MHG-V1-2 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 13 - This is where I say, 'Check Mate'

A.13

"Black Petal!" Ken said with fear.

He immediately backed toward the door to unlock it.

"You lied to me to bring me here. What kind of trap have you set up for me?"

Ken expected Ayaka, aka Black Petal, to put on a maniacal face and describe her wicked plan to him before setting it in motion and ending his life.

Instead, she looked down at the ground and mumbled.

"Please don't go."

"Huh?"

"Nothing I told you is a lie." Ayaka said defensively. "And I didnt bring you here to set up a trap for you. Dont you think I could lock that door on my own? But I didnt because I dont want to hold you here against your will."

"Why not?" Ken said angrily, the memory of his near-death experience resurfacing. "Don't you want to kill me?"

Ayaka looked up at Ken with sad eyes amd shook her head.

"Then why are you attacking us? Right now, Teruko is busy trying to clear up all the plans that you set in motion to attack both me and my family. If you dont want to kill me, why?"

"Do you think so low of my ability?" Ayaka asked, wrying her mouth. "Teruko is good, but she's no match for me. I've been trained by experts. The only reason she's been able to keep up with me so far is because I never intended to hurt you in the first place."

Ayaka's response struck him. Could that be true?

"Then why?" Ken repeated his question. "Why?"

"To get her out of the way." Ayaka said plainly. "To distract her. She's like a hawk, watching over you vigilantly. Like that, it would be impossible for me to talk to you as freely as I can right now."

"So you did all that just so that you can talk to me?" Ken said, finding it hard to believe any of her words.

Ayaka nodded.

"To tell the truth, im jealous. Jealous that Teruko has someone like you and I dont. What does she have that I dont? Its only because she got in first, right? If it had been me, then I would be your girlfriend right now, right?"

"Huh?"

"Are you surprised, Ken? That I would speak to you like that?" Her eyes had a strange glint. "Then what if I told you that I love you? That I would do anything to get you to leave Teruko and come to be with me? What would you say to that?"

"You're crazy." Ken said. "I love Teruko. Why would I leave her for you? Besides, you're.."

"I'm what?" Ayaka asked.

"You're a killer, working for that dodgy organization. You're trying to kill Teruko. Do you think I could love someone like that?"

"Is that what Teruko told you?" Ayaka asked. "Do you think everything is as black and white like that? That Teruko is the good girl and I'm the bad girl? Its not. I have feelings too, Ken. I have my own reasons for my actions."

"Such as?"

Ayaka was silent for a while as she looked at Ken carefully. Finally she continued.

"Do you remember what I told you at lunchtime? About my personal situation? How I have no freedom? How I feel abused and misused and lonely? None of that was untrue. Its all the truth. I work for that organisation, but..."

Ayaka swallowed back tears and looked away from Ken as she continued.

"...not because I want to. Because I have no choice. If I dont obey them I have nothing. I will be terminated. So I keep fighting to keep living. Hoping that someday I can find a way to escape.."