I looked into her eyes. They were glossy. I could see my silhouette reflecting in her eyes.
She blinked.
The ground trembled—
Closer.
Closer.
The muscles in my thighs were tight—trembled slightly.
She reached up—her hands shaking, wiped the tears from my face.
Her hands cut through the cold—warm cushions on each cheek.
The trembling stopped.
"You made me try… you know that?"
My breath caught.
I did… what?
Another step—the monster was almost on us.
She looked away—just for a second. Then back. Like she was trying to memorise me.
"I wish we had more time…"
She took a breath.
"…but I'm glad we met."
She grabbed my face…
She closed in—stopped.
Our faces were inches apart, each freckle stood out—each pore sharp in the light.
My eyes wandered down her cheek as I traced the birthmark down her neck—her throat shifted as she swallowed.
She closed her eyes—
and pulled my face to hers—fast. Clumsy.
Our noses bumped.
There was a soft touch on my lips as hers met mine.
Too soft.
The shaky air from her nose tickled my skin.
I froze—Eyes wide.
Didn't move.
Didn't think.
A… kiss…
Then—
slowly—
My eyes closed.
The world didn't stop. The thudding got louder—Closer.
But she didn't pull away—didn't care. For a second…
nothing else existed.
Warmth spread through me.
Every hair stood on end.
Exhilarating.
This wasn't my first—
…but it didn't feel like that mattered.
She pulled back.
I blinked—still processing.
Still there.
I smiled—small, shaky.
No… that won't do
I closed my eyes—reset.
Took a deep breath—in, and out.
I smiled again.
Eyes relaxed—
Teeth glistened slightly.
Just like in the movies.
That's how it's supposed to go.
…Right?
She giggled—snot joined in.
I wiped her tears this time.
"Hey…" my voice cracked. "We're getting out of this."
I took a breath, "And when we do—"
I let out a quiet laugh, "I'm still coming to every single acting class."
She huffed.
I pointed at her.
"You don't get rid of me until you win an Oscar."
A beat of silence…
"Then I'll retire as your biggest fan."
Behind my curled lips, my teeth were clenched tight. A pit in my stomach. I could hear each minute mechanical click, from each miniature spider.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Dammit… where are you?
Slowly, I removed my hands from her warm shoulders—I wish I could hold her longer.
But…
Now's not the time.
The ground shook harder.
I stood up.
Something shifted.
A voice—broken, tearing through reality—
GE—OR—GE…
CA—N… YOU…
ULTR—IS—
TOOK—CONTROL—
NE—XUS—
The creature lunged.
I stepped forward.
No hesitation.
No plan.
Just… move.
I swung.
I didn't think—didn't stop.
The punch landed.
My fist landed on the creature.
Nothing.
Then—
Warmth.
It spread from my knuckles—
up my arm—
familiar.
Purple.
Just like before.
A hole tore through the creature—
and everything behind it burst outward.
Metal. Debris—spraying into the air.
The whole thing burst—
pieces flying past my face.
The room shook
The walls cracked—
The floor collapsed—
as though reality were tearing at the seams.
Reality…
Whether she liked it or not—
This was reality for Himiko Suzuki.
She dragged the box into the centre of the room.
Everyone looked at her.
Waiting.
Expecting.
She knew this would happen—it's precisely why she didn't want to do this.
Her throat tightened.
But someone has to.
"Erm… hey…"
Nothing. No reaction.
She swallowed—hard.
"I—I know this is bad…"
She took a shallow breath.
No one batted an eye; too wrapped up in their own despair, they ignored her. Each broken agent painting small shapes on the floor with their eyes—
Even Kaoru—
Aiko.
She carried on.
"W-we're cut off… No backup… No comms." Her voice wavered. "I don't… know what they're planning… I don't know if we're getting out of this…"
Silence—heavy.
But—
"…but is this really how you want to die?"
Eyes flickered.
Aiko snorted under her breath.
The side of Himiko's lips curled up slightly. It felt like a thousand needles were stabbing her at once.
She exhaled sharply—cold air streamed down her throat in an instant.
"Because I don't." The words came out wobbly—it took all her might.
Her eyes struggled to look at them, but she forced them to look—really look.
"And I doubt anyone back home wants that for you either."
She began to get the hang of it. Her voice began to steady with every word. It was just enough; A few hopeful eyes locked on hers.
"There are people in that building."
Nozomi was once one of them.
"They're scared…"
The bodies.
Rengappon.
Connie.
Lefèvre.
"They're waiting."
Her jaw tightened.
"…For us."
Silence again, except this time the room felt dissonant. Eyes strayed downwards; minds strayed deep into their hearts as they reached a crossroad.
"They're waiting for us."
She stepped forward.
"If you're okay with them dying…"
Pause.
"…stay sat."
Her fist clenched tight—her palms burned.
He was wrong…
Her eyes hardened.
"But if you're not—"
"…get up."
We have a side…
One man stood. He was older—older than Himiko—long black hair, with streaks of grey, streamed down the side of his face.
"You sound afraid."
She swallowed.
"Damn right I am."
She didn't hesitate…
"But that's not gonna stop me."
He looked down—smiled—
nodded.
"I'm with you."
Another stood—a young man.
"You really pulled my heartstrings, Blossom."
Another—a young woman.
"Yeah… but no offence, I don't think politics is for you."
A few laughs.
A smile was thrust upon Himiko's lips.
Then more stood.
One by one—
"We're with you, Blossom."
Until everyone was on their feet.
She stood tall on the box in the centre, overlooking the crowd in front. Men and women of varied ages looked upon her with hope. The sparkle in their eyes… her heart skipped a beat.
Aiko nudged her.
"Alright, boss… What's the plan?"
Himiko blinked.
"…erm…"
She scratched the back of her head.
Well… here's the hard part.
"I don't know…"
A pause.
Her eyes widened.
"…wait…"
Maybe it's not a plan they needed… but…
Her eyes narrowed.
"…maybe—"