Disappearance

Chapter 6: Pomp and Circumstance

"I don't need it all."

"Her brother's going to kill me. I just let it happen."
Ritsu was upset, panicking, it was only natural. Luka was trying to comfort her while the others had spread out in search of traps.

Soto had gone with Teto, while Neru chose to go alone. In her search, a switch she'd found in the wall gave her something unexpected: memory clips. Small ones, private clips that seemed to have been made for this type of viewing. With a glance around, she set the first one flat in her palm and began to watch.

Soto and Teto, meanwhile, were doing more talking than searching. Despite what just happened, he felt the need to address the kiss.
"Look, it's not that you're not attractive or anything like that, it's... Well, it's-" He started, before Teto cut him off.
"The fact that no romantic feelings are there?" Surprisingly, she was smiling, as if she understood and related. "It's going to sound bad either way we say it, it just felt like the only thing to do."
Soto rubbed his neck. "Yeah...I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it's okay." Teto looked at him. "We both feel the same way about the kiss. Besides, it would feel kind of wrong if I liked someone right now."
He raised an eyebrow. "Wrong? Why?"
"I think it's from being in this place for so long but, I do remember I had someone at home. But I don't remember his name or face, I feel awful."

"Okay, so this might be a surprise if something did happen, but hopefully nothing does so you don't have to see it."
Neru narrowed her eyes at first. She couldn't make out who was speaking, or why the voice was so familiar.
"Anyways, Teto. I know things have been rough between us lately, and I'm sorry. Answering that interviewer's question like that, I didn't even think how it would affect you."
Clearing his throat, he continued.
"I didn't mean that I would leave you for Luka, she and I are just friends. But, I do know how she feels and let's be honest, if we weren't dating I don't think you'd not give your friend a shot. You're kind, and smart, and beautiful, and so is she. You two could be siblings, that's how you treat each other, so I know even if it hurt and we weren't together, that's what you would do....I'm rambling again aren't I? Haha, sorry."
Neru's eyes widened. This was Soto, or at least, it looked like him.
"Anyways, I'm giving you something important later, and no matter what happens, I hope you'll keep it and think of me from time to time. Just..know no matter what, I love you."
The clip ended after that, and putting the other clip away for now, Neru walked directly over to Soto and dragged him away from Teto.

"Neru? Neru! What's going on?!" He exclaimed.
"Do you know anything at all about yourself?! And don't even think about lying to me!" Neru was angry, very angry. That much was obvious.
"No, I swear! I don't know anything, my files were messed up!"
Still angry, she reached into her pocket and took out both memory clips, shoving them into his chest forcefully. "I found out everything from the first clip. You're-!"

Time seemed to slow down for that one moment. Just as Neru was about to tell him exactly what he wanted to know, she was shot in the chest. Literally shot, right in front of him. Behind the two of them, the floor parted to reveal a spike pit below. Neru began to fall backwards into Soto moved quick enough to grab her hand in time. Across the pit, Zatsune finally broke through her controller, throwing the gun and hood away from her.
"Teto, now!" Ritsu exclaimed, using Teto's hands as an extra lift to get across the pit. It was pure rage at this point, seeing Zatsune do that literally made Ritsu see red. She ran over to her, slamming her up against the wall by the throat. "Have you been doing this the whole time?!" She yelled. "" Miku?! Len?! RUKO?!"
Zatsune struggled against her grip. "I didn't want to!" Her response made Ritsu release her. "All I wanted was to not be a shadow for once! I didn't want any of this to happen, I didn't know it would be like this!"
Ritsu knelt down in front of her. She was silent for a moment before offering her hand to her. Unfortunately, Zatsune didn't take it. "I have to fix this. Here."
Looking down, Ritsu discovered Miku's card in her hand. "Use your no cost and this, help Neru."
"What about you?"
"I already told you, I'm fixing my mistakes." Zatsune replied, looking back at her. "You don't have much time, go!"

Taking a few steps forward, Ritsu stopped, turning around. "I forgive you, just...don't do anything stupid." With that, she turned around and ran back to the pit. "Soto, let go!" She called, raising the two cards in the air.
At the same time, Zatsune activated her card, a bright light engulfing the room as Ritsu safely caught Neru. Once the light faded, she opened her eyes. "Guys, I need a hand!" She called up.
The surprise came with Ruko's hand being the first thing she saw. "Come on, I'll help you up!" She insisted.