Katawa Yandere - The Entire Lilly Route - Parts 25-27

Part 25
Arm in arm, you and Akira happily stride back into the infirmary wing.
Casting about with your perceptions, you detect nothing out of the ordinary: doctors going about their impersonal checkups, nurses shuffling back and forth, most of them ditching their workloads…
Comparing it to the prior excitement of your lovely day, you come to a realization.
“Huh, you’re right.” You emote.
“Hm?” Your sister replies.
You smile at her. “It really 'is' boring as a rule.”
Together, you laugh.
“Still, it’s necessary for Hisao’s well-being…” You say once the moment passes. “So peace is a rule we ‘must’ abide by.”
“Hehe. Gotcha.”
Actually, that reminds you; you’ve been having Hanako keep a watch on Hisao while you were away.
You were going to visit Hisao first and get her report later, but perhaps you should speak to her right away in the off chance something happened.
As the environment seems peaceful enough, you deem there to be no immediate threat to Hisao.
You decide you might as well hear if Hanako's subterfuge bore any fruit and head through the hallway, making a secret motion with your hand as you walk.
You enter Akira’s room with your sister and close the door the door, then-
FWOOSH. Your Lord Privy Seal phases out of her concealment.
“Lilly…” She purrs as she snuggles up against you, not bothering to wait for an exchange of greetings.
You giggle a bit. She’s so cute.
[Meanwhile]
Faced with the knight of the demonic drills, Mutou grits his teeth and prepares himself.
Laughing maniacally, Misha catapults at him, closing the space between them in the blink of an eye as her rotating drill-lance shatters the earth around it.
‘I wasn’t expecting that degree of speed….’ Is all he can muse to himself as the scientist lurches into action.
Thinking fast, Mutou reverses the vectors at his feet and flares off the earth, narrowly dodging her attack.
Then the gale of wind whirling about the lance catches and blasts him off his feet.
As Misha slides to a halt, he staggers to his feet and grimaces.
“Time to light up the night.” He raises his hand and promptly yanks it down, channeling the powers of science.
At his command, a stream of explosive gases rocket out of the sky and arc downwards upon Misha, leaving a blazing trail of flames in the air.
[End meanwhile]
"My my." You muse with a smile. "Were you noticed at all, Hanako? Are you alright?"
She gives a contented sigh as she snuggles into you. "No, I don't think so. If they did notice me, they didn't do anything about it."
You stroke her hair before sinking down to the bed.
"I'm quite relieved then." You tell her. "So did you observe anything of note?"
Akira sets about preparing some tea liqueur while Hanako rocks a bit on her feet.
“Not really. Shizune stoking his hair and his face a bit, but that’s all.”
At this, you grit your teeth a bit. A motion which does not escape her.
“Aw… Lilly… I… figured you wouldn’t mind if I let something so small go to keep hidden…” Her tone drops a few notes. “Please don’t say you’re angry… Should I have stopped her?”
[Meanwhile]
From the center of the impact crater, a massive gust blasts away the flames. Every fiery bolt was a direct hit, but Misha didn’t even try to dodge.
She didn’t need to. Her evil drills expanded and shielded her body from the devastating attack completely.
Her clothes aren’t even singed.
“WAHAHA!” She bellows as she kicks off with another lethal charge.
There’s almost no time to even recognize the threat.
Bearing down upon him, to Mutou her gleeful skipping resembles a gallop.
It’s as if gazing up upon a mounted knight bearing down upon a footsoldier.
He quickly summons up the earth about him and compresses the solid molecules to form a reinforced gem-shield.
Her lance blows through it as if paper.
It misses him only because he moved to the side as soon as he was out of her visual field.
The gust of those gyrating drills alone is enough to send him careening off, smashing into a tree several dozen meters away.
‘This isn’t good…’
[End meanwhile]
“No, it’s quite alright, Hanako.” You reply, taking her hand in yours. “Your choice was the correct one.”
She breathes a sigh of relief and arcs her body down to hug you. “Yey… I’m glad…”
Not letting go, she nuzzles against your chest. “Don’t worry, Lilly… We’ll kill that bitch eventually…”
She says it casually, in an airy tone of voice.
You smile dreamily upon hearing those words. “That we will, dear.”
Akira flops down next to you and passes out the teacups.
Taking a sip as Hanako nuzzles into you, you ponder...
[Meanwhile]
His mind blazing, Mutou changes the state of the water in the air, forming a milieu of razor-thin lenses made of ice crystals.
Misha stops and blinks as she’s suddenly viewing over a hundred distorted images of the real Mutou.
“You should have stayed awake when we covered thin-lens equations, Misha.” He remarks from… somewhere.
She stays quiet for a moment, then perks back up. “WAHAHA! Ok! How about I just pick all the answers?”
She raises one of her spiraling drills – which suddenly emits a hail of unholy hair-glitter-sparkles as darts.
"WAHAHA!" She laughs. This was no way to fight her Gae Drills.
The legend of Misha’s powers is already a well-known one. From the ritual holy weapon of ancient Germania; to Gungnir, the spear of Odin; to the demonic weapon Gae Bolg of Cú Chulainn; there had been an archetypal legend in European legend of an insidious mystic spear.
And as it progressed through the ages, whenever it showed up later in history, its powers had increased.
The spear of the ancient German gods had the power to “always kill”.
The lance Gungnir had the power to “Always kill and never miss”.
And most recently, the demonic weapon of Cú Chulainn had both aforementioned powers, as well as the ability to “strike down many at once”.
This is the same weapon which Misha inherited and nurtured. And it’s this power which she now invokes.
Every one of Mutou’s illusions is skewered.
He himself narrowly catches a dart to the arm as he hurls himself away.
Wirling about in a spiral of blood, he smacks into the ground, making a pained hissing sound as a fresh red stream pours out onto the earth.
With at least three cracked ribs, a gash to his head, and now a deep puncture wound to the arm from a dart he suspects was poisoned, he can barely stagger to his feet again.
[End meanwhile]
“So how’s Misha?” You ask calmly, nursing your drink.
Hanako hums as she thinks.
After a moment, she summarizes. “Well, the three of them played Risk together and she seemed rather happy from that.”
A pause, then. “And when Hisao went to sleep, she stayed with him for a while. She left the room just a bit to get back.”
“Why?” You inquire.
“No idea.”
You shrug. “Probably to go grab some dinner.”
Misha wasn’t sent against you and Hisao’s stable, so that’s really all that matters.
[Meanwhile]
With a final monstrous lunge of those mighty leg muscles, Misha brings herself in on her opponent in the space of an instant.
Lacking the necessary stamina to dodge anymore, Mutou grits his teeth and invokes the power of math.
In response to his insidious calculations, the armor of vector change envelops his body as the evil lance hurdles in.
SPLAT.
Mutou’s chest explodes outwards in a fountain of blood.
His expression as he falls back is one of mild surprise. The hydraulic shock of having his heart blown out killing him before he even felt any pain.
The teacher’s failing was that he was a scientist and not a historian. Although his thinking was correct from a scientific point of view, it had not accounted for the power of the cursed lance.
In this universe, at least, effect follows cause. He had used his formidable science to reverse the vector of Misha’s thrust.
But Gae Bolg was a weapon which inverted the laws of cause and effect. It started out with the conclusion of the enemy’s heart being pierced and warped reality to create an explanation for it.
When Mutou reflected the attack’s vector, it had simply pierced his heart from the opposite side.
The limp body of Misha’s former instructor unceremoniously smacks the ground with a wet packing sound.
She shrugs. “Ok! Shicchan should be happy with this!”
And with that, she merrily skips off.
[End meanwhile]
Smiling pleasantly, you take a sip of your tea.
“So Akira?” You ask. “Do you still feel that Misha might be assuaged?”
“Of course.” Your sister replies, breaking out another regal liquor bottle. “Shizune’s had a long time to work on her, but of course that also means she’s been feeling neglected for more than a bit. She can easily be made to step aside, if not outright recruited.”
“You think?”
“All she needs is a little hope and some encouragement.”
You nod. It’s sound reasoning.
After waiting for Hanako to finish her drink, you rise and straighten your clothes. “So then? Shall we go pay our respects to Hisao?”
Hanako giggles. “Ok…”
Akira stretches. “Eh, count me out for right now. I’ll meet up with you two in a little.” She laughs. “And I’ll bring a nice ‘get-well’ present.”
Knowing what you do of Akira’s presents…
You giggle at the proposition and smile in your sister’s direction. “By all means, Akira, we’ll be waiting.”
Taking Hanako’s arm, you let yourself be led out of the room.
You make your way to Hisao’s room and enter.
“Hisao? I’m back.” You call in sweetly, your expression an earnest smile.
A slight groaning followed by a series of ear-shattering angry snapping sounds are what greet you.
You glare in the direction of the snapping, trying to force-choke Shizune somehow. Then-
“Lilly…” Hanako whispers. “Hisao’s asleep.”
“Oh…”
[Meanwhile]
Misha steps along the path back to the infirmary, cradling several boxes of takeout food.
Suddenly, she comes to a stop, staring at a golden figure before her, heading the opposite direction.
“Hi Akira!” She calls with a broad smile, almost dropping the stack with her automatic impulse to wave.
Not surprised at all, Akira waves from the wrist. “Hey, hey!” She comes closer. “How’re you doing, Misha?”
She sighs and makes a weary expression. “Shicchan’s been having me run errands for her, but I don’t mind.”
The King of Spirits makes a motion as if to pat her head, but stops midway, perhaps having some premonition that this isn’t a good idea.
“You know…” Akira replies, taking a couple swaggering steps to the side. “There’s a school of medicinal philosophy which says a disease is its symptoms rather than its cause.”
Misha raises an eyebrow at this rather random comment. “Huh?”
“But on the flipside, that can make treatment rather easy.” She turns and the two share a moment of eye contact. “You seem… ‘unhappy’, Misha.” There’s a small glint in the golden servant’s eyes. “Can you treat that symptom?”
[End meanwhile]
You pull up a seat next to Hisao, trying not to think about the searing waves of hatred being broadcast at you by the deaf one.
Hanako doesn't pull up a seat at all and instead just plops down on your lap and rests against you.
You breathe a contented sigh and focus in on Hisao's breathing.
It's such a calming sound...
You'd like to listen to his chest, but you doubt he'd approve of that...
Shizune remains seated next to Hisao, definitely closer than you’d like, but unfortunately you can’t kill anyone with Hisao in the room.
After a while, you shut out the feeling and sit there, listening to the melodious rhythm…
BANG.
The door is blasted open as if by a battering ram.
The only one who doesn’t lurch forward in surprise is Shizune.
“Hi HICCHAN!” Misha calls in as she enters.
“Wha?” Hisao calls groggily, having fairly obviously been awakened by the Misha-alarm. “Oh!” He takes note of you all. “Sorry, I must have dosed off…”
“All good, Hicchan. You’re supposed to be resting.” She says, placing a stack of something decent-smelling onto the table.
“Oh, welcome back to us, Hisao.” You say, placing your hand on his. “Did you sleep well?”
He yawns loudly, and then chuckles. “I guess so, good morning, all.”
“WAHAHA! Hicchan, it’s dinnertime!” Misha remarks, tossing a takeout box on his lap.
He shrugs. “Food is food.”
Misha passes one box to you also. “Here you two go!”
Together, you all take your meal in a harmonious silence.
After a little, Misha speaks up in an odd soft tone of voice. “Oh, and by the way Hicchan… you won’t have to worry about making up your work, class is canceled.”
“Huh?” He remarks. “Well, that’s good, I guess. Why?”
“Oh… teacher had an accident…”
The room falls back into a state of stillness for a moment, then-
“Mutou? What happened?”
“Some kind of heart trouble.”
“Is he… alright?”
“I’m afraid not, Hicchan.”
Hisao falls still.
You don’t even need eyesight to tell you how hard that hit him.
“Really? What happened, Misha?” You ask, curious.
“Oh, I really don’t know much… Just that he had something happen to him after class today.” Misha replies a bit gloomily.
“Where?” You inquire.
“I think in the wooded part of the school grounds? Wahaha.”
“The woods…” Hisao cuts in before giving a dry, joyless chuckle. “Talk about déjà vu.”
“Hisao…” You say, giving his hand a squeeze.
He doesn’t reply, then suddenly, he gives a confused noise. “Huh?”
You’re curious what it is as well and strain your hearing, but don’t detect anything noteworthy.
After a second, you pick up a series of swishing sounds and deduce what it is. Shizune’s signing something rather quickly to him, hands cutting through the air.
It’s weird that Misha isn’t translating…
“Hisao?” You ask.
“Oh… yeah…” He answers almost automatically, turning his head back to you after signing something back to Shizune.
“Um… sorry, Lilly…” He says in a dazed, but earnest tone of voice.
Having finished his signing, he rests his hand on yours.
“What’s on your mind, Hisao?” You ask, enjoying his grip on your hand, but not letting it show.
“Just… Thinking…” He chuckles. “Mutou always seemed to at least have an idea about what I should do with myself, at least.”
A pause as he thinks, but then after a few slow seconds, he gives your hand a squeeze.
“But, well, he wasn’t anywhere near as good at that as you.”
You flush and your voice catches in your throat. A hint of deaf rage can be felt in the air.
“And you’re still here, so I think I can manage.”
You giggle and place your other hand on his. “That’s the spirit, Hisao.”
The atmosphere livens a bit after that. The subject isn’t approached again by any party.
You and Hanako don’t bother returning to Akira’s room that night, being sure to stay at his side until you’re sure he’s asleep.
Only then, with your hand on your needler in the event on an ambush, do you let yourself drift off.
[Later]
At a pond behind the infirmary, Hisao is standing in his hospital robes, having slipped from his room after awakening in the early morning.
He stares out at the surface of the water with a flat expression.
In this state, a noise behind him catches his attention.
“Hello?” He calls without bothering to turn.
No response, but the noise approaches.
After a moment, he finally turns to find Shizune standing before him.
“Oh.” He exclaims before remembering he needs to sign it. [Couldn’t sleep either?]
[I’m not the one who needs it.] She states with a matter-of-fact expression.
He chuckles. [Oh. I guess I’m not in a sleeping mood.]
[That’s no good.] She signs back. [You’ll never be back on your feet if you stymie your recovery.]
He stares at her for a minute and then looks down with a wry smirk. [You really can just keep moving forward, can’t you?]
She tilts her head and gives a slight smile. [Of course. What other direction is there?]
He laughs at this, then sighs fondly. [I always did like that aspect of you.]
Shizune lifts a hand to her mouth and gives a catlike grin [I know.]
Hisao returns a confused expression, seemingly not knowing how to respond to that, so he just remains still. As does she.
After a moment, Shizune lifts her hand up and grabs Hisao’s collar.
She rises up to her toes to even out the height difference and cranes her chin forward…

=========================================================================================================================

Part 26
Your senses take in the pleasant sensation of a breeze through an open window as you awaken the next morning.
Amongst the other sounds, Misha’s snoring is quite audible.
And Hanako never moved from her position clinging onto you.
So they’re both accounted for.
“Hisao?” You call softly in the chance he’s still sleeping.
No reply.
Hardly unexpected as you confirm it’s still fairly early. You might be sleeping as well normally, but you have a feeling that today might be a busy one.
And more so with the festival tomorrow. You’ll need to prepare for that.
Hanako remains draped over you in slumber, so prying yourself loose takes a moment as you disentangle her arms while being as gentle as possible so you don’t wake her.
Casting about as you rise, you realize you can’t detect Hisao’s breathing rhythm, though it’s possibly masked by Misha’s snoring.
“Hisao?” You repeat as you feel his bed.
It’s unmade, but he himself is absent.
You furrow your brow a bit.
Odd.
You head down the hallway and enter Akira’s chambers.
“Akira?” You call as you enter.
“Heya! Good morning, Lilly.” She replies in a cheerful manner from the direction of the window.
She rises and cross the room to embrace you before placing something in your hand.
“Hm?” It’s an urn of some sort.
“Coffee liqueur. The very best. I figured Hisao might like it since you mentioned he was a coffee drinker.”
You giggle. How oddly thoughtful. Although that reminds you…
“Akira, Hisao wasn’t in his room when I awoke.” You say, trying to keep your tone from sounding unreasonably worried. “Could you help me look for him?”
“Hehe. Of course.” She says merrily.
Your sister stoops to her briefcase and withdraws an object similar in form to your needler, although much longer. A cylindrical weapon… a sword which is not a sword.
“Okie dokie.” She says, slinging it up to her shoulder. “Let’s go.”
You nod with a smile and produce your needler.
Together, the Satou sisters exit into the hallway, ready for battle if there’s one to be had.
Now where to look for Hisao…
There’s the library, of course, but there’s no way he would have done something as stupid as trying to make it all the way there… is there?
On a less worrisome note, he might have just stepped out to get some breakfast. He may have gone for a walk.
Where to look…
“Hehe. So where to first, sis?” Akira asks.
“Hm… Let’s check about the grounds first, he may have just gone for a walk. After all, it’s fairly pretty around here in the mornings.”
“Huh?” Akira asks as she follows you. “And how do you know that, now?”
You sigh. “Back when I was using the Rinsword, I could smell colors and shapes on the breeze.”
It’s a bit mournful that the weapon had to be evil…
Why do possessed swords always work like that?
Akira seemingly picks up on the downer-note and changes the subject. “So, it’s a summer festival tomorrow. You ready?”
Is she talking about your plan to confront Shizune?
“What do you mean?” You ask, taking her free arm.
“Well, do you have a yukata? Are you gonna wear one?”
Oh…
“Oh!” You exclaim at your sister’s question. “I don’t have one actually. Um…”
You lean against her arm. “Could you… please help me get one on short notice?”
You’re certain that Hisao might like to see you in it.
“Hm…” Akira hums as you walk the grounds together. “I might be able to come up with something suitable… Do you mind if I cannibalize that medieval thing of yours?”
“Hm? Oh, no, of course not. Do whatever you need.”
Your sister laughs gaily and quickly winds down to a chuckle before replying. “Ahaha… Aw… a move to impress huh? Okie Dokie. I’ll commandeer your school’s home economics classes today to make the arrangements.”
You beam and cuddles against her. “Thanks, Akira.”
She strokes your hair. “I’m not one for the ‘regal’ thing. That’s all you.”
You smile and turn your thoughts back to Hisao…
What if he’s had another attack?
What is that deaf bitch did something?
What if he’s-
“Oh, hey you two!”
Right in front of you.
Approaching the pond behind the infirmary, you detect Hisao’s voice and breathe a barely audible sigh of relief.
You wish he wouldn’t wander off like that… Once you claim your rightful place as the British monarch, you’ll need to set up another branch of the spy network…
“Huh. You look tired, Hisao.” Akira breaks you from your train of thought as you halt near him.
“Oh… I couldn’t sleep.” He replies.
Oh?” You say in a mildly concerned tone as you let go of your sister’s arm and snuggle against Hisao’s. “Is something the matter? How are you feeling?”
“Oh… I…” He sighs. “Nothing major, my heart’s been fine. I guess it was all the hospital drugs…”
A pause, then he continues. “Also, I kept thinking about Mutou a bit… And Emi, too…” He shakes his head, pondering his fallen friends. “Life… really is fleeting, isn’t it?”
There’s a small period of reflective silence.
Then, without warning, Hisao puts his other arm around you in a light embrace. “You’re staying, right?”
You flush wildly, but thankfully, you don’t think he sees it.
You nuzzle against him slightly and purr. “Of course, I’m staying right here with you.”
Forever and ever and ever…
That thought repeats in your mind as a crazed grin creeps across your face.
He laughs fondly. “Good.”
“So Hisao?” You ask, not letting go of his chest.
You like it there.
“Do you have any plans for the festival tomorrow?”
“Oh…” He replies. “Well, Shizune asked if I’d accompany her…”
Rage unlike anything you thought possible floods your mind.
“But apart from that, no.”
You use all your regal self-control to keep your voice calm and collected. “Ah, well, you can still spend some time with me, right?”
You release him and tilt your head with a smile. “After all, I need to show you my Yukata, don’t I?”
Hisao remains silent for a moment, then replies. “As if I would ‘ever’ miss that.”
The three of you share a laugh as you pray Akira comes up with something good for your wardrobe…
She’s actually the one to speak first after the tense moment ends.
“Oh, by the way Hisao. If you need a pick-me-up, here.”
She passes him the flask of coffee liqueur and he takes a sip before making a surprised exclamatory noise. “Mmm.. Wow…” He takes another sip. “Where’d you get this?”
Your sister gives a nervous giggle. “Ehehe… Don’t ask unnecessary questions.”
In a surprising move, she walks over and takes Hisao’s arm herself.
“I’ll keep an eye on Hisao for today, sis.” She tells you. “Hanako said she had something to discuss with you.”
What? When did they speak?
Well, it’s not as if you can discuss ‘those’ kinds of activities with Hisao present anyways.
She laughs and tugs his ahoge a little. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep him safe.”
It’s true that Akira, above all others, is someone you trust, and if anyone should be able to keep him safe from StuCo, it’d be your sister.
Still, the prospect of handing Hisao over…
It’s no cause for concern, you trust your sister.
After all, you don’t get any sort of malicious vibes from her and after everything she’s done for you, it makes no sense to betray you now.
You smile. “My, my. Be sure to be gentle with him, Akira. He ‘is’ still recovering, after all.”
She laughs. “Roger that!”
Akira take’s Hisao’s arm in hers and the two walk off at a relaxed pace, chatting casually.
“So whatever happened to that porcelain tea set, Hisao?” Akira asks.
“Huh? I thought you took it off me.”
“No. You don’t still have it?”
“No.”
“Huh…” The two of them make a pensive noise together.
You sigh fondly and head back into the infirmary.
Time to recruit your Lord Privy Seal for your preparations today…
[Meanwhile]
Having finally awakened, but not completely, a groggy Misha is shuffling about the festival grounds for tomorrow.
She stops and reviews some instructions from a piece of paper before withdrawing a strange card, seemingly printed on a thin slab of human bone.
She raises an eyebrow looking at the sticky-note her not-girlfriend attached to it.
“’I am da bone of my sword’ Wha?” She crosses her arms and pouts a bit. “Sheesh, shicchan, you know my English isn’t that good…”
It doesn’t matter, for a pre-prepared ritual, the incantation is enough.
She sighs and places the card on the ground next to one of the booths.
Satisfied, she reviews her instructions and shuffles off to the next site, beginning to break into a skip as she awakens more fully.
[End meanwhile]
You head back into the infirmary and head to Hisao’s room before-
“Lilly…” That familiar cooing sound as Hanako drops out of stealth and embraces you.
Accepting of this arrangement by now, you sigh affectionately and lightly hug her back. “My, my. Good morning, Hanako.”
She snuggles her face into your chest. “G’mornin Lillyyy…” She yawns, not letting go and seemingly treating you as a pillow.
“So, What was it you wanted to speak to me about?” You ask, stroking her hair.
“Hm?”
“Akira said you needed to speak to me.”
“Oh… that…” She says, tearing herself off of you with an obvious reluctance. “Just a thought I had…” She says as you both enter Akira’s vacant room.
“I’m quite open to your opinions.” You tell her with a smile, ruffling her hair a bit as you sit down on the bed.
“Well… Shizune might try to rig the festival grounds tomorrow…” Hanako says. “After all, she knows we’re going to be there…”
“So you think we should head there and sniff out traps?” You ask.
“Or have your class do it.” Hanako affirms. “That could free us for some other stuff.”
You smile as you mull this over.
It’s true that you could probably inspire your mongrel subjects to comb the grounds until they pass out if you desired.
You could also do this yourself, but that would be sure to eat up your day.
Another thought enters your mind which makes you giggle, it would be a perfect slap to Shizune to show how you can wield the influence she only ever dreamed of.
How to handle this...
The aspect of humiliating Shizune being too tempting to resist, you decide on that course of action. “Let’s go address my subjects…” You tell Hanako with a smile.
“Ok…” She says before giggling.
She takes your arm and together the two of you head to the school’s main office.
Upon arriving, one of the secretaries greets you. “Hello, may I help you?”
Hanako releases your arm and steps forward, withdrawing an engraved flintlock pistol.
Giggling, she then blows the mongrel’s brain out.
“My, my, Hanako.” You say observing this. “Whatever might that be?”
“Oh, this…” She hums, playfully spinning the previously unknown weapon about her finger. “It was in this weird hollowed-out book I had Yuuko import about the European witchhunts…”
She places your hand on it and lets you feel the engravings.
You wish you could perceive more, but you’ve walled off Rin’s malevolent powers…
Unfortunate.
“Isn’t it pretty?” She asks. “I’ve never had to reload it either.”
To demonstrate, she fires three times into a wall.
You hear a body strike the floor on the opposite side.
“See?” She emotes, giggling impishly. “I told you…” She snuggles against your arm once again. “I told you I’d protect you, Lilly…”
You return a confused smile and file this away for later debate.
Now is not the time for such things.
You stride over to the PA system and press the call button.
“Attention, please. Would all students kindly gather in the auditorium for a special announcement? Thank you.”
[Meanwhile]

Shizune slips through the trees in the forest just beyond the festival grounds, surveying the surroundings with an analytical gaze.
Misha’s handling the preparations for the festival grounds themselves, but here is where she needs to lay her counter-strategy.
She comes to a halt before a large tree and flips out a small, aged booklet, bound in human skin and hair.
Scream begin to emanate through the air as she opens the evil text. Screams of agony, of torment, and pleas to be released.
Pleas in Latin… betraying the identity of this malevolent tome.
Canidia’s Spellbook.
An evil arcane tome gradually written and perfected from a line of Roman witches.
One of the Roman Republic’s most distinguished branch families, said to have turned to witchcraft when their family fortunes began to run dry.
Over generations, they imported black arts from all across the known world, eventually masterminding their own blend of dark arts based on a hybrid of Celtic and Greco witchcraft.
Their fortunes rose higher and higher until, in a Machiavellian stratagem, they were betrayed and executed by their ally Augustus Caesar.
‘But…’ Shizune muses to herself with a smile. ‘They left a record for the ages.’
It’s her secret to countering the power Lilly will undoubtedly bring to bear on her… and also how her family never lost its standing in spite of her father’s idiotic financial sense.
“…!”
The silent girl makes a strange flicking motion with her fingers. The pages on the tome flip about as if propelled by some unseen force, and a blood-red arcane circle appears on the tree trunk.
Satisfied, she closes the small booklet and walks on.
There will be many more areas to cover… Lilly’s charisma is formidable.
The deaf girl bites her thumb as she steps through the brush, mentally analyzing her game pieces…
She has to keep the thirteenth legion in reserve in the event she has to fight Lilly, but a lesser summoning should suffice against her minions.
‘Not that it matters so much…’ She thinks with a smile.
As long as the Knight of Drills stands at her side, defeat is impossible…
A catlike smile creeps across her face.
[End meanwhile]
You and Hanako make your way to the auditorium at a leisurely pace and arrive well after the majority of the students have filed in.
Upon entering, you walk through a parting gap in your mongrel subjects as Hanako leads you by the arm, giggling to herself.
Judging by the level of noise, you’d say that about two-thirds of the school survived your massacre the other day.
A bit lower than what you’d hoped for, but sufficient.
You let Hanako lead you up to the center stage.
As if basking in the radiance of their sovereign, the chamber grows quiet.
Now what to say…
“My beloved subjects…” You begin, showing a smile. “The time for justice is at hand…”
You pause, letting the silence break slowly before continuing.
“We have all suffered at the malevolent policies of the Student Council for eons… Their oppression, their despotism!”
You raise your free arm as Hanako snuggles against your other one.
“But such need not be the case!”
A cheer goes out amongst your mongrel audience. You open your hand as a call for silence.
“You need not submit yourself to their tyranny! You need only submit yourself to mine instead!”
Your charisma flows into your onlookers with your words, energizing and invigorating them.
The crowd roars in approval, replete with the battering of weaponry and cries of affection.
What next…
[Meanwhile]
A couple classrooms over, Akira is slouched into a plush chair in the home economics room as a battalion of drunken students toil over your yukata.
“Be sure to use the viridian thread for embroidering the lilies.” She says, swilling an urn.
She turns to Hisao, who’s slouched up against her a bit buzzed, but definitely not incoherent.
He’s actually rather good at moderating himself.
The King of Spirits smiles. “You said green was your favorite color, right?”
He nods, glancing about questioningly. “Um…”
A battle-cry resonates throughout the school from the direction of the assembly room.
“Um… did you just hear Lilly’s voice talking about tyranny?” He asks, cocking an eyebrow.
“Of course not, you’re imagining things.”
He shrugs acceptingly.
After all, one of the side-effects of his many medications is “Hallucinations”.
Just the other day, he could have sworn he saw two nurses playing street hockey with a severed head.
He sighs and leans back into his chair.
“You know, Akira. I sometimes think I may be going crazy.”
She passes him the bottle making an unconcerned whistling expression. “We all wind up there eventually.”
[End meanwhile]
You place your hand upon your face and give a small laugh before continuing.
“The Student Council has attempted to quash our sense of adventure! To control our passions!”
You gently extend an open palm towards your audience.
“I say ‘no more’.”
A massive cheer goes up amongst the student body.
They clash their swords and chainsaws together, they beat their chests in approval, and several cry out that they love you.
You smile and utter your forbidden incantation of control.
“My, my…”
The audience falls deathly still, hanging on your words.
“So at the festival tomorrow, I say to be yourselves… To unleash your passions and desires…”
You smile.
“Prepare yourselves!” You cry, channeling the holy powers of the British monarch.
“I command thee to be free as your true and rightful sovereign!”
The auditorium booms with approval and cheers as your message resonates within the mongrel listeners.
Satisfied, you allow them to celebrate and quietly saunter backstage with Hanako on your arm.
“Well, I think they got the message.” Hanako says in approval. “Now a bunch of them are sure to go down to the festival ground to scope out good spots and trip some traps prematurely.”
You smile and nod, pleased at having set your subjects to purpose.
Now what to do…
“Let’s go find Misha.” You tell Hanako.
She giggles and nuzzles into you. “Okie Dokie…”
You make your way offstage and stride towards the exit as your subjects part ways and fall to their knees to worship you.
As you exit, one student asks. “Um… isn’t it a little late to fight for freedom? We have, like, a week of school left.”
Hanako shoots him in the head.
Together, you exit as she snuggles up against you.
You’re a bit remorseful that unlike yours, her corruption has endured, since she accepted it of her own will in order to protect you…
Well…
You smile and stroke her hair.
All’s fair in love and war, right?
Heading outside as the rest of the student body ditches class to go prepare for the festival tomorrow, you cast your hearing about, searching for the sign of ‘WAHAHAs’
After a moment, you locate Misha’s voice coming from above you and make your way to the roof.
Reaching the final stairwell before the rooftop door, you pause.
Should you take Hanako with you?
Or should this be a one-on-one interaction?
“Hanako, dear.” You say sweetly. “Would you mind giving Misha and I some privacy for this?”
“Hm?” She emotes. After a pause, she nods. “Okay…”
And with that, she releases your arm and you ascend the stairwell alone.
“Misha?” You call, detecting the scent of hair gel on the breeze.
“Hm?” She replies. “Oh. Wahaha. Hey, Lilly.”
The Drill Knight stands at the edge of the roof.
You return a warm-hearted smile and approach her.
How to begin this…
“So Misha.” You begin. “The big festival is tomorrow.”
“Wahaha. Yeah. I’ve never really liked festivals, though.” She replies.
“Well, maybe you’ll come to like them in the future?” You say as you take a position right next to her. “Have you given any thought to what you’ll be doing later?”
She sighs. “Too much.”
“My, my. Whatever do you mean?” You say, dropping your smile.
You get the feeling you should avoid seeming smug here.
She seems unstable.
Misha slinks down and sits against the ledge, humming as she thinks.
“I came to this school to become an interpreter… But that idea’s lost its appeal…”
A pause as the breeze blows over both of you and she breathes a mournful exhale.
“Have you ever felt like that, Lilly? That an idea that used to seem beautiful just totally lost its appeal?”
You get the feeling she might be scrutinizing for honesty here…
“Yes, I have.” You tell her, taking a seat next to her. “After all, I did used to be a class representative who honestly and truly tried to improve life for everyone I met.”
Misha doesn’t move. “You don’t feel that way anymore?”
You answer honestly. “No.”
The philanthropist within you died when you decided to pursue Hisao.
After that, everyone else was just a tool to accomplish that purpose.
You smile slightly to yourself, thinking about Misha’s question in your own context.
That’s another reason you love him: he helped you see what a hideous waste that was.
“Looking back on it, I’m amazed I stayed with it as long as I did.” You continue. “I used to try and give so much of myself to others. I thought I could save everyone.”
Misha looks up at you. “Wahaha… I… used to feel the same way about my council work.”
She sighs and snuggles up against you.
It’s an odd feeling to have someone besides Hanako doing that, but you don’t really mind.
“I didn’t mind when I stopped thinking that because I found something even better…” She trails off for a moment. “But that idea’s coming to a dead end, too.”
“I think that happens to us all, changing our motivations.” You philosophize. “You may just need to find a new wish.”
“Wahaha…haha… ha…” She sniffles a bit. “But that’s just it, Lilly… I can’t think of any new wish.”
She shivers. “Nothing appeals to me… At all…”
“Well…” You say, grinning. “Then why not wish for joy?”
“Huh?” She asks, possibly not understanding what you’re getting at. “Joy?”
You nod. “It seems a simple concept, Misha, but so few people in this world actually follow it. Everyone chases ‘greatness’ or ‘power’ or some kind of dream.”
Misha says nothing. You let your words sink in and continue.
“Really, so few people actually do what they ‘want’. They do what’s ‘proper’ or what they ‘have’ to do.”
You think of Hisao and smile.
“Freedom is simply the ability to do what you ‘want’ without worrying about context or obstacles.”
You stand up and speak softly to Misha.
“Just recognize what you ‘want’ or ‘don’t want’ and then pursue it.” You conclude. “That’s what ‘joy’ is.”
Feeling that you’ve made a point, you head off and leave Misha to ponder your words.
She doesn’t move as you make your way back to the stairwell, sitting motionless beneath the open sky as she ponders your speech.
You’ve definitely made an impact in the Drill Knight this day. You don’t know if it was the right one, but you affected some aspect of her heart.
The rest is up to her now.
You link up with Hanako after descending the stairwell and head back to regroup with Akira and Hisao in a pleasant mood.
Between the commissioning of your regal yukata, the summoning of your cripple-army and your discourse with Misha, you feel that today was quite a productive one.
You’ve done all you can today.
Tomorrow is when everything will be decided.

=========================================================================================================================

Part 27 Finale
You awaken in Akira’s room the next morning in a pleasant mood.
Heaving a contented sigh as you listen to the breathing of a lightly-sleeping Hanako, you quickly feel the excitement of the day coming on.
Today’s the day… The day of the festival… The day you make Hisao yours… or die in the attempt.
Your yukata’s been made – a lovely outfit. From what you’ve been told it’s a white one embroidered with green lilies.
A union of yours and Hisao’s favorite colors…
Such a lovely concept.
You flush a bit as you hope he likes it.
Akira headed off late last night, saying that she was gonna be picking up some supplies for the obligatory post-battle celebration, but said that she’d make it back in time for the festival itself.
You rise and stretch out, check your weapons, and spend some time meticulously priming yourself in the bathroom.
Once that’s done, you open Akira’s door and a folded piece of paper, wedged into the doorway, flutters to the ground.
“My, my…” You mutter softly. “How odd.”
Deciding that whatever this is shouldn’t be ignored, you walk over to Hanako and touch her shoulder lightly.
“Hanako?”
“Mmm?” She emotes as she stirs. “Oh… good morning Lilly…”
You smile down at her. “Good morning, Hanako.”
You pause a moment as her consciousness returns, then you extend the letter.
“This was wedged into the door. Would you mind reading it for me… please?” You ask.
“Oh… yeah… No problem, Lilly.” She replies in a perky tone, seemingly happy to be of service.
The slight sound of rumpling paper, then silence as she reads it.
“Oh, it’s from Hisao. ‘Decided to get an early morning start. I’ll link up with you at the festival later.’”
You furrow your brow slightly. “You’re sure that’s his writing?”
“Hm… Pretty sure… I’ve worked with him a few times in class and it looks like his. It’s definitely not Shizune or Misha’s.” Your lord privy seal replies.
Hm…
You trust Hanako’s judgment. But this still is a little bit disheartening…
Breathing a fond sigh, you assess the situation. “My, my. He truly can be difficult to manage…”
You giggle to yourself.
“Well, Hanako, let’s let him have his space, shall we? We have some preparations of our own to attend to.”
“Ok!” She says, rising to her feet.
Together, you both take some time and change into your festival yukatas.
Feeling a bit insecure, you must have had Hanako reassure you it looks nice at least half a dozen times before you accept it.
“Lilly… you’re beautiful.” Hanako tells you, taking your hand. “Don’t worry about it at all.”
Finally, you return a relieved smile to her. “Thank you.”
It’s comfortable if nothing else, you’re thankful to your sister for considering that aspect.
Having groomed yourselves to a satisfactory degree, you ponder your next course of action.
Hanako’s not going to be leaving your side on such an important day, so you can make full use of someone’s eyesight for now…
But what to do?
“Well, let’s head to the Library, shall we, Hanako?” You suggest.
“Ok…” She purrs, taking her assigned position latched onto your arm. “I still need to thank Yuuko for importing that book for me…”
"Now seems a proper time." You agree.
She snuggles against you and then makes a surprised noise. “Ooooh… Your yukata’s soft…”
You share a small laugh together and head out of the infirmary, heading towards the main building.
If nothing else, your loyal servant Yuuko will be spared this day
[Meanwhile]
At the Athletic track, Hisao is jogging around the field, breathing heavily, but actually feeling rather decent.
After a bit, he winds down and begins his cool-down walk.
It does him some good to see that he seems to have recovered.
But…
It’s not enough…
He heaves a sigh as he walks through the midsummer rays.
He was out here trying to clear his head, but his mind is still racing just as it was before.
“What to do…” He mutters to himself, looking at the festival crucifix decorations. “What to do…”
Feeling torn, he halts and shakes his head, feeling the light morning breeze on his skin.
“Shizune…”
“Lilly…”
His expression is one of complete and earnest confusion.
[End meanwhile]
With Hanako clinging gently to your arm, the two of you stroll over to the main school building, with Hanako pointing out visual fixtures for you.
It's mostly minor things, but they add a pleasant layer of detail to your world.
The cafeteria, having been destroyed twice over, is a completely abandoned wreck, covered in blast-craters and smelling of rotting flesh.
Or maybe it always smelled like that.
Mutou’s now-obsolete office still has its severed-head ornaments mounted to it.
In the gymnasium, Miki and the survivors of the athletic team are sharpening knives and scimitars as they mark their faces with war paint.
You smile, taking in such pleasant memories of your quest for Hisao…
Eventually you reach the library.
“Yuuko?” You ask as you enter.
BANG.
But of course, some things never change.
“O-oh… Hi Hanako… A-a-and L-lilly… Hi. How are you?” Yuuko asks as she fidgets.
“Rather well.” You reply. “And yourself, Yuuko? How are you?”
“M-me?” She says, seemingly taken aback by the question. “Um… I-I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that, before… Um… I’m ok, I guess?”
Her manner is somewhat less than convincing.
“Really, Yuuko?” You say, smiling benevolently as you approach her. “You seem uneasy.”
She sighs. “Oh… well… I-I just… Well… it’s like this most days…”
“Really?” You say it a motherly tone. “The job is that strenuous for you?”
“Well… someone has to do it…”
Hanako releases your arm and takes Yuuko’s hand.
“Yuuko… You really deserve some tranquility…” She purrs.
You’re beginning to see why they always got along so well.
The librarian’s tone drops a bit, as if she were worried about eavesdroppers. “That… would be nice, yes… But… it can be so demanding here…”
“Well then…” You chime in. “How about you take a vacation?”
“Huh?” She emotes.
Hanako giggles. “Yeah! You should really do that, Yuuko…” She takes her hands. “You’ve earned a respite.”
“Um… you… t-think so?” Yuuko asks.
“But of course.” You say. “I think you should take that trip to Athens you were talking about.”
“Hm…” She chuckles a little bit. “Ok… yeah… that does sound nice…”
Evoking your golden rule skill, you slip a wad of yen notes into her bag as you place your hand on her shoulder.
“So then? What are you waiting for? Go head out now.”
You can sense her feelings and shape your speech to match them.
It’s not in her nature to make snap decisions like this… Which is precisely why is sounds appealing to her as a vacation.
She laughs as your regal charisma settles her nerves. “A-alright… Yeah!”
She gathers herself and begins to head for the door.
“Um… I will… see you both again… r-right?”
“Of course!” You and Hanako say together.
“Good…” She says softly. “I don’t want to lose anyone else…”
She heads out. “Bye you two! See you later!”
You both wave.
And with that, Yuuko departs the school.
It’s a satisfying feeling...
But one to be savored at a later date… What to do now while you wait for the afternoon to roll about?
“So Hanako?” You ask, smiling. “What would you say to the prospect of another tea party?”
She remains silent, as if this was unexpected, she then breaks out into a fit of giggles and snuggles up against you.
“Y-Yeah!” She replies elatedly. “I’d really like that, Lilly…”
“Well, let’s be off then.”
She practically drags you along the familiar path to your tea room and together you arrive in no time.
Once there, you go about your timeless routine of preparing your signature tea blend.
The environment is pleasant, with you and Hanako simply talking about rather meaningless things, just having a rather relaxing time together.
After a little… Hanako breaks a silence in a rather stilted manner.
“Um… L-Lilly?”
“Hm?”
Silence, then. “Never mind.”
She puts her hand on yours.
It’s the only even mildly awkward moment between you. The rest of the day begins to pass in a blur.
It’s a nice feeling, sharing an enjoyable time with your best friend like this…
The calm before the storm.
[Meanwhile]
Having cleaned himself up and changed into his +2 Sweater Vest of Oblivion, Hisao wanders about the festival in the mid-afternoon warmth.
Due to the student council ceasing their activities halfway through, the ‘festival’ aspect is somewhat lackluster, but it’s no less pleasant.
There are only a few booths set up and for the most part, the grounds are a simple large field next to the woods.
It resembles a community picnic if anything.
Every so often, he passes an out-of-place pile of ashes or a sculpture of a student who was turned to stone, their face a very believable expression of agony.
Rin herself probably couldn’t have drawn it better…
‘Rin…’
He sighs and moves on.
He hasn’t seen either Lilly or Shizune yet, but the day is still young, and from what he’s heard, this is predominantly a nighttime event anyways.
Reflecting on his time in Yamaku… He feels a sense of wonder..
He more or less came he expecting to die… But what he found… was something beyond beauty…
Suddenly, his vision darkens.
“Guess who?!”
He sighs, this being routine.
So routine, that he doesn’t notice Shizune's approaching footsteps.
She saunters past Misha, withdrawing her insidious spellbook…
[End meanwhile]
Time flew in the tea room together with Hanako, and before you know it it’s time for the festival.
Hanako takes your arm and snuggles against it as together, you head to the grounds.
As you approach, you detect nothing out of the ordinary, Hanako points out a few mongrels who were kind enough to trip some of Shizune’s traps for you, but other than that, the atmosphere seems fairly relaxed.
A nice midsummer festival…
You smile as you turn your thoughts towards Hisao.
Now where is he…
[Meanwhile]
At a secluded grove in the forest, Shizune is sitting Japanese-style on a picnic blanket, cradling Hisao’s head on her lap.
His expression is quite peaceful. She took the utmost care to put him to sleep with the bare-minimum amount of force.
She smiles happily as she plays with his ahoge.
He’ll awaken as if from a simple slumber…
She blushes a bit as she thinks back on her time together with him.
He’ll awaken to a truly beautiful dream…
She exhales sharply and stares at him with a hollow tone to her eyes…
She’ll never have to be alone again. This is something she’s longed for her whole life…
A world for just the two of them…
Suddenly, she feels a pang.
Lilly and her minion have arrived.
Her expression turns deadly serious and she lifts up her heretical booklet.
It’s now time for her to fight… To make that dream a reality.
[End meanwhile]
The woodlands about the festival grounds explode in a torrent of hellish energy.
Dozens, no, hundreds of rifts are torn in the fabric of reality and all manner of unholy demons and beasts break out from them.
They cry in agony as the world of the corporeal assaults them, feeling their hunger grow exponentially.
Sensing flesh, they begin a shambling march towards the festival grounds.
You sense the dark energy right away and grip your needler with one hand, steadying Hanako’s arm with the other.
An energy coming from the forest.
That must be where Shizune is.
And if Misha still choses to fight with her… you don’t know what you’ll do.
It isn’t safe for Hanako by your side, but it isn’t here, either… And you may need her help.
“Lilly?” Hanako asks, sensing the approaching dark presence as well.
You release Hanako’s arm and unsheathe your scimitar, brandishing the blade, your trophy of battle.
“Hanako! Rally to me!” You say, accepting her as your truly comrade in arms.
She draws her weapon. “Always, Lilly.”
Together, you face the demonic horde.
Together, you prepare for battle at the end of all things.
“For queen and country! For Scotland! For love!” You cry, twirling your twin weapons about you.
And with that, the two of you charge off into the forest, invigorated and charged with the holy powers of the monarch.
Hanako begins shooting before you’ve even registered the enemy, but from the bestial pained cries, all of her shots are lethally accurate.
You break into the initial wave and begin cleaving a path, whirling your sword about you in a dance of death as you blast further into their loose ranks with your needler.
Hanako follows suit, blowing holes in attacking beast and tearing out chunks of flesh with a clawed gauntlet as they draw closer.
You surge through in your pre-emptive strike.
These monsters are fierce, but not strong, not compared to a holy warrior of the Britons.
No, this is but Shizune’s strategy to counter your followers.
In chess, the pawns go first.
You and Hanako carve deeper into the forest as the bulk of the demonic forces mass at the edge of the festival ground.
[Meanwhile]
The unholy minions of the student council shamble into the light of the dying day, which glistens off their scaly hides.
All across the festival, a cry goes up as the massive force enters the grounds.
The horde amasses as the regal cripple-army begins to form ranks.
Miki surges to the head of the Yamaku ranks, tearing off the bind on her cursed arm of Shaytan and brandishing a katana in the other.
“Forth, and fear no darkness!” She cries. “Arise! Arise, Riders of Yamaku! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day... a red day... ere the sun rises!”
A hellish gleam enters her eyes. “DEEEEEAAAAATTTHHHH!!!”
The student body at her back erupts, crying out alongside her. “DEEEEAATH!”
A surge goes out as the Yamaku student body pledges themselves to battle in the name of the sovereign.
Following your charisma, they unleash their inner darkness.
Facing the demonic onslaught, the student of Yamaku are producing swords, shotguns, flails, spears, bows, katars, axes, bazookas, flamethrowers, and other types of weaponry.
Sensing their prey, the army of monster begins to emit a series of shrill, piercing cries as they break into a sprint, barreling at the student body.
Rallying to Miki’s standard, they unite their warped minds, crying “DEATH” as one.
With that, she begins running and the rest of the crowd follows her, the sunset rays glistening off of the vast array of weaponry.
The two sides charge at each other, both radiating an unrestrained bloodlust.
[End meanwhile]
In the forest, you carve apart a horror and bludgeon the corpse with its own arm before blasting apart another abomination with your needler.
Most people would be at a loss fighting a demon for not knowing what spots to aim at, but your finely-tuned hearing picks up their heartbearts as easily as anything.
You slice a swathe through you enemies and charge through the spray of blood, a crazed grin creeping across your face as you do battle in the name of love.
Hanako digs her claws gauntlet into a monster’s throat, jams her pistol directly into its eye, and blasts its brains out at point-blank range, giggling psychotically all the while.
She pops in an out of presence concealment, raining lethally accurate holy bullets upon her assailants as she slips into your wake to regroup.
You cleave off a fiend’s front legs and your partner shoots in in the head.
You giggle to yourself as you slice apart something serpent-like.
Even without the unholy powers of Rin, the scimitar is still a lethally sharp unbreakable blade.
All your battles since meeting Hisao have led to this.
You spear a demon through the face and blast another’s chest open with a hail of needles.
Hanako jumps over you and begins ferally tearing out chunks of an unholy beast with her gauntlet.
A monarch and her faithful knight, carving through a sea of battle as if one.
Together, you press forward, charging through a mist of unholy blood.
Finally, drenched in blood and entrails, you break into an eerily silent clearing.
[Meanwhile]
The festival grounds have devolved into as absolute slaughter as the Regal Army of Lilly Satou engages in savage battle with the Demonic Horde of the Student Council.
Several students with wheelchairs have coated their carriers in broken glass and attached motorcycle engines and are swooping in an out, charging over the Lovecraftian horrors.
A packs of monsters akin to wolves falls upon Taro and devours him without mercy in a spray of blood.
Natsume delves into the unholy power of her cursed eyes and blasts through her assailants in waves of black fire as she battles back-to-back with Naomi.
Saki fights alongside Miki at the front of the charge, brandishing a cane covering in obsidian razor blades.
A tentacle snakes past her defenses and seizes her leg, dragging her off.
Her eyes widen, as death comes to embrace her.
Suddenly, Miki hurls out of the fray, covered in blood, and slices off the beast’s member.
Deciding that this is no time to be subtle, Suzu downs her entire bottle of amphetamines in one gulp.
She begins twitching psychotically as she draws a shotgun and enters a warp-spasm.
Across the battlefield, Miki grits her teeth as she ducks a hurdled set of spines.
The numbers of their horrid foes seem endless…
Cradling Hisao’s head absentmindedly, Shizune calmly analyzes the battle with her tactical mind.
The royal army is holding the line… Barely, and they’re taking losses too.
They won’t be able to keep it up too much longer…
Lilly and Hanako have broken through the initial wave, but this too is according to plan.
Cutting a general off from their support is a fundamental rule of battle.
She gives a weak grin.
Now it’s time to test their mettle.
A trickle of blood issues from her mouth as she channels the full unholy power of her evil tome, calling out her sorcerous trump card.
[End meanwhile]
As you and Hanako stride into the clearing, wiping the carnage off your faces, suddenly, at Shizune’s bidding, the field around you explodes with malevolent energy.
Hundreds, no, thousands, of sinewy corpses rise up from the earth, each bristling with weapons, clad in banded armor and wearing cloaks.
Dammed Legionnaires, drudged from the depths of hell to serve their new insidious master.
A wall of armor and blades flies up before you, reborn through this blasphemous ritual.
In a cacophony of groans, shrieking, and the grinding of steel, the Legion of the dammed quickly responds to their unheard tactical commands and shuffles into a Roman Manipular Formation, barring your path to their mistress.
Hanako takes position at your side.
“All for you… Lilly…” She purrs, not at all concerned for her own life so long as she remains by her liege.
You smile and stroke her bloody hair.
“My, my…” You sing to her with a soft smile.
Together, you ready your weapons and charge the monstrous army.
Surging forward behind a hail of armored needles and holy gunfire, you and Hanako smash into the Legion's front and begin cleaving forward.
The formation buckles, but doesn’t break.
A counterattack surges forward as a storm of blades flies out at you both.
You fall back, parrying with several rapid strokes of your scimitar.
Hanako lunges back and looks up to find a hail of razor-bladed javelins flying down on her.
With her catlike agility, she snakes through the rain and resumes blasting holes in your assailants as you also fall back.
The ancient warriors, powerful in their own right, are made stronger still by the dark energy of Shizune’s evil magic.
There weapons are sharpened past what even modern power-sanders could accomplish. Their armor regenerates itself after breaking – as do the legionnaires themselves.
You charge forward again and blast holes into the formation with your needler, but the gaps are quickly reinforced from behind by reserves.
Your momentum is halted and you engage in a short, but savage swordfight at nearly point-blank range.
Just as it seems you might be making some progress, in response to a hail of hurled javelins, you’re forced to retreat.
Shizune’s grasp of tactics is flawless.
Striking forth again with Hanako, you grit your teeth and savagely attack their formation.
You carve a series of opponents apart, shields and all, while Hanako rips one’s head off before shooting the flanking forces.
But it doesn’t make enough of a dent.
“Well, your toys are strong.” You say as if to issue a battle-taunt to Shizune, even though you know she’d never hear it.
In a flash, you whip your scimitar about your body and carve a swathe around you. “But not even a tenth as strong as me.”
Still, that’s less of a boast than it sounds. You’re not fighting ten. Or even a hundred, but thousands.
Even with the racial buff Scots get when fighting Romans, it isn’t enough…
Suddenly, a Lancer Evo hurdles out of the bushes and smashes headlong into the attacking zombie legionnaires.
That’s a new one.
Akira sets out of the driver’s seat. “Hey y’all!” She calls merrily before killing a bottle. “How’s that for an entrance?”
“Hey Hideaki.” She calls back into the car. “Go find a place to park.”
“If you say so.” Comes the flat reply as he shuffles into the driver’s seat.
The car crazily speeds off towards the festival.
Satisfied, the Golden King turns an apathetic glance to the demonic legion.
“Mongrels.”
She raises her scepter, the sword which is not a sword.
The segments begin to gyrate at an insane speed and she fluidly swings it down.
Emanating outward from her stroke, a massive wave of superheated plasma flows outwards and blasts through the formation.
Heat radiates outwards in all directions and the air itself explodes as the energy wave surges through it.
Everyone is awestruck by the power washing away matter as a flood would destroy a card-castle.
This is Akira’s noble phantasm, the Sword of Rupture…
There is no defense or recovery against this attack. The unfortunately targets simply vaporize.
A massive gap is blown before you, a wide road paved with glass made from fused earth.
“You two go play.” Your sister tells you. “I can party with these guys for at least a couple minutes.”
“Thanks, sis.” You say, shooting a heart-warming smile her way as you hurdle past her.
Another stroke sends another superheated wave through the clearing as you and Hanako head towards Shizune’s grove.
Elsewhere, Hideaki parks the Lancer in the forest and one of Akira’s wine bottle rolls over to his feet.
He looks down at it. Then looks up. Then looks both ways to make sure no one is watching…
[Meanwhile]
Miki and the others have fallen back and are battle desperately on all sides.
Twitching insanely, Suzu fires her shotgun as if an automatic and then begins beating a monster to death with the grip as she runs out of ammo.
Ignoring several wounds, Miki hurls out her cursed arm.
It gleams with crimson energy as it rips through he unholy assailants.
She grits her teeth as even more beasts clamour over the bodies of the ones they’ve just finished killing.
Suddenly, a massive crash emanated from behind the demonic ranks.
A Lancer Evo hurls out of the forest at an insane speed, mowing down demons as is careens wildly.
A geyser of blood and body parts fly through the air.
Akira’s car has been reinforced with alien composite alloys and has seen them both shrug off countless DUI-crashes.
The nitro-burners, there for outrunning the police, flare up, blasting the vehicle to insane speeds.
In a cacophony of hellish screams, it breaks through the demonic ranks and begins mowing down the Yamaku students as well before making a random U-turn and plowing back into the demons.
A random arcing motion sends the evil vehicle plowing over Molly before it slams back into the monsters she was facing.
Whether Hideaki is battling for his sociopathic sister or his incestuous crush is something which shall be forever lost to history.
It matters little, anyways.
Lacking Akira’s divine tolerance, he’s fucked up enough that to him everything looks like jigglypuff wearing an S.S. uniform.
The already chaotic warzone descends into absolute pandemonium as now both sides have to contend with an underage autist crazily drunk-driving a tank around the battlefield.
[End meanwhile]
Finally, after immeasurable bloodshed, you and Hanako break through the brush into the forest grove.
“Shizune…” Hanako elaborates for you.
There, right before you, your deaf nemesis is kneeling upon a blanket, cradling the head of an unconscious Hisao.
Misha, the Drill Knight, stands at her side.
The deaf witch is wearing a weak, catlike grin.
This, too, was according to Shizune’s plan.
Even if you two had somehow managed to break through the Thirteenth Legion, you still had Misha to contend with.
With a sigh, she rises and faces you.
“Wahaha. Hey, you two.” Misha translate, lacking her typical enthusiasm. “Glad you could make it.”
She gives a wistful sigh as she walks past Shizune and bars your path.
You make a motion to Hanako to back down and walk towards Misha, sheathing your sword.
“Huh?” Everyone but you seems astonished by this action.
“Misha…” You breathe her name softly. “Do you recall what we’ve spoken of? What we’ve shared?”
“… I do.” She says in a voice so quiet it’s almost inaudible.
“Then… Listen… Not to me… Listen to yourself…”
You smile softly at the beleaguered knight.
“You seem so weary… Misha… please…” You speak honestly and truly. “Follow your own heart.”
Stillness permeates the clearing.
Then, suddenly, a wave of dark power unlike anything you’ve ever felt begins to emanate from Misha.
“Wahaha.” She breathes as her Gae Drills form lances around her clenched fists.
“Wahaha.”
The ground beneath her explodes as she kicks off it with her inhumanly powerful legs.
SPLAT.
A wave of blood flies through the air.
But not yours.
Misha’s lance impales Shizune directly through the heart.
It’s over.
It doesn’t matter what kind of unholy protection Shizune had. Nothing can survive a hit from those malevolent drills.
The Drill Knight stands deathly still, holding the corpse of someone she once cherished.
Tears stream down Misha’s otherwise strangely blank face.
Shizune’s expression remains fixed in her catlike smile.
She died instantly, never having even seen the threat.
She died. Sure that she had won.
The grove remains deathly still as the Yamaku grounds also fall silent, the unholy horde having dissipated as soon as its summoner was killed.
Stillness covers the grove like a fog.
None of you move.
Or speak.
Finally, Misha breaks the silence, tugging her drill-lance out of Shizune’s body and letting it fall to the earth.
“Wahaha.” She speaks in an emotionless tone.
You’re at a loss for word as she quietly turns and leaves Hisao lying there.
“Hisao…”
Your heart skips a beat as concern for your love floods into your mind.
Misha walks past you without any acknowledgement, completely uninterested in this affair now. “Wahaha.”
You take a step towards Hisao’s still form…
The heart in your own chest feels like it might shatter.
You have no idea whether or not he’s injured…
“Misha…” You say, turning to her.
She stops.
Um… You didn’t have anything planned after that…
You sigh and speak from your heart. “Misha… it took courage to rid yourself of her… You…”
A pause as you search for the right words to say.
Finally, “Thank you.” You decide on. “And thank yourself too. You’ve closed the chapter on this part of your life. Your life is now your own. “
She doesn’t reply for a moment.
Then, finally, she responds in a hushed, pensive tone of voice. “The chapter… is closed… huh?”
You nod. “Consider this moment to be an awakening from a nightmare. That’s all this whole thing has been.”
“Wahaha…” Misha replies in a voice containing a hint of… some emotion.
Even you can’t tell what.
"Just... a nightmare..."
She breathes a shaky sigh as inwardly, she lets go of the hell Yamaku had been for her.
“Thanks, Lilly.” She tells you simply.
And with that, she departs.
After Misha leaves, you and Hanako rush over to Hisao.
His pulse is steady, as is his breathing… And he doesn’t seem to be injured anywhere…
Satisfied that your love is in no immediate danger, you two clean the carnage off yourselves, not wanting to startle him when he awakens.
You rest his head on your lap as your wait for him to awaken, stroking his face pensively.
Just as you did on the day you met…
As you smile in remembrance, Hisao begins to stir.
“Ugh… Lilly?” He asks as he comes around, taking in his surroundings.
“Hisao…” You say softly, doing all you can to prevent your voice from breaking.
You honestly feared you’d lost him when the battle began.
It was such a horrible sensation that words can't give it form.
Now… having him back…
The feeling is overwhelming.
“Did I… have another attack?”
Neither you or Hanako answer. It’s probably better if he doesn’t know what happened for right now.
He takes your silence as a ‘yes’.
“I’m sorry… Really…” He says in a voice that’s close to breaking himself. “Lilly…”
In a delicate motion, he lifts his hand up and strokes your face.
“I… I never wanted to worry you.”
“Don’t apologize, Hisao…” You say for the last time. “Never apologize for what you are…”
The forest grove grows quiet as you hold Hisao to your chest.
In spite of his flaws… Hisao is beautiful… In spite of everything…
“…”
“I love you, Hisao.” You finally state, tears welling in your eyes.
Tears of both joy and concern… Everything just flows out of you at once.
“I love you. I love you. I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!” You cry over and over again as if a prayer.
“Please… I love you… Just… Stay with me… Please…”
Hisao remains silent for a moment, his voice momentarily taken away by your confession.
“Lilly…” He breathes your name.
Then, out of nowhere, he laughs softly to himself.
“Don’t… be ridiculous…”
“Hisao?!” You exclaim.
“Of course I’ll stay with you. I’ll stay with your forever.”
Your heart flutters in your chest as you take in those words you’d wanted so badly to hear.
“I love you too, Lilly.” He replies in a calm, blissful tone of voice.
And with that, he cranes his head up and kisses you on the lips.
The feeling of his lips against yours is a joy you never thought existed.
The sound of his words is a music more beautiful than anything you thought possible.
You hold him to you, holding the kiss for as long as you can, feeling a wave of absolute euphoria wash over you.
The moment seems to last an eternity, but it’s sadly not enough.
After a time, he breaks away and rests back down into your lap.
“Hisao…” You say breathlessly, stroking his face. “Hisao… Hisao… Hisao… Hisao… Hisao… … …”

=========================================================================================================================

Epilogue - Ten Years Later
Wearing a regal platinum circlet inset with diamonds and a silken dress embroidered with gold thread, you sit in your palace library, slouched against Hisao.
He strokes your hair absentmindedly as together the two of you go over the official novelization of your conquest of the British Isles together, casually nitpicking details to be released to your mongrel subjects.
“Hm…” He muses, flicking his fingers over the braille dots and brushing up against yours in the process.
You giggle slightly, no matter how many times that happens, you still enjoy the feeling.
“I’m not sure about including the details over the Massacre at York.”
You giggle a bit before craning your head a bit and kissing his cheek. “My, my. You worry too much, dear. I wouldn’t have had them ‘all’ crucified if I didn’t want it to be known.”
Hisao laughs a bit before setting down the book and drawing you into his arms. “Yes…. I remember… ‘A clear sign to the English that there was nowhere to hide’.” He echoes you in an airy voice.
You smile and tilt your chin forward.
Hisao meets your lips with his own and you share an affectionate kiss, wrapping your hands lightly around his neck as he cradles you by the waist.
You maintain it for several moments before allowing him to break off and sink back into the padded cushion of your chair with a contented sigh.
You take his hand in your and absentmindedly draw patterns into his palm as you muse aloud. “After all, that’s the elegant simplicity of life, isn’t it? To recognize what you want... and make it yours...”
[Meanwhile]
In the battle-torn ruins of a forgotten cyclopean city, Akira steps casually over the last broken bodies of the Knights of Life.
“Mongrels.” She remarks, making a flicking motion with her fingers.
She whirls her scepter about her playfully, surveying the carnage.
“WAHAHA!” Another thunderous presence follows her as Misha emerges, covered in blood and armor fragments. “You knew they’d have to try ‘some’ kind of last-ditch attempt to stop the awakening.”
She giggles and leans against the wall, taking a drink from a porcelain urn. “Yeah. I knew, but that doesn’t make it any less trite.”
She passes the urn over to Misha and walks forward at a relaxed pace as her drunken black-robed cultists filter in through the shattered entrance, many of them sheathing swords and daggers from their role in the preceding battle.
They encircle a massive obsidian platform as Misha and Akira walk towards its center.
“I’m sure you’re noticed it by now.” The golden king remarks as they stride together to the alter. “In all our travels together… Just how… ‘Monochrome’ the world is these days.”
“WAHAHA! Of course!”
Akira produces another bottle and takes a chug as the ritual circle is completed. “I can’t have that. Uniformity is ugly. And repetition so much more so.”
Her drunken cultist followers begin to chant. “Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn”
Akira and Misha reach the center of the ritual circle.
“We need more contrast.” She smiles, before killing the bottle and peering down into the blackness beneath her.
In response to the Ritual of Awakening being led by the King of Spirits – something begins to stir…
[End meanwhile]
“Mommy?” A quiet, controlled young girl’s voice echoes from the entrance.
You smile in her direction. “Why good day to you, young lady.” You reply and pat the cushion next to you. “Have a seat.”
A pattering of footsteps as the young girl quickly skips across the room and clamors onto the couch to be with her parents.
She flops onto you as she ascends and you stroke her hair.
Your beautiful child, yours and Hisao’s, born mercifully free of either of your conditions.
You giggle to yourself as your ponder...
The British Isles alone are too meager an inheritance for such a jewel…
“I was having a bit of trouble understanding what this meant.” She exclaims, shuffling about a little.
Your daughter presents and old story book – a fable of a love story between a prince and princess.
The kind of archetypal fairy tale anybody would have read at least once.
Together, your family enjoys a simple, pleasant moment as you and your husband explain a plot point to your daughter.
The point of how the prince and princess fell in love.
Such a lovely notion.
“So Mommy?” Your daughter asks.
“Yes, dear?” You reply, stroking her hair.
“How did you and Daddy fall in love?”
Together, you and Hisao exchange a giggle.
“Well…”
[Katawa Yandere - Lilly Route End]