@Shiawase: I was very concerned about the last chapter because of that issue and it had to represent a broken Aika who was trying to put herself back together
@gracula: This chapter will have a little but no violence
Chapter 9The train stopped at the station and the three got off seeing that it was evening they went searching for a place to stay overnight. The city was eerily quiet while the three walked through the streets until a vacancy sign was flashing on the hotel's billboard. They walked in seeing an elderly woman in front with a smile. Tomo yawned as she looked at the young girl.
“You guys seem from out of town, however, we have a lot of vacancies so I'll give you guys a discount, and I have dinner ready for you guys.” Reina and Aika looked at each other as they thought it was a dream and kept Tomo awake for dinner.
They entered into the main dining room as they saw the fried fish in front of them with the bowl of cooked rice. The woman sat with Tomo as Reina and Aika sat across from them, she looked at the two and tried to figure why they have a girl with them. Aika looked away as Reina stared her down and the woman cracked.
“You seem to be young and too fit for childbearing, so why is she with you?”
“Her mother died.”
“Oh dear... I am so sorry to hear about it, I never expect young people to care for her, but I guess that is needed for her, anyways you go eat, I gotta tend to another matter.” She stood up and yelled at the waitress as she came out and faced the two older women.
“REINA!”
“SAYU!”
Sayu placed the plate down and walked away from the table as Aika and Tomo looked at Reina. The woman yelled back at Sayu as she kneel in front of them and looked away from Reina as she admired the child. Aika bowed toward her as Sayu returned the bow and bowed toward Reina as she returned the bow.
“Why are you here?”
“I came to see you.”
“To steal again, like you always do.”
“Wait a minute, I changed from her death, I knew I was greedy and took the money and vial for your research but Eri wanted me to have money because she felt sorry.”
“Eri should have never felt sorry for you, you are a low-life scum, we only befriended you, because you were part of a gang and we needed protection.” Aika looked at Reina and shook her head.
“You are still a bitch, Eri knew why she never wanted to be with me, she was always yours, so stop bringing it up.” Reina stood up and stared at Sayu.
“Because she knew who was better in her future and didn't need a person who only stole for a living.” Sayu's sharp tongue caught Reina as Aika grabbed Tomo and walked out of the room.
Reina closed her fist and let her tears fall to the ground, Sayu walked away as Reina pounded the tatami mats as hard as she could. She instantly got up and ran to Aika as they were outside the room, the awkward moment didn't help the tension growing between them.
“So, you were a thief?”
“Yes, but let me explain.”
“Why did you lie to us? You were going to use us to get what we had and now at least we know right?” Tomo ran over to Reina.
“Reina is not bad...” Tomo said.
“She is.”
“SHE IS NOT BAD!” Tomo yelled at Aika.
Aika stood there giving a chance for Reina to explain and brought up the conversation on the train to hold judgment. Aika let Reina open the door with all three sitting, Reina started her side of the story.
“Yes, it was all true, Sayu was right about everything that she said and I will not regret doing that before, however, Sayu knows about mind control, Eri and her were the lead experimenters for the project. Something that Eri's uncle had brought up gave us the opportunity to seek Sayu's knowledge and we needed to mend our relationship eventually.” Someone opened the door and Sayu bowed deeply.
“I am sorry for my language.”
“No problem, I knew you still would be angry.”
“So, Eri's uncle sent you here, unfortunately I had to give up on the research.” Reina took a deep breath.
“I wanted to give you the money one day but why did you give up?”
“When Eri passed away, my heart was not into the research, so I left it on the shelves for others to take it on, but weeks later, someone broke in and took my papers.” Reina's eyes widened as she never knew about the incident.
“The problem was I knew it wasn't you and I couldn't put my finger on anyone so I managed to get the vial for the power and it was a duo that were preying on us before the accident.”
“Sayu, someone has the recipe to make the secret power?” Sayu nodded.
Reina sat back and calmly breathe in and out as the news was worst than expected, Sayu had lost the research and it all came back to Eri's death. Reina looked at her and took out a wad of cash and placed it in front of her.
“I am sorry to hear about this but I have become different since then because...” Sayu looked at Aika.
“You have really seen someone who you cared for... it is that woman right?” Sayu pointed at Aika.
“Yeah.” Reina said silently.
Sayu clamped her hands together and begged for forgiveness, Reina bowed to her as she took away her drive to understand the power she had been working on with Eri. Aika saw Tomo to her side sleeping and carried her to the futon set out for them. As Aika laid her down, Reina bowed to her for giving a false identity. Aika started to cry as she hugged Reina, Reina carefully wrapped her arms around her as Sayu hugged them two.
After an hour of making up, Aika slept next to Tomo as the two older women started to chat.
“Sayu, what can we do?”
“I know the person who did this to us but I cannot catch him myself without proof.”
“Well, that is understandable, so let me catch him.” Reina insisted.
“Is it possible? Unless you have the time stopping vial.”
“Bingo!” Sayu hugged Reina.
“Okay, I need to ask for a day off and we can discuss this tomorrow, have a good night.” Reina replied back as she slipped into her bed. Aika turned over and placed her hand on top of her body as she closed her eyes.
“Aika-chan, will you accept me? Will you ever trust me? Because I want you too.” Reina closed her eyes for the night.