Sakiko: Guys, wait for me!
Sakiko ducked behind a tree as she caught up to her twin sister and their aggravated friend, with every moment Akida's anger seemed to increase.
Akida: He's so infuriating! I only suggested the shed so I "wouldn't have to agree with him" How can someone be so full of themself?!
Tamiko: Akida, focus, we need to get inside.
Akida: I am focused! …Do you see any cameras?
Tamiko: No, they most likely rely on the soldiers stationed on the roof for intel around this area.
Akida: Then let's go; we can loop around to the back of the shed. The darkness and rain should keep us covered.
The girls danced along the edge of the forest. They pressed their backs against the shed wall, Sakiko peeking through a small window.
Sakiko: I see the tunnel entrance! But there's also a camera inside.
Akida: I'll burst in and destroy it!
Tamiko: No, I'll handle it.
Tamiko moved to the door of the shed. The camera captured the door as it slowly crept open, and two balls of ink as they flew towards its lens.
Tamiko: [Ink Manipulation - 粘 (Neba / Stick)]
Akida: Good thinking Tamiko. We'll just leave the cameras to you from now on.
Sakiko: Quick thinking Sis! You're getting better and better at using your blessing. Pretty soon you'll be stronger than Seigan!
Akida scoffed as she slowly opened the hatch to the tunnels, she motioned to the twins as she took her first step in.
Akida: This first hall is clear. You two can come down.
Tamiko: Akida, I would like to revisit the conversation we had in the bath when we first arrived on the island.
Akida glided against the wall, stopping as they arrived at a turn. She slowly glanced around the bend, scanning the hallway.
Tamiko: Akida –
Akida: I heard you. We already know that Siana isn't a hitwoman, now stop bugging me and paint that camera over there.
Tamiko: You know that's not what I'm referring to.
Tamiko leaped out from around the corner and launched a glob of ink at the camera, on impact the ink latched on. Tamiko turned back around, stepping in front of her slightly annoyed friend.
Tamiko: Why do you and Seigan Atasa harbor such hatred for each other?
After scanning Tamiko's calm face for a few seconds, Akida could tell the motivation behind Tamiko's pestering. She wasn't like Sakiko, who would ask out of concern for something like the squad's dynamic…Tamiko was asking out of pure curiosity.
Sakiko: I'd like to know too! You dislike a lot of people, but you genuinely hate him! It's so weird!
Akida: Fine…But keep moving while you listen. Okay?!
Tamiko & Sakiko: Okay.
A sigh of annoyance was let out right before Akida's eyes drifted off into the past. Back to her time in junior high.
—6 Years Ago—
Akida (Present): Back in middle school I was one of the top students, I had the most academic awards in our year.
Twelve-year-old Akida Mizuza raced through the front door of her house. She raced upstairs tossing her bag on her bed before racing back downstairs to her kitchen, where her father was preparing her after-school snack.
Akida (Past): Dad look! I got a trophy for doing good in the school spelling bee!
Akida's Father: Very good my little strawberry, you're a proud example of what a Mizuza should be.
Akida (Present): Obviously, Most of them were first place.
Akida's Father: …Akida?
Akida (Past): Yes, Dad?
Akida's Father: This trophy says second place…
Akida (Present): But not all of them…
Akida's Father: Who placed first?
The school bell rang as Akida angrily stomped down the hallway in her middle school uniform. Her friend Karin lightly tugged on her bag.
Karin: Morning Akida! What's got you so angry?
Akida (Past): I can't believe I got second in the competition. My parents are breathing down my neck.
Karin: Tell your parents to cut you some slack, it's just one second-place award and they do know who got first right?
Akida (Past): Ughh, don't remind me.
The girls placed their bags on their desks, both of them pulling out a pencil and a notebook for class.
The classroom door calmly slid open, everybody turned their heads to see which one of their classmates had arrived.
Seigan (Past): Hey guys!
Class: Hey Seigan!
Juzi: Yo Seigan! Nice job at the spelling bee yesterday man!
Seigan (Past): Thanks, luckily I got a bunch of easy words.
Fukuyo: Seigan, can you help me with the homework? I still don't get it.
Seigan (Past): Yeah no problem.
Nakata: Seigan, the basketball team is missing a couple of people for practice this afternoon, can you help us out?
Seigan (Past): Not sure if I'll be much help, but I'll be there!
Akida (Present): Don't get me wrong, Seigan wasn't exactly Mr. Popular, that has everyone worshipping the ground he walks on. He was just friendly and his name was always at least top three of any ranked test we had.
Seigan (Past): Hey Karin, Hey Akida. Good morning.
Karin: Good morning Seigan. Nice job at the spelling bee.
Seigan (Past): Thanks! Speaking of the spelling bee, Akida you were really close even though the judges seemed to have it out for you since round one.
A hand extended out to Akida.
Seigan (Past): It was close!
Akida stood, pushing in her chair to stand directly in front of Seigan. She returned the handshake, both of them grinning.
Karin: Love to see the sportsmanship between first and second place.
Akida (Past): [This isn't real sportsmanship, even though he's smiling what he's really thinking is…]
Seigan (Past): [In your face Akida! You beat me last year and now I've got you back! It really was close though…]
Akida (Present): Regardless of how insignificant or short the test was, we had to compete with each other. We were fierce rivals!
Mr.Wakiya: Highest score…Congratulations…Akida Mizuza!
Seigan (Past): Damn it!
Akida (Past): Haha! Eat it!
Akida (Present): But we were also friends…
Seigan took a seat next to Akida, during the lunch break, loosely holding a paper they had completed earlier in the day.
Seigan (Past): Help me out on number five. It took me way longer than usual to understand.
Akida (Past): You're definitely just overthinking it.
Akida picked up a pencil and began to circle and underline things.
Akida (Present): He would occasionally take first place from me every once in a while throughout our first and second years, but during our third year of junior high…The gap shrank.
Akida paced back and forth in her bedroom.
Akida (Past): [Seigan's been scoring higher than me more and more recently! Even if he scores lower it's by at most two questions!]
Akida (Present): I had always been the type to study the material so that I could understand it better than the rest of my class.
Akida's Father: I don't understand! What's with all these second-place rankings?! Akida, do I need to tell your mother about this?!
Akida (Past): NO! Don't tell Mom, I'll…I'll bring home first place next time I swear!
Akida's Father: Let's hope so…
—Two Weeks Later—
The door handle's soft click echoed through the bedroom as Akida entered. Her mother sat by the window, eyes watching the clouds slowly pass by.
Akida's Mother: Your father told me that two weeks ago you swore that you'd get first place "Next time" is that what you said?
Akida (Past): yes…
Akida's Mother: Akida…I can't hear you.
Akida (Past): Yes Mother! I did say that!
Akida's Mother: Where did you rank in the test you took earlier this week?
Akida (Past): …second…
Akida's Mother: You must've picked up this whispering habit at school, speak up Akida.
Akida (Past): I placed second.
Akida's Mother: Interesting, that doesn't sound like first to me, does it honey?
Akida's Father: It does not.
Akida's Mother: I thought so too. Akida, when is your next test?
Akida (Past): Three weeks from now…
Akida's Mother: Dear, when is parent visitation day for Kaigaku Middle School?
Akida's Father: That's…also three weeks from now.
Akida's Mother: Excellent. We'll see what's hindering your progress firsthand.
Akida (Present): The next three weeks were torture, every sunrise was another tick towards my doomsday, when the day finally arrived I didn't want to get out of bed.
Sakiko: Why not ask Seigan to let you have it? He's a nice guy.
Tamiko: You know she's too prideful for that.
Akida (Present): Exactly…Now stop interrupting, anyway on the day of the test…
Mr.Wakiya: As always students keep your eyes on your own test and no talking, parents I ask that you all silently observe from the back of the class.
Sweat ran down Akida's face as she answered each question, her mother's gaze from the back of the classroom was intense and got worse with each passing minute, as if she were trying to burn a hole in the back of her daughter's skull.
Akida (Past): [I feel like I'm going to melt. But it should be fine as long as I can finish before him…]
She looked to the other side of the classroom, the boy she was so concerned about was already looking into space daydreaming.
Akida (Past): [Is he already done?! I just got to the final page! No, I'm fine, just because he finished first doesn't mean he got everything correct.]
Another hour passed. Although Akida finished not long after Seigan did, that didn't calm her rapid heartbeat.
Mr.Wakiya: Good job class! These were the highest scores of the year for some of you, but let's move on to what we're all waiting for…The top score!
Akida (Past): [Please, please, please.]
Mr.Wakiya: Congratulations…
Akida (Past): [PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.]
Mr.Wakiya: Akida Mizuza and Seigan Atasa!
Akida (Past): Wait, what?
Mr.Wakiya: Another tie for you two, very impressive.
Akida (Past): A tie…
It felt as if time had slowed when Akida began to turn her head, when her gaze finally landed on her mother's face, her expression was…unreadable.
Seigan (Past): Haha! Mom I got the top score, that means dinner tonight is my choice.
Akida (Present): You could easily pick out Seigan's mother in a crowded room. They didn't look very similar, Seigan's skin was darker and his mom had wild hair that was dyed blond. But they both had that confident smirk, the resemblance was almost scary.
Seigan's Mother: I don't remember agreeing to that…You sure it was me?
Seigan (Past): Don't chicken out now!
Seigan's Mother: Fine, fine. Go buy what you want from the grocery store after you're done.
Seigan (Past): Yes!
Akida's lip quivered as she turned her attention back to her own mother, the blank expression on her face slowly turned to a calm smile as she watched Seigan and his mother. She dusted herself off as they approached them.
Akida (Past): Oh, no…
Akida's Mother: Hello there, you're Seigan?
Seigan (Past): Yeah, judging by your hair color, you're Akida's mom.
Akida's Mother: Correct you are. I simply wanted to congratulate you on the top score, it's not every day Akida has competition from someone like you.
Seigan (Past): Right…T-Thank you. I'm going to congratulate Akida. Mom keep her company till I get back.
Akida (Present): I couldn't hear the conversation between our mothers, partially because of all the other students and parents, but also admittedly because Seigan and I realized we got a question wrong and were trying to solve it.
Sakiko: What'd your mom say about you and Seigan getting equal scores?
Akida (Present): Nothing, she told me she was satisfied when I got home. Actually, both of my parents chilled out about my testing for the rest of middle school, they said as long as I was in the top three then it was acceptable.
Tamiko: So the issue with Seigan must've started when you reached high school.
Akida (Present): Right. It was around two weeks before I first met you guys…
The sun was high in the sky and the laughter of students filled the air as Akida approached the school, bag swinging by her waist. Her expression was calm— but it quickly changed when she saw Seigan walking to the side of the building.
Akida (Past): Hey Seigan!
She tucked her bag under her arm and raced to catch her classmate. The sun hid behind a cloud as she bent the corner, and there he was. His uniform was wrinkled and his hair was a mess, he wasn't even carrying a school bag. He answered her without turning around.
Seigan (Past): What?
Akida (Past): Where have you been? This is the first time I've seen you in weeks, don't you care about your grades?!
Seigan (Past): Who cares, the world won't stop spinning if I miss a class or two.
Akida (Past): This isn't a joke, Seigan. You keep this up and you'll get expelled.
Seigan (Past): At least then I won't have to worry about you and all the teachers annoying me to death.
Akida (Past): Don't act like that. You used to work hard, don't pretend you didn't!
Seigan (Past): No, you worked hard. I just happened to keep up.
Akida (Past): What's with ya?! Did something happen? Maybe I can help.
Seigan (Past): You can't and things change.
Akida (Past): Let me try.
A calm breeze rushed in as Seigan finally turned to face her. His eyes looked empty, and the smirk he wore didn't have the usual confidence.
Seigan (Past): Haha. You really think everything's about you, huh?
Akida (Past): W–What? Whatcha trying to say?
Seigan (Past): It means Akida, that you can't make everything better, we don't live in some magical world where if you're not happy the world will change for you.
The tone in his voice gave Akida chills, she folded her arms, hoping they would shield her heart from any more attacks.
Akida (Past): Who do you think you are! I never said any of that, I just want my friend back!
Seigan (Past): We're not friends, you just wanted to make sure someone was still chasing your shadow.
Akida's heart dropped, she wasn't sure if it was because the words hurt her or because they were the truth.
Akida (Past): …I don't even know who you are anymore.
Seigan (Past): That's probably for the best. See you around…Mizuza.
Akida (Past): What a waste of potential.
She walked away, her footsteps disappearing around the corner. Seigan knelt staring at the dirt with glossy eyes.
Seigan (Past): I know…
Akida let out a sigh once more as her mind returned, Tamiko splashed ink over another camera.
Akida: Like I said, not that interesting of a story.
Sakiko ran up and hugged her friend, she buried her face in Akida's back as the tears flowed.
Sakiko: That was so sad! You just wanted your friend back!
Akida: Sakiko let me go, you're getting snot on me!
Tamiko: Did you ever figure out why he started acting the way he did?
Akida: Nope, that was the last conversation we had up until all…this started.
Tamiko: And you're not the least bit curious?
Akida: Honestly, no I'm not. As far as I'm concerned, the boy who used to score higher than me on tests, and the boy who has sound powers are two different people. Now, focus on this mission.
Sakiko: Let's go this way.
Sakiko pointed to a path branching off to their left. Faint noise could be heard further down.
Akida: Sakiko, we don't know what's down here, we can't just walk down any path freely.
Tamiko crouched down analyzing the floor of the tunnels, she narrowed her eyes.
Tamiko: I agree with Akida, we need to be careful, this is enemy territory and these footsteps are fairly recent.
Akida: She's already gone.
Tamiko: Of course.
The two girls check their surroundings once more before ducking into the tunnel after Sakiko. They found the younger twin standing still at the end of the path, eyes glued to the back wall.
Tamiko: Sister, please don't disappear like that.
Sakiko: S-Sorry, won't happen again.
Akida: Haha, you gave up just like that? What's up with…you…?
The wall that Sakiko had her eyes locked on wasn't a wall at all, it was a cell. One single cell holding all of White Veil's prisoners, the stench of the cell hit them just as the prisoners themselves started to take notice.
Prisoner 1 (English): Help us!
Prisoner 4 (Spanish): Get me out of here!
Prisoner 11 (French): Please just help my son!
All the prisoners bombarded the three girls with requests, some of them climbing over the others to make sure their voice was heard.
Sakiko: Hey let's all calm down…
Sakiko's words were easily drowned out, each time the prisoners went unanswered they grew louder.
Sakiko: All of you just—
Akida: All of you shut it!
The prisoners quickly fell silent, not because they understood what Akida said, but because she said it while aiming a Uzi submachine gun at them.
Sakiko: Whoa Akida, that's a bit too aggressive, right Tamiko?
Tamiko: It's an effective tactic.
Akida: Exactly. Now, do any of you speak Japanese?
??: I–I do.
A blond-haired, green-eyed man stepped forward from the back of the giant cell. His clothes were torn and he had no shoes.
Akida: Great, what's your name mister?
??: My name's Lance.
Akida: Okay Lance, let me start by saying we're here to help you, but we do have a couple questions.
Lance: A–Alright, I'll do the best I can to help.
Akida: Tamiko?
Tamiko: What's the total guard count for this mansion?
Lance: We don't know, only certain guards come down here, the highest number we've heard is twenty-seven.
Akida: Those guys in the woods called each other thirty and thirty-one.
Sakiko: That means there could be way more guards that we don't know about…
Lance: The guards operate in shifts! Some of them sleep while the others do the work.
Tamiko: That's good to know. Do you know where they sleep?
Lance turned to the other prisoners, switching his words to English. After an exchange of words between all the prisoners, he turned back to the three girls outside his cell.
Lance: They said–
Akida: We heard, we can understand all of you, but all of you can't understand us.
Lance: Oh…well that's pretty cool.
Tamiko: Lastly, how do we unlock this cell?
Lance: The lock is over there, do you have a key?!
Tamiko: No, but I should be able to pick the lock.
Tamiko's calligraphy brush materialized out of thin air, instead of its usual large size, it appeared at the size of a pencil.
Tamiko: If I harden the bristles I should be able to…
Lance: Wait stop! If you mess with the lock it sets off an alarm.
Akida: Then does anyone have any other ideas?
Sakiko: I bet Seigan could open it.
Akida: Any ideas at all?
Lance: You should try to get the key off one of the guards.
Akida: Perfect, great idea, which one of the guards should we search for?
Lance: Guards one and two both have keys, you just have to find them.
Tamiko: Do they come down here?
Lance: I've never seen them, no.
Akida: Let's go. Lance, tell your people we'll be back.
Lance: Good luck.
The trio moved back to the main tunnel, moving slowly.
Akida: Based on what the hostages were saying, we should be coming up on the main area of the tunnels.
The pathway opened up just as they were told, the ground went from dirt to stone and the air smelled fresh again. The open area had decorations you'd find in a hunter's cabin, with animal skin rugs under the couches, and taxidermy mounts lined the walls.
Tamiko: Looks clear.
The group moved further into the open space, the lighting was better but there still wasn't much visibility. The three girls stood together looking at the split path in front of them.
Akida: They said that left should take us down to the barracks and right leads to a staircase that'll take us up to the mansion.
Tamiko: Hang on…Hide!
The twins dove behind the two couches, and Akida retreated towards the hallway they came from. As she slipped around the corner four guards stepped into the poorly lit room.
Guard #6: Where's the camera at?
Guard #4: There's no camera in this room, this is where the boss…brings his woman.
Guard #6: The hell? There's no bed in this room.
Guard #4: Don't remind me.
Guard #13: We should focus up, What if there's actually an intruder?
The other guards exchanged glances, and laughter filled the room.
Guard #5: I forgot you usually patrol the town, no sane person would break in here.
Guard #13: Even so, protocol says we should sweep the room.
Guard #6: Geez, fine kid. If it'll stop all that squawking we'll sweep the room. Spread out!
The four soldiers primed their rifles, two of them had flashlights attached to theirs. Their pace was slow but anyone could see that they all had experience.
Tamiko: [Two coming up on my left, one heading towards Akida, and the last one is on Kiko's right. So the best move here is…]
Yet another ball of ink formed in the older twin's hands, this one was twice as large as the one she had been using to block the cameras. Once it was ready she quickly tossed it at the opposite wall, it zipped by one of the guard's heads.
Guard #4: The hell was that?!
The ball made impact with the wall and began to bounce all over the room, seemingly gaining speed. All four soldiers had their weapons trained on it.
Guard #5: What is it?!
Guard #13: Some kind of bug?
Guard #6: What kinda bugs do you—
A hand gripped the back of Guard #6's head, he let out a loud grunt as his head met the stone floor. As guards #4 and #5 turned their heads Tamiko lept over the couch she was using as cover. She summoned her brush, using it to launch one guard into the other, they both went limp as the force carried them into the wall, a taxidermy deer head landing on top of them.
Guard #13's hands were shaking as he turned his rifle towards Tamiko. Sakiko moved from behind her couch delivering a leg sweep to her unsuspecting enemy. She readied herself to deliver another kick.
Guard #13: Wait! Please! I have a family!
The guard's shaky hands moved to the locket hanging around his neck, he opened it up to reveal a family portrait. An older man and woman, a young man, and two younger boys.
Sakiko's leg slowly lowered out of the air, she scanned the photo and the man's expression repeatedly.
The guard quickly grabbed the radio attached to his waist.
Guard #13: CODE BLACK! CODE BLACK! INTRUDERS IN THE BUILDING! INTRUDERS IN THE—
The man was cut short as Tamiko's brush smashed his head into the stone floor.
Suddenly every corner of the room was lit by flashing red light, a blaring alarm was coming from the pathway to the mansion, every few seconds the faint sound of gunshots rang out, from the path leading towards the barracks yelling and the marching of boots could be heard.
Akida: Sakiko, What was that?!
Sakiko: I couldn't move, I'm sorry! I'm Sorry!
Akida: We don't have time, up the stairs Tamiko throws some ink behind us to slow the guards from the barracks.
Tamiko: On it.
The sounds from the mansion rapidly got louder as the girls ran up the stairs, Tamiko covered their tracks with slippery ink. Sakiko pushed open the main door to the mansion and came face to face with a guard's rifle barrel.
Guard #24: Intruders spotted!