A new year has dawned, and Galaxy Defense Force has returned home at last. There’s a part of Yuna that aches despite the monumental victory she and Vex achieved a few days ago. All of her sisters came to her side, the side of the real GDF. Even new ones whom she’s just begun to acclimate herself to. Yet she stands in the small office, hand on her hip as some of those sisters busily shuffle about just out of view. Yuna’s eyes are immovably locked onto a single image - a slightly faded portrait of a painted face. One that she somehow expects to make demands of her at any moment.
But the only voice which reaches her ears comes from behind.
RUMI: <Saito-san, where did you want the files to go?>
YUNA: <In the supply closet, the back left corner.>
She doesn’t even budge as Rumi Hisaka’s footsteps begin ascending the old staircase a few meters away. It’s just her and Tatsumaki, one last time. In this moment she’d welcome some barked order, even one of those long gone headaches. Anything to shake the cold, desolate loneliness which fills this office to the brim.
YUNA: <Tatsumaki-san, we did it. GDF is reunited and the traitor’s been chased from our home. You’d be happy for us, wouldn’t you?>
Of course, there’s no answer. Yuna looks deep into the legend’s printed eyes, then places the portrait into the open box with a tired sigh. Her finger softly traces the outline of Tatsumaki’s face before she tears herself away from it. No time to dwell on a thing of the past, not when everything around her’s changed so drastically. Not when GDF itself has changed so fundamentally.
YUNA: <There’s work to do, Yuna. You’re the leader now.>
With a labored sigh she lifts this last box and half waddles out the door. As she awkwardly traverses the ground floor, there are reminders of this new world she’s helped create all around. Portraits of the current members of GDF look down over the ring proudly. Newer equipment’s replaced some of the older machines. Even without anyone in the ring currently, Yuna smiles at the thought of everyone working themselves hard, redoubling their efforts to re-establish GDF on their own terms. For the first time in almost a year the air isn’t heavy with fear over what their enemies are doing in the shadows.
Just as she turns the corner at the base of the stairs, a memory flashes before her eyes. Last spring - Tatsumaki standing over her, Yuna’s body heavy with exhaustion after their intense sparring match.
TATSUMAKI: <Saito-san, I have one request for you.. Take care of the Interstellar Dream Championship belt and wear it proudly.>
Yuna’s shoulders feel heavy as the words echo in her mind. The voices of her sisters chatting animatedly reaches her ears though, and her body responds instinctively. One step, then another; slowly she makes her way up to the second floor. All the while her gaze is distant, her mind conjuring more spirits of the past.
Suddenly her body seizes up in numb pain all over, and she sees herself in the ring at the Galaxy Princess Cup. Despite the pain her lips part in a coquettish smile as she hears another voice from that time.
SAKI HOSAKO: <The winner of the match, representing Galaxy Defense Force, and the NEWWWWWWWWW MIRACLE GALAXY PRO INTERSTELLAR DREAM CHAMPION... SAITOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YUUUUUUNAAAAAAAAAA!>
Yuna gazes down and for a brief moment she could swear the Violet Belt is there atop the box. Yet she blinks and the prize no one expected her to win is gone - well not quite. A magazine cover peaks out amid the old photos - Tatsumaki and Kato posing next to the Interstellar Dream before the tournament.
Kasey: Yuna, you need help with that?
Her head snaps up at her best friend’s voice and the smile grows just a little more. With a small grunt she shifts the box up and vaults up the last two steps. The sudden impact of her 5’8” frame sticking the landing draws all three sets of eyes to her. Yuna tenses up for a moment, but not a word is said or an odd look given. Instead her sisters are there, straightening up the stack of boxes containing the past of GDF.
YUNA: Don’t worry about me, I’m pretty strong.
She scoots over to the back of the supply closet, angling the box just enough to fit it through the gap between two very full racks. Whump! The box lands unceremoniously on the top, the impact jostling its contents around. Nothing’s fallen out though, so Yuna pivots on her heel and looks to the trio of teammates outside the door. All four of them have their GDF track suits on to varying degrees, and all of their brows are dampened with sweat.
YUNA: <Well done, everyone. There’s a lot to do this month, but cleaning up our dojo is a heck of a start. Azumi-san, did we forget anything?>
The compactly powerful woman cranes her neck to the side to inspect a clipboard held by Kasey.
AZUMI: <I don’t think so. Since we came in at 8 this morning, we’ve been cleaning pretty much nonstop. We should be all set for the others to come in tomorrow to get back to training.>
Yuna nods slowly, though her own gaze falls to Azumi’s waist as her teammate speaks. A waist that’s been home to the Lightspeed Championship since Rainbow Road. Once again her heart pangs with an empty ache. She quickly moves over to Kasey’s side to have a look at the list herself. Anything to stop the thoughts beginning to percolate in her mind - thoughts that don’t have that same malicious voice they might once have had.
Her eyes dart up and down the list searching for missing tasks that don’t exist; her sisters are thorough.
YUNA: <You’re definitely right, it looks like that’s everything.>
KASEY: <Another victory for GDF, right?>
Their gazes meet just as a playful grin appears on the American’s face. It’s infectious, and soon Yuna’s smile matches it for a flickering moment. Azumi, Kasey and Rumi all have a chuckle at it, but Yuna’s face falls. All she can think of is the Spirit of the Ronin belt glinting in the bright lights of an arena as it rests on Kasey’s shoulder. Just a month after the Violet Belt had been ripped away from her, her best friend had claimed that prize.
And here I am, the First Interstellar Dream, leader of GDF, just another face in the ocean of MGP. They’re damn lucky is what they are.
A sudden dull stab to the arm rips her mind away from those thoughts. Yuna nearly jumps in reaction, drawing another laugh from her teammates.
They’re laughing at me - am I really just a joke now?
Without a word she storms of the supply closet, body tensed from the expectation of a migraine. Any minute now it’s going to seize her mind and fill it with dark, twisted suggestions of what she should do to her teammates. Yuna’s heart pounds rapidly as she races around the corner into the communal kitchen, three sets of footsteps echoing behind her. There’s still no headache, but surely it’s coming. Devil is still in there somewhere. Her hand’s a blur as it flies over and turns on the faucet just enough to get a stream of water flowing.
KASEY: Yuna, are you okay?
Yuna cups her hands to collect the ice cold water - the thoughts are there but they’re not Devil. A pair of footsteps draws closer and Yuna splashes herself in the face, immediately shivering at the sudden chill. No headache. These are her thoughts, no one else’s.
AZUMI: <Saito-san?>
I have to do something. No matter what it takes to get there.
Yuna rises from the sink, those thoughts fading just slightly enough for her to regain her leader’s composure. Knowing three of her sisters are there with her eases her racing heart enough that she can reason her way through this. They’re all there waiting for her, waiting for the leader of GDF to show them her strength. So Yuna turns around and makes a point of looking each one of them in the eyes.
Time to be the leader GDF needs.
YUNA: <Yes, I’m fine. I just had to get the sweat out of my eyes.>
Kasey responds by folding her arms over her chest, but she says nothing. Yuna begins to bend at the waist instinctively, but catches herself in the act and hangs halfway through the bow. It’s so silent they could hear a pin drop as Yuna pushes herself back up to her full height.
YUNA: <You have my thanks for everything you’ve done for GDF. We would not be here without all of your efforts over the past year. I would not have the opportunity to change things for the better without my family.>
She nods to Azumi.
YUNA: <Azumi-san, you’ve been the standard bearer for us while Kasey-san and I were forced to be freelancers. You carry the Lightspeed Championship with pride and represent everything that’s good in our sport.>
Yuna then looks to Rumi; her heart’s finally slowed to a normal rhythm.
YUNA: <Hisaka-san, you trusted us enough to remain in GDF when you didn’t have to stay. You’ve got a strong heart, and I know that you’ll make us proud this year.>
Finally her gaze settles on Kasey, and the thought of the Requiem title resting on her shoulder returns.
YUNA: <Kasey-san, you’ve believed in me from the start. You’ve been here since the beginning and even when the world got turned upside down with all this Black Company and Requiem business, you’ve kept fighting. I’m so proud of you, and your reign with the Spirit of the Ronin title is an example to us all.>
She hesitates there, thoughts swimming through her head at a torrential pace. All her own thoughts, ones that should be kept to herself. Yuna starts to head for the stairs, but stops dead in her tracks when she catches sight of Tatsumaki’s determined face on the wall. Yuna motions for the other three to follow and descends the steps silently, feeling the silent and distant judgment of their former leader with every step. Her pace quickens, her arm outstretched towards the front door. The act of pulling it open causes aches to resurface in multiple spots not just from the battle at the Tokyo Dome but from all the work she’s been at since the morning after it.
YUNA: <All right, let’s get a short run in to finish things up!>
From outside the chilly winter air blasts the quartet in the faces. Before they can raise any objections, Yuna motions to the alley beyond.
YUNA: <After that, I’m taking everyone to yakiniku! But only if we all go full force at this!>
Suddenly a grin crosses Azumi’s face and she bolts out the door faster than anyone else. Hisaka gamely steps past Yuna, stopping to nod before sprinting off herself. When it’s just Yuna and Kasey, they both take slower steps out the door, sharing questioning glances the whole way. Just as Yuna tugs the door shut, Kasey leans back against the front window expectantly.
KASEY: Yuna, something’s on your mind isn’t it?
Yuna walks past her, limbering up her legs for a full on sprint.
YUNA: Nothing much, there’s just a lot to do to prepare GDF for the Gacha Machine this month. I’m aiming for everyone to break through with a bang that reminds everyone who we are.
She leans forward, inhales deeply and - goes nowhere as her friend’s voice cuts her off.
KASEY: That’s great and all, but I don’t think that’s what’s bothering you, is it? You wouldn’t run to the kitchen like you did if it was just leadership nerves. Tell me.
How she’d love to just tear off and get her sprint underway, leaving the questions behind her. No one else needs to be made party to the thoughts she’s had lately. But when she glances over to Kasey to encourage her to get going, Yuna’s heart falls a little. Instead of sprinting away she stands tall, hands on her hips and exhaling deeply.
YUNA: You’re right, Kasey. This month’s the biggest opportunity we’ve had to make a statement in a long time, and I thought it would just hurt everyone to talk about it. But keeping things to yourself is what Tatsumaki-san did when we first came here. We had to find out the hard way about all the Black Company stuff, Requiem, and all the things that happened because we didn’t know what to expect. Then she recruited Suzuhana to GDF, and it almost destroyed us. I can’t do the same thing she did. I need to do this my way.
Those long legs of hers begin carrying her forward on the green stripe on the pavement which denotes the neighborhood running route. With a slight smile she waves Kasey forward; the pair walk a few steps in silence, the thoughts rushing through her mind.
YUNA: So it’s like this. I’m trying my best to lead GDF and save the Ring of Dreams where I was able to change my stars. But between Devil, Shuko’s goons constantly trying to destroy us, and then Suzuhana’s betrayal it’s been really hard.
Kasey brings out the same goofy smile that’s lifted her friend’s spirits so many times in the past.
KASEY: Hey, we went through hell but we’re still here. GDF’s all behind you now. I’d say that’s a pretty good place to be after all that crap.
Yuna huffs a little as she looks ahead towards the vending machine on the corner which marks the first turn on the route.
YUNA: True. We took Murder-gun’s best shots and beat them every time. We freed Hiromi-san from whatever it is they did to her. We even beat Suzuhana in the Tokyo Dome. Devil’s been quiet for a long time, so she’s been beaten too. We basically fought three wars at the same time and won two of them already. The third - well that’s something all of MGP is fighting.
They near the vending machine and she catches sight of the faded chibi illustration of herself holding the Violet Belt.
YUNA: I am proud of everyone. Both you and Azumi-san have done fantastic work as fighting champions for the past six months. But I look at myself and can’t help but feel like I’ve fallen so far that everyone’s forgotten about me.
Kasey picks up the pace, passing Yuna and then turning around to walk backwards while they talk.
KASEY: Come on, don’t talk like that. We’ve all had a rough year, Yuna. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. No one else could’ve done what you did by reuniting GDF and leading the team to victory after victory against the Shukos. You should be proud! I know I’m proud of you.
Yuna exhales forcefully, tearing her gaze off of the ghost of her past accomplishments to focus on the path ahead.
YUNA: I was the Interstellar Dream Champion, Kasey. The first one. The face of everything that’s possible in the Ring of Dreams! Then Caponata-san took the Violet Belt, stole my dream, and I’ve never gotten back to that stage since. I’ve just turned into another face on the roster page.
Kasey rolls her eyes in the most dramatic way possible as they pass a hole in the wall ramen shop.
KASEY: Stop that, Yuna. You’re not just another woman, you’re the first Interstellar Dream, leader of Galaxy Defense Force and my best friend. That counts for a lot.
Yuna stops dead in her tracks, hands falling to her sides.
YUNA: It doesn’t change the fact of where I am now. Retaking GDF was a good start, and Puroresu Gacha Machine is so wide open that anyone’s got a shot. I want everyone to do well, but I’m afraid to go after what I want. Suzuhana might have been right when she said I cared more about regaining that title than leading GDF to victory. I’m afraid that if I chase my own goal, everything’s going to fall ap-
Kasey stomps forward and grabs her by the arms with enough force to rattle her.
KASEY: Didn’t I say to stop that? You’re only human, Yuna. You can keep GDF strong while still going after what your heart wants. Yeah, don’t let yourself get blindsided, but don’t starve yourself either.
YUNA: Maybe you’re right. This is an opportunity we might not get again, and it’s sure a better shot than going through the entire roster like the Galaxy Princess Cup or Intrepid Odyssey.
KASEY: Which you won and were a finalist in, respectively.
Yuna smirks just a little at her friend’s confidence.
YUNA: I want to bring more gold to GDF this month, Kasey. I want to roar back onto the scene, grab the spotlight tight and fight harder than ever in front of the whole world so everyone remembers the name Yuna Saito. Whether that means getting my rematch with Caponata-san for the Violet Belt and finally bringing it home, spilling gallons of blood and walking through explosions to take the Love Song from Shikishi-san or going to war with Jessa-san to take the Valkyrie Championship and start on the Saito Road back to the top, I want it. I’m going to do whatever it takes to walk out a champion!
Kasey nods to the green path ahead, a playful twinkle dancing in her eyes.
KASEY: Then do it! Just maybe don’t come after mine? I’d rather win titles with you than fight you for one.
Yuna rolls her shoulders as her friend starts to walk down the path backwards again. A hearty laugh escapes her throat as she begins to jog in place.
YUNA: You’ve got it, I feel the same way. But I will beat you at one thing, champ.
KASEY: What’s that?
YUNA: I’m going to finish this run before you!
She explodes down the path at a full sprint, drawing laughter from her best friend. Shortly thereafter both women are rushing headlong toward whatever future awaits at Puroresu Gacha Machine. Yet in Yuna’s mind another thought begins to percolate.
Become a champion no matter what it takes. Nothing’s out of the question.
Darkness once more blankets the sacred grounds.
A stifling stillness pervades the night so thoroughly she can hear her own heartbeat.
Thump-thump-thump.
Something’s drawn her back here which she can’t entirely explain. The rubber soles of her shoes are thin enough that her toes feel the outline of each individual paving stone she steps on. Occasionally a straw ray of moonlight pierces through the overcast sky; one falls upon the offering box sitting before the shrine. Two steps forward - she catches rapid movement on the periphery of her vision. An ambush! She spins around, eyes narrowed and body icy from the biting winter chill.
YUNA: <Shuko-san?>
She digs her toes into the groove between stones, anchoring herself in place. There’s no answer.
YUNA: <Suzuhana?>
Only her pounding heart breaks the shrine’s silence. Thump-thump-thump.
YUNA: <I don’t care who you are. I don’t care if the Black Company sent you.>
Thump-thump. Suddenly she feels a warmth on her skin and hears the crackle of fire nearby. Yuna cranes her head to the side slowly, but she’s unable to catch the stalker in the act. There’s no one there.
YUNA: <Stop hiding yourself, you coward! Come out and face me!>
A stale metallic stench quickly fills the air around her, one that she knows all too well. Blood. Yuna lurches forward violently, muscles contracting as her gag reflex kicks in hard. All around her feet the stones are covered in it! She recoils in horror, gasping for air; her eyes tear up yet she can see the shadows dance about again.
YUNA: <I’m.. not… scared of you.. show yourself!>
Her head snaps up at a new sound shattering the ghostly silence. Wood on stone creates a haunting percussive backdrop as the iron scent of past cruelty hangs in the air. Without turning around she knows whose company she’s about to be graced with. Yuna bites down on her lip hard and she takes slow, intentional breaths; her heart gradually stops racing, though it continues to beat audibly.
Thump-thump-thump.
DEVIL: <You didn’t really think I’d just go away, did you?>
Every syllable drips with vitriol and malice, sharp and stabbing at Yuna. She doesn’t respond with words, not at first. Ever so slowly her right foot slides to the side, smearing some of the somehow still wet blood beneath it. Her left sweeps around in a dramatic arc, planting itself firmly before her. Now face to face with her personal demon, Yuna nearly brings her arms up into a battle ready posture. As her heart begins to race again she thinks better of it and instead her hands rest on her hips.
DEVIL: <Yuna.>
For the first time since before Battles WIthout Honor or Humanity, Yuna’s eyes meet that cold, hateful gaze. Devil’s black kimono clings damply to her form, and some of the floral pattens adorning it are discolored with red splotches. Her dramatic makeup is smeared just a little on the left hand side.
YUNA: <Devil.>
Devil closes the distance between them with dreadful purpose, threatening gaze unwavering, but Yuna stands tall anyhow. Out of nowhere Devil’s hand thrusts forward and cups Yuna’s chin firmly. Before Yuna’s mind would’ve surged into a panic or at least begun to throb in pain. Now she forces icy calm into her veins, only a steely glare given in response to her other self. Devil clicks her tongue chidingly and tugs Yuna forward a step.
DEVIL: <It’s Yuzuki, or did you get hit so hard on the head that you forgot?>
Yuna comes alive at the mere mention of the name her mother intended for her. A ferociously primal scream echoes off the shrine’s angular architecture as she clamps both hands down on Devil’s wrist. Devil tightens her grip enough that she could break Yuna’s jawbone, the sneer growing on her lips. The Magic Princess flinches involuntarily but her grip tightens as well.
YUNA: <Get my name..>
With another shriek of fury, Yuna rips Devil’s hand away so forcefully that the other her staggers back a step.
YUNA: <OUT of your mouth!>
DEVIL: <Your name? Really? You have forgotten. It belongs to me, just like our destiny belongs to me.>
YUNA: <It’s not yours to take. It never was.>
Devil chuckles at the defiant words and steps to the right, arms outstretched to either side.
DEVIL: <Keep it if it makes you feel better about yourself. Hug it tight and hope that it’ll shield you from the storm that’s coming your way. Everyone else was right about you - Sakamochi-san, the traitor, the runt, the Black Company, me - you’re not strong enough to do what needs to be done.>
She advances on Yuna again, her steps so forceful that the pooled blood splatters. Yuna surges forward as well, every last inch of her being unified with powerful intent.
YUNA: <Fuck off. I’ve survived every last enemy who’s tried to put me down. Shuko-san’s unit, Bonecrusher-san, Knight-san, Suzuhana. She betrayed us, stirred you, tried to corrupt the family I found. But my heart kept beating. I came back, and with Vex-san I took everything back.>
Devil shrugs off the soaked kimono, revealing the gear forced upon Yuna at The Shrine.
DEVIL: <Tell me, how long is that going to last? How long can your little beating heart keep you going when you keep tripping over yourself? You talk so highly of your ‘family’ but they’re a crutch. You lean on them because you know you’ll never be good enough to make that stupid dream of yours a reality. The mafia bitch killed it, and you can’t let go of its ghost.>
Yuna shrieks furiously, slamming a fist right into Devil’s face. As Devil’s head snaps back, Yuna can smell the iron rich stench closer than before.
YUNA: <As long as my heart’s beating, it won’t die. One loss doesn’t define me, and unlike you? I actually reached the goal I set before. I’ll get there again, no matter what.>
Devil’s head hangs to the side before suddenly snapping back into place; a streak of blood trickles down her face.
DEVIL: <You got there with my help. Without me you’d be approaching 0-200 by now, stuck on Stargazer and without a job now.>
Devil suddenly drives the point of her shoe squarely into Yuna’s face, knocking her to the bloody ground.
DEVIL: <Face it, there’s no Interstellar Dream for you on your own. We both have unfinished business. Embrace me before everything you love burns to the ground.>
Yuna pushes herself up off the ground, blood dripping from her agape lips. Suddenly she crashes to the ground again as Devil’s foot crashes into her back. Her fingers dig into the grooves between stones, desperately searching for any kind of purchase.
DEVIL: <You can’t do it on your own. You don’t have the guts to do what it takes. If you’d dealt with Suzuhana early on, she would never have taken your beloved family from you. You could’ve saved everyone all that pain by doing what needed to be done.>
Devil grinds her heel into Yuna’s back, causing her to scream in anguish.
DEVIL: <You could’ve protected Tatsumaki from whatever Suzuhana pulled while you were in a coma. Not that I wouldn’t have ended that cow myself if I’d had the chance. By yourself, you’re nothing. With Devil Yuzuki, you can conquer the world and break your enemies completely. It’s an easy choice.>
Yuna’s wrists grow tense, her eyes narrow and suddenly she explodes up off the ground. Her movement is so sudden and powerful that Devil careens backwards, nearly falling herself.
YUNA: <ENOUGH. All you’ve ever done is hurt me. You drove me to hurt people I care about, your influence caused all those problems you blame on me. You don’t want to help me, you want to destroy me! I’m done with you.>
Devil surges forward, clamping her hands around Yuna’s neck nearly enough to break it. Yuna can smell blood on her breath.
DEVIL: <Listen up, Princess. You don’t want to play ball, that’s fine. You won’t just FAIL to claim anything at their stupid Gacha Machine, you won’t just FAIL to take back your place as the heroine of MGP. There are shadows in play you can’t even imagine. And they’re going to send your whole family to hell. When you and your dreams are shattered, I’ll just come back and take what I want anyway.>
Yuna thrusts her arms forward and clamps her fingers around Devil’s wind pipe in response. They tense up as she focuses everything she’s got into choking the life out of her dark side.
YUNA: <Maybe I can’t change the past, but I’m going to seize the future like I’ve seized you by the throat! You got me to work with you because you saw my anger and hurt and weaponized it. It’s still there, but just like my name, it’s not yours. I’ll fight with a clear mind, focus that power on whoever stands in my way, and reclaim my place without you! Now GET. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD!>
The harder she squeezes, the weaker Devil’s grip becomes. Her lips spread into a grin, and with a grunt of exertion she lifts Devil off the ground like she weighs nothing. Yuna meets those eye full of hellish rage once more; she screams and choke slams Devil so hard that she fractures the stone on the ground. Chest heaving from the Herculean effort, she stares down at the motionless form of Devil. Blood drips from her inner demon’s mouth and several wounds across her body, and oddly it brings joy to Yuna. Everything feels lighter. She steps over the seemingly broken Devil, body starting to ache from the confrontation. As she nears the torii gate, a few final words reach her ears.
DEVIL: <I can feel it. She’s awake.. mother.. Devil Matsumoto.. you’re doomed.>
Yuna’s whole body suddenly quakes, and another voice crackles down from the heavens.
HIROMI: <Saito-san? Hey, Saito-san.>
As soon as she hears it, Yuna’s eyes violently snap open. Every joint in her body is tense enough to almost lock up on her, yet somehow she manages to push herself up out of the - chair? Devil’s crooked smile blazes in her minds’ eye as her head snaps back and forth, certain danger is afoot. No Devil. Just a dank room filled with ominous shapes barely visible in the miniscule light.
Well that’s not all. Just to her left stands Hiromi Takeda clutching a manila folder in her hands. As soon as their eyes meet the tension is palpable. Hiromi tucks the folder under her arm and reaches out to Yuna, placing an arm on the taller woman’s shoulder. A smile spreads over Yuna’s lips again, her hand reaching up to touch Hiromi’s for just a brief moment.
HIROMI: <You fell asleep on the way up, old woman.>
Any instinct to chastise the girl for her attitude died long ago. Now Yuna just shakes her head and chuckles at those comments; more important things are afoot.
YUNA: <Good thing I’ve got someone young to wake me up from my nap then.>
She moves towards the first object she can make out in the dim light - a large corkboard with dozens of notes and photographs pinned to it. At first there’s no discernable organization to it, and some of the words scrawled in red ink might as well be in a foreign language. At least, she hopes it’s just red ink.
YUNA: <Did you find anything, Takeda-san?>
She can hear the younger woman sigh behind her.
HIROMI: <Just this file with - a list of clinics? And a bunch of creepy hidden camera photos of some girl with an address in Canada written on them?>
A light flop accompanies the file being dropped, but Yuna’s eyes remain on the board. Hiromi soon moves up into the space next to her, face scrunched up as she too gazes upon the madness on display.
HIROMI: <Why are we here again?>
YUNA: <It’s complicated. I found the address for this place in the magazine where she put that picture of my mom. Maybe she wanted me to find this place, maybe it was just a note to herself, but it’s the only lead I have on what she was up to.>
She reaches up and begins to trace her finger along the scraps of her alter ego’s machinations. Slowly pieces of it begin to make a kind of disjointed sense; Yuna’s finger soon zigzags between notes and photos like a car on a single lane mountain road. The more she tries to find her way, the more muddled it all seems. Yuna hits a dead end at a familiar photo of her mom, and a hesitant voice cuts through her concentration like a superheated knife.
HIROMI: <Saito-san?>
Yuna jabs her finger into the board, saving her spot before she looks to Hiromi.
YUNA: <Hm?>
Her ex-roommate points a wavering finger at her face.
HIROMI: <Why’d you do that?>
Her free hand floats up and traces the curves and points of the facepaint she’d applied when they first arrived in the morning. Even with it smudged by sweat and constant impact during sparring, the familiar shapes conjure memories of the same sneering, violent reflection she’d seen in her dream. This was her plan, of course, but she can’t help but shiver at the thought of Devil - even a powerless Devil.
YUNA: <You still think about that darkness don’t you?>
Hiromi exhales forcefully at the broach of the subject.
HIROMI: <Of course. How could I not?>
YUNA: <Me too. Even when it’s gone, there’s still a scar left that probably won’t ever heal right. You see things in the shadows, keep expecting it to reappear at your weakest moment. Whether it’s called KANZEN or Devil, it’s a part of you that lurks in your mind.>
The younger woman leans back against the wall, gaze directed at Yuna but somehow simultaneously a thousand miles away.
HIROMI: <That sounds about right. But I faced it and came out stronger.>
Yuna’s hand slips from her face, her face falling into an oddly serene calm.
YUNA: <Devil was able to control me a lot of ways. Now that she’s beaten, I’m working on ways to take that power back. The people who did these things to us are still out there, still trying to take over and destroy MGP. If there’s just a 1% chance that something left over from her might help me take down that bastard in charge->
Suddenly a flash of color erupts in the corner of Yuna’s eye. Her eyes and finger quickly dart down to it, lest it disappear into the aether. There, in fat red lettering are written several words: ‘BLACK COMPANY’, ‘RATH’, and a name she never thought she’d have to see again.
YUNA: <Miyama->
She rips the paper off, each word burning into her mind. With a shrug, she crumples it in her palm and tosses it into the metal garbage bin by the door. A bright light bursts through the door, drawing both women through like a beacon. Even a musty loading bay bathed in winter sunlight is a huge improvement over the conspiracy cave. There in the center is a nearly brand new ring sitting, in which Mizuki is tightening the ropes.
MIZUKI: <All done in there, Yuna?>
As her mentor climbs down from the ring apron, Yuna notices Mizuki favoring her back. They’d sparred quite a bit this morning in that very ring but her body only feels the smallest bit sore. To see the Scarlet Emblem in a condition like this forces Yuna’s attention to divert to the nearest distraction. Anything to avoid the reality that she may have hurt one of the people closest to her. Someone she should be protecting as the leader of GDF.
YUNA: <I think so. It’s kind of a mess.>
Mizuki closes the distance between them, walking with just a slight limp. Only the heavy thump of Mizuki’s arm on her shoulder pulls Yuna’s back from its wandering.
MIZUKI: <Well you know what’s not? Your moves. Going off this morning, you’re looking sharper than you’ve been in a while.>
Yuna instinctively shifts her posture to support her mentor’s weight a bit.
YUNA: <It better be, I’ve got to set an example this month. Anything can happen, so I’m aiming to soar back to heights I haven’t seen since last spring.>
She slides her arm around her mentor’s waist, turning her ever so slightly towards the ring apron so she can have a seat. Instantly Mizuki winces and Yuna pulls her arm away entirely. The Scarlet Emblem scoots herself back up onto the apron with a belabored grunt, somehow still managing a proud smile for Yuna.
YUNA: <I went a bit overboard, huh?>
Mizuki snorts at her understatement.
MIZUKI: <I mean you only hit me with backdrop drivers, urakens, side slams. You even tried that ‘Yuzu’-driver on me before I countered it. You sure this is the way?>
The commentary does more to make Yuna’s heart fall than the signs of physical distress. Unable to find words at first, she digs her fingers into the edge of the ring mat behind her.
YUNA: <There’s too much at stake this time to hold back. To finally get back on the road to my dream, I’ve got to use every weapon at my disposal. I’m walking out of Puroresu Gacha Machine with another championship to add to GDF’s constellation or earning a shot at one. Whoever it is, whatever it takes.>
MIZUKI: <Promise me one thing - you won’t change who you are. They need your beating heart more than ever.>
Yuna slaps the mat hard, a smile creeping up on her face.
YUNA: <I promise. My beating heart won't stop.>
That one thought returns - whatever it takes, no matter what.
終わり
