"Who is this girl, Koroki?" asks Ishio.
"Oh, sorry for not introducing myself." The guest bows her head to show respect. "My name is Yorui. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"Baby? I don't remember that being my name." Koroki's face begins to blush red out of embarrassment.
"Of course, it is. Then what was all that time we spent alone? You even made me blush. That makes you my boyfriend."
"No, it doesn't!!!"
"Boyfriend?!" Surata and Ishio's eyebrows furrow, stunned by Yorui. The lazy bone Koroki actually talks to girls? How did he manage to actually find someone as attractive as her?
"I guess we have an interesting topic to talk about later today, don't we, Koroki?" asks Ishio.
Koroki can't understand where her flirtatious behavior came from. Her attitude is different compared to when they had their first interaction. Contemplating his next move, Koroki decides to fake a laugh, twitching his way out the door. After getting one foot out the door, he sprints out, grabbing Yorui by the wrist and pulling her while slamming the door.
___
The couple continues running, street after street, until the sight of his house is gone.
"Since when am I your baby?" Koroki aggravated asks.
"Sorry, that's what I usually say to my boyfriends."
"Since when am I your boyfriend?"
"Aren't you?"
"Friend and boyfriend are not the same."
They find themselves in a low-class district close to downtown. They stop running, realizing they are far enough. Yorui's tone softens. "I've never had a male friend, so I don't know."
"Damn, that's actually sad."
Yorui pouts. "Don't make fun of me. Hey, so do you have more money?"
"I took some from Surata. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"I've got some as well." Yorui now grabs Koroki by the hand. "C'mon, let's go."
"Go where?"
"You'll see," Yorui replies, giggling as she directs Koroki.
By chance, Koroki has taken her to a district that she is very familiar with. This is an excellent place for their "date". She takes Koroki to various stores around this district. Food stands. Clothing stores. After each store, she makes Koroki carry a tremendous number of bags.
"Clothes. Food. Alcohol. How did she buy all of this? Some of these clothes don't even fit her." Koroki's nerves tick slightly, "Why do I have to carry all of this? I'm not a butler!"
She leads the way with her head tilted back, her eyes closed, trying to keep her excitement composed. Koroki is falling behind, trying to carry this massive weight from the amount of bags. They continue to explore the district as the sun dawns.
"Hey, Yorui!" A group of homeless people greets Yorui. She turns towards the group, waving happily.
"Hey, guys! I was hoping I'd find you. I have something for you guys." Yorui grabs the bags from Koroki, extending her arm to the guys. Clueless, Koroki follows along with her act. She proceeds to give them her bags. New clothes. Food. Drinks.
"So, these weren't for her. It was for them."
"Let's party!" Yorui declares.
The others cheer on in celebration. The couple begins to follow the group to a nearby playground. With rusty slides and broken swings, the playground looks like it hasn't been used in years.
They set up the area, preparing food and building a bonfire. Once ready, their party starts. Young kids feast on meat that tastes magical, middle-aged men and women try on new clothes that give off a fresh smell they have remembered in years, and the older people would drink down their problems with booze.
Yorui can't wipe away her smile, enjoying every single second. Everyone seems to be having a good time. The strangers thank her for her gratitude, cheering again for the blessings.
This isn't a coincidence, as this happens very often. Most of the money she gets, she gives back to her community—these people are like her family.
Koroki watches the joy overfilling the people from a distance. Looking at this moment, he understands Yorui's character a little.
Afterwards, they walk down the street. While talking to each other, they get confronted by a man who is familiar with her.
"Hey Yorui, lovin' the outfit."
Her smile disappears, and she looks down at the ground, avoiding eye contact. "What do you want?"
"Oh, nothing. I got myself a new set of clothing." He tries to show off his new outfit to them.
His outfit is oversized for his lanky figure. He scratches his short, spikey black hair, standing with a smug expression. The brand-new white color hasn't faded yet but is bloodstained in red. Koroki notices the large tear on the side. The man adds, "Oh, don't mind the stains on it, kid. It's just ketchup that got in it-Hehe. Hey Yorui, I noticed you have a new friend. Who is he?"
He gazes at Koroki from head to toe. Koroki lowers his clasped arms, his eyebrows lowering closer together. After a moment of realization, he notices Koroki's pink hair and immense aura. His raspy tone becomes serious. "You look very familiar, boy."
"That's weird 'cause I don't know you." Their eyes lock in place, standing tall. The tension becomes so sharp that it could slice a falling leaf.
Seconds later, the man lowers his guard, returning to his usual self. "Oh, sorry. It appears I'm thinking of someone else." The man grins with a tight-lipped smile. "Hey, sorry to ruin your fun! If you don't mind, I'll be taking Yorui back home now."
Koroki notices the change in Yorui's face. She refuses to look at the man, avoiding eye contact. Yorui's face stumbles; the light in her eyes slowly fades away in sadness.
"Sorry, I won't interfere with family issues. I'll talk to you later, Yorui." He knows he can't involve himself with family issues since he's had his experiences. Despite that, Koroki can't shake the image of her troubled expression out of his mind, but he knows he can't do anything right now. Koroki slowly leaves the scene, glancing back at Yorui, his narrow eyes softening his expression.
___
Watching Koroki walk in the distance, the man lays his shoulder over Yorui's shoulder, teasing her. "Who's your new friend? Is he another one of your boyfriends?"
"What's it to you, Majuro?" Yorui brushes his arm off her.
Majuro chuckles excessively. "Hey, that's no way of speaking to your father. Hehe. Listen, he looks like he's living a nice life. He got food. Clothes. Shelter. So, I was thinking, let's use him next."
"No."
"I didn't ask, I'm telling you." Majuro demands. To persuade her, his eyes glow orange. "You don't need anyone but your father. Family is always first!"
Fear strikes down at Yorui. His eyes seem to pierce right through her, and she can't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her. Her heart racing, knowing what he's capable of.
Majuro begins to discipline his daughter, physically beating Yorui up. Kick after kick, Yorui curls up, struggling to protect herself. She refuses to fight back, knowing she has no chance of beating her father. Staring at his daughter covered in bruises, he stops the brutal assault.
"I won't kill you since we are family, so I'll forgive you. However, there's no next time." Majuro undoes his Noye, threatening her. "Just remember who the boss is around here. Hehe," He laughs maniacally as he walks away.
Yorui stares at his back, feeling powerless, unable to do anything.
___
Dawn breaks as night falls. The next day, Koroki is lying on the couch in deep thought, thinking about Yorui and Majuro. Her attitude changed when he came. Her sad expression. Then, he thinks back to what Ishio was telling him about the manslayer. He begins to draw connections to the report that his father had said about the killer and the helper.
"It can't be. Why would she be involved in this?" He remembers the face Yorui made before he left again. "There's no way she would do something like this of her own free will."
Time goes by, and school finishes. Heading home, with his usual weird walking, Koroki strolls through the same district where he first met Yorui. Coincidently, Koroki stumbles on Yorui. "Yo', what happened yesterday?"
Koroki notices something different. She isn't wearing the new clothes she's bought. Instead, she is wearing some oversized clothes. The clothes obviously don't fit her.
"Nothing, just… family issues."
Sensing her hesitancy, Koroki observes her closely. "Are you ok?"
"..." Yorui remains silent, her eyes averting his gaze.
"Where are the clothes you bought? I thought you liked them."
She hesitates again, "I…I sold it."
"Why?"
"It doesn't matter." Yorui gives Koroki the cold shoulder.
"You're acting different."
"No, I am not."
"Why are you being…"
The constant nagging from Koroki causes Yorui to burst, "Why are you talking to me? I didn't ask for you to help me!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Look, I was just bored. I just wanted to talk to someone, but I don't think that's possible anymore. I'm sorry."
"Alright, have it your way. It makes no difference to me."
Koroki walks away, listening to her words. Staring at Koroki as he walks away, Yorui's eyes tear up, but Koroki knows she didn't mean those words. Majuro overhears the conservation once again and approaches Yorui.
"Why'd you let him leave like that?"
"Because I didn't want to take advantage of him. I had to drive him away."
"..."
"I didn't want to use Koroki. He's a nice person, and I don't want to hurt anyone else. I'm tired of-"
Majuro slaps her across the face. "What do you mean stop? The only reason we are alive is because we use people." Majuro chuckles. "All of the killing we do is how we survive."
"Us? I don't remember liking that." Tired of her father, Yorui finally stands up for herself. "The only reason why I lured them in is because I thought this was right. You may be my dad, but I think it's time to stop."
"You think we are done? Hahaha!" Majuro creepily laughs. "We aren't even close to stopping. We won't stop until we can go back to live a normal life."
"That doesn't make it right to kill people."
Majuro's mouth opens, speechless. He tilts his head, looking down, speaking with a soft, forgiving tone. His demeanor completely changes. "I guess you're right. Let's stop this."
Yorui smiles, feeling a sense of relief, "Thank you for understandi- "
Slash.
Out of nowhere, Majuro slashes Yorui in the back, activating his Noye. The large cut causes Yorui to fall to the floor, crying over the pain. He starts to go insane and move around, laughing menacingly.
"Imagine that Hehe. My own daughter betrayed me, too. Why? Now I'm all alone." Yorui can't get the words out since the pain is the only thing on her mind. Majuro comes to a stop, his gaze fixated on Yorui, tilting his head creepily. "Hey, since you aren't family anymore-Hehe, I guess I'll just add you to the collection. Majuro stands over the injured Yorui.
"Why, Dad?! I'm sorry, Dad!" weeps Yorui.
Hearing his daughter's cry triggered something in his mind, remembering something important. His mind gets overwhelmed by reminiscing, losing his mind. Trying to fight back his thoughts, he takes his stance, aiming his weapon toward Yorui with murderous intent.
"Is Dad really going to kill me? Why? I just don't understand."
The blade falls toward her as he strikes. The powerful slash pierced the air, splitting the wind he made. But he doesn't pierce Yorui… because he hesitated at the last moment. Yorui holds her breath, looking down at the edge of the weapon, the tip barely touching her neck. One swallow and her neck would have been split open.
He regains control of his consciousness, slowly lifting his weapon. "Actually… I got an idea. I'll just go kill your new friend. Since he's the reason why you left me, I'll go pay him a visit. I followed him home, so I know where he lives." Majuro laughs again, leaving Yorui to sob alone as he heads to Koroki.
"I have to go and stop him. Koroki!" If only she had tried to stop him before, then this would've never happened. Her powerlessness is her reasoning for this to happen. Blaming herself, Yorui struggles to get up, trying to recover, hoping that everything will be okay.
___
Multiple hours have gone by as night approaches, and Koroki is returning home, holding a grocery bag filled with sweets.
"What a steal! I can't wait to enjoy these all to myself."
He walks up and grabs the doorknob. Before turning the knob, a knife is thrown from behind Koroki, aimed at his head. Instinctively, he dodges the knife but not completely, scraping his cheek. A razor-edge cut splits his skin, blood dripping from his face.
He turns around slowly, chuckling. "I suppose this is your way of playing tag… Yorui?"
Standing behind him, Yorui's Noye glimmers in the nightlight through her focused dark-green eyes, her figure wavering as she struggles to keep her balance. Limping, she grits her teeth in pain and frustration.
"You shouldn't have come home!" she spits out, her voice filled with anger and desperation.
Koroki's tone remains calm, almost casual, as he responds, "I'm not even allowed in my own house now? How do you expect to stop me… with your injuries?"
___
Meanwhile, Surata is in his room and hears noises downstairs. He knows that neither Koroki nor his father is home and doesn't hear anyone open the door. Confused, he decides to check it out. While ascending the stairs, he notices the lights in the living room are turned on.
"Anyone home? Dad?" asks Surata.
No one answers. Surata heads towards the living room… but notices someone in there. The silhouette with orange-colored eyes sits on the couch, waiting for Surata.
Who's the silhouette? Is it Ishio? Or is it someone else? What will happen to Koroki and Yorui?