Disappearance

Chapter 4: Feathers Across the Seasons

"And still, I love you."

"Rin?" Soto's question came softly, but still managed to break Rin out of her quiet spell. "May I sit?"
With a small nod in response, she made room for him to sit next to her. She still held her own card in her hands. Everyone had read theirs, but she chose to be silent, and ironically Soto didn't say a word about his own either. Hers wasn't that special, it just allowed another card to be used without anyone getting hurt.
These cards...they were strange, but the cost was made clear. Someone would die if they had to use one. Just like Len...
"Uh, Rin? I don't mind but, are you comfortable on my shoulder?"
She'd zoned out again, and realizing the position she was in now, she turned five shades of red. Wiping her eyes, Neru surprised everyone by starting to laugh a bit at Rin's embarrassment. Rin pouted, Soto rubbed his neck, and everyone else joined in on Neru's laughter. It was nice for a temporary break from reality.

Rin didn't choose to move, finding an odd comfort laying on Soto's shoulder, and he didn't seem to mind her doing so. The others sat around them, Teto next to Soto.
"Rin, Soto, what do your cards say? Neru wouldn't tell us hers either." Ruko asked, looking a bit annoyed at the last part.
Soto rubbed his neck again. "I can't say until later, okay?" He replied, smiling apologetically.
This surprised Rin. Did both Neru and Soto have some kind of special cards? That only worked later on?

Attention players. You have entered a reward zone. Please wait for further instruction before proceeding.

Everyone looked around, suspicious of the sudden charity. Even Rin got up.
"I don't like this guys.." Soto admitted, basically echoing their thoughts.
"Really? And here I thought the prospect of one of you leaving unharmed would be worthwhile."
Everyone looked to the center of the room, where the voice came from, only to see the hooded figure standing there again.
"No strings attached. Simply answer correctly. The first player to vocally answer correctly wins their freedom." The figure explained.
"What exactly do we have to answer? Some kind of question?" Luka asked, this time standing protectively in front of Neru.
The figure nodded. "You will all view a memory clip of someone else. If you can figure out the owner of the memory, you win. It's as simple as that."
With a nod from the others, Luka looked back at the figure. "We'll do it."

Players. Please direct your attention to the back of the room.

Doing as they were instructed, the group turned around and waited for the clip to start.

"Seriously, I'm fine, honest."
On the screen, sitting in what appeared to be a hospital bed, was Zegurine Zuka, Luka's Shadowoid.
"I told you so, you all are complete worry warts."
The owner of the voice in the clip wasn't visible, so it was apparent this is who they needed to figure out the identity of.
"You wouldn't have a thing to worry about if you didn't do such crazy stunts every time you perform, you know?"
Whomever was speaking to them, a doctor of some sort, was blurred out facially. Even his voice was barely recognizable. The memory's owner may have forgotten him.
"Oh! Dr. #*&$'#-93:$:92:$73! Weren't you about to tell us something before Zuka woke up?"
His name was gone even, which Soto found oddly suspicious. The next person on screen was Rui Kagane, Rin's Shadowoid. ZIA and Zumi were standing next to her on the other side of Zuka's bed. Soto, from this evidence alone and his own database, was able to quietly determine who the owner of the clip was. While the rest of the group watched, he was thinking about who to tell.
"Ah...It's nothing, honest.."
"Hmmmm? I don't think so doc, try again."
The memory's owner was smart enough to realize the doctor was lying. In response, he sighed.
"Okay how about this? If you all can promise me you won't do a single crazy stunt in your next performance, I'll spill."
"Everything?!"
"Every last intimate detail, okay?"
The memory's owner seemed satisfied, and nodded. After that, the memory skipped to what appeared to be a later time. The memory's owner was running in what appeared to be a building on fire. Fire...Soto figured out exactly who deserved this reward.
"Not yet, not yet dammit! You haven't told me yet!"
As the memory faded it seemed the owner was referring to the doctor from before.

Soto gently touched Rin's shoulder after the clip ended, motioning for her to follow him. When they were far enough from the group, Soto leaned down and whispered in her ear. "The answer is Zatsune Miku, say it out loud when we're asked."
With a signal to keep quiet for now, he returned to the group, Rin following suit.
"So, who is it? Who is the owner of that memory clip?" The figure asked.
"Z-Zatsune Miku?" The response from Rin came cautiously at first before she repeated herself. "Zatsune Miku."
The figure froze for a moment, their one red eye glowing brightly for a moment as it focused on Rin. "...Rin?"
Rin's eyes widened. "Zatsune?! Is that you?!"
It seemed to be a reluctant gesture as the figure lowered their head, seemingly vanishing after that.

Winner: Kagamine Rin. Initiating prize now.

Everyone looked around before a bright spotlight began to shine on Rin.

Cost: 1.

Cost?! Rin closed her eyes, expecting pain, but it didn't come. She slowly opened them again to find Soto in front of her, a large spear in his stomach that was meant for her.
"Soto!" Teto shouted.
Neru ran up to him, trying to help him get the weapon out of him.
"Neru!" Rin shouted, tossing her card to her before being enveloped by the light, disappearing hopefully to safety.
Teto ran over, followed by Luka and the others. Neru already had her card out next to Rin's.
"I've got you, Soto. I promise." She said seriously.