Aka-no-Joo

Chapter 11

The mission was simple: Get everyone off the island.

Inari and I were running throughout the halls together like two vixens chasing a meal. We were leading the students onto the service train and hopefully, they all leave safely. I had landed my jumps better now, even Inari was impressed with me. 

"Where are you going?" She asks from the top of the stairs. "We're supposed to get everyone to stop fighting!"

"We're splitting up. " I barked out. "You get Scepter 4, while I get HOMRA!" 

"Are you sure they'll listen?" Inari asks. "You're not Mikoto-san, they'll  probably try and fight you."

"I will just have to use force," I say through my earpiece. I looked around the empty hall and made for the courtyard, I saw Inari racing to our comrades. The first person I noticed her grabbing first was Akiyama, he looked so relieved to see her. He pulls her into a hug and that was when they had kissed.  It was slow and intimate, I can see the emotions flowing between both of them and it made me happy. It was something that she has never felt before. Something burning hot and at the same time cooling her down. I couldn't stop smiling. Inari now has a boyfriend, after years of being celibate. 

Just seeing her kiss someone had made me think of Saru. I wanted to find him and hold him. To never let him go and we can just hide in his room. He can play on his computer and I would watch him, just because I want to see him with that serene look on his face. He wasn't angry or cold when he does something he likes, so I want him to be calm when he's with me. I cleared my throat and went to search for him. I furrowed my brow. He wasn't here. Saru must still be out there with some of his men fighting Misaki. I sprint down the hallway and turned outside. I can see people fighting. Thugs and Blues, and in the midst of it was Saruhiko and Misaki. I turn around and saw two large swords in the sky: Nii-san and Munakata-san. I felt my heart starting to sink at the small speckles rusting off the red sword. Nii-san's Weisman level was draining. 

I take a deep breath and thought back on what Weisman-san had told me during our conversation. 

"Weisman..." I repeated. "I don't believe you."

"It's not surprising that you don't , Tsubaki-san." He says as doubtful as ever. "But I'm not lying to you."

I narrowed my eyes and took a step forward, only for Izumo to hold my shoulder. Our eyes met, and I knew he wanted to calm me down. We don't need a fight, not here nor now. I have to be careful.

"I know an innocent life was brought into this mess, and I'm terribly sorry for your loss." I couldn't stop the tears from shedding. I've  never had the chance to mourn over Totsuka, he was the one person that had made me feel something good while staying with HOMRA. He would walk with me when Mikoto couldn't come. He was there to protect Saru. He was gentle and loving. Sweet and may have had poor taste in hobbies, but it didn't matter. I still loved him! He was every bit of a brother to me as Izumo and Mikoto. "But even if you couldn't save one brother, that doesn't mean you can't protect others."

My eyes widen. "You mean I can stop Mikoto from getting hurt."

"You are the Queen." He explains. "If anyone can stop a sword of Damocles and can hold off a king...It would be his queen...but the chances of you staying alive would be slim."

"How slim?" Inari stands beside me. 

"Very very slim."

"Does it matter?" Awashima asks snapping at us. There was warmth in her icy cold glare. "She'll be taking on the full force of a sword of Damocles once it falls. If she is able to save Mikoto, it'll cost her life."