HELLO! Thanks for reading and commenting! So as mentioned, I managed to get this chapter updated earlier than the 10th
So we’re back to the present with this chapter
I’ll try my best to get chapter 18 up by Wednesday! I have nothing written for it so far but I do have ideas on how things will work till the end, I just have to figure out how I want to organize that in the remaining chapters!
Replies: Dieyg48: Glad you liked the words of friendship since it is very important to them! & lol, as for the collar, Sasshi eventually gets it off
karenchan: Thank you very much *__* I know my writing isn’t the best but thank you for admiring how I wrote this story! Hope I don’t disappoint you with the next chapters!
Shinoki: Yeah Sasshi manages to get the collar off eventually so Atsuko is off the hook for losing those keys
AshuraX: Lmao! You know, since chapter 11 I’ve been thinking about giving a certain role to Aki-p, I have something in mind but I’m not sure if I’ll go through with it, still debating
Takaminafan49: Thanks for always looking forward to what will happen next! Hope you like this chapter!
bunny_rabbit: The emotions are important since everyone was still developing a relationship with one another
And I appreciate your patience, so here is the next update earlier than planned
Haruko: Thank you! & we go back to Jane in the present in this chapter so you’ll see how she’s doing
Archer1992: *nods head* That family line was a defining moment for her
cisda83: Yes, major flash back chapter are over
I’ll prob go back to them if I decide to make (which I most likely will) bonus one shots for this fic after finishing the main story
abcari: Thanks for looking forward to this chapter
Chichay12: lol well I appreciate you commenting whenever you can so thanks!
And there will be more Atsumina to come ^^
FlameHazeKatsu: Lol no worries, as mentioned, feel free to comment about any chapter you want even if I update another one before you can comment on the previous
& It’s okay, most ppl can’t live without internet
lol Atsuko’s property indeed
& it’s great you could picture Minami saying that line ^_^
Well without further ado, here is chapter 17! ENJOY ~
Chapter 17 - Back to the Present Minami’s POV After they finished speaking, I was at a loss for words. Nothing I wanted to say felt right. I mean, they’d all been through so much, yet they built this strong bond. Created a family. So instead, I asked questions.
“And after that you guys just started recruiting people?”
Atsuko nodded. “Rena was of course one of the first recruits, her and Jurina. After that we recruited more people, whether they were prisoners, runaways, orphans. The base became our home. To each of them, Minami would always hold out her hand and ask them to trust her...Not the other way around; she asked them to trust her. Members joined of their free will, and those who didn’t want to fight on the field didn’t have to. Everyone helped out in their own way.”
“After establishing our group and building the base, we started to take in citizens to offer them protection from the government.” Yuko added.
“We built our base in the forest Minami showed me too. Told us it was the best place to build our home. That we had to claim and protect it before the government discovered it.” Atsuko continued.
“Minami also didn’t want to have any secrets between the members. Since she asked for their trust, she made sure to explain her past to all of them.” Rena added.
I looked between the three of them. All having a deep connection to their Minami. “I just don’t get it then...From what you guys said, it’s really hard to believe that Minami would purposely sell you all out” I desperately wanted to understand how they could believe that someone like that, would betray them. I didn’t know the other Minami, but if she loved the members as much as I love mine, then she’d never do anything to hurt them.
Yuko sighed. “You don’t understand. The whole foundation of AKB was built on trust. Built on Minami’s words. How do you think everyone felt after that incident? That there was a chance the person we trusted the most betrayed us? The fact is, members died back then...and it was a situation that could’ve been avoided. We’re no strangers to violence, but we do everything in our power to make sure we all get back alive.”
“But...She meant something to you all. I’m sure you all still mean something to her. Doesn’t she mean anything to you guys anymore?”
“Of course she does!” Yuko suddenly yelled as she punched the tree by one of the graves. Everyone was surprised by her outburst. “That’s why this is so damn hard! That’s why we’re so pissed off!”
I lowered my head, and looked up again. Atsuko patted Yuko’s shoulder, and then looked to me. “Minami, we can tell you’re a good person. And we aren’t saying our Minami isn’t...but like you said, you’re not her, and she’s not you. Her life and circumstances shaped who she is, and she isn’t perfect.”
Rena spoke up this time, “Minami is well loved. However, in the beginning, we had to be careful with her. For as long as she held on to her past, she’d continue to have that part of her that’s the shinigami. In the start, she’d have panic attacks and freak outs. Usually Atsuko would calm her. Sometimes in battle she used to get carried away. We were still establishing ourselves as a new group, but our leader wasn’t always stable at that time. Minami worked to fix that though, to leave her past behind...The problem is, that wasn’t the answer. She had to face her past, but instead she locked it away inside herself.”
Atsuko continued. “You asked before why we say Minami has different eyes...It's because her eyes reflect her secrets. Her eyes are always lost, because they look to the past, but rarely to the present or future. When I look into her eyes, I see it reflecting her in her home watching her family being killed, her running, her in the sewers, her training, her at the massacre...” Atsuko’s eyes looked sad as she spoke.
Rena said, “Honestly, there was always a fear Minami may one day snap, snap because of everything she’s been through. That’s why we believed there was a chance she’d betray us. Because she was used to working alone, because she spent half her life hating the government and training to kill them.”
“Because we thought there was a chance she may snap, and try to take down the government alone again....We thought she had helped them that night to gain their trust or get close...even at the expense of AKB. I know it’s wrong to think that of her...but it’s always been a possibility. She’s handled herself well and proved to us time and time again she’s changed because of the people she’s with, and we didn’t doubt that. But the mind is complex, and the heart can be tainted. Trust...is the strongest thing between all of us...but it’s also the most fragile.” Yuko finished.
I looked away again. Technically I was an outsider, of course I wouldn’t understand things concerning the past...but...I clenched my fists and glared at the three girls. “Still! Are you guys really willing to kill her?! After everything that’s happened, don’t you all owe it to each other to fix things together! Find an answer together! Would you all really kill her?”
They all exchanged uneasy glances. “That’s a difficult question” Atsuko said. “Minami and I promised to put AKB before anything. So if I honestly felt like she was a threat...then I’d have to deal with that” Taken aback, I looked away, however, Atsuko continued. “Although...right now, I don’t think she is. So to answer your question, no, I wouldn’t”
Yuko just stared at the sky, not bothering to say anything.
Rena let out a defeated laugh, “the citizens were right...we never planned to have her killed in the first place, not unless we were 100% sure she was a threat.”
Yuko still didn’t speak up. Rena looked to her, “Yuko, when Minami returns, we have to know how to act. I for one want to hear her out properly, give her a chance to prove herself, without the pressure of AKB going after her this time.”
Atsuko also spoke, “Yuko...I still love her”
My eyes widened, and Yuko looked down to Atsuko with sad eyes.
“I’ve always loved her...Those feelings just can’t go away. You more than anyone should understand that” For once I saw Atsuko give a fragile expression, one filled with hope and love.
Yuko sighed and placed a hand on Atsuko’s shoulder. “I know Atsuko. I know...We’ll deal with that when the times come. When Minami returns home”
I looked to them, and strangely enough, all I could think of was how much I wanted to go home. I smiled at the members in front of me, “you know, it’s still weird for me, but I can really tell you love each other, and I have no doubt Minami still loves you” I said with confidence.
Atsuko looked to me in surprise. Rena smirked, “too bad story time is over, because how Atsuko and Minami finally got together is quite interesting”
Atsuko blushed and then let out a huff of annoyance., “don’t remind me of that”
Yuko laughed, “Why, you were such a happy kid that day. Besides, it was the moment you’d been waiting for forever after stringing her along from the beginning”
Atsuko lightly shoved Yuko, and the three of them exchanged teasing remarks back and forth. And there it was. Suddenly it felt as though I was looking at the real them. Like their past selves from the story, a part of that still lived inside of them....it’s just that their recent circumstances didn’t allow them to drop their guard.
“Come on, let’s get back inside” Rena said. We all walked back in together.
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(Original World)Atsuko’s POV “Yuko, honestly, of all things to show her” I sighed at the sight of Yuko holding out a PSP to Jane.
“I can’t believe they don’t play video games where she’s from” Haruna said, probably imaging a lonely life without her PSP.
“Come on, you have to pick one” Yuko urged Jane as the other girl just glared at the screen.
“This is weird you know. I don’t approve of strangers drooling over the members in the game.” Jane protested as she continued to glare at the screen.
“It’s called a dating simulation, and it’s fun!” Miichan intervened.
Jane raised an eyebrow, “what’s the point if you can’t be with them in real life”
Yuko held out the PSP in front of Jane’s face, “that is the point! Since many of us can’t date and most fans won’t get the chance, there’s this. Come on try it, you can always go for Atsuko!”
I sighed at Yuko’s antics.
“I’m not going to virtually date your Atsuko” she protested then looked to me, “no offence”
I laughed, “None taken”
“Oh come on, I know it may not seem like much since you’ve dated the real thing, but our Atsuko’s a challenge. Or do you think you can’t win her over in a simple game?’ Yuko challenged
Jane looked annoyed, “oh spare me, it’s just a stupid game, it’s easy to win or whatever, there’s no point in playing”
Yuko crossed her arms, “really...I think you’re just scared to be rejected by Atsuko”
“You’ve got to be kidding” she glared.
“Oh yeah, I bet I can win over Atsuko in the game better than you and before you”
Oh Yuko...I sighed again while Haruna and Miichan watched with interest.
“Fine!” Jane said.
Looks like Yuko hit the right buttons. “To make the bet interesting, if I win, you have to go on a date with Atsuko tomorrow”
My eyes widened and so did Jane’s. “No!” We both said.
“Oh relax you two; you both could use a fun day out, talk about how much you each love your counterparts”
“And what if you lose?” Jane said.
“Hmm...If I lose, I’ll do whatever you say for the entire time you’re here. Whether it’s getting you something or shutting up”
“Deal!” she said.
“You two are idiots” I said as they both began to play.
The two had been playing the game for a couple hours straight. Haruna and Miichan were just hanging around the house, and once I heard doorbell ring; I went to go answer it. Rena, Jurina, Mariko and Sayaka walked in.
“Hey, we came to check up on you guys. How are things” Sayaka asked.
“Any progress with the portal?” Rena asked.
I nodded, “a bit actually. Earlier today, Sasshi contacted Jane and they worked on it before they got disconnected.”
“Well at least that’s something” Jurina said.
I looked down and saw Rena holding a bag, “what’s in their”
“Huh, oh, food. I thought everyone may be hungry” she smiled happily.
I smiled, “let me guess, melonpan”
“Of course” Jurina laughed as Rena lightly blushed but looked pelased at her choice for food.
“Well come in guys, you’re about to see which idiot won” I explained to them the bet and we headed to the living room. There, I saw Yuko jumping up and down waving her PSP.
“Acchan, I won!”
Jane looked genuinely shocked and annoyed as she stared at the PSP. I smiled at her reaction.
“Looks like you two are going on a date tomorrow” Yuko said.
“Yuko san just doesn’t give up does she” Rena commented as the others nodded.
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Jane’s POV “Um...so why are we accompanying you exactly?” Rena asked after the waitress put down our order on the table.
“Because it’d be awkward with just the two of us” Atsuko said as she took a sip of her milkshake.
“And because you’re terrible at saying ‘no’ to the senpais” Jurina added, addressing Rena.
I paused at eating my cake, “Wait a minute, what do you mean awkward” I raised an eyebrow at Atsuko.
She shrugged, “don’t take it personally, it’s just that it’s been weird between us for awhile now”
“It was just confusing at first is all. Besides, it’s not like it has to be weird between us”
She raised an eyebrow, “you’re the one who make it weird you know”
“I...I do not! For your information I fully acknowledge you aren’t the Atsuko I know and can act normally around you” I glared.
“Oh really” she turned her chair to face me since she was seated beside me, “fine then, look at me for a minute without looking away” she stared intently I me.
Geh! “F...fine” I turned to face her.
Rena’s POV I sighed, “I think we’re ones in a weird situation” I watched as Atsuko san and Jane san bickered and then turned my attention to Jurina who was happily eating her cake. I turned my attention back to the two girls who just mentioned something about staring at each other.
Jane san turned to face Atsuko, but after about 10 seconds she broke eye contact and looked away.
“See! You looked away!
“Well I can’t help it!”
“Why! Are you thinking something dirty when staring at me!” Atsuko crossed her arms and Jane turned bright red.
“Don’t go confusing me with Yuko!
“Then why can’t you look me in the eyes, if you don’t see me as the Atsuko you know you should easily be able to interact with me” Atsuko huffed.
I looked around and a few other customers began to stare. I turned back to Atsuko san and Jane san, “You two, you’re attracting a lot of attention” I whispered, but they kept bickering.
“I interact with you fine! It’s just hard okay. I know you’re not my Atsuko, I get that” Jane stubbornly turned away.
“You can be infuriating, no wonder Yuko won me in the dating simulation” Atsuko san muttered.
Jane san stood up from her seat and turned back to Atsuko san, “that proves nothing! I could’ve won if I tried!”
“Hmm, so you weren’t trying” Atsuko san said as she went back to casually eating her cake”
We were attracting too much attention so I decided to change the subject, “why don’t we all go out for walk! This cafe is getting pretty hot”
They both looked at me and then nodded. “Yeah, that’s fine” Jane san said and Atsuko san nodded.
After finishing our meals, they both stood and walked out after we paid. I sighed and looked to Jurina who walked beside me, “you could help you know. We’re both supposed to be accompanying them...Though it feels more like chaperoning.”
“You handled it pretty well Rena! Besides, watching them both is entertaining. This is their own way of interacting to make things less awkward, don’t you think” she smiled as we followed the other two girls.
I looked at the two girls in front of us and nodded.
Seems they’re both relieving some stress. I grabbed hold of Jurina’s hand and she gave me a questioning look, “come on, let’s leave these two alone like it should’ve been”
Jurina smiled, “lead the way”
Minami’s POV Atsuko and I walked in silence, neither of us saying anything. It was kind of frustrating, it’s not like I wanted to get into a fight with her. The words of the Atsuko I knew ran though my mind, and I sighed. “I’m sorry” I said as I faced her.
She stopped and looked surprised. “You’re apologizing?”
“Yeah. I know I make things awkward, and I know interacting with me isn’t the easiest thing. I’ll try harder so...Sorry” I said whole heartedly.
She still looked baffled. “It’s weird, I’m not use to Minami apologizing right away...she tends to be more stubborn”
I smirked, “No, I’m pretty stubborn, but I learned to admit when I’m in the wrong...or should I say my friends taught me”
“...I’m sorry too, I guess I’m always comparing you to our Minami, but technically you’re someone else” she sincerely said.
I smiled, and extended my hand, “then let’s start over. I’d like it if we could get along.”
She gave a warm smile and grabbed my hand, and we shook on it.
“Huh” Atsuko turned to look behind us, “Jurina and Rena are gone”
I turned as well, “guess we scared them off” I laughed. “Should we head back?”
“No...Might as well continue the date, I want to get to know you”
I nodded and we continued our walk.
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“Can I ask you something?” Atsuko spoke up.
“Sure”
“...You still love Atsuko right?”
I was taken aback for a second, it was weird to discuss this but...they are two different people, and I wanted to prove I can talk with this Atsuko to prove that.
“...No point in lying...yeah. I still do”
She smiled, “How long have you loved her for?”
I thought about that, “A long time. Shortly after we met really. Though it took me awhile to realize and act on those feelings”
“So what made you act?”
I shrugged, “fear of losing her to someone else...so jealously I guess. I wanted to be the one by her side”
“Hmm...You must really love her”
I gave an honest smile, “I really do...she means the world to me...more than that.”
“That’s really sweet. Must be nice to have someone like that”
I looked over and saw Atsuko was deep in thought; I curiously tilted my head, “can I ask a question now?”
Snapping out of it, she turned back to me, “sure”
“Do you love you’re Minami the way I love Atsuko?”
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Alternate world I was in the training room with Rena who was sparring with me with a sword. I’d spent the next few days training. Sasshi had reported to me once in awhile about the progress she and Jane were making with the portal. Sasshi was with us now in the training room on her laptop, trying to contact my world again.
“Focus” Rena instructed as she strikes again with her katana and I blocked above my head with my own sword.
“Eh, seems like Jane is out. She left the watch with Yuko san and the others” Sasshi yelled out.
I kept exchanging blows with Rena, mostly on the defence, waiting for an opening to strike. Just when I thought I saw one and was about to strike, Sasshi yelled something.
“Ah! Yuko san said that Minami and Atsuko are on a date”
I stumbled, “what” I turned my head from the battle which was a mistake, because Rena landed a kick right to my stomach and sent me crashing on the floor.
“Never get distracted” she sighed as she offered me her hand, which I took, and she helped me up.
“Sorry!” Sasshi waved in apology and I glared at her. Before any of us could saying anything, Yui came rushing into the room.
“Emergency!” She shouted.
“What’s up” Sasshi asked.
Yui was panting, “Th...the government! They ambushed one of our scouting units and kidnapped them.”
Shock was evident in all our faces.
“Which squadron!?” Rena asked.
“8”
“Shouldn’t we go after them” I frantically asked.
“...That’s the thing...they’re holding them hostage, they want something in return for their safety” Yui said with a serious look.
“What?” I asked.
Yui looked directly at me with sad eyes, “they want Takahashi Minami”
Topic: Travel To A Distant World: The Recruitment (Mayuki) [side story] (Dec 29 2013) (Read 143601 times)