Chapter Seventeen: Strains:
-Shibuya-
Aki smiled as
she looked out the window of the internet café. Her plan took shape. Jotaro
didn’t fully trust herm but he was desperate. That boy didn’t want to die. But
alas, that would be his fate. Why not put it to good use?
She rang up for
more juice. Something about the taste made her mouth water. Haruka drank sake
and old alcohol from her youth. Aki never liked alcohol. Too bitter and it
burned her mouth. No, she liked lighter and sweeter drinks. Just like her new
freedom.
Freedom.
Such a concept
chilled her. She and Haruka had been together since birth. Same with the others
in this curse bloodline. Now, she was only one of a few left.
“Heh,” Aki said
to herself. Who would die first? The kitsune laughed to herself. Has it always
been like this? Since when? It’s almost so sad.
Almost.
She didn’t have
to do much with this plan. Jotaro would be the one to find what she needed. The
kitsune left him something. They should have found it by now. Aki looked at the
time on the computer. Still afternoon, huh? Haruka didn’t know that she was out
here. How long would that last? Aki looked up at the ceiling.
“This kind of
scares me,” she muttered to herself. In truth, she knew the end was coming fast.
Neither side wanted to fold. But, they knew that this could go on forever.
Haruka already started taking action by herself.
“What do you
know?” she asked. “Looks like the connection is not really broken.” She put her
hands behind her head. Aki glanced behind her.
“Oh,” she said.
“So you managed to find me. Heh.” She turned to face the intruder.
“The question
is, what will you do now?” the kitsune asked. She gave them a curious look.
“Oh? So that’s
why you’re here,” Aki said. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that. Why? Oh, he’s
now part of me. Sorry, that’s how it is. Hm? Ho!” Her lips curved into a wicked
smile.
“Well now,” Aki said. “That sounds tempting. But, no. I will can’t let you. Not yet, at least. When? I will let you know. You shall see.” She turned back to the window. It looked like she found another answer to her grand plan.