Akumi: Redemption

Reflections in the Twilight

Once James donned the mystical accessory he acquired from Demonkiss, Liv couldn't get him out of her mind. The first time they met, his aura was so dark it almost made him look like a monster. The light seemed to dissipate around him, and his whole body almost looked like an amorphous creature, immensely dangerous. Yet for some reason, Akumi seemed to really like him, telling Liv to trust her judgment when it came to him. Akumi was fascinated by him for reasons Liv couldn't quite understand.

When James and Akumi returned from their trip to the Primal Instinct headquarters, it was as if he was a whole different person. The darkness-stricken creature she had first witnessed was replaced by a tall, dark, and aloof man who made her womanhood tremble and her heart skip a beat.

It had been a week since James came into their lives. He had been saving gold for his own place and searching for clues on how to return to his world. When he wasn't doing that, he was taking on bounties, mostly catching human targets. For the more dangerous ones, he and Akumi would often team up, tackling even the most monstrous bounties together.

James and Akumi grew close. Though he didn't seem to like Akumi at first, they developed a rapport through their work together. When they weren't on a job, they would hang out. She showed him around Spug City, helping him familiarize himself with the area, and taught him how to use the various technologies of her world.

But the more time Liv spent watching them, the more an ugly emotion started to rise within her. Alongside her ever-increasing infatuation with James, jealousy began to take root. Despite her occasional frustrations with Akumi, Liv still considered her a good friend, even a sister. Akumi was the most loyal person in Liv's life, and she didn't want to throw away their friendship-especially not over a guy, no matter how intoxicating he might be. Yet Liv found herself unsure of what to do. She decided she needed answers.

Liv walked into the living room where Akumi was sitting on the couch in her usual white bikini, scrolling on her phone, likely doing some online shopping. With immeasurable anxiety, Liv approached Akumi and started to ask questions.

"Hey... um, Akumi, can I ask you something?" Liv said timidly.

"Sure, what's up, Liv?" Akumi replied without looking up from her screen.

Liv didn't sugarcoat it, deciding the direct approach was best. She asked her question without delay.

"How do you feel about James? Do you, um, like him? You know, like have a crush on him or something?"

This caught Akumi off guard, making her look away from her phone with a raised eyebrow of confusion as she set it down.

"James? Though he can be kind of a jerk and grumpy at times, he's really brave and cool under pressure. And his skills with guns are unmatched. I saw him shoot the wings off a fly without killing it. That was the coolest thing I've ever seen him do. I always try to talk him into doing bounties with me or try to convince him to let me tag along on his jobs just to see how he does things," she said excitedly. "But as far as feelings go... Liking someone is like the moon reflecting on a pond. Sometimes it looks close, but it's just an illusion. You know what I mean?"

Akumi's explanation was obtuse, leaving Liv more confused. She pressed for clarity.

"Uh, not really. So, do you like him or not?"

"Feelings are like the wind, Liv. You can't always see them, but you can feel them. Sometimes, they change direction without warning. Do you ever just feel the breeze and wonder where it came from?"

"You're being so weird, Akumi. Just tell me if you like James or not!"

"The heart is a labyrinth, and some paths lead to dead ends while others lead to hidden gardens. Which path do you think James is on?"