(Pekoyama Peko as Sparkling Justice)
"Are you sure you're going to be okay walking home alone, Mahiru-chan?" Saionji asks anxiously, "It's late and there's probably a lot of dangerous people out right now. Maybe I should just walk home with you?"
Koizumi smiles, patting her best friend on the head. "But then you would have to walk home alone and you're too cute to get injured. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll call you when I get home so you know I'm safe, okay? I promise."
Saionji huffs, folding her arms over her chest. "Fine. Whatever. But if you get killed, don't come crying to me."
Koizumi chuckles. "Of course, of course. Goodnight, Hiyoko."
Saionji nods. "Mhm, goodnight Mahiru-chan."
The red-haired girl adjusts her bag on her shoulder before heading towards the elevator. She takes all the way down to the lobby of the apartment complex. She steps out into the cool night air, shivering and pulling her jacket closer around herself before continuing to move forward.
'It's getting late. . .I better hurry it up.'
She walks in silence for a while, wondering if she should have just have gotten a cab and called it a day. She sighs, shrugging to herself. A few more minutes past before she hears an odd noise coming from an alleyway up ahead.
'Huh?'
It very much resembles the sounds of squishing flesh or something and heavy breathing. Whatever is going on, it can't be good.
Koizumi slowly makes her way towards the alley that the sounds are coming from. She curls her fingers around the edge of one of her fingers, cautiously peering the corner.
On the ground is a bloodied and bruised body, brains splattered all over the floor. Standing over the body is a tall person-a woman she assumes, wearing a short, black cocktail dress and black, lace-up, platform heels. Two long silver braids fall down her back and she holds a metal bat covered in blood in her right hand.
Koizumi gasps audibly before she can contain herself, drawing the attention of the killer. Frozen in place, Mahiru can only watch as they whip their head around, revealing a mask that she's pretty sure comes Sun Witch Esper Ito.
The two stare at each other for a moment before the killer puts her fists on her hips.
"JUSTICE COMPLETE!" She declares.
Koizumi stiffens. "H-Huh?! D-Did you just kill that person?! W-Why?!" She wants to back away but finds that she can't, "W-Who the hell are you?! Why would you do this?!"
The killer is silent for a moment before she speaks. "For a noble cause. . .FOR THE WORLD'S JUSTICE! In order to protect the world's justice. Justice must always be there to guide us, to shine bright above our heads!" She explains eagerly, "As the light of justice shines upon my mask, I expose the hearts of malevolent evil. The center of JUSTICE THAT IS PIERCED BY JUSTICE! THE LEAD STAR OF JUSTICE THAT SHINES IN THE NIGHT SKY! THAT WOULD BE ME. . .SPARKLING JUSTICE!"
Koizumi's eyes widen and her jaw drops. "What. . .I. . .I don't understand! Why did you kill this person? Why are you. . .How are you. . .What?!"
"This criminal," She spits, "Has committed unspeakable acts. Criminal acts. And evil must be eliminated immediately! No matter what, I must not overlook evil! Do you understand now?! In order to protect justice and execute justice, I have become it's merciless sword! These people cannot go unpunished!"
Koizumi frowns. "But killing people, even criminals. . .that's bad too. Shouldn't you be punished as well or something?"
"I've done nothing to be ashamed of. My purpose on this Earth is to execute justice as I see fit. I punish evil in the name of justice. There's nothing wrong with that! However," Her tone goes grim, "Since you have seen and spoken to me, you cannot be allowed to live. I cannot risk too much information getting out about me, so come sacrifice your life in the name of justice."
Mahiru stiffens. "I-I don't understand. If you knew that, why would you talk to me?"
"Because you are pretty and brave. But for the sake of grand justice, a few sacrifices are unavoidable." She raises the bat.
"What if I promised not to tell anyone I saw you?"
"As if I haven't heard that before."
"But. . .But. . .I-I care about protecting justice too!" Mahiru tries, "I can help you!"
Sparkling Justice hesitates. "You wish to help me? Help me in exchange for your life, is that what you're saying?"
Mahiru's eyebrows crinkle. "I'm really not ready to die, and, my life is boring enough as it is. . .I believe it is a fair exchange, Sparkling Justice."
The killer tilts their head to the side, actually considering it. "Are you willing to do whatever it takes to protect the world's justice? You'll have to give up the life you know now, your friends and your family." She points out.
'I can always escape after she's asleep, I suppose. . .'
Mahiru steels herself, determined. "Well, I already said I would, didn't I? So what are we still doing here? Let's go!"
"Heheheh. . ," The killer laughs quietly, "Alright, sure. Then come on, we need to get away from here now."
"Okay. Yeah, let's go."
Sparkling Justice offers her hand out and the photographer takes it and grips it tightly, as if signaling the beginning of a partnership. Together they turn and make their way further down into the alley, where the escape route is.
