A Miserable Little Pile of Secrets

"...and that's all for today! We hit every bullet point. Good job, everyone!"

Yaya congratulated the Student Council as she began to close out the meeting. Sitting around a makeshift roundtable of shifted tables and chairs was each member: Shu, the shining president, Yae, the bright vice-president, Ran, leader of the disciplinary committee, Madoka, the PR manager, and Yaya herself, the secretary... except?

There was one more.

Quietly writing down notes on a notebook, almost as if to record important points of the meeting, or perhaps to even archive the conversation, not unlike a court record of some kind... sat a petite girl, at the far end of the roundtable. Her enormous round glasses were so reflective that catching a glimpse of her eyes was almost impossible. Her wide blue bangs cast a shadow over her forehead, and her hair neatly framed her face. Her expression was blank -- perhaps focused, perhaps devoid of all thought. To anyone else, she would've blended right into the crowd. Completely forgettable. But due to her great academic performance, and her insistence on entering such a position... Kaoru Nagamine, the newest face in the Student Council, took her place with the rest, as treasurer.

Kaoru stuck out to the others in that she was not Awakened. Somehow, despite having acquired a reasonable understanding of the Idea World, Idolons and Bleeding Zones while on the job, Kaoru remained the only member who lacked access to an Idolon... or so they thought.

Under the lens flare of her spectacles... two bright red flames seared intense lasers into the paper as Kaoru wrote each and every word down almost as they were spoken. Such ferocity and attention to detail was certainly worthy of the Student Council... but those crimson embers would, day in, day out, judge each member of the Student Council silently. Not with rage, not with malice -- but with suspicion. Distrust.

Kaoru was a deeply distrustful girl. No matter where she looked, she always saw blemishes in people. Dark secrets that they were seeking to keep under wraps. She had acquired incredible detective skills over the years not through being a gifted child, like Yae, but rather by an incredible resilience mixed with an even more unbelievable aversion to trusting others. Kaoru was tireless in the search for such secrets and dark stains, hidden in the hearts of all men and women.

And she knew, she just knew... that the Student Council was no different.

"That about wraps it up, then!" Proclaimed Shu, ever the shining star. His very smile warmed up everyone around him and made their day better. As for Kaoru? She could not negate the fact that the young man had an aura -- one she did not entirely dislike -- but her mental fortitude had other plans.
"Would anyone have any closing remarks? Any questions?" Yae piped up. Her participation was deliberate. "What about you, Nagamine-chan?"

Figures. Just like a teacher singling out a student to humiliate them in front of the class... Yae could tell that something was off about Kaoru. It was as if she didn't even exist in her radar before the spectacled newbie joined the Student Council. Where had she come from? Kaoru was certainly competent, as a student and as treasurer... but something made Yae choose to engage in a game of cat and mouse. One Kaoru respected, and reciprocated.
"Yes, in fact." Kaoru spoke softly and without fear. The firmness in her voice called Yae's bluff. "Point 2.6.1 of the Public Relations section went over... Ai Suishi. There was an incident in the female bathrooms, and she was also present at a mindfulness session."

"Oh? What about her?" Yae raised an eyebrow, excited at the thought of seeing where Kaoru was going with this.

"I... made my own investigations about her."

"Without consulting PR? Ooh, bad girl, Kaoru~!" Yae cackled, amused by the trap Kaoru had fallen into. Her opponent, however, was not shaken.

"Uuuh... seems a little mean... buuut if you got something to tell us, we should probably hear you out, right?" Said Madoka, a little confused as to where this was going, but compliant regardless.

"Ai Suishi, Ai Suishi..." Kaoru flipped through her notebook, as if looking for something. "Ah. Here. Last week. Skipped gym class. The week before. Skipped gym class. The week even before..."

Kaoru went on, with a cold demonstration of Ai's strange activity. The other club members seemed concerned or intrigued, depending on each one.

"Maybe she's sick or something! Did you find any doctor's notes?" Inquired Yaya, blissful in innocence.

"None that I have found as of yet. I believe mentioning this is of note."

"Oh, so you want me to give her an earpull?" Ran lit up, giddy at the thought of fulfilling his righteous purpose.

"Uh, I don't know -- she's a little... brittle?" Shu explained. "I held her after she passed out in the bathroom. I don't think if the disciplinary committee should be very hands-on with this."

"Then let me talk to her!" Proposed Madoka. "I'm sure I can cheer her up and find out what's wrong in a jiffy!"

"Hey, anything you can do, I can do better." Yae remarked. "Why are you even bringing this up, Kaoru?"

In a surprising show of vulnerability... perhaps a calculated one, Kaoru confessed her motives.

"I... I believe I know her type. I may be able to approach her, and talk to her in a way most of you might struggle with."

"Oh? Is that so?" Yae's attention had been properly tugged. "What can you tell us about her that we don't know yet?"

"Upon reviewing the few times I have come across her... Suishi-san's quirks in speech patterns, odd mannerisms and irregular behaviour, such as
skipping gym class, would suggest a psychological profile that may require particular care to handle. Perhaps even a wellness check.”

"So you're sayin' she's nuts?" Asked Ran, before getting his shirt tugged by Shu. "Hey man, a little tact, please!"

"So what are you suggesting? You think you can talk to her in a way we can't, Nagamine-chan?"

Kaoru took a deep breath. "I said I know her type... you might believe I am asking this out of emotionality. Far from it -- this proposal is born out of rationality alone."

Shu nodded, satisfied by the idea." I get it! I mean, if it's a little too complicated for the disciplinary committee or PR to handle... yeah, you can give it a shot, Kaoru! Go ahead."

"While you're still kinda just doing your own treasury tasks, this might be a good chance to show us your skills. Go for it!" Said Madoka, approving of the proposal.

"Let us know if you need anything!" Added Yaya, with quite some warmth in her tone.

Ran and Yae simply reacted with some snark.

"Thank you. I will see it done. Now, on to my other inquiries..."

After the meeting, Kaoru was on her own merry way. She had succeeded in her goal of taking on the Ai Shuishi case, and in a way, she had not lied at all -- Kaoru knew Ai's type. She had been there herself, years ago. A shut-in. Of course, Kaoru had no way of knowing the extent to which Ai’s instability reached, but they had something in common. However, Kaoru was not keen on investigating Ai because she believed the eerie yandere needed help. All the disappearances… her mysterious circumstances… Kaoru was convinced that Ai was up to something!

It was not rare in Kaoru’s rationale to suspect almost everyone. But when it came to what exactly she believed someone could be doing… it always had to do with the Idea World and Idolons. In a school plagued with Awakened teens, all that power would surely cause clashes within the student body. Those who fight for justice, and those who seek to spread chaos. But none of them were truly free of guilt in Kaoru’s eyes… nor those of her imaginary friend.

“We have the greenlight, Blakeney,” Kaoru whispered, standing just outside the Student Council room. Morning light seeped into the shadowy hallway as Kaoru addressed her devil on the shoulder. “Suishi is ours.” Kaoru’s words were cold and calculated. There was no joy in her speech — just cold, hard facts.

A voice echoed in the shadows, enveloping the light and embracing Kaoru with the flames of inconformity. Rebellion. Distrust. And a thirst for true justice.

“Good. Leave no stone unturned, my dear. Leave no trace. Today, the Scarlet Pimpernel strikes!”

Kaoru spoke to the entity as if it was a parent whose approval she was desperate to gain. Her breath sharpened and her voice was only lightly raised. “Yes, Blakeney. I’m counting on you to lend me your strength.”

“Très bien! Remember, ma chèrie. They seek us here. They seek us there. The French are looking everywhere.”

Kaoru nodded attentively, and the voice vanished for the time being. The presence would return at particular times, depending on the situation, but it knew to leave its host enough time to think and act alone. Kaoru went on with her day, already planning how to obtain evidence on her prey.

The Scarlet Pimpernel… an 18th century folk hero, featured in novel works. A noble Englishman who rescued the innocent during Robespierre’s Reign of Terror, a swashbuckling rogue with a secret identity whose only means of identification was the seal of his family crest — the titular flower. The Scarlet Pimpernel’s cause was a curious one. For all it was worth, the French Revolution was sparked by genuine resentment and a thirst for justice in the hearts of the populace… yet, it still brought upon an era of bloodshed and injustice. It was the spirit of such a hero, to doubt even those that claim to be just, that stood tall against the mountains of oppression that even the most fervent rebellion can bring upon.

Yet, by all means, such a man should not have an effect on the Idea World… the Scarlet Pimpernel was only a character from a novel. Or so one would think — an idea, any idea, can be powerful enough to bring true justice, especially in the hands of the righteous. Blakeney was an ancient Idolon, centuries old, who had passed from host to host, seeking new and burning hearts to lend its friendship to. Those who took on the mantle of the Scarlet Pimpernel obtained amazing powers, as well as questionable theatrics, and a distrustful streak. When it came upon poor little Kaoru, sad, angry and alone, two years ago… it was a perfect fit.

Unbeknownst to the Student Council, and to a degree, Higan Academy entirely, Kaoru carried out her own battles in Bleeding Zones, as the mysterious armoured justiciar, Scarlet Senshi. In battle, she was ferocious and unrelenting, but not cruel — always finding the right moment to swoop in and assist those who truly fought for justice. Just as quickly as she arrived, she would leave through a Garganta, still reluctant to drop her guard, no matter how heroic other Idolons and their hosts might be. Sightings of the Scarlet Senshi had been rare, but the Student Council was aware of such a warrior, and they had even received her help on a few occasions, but the collaborations would never last.

Now, the Scarlet Pimpernel would strike once again, by the hand of Scarlet Senshi. From the shadows, even the brightest bearer of the light must ask: “who watches the watchmen?”

——————————————————————
Shu.
Shu
SHU
SHU
SHU
SHU
SHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHU SHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHU SHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHU

Not paying attention as usual, Ai Suishi sat in class, scribbling the name of her beloved again and again in her battered notebook, fantasising about every possible interaction with the object of her obsession. Shu being repulsed by her, Shu reciprocating her love. Shu rejecting her in disgust, Shu ravishing her as much as he pleased. No one else in the world mattered — unless they were tied to Shu. He was the sun that her world rotated around. He commanded her every thought, her every feeling, her every urge, her every waking moment, her every sleepless night.

Which meant others might slip through the cracks.

Class was already over, and everyone moved on for the time being, all except Ai. Ai was still entranced in her notebook, pouring all of her devotion into Shu as usual. Providing an ample opportunity for someone to strike.

“Ehem. Suishi-san?” A voice rang out like a bell, modest, yet attention-grabbing. Ai was ripped from her trance, sharply turning her head towards the sound that brought her back to earth.

Before Ai stood a girl. Short, big round glasses, short hair, blank expression. Entirely bland in body and face. A complete opposite of Ai’s developed nature, a completely forgettable girl. The disgust crept up Ai’s throat at a slow pace, compared to most others that attempted to engage in conversation — if at all.

A beat. Kaoru stared her up and down, expecting a response, but she didn’t get one. She continued.

“…you may know me as Nagamine Kaoru, aide and treasurer to the Student Council. May I have a moment?”

Nagamine… Nagamine! A new face, but one she had heard of in relation to the Student Council… and that meant she was close to Shu! SHU. SHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHU

Staring into Kaoru was like a treasure trove full of possibilities. Her uniform could be storing dozens of Shu’s hairs! Face follicles! Dead skin! Had she touched her at all today? Did they speak? It didn’t matter. Kaoru had Shu’s light all over her already! A new face, free of expectations of her, carrying many of Shu’s gifts for the taking!

Ai shuddered, speaking in a shaky voice. “Y-you have something… in your face.”

“H-Huh?” A little surprised, Kaoru went along with this act. Ai raised her hand, gently grazing Kaoru’s face and shoulder, before seemingly retrieving something and putting it away. An overwhelming feeling of dread washed over Kaoru, who noticed that the hand that had just grazed her was incredibly… moist. Heavy sweat, perhaps? Or rather… Kaoru did not want to think about what that slimy feeling was anymore.

Ai placed her hands behind her back, feeling something precious had just been unearthed. It felt like… a hair! Or perhaps some cotton, from Shu’s uniform? It didn’t matter. It was Shu! SHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHU SHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHU SHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHUSHU
“Ehem.” Kaoru attempted to reassert herself. “Listen… we have been aware of your absences to certain PE classes. If you don’t mind, I would like to talk—“

Nosy. Nosy girl. She may have been close to Shu, but this was unforgivable. No one could take her special time away. Not while the ache still stabbed into her body from all directions. Not while her heart plunged into darkness. Not while her loins burned with need. Not while her stomach hungered for Shu.

“I— I think —“ Ai looked for a way out. She had to survive. For Shu. “I left… something…”

“Huh? What did yo—-“ Kaoru watched as Ai stumbled all over herself, hurrying to leave, before stepping on a stray shoelace from her left shoe, tripping on a table and falling to the floor, dropping her notebook. Kaoru rushed to help her, taking the notebook into her own hands as Ai stood back up.
One glance said it all.

It took all of Kaoru’s strength for her poker face not to drop right then and there.

Shu’s name… it was manically scribbled all over the page. The paper was ragged, strained and… stained. With tears, perhaps something else… before she could look any further, the notebook was violently ripped from her hands.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!!!”

Like a banshee from hell, Ai snatched the notebook from Kaoru’s unworthy clutches, leaving the spectacled girl in disbelief, before scurrying away. Fierce footsteps clacked furiously into the hallways, as Kaoru attempted to piece back what had just happened.

Ai managed to lock herself in a bathroom, safe from the prying eyes of that girl. A bittersweet torrent of emotions poured over her. Someone had found her notes… touched them… soiled her offering to Shu. Yet, at the same time — what if Shu had held her hand? What if she had touched anything he had touched? This stain was as much a treasure as it was an affront! Ai was soon entranced by her thoughts, as her disgusting urges returned to her, like shadows pouring into the bathroom stall.

Kaoru was at a loss. She instinctively went for the notebook expecting to obtain some kind of information, but she would’ve never expected something like that… Ai definitely had some sort of obsession with Shu. It all started to make sense: the shut-in qualities she noticed in the records of Ai’s previous interactions with the Student Council, her mysterious absences… Ai was absolutely hiding something. And Shu was somehow related to it! Was he in danger? Kaoru decided to not take any risks.

——————————————————————

The school day was over. Every student took off towards their lockers, taking back their shoes, talking, planning outings… like any other day. Shu Jinko, president of the Student Council, went about his business with the same merry disposition he usually went about everything with. Whistling to himself, all giddy, as if nothing was wrong, until he felt a light tap on the shoulder.

“Kaichou?” Kaoru spoke up. Her expression was as blank as always, yet a slight twinge of concern was noticeable in her demeanour.
Shu’s smile was as uplifting as ever. “Why, if it isn’t my favourite treasurer! What can I do for ya, Kaoru?”

“It’s… It’s about Suishi.” Kaoru made a pause, struggling to truly form words to express her exact concerns with. Shu didn’t seem very shaken.
“How’s that investigation going? You think she can talk to us one of these days?”

The sheer obliviousness of Shu’s reply floored Kaoru, who held her tongue. The moment of pause led Kaoru to an unpleasant realisation: despite what she saw, she had no way to prove Ai’s obsessions, nor any evidence that she was planning any sort of wrongdoing. By all means, a crush or an obsession to that degree might be concerning to most, but without concrete proof that Ai was going to hurt someone, Kaoru simply had no way of convincing Shu to take any higher action.

Which is why she was going to do so, right now.

“I… I found something.” She declared. “But I need more time. I need to make sure.”

“Well that’s just swell!” Shu lit up, eager to help his (relatively) new friend. “Can I help you in any way?”

“Yes, in fact. Please, follow me.” Kaoru waited for Shu to put on his shoes and grab his backpack before they headed out of the school building, just when people were pouring out. Enough of a diversion to have a conversation, away from Ai’s eyes.

“Listen, Kaichou. Tch, this is bound to sound ridiculous…” Kaoru lamented to herself. Shu was just happy to go along with the plan, staring into Kaoru’s glasses like an innocent Golden Retriever. “I need you to go home like you usually would. I will trail behind you from a distance, for a little bit.”

“Ooooh, like a bodyguard? You don’t have to do that for me! I can handle myself.”

Kaoru showed frustration in her face for just a split second. The most emotion Shu had ever seen out of her yet.

“…not quite. You see…”

“Yeah, what does this have to do with Ai?”

Kaoru held her tongue. She wanted the earth to swallow her right there and then. She didn’t have the heart to tell Shu that he might have an obsessive stalker, and this was an experiment to begin with. Some other excuse was necessary.

“…I believe rogue Idolon users might act soon, and we should not stay idle. Perhaps we could bait them, somehow?”

“Oh! Like walking home together!”

An immense feeling of dread towered over Kaoru, like impending doom creeping on her back. That would absolutely invite harm to most likely both of them. She shook her head, showing true fear for an instant and outperforming her previous expressivity record.

“N-No! I… I believe they might appear if they think you have to protect me. Think of it as… “Operation Damsel in Distress.”

“And you wanna put yourself in danger like that, Kaoru? You’re the only one of us who can’t actually fight…”

Fool.

“I’ll stay out of danger if I can keep my distance. I just want to stay on the lookout for you.”

“Sure… you know, if something’s wrong, you can just tell me, okay?”

Kaoru knew in her heart of hearts that wasn’t possible. Not only for the possible harm that might come to the both of them, but also because despite the respect she had for Shu Jinko, Kaoru couldn’t even trust him entirely.

The plan was set in motion. Shu walked home without a care in the world, and Kaoru trailed behind him, snaking around corridors and hiding behind lamp posts. She was getting into the mindset. To find a stalker, she had to become a stalker.

“Kinda feels like you’re stalking me, Kaoru…!” Yelled Shu, from a distance, looking back at Kaoru.

Embarrassment crept over Kaoru’s visage, always obscured by her enormous dual mirrors. She still hadn’t figured out how she would excuse this as part of the Ai operation, but Kaoru knew this was her best shot — perhaps her only one.

It took around twenty minutes as they advanced through busy streets and districts. But soon enough, as they arrived at a crossing… that tall, shadowy presence appeared in the corner of Kaoru’s eye. It was Ai Suishi. It was unmistakable. Kaoru had to act quick to save the operation —
but she then realised Shu was mysteriously gone. Unbeknownst to her, Shu had gotten sidetracked by an apparent plea for help, and he got caught up in his own adventure. Kaoru resolved that she’d get to Shu some other time, and decided to waste no time with pursuing Ai.

She heard the sharp stab of a voice in her head. Stark, profound. Demanding.

“Now, my dear. The hunter becomes the hunted.”

——————————————————————

Kaoru was ready. Before Ai could continue stalking Shu, Kaoru stepped closer, making herself visible. Ai stopped in her tracks, spotting Kaoru, and turned tail. Kaoru moved in.

Through several streets and alleyways, Kaoru stalked Ai like a predator stalks prey. At every corner, at every alley, Kaoru was there. The glimmer of her glasses seared into Ai’s eyes, burning scars of fear in her. Fear of being busted. Ai wondered if this was how Shu would feel, if he knew. She thought of Shu’s disgust, Shu’s fear, and the thought aroused her. But anger mixed with arousal. That Kaoru… she was so close to Shu, so close! But she was keeping him away from her! She had to escape… if she ever wanted to see Shu again.

As they entered forbidden areas of the city, Ai stepped into a narrow street… and vanished. Kaoru thought she had lost track of her — but no. Ai vanished into thin air, as if entering another dimension. She had entered a Bleeding Zone. Clever! Such an event only confirmed Kaoru’s suspicions. Ai could easily plan some kind of evil scheme with such power… and Kaoru knew that Ai had entered a Bleeding Zone to shake her off. Little did she know, Kaoru was an Awakened as well.

Wasting no time, Kaoru got back home to a modest apartment building, hoping she wouldn’t lose her trail just yet. She entered the living room and passed her grandfather, who was watching TV beside her sleeping grandmother.

“I have another cosplay club meeting today”, announced Kaoru. “I need the costume.”

Grandpa’s groggy voice replied promptly. “At this time? Sure. Have fun, dear. Don’t come back too late.”

There was no cosplay club. It was just another cover story — Kaoru designed and built that costume under the command of Blakeney. After all, every Scarlet Pimpernel before her had used some manner of theatrics. Kaoru’s poison was the sentai kind.

Kaoru swung the door to her room open. Extremely orthodontic in layout. Little to no decorations, no posters, only a bookshelf as the only paraphernalia. The light blue walls were only lit by the sparkles of sunset.

She opened the door to her closet. There it was. A black motorcycle suit, complete with a helmet, adorned with red streaks that resembled rose thorns and silver plating.

All suited up, Kaoru said goodbye to her grandparents and stepped out of the home. As soon as she was out of the door, Kaoru was out… Scarlet Senshi was in.

“It’s time, Blakeney.” She announced solemnly.”

“The Scarlet Pimpernel strikes tonight!”

Kaoru opened a Garganta, arriving at the nearest Bleeding Zone… indeed. This was where she had to be. Now, all she had to do was find wherever Ai went…

As soon as she stepped into the Bleeding Zone, Kaoru felt a surge of power as Blakeney manifested, becoming a ring around her left hand’s ring finger. A burning ring, in the shape of a pimpernel. The ring fused with her combat suit, transforming Kaoru into a powerhouse. Strong. Fast. Resilient. But above all… stylish.

“URYAAAAAGH!!!”

A blood-curdling scream reached Kaoru’s ears from not too far away. Following the sound, she found her target: a wailing, monstrous woman. She could only surmise this was Ai Suishi, using an Incarnation Idolon. Much like herself — but far more deformed.

“SHU! SHUUU! SHUUUUUU!!!!”

The rampaging Ai, now Shiai, thrashed around the area, destroying anything in her path. Shadow creatures ran in fear as property was destroyed by the strikes and scissor swings of the scorned lover. As she destroyed, she consumed, and her energy was growing by the second.

On a nearby rooftop, Scarlet Senshi had already made her move. Her crimson scarf billowed in the wind, overseeing the vermillion skies and ashen grounds of the Bleeding Zone. An area tinted in blood.

“A foe as undisciplined as this, ma chèrie?” Blakeney protested, his voice echoing inside Kaoru’s helmet. “Where’s the humor? The banter! Next time, you better find a more entertaining nemesis!”

“If you seek entertainment… give me your strength!”

Actually cracking a smile in anticipation of the battle to come, Kaoru dropped from the ceiling of a nearby home, landing right behind Shiai with a perfectly executed superhero landing. The unruly creature turned around, threatened by the presence of the thorny warrior.

“STAY… AWAY… FROM MY SHUUUUU!!!”

Her growls were deep and gutural, yet desperate and loving. Kaoru was not phased.

“Stand down! The watcher of the watchmen — Scarlet Senshi — is here! In the name of the Scarlet Pimpernel, I will punish you!”

Kaoru was mostly acting in self-defence now. She had proven that Ai had to be stopped at all costs — she might be a danger to others. But the battle had to end quickly, or else, other Awakened people might appear… or worse, the Student Council might be aware of the battle and act!

Shiai acted first. The wailing, tangled creature quickly stomped her way towards Scarlet Senshi and smashed the floor, missing the more disciplined combatant of the two, as the armoured heroine dodged out of the way entirely, leaving only a crater where she once stood — and where she would’ve received the blow that caused such a crater. Scarlet Senshi used her size against Shiai by climbing on her arm and propelling herself into a windmill kick right on Shiai’s temple, causing the bloodthirsty hairball to wince in pain and stumble back.

Scarlet Senshi landed with grace, ready to keep up the assault. As Shiai rushed to attack again, Scarlet Senshi vanished in a cloud of flower petals. Before Shiai could notice what had happened, a strong fist to the back sent Shiai reeling — and partially broken!

Kaoru had momentum. She wondered, for a second, if Shiai had much combat experience at all — Ai didn’t seem exactly like the kind to hold her own in a hand-to-hand brawl, but rather use some kind of weapon. And a weapon she did use! Summoning a pair of scissors, Shiai retaliated, spinning all over the place and only narrowly missing the nimble Scarlet Senshi, who dodged each swing almost as if she knew where the attacks would come from next… because she did.

Shiai was struggling to keep up. Scarlet Senshi was a slippery foe, yet not entirely a clueless one. That danger sense was a problem… but eventually, something inside her broke. Cackling laughter revealed that Shiai was starting to get her groove back.

“SHU… THIS PAIN DRAWS ME CLOSER… SHUUUUU!!!”

Kaoru hoped that remark wasn’t a euphemism.

Shiai suddenly became faster. Too fast to predict. She slammed into Scarlet Senshi with a swift, devastating knee blow to the gut, sending her flying into a building, only to then slam once again with both arms into the armoured heroine, bringing that same building down on both of them while cackling manically.

Buried under rubble, Kaoru saw a vision of her benefactor.

“What’s wrong, my Scarlet Pimpernel? Slacking on the job, hm~?” A voice as inviting and mocking, in equal measure, as usual. Irritation filled Kaoru’s entire being as she rushed to get the rubble off of her.

“Tch — n-no —“ She struggled. “I must… live up to… the legacy…”

“Not just the legacy!” Blakeney continued, with an audible smirk. “How can such a beast be left to roam free on this world? She’s unbound! How can someone be trusted with that power? How many are you going to see get hurt by her before you act?”

“N-None of them… I will… persevere!”

Shiai’s laughter was an echoing presence in the back of her mind. Kaoru’s battle concerned another foe right now.
“Those whose power is unchecked.. those who would harm others to fulfil their goals… even if they truly believe in them…”

The visage of someone. A girl. A… friend. Nadeko. They ran around the backyard together. They talked for hours. Played with dolls. Swung on swings. But Nadeko’s dad always had a mean look on his face.

Events rushed back. 1992. Gunshots. Her father rushing to get her out of the house. Her mother panicking. Quick steps down the stairs. Phonecalls. Gunshots. Blood. Cries. Stiffness. Sleep. Footsteps. Running. More gunshots. A hand. A car. Grandma. Grandpa.

“I’m sorry, kid. Mommy and daddy are gone. I don’t have any other way to tell you this. You’re smart… right? You get it…”

Never again.

“ARISE, MY SCARLET PIMPERNEL!”

With a burst of immense, righteous strength, Scarlet Senshi pushed the rubble off of her, sending piles and piles of debris into the air as her power, too, grew by the second! Not with bloodlust… not with rage… with a thirst for true justice!

Shiai looked on, confused… but a devilish smile bled into her face, despite the defiant foe she had in front of her.

“There’s something you don’t know about me, monster!” Kaoru proclaimed, a smirk forming on her lips. She was gonna enjoy this. “I grow stronger with pain too. But my pain… will blossom into a future of JUSTICE!”

They clashed. Fists trading, blow for blow, they were equally matched. When one warrior lagged behind, the other caught up within seconds. Shiai’s scissors gave her a literal edge… until Scarlet Senshi suddenly parried a scissor swing with a weapon of her own.

A metal pipe, covered in barbed wire. Or perhaps, thorns?

“A long shot from a rapier…” Blakeney remarked. “I keep telling you to consider other weapons, but you never listen to me.”

“Because justice is blunt and honest!” Kaoru ducked under another scissor swing and struck Shiai in the face, before vanishing into petals once again and smashing her pipe right into Shiai’s already broken back, dealing massive damage that caused the lovestruck devil to wail in agony once again.

“I’m ending this — NOW!” Scarlet Senshi proclaimed.

The prior attack gave Kaoru enough pause to think of a proper way to conclude the fight. She grabbed a tight hold of Shiai’s arms and gave her a knee to the gut, before summoning a Garganta that sent them both, depowered, into a nearby alleyway. Out of the Bleeding Zone… and back into the material world.

Ai laid on the pavement, exhausted and spent… but just as ravenous as before. As for Kaoru… she, too, was too tired for words. Before she could reason, Ai pounced with her last bits of strength left!

“YOU BIIITCH!!! YOU TOOK MY SHU AWAY FROM ME — MY LIFE! I’LL KILL YOU!!!”

“N-No I didn’t—!”

Ai lunged at Kaoru’s neck, attempting to strangle her, but the scarf was in the way. Kaoru managed to reverse the takedown with a trick learned from Grandpa. As she looked at the downed Ai, clasping both her wrists… Ai began to sob.

“I— I should’ve died the last two times — m-more — I don’t remember… haha… I’m such a disgusting piece of meat…”

Kaoru didn’t let go of her grip, but she felt silent. A strange feeling washed over her. Sorrow? Shame? Perhaps empathy? Kaoru recalled what she first felt when she heard about Ai, and later, when she first met Ai. When her parents died, she didn’t want to live either. She didn’t want to be anywhere — or be, period. She never attempted it… but as her gloved hands clasped those brittle wrists, Kaoru didn’t take long to notice the scars.

“I don’t know who you are, but please… Please kill me… so I can be with my Shu forever. Do it quickly…”

Kaoru had enough. She dropped Ai’s hands to the ground, standing up with an unnatural burst of anger.

“Look at you know!” She exclaimed in disbelief. “What would Kaichou think?!”

She messed up.

Ai’s eyes widened. She took another look at the motorcycle suit-wearing superheroine in front of her, and even without any detective skills, she knew it could only be one person.

“…Nagamine?”

Kaoru stopped dead in her tracks. In two years… two years of being Scarlet Senshi…of taking the mantle of the Scarlet Pimpernel… someone had addressed her by name. While in costume. She shuddered, entirely at a loss as to how to respond.

“…w-who’s that…?”

“You’ve been… following me all day… trying to find what I’m hiding…”

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“YOU’RE KEEPING ME AWAY FROM MY SHUUUU!!!”

“YOU STUPID IDIOT, I’M TRYING TO HELP YOU!”

Kaoru wanted to cover her mouth, but she had a motorbike helmet on.

“Whoops.” Blakeney mocked her pupil with an audible smile.

Kaoru couldn’t believe it. Her secret… exposed… she wanted the earth to swallow her whole. She wanted to be out of there… she had failed! FAILED! The anger, the disappointment — they were unbearable!

“Well DAMMIT, now you know MY secret too! So I guess we’re even!”

“Why… Why don’t you tell them?” Ai asked innocently, still thinking about Kaoru’s prior remark.

Kaoru sighed a long sigh, as she took off her helmet, revealing… a complete lack of glasses. Her eyes were finally visible. A piercing, white hot, deep scarlet glare met Ai’s own coal irises.

“You don’t have your glasses…”

“Of course I don’t have my glasses. I was never myopic! If the eyes are a window to the soul, I need to keep my eyes as obscured as possible.”

“Why…? Why are you doing all this?” Ai stopped herself. She shook her head, as she began to stand back up. As she did, Kaoru dropped to her knees. Ai now stood above her, like a monument for prayer.

Kaoru looked up, at a loss as to how to answer. Tears had begun to stream down her own face as well.
“I think I know. You’re like me, aren’t you…?”

“What? Obsessive? A stalker?”

“No… scared. Hurt. In love.”

“I’m not… I’m not in love with anyone…”

“But you love others, right? You want to make sure other people are okay…”

Kaoru stood up, frustrated. She still couldn’t meet Ai at eye level. She was 10cm short of such a feat.

“I dropped my guard once! ONCE! And my parents… my parents… they…”

Ai stood in silence, mesmerised. The silence bothered Kaoru too much.

“Well crap, now you know ANOTHER secret! I’m a mess. This was terrible. I’m sorry. I—“

Kaoru sat down on the pavement, clutching her temples. She inhaled hard, exhaling harder each time. She wouldn’t let herself cry.

“I’m more of a mess than you.” Ai said, sitting beside her.

“That doesn’t matter, I just — I just wanted you to be okay.”

Ai’s gaze widened. Naturally, she would in any other circumstance projectile vomit at the thought of any human being showing an amount of care for her other than Shu. But this Kaoru… she was different. A lot like her. Obsessed with maybe not a person… an idea. In love with a romantic ideal…

“Can you… can you explain?”

“I… I noticed you’ve been skipping PE. And I wanted to know what you were doing when you were gone… a-and then I saw the notebook, and I thought you might hurt Shu—“

“I would NEVER hurt my Shu! Shu can love me, Shu can HATE me! Shu can REVILE me! I will love him anyway. All I want is for Shu to be happy. If so… maybe I can be happy too.”

Kaoru didn’t know much about romance. All of this was a mess in her brain, the day had turned her mind into a potato salad of hurt and strain. But surely, Ai must have been the same too. What hurt the most was the lack of evidence… even if Kaoru looked deep into Ai’s eyes, and thought back to everything she had done in the day… Kaoru was a good enough judge of character to see right through Ai, and be able to tell that rationally, she meant every word she said. Ai never meant any harm to Shu.

Defeated, Kaoru felt herself dropping her back to the pavement. She didn’t want to trust Ai — she didn’t want to trust ANYONE — but they were at a mutual check. It was up to the prisoner’s dilemma now.

A long silence was shared between them. Deafening, threatening, like daggers at both their necks. Until Kaoru broke the blood-soaked ice.

“…if I can get you closer to Kaichou… will you stop disappearing for PE?”

Ai lit up. The thought of an inside hand in the Student Council, someone that could possibly bring her closer to her beloved, provide her with trinkets to worship, residual smells, stray hairs, dead skin… what a rush!

“I-I WILL!” Ai didn’t even think about it. Surely, pushing back those urges would be a Herculean task. But if it meant being even just one inch closer to her Shu… perhaps it was worth it.

Kaoru let out another sigh. Not of relief, not exasperation… just exhaustion. In a way, the mission was complete. She was now saddled with this girl as a… confidant? For the foreseeable future.

“Okay, great. That’s just great. And…” Kaoru’s voice trembled. “C-Can I ask you to keep my own secrets safe too?”

Ai nodded. Anything for her Shu! There was nothing else that mattered. Kaoru was now a priority in Ai’s mind — one that had to be fiercely protected.
“Great. Thanks. Hey…” Kaoru paused, lifting her upper back with her arms and turning to look at Ai once again. “…sorry for calling you a stupid idiot. And a monster. And following you. And all those things.”

“Sorry for calling you a bitch. And trying to kill you twice.”

“Forgiven, I guess.”

There was another silence. One that wouldn’t be broken by laughter, or a hug, or anything of the sort… eventually, Ai helped Kaoru up, and they both went their separate ways.

——————————————————————

“So, to conclude… Suishi-san was getting light-headed in PE often. If she had someone keeping an eye on her during exercise, someone supportive and kind…”

“That’s me!” Piped up Shu. No one questioned him on it. Kaoru smirked, so did Yae. Somehow, the latter could tell what was going on — much to Kaoru’s dismay.

“Very well. Kaichou, please make sure to keep an eye on Suishi-san occasionally during PE. If you see anything out of the ordinary, please take her to the infirmary.”

“Will do!”

“I don’t know what exactly you did, Kaoru…” Madoka pondered, considering if Kaoru might’ve been a good fit for PR instead. “Good job, in any case!”

“I guess the treasurer can do a little more than just treasure stuff, huh?” Yaya nudged at Kaoru’s arm, trying to get a reaction out of her. She wasn’t getting too much of one.

But eventually… Kaoru did smile.

“That’s a first,” joked Yae. “What’s gotten you so happy?”

“A friend.”

———————————————————————

Kaoru looked at the sky above, blue and clear as always, as her hair flowed in the wind. She was standing outside, at the top floor of Higan Academy. One of her favourite spots.

“Are you mad that I blew my cover, Blakeney?”

“Mad? Well, I should be… but the truth is, ma chèrie… I lost control of my secret once, too.”

“Oh, really?” Kaoru asked, curious. “And what happened?”

Blakeney’s chuckles echoed in Kaoru’s mind. “My nemesis fooled me into spilling the beans… but it didn’t matter much. After the battle, I framed HIM as the Scarlet Pimpernel!”

“Clever… but what of your loved ones? Did you ever come to… trust someone?”

“…I would lie if I said no, ma chèrie. I have loved as much as anyone. And that’s a joy you keep depriving yourself of… not everything is the mission! Live a little!”

“…I don’t know if I can do that, Blakeney. Not yet. But perhaps…”

Kaoru stared down at the school entrance. People were starting to come back inside. Recess was over.
“…perhaps one day.”

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Pub: 09 Oct 2025 23:55 UTC

Edit: 10 Oct 2025 00:30 UTC

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