AYUMI

I covered my mouth with my hand, not because I was horrified, but because I was smiling so cheerfully, so crazily, that my relative would probably back away, and stay away. That would accomplish nothing. "Well," I state, simply. Two misty-gray eyes peered out from the shadows, and I approached closer, curious. "Come out of the dark, my darling, and reveal yourself," I cooed softly, beckoning my hand towards me.

A girl fully sauntered out of the gloom, and I was proud of the appearance, if only I did have to slash and let blood spill over her pretty face. Black hair tumbled down her shoulders, reaching the center of her back, with blue streaks in them. Akiyo was ghostly pale, maybe from being out of the sun and all the frights. Her uniform was a black buttoned top with a shirt pocket at the top, and a dark purple skirt went to her ankles. Her hands were clasped, and she was quivering so much I thought she would fall apart like a futile construction.

"Hi," I greet her. That's what everyone says, right? I need to pretend to be normal. "Hey," she replied meekly, averting my eyes. Akiyo scrutinized me even though our gazes didn't meet. "You're very pretty," she whispered, as if compliments in this place would get somebody killed. I was honestly alarmed by her sudden words. Me? Pretty? Obviously, she was mistaken! "What? No! Look at yourself! If sexiness could kill, you would be a serial killer!" I exclaimed, pointing at her.

Akiyo smiled, flattered. Oh boy, I am killing this non-insane lifestyle! "Thank you," she vocalized shyly. "Come on, I know a safe place we can go," I urge her, making a grab for her hand, but she disobediently pulled away. "I'm not going anywhere until I find my brother," she said whispered hoarsely. I narrow my eyes. "We could search for him once we're there," I prompted. "There are others, too." "We, as in us? Us, right here?" She narrowed her own eyes, and placed her hands on her hips.

Are all of the Shinozakis obnoxiously stubborn? I thought dryly. I offered her a reassuring grin. "Of course. After all, family has to stick together, right?" I queried. "Maybe," Akiyo mused. "But what if we're not? Shinozaki is a very common name. Who knows, maybe we are nowhere close to being relatives!" A sigh escaped my lips. I was becoming sick of my cousin. She was using logic and reason against me, and logic and reason are two things I loathe.

I made another desperate grasp for Akiyo's hand, but yet again, she reared back out of reach. "There are many horrors awaiting inside these walls. We should group together as many survivors as we can," I reasoned softly. A flash of grief flashed across her eyes, but as quickly as it had come, it was replaced with fierce determination. Akiyo placed her hand on her forehead. "Y-yes, of course," she stuttered quietly, and I led her down to the bomb shelter, triumphant with myself.

Didn't I say that I would kill the siblings? Apparently so, but I forgot about that little detail. But something blocking our way made me freeze.

A boy hung from a chain, wearing a similar uniform to Akiyo's.

NAOMI

I observed Ayumi with sadness and plain curiosity. Clearly, she was driven insane by my deceased and crazed friends. I watched her actions with pain settling on my hand, but personal pain in my heart. Shinozaki could never possibly help the world now. Everyone will just die, and die of fear and sadness. I sigh, and stood up on my ledge. Was Ayumi thinking of me now? I stretched my arms. Most likely not.

Her memories may have erased all trace of me. I was not assisting Satoshi, and that's making them all angry. I can't consult with them anymore, since they are no longer sympathetic for me. However, they really weren't at all, and that makes me miserable. Didn't they care about me? I certainly cared about them. I squeezed my hands before setting off, alight. I hovered close to Ayumi, and whispered two things in her ear before flying off:

See you.