Mana Academy (IC) (Open, Fantasy)

[Luminesa]

Rabbit now saw that Kasumi had not been lying about Hikari dislike of her, nor has she been lying about her cocky attitude. "She's quite a sweet girl, yes. And a good student, from what I have seen. She was just in my class," they answered, thoughtfully. They then asked her, "...Did you sign up for my class, dear? I don't quite remember if you did or not."

They continued to keep an eye on Alex as well, not wanting them quite to walk out yet. They hoped the boy was listening, that maybe something they had said would reach him.

"Sweet?" Hikari said in shock. "Sweet?! She's a glorified puppet! She didn't show a lot of emotions when we were kids, but now she's just a doll! Don't tell me you didn't notice! She hardly feels anything!"

"Of course she does," Rabbit answered, gently. They remembered how Kasumi had been so frightened, up at the top of that tree. How she felt safe in their arms. How she was annoyed when Rabbit made the tree dance. "She absolutely has feelings. She is simply rather subtle about expressing them. That, and she possibly doesn't know how to express them well. There are people like that, dear. People who struggle to express their emotions physically. For some, if can even be tiring. People like that are also often very bright and thoughtful, however, because of their introspective demeanor," they explained.

[Charlia]

"Sweet?" Hikari said in shock. "Sweet?! She's a glorified puppet! She didn't show a lot of emotions when we were kids, but now she's just a doll! Don't tell me you didn't notice! She hardly feels anything!"

"Of course she does," Rabbit answered, gently. They remembered how Kasumi had been so frightened, up at the top of that tree. How she felt safe in their arms. How she was annoyed when Rabbit made the tree dance. "She absolutely has feelings. She is simply rather subtle about expressing them. That, and she possibly doesn't know how to express them well. There are people like that, dear. People who struggle to express their emotions physically. For some, if can even be tiring. People like that are also often very bright and thoughtful, however, because of their introspective demeanor," they explained.

"Maybe that's what you think," she said angrily. "But you don't know her like I do. Take my word for it--whatever it is she's showing you, that's as much as she can feel. Try to get an emotional reaction out of her sometime. Make her angry. Make her yell at you, or make her laugh. You'll see. She's just a pretty little blue-haired doll."

And that makes two of us, doesn't it?

[Chrome Legion]

Catherine de Sanguine Vivere


"I do suppose such trust must be earned. I realize perhaps I have not done much to earn it, or even damaged what trust has been building. It is just... we have had problems with people hiding what they are at this school before. I hope that some time soon you will be will to trust at least some of us with you secret."
I also hope that you're not a threat. There was already enough danger around here with a half crazed Alex running around. Aria, too, Catherine had seen the fight, she had felt it. There was something very wrong with Aria. Catherine still felt she wasn't in the state of mind to open that bag of worms yet. Perhaps tonight, they were roommates after all.

[Luminesa]

"Of course she does," Rabbit answered, gently. They remembered how Kasumi had been so frightened, up at the top of that tree. How she felt safe in their arms. How she was annoyed when Rabbit made the tree dance. "She absolutely has feelings. She is simply rather subtle about expressing them. That, and she possibly doesn't know how to express them well. There are people like that, dear. People who struggle to express their emotions physically. For some, if can even be tiring. People like that are also often very bright and thoughtful, however, because of their introspective demeanor," they explained.

"Maybe that's what you think," she said angrily. "But you don't know her like I do. Take my word for it--whatever it is she's showing you, that's as much as she can feel. Try to get an emotional reaction out of her sometime. Make her angry. Make her yell at you, or make her laugh. You'll see. She's just a pretty little blue-haired doll."

And that makes two of us, doesn't it?

Rabbit wasn't necessarily shocked by her behavior. She was overconfident, bossy, disrespectful, and hot-blooded, just as Kasumi had said she was. Just as they had suspected she would be. However, they were rather saddened by the vitriol Hikari showed toward her sister. Yet it was just as Rabbit had said-the ones who are the bossiest are often the ones who are the most fragile, the ones who most desire affirmation.

"...We were doing an exercise that involved climbing up and down a tree. She couldn't climb down, because she was scared of falling, just as the rest of the students were. When I went to get her down, I felt her heartbeat. It had sped-up, as it does when a person is afraid or has been exercising. She warmed-up, and then became cold. She was shivering. All of these things are signs that a person is experiencing fear or anxiety. So even if she cannot express her feelings, that is why body language is important," they explained, patiently.

[Charlia]

"Maybe that's what you think," she said angrily. "But you don't know her like I do. Take my word for it--whatever it is she's showing you, that's as much as she can feel. Try to get an emotional reaction out of her sometime. Make her angry. Make her yell at you, or make her laugh. You'll see. She's just a pretty little blue-haired doll."

And that makes two of us, doesn't it?

Rabbit wasn't necessarily shocked by her behavior. She was overconfident, bossy, disrespectful, and hot-blooded, just as Kasumi had said she was. Just as they had suspected she would be. However, they were rather saddened by the vitriol Hikari showed toward her sister. Yet it was just as Rabbit had said-the ones who are the bossiest are often the ones who are the most fragile, the ones who most desire affirmation.

"...We were doing an exercise that involved climbing up and down a tree. She couldn't climb down, because she was scared of falling, just as the rest of the students were. When I went to get her down, I felt her heartbeat. It had sped-up, as it does when a person is afraid or has been exercising. She warmed-up, and then became cold. She was shivering. All of these things are signs that a person is experiencing fear or anxiety. So even if she cannot express her feelings, that is why body language is important," they explained, patiently.

"Did she scream?" Hikari asked in an almost mocking manner. "Did she faint? Have you ever heard her say 'I'm' or 'it's' or 'don't'? Or is it always 'I am' and 'it is' and 'do not'? Have you ever seen her cry?"

"No," her sister replied, walking up behind Rabbit. "Usagi-sensei has never seen me cry. I did not scream, nor did I faint. Your interpretation is... interesting."

"Listen to her," Hikari continued. "She even talks like a doll would. What did you even do to yourself, Umi-chan? Where's my sister and what have you done with her?"

[Luminesa]

Rabbit wasn't necessarily shocked by her behavior. She was overconfident, bossy, disrespectful, and hot-blooded, just as Kasumi had said she was. Just as they had suspected she would be. However, they were rather saddened by the vitriol Hikari showed toward her sister. Yet it was just as Rabbit had said-the ones who are the bossiest are often the ones who are the most fragile, the ones who most desire affirmation.

"...We were doing an exercise that involved climbing up and down a tree. She couldn't climb down, because she was scared of falling, just as the rest of the students were. When I went to get her down, I felt her heartbeat. It had sped-up, as it does when a person is afraid or has been exercising. She warmed-up, and then became cold. She was shivering. All of these things are signs that a person is experiencing fear or anxiety. So even if she cannot express her feelings, that is why body language is important," they explained, patiently.

"Did she scream?" Hikari asked in an almost mocking manner. "Did she faint? Have you ever heard her say 'I'm' or 'it's' or 'don't'? Or is it always 'I am' and 'it is' and 'do not'? Have you ever seen her cry?"

"No," her sister replied, walking up behind Rabbit. "Usagi-sensei has never seen me cry. I did not scream, nor did I faint. Your interpretation is... interesting."

"Listen to her," Hikari continued. "She even talks like a doll would. What did you even do to yourself, Umi-chan? Where's my sister and what have you done with her?"

Where's my sister and what have you done with her?

A statement of pain. A statement that indicated the two sisters were once close. But something had happened...the death of their parents, as Kasumi stated. Rabbit began to wonder if the event had traumatized Kasumi, to the point in which she shut herself away. This shutting-away then hurt Hikari, who only wanted to be close to her sister. To repair the wounds.

It was entirely possible.

"Come now. We've had enough fights for one day. There's no need to argue in such a way," Rabbit asked of them. In the same way as Alex and Aria, both had suffered losses and they were hurting because of them, though in vastly different ways. Thus, Rabbit had to be careful not to pick a favorite in the fight, as despite Hikari's appearance as the bully, they were guessing the two girls were equally suffering.

[Finsternia]

Artosh Luxenia

Artosh was nibbling fries in his classroom, waiting for his next batch of students to come. His break will soon be over, and he used it to clean the classroom and have a little snack. He felt vibrations and sensed the use of magic from Ruta's classroom which was just a few rooms away from his own. 'Too many magical signatures and even Bunny-chan's own is in that room. What the hell are they doing?' He thought to himself, worrying about the well being of the students as he munched on fries. There was already a student who got here when he was getting his fries from the cafeteria and it was getting quite awkward. "I-It seems that you're quite early here... Perhaps you were dismissed early too?"

Ozzi stands awkwardly in the doorway, fidgeting as he answers the teacher. "Er.. Yes, I was dismissed early." He begins to wonder exactly how early he was dismissed, because he hasn't looked at a clock yet since his dismissal.

Artosh smiled brightly and motioned the student to come in. "Have a seat. Your other classmates are still coming. Just pick somewhere you would feel comfortable." He looked at his watch and sighed. 'Seems that I'm the unpopular teacher for the year...' He noticed that Rabbit's subject is over for now and it would be lunch later. He just continued to nibbled at his fries, waiting for his students.

[Charlia]

"Did she scream?" Hikari asked in an almost mocking manner. "Did she faint? Have you ever heard her say 'I'm' or 'it's' or 'don't'? Or is it always 'I am' and 'it is' and 'do not'? Have you ever seen her cry?"

"No," her sister replied, walking up behind Rabbit. "Usagi-sensei has never seen me cry. I did not scream, nor did I faint. Your interpretation is... interesting."

"Listen to her," Hikari continued. "She even talks like a doll would. What did you even do to yourself, Umi-chan? Where's my sister and what have you done with her?"

Where's my sister and what have you done with her?

A statement of pain. A statement that indicated the two sisters were once close. But something had happened...the death of their parents, as Kasumi stated. Rabbit began to wonder if the event had traumatized Kasumi, to the point in which she shut herself away. This shutting-away then hurt Hikari, who only wanted to be close to her sister. To repair the wounds.

It was entirely possible.

"Come now. We've had enough fights for one day. There's no need to argue in such a way," Rabbit asked of them. In the same way as Alex and Aria, both had suffered losses and they were hurting because of them, though in vastly different ways. Thus, Rabbit had to be careful not to pick a favorite in the fight, as despite Hikari's appearance as the bully, they were guessing the two girls were equally suffering.

"A better question," Kasumi said evenly, "is what happened to you? You never were this unstable."

"I'm not unstable," Hikari retorted. "And even if I am, at least I'm not a doll like you! Is there anything you care about? Anything you'd react to? What is wrong with you?"

I'm not a doll. I'm not a doll. I think for myself, I live for myself, I'm not like you!

[Luminesa]

Where's my sister and what have you done with her?

A statement of pain. A statement that indicated the two sisters were once close. But something had happened...the death of their parents, as Kasumi stated. Rabbit began to wonder if the event had traumatized Kasumi, to the point in which she shut herself away. This shutting-away then hurt Hikari, who only wanted to be close to her sister. To repair the wounds.

It was entirely possible.

"Come now. We've had enough fights for one day. There's no need to argue in such a way," Rabbit asked of them. In the same way as Alex and Aria, both had suffered losses and they were hurting because of them, though in vastly different ways. Thus, Rabbit had to be careful not to pick a favorite in the fight, as despite Hikari's appearance as the bully, they were guessing the two girls were equally suffering.

"A better question," Kasumi said evenly, "is what happened to you? You never were this unstable."

"I'm not unstable," Hikari retorted. "And even if I am, at least I'm not a doll like you! Is there anything you care about? Anything you'd react to? What is wrong with you?"

I'm not a doll. I'm not a doll. I think for myself, I live for myself, I'm not like you!

Rabbit could sense the situation was getting worse and worse. They had to do something, before the two started physically fighting. But how? The two girls were complete opposites pushing a wall between them, and neither of them wanted to budge. "Hikari-chan. Kasumi-chan," they interrupted the two of them, "building a wall between each other is not the way to solve this. If you truly want to heal each other, seek to look behind the wall at the pain each of you is in." Once again, they knew Kasumi at least was trying. However, Rabbit's suggestion would only work as long as they didn't pick a favorite, so they had to be fair.

[Charlia]

"A better question," Kasumi said evenly, "is what happened to you? You never were this unstable."

"I'm not unstable," Hikari retorted. "And even if I am, at least I'm not a doll like you! Is there anything you care about? Anything you'd react to? What is wrong with you?"

I'm not a doll. I'm not a doll. I think for myself, I live for myself, I'm not like you!

Rabbit could sense the situation was getting worse and worse. They had to do something, before the two started physically fighting. But how? The two girls were complete opposites pushing a wall between them, and neither of them wanted to budge. "Hikari-chan. Kasumi-chan," they interrupted the two of them, "building a wall between each other is not the way to solve this. If you truly want to heal each other, seek to look behind the wall at the pain each of you is in." Once again, they knew Kasumi at least was trying. However, Rabbit's suggestion would only work as long as they didn't pick a favorite, so they had to be fair.

"She doesn't even feel any pain!" Hikari snapped.

"Hikari-chan is correct, Usagi-sensei," Kasumi said simply. "I do not feel pain."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Hikari suddenly shouted, covering her ears and ducking away.

"Hikari-chan..."

NO! NO! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE... I hate...


...I hate me...

[Luminesa]

Rabbit could sense the situation was getting worse and worse. They had to do something, before the two started physically fighting. But how? The two girls were complete opposites pushing a wall between them, and neither of them wanted to budge. "Hikari-chan. Kasumi-chan," they interrupted the two of them, "building a wall between each other is not the way to solve this. If you truly want to heal each other, seek to look behind the wall at the pain each of you is in." Once again, they knew Kasumi at least was trying. However, Rabbit's suggestion would only work as long as they didn't pick a favorite, so they had to be fair.

"She doesn't even feel any pain!" Hikari snapped.

"Hikari-chan is correct, Usagi-sensei," Kasumi said simply. "I do not feel pain."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Hikari suddenly shouted, covering her ears and ducking away.

"Hikari-chan..."

NO! NO! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE... I hate...


...I hate me...

Hikari was definitely unstable. She didn't want to admit it, but something was absolutely wrong. The only problem was that she was not going to listen, as long as Kasumi was in the room. As far as Rabbit knew, she would only continue to argue with her quieter sister, until she was so angry she couldn't argue anymore. "...Kasumi-chan," Rabbit spoke gently to Kasumi, "perhaps it would be best for you to head onto your next class, dear." They spoke to show her they meant no hostility, and simply wanted to speak to Hikari, who was having a near-meltdown.

[Charlia]

"She doesn't even feel any pain!" Hikari snapped.

"Hikari-chan is correct, Usagi-sensei," Kasumi said simply. "I do not feel pain."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Hikari suddenly shouted, covering her ears and ducking away.

"Hikari-chan..."

NO! NO! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE... I hate...


...I hate me...

Hikari was definitely unstable. She didn't want to admit it, but something was absolutely wrong. The only problem was that she was not going to listen, as long as Kasumi was in the room. As far as Rabbit knew, she would only continue to argue with her quieter sister, until she was so angry she couldn't argue anymore. "...Kasumi-chan," Rabbit spoke gently to Kasumi, "perhaps it would be best for you to head onto your next class, dear." They spoke to show her they meant no hostility, and simply wanted to speak to Hikari, who was having a near-meltdown.

Kasumi nodded, and left the room quickly, her steps perfectly even and following an exact, never-faltering beat, as if she were walking to the tick of a clock.

Hikari just stayed where she was, huddled on the floor, hands pressed tightly over her ears.

[Luminesa]

Hikari was definitely unstable. She didn't want to admit it, but something was absolutely wrong. The only problem was that she was not going to listen, as long as Kasumi was in the room. As far as Rabbit knew, she would only continue to argue with her quieter sister, until she was so angry she couldn't argue anymore. "...Kasumi-chan," Rabbit spoke gently to Kasumi, "perhaps it would be best for you to head onto your next class, dear." They spoke to show her they meant no hostility, and simply wanted to speak to Hikari, who was having a near-meltdown.

Kasumi nodded, and left the room quickly, her steps perfectly even and following an exact, never-faltering beat, as if she were walking to the tick of a clock.

Hikari just stayed where she was, huddled on the floor, hands pressed tightly over her ears.

Rabbit walked over to her, and then looked over at Alex. They had wanted to continue speaking to the boy, but Hikari was nearly falling apart herself, and now she needed help. With all of the kids who were hurting or broken in this school, Rabbit could already tell their year was going to be busy. "Wait here just a few more moments, unless you have another class you need to get to. Then you're free to go, as I would not like for you to be late for another class," they told him, considerately.

They then knelt down in front of Hikari, and put their hands gently on hers. "...Hikari...you don't need to hide yourself away...I'm not going to hurt you..." they whispered to her.

[Charlia]

Kasumi nodded, and left the room quickly, her steps perfectly even and following an exact, never-faltering beat, as if she were walking to the tick of a clock.

Hikari just stayed where she was, huddled on the floor, hands pressed tightly over her ears.

Rabbit walked over to her, and then looked over at Alex. They had wanted to continue speaking to the boy, but Hikari was nearly falling apart herself, and now she needed help. With all of the kids who were hurting or broken in this school, Rabbit could already tell their year was going to be busy. "Wait here just a few more moments, unless you have another class you need to get to. Then you're free to go, as I would not like for you to be late for another class," they told him, considerately.

They then knelt down in front of Hikari, and put their hands gently on hers. "...Hikari...you don't need to hide yourself away...I'm not going to hurt you..." they whispered to her.

"I'll burn you!"

"Leave me alone," she muttered. "At least I can feel something. At least I can still feel. I'm not a doll. I'm not a doll. I'm not! I am not a doll!"

[Luminesa]

Rabbit walked over to her, and then looked over at Alex. They had wanted to continue speaking to the boy, but Hikari was nearly falling apart herself, and now she needed help. With all of the kids who were hurting or broken in this school, Rabbit could already tell their year was going to be busy. "Wait here just a few more moments, unless you have another class you need to get to. Then you're free to go, as I would not like for you to be late for another class," they told him, considerately.

They then knelt down in front of Hikari, and put their hands gently on hers. "...Hikari...you don't need to hide yourself away...I'm not going to hurt you..." they whispered to her.

"I'll burn you!"

"Leave me alone," she muttered. "At least I can feel something. At least I can still feel. I'm not a doll. I'm not a doll. I'm not! I am not a doll!"

"...I know you can feel. That's why I'm worried about you. Because you're panicking and worrying that you're a doll, when you're not," Rabbit explained, hoping to reach-out to her somehow.

[Charlia]

"I'll burn you!"

"Leave me alone," she muttered. "At least I can feel something. At least I can still feel. I'm not a doll. I'm not a doll. I'm not! I am not a doll!"

"...I know you can feel. That's why I'm worried about you. Because you're panicking and worrying that you're a doll, when you're not," Rabbit explained, hoping to reach-out to her somehow.

"That's right," she said, sounding almost content in a bitter sort of way. "I'm not a puppet anymore. No strings on me, 'cause I burned them all away. Every... single... one of them... burned into ashes," she said, smiling. "You know... You're rather odd," she mused. "Why do you wear that mask all the time?"

[Luminesa]

"...I know you can feel. That's why I'm worried about you. Because you're panicking and worrying that you're a doll, when you're not," Rabbit explained, hoping to reach-out to her somehow.

"That's right," she said, sounding almost content in a bitter sort of way. "I'm not a puppet anymore. No strings on me, 'cause I burned them all away. Every... single... one of them... burned into ashes," she said, smiling. "You know... You're rather odd," she mused. "Why do you wear that mask all the time?"

"Hm?...My mask?" Rabbit touched their mask, as though they had forgotten they were wearing it (though they hadn't, of course). "Ah, well...I have my reasons, I suppose...but that is not the main concern of the moment. Why did you say you're not a puppet anymore?" they inquired.

[Charlia]

"That's right," she said, sounding almost content in a bitter sort of way. "I'm not a puppet anymore. No strings on me, 'cause I burned them all away. Every... single... one of them... burned into ashes," she said, smiling. "You know... You're rather odd," she mused. "Why do you wear that mask all the time?"

"Hm?...My mask?" Rabbit touched their mask, as though they had forgotten they were wearing it (though they hadn't, of course). "Ah, well...I have my reasons, I suppose...but that is not the main concern of the moment. Why did you say you're not a puppet anymore?" they inquired.

"Because I'm not, of course," she said quizzically. "I think for myself. I live for myself. I make my own choices in life. I'm not some doll to be broken and tossed aside. I'm me. Not an emotionless doll like dear Umi-chan."

[Luminesa]

"Hm?...My mask?" Rabbit touched their mask, as though they had forgotten they were wearing it (though they hadn't, of course). "Ah, well...I have my reasons, I suppose...but that is not the main concern of the moment. Why did you say you're not a puppet anymore?" they inquired.

"Because I'm not, of course," she said quizzically. "I think for myself. I live for myself. I make my own choices in life. I'm not some doll to be broken and tossed aside. I'm me. Not an emotionless doll like dear Umi-chan."

"But are you saying that perhaps...you used to be someone's puppet?" Rabbit suggested, curiously. "You said you cut and burned your strings...who was the puppeteer, and why did they have strings on you?"

[Charlia]

"Because I'm not, of course," she said quizzically. "I think for myself. I live for myself. I make my own choices in life. I'm not some doll to be broken and tossed aside. I'm me. Not an emotionless doll like dear Umi-chan."

"But are you saying that perhaps...you used to be someone's puppet?" Rabbit suggested, curiously. "You said you cut and burned your strings...who was the puppeteer, and why did they have strings on you?"

"Suzuhara Kensuke."

---

"I wish I could guarantee your safety, but..." He sighed. "The only way I could be sure... No, that's not an option."

"What? What is it?" she questioned.

"You'd never agree to it."

"Just tell me, Suzuhara-san."

"...if you insist. You see, I have some measure of control over them. They respect my authority... to a degree. If I told them to leave you alone, they would... as long as I wasn't around. But they never dare to touch anything that belongs to me... I told you it wasn't really an option. So I'm afraid that's that... I'll try to keep them away from you whenever I can, but there's always the risk... I'm sorry, there's really nothing more I can do."

He stood up and turned to leave, and she cried out.

"No! Wait!"

"...Nobody," she said bitterly. "Just ashes, now."

[Kaledoria]

Aidan had been changing clothes, since his robes were looking quite bad after the climbing. He was again wearing casual jeans and t-shirt.

He was visiting Professor Aether before her class. Unusually insecure he had to ask her something: "Professor, I was reading about the elements and would like to be able to control the fifth element, too - your element. Will you be holding lessons on ethereal magic in spring or maybe next year - and if so, what should I hear now, in order to be properly prepared for it. By now I only really know the elemental air. Plus the advanced course on light-manipulation I passed last year." Aidan was nervous, he had heard rumors, that in order to learn the fifth element one needed to be a master of all four classical elements. If this was the case, he was probably out, he had no experience whatsoever with fire, water or earth.

[Charlia]

Aidan had been changing clothes, since his robes were looking quite bad after the climbing. He was again wearing casual jeans and t-shirt.

He was visiting Professor Aether before her class. Unusually insecure he had to ask her something: "Professor, I was reading about the elements and would like to be able to control the fifth element, too - your element. Will you be holding lessons on that element in spring or maybe next year - and if so, what should I hear now, in order to be properly prepared for it. By now I only really know the elemental air. Plus the advanced course on light-manipulation I heard last year." Aidan was nervous, he had heard rumors, that in order to learn the fith element one needed to be a master of all four classical elements. If this was the case, he was probably out, he had no experience whatsoever with fire, water or earth.

She smiled under her hood, looking at him and taking in his appearance. He had none of the physical traits of an Aetheric mage.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Aidan," she said, "but I'm afraid that's highly unlikely. There are very few people born with the ability that qualifies them to be an Aetheric mage, and I'm afraid you're not likely to be one of them."

[Luminesa]

"But are you saying that perhaps...you used to be someone's puppet?" Rabbit suggested, curiously. "You said you cut and burned your strings...who was the puppeteer, and why did they have strings on you?"

"Suzuhara Kensuke."

---

"I wish I could guarantee your safety, but..." He sighed. "The only way I could be sure... No, that's not an option."

"What? What is it?" she questioned.

"You'd never agree to it."

"Just tell me, Suzuhara-san."

"...if you insist. You see, I have some measure of control over them. They respect my authority... to a degree. If I told them to leave you alone, they would... as long as I wasn't around. But they never dare to touch anything that belongs to me... I told you it wasn't really an option. So I'm afraid that's that... I'll try to keep them away from you whenever I can, but there's always the risk... I'm sorry, there's really nothing more I can do."

He stood up and turned to leave, and she cried out.

"No! Wait!"

"...Nobody," she said bitterly. "Just ashes, now."

"...Well...it doesn't sound like this is nobody," Rabbit suggested, noticing the tension in her eyes, "those ashes had to belong to someone, dear..." Someone had obviously hurt her and her family. They weren't sure who, but they were the reason Hikari and Kasumi were the way they were.

[Charlia]

"Suzuhara Kensuke."

---

"I wish I could guarantee your safety, but..." He sighed. "The only way I could be sure... No, that's not an option."

"What? What is it?" she questioned.

"You'd never agree to it."

"Just tell me, Suzuhara-san."

"...if you insist. You see, I have some measure of control over them. They respect my authority... to a degree. If I told them to leave you alone, they would... as long as I wasn't around. But they never dare to touch anything that belongs to me... I told you it wasn't really an option. So I'm afraid that's that... I'll try to keep them away from you whenever I can, but there's always the risk... I'm sorry, there's really nothing more I can do."

He stood up and turned to leave, and she cried out.

"No! Wait!"

"...Nobody," she said bitterly. "Just ashes, now."

"...Well...it doesn't sound like this is nobody," Rabbit suggested, noticing the tension in her eyes, "those ashes had to belong to someone, dear..." Someone had obviously hurt her and her family. They weren't sure who, but they were the reason Hikari and Kasumi were the way they were.

"..."

I don't want to talk about the things I did.

"Someone who used to protect me," she said in an ironic manner.

[Luminesa]

"...Well...it doesn't sound like this is nobody," Rabbit suggested, noticing the tension in her eyes, "those ashes had to belong to someone, dear..." Someone had obviously hurt her and her family. They weren't sure who, but they were the reason Hikari and Kasumi were the way they were.

"..."

I don't want to talk about the things I did.

"Someone who used to protect me," she said in an ironic manner.

"They used to protect you...and then what happened?" they continued to ask. Did they hurt her? Did they turn her against her family? Was this person the reason Hikari and Kasumi fought each other, and the reason their parents died? All those ashes had to lead back to something.