curls) S-Senpai?

Koharu: (leaning with her back against the office door, she frowns, her sentiment obvious even from her characteristically inexpressive face) He’s a spy. Keep him here.

Yosuke: W-Wait, no! I’m not here to spy on you!

Koharu: Why did you let him in? He’ll lead the Balancers straight to our doorstep again.

Yui: I read him myself. His story checks out. The soul can’t lie, Koharu. ‘Sides, I’m not one to take hostages. We’re at war, but I don’t do war crimes.

Koharu: I don’t trust your “reading”. I’ll read him myself—

Yosuke: Y-You can keep me here! No problem! If that’s what it takes for you to trust me, then I won’t set a single step outside of these four walls. I’ll… I’ll make myself useful, anything to… anything to put an end to this whole “Balancing” nightmare!

Alice: … You do know this isn’t a hotel, right? We all sleep in the same room. And we’re girls.

Yosuke: I-I’ll behave! You can trust me!

Alice: … Yeah, that’s not what I’m worried about.

Yui: Eh, I’m less worried. Anything happens, I’ll throw hands. People seem to follow that rule ‘round here. Well, welcome to the crew I guess, Yosuke. …If you mess up my office, you’re cleaning it. 

Koharu: Hmph… (she turns around, heading back into the office and closing the door behind her)

Yosuke: Senpai, wait! (before he can catch up with her, however, Koharu has already locked the door) Come on! Miss Arashi vouched for me, didn’t she?

Alice: Give her some time, okay?

Yosuke: I… (he suddenly jolts up) Ah, shit!

Yui: What’s the panic for this time?

Yosuke: My parents… They’ll freak out if I stay away for too long…! If… If you can help me come up with some kind of excuse, I’ve got your back— err, I mean, I can stay here!

Alice: Errr… (she looks at Yui, hands on her hips) I guess you could ask Niko? If that Worldeater jackass could mess with people’s heads through the Dreamscape, she should be, right? … Is that really the kinda level we wanna stoop to, though?

Yui: It’s that, or call the birds. That’s a huge bill for playing messenger, though. Couldn’t hurt to ask Niko anyway, at least, right? Oh, uh, and I do mean ask. Niko’s been through a lot, fighting and beating Worldeater and all.

Yosuke: (he freezes up) Oh… So… He really is gone, huh? (he bites his lip, looking at the floor)

Alice: … Were you… friends?

Yosuke: Ah, eh… No. Not, eh, not really… Sorry. Niko is… Sh—Hayama’s girlfriend, right? Does she also, like… live here, or…?

Yui: …I see. Well, uh, yeah, for now anyway. We’ll all be going back home after all this is over. She’s downstairs, I think. It’s our clinic. …Probably the thing that the cat wants us dead for.

Yosuke: Oh, shit… I-Is she okay?

Alice: Oh, no, no, she’s not, like, a patient. It’s a clinic, but it’s also our kitchen… and it’s where we sleep, or… really do anything that isn’t punching things.

Yosuke: Well… (he takes a deep breath, before bowing in an overly exaggerated way, raising his voice) … T-Thank you for letting me stay here, and for trusting me! I… I’ll be in your care!

Yui: (she sighs) Yeah, yeah. Good luck, or whatever.

Alice: Yui… got a minute? (as Alice and Yui huddle up, Yosuke fumbles around for a few seconds before heading towards the stairs)

Yosuke: Uhm… (he clears his throat) Niko…? Miss Segawa? … (after the lack of response, he turns back to Alice and Yui) Err, I think the lights are out? Are you sure there’s people down there? (unfortunately, the two have retreated to a far-off corner of the common area, and don’t seem to hear him over their conversation) … Hello? (after more silence, he decides to head down the stairs)

For a few seconds, nothing happens. Then, a shrill scream erupts from downstairs, causing Alice to jump.

Alice: What the—

Niko: Who the hell are you?! S-Since when do we let boys in here? Get out! GET OUT!

As fast as his feet can carry him, the boy stumbles back up the stairs like a speeding bullet, but Niko doesn’t lower her clenched fists, panting.

Niko: God damn freaking— I’ve had enough of these weirdos and creeps! (with a deep sigh, she finally relaxes, plopping down on one of the clinic beds) Bet he was trying to “accidentally” walk in on something funny… Wait a second, how did that guy get in here?

Yasu: Man, I dunno. Probably something to deal with later. Who cares…? (with a sigh, Yasu leans against the opposite wall from Niko’s bed) So anyway, where were we? You were on about Worldeater’s last words, I think?

Niko: I dunno… I knew what the Dreamscape was going to do to him, but… maybe it kinda stings that he ended up getting what he wanted? That doesn’t feel right.

Yasu: He wanted a way out, but couldn’t get off of his path himself. He needed someone else to do him in. In a way, I can almost relate, having stood beside Rui all that time… When you’re in that deep, it’s hard to see a way back. And for him, based on what you told me, it was his entire life.

Niko: Ugh… I don’t get that at all! If you wanna stop being a jerk, why don’t you just stop being a jerk? It’s not like he even had a Rui breathing down his neck, blackmailing and threatening him!

Yasu: But that’s all he knew, that was my point. It was his entire life, that lie that Kyubey fed to him. It’s… easier, almost, when you’re being manipulated and lied to. Breaking out of that is hard. You were the first of us to go against the grain, and I always had a deep respect for you for it.

Niko: I mean, Rui didn’t leak your freakin’ nudes to the entire school. Anyone would call it quits at that point.

Yasu: Well no, of course not. But it took me too long to see the off-ramp. Took Hanako a long time to try and make things right with Aoi, and she still has a way to go before she’s completely there, frankly. But for Worldeater— for Luca? I mean… for us, it was years. But for Luca, it was all he knew. How was he supposed to just change, overnight?

Niko: (she sighs) … I dunno. I just… like to think people aren’t, like, evil to the core like that. Who goes around declaring that they are the bad guy? No one wants to be the bad guy, right?

Yasu: Probably not. But if that’s all he knew… 

Niko: If it’s all he knew… how did he know that it was wrong? That there was another way? (she groans) Ugh, this sucks…! He sucks!

Yasu: I mean, yeah. He did a lot to hurt us. But at the same time, I just… I can see it, as someone who was on that side of the tracks once.

Niko: You’re not the same! If anything, you prevented Rui from going even further off the deep end than she already did!

Yasu: I guess so… 

Niko: I… I dunno. I dunno either. I don’t know what to do… Everyone’s all, like “oh, Niko, you sure showed that guy,” but… now everyone in town is in there. The Dreamscape was never made for something like that, and… then there’s the whole business with that Anisa woman. (she sighs) Arashi makes this all look so easy.

Yasu: Have you talked to her about it? You two are a lot alike, based on what you told me. I heard she was made by these bastards to cage-fight at twelve years old, just to survive.

Niko: We’re not the same… She’s… unique because of what she’s gone through. I’m just a dumb teenager who needs others to tell her what the right thing is to do.

Yasu: Who says Yui isn’t also a dumb teenager, just faking her way through it? I know how hard she’s taking Mei’s death, for example… She’s trying her best to hide it, but I’ve never even seen Yui like this. And I don’t even live here anymore.

Niko: All the more reason why I shouldn’t bother her with my shit, then…

Yasu: Someday, maybe you two oughtta talk it out. But for now, I’m still here, at least. I’m not going home before this fight is finished.

Niko: W-Wait… You’re going back? To Tokyo?

Yasu: I’m still in school, Niko… 

Niko: Y-Yeah, but… I thought you’d come back to our school.

Yasu: It’s not like I’m dying, Niko. Besides, I’ll give you my number. I just… I don’t think this is the time for me to come back. Might sound hypocritical of me, given what we were talking about, but I’m pretty sure those girls probably wouldn’t accept me back yet. That, and I have no idea how long it’ll take to reopen schools here, once all is said and done, you know?

Niko: … Are any of the girls who gave you a hard time even still alive? There’s barely anyone left from the old track club.

Yasu: Haha… that’s pretty grim, Niko. I don’t think everyone Rui brought into her little army is dead, Niko. But even so, I can’t just upend and abandon my life in Tokyo just yet, either. I’m sorry.

Niko: How… How did you build a new life so quickly? (she sighs) Figures you would. I’m no longer the girl who was at the top of the pecking order, though…

Yasu: C’mon, Queen Bee. You can get it back. Even if you have to fake it ‘til you know how to work the Dreamscape the way you want it. 

Niko: A-Are you saying I should brainwash people into being my friends?

Yasu: I’m saying you’ve earned a lot of respect, as well as a position of power. If people overlook what you’ve done for them, you should remind them of what you did, and what you can do, that’s all. Not actually use that power for evil or anything, but like…

Niko: I can’t tell people about the Dreamscape! The Troubadour told me to keep its existence under wraps no matter what… and, I mean, the people who know about it already are… I dunno.

Yasu: Gah… just go be friends with Yui, that’s what I mean! Damn… (she sighs, then chuckles softly) I really did miss you, y’know. My friends in Tokyo are so boring by comparison. So focused on their careers and studies and stuff. What little fun they do have is like, once-a-week board game night. …I’ll come back after I’m done in Tokyo, I just need to finish my studies. Not just academically, either. But I’m learning more about Puella Magi there as well.

Niko: Are things as wild there as they are over here…? Wait, you’re not gonna walk into another “Balancing” when you return, right?

Yasu: No, nothing like that. The main branch of the Sixth Bureau dissolved after things went down here, but the lady running it reorganized some of the good parts of it into another group, and they keep to the mission statement rather than whatever bureaucratic corruption comes with people in power. I help them out from time to time, but I’m not in with Mochizuki-san directly. She doesn’t seem to mind, either, which leads me to think she can be trusted, at  least a little bit. She found me right away, as soon as I set my last box in my dorm. It weirded me out at first, but government types just tend to know things, I guess. But because of her group, Tokyo’s kind of dull, as far as magical stuff is concerned. University’s been much more stressful. So when Hanako turned up at my doorstep one day, it was a welcome change of pace. Kinda rekindled my magical fire, so to speak.

Niko: Really? No Puella Magi trying to kill each other? … What is it with this city, man…?

Yasu: It wasn’t unlike any other city for a long time, from what I understand. The Bureau, and later, Aya Mochizuki’s group kinda kept the order. There’s still issues, Witches still pop up, but order’s pretty decently maintained. Probably, thinking on it, some sort of anti-Balancing mechanisms and protocols.

Niko: (she sighs) I guess if Tokyo can do it, we should be able to pull it off. (she smiles) I’m… happy you have a place where you can have a fresh start, though.

Yasu: You should visit sometime. I think you could use a vacation. You can bring your girlfriend too, if you want. (she smiles)

Niko: For some reason, I’m afraid we’re not gonna get another vacation once we graduate once schools open up again, what with how long they’ve been closed…

Yasu: You act like it’s gonna be prison… you’ll find some free time again, don’t worry.

Niko: Not to mention my dad is gonna kick my ass once he— W-Wait, if we saved the Dreamscape, doesn’t that mean all those people who got kidnapped have woken up?

Yasu: Oh shit, probably. Hmm… someone oughtta tell the others about this.

Shinju is on her way back down the rear stairway from taking out the burnable trash. The pile has been growing quite large now with so many people living here and no functioning garbage service. She pauses in the doorway, watching Niko through a gap in the dividers set up to partition the basement. Not long after, Kohaku emerges from a neighboring doorway.

Kohaku: (speaking quietly) Shinju. 

Shinju: (she jumps a little) O-oh, sis… 

Kohaku: What’s up? (She follows where Shinju was looking) Segawa-san again?

Shinju: Y-yeah, I guess… 

Kohaku: (After a pause) What is it? Are you two going out? 

Shinju: Uh… I mean, how’d you…?

Kohaku: Oh, come on. I’m not dumb. I’ve been around in the penthouse and here in the gym long enough to tell. I know it’s more common with the young generation these days for two boys or two girls or whatever to date. 

Shinju: Yeah… sorry. That I didn’t tell you right out. 

Kohaku: It’s fine. It’s your personal business and we’ve had a lot of things going on in this town that demanded much more of our attention. More importantly… (Kohaku walks past Shinju into the back stairwell, beckoning with one finger for Shinju to follow. When she does, Kohaku closes the stairwell door behind her) 

Shinju: A-am I in trouble…?

Kohaku: (she scoffs) And here I thought you’d grown up enough for me to have heard that question for the last time. No. I wanted to talk about your fight with that Balancer kid outside of town. 

Shinju: Oh… yeah. I’m sorry.

Kohaku: (Kohaku sits down on the steps) This is what I mean. What’re you sorry for?

Shinju: ‘Cause, you know… (Shinju looks up, trying to read Kohaku’s expression, but it’s too dark in the stairwell) I mean, I know… (She pauses for as long as she can, until it’s clear Kohaku won’t fill the silence) I know… you didn’t ever want me to be a soldier.

Kohaku: Yeah. It’s not as glamorous as you think. You’re smart enough and we’re well-off enough you can go to college and get a much better career. Like I couldn’t. 

Shinju: Sis, I don’t want to be a stupid office lady. Do you really think I’d be cut out for that?

Kohaku: There are more options than “office lady,” you know. You could even play pro sports if you wanted to.

Shinju: (sourly) Well, I can’t now, can I? 

Kohaku: (she narrows her eyes) Meaning what? 

Shinju: Because, I already know about everything with Puellae and stuff! (she realizes she’s being too loud and lowers her voice) What am I supposed to do in a regular job? Besides, I… know why you don’t want me to be a soldier, and the worst has already happened, so… 

Kohaku: (She sighs) So it’s about killing that Balancer kid after all? 

Shinju: … 

Kohaku: Sheesh, Shinju. The JSDF only does humanitarian work these days. I only had to kill someone one time. I didn’t tell you that story to scare you. 

Shinju: (mumbling) ‘S not the problem… 

Kohaku: The problem was that it was unnecessary. He was an insurgent who opened fire while I was with a detachment of American troops, who were probably his real target. I had pretty much the same uniform, and at that distance I doubt he could tell I wasn’t one of them. (She runs a hand through her hair) The problem is that I know he was probably just an average guy doing what he thought was best for his home and his family. You really can’t compare it to killing one of these… freaks. 

Shinju: Yeah, that’s what everyone else says, too. (By her tone of voice, it’s clear she doesn’t agree) 

Kohaku: Yeah, and they’re right to say it. These aren’t ordinary people just defending what’s theirs. As far as I can tell, they jet around the world to who-knows-where and cause chaos and slaughter random people for fun. It doesn’t seem like any of them care about entropy or “the balance” or whatever shit Kyubey’s on about. They’re just here to kill as many people as they can until someone kills them. You really can’t compare them to any normal person you’d fight in a normal war. I’d consider it lucky, even. Hardly any real soldiers get to fight a real “bad guy,” or know that so clearly when they pull the trigger. 

Shinju: Yeah, well… still, when you kill someone, you’re supposed to feel something, right? 

Kohaku: That’s a natural reaction, but I don’t think you have to hold onto that feeling for people like these… 

Shinju: (she shakes her head) That’s the problem… Sis, I really didn’t feel much when I… when I shattered her Soul Gem, when I saw her body, anything…

Kohaku: I told you, you don’t have to feel bad about this. It was self-defense and it seems like all she was doing with her life was going on murder rampages. You even gave her two or three chances. 

Shinju: (She stomps her foot) It’s not normal to kill someone and not feel bad about it, is it!? Even with that stuff! 

Kohaku: … It sounds like you do feel bad. Just not the way you expected. Am I wrong? 

Shinju: …

Kohaku: I guess this is the soldier’s burden to bear, but you knew that, right? We take on this job so the regular people don’t have to. It’s only worse these days. The modern world doesn’t have any wars anyone can feel good about. Not like in ancient times when you were just defending your village from invaders… but, you know, with this Balancer stuff there’s some opportunity to do that again. 

Shinju: Well…

Kohaku: (She stands up and places a hand on Shinju’s head) You already know I’d rather you didn’t get too involved. Just leave it up to me and Arashi and them. If you don’t want to feel like this, you don’t have to. Understand? 

Shinju: Sis… I… 

Kohaku: Shh. You can leave the rest to us. You’ve done everything you had to. (She pats Shinju twice on the shoulder and heads out of the stairwell) 

No sooner than Kohaku has taken a single step up the stairway, two voices can be heard. Tensions in both voices are elevated, and the squeaky, saccharine voice gives both speakers away in an instant.

Kiwako: Lily-chan! My mind’s made up! I did all I could on this side. Now we gotta split up for a bit! I told you this back before we left Yacchan’s place!

Hanako: T-To a point, yes! But is now really the time?!

Kiwako: (she stops right past the stairwell, wheeling on the spot to face Hanako) It’s the only time! Rio-chan and Riko-chan need me. You don’t right now, Lily-chan! It’s common sense!

Hanako: Th… there’s…! N-Nothing about going out into an active warzone is common sense! The twin Birds are likely sheltering with Anisa Nobunaga… there is no reason to risk your safety like this!

Kiwako: (her tone lowers dramatically, yet at the same time, her voice softens) They’re my friends, Lily-chan. They were there for me when I was still a Witch. They guided Cece-chan to me, and guided me here. Guided us here. Cece-chan wouldn’t do that all on her own, you know. She could, but she’s still trying to bear the entirety of her visions alone. And she’s gonna suffer for it someday, when she burns someone as it goes wrong. But Rio-chan and Riko-chan? I trust them more than anyone else. And I wanna be there for them. Rio, she… she’s still not over Kotori’s death, you know. She’s putting on a brave face— Riko-chan too— but they need someone to hold them up. And Lily-chan… (her eyes brighten, and her tone returns to the high, childlike pitch in which she usually kept it) don’t go weak on me now and say that you need a pillar to lean on when you’re standing in the middle of Rome~

Hanako: …N-Nothing I say will shake you, will it, Kiwa-chan?

Kiwako: Trust me, will you? I am faster than the Balancers are, and strong enough to take a hit. And old enough to know when, where and how to escape~ (one last smile, and Kiwako turned, skipping out towards the front doors)

Hanako: …Just… let me know when you safely arrive. (Before Kiwako could respond, Hanako made her way towards the back corner opposite the stairwell, sitting down and hugging her knees)

Ueno: (A few moments later, Ueno peeks around a divider, as if she followed Hanako there from a distance) Hanako? What’s up? 

Hanako: Mh?! (Hanako visibly jumps, then slowly settles back down) O-Oh, um… it’s just… Kiwa-chan’s leaving to regroup with her friends, those twins from Kamihama. 

Ueno: Eh?? Is it safe to go out there with those weirdos all prowlin’ around? I know she’s tough and all, but… 

Hanako: That’s what I tried to tell her… but she wasn’t listening. I just… if anything happens to her, I… 

Ueno: D-don’t worry! I’m sure she’s tough enough and can sneak around and not get caught… 

Hanako: …This is true… she did refer to this as her “secret spy mission” or something like that… but at the same time, I cannot… help but worry. And… and curse my own helplessness. 

Ueno: H-Hanako, don’t beat up on yourself! Don’t go all Riku on me… 

Hanako: Ehe… (she sniffles, then looks up at Ueno) Didn’t we agree already that… I’d be the darkness, though?

Ueno: W-well, you don’t have to do everything he did! You’re not wearing a blindfold! Or teaming up with Yamano-san’s powers, I guess would be our version. 

Hanako: But… I still keep deflecting my problems onto others, and latching on to “mentors” in order to shift the blame… I never… I-I never really faced it, but all of my actions were my own… and it isn’t fair to my friends that I continue to blame them when… I was never held at gunpoint, proverbially speaking… 

Ueno: Um… it’s not like you ever killed anybody or anything actually bad… if it’s just being friends with Aoi or whatever I don’t think you need to feel that bad about it… I mean, I was too. 

Hanako: …That’s just it. I shouldn’t feel bad about being friends with Aoi. I keep… I kept telling myself, telling everyone… (she shakes her head) The way I went about it… I made it sound as if Aoi had influenced me into poor choices, somehow… and that isn’t right. Even for the “darkness” that I wish to embody, it isn’t… fair to others, for me to shunt every negative trait onto others, when things go wrong… 

Ueno: I-I see… I’m sorry, Lily, I had no idea you were thinking that kind of stuff the whole time the three of us were together… 

Hanako: I… overthink everything. I-I’m not sure if you noticed…

Aoi: (Aoi appears from behind the divider, quietly returning first aid supplies to a cabinet at the back of the gym. She seems to be purposely avoiding looking at the two of them, staying focused on her task) 

Ueno: Ah! Um, Aoi… a-are you doing okay?

Aoi: I don’t think anyone around here is doing that well these days… I’m just here to help out. 

Hanako: (she looks away, closing her eyes) …Aoi, I… 

Aoi: (sigh) What? This gym basement is dim enough. I don’t need any more darkness. 

Hanako: N-No, I… th-that’s not what I…

Ueno: D-did you hear what we were talking about?

Aoi: (She looks away) These dividers are paper-thin, so you should watch it if you want to have a private chat. 

Hanako: …Listen… about last time… I-I didn’t handle it… um…

Aoi: (She busies herself untangling the suture threads) You did what everyone wanted you to do. There’s not a problem with it. 

Hanako: …It doesn’t mean… it was the right thing to do. I-I’m… I’m sorry.

Aoi: (She shakes her head, considering her response for a moment. She gives up on untangling the suture and tosses it back in the box) There’s nothing to be sorry about. I knew I was making myself an enemy of most people in the world when I did it. I was okay with that. Just the price of entry for whoever wants to do anything like what I did. 

Hanako: …And… deep down, I still resonate with those ideals you held. Or… perhaps you still hold them. Ah… but I don’t suppose… you have any desire to fight alongside us now, do you? N-Not that I’d blame you if you didn’t, I just… 

Aoi: I hate these freaks too, but I’m not in much condition to do that. I’m sure Yui prefers having me in here, anyway. 

Hanako: Mm… Ueno-chan, I can only guess that it’s the same with you?

Ueno: W-well, I don’t know if I can fight at the top level, so… 

Hanako: Ah… well, if I’m going to be the darkness for you, then… I don’t see why I can’t be your strength in this fight as well. Ueno, Aoi, I’ll—

Yosuke: Uhm… (he peeks around the divider, holding up a plastic bag containing some first aid supplies) A-Anyone got any idea where these are supposed to go? Oh. … A-Am I interrupting something?

Hanako: (the air around the group goes completely still, as does Hanako, who takes a few seconds to compose herself) …Can you… please… go anywhere else for a few minutes?

Yosuke: Y-Yeah, of course… Don’t worry, I’ve, eh, been told that one before.

Hanako: …Listen, Yosuke… my friends and I were… were discussing something personal. And… it’s not polite to— (Hanako is interrupted again, this time by her ringing phone)

Yosuke: (he mutters) … Just trying to be useful…

Hanako: (she manages to slip out of the corner, answering the call as she walks into a less crowded part of the building) …Hello? Mother?

Katsumi: Ah, Lily! Good, you’re there. Good… um… you’re somewhere safe, I trust?

Hanako: Y-Yes. A… Are you?

Katsumi: Lily, I need you to listen to me. I am alive, and I intend to stay that way. If you have found refuge… God, I hate to ask, but do you think your shelter can accommodate one more?

Hanako: ! Wh-What happened—

Katsumi: Yes or no, Hanako?

Hanako: (Hanako wheels around, turning back towards Yui’s office) …Y-Yes. Yes, Mother, we can shelter you.

Katsumi: Good. (a sigh is heard on the other end of the line, naked relief as her tone relaxes) Good… now, where are you, Lily, dear?

Hanako: (she knocks on the office door, getting no reply, then looks around frantically) I-It’s complicated. We’ve… w-we’ve had to take measures to… to keep hidden from the Balancers. Um…

Katsumi: Just an address or point of contact will do, Lily. I’m okay where I am for now, but it won’t be long before that pink-haired woman finds my location.

Hanako: (the air around Hanako swells as she takes a few deep breaths, quickening with each) I-I-I dunno how to… h-how to explain—

A hand comes down on Hanako’s left shoulder, causing her to jump. The other hand reaches out, palm up and beckoning towards the phone. Hanako turns swiftly, facing Yui’s hardened face as the expression softens. A simple nod, and Hanako hesitantly hands over the phone.

Katsumi: Hello? Lily? Are you there?!

Yui: Hey, Hanako-mama, right? My name is Yui Arashi. I’m the owner of a gym called Paradise Hall not too far downtown. That’s where we are. You want in?

Katsumi: Arashi-san? Y… Yes, if you’re offering. I think I remember that location… but why couldn’t my Hanako just say so?

Yui: ‘Cause we’ve had a couple security incidents, and she’s prob’ly worried about causing any harm to the other refugees. As the owner, I’m willing to absorb the risk for a friend. Got a pen? Or, uh, photographic memory?

Katsumi: That’s not how— …nevermind. Give me the details.

Yui then relays the address for Paradise Hall, as well as a physical description of herself.

Katsumi: …I’ll be there soon.

Yui: Aces. I’ll see ya soon, then. How far out are you?

Katsumi: I’m not far from your location. I’m not… in the best condition to be traveling—

Yui: Tell ya what, gimme an address. I’ll come pick you up. Better than riskin’ you getting jumped by Bubblegum again, right? 

Katsumi: …Sewer systems typically don’t have address plates, you know. (Katsumi sighs, then relays the rough path she took away from the former Citizens’ Council building.)

Yui: (mumbling )…I fought a Witch around that area once. Okay, I’ll be there in like… twenty minutes. Can ya hold out about that long?

Katsumi: …Yes. Thank you, and I mean that.

Yui: Don’t thank me ‘til I get you through the door, safe and sound, yeah?

Katsumi mumbles something in thanks, then ends the call. Yui holds out Hanako’s phone, and she takes it in a trembling hand as a tear rolls down her cheek.

Hanako: Th… thank you, Yui…

Yui: ‘Course. S’what I do. Don’t sweat it, yeah?