Chapter 4[The Universe is governed by laws?something that is often mistakenly compared to the laws of our Physical Science. Abstractly speaking, the Universe can be more accurately compared to an organism. It is composed of its aggregates?the stars, the planets and the like?though they are often isolated by huge distances. However, if we look at the Universe as a whole, its aggregates aren?t isolated at all. Each of them is organized into their own part?systems, galaxies, and clusters?each of them follow an unspoken rule of the universe?the gravities and the orbits, for example.]
[However, our Universe is also an organism of Chaos. When its aggregate parts have outlived its natural cycle, they are thrown off the Order of the Universe?in which cases they are usually disposed with impressive catastrophic destruction, if not by dwindling into eternal silence.]
[For our case, the humans are an even smaller part of this Universal Order?but this does not excuse us from being exempted from it. Nay, just as Sun will eventually die?our race is fated to die from extinction. It?s just a matter of when and how?and both of these things are affected by our actions, and the will of the Universe.]?It?s rare to see you writing, Renko,? said Maribel when she entered the clubroom the next day. She immediately pulled a seat and sat down beside the busy Renko.
?Don?t say that,? said Renko while she wrote. ?I always write proper essay papers for my classes.? She barely took her eyes off the white, unruled paper. Her forehead was dappled with drops of sweat, but Renko ignored them and concentrated on the work at hand.
?Did you get Dr. Satsuki?s message?? asked Mary. ?I?m going to pay a visit to Mizuuya after our club activities.?
Renko replied with a small grunt. ?I might follow you later, I?m kind of busy. This paper is due tomorrow?our professor had the wonderful idea of giving us only one day for a three page essay.?
?So, no activities today?? asked Maribel. She glanced at Renko?s serious and focused demeanor. It was a rare sight for Maribel to see Renko in such a state. Most often, Renko would be bouncing around the room whenever they have club activities.
?Unfortunately,? replied Renko. ?Academics still come first, you know. I do have an intention of graduating?? Renko ended her sentence with incoherent mumbling as she sank back to deep concentration.
Maribel sighed. Well, reality is harsh.
★~//~//~//~//~//~//~★
When Maribel arrived at the clinic, the first thing she immediately noticed was the absence of patients. The lobby was empty except for Mizuuya who was having an energetic talk with Meimu. The receptionist desk was empty, and there was no sign of the snappy, little girl, Kiyuu.
Mizuuya stared at Mary as she approached. Meimu also saw her and greeted her warmly. ?Miss Satsuki is at her office, second door to the right. She told me that she was expecting you.? Mary only nodded in reply, and then caught Mizuuya?s stares.
Mizuuya stared at Mary intently and then opened her mouth slowly to speak. ??thank you for yesterday. Mizuuya is very grateful for your help,? she told Mary in a soft voice.
Maribel smiled. ?Don?t mention it. Do you feel alright now?? However, Mizuuya did not answer, and instead turned very red in the face. Maribel then realized that Mizuuya was kind of shy.
Mizuuya only answered with a slight nod, and Maribel excused herself. Maribel entered the hallway beside the receptionist desk and started to look for Rin?s office.
For the first time, Maribel noticed the extreme bareness of the clinic as a whole. Yesterday, she thought the clinic was a little unfurnished, but she now noticed that most of the clinic also followed the same bareness of decoration.
While the lobby itself was furnished by two sofas and a counter, there was a remarkable absence of any decorations in the rest of the clinic. The hallway was as bare as it could be?there were only three wooden doors in each side of the hall and another door at the end of the hallway. No vases, or flowers, or any d?cor that you?d usually find in a small clinic. However, Maribel is also surprised at the cleanliness of the clinic?the tiled floors were squeaky clean and no trace of dust could be seen. The walls were sparkling white.
The three doorways at the left of the hall were closed?probably locked. Maribel remembered that Mizuuya was taken into one of these rooms. Two of the three rooms at the right side were open. The first door opened into a small pantry where a small kettle was being boiled for hot water. The second room led into Rin?s office where Mary saw the young doctor immersed in a thick, hard-bound book. She sat on a swiveling chair behind her heavily-cluttered desk, and as Mary knocked at the open door, Rin looked up from behind the messy pile.
?Good afternoon, Miss Han,? said Rin warmly. She pointed to an empty chair in front of her desk. ?Feel free to take a seat. Tea is still being prepared though, I hope you don?t mind the wait.?
Maribel took the offered seat. Rin?s office was small, far smaller than Mary?s clubroom. Her office only had a single window, while the two other walls flanking Maribel were occupied by big shelves that were filled with books about human anatomy and medicine. Rin?s desk was stacked with notebooks. Some of them were open, and Maribel saw hurried scribbles in its pages. A fountain pen was perched precariously at the corner of the desk. It wasn?t a very organized office.
?Your friend isn?t with you today?? asked Rin. ?I mean, Miss Usami.?
Maribel shook her head and shrugged. ?She?s too busy with her academic papers. She told me that she might pay a visit to Mizuuya later.?
?Is that so?? Rin put down her book over her open notes and leaned back on her chair. ?I just wanted to talk about Mizuuya?s condition. I will be frank with you?she is a very special case.?
?Special case? Why? What?s wrong with her??
?Nothing?s wrong with her?it?s just that she has told me of some?disturbing things when I asked about her family,? said Rin. She took a deep breath before continuing. ?Apparently, Mizuuya has no family. She has never seen her father, and her mother was apparently killed some years ago.?
Maribel visibly blanched at the doctor?s frankness. Rin?s face was hard and it betrayed no emotion, and her eyes seem to be penetrating into Maribel?s thoughts. Their gazes locked and Maribel felt uneasy. Even so, Maribel told her to continue.
?She told me her story just this morning,? continued the young doctor. ?Frankly I?ve had some thoughts about withholding this information from you. But you are her guardian, so I?m giving you the benefit of the doubt. It?s up to you whether you want me to continue or not. I would?ve also offered this to your friend, but since she isn?t here, I?ll take it up with her later.?
Once again, their gazes locked and Maribel felt her uneasiness grow. The young doctor?s eyes seemed to observer her, as if they weren?t just reading Mary?s thoughts?it was as if they were also reading the deepest recesses of her soul.
?If you don?t want me to continue, I will not burden you with Mizuuya?s life. You can step away, now. If you refuse to hear her story and decide to back away, I will forget that you ever received a message from me to talk about Mizuuya. I will also forget you ever went in this clinic today. Afterwards, I will highly recommend that you don?t ever come into this clinic ever again.?
Rin paused, just to let her brevity of her words sink into Maribel. She leaned towards Mary and set her arms over her messy desk. ?However, once I tell you her story, I cannot guarantee anything?not her safety, nor yours. I can assure you, you will be dragged into a dark world you?ve never even began to imagine, and your life might turn into constant danger. You might not be able to see your family and friends, and your future might become blurred. If you agree to listen to what I want to say, you will have to agree never to speak of it with another person. Also, once you give your decision, it cannot be revoked?I will not give you another chance to change your mind.?
She paused once more before continuing, ?Think wisely, Miss Han. Your future will depend upon it.?
Coming to a complete stop, Rin leaned back on her chair and stared at the young student who was still absorbing everything she just said. She swiveled her cha around ir to face the window behind her. Past the glass panes of its white frame, the clouds hung lazily in the sky. Rin watched them silently as she waited for Maribel?s answer.
Maribel was silent for a full minute. She contemplated her decision, and weighed her position. She could back away now. Mizuuya was just a girl she found a night ago, a chance encounter that could?ve happened to anybody else. She can back away now, and she doesn?t have to bother with her ever again. Becoming a busybody will put her in danger, and Maribel has still many plans in her life. To finish her studies, learn more about the paranormal, and to see that hidden paradise: Gensokyo.
To put that on hold, perhaps forever, would be an unreasonable thing to do. She had her own life, and Mizuuya had her own. But Maribel could also remember Mizuuya lying unconscious, possible unspoken horrors just lurking within her. She also remembered the fearful glances Mizuuya gave her when she woke up the first time, who knows what frightening things she imagined in her mind?
More than that though, there is a mystery begging to be discovered, and it filled Mary with a strange excitement. It was the same feeling she felt when she first saw Gensokyo in her dreams, but now it?s something more real. A sense of adventure, and a dawning sense of something unnatural and unusual?this, this is what she wanted more than anything else.
?I would like to hear Mizuuya?s story, regardless of the danger.?
★~//~//~//~//~//~//~★
The young doctor turned her chair to face Maribel. She nodded once, and then continued her story. ?Mizuuya?s mother was murdered by a group called the Katsugane some years ago.?
?The Katsugane? Aren?t they kind of like the Yakuza or something??
?You?ve heard of the name before? Good. They?re a nasty lot. They?re an organized crime group that?s very infamous around here. Many of the elderly people here have been victims of their loan sharks, but I?ve also heard that they stoop to even lower acts like drug trafficking, human trafficking, and bribery. Their members have been wanted by the police for sometime, but they seem to always avoid arrest.?
Maribel could only manage to nod, and Rin continued Mizuuya?s story.
?Apparently, the Katsugane group was keeping Mizuuya as a prisoner for years. Mizuuya didn?t know why these Katsugane killed her mother, but they seemed to be intent on keeping her alive but under their supervision. She didn?t know why they kept her so, but there you are.?
The young university student was speechless as Rin continued the little girl?s story. ?Just recently, Mizuuya was supposed to be taken somewhere?Mizuuya didn?t know where?when this Emi appeared. Mizuuya was inside a metal box at that time, it was locked so she couldn?t run away. People from the Katsugane were transporting her box, shipping her like an animal. That?s when a person Emi showed up and helped Mizuuya escape.?
Rin looked at Maribel who seemed to be dazed. ?I don?t have to continue, Miss Han. I just want to impress how?special?her situation is.?
Recovering from her shock, Maribel managed to reply, ??how she talked yesterday. She always referred to herself in third person. Is that a result of a psychological trauma??
Shrugging, Rin shook her head. ?Probably, but psychology isn?t my specialty. I?m good at treating the body, but the mind is a different thing. Mizuuya had been running and hiding from the Katsugane for two days. She hadn?t eaten and hadn?t slept in a proper place at least since then. She probably collapsed from hunger and exhaustion when you found her on the bank yesterday. She was very lucky to be found by you.?
?So now what do we do? Do we call the police?? asked Maribel.
Rin shook her head again. ?It?s better not to do anything else for now. Mizuuya is still getting her strength back, so she is still going to stay for the clinic for some days. And there?s something else that bothers me??
?The Katsugane??
?Right. If the Katsugane group is looking for Mizuuya, they?ll expect that she?ll turn up through the common channels like the police, social welfare, or the media. They may have some people lurking around, searching for her. At least she?s safe in this clinic?nobody knows anything about her except for you and your friend, and us three in the clinic.?
Maribel leaned back on her chair, digesting everything she just heard. ?So this Emi person, what happened to him??
?Emi is a she according to Mizuuya?s accounts. She appeared during the time Mizuuya was being transported in her box. She then killed everybody except for Mizuuya. She just opened Mizuuya?s lock, introduced herself, and then told her to run away or she?ll kill her too. That?s how Mizuuya escaped. Mizuuya didn?t remember anything else?Emi was wearing a hooded cloak which hid her face and Mizuuya only remembered her voice?that?s why she guessed that Emi was a female.?
?So Mizuuya was also a witness to a massacre??
?Yes,? replied Rin, not waiting for Maribel to finish. Suddenly, her voice became full of compassion and warmth. ?She?s been through a lot, Miss Han. But Mizuuya is a strong girl, and we?re determined to treat her the best way we could?the Satsuki way.?
Maribel sank back to her thoughts, digesting what she just heard. She was shivering, both with anticipation and fear. ?So what now? What do we do with her??
?As I told you, I can?t contact any public channel without endangering everyone who knows her secret. You must also promise never to tell anybody else about what I just told you. Not even your friend Usami?unless she also agrees like you just did. Only four of us knows the secret?you, me, and my two faithful attendants.?
?Meimu and Kiyuu?? recalled Maribel.
Rin nodded. ?For now, Mizuuya will be under our care. We will provide for her basic needs. You are free to visit her as often as you like. However, I will also advise you to be very careful. If you suspect something out of the ordinary?anything?tell it to me at once. You know my number, right? Good. I?m always available in this clinic?unless of course, something really bad happens. If that?s the case, I?ll give you a call first, and of what to do.?
Maribel was trembling, but she tried her best to hide it. ?You seem to be always anticipating the worse case scenarios,? she told Rin in a shaky voice.
?You have no idea, Miss Han,? said Rin. ?But I have ample experience when dealing with the likes of the Katsugane. I?m already endangering your life by involving you in this,? To Maribel?s surprise, Rin?s face broke into a sly grin. ?Don?t worry Miss Han, if they touch you, I?ll do everything in my power to protect you?and Mizuuya.?
★~//~//~//~//~//~//~★
?So, you got the latest edition of ?A??? asked the young girl.
?Of course,? replied Kiyuu. ?I?m always updated. I?ve acquired the latest releases of the Purple Beansprout doujinshi as well. They?re quite hard to find these days, but there are many selling collectors in forum boards in the Internet. Although they?re much more expensive, it sure beats waiting in line for three hours in Comiket. And I hate crowds too??
The two girls were walking side-by-side in a busy district of the city. Kiyuu glanced at the shops as they passed by. Some of the owners are already preparing to close for the day. Kiyuu wasn?t interested with the wares of the local groceries and commodities?she looked at them due to pure curiousity.
?So where are we going now?? asked Kiyuu?s companion. She was around Kiyuu?s age, but much taller?although she is just of average height for her age, much to Kiyuu?s chagrin. Wakana is Kiyuu?s classmate and her best friend, though Wakana always jokes about being Kiyuu?s only friend?because it?s true.
Both of them were wearing their school uniform, the only proof that Kiyuu was not an elementary kid. For the most part, they were dressed exactly alike, except for Kiyuu?s very ornate ribbons and gloves. While they made her stand out, she always wore them everyday. Aside from that, the two friends looked the total opposite of each other. Wakana?s energetic personality was in stark contrast to Kiyuu?s testiness, and there?s the height difference as well.
?Tut-tut. You?re so impatient Wakana,? replied Kiyuu in a sly tone. ?You should know by now that being an enthusiast is all about patience in finding the right place, to get the right stuff.?
As Kiyuu spoke, they turned towards a deserted alley beside a closed barber shop. The alley was empty, flanked by two high walls and poorly lit. At the end of the alley was a small structure that looked an old, wooden warehouse. Kiyuu entered the alley, and Wakana followed suit.
They stopped in front of an old wooden door marking the entrance of the building. On the door was an engraving of a grotesque face that resembled a tengu?s mask. Its mouth was ?biting? on a rusty knocker, which Kiyuu used to rap the door three times. She was answered by an audible creaking which echoed through the empty alley.
?Er?okay, this looks very weird,? observed Wakana. ?Are you sure that this is the right place??
?Of course,? said Kiyuu. ?All the good stuff can be found in the weirdest of places. They?re hard to find, but it?s worth it.? The creaking stopped, and was prompted by a loud click. The door slid open through the use of an unknown mechanism?there was nobody behind the door.
Behind the door was a dimly lit antique store. It was filled with various things, like weird wooden masks, ornate clay pots, and wooden statuettes. They all looked genuinely antique, and generally not what you?d find in an ordinary shop. The wares were neatly organized in numerous shelves which filled the room. At the back was a small wooden counter where a pale girl stood by.
??an antique store?? asked Wakana. Curiously, she approached a nearby shelf where a small trinket caught her interest. It was a small face mirror encrusted within a golden frame. However, Wakana noticed that the mirror was jet black and did not reflect anything at all. Wakana was about to reach for it when a quiet voice startled her.
?Don?t touch,? said the pale girl in a soft voice. She was standing beside Wakana who nearly screamed in fright. Wakana did not hear or see her approach, and she was nearly scared out of her wits. The girl?s paleness did not help either?the dim lights made her light complexion even more ghostly, and her soft voice complemented her physical appearance of a wandering spirit. She also wore an old-fashioned kimono, which she carried with utmost grace.
?That mirror is cursed. If you look into it, the mirror will suck out all your good luck for a month,? she told Wakana with her characteristic soft voice.
Kiyuu glanced at the two. ?You shouldn?t display such dangerous things, Akari. Why are you even selling these??
The pale girl threw a glance at the little girl and laughed softly. ?Father tells me that we should still keep the antique store. It?s a family business, you know.?
Looking at her two companions nervously, Wakana managed an uneasy laugh. ?For a moment there, I thought you were a multo,? she told Akari.
?Don?t be stupid, ghosts are dead. Akari is pretty alive, you know,? said Kiyuu. Turning to Akari, Kiyuu told her what they want. ?Anyway, we?re here for the good stuff. I heard you have new deliveries.?
?Hmm~? said Akari in amusement. ?Follow me, the stuff is upstairs.?
★~//~//~//~//~//~//~★
In stark contrast to the dark antique shop downstairs, the second floor was brightly lighted by fluorescent lights. The room was filled with bookshelves of obscure manga and doujinshi, and Kiyuu almost squealed in delight as she disappeared between shelves. Wakana was dumbstruck at the sight; each shelf for her was equal to a treasure trove.
?Pambihira?to think that a place like this could exist?? mumbled Wakana. She approached a nearby bookshelf and nearly burst out in happiness. ?Detective Girl Rin: First Issue! This stuff can?t be seen in manga stores today, how did you get a hold of this stuff??
Akari laughed softly. ?I?ve been collecting this stuff for a long time; some of them are quite rare. I have even more stuff at the basement, but I only bring them out by request. I have a figurine collection as well, but they aren?t displayed to maintain them in perfect condition. We have other stuff like bookmarkers and keychains?as well as branded clothing.?
?Really?? asked Wakana, her excitement rising. Both Wakana and Kiyuu are enthusiasts of manga and other works. Kiyuu is a hardcore collector, even going as far as checking out obscure places for copies of obsolete work. Wakana isn?t as hardcore as Kiyuu, but share her general enthusiasm in checking out new stuff. ?So you have more stuff like these?? continued Wakana.
?Hey, do you have a copy of Nakagawa?s new release?? Kiyuu?s voice shot through the maze of shelves. ?I?m also looking for some stuff from AM. I?m itching for retro-stuff recently.?
?Coming,? said Akari. Immediately, Kiyuu launched into a short speech about the strengths and weaknesses of various doujin circles, and Akari would often counter with some of her own. Wakana was left alone in the ?Mystery Corner?, looking through the names of mystery novels and manga?some of which she just knew through rumors, and some that she did not even know existed.
After spending a good part of an hour or so, Kiyuu and Wakana went down the wooden stairs of the shop carrying a couple of books and other stuff. Kiyuu also bought a bunch of doujin game CDs, packed neatly inside ?jewel cases?, much to Wakana?s amusement.
?You have weird tastes,? Wakana pointed out. Kiyuu ignored her as she was too busy carrying her stuff, a neat pile on her arms that were almost half her size.
When they arrived at the counter downstairs, Akari wrote a receipt and the two girls paid up. As Akari packed their things, she talked to Kiyuu in a casual manner.
?So, how?s the stuff going at the clinic?? asked Akari. ?Anything new going on??
?Nothing much,? said Kiyuu coolly. ?Just the same old stuff.?
Akari nodded. ??I see,? she answered softly.
?Rin wants a delivery of the old stuff,? said Kiyuu. ?Though you can send it anytime you want.?
?What kind does the doctor want?? Akari finished packing all their stuff in two separate paper bags.
Kiyuu shrugged. ?Preferably ones that don?t break easily.?
Wakana was lost in the exchange between Kiyuu and Akari. ?I didn?t know that the Miss Rin is acquainted with this place too,? said Wakana. ?So she likes antique stuff??
Laughing, Akari waved them off. ?Oh no, half of the stuff Kiyuu just bought is for Miss Satsuki.?
★~//~//~//~//~//~//~★
?Er?so the doctor is an enthusiast too?? asked Wakana as they walked towards the train station. Kiyuu only shrugged in reply.
?Eh?she?s hardcore too. You should?ve seen her in the last summer convention. She had me and Mei dress up as shrine maidens. It was really uncomfortable to wear, Rin made the costume from heavy textile cloths.?
?Cosplaying too, huh,? said Wakana wistfully. ?I?d never go that far.?
Kiyuu shrugged again, but said nothing. They arrived at the train station, and the two girls parted ways. They lived quite far apart, and they had to ride on different trains. Wakana took an outbound train, and Kiyuu was left alone to wait for hers. Kiyuu glanced at the deepening night sky and sighed.
Earlier in the morning, she was present as Mizuuya told them her dumbfounding testimony. Since then, Kiyuu became troubled, both for the safety of the clinic, and for the safety of her family.
Kiyuu became an orphan when she was young. She spent a good amount of time in an orphanage, though her memories of it were something she would like to forget. When the orphanage burned down because of faulty electrical wiring, she nearly died and was only saved by the good grace of Rin Satsuki. Since then, she had been living with the young doctor ever since. A cold, cynical girl, she was in stark contrast to most girls of her age. Meimu often remarked about it, and often told Kiyuu that her coldness was the reason why she had no other friends besides Wakana.
Unlike Kiyuu, Meimu was an abandoned child. Her parents left her in the mountains when she was a baby and was found by an old turnip farmer who lived alone. There she was raised by the farmer until a strong typhoon hit the mountains and destroyed their home. Meimu was separated during the ensuing flood, and was found by Rin and Kiyuu wandering alone, hungry and cold, in the mountains. She was nursed back to health by the two, and helped her find the farmer who took care of her. Unfortunately, the house was utterly destroyed, and they never found the old farmer. Since then, Mei had been living with Rin as faithful helper and housekeeper?both activities that Kiyuu was certainly not fond of. Unlike the cool Kiyuu, Meimu is warm and helpful, and easily one of the most popular girls in their school. Meimu is older than Kiyuu by a few years, but circumstances often forces Kiyuu to chase off Meimu?s admirers?especially when Meimu is besieged by love letters, and occasionally, stalkers.
The two of them, Kiyuu and Mei, became as close as real sisters. Both of the treated Rin like a real mother, and a best friend. They were a little family?although they were certainly not the most normal one you would find.
Kiyuu sighed. She thought of the dangers that Mizuuya will bring, and the fact that Rin would do everything in her power to protect the little girl. However, Kiyuu has enough trust in Rin?she knows that Rin can protect them from anything. However, Kiyuu is suspicious of the two university students that brought Mizuuya into their care.
Maribel Han and Renko Usami. Kiyuu was more concerned about the one named Maribel Han?she is trouble, Kiyuu thought. Though she can?t point it out, there was a certain aura of supernatural that enveloped Maribel, and Kiyuu is uneasy in her presence. She didn?t show it of course, Kiyuu is a master of facades, and it was a simple matter to look uninterested while Maribel was at the clinic.
Still, her suspicion is still unfounded so far. Kiyuu knew that Rin would give the two girls their choice. As far as Kiyuu is concerned, Kiyuu would rather have nothing to do with Han and Usami. However, if circumstances force them into Rin?s care?
?Hey! You?re Kiyuu, right??
Kiyuu was suddenly startled out of her thoughts when she heard someone call her by her name. Looking around, she saw the weird girl with a bowl hat approach her?Renko Usami.
?Oh, you?re the nosy girl from yesterday,? Kiyuu replied. She recalled Renko?s inquisitiveness about Rin. ?Fancy meeting you here.?
Renko was about to scowl, but held herself in check. Kiyuu?s cool demeanor almost made Renko forgot that they weren?t even acquaintances yet. The train arrived, and the two of them boarded the same car. The train was nearly empty, and Kiyuu took a seat near the train entrance. Renko followed and sat beside her.
?So, you?re not with the other weird girl today?? asked Kiyuu coolly. Unlike with Maribel, Kiyuu feels alright with Renko. She doesn?t give off the same vibes like Maribel?Kiyuu just thinks that Renko is weird for hanging out with someone like Mary. ?Are you on your way to the clinic??
Renko chose ignore the rude remarks from Kiyuu. ?Mary went ahead of me, since I had some stuff to do. I?m on my way to the clinic now.?
?Is that so?? replied Kiyuu. ?University students often have a lot of stuff to do.?
Shrugging, Renko only answered, ?Well, middle schoolers have a lot of time in their hands compared to university students.?
Kiyuu frowned at being referred as a middle schooler. ?I?m in high school.? Well, Kiyuu thought, at least it?s an upgrade from being called an elementary school kid.
?Oh, sorry. I just assumed?? Renko started to apologize, but Kiyuu cut her off.
?Don?t assume until you?ve got your facts straight,? Kiyuu scowled. With that, the conversation came to a screeching halt. They spoke no more until they arrived at the next station.
★~//~//~//~//~//~//~★
Pachin-do. The way of the coin. When you flip a coin, there is only a binary choice. Either you guess it right, or you guess it wrong. A perfect 50-50 chance.
?So, which of you bastards feel lucky today?? Takino told his opponents. He smirked, and his opponents felt their blood run cold. He held the coin inside his fist, waving it around like a maniac.
His opponents, numbering around a dozen, were pointing their guns at him, but were all afraid to shoot. Takino, on the other hand, was armed only with a single gold coin. A normal bystander would think the situation as a grave matter for the fool named Takino, but this is not a normal situation at all.
A single coin toss will dictate whether somebody would live or die. Takino? No, he?ll live no matter what the chances are. The toss was for his opponents.
?You know the rules?heads and you?ll lose yours. Tails and you go free.?
Takino opened his fist, and he grinned from ear to ear. Then he laughed like a maniac filled with an ecstatic frenzy. ?HEADS!?
One of his opponents suddenly felt blood trickle through his nose. Then his vision turned red. Next thing he knows, he was on the floor, gurgling in his own blood. One by one, his opponents bled from the inside, dying like miserable dogs. One had the temerity to fire at Takino before he fell to the ground, but the bullet missed, and he died without the satisfaction of vengeance.
Seeing that all of his opponents were dead, he leaned on the wall beside him. Takino took out a cigarette and his lighter. Moments later, he was puffing out smoke rings. He pocketed his gold coin and took out an ornate lighter and lit his cigarette. He took a few puffs before walking away.
?Well, that was pathetic,? said Takino to no one in particular. The police will probably find the bodies later, but Takino wasn?t too concerned.
Takino is a well-known hitman?a professional assassin by trade. He was known for his accuracy, efficiency, and flair for spreading terror in his targets. He was often employed by various people, but recently, he has been hired by the Katsugane group. The mission was simple enough?he was to locate and retrieve the thing called Kintsuchi from an unknown person or group.
He got the call from last night, and he had been hard at work since then. He knocked on the doors of various informants, but he got little information that he needed. He then ruffled up the feathers of some local groups, which resulted in an attempt to kill him for being too nosy. He just disposed of the third group sent to kill him.
So far, he didn?t have much leads about the Kintsuchi. An artifact that can turn anything into gold, supposed to be turned over to the Edomae, intercepted by an unknown person (suspected to be Shima), and haven?t been seen ever since.
If Takino had half the sanity of a normal person, he?d have given up already. But the Katsugane boss offered him a hefty price, and that?s something Takino cannot ignore. He took out a photograph from his coat pocket, and looked at the picture of the Kintsuchi.
?Heck, who knew an artifact could look so cute?? Takino mused. He puffed at his cigarette a few more times and then dropped it on the ground. When the light of the cigarette vanished, Takino melded into the darkness and vanished from the eyes of men.
(next: Chapter 5)
Anu Corner:
I..uh...posted a chapter that was longer than expected.
Anyway, as a recap, I'll be posting the character profiles here for reference.
冴月小児科医院
Satsuki Pediatric Clinic
冴月麟
Rin Satsuki
Occupation: Doctor
Ah, our well known kirin that got cut in EoSD. In this story, she's now a doctor in the city (probably in Kyoto, but that's a rough guess). A pediatrician that also excels in almost every aspect of medicine, she runs a small clinic in an elderly district of the city. Though it's ironic, most of their patients are old people who are suffering from athritis. Rin still treats them though, and never charges them a dime...or yen. Whichever works.
Despite having a clinic of her own, Rin would often travel around the country and treat people in need of medical attention for free. Kiyuu and Meimu would always accompany her, as a result, the two young girls have a good knowledge of Japanese geography.
She's also a hard-core otaku, and loves cosplay. Often dresses Meimu and Kiyuu with various costumes and ushers them into participating in anime conventions. Has a large hidden collection of sentai figurines, along with classic kaiju figurines like Godzilla, Mothra, and Destroyah. Only Kiyuu knows where they are hidden.
Also an avid follower of live-action series, and has a penchant for martial arts films. Idolizes Stephen Chow.
Now where does her resources for her hobby come from, I wonder?
博丽冥夢
Meimu Hakurei
Occupation: Doctor's assistant/Student
A well-known OC whose birth was propagated by Reimu losing in a now-forgotten popularity contest--but I don't care about that.
In this story she is Rin's faithful assistant in all the affairs of the clinic. Quite the hardworker (*coughnotlikereimucough*) and very perceptive about other people, though I haven't given her any chance to show her character yet. Very famous for her tea, a drop of her brew will bring you to Nirvana (so they say). Maybe people in the outside exaggerate too much.
She goes to the same school as Kiyuu, and very popular. Often receives love letters from admirers and stalkers, but you didn't hear that from me.
She was found abandoned by a turnip farmer in the mountains when she was still an infant (if you get the pun, kudos to you). There she was raised by an old man who taught her the ways of the world. The farmer got Meimu's name from the embroidered kanji in her baby cloth when he found her. From then on, Meimu grew up to become a hard worker in the farm until a catastrophe struck and destroyed her home and seperated her from the old man. Rin and Kiyuu rescued her, and helped her find the old man. However, the farmer's house and farm was utterly destroyed, and there was no trace of the farmer. In Meimu's grief, Rin took Meimu into her care, and became Kiyuu's surrogate sister.
She doesn't share Rin and Kiyuu's hobbies, but she often likes watching martial arts films in her free time. Also likes soap dramas, but she only watches them when Rin and Kiyuu aren't around.
As for her surname, I shall leave it to your speculations why it's like that. I'll probably reveal it later though, but I might get lazy.
映実希由
Kiyuu Eimi
Occupation: Otaku/Doctor's Assistant/Student
Finally, a real OC. A (very) short girl with a sharp tongue, the well-known "thorn" of the Satsuki clinic. An orphan at a young age, she was saved by Rin in a burning orphanage when she was young. Rin would often travel around the country, and she brings Kiyuu with her. A bookish person by nature, Kiyuu has great love for printed works like books and manga--though her interests were heavily influenced by Rin.
Often rude, sometimes cool and cynical, she only speaks normally to Meimu and Kiyuu. Doesn't have any other friends besides her classmate, Wakana, who is also an otaku like her. Contrary to Meimu, Kiyuu is quite unpopular and people in her school generally avoid her and her icy attitude. Also dubbed the Ice Guardian, after shoving a broomstick up the bottom of one of Meimu's stalkers who was harrasing her sister. Her height is something you shouldn't laugh at as well, she is known to harbor grudges for a long time.
Very protective of Meimu and Rin, she suffers no abuse against these two important people in her life. However, she is also a recluse and hates taking social trips, unless her hobby is involved.
Oh yeah, she's also a fan of sumo wrestling, especially the yokozuna. But she never tells anybody about it.
That concludes the profile of the weird family members of the Satsuki household. Of course, the profile is incomplete, and there's gonna be a lot of changes as the story goes on--but enough about that. Next chapter, I'll introduce Mizuuya, Wakana and Takino's profiles~
DISCLAIMER:
Anunsew does not know Japanese, or anything much about the Japanese culture for that matter. Anunsew is a stark, raving lunatic, and as such, the tales woven by him is not to be trusted. If you are a witness to Anunsew's ravings, and have lost valuable amounts of time listening and/or believing him, please feel free to bind him up with duct tape, and ship him off to the nearest recycling center for processing. However, Anunsew is not liable for any lost time and/or productivity due to your belief in his tales.
