Tokihana sat on her bed, legs kicking back and forth. She wore a casual T-shirt and black shorts—nothing special. She was bored.
She thought to herself: Mamoriko and Hayanobu are probably off on a date. Aiji is funny, but ehh. Megumi is always busy. Himari would probably entertain me, but she's snappy sometimes. She only really opens up to Lucy and Megumi. Oh, and Daikenji... he's probably tending to Megumi or training. I wonder what their story was. Megumi, Daikenji, and Hayanobu were the first members. We should all find out someday... I'll be sure to ask. But right now, I'm gonna go hang out.
Tokihana opened up a portal and arrived outside Lucy's door.
She knocked, expecting Lucy to answer quickly—as she always did.
The door opened, and Lucy stood there, meeting Tokihana eye-to-eye.
Lucy: [Tokihana-chan, what's up?]
Tokihana: [Wanna go with me to Himari-san's house?]
Lucy tilted her head.
Lucy: [Sure, I don't see why not.]
Tokihana: [Thanks, Lucy-chan. I love you.]
Lucy smiled and giggled.
Lucy: [I love you too, transportation-chan.]
Tokihana's face went grim.
Tokihana: [Excuse me?] she said, sass in her tone but clearly joking.
Lucy: [You heard me—transportation-chan. The perfect transportation, you know.] Lucy rubbed her nails together with a mischievous smile.
Tokihana rolled her eyes.
Tokihana: [Whatever. Next time, I'll tell Aiji-kun to beat you up.]
Lucy rolled her eyes, cheeks pink.
Lucy: [Uhh, well, I wear the pants in our relationship, so he won't do anything.]
Tokihana tilted her head.
Tokihana: [Want me to tell him that?]
Lucy's blush deepened.
Lucy: [I don't care.]
Tokihana: [Lil' girl gets her first period and thinks she's tough,] she teased.
Lucy froze, flustered.
Tokihana turned away, smirking.
Tokihana: [Guess I'll go text Mamoriko-chan and tell her on you.]
Lucy went red, rushing over to grab Tokihana's leg, shaking her desperately.
Lucy: [No, please! Not Mamoriko-chan—she'll actually beat me up!]
Tokihana giggled.
Tokihana: [Scared of your big sis, huh? Figures. But enough lollygagging—time to go.]
With a dramatic spin of her hands, Tokihana opened a portal to the outside of Himari's house.
The two girls walked through, knocking swiftly. Moments later, Himari opened the door.
Himari: [Short time no see. It's only been three days—no time at all.]
The two girls smiled in agreement.
Tokihana: [Yeah, you're just so cool we wanted to hang out with you.]
Himari: [Fair enough. Come in.]
She stepped aside, letting Lucy and Tokihana inside.
Himari: [Sit anywhere.]
They settled at the dinner table as Himari returned with cups of tea, pouring for each of them. The three sipped quietly, warmth filling the air.
Himari: [So, what do you two wanna talk about?]
Tokihana stroked her chin dramatically, as if searching for the answer.
Tokihana: [Uhhh... I don't know.]
Himari facepalmed at her unreadiness.
Himari: [Why don't you tell me about yourself? I don't know you all that well.]
Tokihana frowned.
Tokihana: [What do you mean? We've known each other for months now.]
Himari: [I guess, but I don't know your backstory. How you joined the Strikers, you know?]
Lucy perked up, realizing she didn't know either.
Lucy: [That's a good question. Tell us.]
Tokihana's expression sank.
Tokihana: [Well... umm... let me tell you,] she said in a hushed, heavy tone.
Lucy and Himari instantly picked up on her mood change.
Lucy reached over and took Tokihana's hand.
Lucy: [Tough subject?] she whispered.
Tokihana only nodded, leaning into Lucy as she stroked her hair.
Lucy: [Take your time.]
Himari gave a silent nod.
Tokihana's lips trembled.
Tokihana: [Well...]
August 5th, 2016.
Tokihana's parents had tragically passed away due to their connection with the Yakuza. They were always loving to her and her older brother, Tsubasa Aitsuki, who was 8 years older than her and always tried his very best to care for her after their parents' passing in 2014.
As Tsubasa sat reading the weekly newspaper, nothing interesting had happened when Tokihana came running to him.
Tokihana: [Onii-chan, Onii-chan, look what I made.]
She shows him a flower that she drew in class. A random girl had lent her crayons and pencils.
Tsubasa: [Oh, it's adorable, Toki-chan. I can tell you worked really hard on it. I'll hang it on the fridge.]
Tokihana smiles, jumping around in circles.
Tokihana: [Thanks a lot, Onii-chan.]
Tsubasa smiles at her. Tokihana is normally very chatty, but today she was extra happy.
Tsubasa: [You're extra jumpy today, any reason why?]
Tokihana: [Well... I like a girl in my class.]
Tsubasa: [Hmm, so you like girls?]
Tokihana taps her foot, looking quite ashamed. Tsubasa quickly picks up on that though.
Tokihana: [Well, yes... but I like boys as well.]
Tsubasa: [No reason to be ashamed or anything, just wondering. Keep it to yourself. People get shamed for things like that. I heard in America someone was left bleeding out in the middle of a park for being gei (gay).]
Tokihana: [I understand.]
Tsubasa smiles.
Tsubasa: [Stay safe, little sis. I love you.]
Tokihana: [I love you too, Onii-chan.]
August 4th 2016
Tokihana sat in class scribbling away on a random piece of paper, trying to draw a cat, but couldn't quite satisfy herself.
Teacher: [Time for recess.]
Tokihana perked up as she stood, running out with the rest of the class. After arriving outside, she saw the girl she loved sitting on random playground equipment, so she ran over to her with a replica of her drawing for her brother.
Tokihana: [Hey.]
The girl looked at her, eyes showing annoyance.
Girl: [Hi.]
Tokihana showed her the drawing, handing it to her.
The girl looked at it, no readable emotion on her face.
Girl: [Oh, it's cute. Thanks.]
Tokihana blushed.
Tokihana: [I have a massive crush on you. Will you go out with me?]
The girl's face twisted into pure disgust.
Girl: [Ew, gross! Why would I date a weird-looking freak like you? Plus, we're both girls.]
She tore Tokihana's drawing to shreds, crumpling it and throwing it at her.
Tokihana's face became soaked in tears.
Tokihana: [That's not very nice.]
The girl shoved Tokihana to the ground.
Girl: [I don't really care whatsoever. HEY, EVERYONE! THIS FREAK JUST ASKED ME OUT!]
All the kids on the playground started staring at her, calling her all types of names and giving her dirty looks. Even the teachers' faces gave her waves of disgust, so she just ran — directly behind a tree where no one could see her as she started bawling her eyes out.
"That's not fair, not at all... I know my brother said people would treat me differently but..." she started sniffling, just as a warm hand was placed on her shoulder.
??: [Hey, are you alright? I saw everyone make fun of you... I'm very sorry.]
As Tokihana turned her head toward the voice, she saw what we know as a younger Megumi.
Megumi: [Hey, my name is Megumi Michibiki. You?]
Tokihana wiped her tears more, trying to collect herself.
Tokihana: [Tokihana Aitsuki.]
Megumi: [Cute name. So, I noticed something... you look a little different, just like me. Do you have special powers, by any chance?]
Tokihana thought to herself about her powers to teleport. Her brother had informed her not to tell anyone, but this girl was just like her.
Tokihana: [Yes, I can teleport.]
Megumi's face lit up, though she was also shocked — teleportation was extremely overpowered, and this girl could just walk around with such a cool power.
Megumi: [All I can do is sense people... quite a shame. Ughh... then there's Daikenji-kun.]
Tokihana: [Who?]
Megumi smiled.
Megumi: [Not important at the moment. But listen, I won't force you, but I have an organization of people called the Strikers. Only two members at the moment, but when you're ready, please come and join us.]
Tokihana nodded.
Megumi walked away, and as soon as she was out of direct sight, Tokihana opened a portal and slipped through.
??: [Ohh... the Strikers? Sounds like a cute group. I think I oughta visit this Tokihana girl.]
Tokihana walked through the portal in front of her brother's face, still soaked in tears.
Her brother ran over, wiping her tears.
Tsubasa: [What happened, Toki? Tell me.]
Tokihana: [I asked the girl—girl, girl—out for... and she rejected me and ripped my drawing, ripped my drawing, and she embarrassed me in front of everyone...]
Tsubasa's face grew grim.
Tsubasa: [I'll be taking this information to the principal.]
???: [Will you now? I think you should speak to me first.]
The siblings snapped their heads around to see a girl with green hair and light purple eyes. She was fairly built yet skinny, unlike most young girls in Japan. She looked around sixteen years old, wearing a black hoodie and dark blue sweatpants.
Girl: [My name is Sachiko Kawashima, the Saint of Charity, and Tokihana dear, I have a gift for you.]
Sachiko tossed the head of the girl who had rejected Tokihana directly to her. Tokihana caught it, staring at it. She stared—just stared. She could not speak, could not cry, could not cover her eyes. Her expression was a thousand-yard stare. Most would scream, cry, or experience a heart attack. She could not. She tried to call for help, but no words came. Looking at Tokihana now, one could no longer see her—only an empty shell of who she used to be.
Tsubasa quickly ran over, shaking her.
Tsubasa: [Sis, wake up. Please, just wake up! We'll get through this together like we always have. We will manage this together, right, sis?]
She only stared at him, trying, most definitely trying.
Tokihana: [O...]
Tsubasa: [Sis, please! We have to get through this together. You need me... no, I need you. I can't go on without you. After our parents died, I had to start working two jobs just so I could make you smile. I've been convincing myself I'm doing this only for you, but I'm doing it for myself just as much. I need to know I'm at least doing a good job as a big brother to keep myself stable. Please, I beg you, get up, Tokihana!]
Tokihana snapped out of it. She stood up, looking directly at Sachiko.
A portal rapidly opened, slicing Sachiko's arm off.
Sachiko: [Shit...]
Tsubasa reacted quickly, slamming the ground. The wooden floor turned into giant splinters, firing toward Sachiko. She dodged them, but Tokihana sliced yet another one of her feet off.
Sachiko touched herself.
Sachiko: [I bestow the gift of new limbs and clothing.]
Her limbs and clothing quickly regrew, but Tsubasa was already in front of her. He tried to grab her by the head, but she dodged, making him grab her hand instead—her hand exploded.
She touched him with her other hand.
Sachiko: [I bestow upon you the worst cramp that's ever existed.]
Pain shot through Tsubasa's body, forcing him to drop to his knees.
Sachiko: [For such a loving person, your ability is so very cruel. You did well against me. I wish you nothing but delight in your next life.]
She reached out to touch him one final time, but a portal opened directly under him, dropping him near Tokihana.
Sachiko: [Impressive.]
Tokihana: [Don't go around trying to flatter me, I'll kill you.]
Just as she said that, Sachiko touched the floor.
Sachiko: [I bestow this floor the properties of unstable rubber from where Tokihana stands.]
Tokihana fell, unable to adapt to the new terrain.
Tokihana thought to herself: This is bad... no, horrible. I can't adapt—
Just as she thought that, Sachiko was already in front of her. It seemed all was lost—but her brother's name meant "wings," and tonight he would take off for his little sister, even if his own wings had been snipped.
Tokihana: [ONII-CHAN!!!]
Tokihana looked ahead and saw her brother—the one who always tried his best to protect her, who almost worked himself to death to provide for them after their parents' passing, who had never yelled at her in frustration, who had never let her know about their financial struggles. He was being touched by Sachiko.
Sachiko: [I bestow upon you... Necrotizing Fasciitis.]
Her brother rolled over to her. His face began to melt, skin peeling, boiling, until eventually only his skull remained visible to Tokihana.
Sachiko walked over.
Sachiko: [I don't want to hurt you. I just wanted to show you not to mess with us. I recommend you don't join the Strikers. Allow me to gift you something.]
She gently touched Tokihana.
Sachiko: [I bestow on you a memory blocker. You shall never remember what your brother looks like.]
All Tokihana's memories of her brother began to fade, smudged to black, distorted. She could no longer see him. Without a phone or money, she would never remember his face again.
Just as that happened, Sachiko was thrown against a wall, locked in place by wood.
Tsubasa: [I'm going to take Sachiko with me, but if she doesn't die... no big brother should ever say this—but promise me you'll kill her one day.]
Tokihana: [I promise...]
Tsubasa: [I love you so very much, Tokihana...]
Tokihana began to cry, her face now scrunched up.
Tokihana: [I love you too, brother Tsubasa!]
Tsubasa: [NOW RUN!!!]
Tokihana saw her house begin to smoke. She summoned a portal from Yamashina Ward to Kyoto, just as the house was engulfed in flames.
August 5th 2024
Tokihana sat in her hotel room in Kyoto. It was all she could afford now that she was seventeen. She was working at a local café—the same one from Chapter 3. She was bored. She had no friends, no family, and she couldn't even remember what her brother looked like. She felt almost completely lost, teetering on the edge of depression. Part of her wanted to give up entirely, but she had to keep her promise to her brother.
Just as that thought crossed her mind, she heard a knock on the door.
??: [Tokihana, are you there?]
Tokihana recognized the voice—it was Megumi.
Tokihana: [Come in.]
Megumi walked in, and with her was Mamoriko.
Mamoriko: [Hey there, Tokihana. My name is Mamoriko.]
Tokihana: [Hey, Mamoriko. Um... since you already know my name, I guess I don't have much more to tell you, do I?]
Megumi: [I guess not. You can tell us how you've been, you know.]
Tokihana: [Indeed I can...]
Tokihana wiped a tear from her eye and began a brief recap of what had happened over the past eight years.
Mamoriko seemed unbothered by what she heard, but very sympathetic, placing her hands gently on Tokihana's shoulders.
Megumi, on the other hand, was visibly disturbed. Not only had Tokihana been traumatized, but it had been at the hands of one of the Saints—the very reason Megumi had formed her organization. She felt she had truly failed. Mamoriko noticed.
Mamoriko: [Megumi, don't feel bad. There was nothing you could do, alright?]
Megumi: [Ok...] she said in a hushed tone.
Megumi nodded, still clearly upset.
Mamoriko: [Well, Tokihana, I'm so sorry all of that happened to you. But I have a friend named Lucy—she's like a younger sister to me. She has a way of making miserable people's lives better, like she did for me. And what happened to...] Mamoriko paused for a moment.
Mamoriko: [Anyway, listen and depend on me, and we'll defeat the Saint of Charity and fulfill your brother's promise, got it?]
Tokihana nodded silently.
Megumi: [Well, anyway, let's get outta here. We have a few people to introduce you to.] Megumi's mood seemed lighter now.
Tokihana smiled for the first time in a long while.
Mamoriko: [Yeah, and don't get all moody on me at random times or I'm gonna beat you up, got it?] she teased.
Tokihana giggled.
Tokihana: [Yes, ma'am.] she teased back.
Present.
Lucy sat next to Tokihana, who had been bawling her eyes out as she explained her story.
Lucy: [Listen... when we kill Charity, I promise I'll gift you your brother's image back.]
Tokihana smiled faintly.
Tokihana: [Thank you, Lucy...]
Himari sat across from them, watching Tokihana intensely.
Himari: [Well, I'm glad you're okay now...]
A single tear slipped from her eye, but she quickly tried to hide it.
Himari: [That's enough company for today. Both of you should go.]
Lucy gave a small bow.
Lucy: [Thank you for having us.]
Himari: [No problem, anytime, Lucy-chan.]
Tokihana: [Yes, thank you as well.]
Tokihana opened a portal to her room, and both she and Lucy stepped through.
Himari remained seated in the same position, tears streaming down her face. That girl—always so innocent, happy, and energetic—had gone through all of that...
Himari: [Better call Megumi... she's always helpful with this type of thing. The only person I can open up to...]
Tokihana's room
Tokihana and Lucy sat next to each other on Tokihana's bed.
Tokihana: [Did you really mean that?]
Lucy: [Of course I did. I'll restore your memories of your brother's appearance, and I mean it.]
Tokihana hugged Lucy tightly.
Tokihana: [Thank you so much, Lucy-chan.]
Lucy hugged her back.
Lucy: [You're welcome, Hana-chan.]
Lucy then turned toward the door.
Lucy: [Me, Megumi, and Daikenji are going to the mall, so I gotta go get dressed properly. See you later.]
Tokihana: [Okay... see you later. I love you.]
Lucy: [I love you too.]
She shut the door and ran down the hall.
Tokihana simply stared up at her room's ceiling.
Tokihana: [Thank you so much, Lucy-chan.]