an alternate universe where sayaka isn't so lucky in her fall from the tower of doors.
content warnings: death, depression, language, suicide attempt, substance abuse
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The platinum-blonde girl instinctively reached for her mask, but Yumeko waved nonchalantly. "There's no need, Miss Vice President."
Ririka paused hesitantly, but set it down after a moment. The noirette had already seen Kirari taking off her mask when she gambled with Manyuda. It probably wasn't a surprise to her anyways. The girl seemed all-knowing, she remained somewhat of a mystery to Ririka.
"My apologies about your sister," Yumeko set the bouquet down on Kirari's bedside table. First glancing at the lying form of the President, and secondly at Ririka sitting beside her; the girl thought, 'Wow, they really look so alike...'
Ririka gave her a funny look, raising an eyebrow with confusion. Yumeko snapped out of it. "Right! I was wondering if I could have a moment with Kirari-san?"
Ririka was full to the brim of questions, them laying on her tongue, waiting to be spoken. But she thought the better of it. Just let Yumeko Jabami do... well, Yumeko Jabami. She stood up slowly, hesitantly- but nonetheless. "O-oh. Alright."
Two of the black-haired girl's fingers hovered over the bouquet of roses. Which one was the ripest? Which one was the most vibrant? Finally, she found what she was looking for. A fresh, colorful rose near the back of the arrangement.
Reaching across the bed, she tucked it underneath Kirari's resting palms. The color was a perfect match, just the brighter version of the young woman's nails, to which Yumeko gave a small smile at. Kirari's nails were always painted impeccably, after all. Even in... the state she was in.
"Kirari-san?" She asked softly. It was more of a question, a hopeful call to the woman's subconscious.
"I would love to be able to gamble with you again, my cousin," she sighed, trying to smile brightly. "So please fight through this. Give it all you've got."
"You're on the edge of death. Risking it all, just like we talked about." Yumeko took a breath. "But you need to remember that there are consequences to doing that. Leaving behind Ririka-san, who I know needs you.
My father told me all the stories. How you two were born, the dice choosing who would be the heir and who the spare. I know how that turned out. She... needs you to lead her to a better life... but I'm sure you already knew that.
And I may have not been in her best wishes," the girl chuckled softly, "but I know Igarashi-san would want you to live on."
"And I know you can, Miss President." She gently ran her fingers across the metal bars on the side of the bed, her voice trailing off, seeming wistful.
Kirari turned her head either way, peering at her surroundings. Herself? Well, she was dressed in her school uniform, her usual hairstyle, her usual makeup and nail polish.
But where she was... she sat in front of a tall brunette boy, about her age. He didn't make any motion to speak, to acknowledge her confusion. The two sat opposite each other under a bright spotlight. On the table lay a wooden chess board.
"Your move first, Kirari," the boy finally spoke calmly.
And so she began to play.
The game went quickly, both of them gaining each other's pieces. A rook to the boy, a bishop for herself. Trading piece for piece, yet none of them taking the lead. Being pulled like riptide to the endgame.
That was until the boy caught ahead.
"Check."
Kirari's gaze flitted up to his face in shock. Damning herself for letting him see her emotions, she mentally cursed. 'So soon?' She gulped, an almost imperceptible action. 'He's going to win... I've got no oth-'
"Come on, Miss President."
She wildly spun her head, to look over her shoulder, her braids whipping her cheeks. Sitting in the crowd, behind her seat, was none other than Yumeko Jabami. "My dear cousin, you need to win, so we can finally play each. With all of the stakes we agreed on!" The girl smiled kindly, urging her on.
Kirari turned her gaze back to the boy, a small smile spreading across her face. 'Look ahead, Kirari, just predict what he will do. I... need to be able to gamble with my cousin again. It will be... so amusing to risk it all! A-and Ririka... she's right.' The woman gritted her teeth. 'I need to be there for her. She's got it so much harder, always being oppressed just because of those stupid dice being rolled when we were born. I need to help her, protect her. And I'm going to!'
She looked up, hardening her gaze. 'I've got an idea...'
Moving her pawn up one square, she smiled devilishly. The boy moved his queen slightly to the right.
"I know you can, Kirari-san..."Yumeko's cheers didn't stop for one moment.
A few minutes later, she uttered the fateful words. "Checkmate."
"Go, Kirari-san, go!" The red-eyed girl cheered quietly.
The boy's placid expression didn't falter for a minute. Smiling and shaking his head, he spoke. "I knew you could do it, Kirari," he stood up from his chair and shook her hand. "Go. Live for them."
"Gasp!"
Her eyes flew open wide, lungs gasping for air like a fish out of water.
"Kirari-san!"
Her blurry vision adjusted to see a familiar red-eyed, black-haired young woman. Yumeko smiled calmly, an almost proud look in her eye. "You're awake!"
