[Replies]
@olive29: I hope so too! It looks like Jurina has the potential to keep Rena from going insane as seen in the previous battle.
@cisda83: I wonder too! Let's hope it somewhat answers those questions just a bit in this update.
@chiqinna: Hm... Shall we interrogate Rena's father then?
@mayuki_daisuki: wMatsui is always needed here and there.
@Llyloo: Here's the next update!
@deguchi: I'm glad you like this fiction and the pairing, Atsumina! I'm sure they'll have their little moments sprinkled before their big arc to conclude this series.
@cyanical: I'm glad you think of this fiction that way! Although I'm unsure if this fiction still retains the quality from the beginning (most likely not from my point of view, LOL), hope you enjoy reading it.
Holy Agito Lord. It has been almost FOUR whole months since I last updated this fiction. I am so sorry for the slow updates recently and my attention having focused on one shots. I promise to keep working on the series at this point in time (in hopes of finishing at least one or two by this year).
Now, let me tell you all a funny story about this update.
I actually typed this all in one day. I've finished most of my homework in school and decided to spend the time typing away on my computer. Though it took a LOT of effort to be working on this chapter (since procrastination has become a part of me in the writing universe now), I glanced over the rough outlines I had typed for this chapter a week or two ago on my phone and... soon found out that I've finished writing it today. I swear to kami-sama up above, I wrote this all in one day. Talk about the sudden urge to write.
Now I find it incredibly awkward considering the fact how busy I am usually. Guess today was the day that I was able to relax for just a tad bit before being overwhelmed by school tomorrow.
In the meantime, enjoy this update (or not) and thank you so much for following/reading/whatever my work!
[Chapter 17]
Rena’s eyes finally had opened. After being unconscious at an unknown length of time, the female doctor had awaken.
The first thing she was met with was the sight of wooden boards; the boards that were a part of the ship’s upper deck architectural design. Natural daylight from outside followed by the combining sound of the waves and seagulls shined through the nearby window, allowing the room she was in lit. Familiar rocking of the boat was felt from underneath her figure, coming to a conclusion that the ship was sailing.
The next thing that greeted her was the dull aches coming from different parts of her body. Though they weren’t something she couldn’t tolerate, it brought a question to her mind about what exactly had happened.
Lazily Rena dragged her eyes downward to see that she was resting on the familiar bed; the soft mattress providing comfort to the girl. A blanket was over her, but certain parts of her body that ached felt as though a layer or two of thick rolls were patched and wrapped around securely.
‘W-What happened?’
That was the question that would hopefully be answered to the member from her fellow crewmates.
Blinking a few times, the raven haired girl gazed around her surroundings. She saw a couple members in the medical bay; some visiting the patients and some being the patients themselves. Their chatters were filling up the room, making it lively and just a tad bit louder than it should be for the sleeping individuals.
From what she could see, Watanabe Miyuki was still fast asleep, unmoving from her position ever since she was admitted to the captain’s care. Right next to her, there was both Shinoda Mariko and Minegishi Minami loudly arguing about the injured one between the two ready to get out of bed. Of course, considering the much taller and older member of the crew standing before her best friend, she wouldn’t let her crewmate have it her way. Pushing her back down on the bed with a fierce, forced smile, Mariko harshly slipped out a few words to the other girl. Whatever she had said made the girl freeze on her spot. And whatever she had said made Minami stiffen in her position; only able to stare at the standing member with pure shock.
On the other hand, right behind the furious Mariko was both Miyazawa Sae and Akimoto Sayaka. A bandage that wrapped a good portion of her injured shoulder, Sae broke out into a fit of laughter. One fist brought up to her mouth, she was amused at the clumsiness the other girl possessed. Poor Sayaka. All she wanted to do what cut an apple in her hand; first starting off by peeling the skin with a knife. The dull blade didn’t make accomplishing the feat any easier for the strong woman. She clenched her jaw tightly till the outlines of it were shown from the distant; eyes trained on the one fruit at her hand.
“Sayaka?” Sae’s voice popped into Sayaka’s intense attention given to the apple, calming herself down from laughing earlier. “You can just give me the apple-“
“No no no. I’m almost done, Sae.”
A sweat drop ran down not just Sae’s face but on Kuramochi Asuka’s face also, who was just passing by their area. As the ikemen patiently waited for her girlfriend to finish the simple procedure that shouldn’t be taking such a long period of time (and that includes the female mentally wanting to grab the fruit away from Sayaka and peeling it herself), Asuka walked right on by and out of the door. The female passed by a couple other members like Kitahara Rie, whom she was taking care of earlier last night.
However, right when she got to the entranceway of the room and took one step into the hallway, the girl’s shoulders jolted up from surprise at a booming voice from the background.
“You better not be peeping at Acchan and Takamina having their smexy time!” Yuko exclaimed from afar.
Though she was located on the other side of the room, the volume was so loud that not only was it heard crystal clear in the female’s ears but caught the attention of many other members. Those who were awake and curious threw their attention over to the now-flustered Asuka. Embarrassed, Asuka almost wanted to grab a rock… or just something! Something that will keep the squirrel’s mouth shut. It didn’t help when Yuko gave a thumbs up in the background, shouting out even more encouragements that would send just about any sane individual blushing.
“I told you that I don’t like those kind of things!” she shouted back, face becoming visibly dark red at this point. Now if this were a cartoon, steam would be exiting on the top of her head too as an added effect. Sadly, she was only greeted with the shorter girl’s eyebrows wiggling playfully at Asuka; not taking her statement seriously. “Mou, listen to me, you squirrel!”
“I can guarantee that denial will only make you-ITAI!!!”
Well, at least Haruna’s taken care of shutting the squirrel’s mouth shut.
Yuko was seen to be rubbing the top of her head and holding onto it with both hands, whimpering from the throbbing pain. Rocking herself back and forth despite the injuries she sustained in the fight yesterday, the other girl nearby retracted her hand away from the girl, hinting that she had given one hell of a punishing karate chop.
A relieved exhale came out of Asuka’s mouth as she closed her eyes. Both hands on her hips, she shook her head and tilted it downward at a slight angle. This entire ship was crazy. It’s a wonder how she could deal with some people here and there. After a full minute of being deep into her thoughts, the dark haired female reopened her eyes. Shooting a glance over at Yuko, she saw Mayu and Yuki nearby giggling light-heartedly at Yuko’s ordeal.
The two girls that were giggling took a turn for a worse at their role the moment Yuki had opened her mouth. Though no one was able to hear other than the four in the background, it almost felt as though kami-sama up above pressed the pause button in that specific area. What words the older girl uttered had made Mayu not only blushing bright red but using her healthy hand to shove her away roughly.
Yuki had accidentally crashed into the bed where Rena had been resting on; back slamming against the side of the mattress. There was a gasp coming from Rena, alerting the other members and gaining the knowledge that she was finally awake. Now having startled the figure that had just awaken mere minutes ago, the other raven haired member rapidly stood in a military-like stance, faced the member and apologized to the older Matsui.
“G-Gomenasai, Rena!” she loudly blurted out.
“Bakayarou…” Mayu from behind shook her head in a small voice. “You’re so loud.”
Though Rena was a little confused as to what had exactly happened, she merely broke out a faint smile and giggled lightly.
“It’s okay,” a dry voice erupting out of her trachea, sounding like it hasn’t been out in the sun for months.
As Yuki scratched the back of her head nervously, she stopped when Jurina was seen by Rena’s side. When her eyes were trained on the figure, Rena followed its direction and was amazed at the sight. Rena honestly had been oblivious till now about the younger Matsui’s presence. Probably because Jurina was sleeping with the side of her head resting against her crossed arms. Such position she was in was easy for most anybody resting on the bed in Rena’s spot would miss spotting. And light snores were picked up from the certain figure. She was breathing in a slow, even pattern; the blunt hint showing that she was still deep into her internal dream world.
Seeing the sight, the ship’s only official doctor smile at the scene as she pushed herself upright on the bed. Upon sitting up, she flinched when the blanket that was draped over her figure loosened its hold. Falling down to her lap, Rena could only stare in shock at the bandages and gauze littered all over her upper body.
The uniform she had worn earlier was replaced with a lighter layer of clothing; a white kimono only used when the member is either ill for a long period of time or forced to have their uniforms repaired. Exposure of the bare skin from parts that wasn’t covered by the kimono showed the wounds and bruises she never remembered having nor gaining.
It looks like the expression Rena was making with her face had Yuki nearby explain as if on cue.
“You were moderately injured in the battle yesterday,” she started. Yuki was going to speak more, but hesitated when there was Rena merely blinking back at her blankly; completely clueless and lost. “Ano… I should actually ask you this before I explain… Do you… even remember what you did yesterday?”
Rena silently shook her head. At that moment, Yuki stared back at her as if she was crazy.
“A-Are you sure you didn’t remember, Rena?”
“Hai. The only thing I remembered was… Jurina being attacked by one of the Redcoats.”
A shudder ran down her spine when the female vividly remembered the scene. As if it could happen at this moment, the sound of firearms being shot in the air as both screams and yells filled the atmosphere. Smoke was everywhere, making it near impossible for anyone to see. Yet through that devastating setting, Rena clearly remembered watching Jurina about to be struck down by the Redcoat. The knife that was so close to the younger Matsui’s face, sadistically grinning like the devil at the poor girl. And there was nothing she could do about it.
Such horrid image that scarred the mind of Rena. Especially when it was in regard to the very person that she cares for. Mentally Rena confirmed her preference to her role in this crew. No wonder why she wasn’t deem fit to be out in the battlefield and would much rather hole herself in the medical bay; she only had to deal with the aftermath of the bloody conflict.
Yuki remained silent, which she shot a quick glance over her shoulder at Mayu. The younger girl watched Rena, squinting her eyes with a bit of alarm and curiosity. Then at the other two girls, both Haruna and Yuko shook their head; unsure of the situation at hand.
Looking back at Rena, the raven haired girl bit the bottom of her lip. A grave expression was scrawled all over her face as she noticed the girl before her doesn’t have the slightest clue nor idea of her murderous actions. From the corner of her mind, instinctively due to human’s natural reaction to danger, there was a small speck of fear that made her worry about not just Rena but just about everyone else on board.
Controlling her action and being conscious was one thing. But to be unable to recognize such violent state concerned Yuki and those that overheard their conversation.
The member then told Rena a vague explanation of her actions, trying not to include how horrifying she ended their life.
“Well… You killed them.”
“Eh?”
“Like I had said, you killed those Redcoats from the ship.” Pointing at the covered areas of Rena’s body, she added, “Which is why you had gotten those wounds.”
Rena slowly nodded her head, still a little confused as to what had happened. How could she possibly have had the strength and stamina to wipe out those Redcoats? But most importantly, how could she have the guts to kill them?
Rena was no killer. As angry as she can be, at the most, she was only able to knock out a foe or two under certain circumstances. So how and why? It didn’t help to know for a fact the older Matsui had no recollection whatsoever of the crisis that occurred yesterday.
There was a couple incomprehensible words coming from Jurina’s direction. Refocusing her attention away from Yuki, Rena observed Jurina, who was now mumbling a bit under her breath. Within a couple seconds, the athletic girl had rubbed both of her eyes with her hands, yawning loudly.
“Rena… chan… Is that you…?” she questioned the moment both her hands were removed. Peering through her barely closed eyes, the girl squeezed the pair all at once before reopening them. She blinked a few times before widening her eyes in realization. “R-Rena!”
She leapt up on two of her feet, dropping her jaw at seeing the older girl awake. Then without warning, Jurina pounced forward to wrap her arms around Rena’s body. She was cheerful and ecstatic to see that the person she loves consciously aware of her surroundings.
“I-Itai! J-Jurina! Ow! My wounds!”
Hearing the girl’s cry from the unintentional rough infliction, Jurina bounced back and waved both of her hands in the air wildly; almost looking like she was putting on a play.
“G-Gomen gomen!” the younger Matsui then bowed her head down repetitively. “Gomenasai, Rena-chan!”
A couple seconds of silence crossed the two Matsuis before being rewarded with a light giggle from the older.
Hand covering her mouth, Rena shook her head.
“It’s okay, Jurina. I’m just glad that you’re here with me.”
Looks like Yuki decided it was time to take her leave for her presence vanished from the wMatsui’s area, focused on trying to gain back Mayu’s attention due to an earlier statement towards the girl. Now it left just Jurina and Rena, staring at each other.
“Jurina…” Rena spoke up once again.
Jurina physically showed that she was listening by seating herself back down on the stool nearby and clasped both of her hands together. Eyes trained on the one and only person that was talking, she perked up her ears when the older Matsui continued to speak. And as the raven haired girl talked, her eyes were intensely staring into Jurina’s.
“Is it true?”
“…Hah? What’s true?”
“Is it true that I’ve killed those Redcoats?”
She couldn’t say anything or do anything else other than gap at Rena. The memories and images of Rena laughing maniacally as she broke the one of the enemies’ arms… The horrifying grin that cackled with an inhumane voice that screamed out pure joy… The pair of eyes that flared with pleasure at the sight of her victims pleading for her to stop…
The short haired girl shook her head. She didn’t want to be reminded about it, but had to tell Rena since she looked desperate into confirming her wonders.
Gulping, Jurina then uttered, “It’s… true. You did kill them.”
Silence. All that was left between the two of them was silence. And this silence was nevertheless comfortable, causing them to feel awkward under the atmosphere.
Within this time frame, there was a burning question that Jurina has yet to have asked to Rena. And considering that the girl was now awake, she asked it regardless of the response Yuki received due to being asleep earlier.
“Why did you… turn into that state?”
“What state?” the older female tore her eyes away from her hands and up into the other girl.
“I’m asking if you know why you… went in a… rampage.”
“R-Rampage?”
“Yeah.”
“I… I honestly… don’t know. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Rena…”
“I don’t know, Jurina. I don’t know anything.”
-------------
Nightfall had descended upon the sea that covered the planet. Stars from up above twinkled; accompanied by the gentle moon shining its soft rays on both land and water.
Though this part of the day would prove to be the moment where peace falls upon the ship, calamity struck.
Gossips about Rena’s actions the day before rapidly spread around like wildfire, unable to put it out. Many members nervously whispered and expressed their concern. No one knew who started it but there was no need to find the culprit. The moment Rena went berserk and brutally slaughtered the enemies without sparing any was the starting point of this fire.
During that moment, Minami was not pleased at all with the actions of her crew. As much as she tried to lay the order and keep control of their gossiping, she wasn’t able to contain their verbal freedom at all. Rather it was impossible at this point. Everyone in the ship knows the story and danger that Matsui Rena possess.
As a result, many who were ignorant preferred to keep their distance from the poor girl. Even those that knew Rena wasn’t going to unleash such potentially scary personality anytime soon still kept their doubts in their mind.
Rena was clearly in turmoil at the situation. Though overhearing the conversations of her fellow crewmates, she was horrified to learn and become even more confused about her choice of actions involving bloodshed that came from destructive and terrifying techniques.
As much as she had asked in hopes of relieving the burning question, no one knew. Not even the captain and co-captain of this ship. Not a single person in this crew knew the answer to why she had gone crazy and went all out on killing. And it was killing her not to receive an answer to the question that was sucking the sanity out of her like a leech.
Currently the female was with Jurina, still in the medical bay. But at this point in time, it was just the two of them awake. Everyone else around them were fast asleep from weariness and recovery purposes.
Jurina was resting the side of her face against the edge of the bed, having her hand toy around with the loose ends of the kimono Rena wore. Pulling it gently and poking at it, there was complete stillness in the air.
It was broken though when the younger of the two whispered in a depressing tone.
“Rena… I’m so sorry… about the gossips today…” she apologized. “I told them to knock it off, but it doesn’t… look like it’ll stop anytime soon.”
As much as the girl was barking at everyone to cease their words about Rena, they merely continued on and avoided confrontation with Jurina here. Just like Minami’s attempt to refrain them from talking down about another member even if it’s unintentional, it was a failure. And the younger member did not feel pleased at the situation.
The hand of Rena reached out to touch Jurina’s, gently keeping it in her weak grasp. This caused the taller girl to drag her gaze from the kimono to the face of the resting Rena. The girl’s eyes were filled with sorrow yet there was a glint of content beneath them. And surprising to the girl, the older Matsui had a small smile plastered on her face.
“Jurina, it’s not your fault. It’s not anybody’s fault here.”
“Rena…”
“It’s okay, Jurina.” A small pause before she resumed. “Knowing that you’re here with me is more than enough.”
She blinked a few times rapidly, immediately sitting up. Her hand was still in Rena’s hand, staring at the girl laying on the bed blankly. The two figures gazed into each other’s eyes, not breaking the connection that had been made.
Gulping, Jurina opened her mouth when she felt a hand rest on top of her right shoulder. Startled out of her wits, she nearly jumped out from her stool from fright if it weren’t for the familiar, sharp voice.
“Matsui Jurina, I need to speak to you,” Atsuko bluntly spoke in a quiet volume, still keeping the command straight and direct to the point.
The co-captain of the ship eyed at Rena before turning her back on them; the white uniform shown boldly in the dark room merely lit with a few candles nearby each person in the room. Atsuko silently traveled out and into the hallway, not leaving a single sound behind.
Both Matsuis exchanged glances to each other.
“I guess I’ll be going for a bit,” Jurina sighed quietly as she stood up. Rubbing the back of her head and stifling a yawn, she then added, “I’ll be right back, Rena-chan.”
Hearing her name made Rena widen the smile unconsciously, watching the other girl take her leave from the room. And having left her with the other residents, Jurina entered into the hallway that was lit well with the candles in the hanging lamps on the wall.
She stood directly in front of Atsuko, almost in equal height with the captain’s partner. Sounds of the water was barely heard crashing into the ship, producing a gentle melodic background for any sailor. Especially considering how still the atmosphere was.
From what Atsuko saw, there was no response coming from Jurina. So the other female quickly jumped straight into the heart of the topic.
“Jurina, I must tell you that… Rena is someone that you must stay close to.”
“…eh?”
Atsuko exhaled loudly through her nose, making it sound twice as heavy thanks to the quiet setting. Crossing her arms, she stared at Jurina with great focus.
“I had… a similar incident with Rena in the past.” She bit the bottom of her lip from the growing tension that was rising between the two. Seeing as how the younger girl widen her eyes at hearing such fact, she continued on with the explanation. “Rena broke out into such state twice ever since I met her.” Raising up an index finger, Atsuko stated, “One was when I had saved her and,” another finger joined alongside with it, “two was when I was nearly flanked by a Redcoat a while ago.”
Lowering her hand back down to her side, Atsuko furrowed her eyebrows.
“It was easy to keep Rena sane by merely calling out her name or being by her side, snapping her out of the violent state. But… it doesn’t look like I can do that anymore.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I could tell. From the way she reacted earlier… Despite my presence on the field… The way she killed them was abnormal. Almost as if she was… furious.”
“So are you trying to tell me that only I could keep… Rena sane from becoming like… that…?”
She gave a single nod in response.
“Hai. I saw you able to quell her from progressing into something much worse.”
A small sigh escaped passed her barely parted lips, closing her eyes in the process. At that moment, Jurina then asked her a question pertaining to the girl.
“Do you know why Rena is like this?”
Reopening her eyelids, Atsuko shook her head.
“Even I don’t know the answer, Jurina. I’ve found her and taken her in, but still don’t what, how and why she reacts in such a disturbing manner.”
-----------
“Papa… Papa! Papa, no!”
“Rena... I’m so sorry…”
“Don’t send me away! Please!”
“Rena, it’s for your sake, please…”
“Papa! Papa! I love you, Papa! Please let me stay!”
“I can’t… I can’t after what I had done to you…”
“Papa!”
“Good-bye… my dearest Rena…”
“Papa!!! Don’t leave me! No! PAPA!!!”-----------
Rena stared into space as she waited patiently for Jurina to finish speaking to Atsuko out in the hall; away from her hearing range. She was in the state of disbelief for a second before coming to a realization that what she had just been struck with was a piece of her memory.
The faint memory that was trickling back into her mind… It was difficult for Rena to perceive or figure out what it was trying to tell her. Honestly, the more Rena tried to remember her past back before being abducted by the guys and saved by Atsuko, the more her head hurts. Though it had been years since she had given up any sort of hope about retrieving them, it surprised her to see them coming back in small parts.
Little by little, the memories were returning to her. Despite how short-lived it was, the voice and emotion was real and raw.
Yet it was still confused Rena. Just what exactly was the cause of the dialogues? She wasn’t able to remember the setting and merely heard the emotional voice of both hers and supposedly her father. Just who?
”You’ll remember soon enough.”It was that voice again. The voice Rena didn’t want to ever hear ever since being unconscious. Snickering was heard in the room, causing the older girl to grip the edges of the blanket tightly; scared but unwilling to show it. Geikara was verbally taunting her sanity, making the doctor question whether she was just hearing it in her mind or if it was an actual voice.
”I will be sure you’ll remember it.”‘Stop it,’ Rena mentally spat out at her own voice daring to terrify her. ‘I’m just imagining things, so I should just take a deep breath in and-‘
Another wave of giggling washed over the room before it resumed speaking once again.
”Hehe… Poor Rena. You cannot deny my existence.”It startled her to notice the voice of Gekikara that she had met in her dream was literally speaking to her one-on-one.
”You cannot run from the past.”‘What exactly are you trying to say?’
”The answer will descend upon you soon.”‘Descend upon me? The answer? I still don’t understand!’
Giggling continue to ensue in the room, yet the voice and individual didn’t bother to reply back to her questions.
This greatly irritated Rena, in which she wanted to get out of this room before being driven insane by the voice which she herself could only hear.
The giggles grew louder and burst out into laughter when she attempted to get out of bed. It was a difficult task considering the fact that she was injured and not fully healed. The aches and wounds began to reopen from excessive movement. But regardless, Rena want to escape from the room and ascend to the upper deck, hoping the fresh saltwater aroma and quiet night retain her sanity from which she is slowly losing grip of.
Rena struggled, but made it on both of her bare feet. Legs were trembling violently as she used her strength to keep herself standing upright. Sucking in a deep breath, the voice continued to haunt her as she stumble forward; hands searching for anything that would support her desperately.
”Hehe… Look at you. Pathetic.”She gritted her teeth, clenching her jaw together till the outlines were physically formed on her skin pressing against the bones. The entire ordeal felt surreal yet it was occurring to her right now.
Despite feeling like the weights of rocks and boulders resting on her entire body, Rena kept on moving. And as she progressed forward, the laughter boomed right into her eardrums.
”Running away isn’t going to solve anything, haha!”“SHUT UP!”
Right at that point when she screamed out at the voice, she was standing in between Atsuko and Jurina. The two individuals were bewildered to see this injured girl that they were still talking about come up to them. The state that Rena was in made anyone want to shove her back down to a bed and make her rest. Sweat ran down the side of her face as the black bangs and stray strands of hair were plastered on her face, panting and out of breath.
Unknown to them about the voice, they believed that she was telling them to cease talking about her. So they were ready to explain and apologize when Rena rushed away from them.
Rena was still hearing the voice mocking and taunting her, laughing and poking fun at her, irritating her nerve. From her perspective, she was unaware of the other two girls that were catching up to her from behind.
Jurina and Atsuko were startled to see how fast she was on her feet despite being wounded. As much as they wondered, this was no time to be pondering over it. They had to get to Rena and bring her back into the medical room.
It didn’t help when they saw Rena stumbling towards the stairs, leading them up to the upper deck. To their dismay, the metal hatch was wide open for the other members’ freedom to reside in a higher ground. And the raven haired went directly to up, forcing the other two to hurry their pace.
When they scrambled up to the deck, they were met with the cool rush of wind brushing past by them roughly. The two girls were forced to raise one arm in order to protect their face, squinting their eyes.
Weather outside and away from the safe haven below was a different story. Unlike beneath where sounds produced from outdoors were produced, here it was booming with great force. Waves slammed itself against the sides of the wooden ship, rocking it slightly despite the anchor rooting itself on the sea floor. Mother nature wasn’t being so kind as the wind was picking up its strength; the irony considering the fact the sky up above was clear.
“H-Hey, what’s Rena doing over there?!” Rino was heard calling out from behind both Atsuko and Jurina, appearing in between the two.
She too was protecting her face from the strong wind, but her eyes were trained in the same direction as the others. All three of them were pinning their stare at the older Matsui, who was holding the top of her head with both hands; almost as if she was in agony. Standing near the railings and at a good distant away from them, she was heard to constantly be saying ‘shut up!’ and in a repetitive pattern.
No one was sure who or what she was screaming that out to, but the voice that Rena herself could only hear was continuing to laugh and giggle.
”You have to accept it,” it rang out loud and clear in her mind.
”Your sanity depends on me.”“SHUT UP!”
Rena would do anything to rid of this voice. Just when she thought that standing outdoors and away from the condensed room would make it any better, it had only gotten worse. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping it would go away sooner or later.
“Rena-chan!” Jurina’s voice rang out to her.
Unable to hear her, Rena still was consumed in the voice’s statements that repeated endlessly. The laughter and giggles that continue to provoke her; Rena couldn’t do anything about it.
“RENA!”
Almost as if someone had snapped their fingers to bring a person back to reality, it was the same affect it had on the older Matsui. Jerking suddenly without warning, she stiffened in her spot. The voice that was bothering and driving her insane had dissipated from hearing her name called out almost instantly. A little too quickly, but it was at least gone. Then almost robotically, she lifted her head up and opened her eyes to see three crewmates watching from afar.
Jurina stood out from the three, cupping one hand around her mouth to vocalize her call to the other girl.
Her hand was still resting on top of her head, hair flying all over the place due to the wind. Rena could only stare blankly at the younger Matsui.
“J-Jurina…?”
“Rena! Come back here!” Jurina called out to her once again. And at this calling, the short haired female closed the distance between them. Closer and closer she got, she lowered the arm that was protecting her from the wind and extending it out to Rena, urging her to take it. “It’s windy out here! You should come back inside!”
Many questions pertaining to why Rena had acted like this ran inside of Jurina’s mind like the wheel of a wagon rolling down a hill. But she’ll have a chance to ask them once they get back down to the lower deck. Surely Jurina won’t be the only one that is baffled at this ruckus. Atsuko and Rino themselves would most likely have their curiosity and concern burning after this.
There was some hesitation in Rena’s action. Her hands trailed down from her head and down to her side. But one of them managed to extend its hand out. Fingers were shaking as it went out to touch the other Matsui’s hand. Jurina herself took another step forward, making sure Rena’s hand would be in her grasp soon.
The hand disappeared before her sight.
Dumbfounded, Jurina eyes flickered around to see where Rena could’ve gone. It didn’t even take long for the girl to find out where she was.
With great alarm, she saw a dark figure jump off and over the railings with Rena in its grip; the older Matsui screaming out for help. Upon hearing her scream, the girl frantically scrambled after the same direction Rena and the captor leapt off; her instincts kicking off in a split second.
“R-Rena!!!”
She was forced back when another figure tackled right into her. Breath knocked right out of her respiratory system, Jurina coughed while stumbling backward a couple steps. Tad bit dizzy, she shook her head hastily and whipped her head towards the individual.
The unknown enemy assailant came forth in a fast motion. Having come closer, Jurina was able to see that the clothed figure gripped ahold of a sword. It was raised high above its head, ready to strike down in a second. And from the position the younger girl was in, she won’t be able to dodge nor avoid his attack.
Not even hesitating twice, the assaulter swung it downward upon Jurina’s head with a loud grunt.
Disappearance Season 2 shall be up next on the list!
Topic: Wandering Ship [wMatsui Arc] - Chapter 17 [Announcement for all series] (Read 44678 times)