Chapter 8 - Semegi: Fight

1

Anna picked up the hand mirror by the pillow and fearfully looked into it. She was met with the reflection of an utterly normal girl. She stroked her right cheek, and the girl in the mirror did the same. She smiled at her, and she smiled back. Even her one-sided dimple was perfectly mirrored.

Her chest tightened. A sob slipped out.

Without a doubt, it was her. From the small beauty mark at the roots of her bangs to the scar on her neck from the traffic accident last year, every detail was the same.

But... I’m not me.

Sitting on the bed, Anna shook her head. Her thoughts turned to earlier that morning. She’d awoken at 6:00 AM just like always. Visited by terrible nightmares, it had been a restless night. She woke feeling exhausted and was plagued with a pounding headache.

She’d then gotten up, washed her face, and headed to the kitchen. It was an everyday ritual of hers to make breakfast before her uncle and aunt got up. As she was chopping the cabbage, however, she’d felt a sharp pain in her fingertip. She was so bleary-eyed and spaced-out that she’d carelessly cut herself by accident. Looking down at it, she saw a sticky, blue liquid dripping from her finger. And that was when she’d realized her nightmares hadn’t been dreams at all.

In a flustered panic, she’d fled the house. She recalled hearing her aunt call out to her as she ran, but she couldn’t bring herself to turn around. She hadn’t been back since.

I look just like me... but this isn’t me.

She sighed a deep, heavy sigh like she was breathing her last. If she pulled down her lower eyelid, she could see tiny webs of red arteries. The doctor Shun had taken her to the day before hadn’t found anything wrong with her, either. But it was all just an elaborate copy.

When she put her hand to her heart, she could feel it beating. When she was hungry, her stomach would gurgle. On the surface, she was no different than any other human. But if she underwent an X-ray, what would it reveal? Her hand holding the mirror began trembling.

Why is this happening?

She’d been constantly asking herself that for the past two days. But she knew in her heart that there would never be a satisfying answer.

When she was alone, her pessimistic thoughts got the better of her. Her doubts grew and grew. It would help just to have someone to vent to, but even Naoki—who had been with her since the start of this—was nowhere to be found now.

“The new Jailhouse is complete.”

She could still recall the contented look on his face when the game was finished installing.

“The new Jailhouse is complete,” he’d said with a sly smile, his eyes glued to the tablet screen. “The path between the mansion and the annex has been restored. Now you’ll be able to see Takuro and the others.”

“What are you talking about? Don’t start lying to me,” Anna said heatedly.

“Now, now. If you get too worked up, you’ll turn into the monster. Drink this and calm down.”

He produced an aluminum thermos and mug from under the desk and poured her a steaming beverage. How he knew it was there, she had no idea. A sweet scent wafted over to her.

“What is this?”

“Hot milk. It’s cold out today. It’ll warm you right up.”

Naoki grinned, flashing white teeth. Anna took the mug and glared at him as she took a sip.

Not bad...

Remembering that she hadn’t eaten anything all day, she gulped down the rest.

“Takuro and the others are alive, you know,” Naoki said, putting an elbow on the desk and resting his chin in his palm as he looked at her. “The souls of the dead refuse to depart as long as their physical forms still exist. Just like a duckling blindly following its mother, the soul will follow the body wherever it goes. It probably thinks there’s some way for it to return.”

He’d suddenly broken into a lecture.

“Of course, there are souls that don’t realize they’re dead. But even in those cases, they’ll still unconsciously follow their body, I hear.”

For some reason, Shun’s face surfaced in Anna’s mind.

“What are you trying to say?” she asked, not bothering to hide her mounting irritation.

“Huh, as I suspected. If you’re asking me that, then you obviously can’t see it,” Naoki replied gleefully.

“What are you talking about?”

“But I can. I can see it. I can see your soul haunting your body.”

Anna’s eyes shot to where Naoki was pointing. But all she saw was empty space. She couldn’t feel spiritual energy like she did in the presence of the dead, either.

“Stop joking around!”

Even when Anna raised her voice, Naoki’s smile never wavered.

“I’m not joking. You’re standing right next to yourself. Unfortunately, I don’t have special powers like you, so it just looks like a dim shadow to me. But we’re both still ghosts. I can at least tell that she’s watching you with a concerned look.”

“Okay, seriously, don’t mess with me.”

“I’m not. It’s all the truth.”

“But I can’t see anything.”

“Even the world’s strongest man, capable of easily lifting several times his weight... Even he cannot lift himself. It’s the same principle. Don’t they say that fortune-tellers can never see their own futures? Perhaps your special ability doesn’t work on yourself,” Naoki postulated in a merry tone that ticked Anna off to no end.

“Let’s say you’re right, then. What of it?”

“You still don’t get it? Takuro, Mika, Takeshi... They’re all dead, but have you once seen their souls?”

“...”

Anna shook her head. Now that he mentioned it, she hadn’t.

“I’m guessing their souls are all sticking to the monsters that copied their bodies, just like you are. If those monsters had died in that explosion the other day, it’s reasonable to assume their souls would have been released and they’d have appeared before you. And since that hasn’t happened, I bet they’re still alive.”

Naoki looked over the moon. He was practically on the verge of humming.

“Now, let’s go and search for them,” he said, pulling on Anna’s arm.

“Do what you want. I’m not going,” she replied, wresting her arm from his grasp.

“Why? You said you wanted to be with your kind. That’s why I brought you here in the first place.”

“I know what I said, but I did not want to see Takuro.”

Takuro—just saying his name made her sick. She’d always pretended to be fine at school. And she made sure to act completely normal when talking to or about him. But the more anger she choked back, the greater the darkness grew inside her heart.

It’s his fault my parents are dead. I can never forgive him.

“Why don’t you try being more honest with yourself? It must be so exhausting always pretending to be the good girl.” Naoki leaned in toward the silent Anna. “Do you know why I came here with you?”

“...”

“Because we’re birds of a feather.”

“What?”

“Why don’t you just admit it already? You were just using them as an excuse to come here. No... You really came here just to see Takuro.”

“Takuro? I don’t even want to see that jerk’s face—”

Anna gasped when she realized what she’d revealed.

“Those are your true feelings, aren’t they?” Naoki nodded with a smug grin. “I’m the one who lured him to the Jailhouse. And just as I planned, he experienced ungodly horrors before meeting his end. But I’m still not satisfied. It’s not enough. He needs to suffer even more. You feel the same way, don’t you? You want him to taste fear worse than death. So, Anna... won’t you help me?”

“...”

“Let’s kill Takuro together.”

The worst chill she’d ever felt ran down Anna’s spine. Her blood turned to ice. She was so frightened she couldn’t move. Her legs were frozen, making escape impossible. It wasn’t Naoki’s blood lust that scared her. No, it was that she’d nearly agreed.

Takuro... If it weren’t for him...

Dark emotions began bubbling up from the depths of her heart. Ones she couldn’t hold back. Her vision turned red. Her body was hot. She couldn’t breathe. She soon realized that her consciousness was being taken over by the monster’s.

When she was herself again, she’d found herself lying in this bed. Her first thought was that she was hungry. It was a relief.

Still gripping the hand mirror, Anna sat on the bed in a daze. How much time had passed? Suddenly, the door opened. Thinking Naoki had returned, she looked up. But it wasn’t Naoki.

It was Mika who stood in the open door.

2

Anna stared at Mika from the bed. If she’d held the mirror up in the moment, she would’ve seen just how slack-jawed she’d gone. She was stupefied. She was unable to process this unthinkable situation. And the same was true for Mika.

“H-How...” That was as far as she got. Mika too was clearly flabbergasted.

“Oh, good. You’re okay,” Anna said with a smile.

She wasn’t sure whether or not it was convincing. But it wasn’t a lie that she was glad to see Mika safe.

“Anna... What are you doing here?” Mika asked from the door.

She refused to take a step inside. Whether it was because she was fearful of Anna or worried her true identity would be exposed, Anna couldn’t tell.

“I came back because I was worried about you guys,” Anna quickly answered.

But that was a lie.

I actually wanted to be with people who knew what I was going through...

No, that was a lie, too. One she’d come up with to deceive herself. The real reason she’d come to the Jailhouse—just as Naoki had deduced—was revenge against Takuro. That had to be it.

“Are you alone?” Anna asked, a smile plastered across her face to conceal her true intentions. “Takuro’s not with you?”

“We were together until just a minute ago. I think he’s probably lazing about in the Western-style room watching TV or something.”

A thick, dark, tar-like substance dripped over Anna’s heart.

Lazing about? He’s watching TV and laughing while I’ve been suffering all this time?

“I can’t find Fwuffy anywhere, either. That’s why I was searching the mansion. I never expected to find you here.”

“Who’s Fwuffy?” Anna asked, trying desperately to contain her roiling emotions.

“My little friend. He’s super fluffy, so I named him Fwuffy. The way he’s all aloof and stuff reminds me of Heart. It’s really cute.”

Heart was the name of Mika’s beloved pet Persian cat. The lonely expression that washed over her face when she spoke of it was probably a sign of nostalgia. The sticky substance dripping off of Anna’s heart stained the inside of her mind pitch-black.

Fwuffy? Friend? Really cute? How can Takuro and Mika be so carefree?

“Thanks for worrying about us, but we’re living here happily, so there’s really no need. It’s late. Why don’t you go on home? Your family must be concerned.”

To Anna, it sounded like Mika was saying, “You’re in the way. Get lost.”

Her vision was going red. She could feel her heavy heart sinking into the black sea of tar.

No. I don’t want Mika to see me like that.

Anna took a few deep breaths and suppressed her anger. Remembering Shun helped her keep her cool. Her vision cleared.

I wonder... Did Shun manage to escape safely?

“Oh, so that’s what’s going on. You’re one of us, too.”

Mika must have witnessed the spell come over Anna. She sighed with relief and finally stepped inside the room.

“You should have said something sooner. I was keeping my distance because I was worried I might attack you.”

Mika sat next to Anna on the bed and began swinging her legs. Anna looked at her from the side. They’d never interacted like this before. Even at school, they never talked outside the bare minimum of conversation. Mika was the most adult person in class and gave off an unapproachable air. But the girl sitting beside Anna now was different.

Was she always this friendly? Anna wondered, bewildered. But that wasn’t the most pressing question on her mind.

“You said you were living happily here... What was that about?”

“Just what I said. Takuro and I are happy here. That’s all,” Mika answered, a smile surfacing on her face. She didn’t appear to be lying or putting up a brave front.

“Why don’t you go home?” Anna asked. “I’m sure everyone you know is worried.”

“No way am I going home. Wait... Do you mean you have?” Mika looked at Anna in shock. “You’ve got guts. I could never do that. I’d sooner die than let anyone see me as a monster. Plus, if I hurt someone...”

“So you think you have to live in secrecy here at the Jailhouse? That can’t last forever...”

“I’m fine,” Mika said without hesitation. “In fact, it’s easier here than in the outside world. Besides, I have Takuro. We’re going to live here together.”

Anna snorted in derision.

“You trust him? You’re so naive. He’s rotten to the core. Open your eyes—”

“You don’t know anything! Don’t talk about him like that!” Mika snapped, cutting her off.

“Where is Takuro? I’d like to see him.”

“No way. If you think I’m letting a prejudiced bitch like you anywhere near him, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“...I see,” Anna sighed.

Again, the tar began to fill her chest.

“Whatever, then. You don’t have to tell me,” Anna said as she stood up.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Mika asked, following suit.

“To find him myself,” Anna replied simply.

“And then what? What are you going to do to him?”

“There’s no point in telling you.”

“Don’t!” Mika jumped in front of Anna to block her way. “Takuro is finally paying attention to me. Don’t mess this up for me... Please!”

Mika looked at Anna with earnest eyes. But the more desperately she pleaded, the blacker Anna’s heart grew.

“Open your eyes, Mika. You’ll never be happy with him. You’ve got to know that he only thinks of the people around him as pawns in his little game. Just like when Naoki died—”

“Say any more, and I’ll kill you!” Mika shouted.

Blue liquid began seeping from her temple. She was glaring daggers at Anna.

“Try me.”

Anna returned the look unfalteringly, and they stared each other down in a standoff.

3

The first one to avert her eyes was Mika.

“You changed after getting eaten by a monster. You were always Little Miss Perfect before,” Mika said, her lips twisted in a bitter grin.

“I haven’t changed at all. You just never had a good eye for people.”

Mika narrowed her eyes as Anna taunted her.

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me?” she asked, the bulging vein in her temple growing bigger and bluer by the second.

“No, I’m simply stating the truth,” Anna replied with a sneer.

Her attitude seemed to anger Mika all the more. The right half of her face began to twist horribly. The monster was doing its best to break out.

“I never liked you,” Mika spat, putting a hand to the swelling part of her face. “You’re just a suck-up. You pretend to be nice to everyone, but who knows what you’re really thinking behind that cute little smile? I hate your type.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right. But that’s why I decided to stop. I don’t care how anyone else feels. I’m going to be honest from now on. So let me warn you: you’ll never be happy with Takuro.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! You have no idea what I went through falling in love with him! Shut your mouth!”

The air shook with Mika’s rage. She placed a hand on her stomach and took repeated deep breaths. That must have been her way of controlling her emotions, for just as she was on the brink of transforming into the monster, she managed to hold it back.

“I think you’re the one who doesn’t know what you’re talking about, Mika. Takuro is a criminal. He killed Naoki and my parents. You’d have to be crazy to love someone like that.”

“I don’t care. I still love him. I’m the only one who can support him. He even says he loves me when my own family doesn’t. Do you really think I’d abandon him just because you gave me some stupid warning?” Mika spoke rapidly, as if expelling a giant boil of built-up pus that had amassed over the years. “I don’t know why I even told you that. You’re the class angel. Everyone loves you. What would you know about going without the affection of your parents? I bet you’ve never longed for companionship once in your perfect little life.”

“What would I know about going without the affection of my parents?”

Anna’s blood boiled.

“If you can say that without any shame, then I think you’re the one living a perfect little life. My parents are gone. Don’t you dare talk to me about loneliness,” Anna spat, letting her emotions take the wheel. “Do you have any idea what it feels like to have your family stolen from you? Can you understand that pain, that sadness? Stop being so naive. You fancy yourself a tragic heroine, but all you are is dramatic.”

Anna’s voice grew louder, unleashing a bit of anger toward Takuro with every word. When that anger hit its peak, she could no longer control herself. Her veins pulsed, growing with each beat of her heart.

At this rate, I’ll turn into a monster first...

“Whatever. We’ll never see eye to eye no matter how much we argue. Let’s just stop,” Anna said, closing her eyes and settling her heart.

“I agree, and I hope I never run into you again. Goodbye and good riddance,” Mika said with finality as she turned and left the room.

Anna slammed the door shut after her, sat back down on the bed, and grabbed the mirror. Once her breathing had steadied, she fearfully peered into it. Her normal face stared back at her. Letting out a sigh of relief, she looked up at the ceiling. She felt as if an immeasurable sadness was about to crush her.

“Shun...”

Her hand to her chest, Anna called his name. She wanted so badly to see him. There was a great hole in her heart. One that likely only he could fill.