The island (conclusion)

                                                         The island (conclusion)

(This is part of a multi-chapter story, if you haven't read the first one, go to https://pastebin.com/DAVKrwkq or click my name 'MREN' on the top left, to continue where you're at in the story!)

Misha: 'Shicchan, wait!'

Shizune couldn't hear, but that didn't stop Misha from trying to talk her into stopping. Misha had almost lost her, only catching sight of her at the last second after coming out of the house; Shizune did not go to the river as she said, but rather to the opposite end of the island; "The phone", thought Misha. "One last attempt". There wasn't any other reason to go there.

Misha caught up to her a minute later, and found her trying in vain to compose a number, but Shizune saw her coming - still aware of her surroundings, despite the storm that prevented them both to see too far away. Misha was approaching, with a knife in her hand, and... The gun at her waist.
Without anything better, Shizune ripped off the cord, to use the phone as an improvised weapon.

Misha stopped thirty feet from her and waited for Shizune to sign something, but she never did, wary. So Misha signed first, with just one hand, keeping the knife in the other; It was harder to sign - and read - that way, but at this distance, neither girl wanted to risk being caught without a weapon in hand, if they signed with both.

Misha: [Trying to call the cops? What would you tell them, I wonder...]

Shizune paused a moment, trying to figure out the best way to proceed.

Shizune: [Very funny.]

They both stared at one another, waiting for the other one to make her move... Then Misha signed a few words;

Misha: [I'm afraid Lilly won't be joining us.]

Shizune looked at the knife in Misha's hand; It didn't have any blood on it, then again the rain probably would've washed it away. She tried to stop any emotion from getting to her. "At least it was a quick death... I'll grieve for her later", she thought. She considered her words carefully before signing back, and Misha asked a question first;

Misha: [You let me kill your cousin... That's cold Shicchan, even for you. Why?]

Shizune had to think about her answer, and she was troubled enough herself, without having to explain it... But she had to keep talking to Misha, if she was to try and find a way out.

Shizune: [I couldn't know for sure it was you. I thought it might... But I couldn't know. I had to make you reveal yourself. If it was you, and I didn't leave, you would never kill Lilly first, right? It would expose you as the murderer to me. No, you'd want to get me first... So it was that, or wait for you to reveal yourself by killing me.]
Misha: [Practical, as ever. You know Shicchan, I like you a lot more when you're all fun and games.]

Was this a game to her? Shizune again tried to come up with something to say, but in the end, she had to know...

Shizune: [Why, Misha?]

The way Misha's face twisted, Shizune realized how stupid the question had been... It was obvious;

Misha: [How can you not know? Don't you remember that day, in the student council room? Don't you remember what you are, to me? Or did you forget it, as you forgot about me?]
Shizune: [I did not forget about you! And I won't, ever. You're my best friend!]

The way Misha reacted, Shizune instantly regretted her choice of words; Misha wouldn't look more in pain if Shizune had stabbed her.

Misha: [Your friend. Friend with benefits, is it? Only the benefits aren't what they usually are. I would've been ok with this, you know? But the benefits you wanted were... Unconditional support. Long hours of work. Being your slave, basically, but not just that, your willing slave.]
Shizune: [That's not what it was at all! I've-]

Misha was looking at Shizune in the eyes, not even paying attention to her hands, and Shizune stopped signing; It was pointless.

Misha: [You didn't push me away after rejecting me... Because you needed help, after pushing everyone else away. Too much work for just one person. So you kept me around. I had something the others didn't have, something you could use. I loved you. More than anything, more than anyone. More than Hisao ever loved you! But you didn't want that. You didn't want me. You only wanted my work. When Hisao joined the council, you barely wanted that anymore... You sent me off early. Told me you'd deal with it by yourself, which I knew meant "With him".]
Shizune: [And how will this help? Why not just kill me, if you hate me so much?]

This time, Misha read what Shizune had to say;

Misha: [Hate you? Shicchan, you're one of the smartest girls in Yamaku, but sometimes I feel you're the dumbest one. I love you. I always did.]
Shizune: [Then why do something like this?]
Misha: [...I thought you'd like it? You're so competitive, Shicchan. Don't tell me you didn't at least have a little fun? I did it all for you!]

Shizune thought about it a moment, pondering whether she was serious, but Misha couldn't keep it in and started laughing.

Shizune: [Very funny. Again.]

Misha ignored her, and gave her real answer this time;

Misha: [You hurt me, Shicchan. You know that? For two years, you made my life a misery. I... I wanted you to hurt too. I wanted you to know what it's like, to love someone you know you won't ever be with. Not anymore.]

"Two years", Shizune thought. "Two years, and she didn't get over it".

Shizune: [Misha... I've never been cruel to you. What was I supposed to do?]

She seemed to consider the question for a time before signing back;

Misha: [Why could you not love me? Why could we not... Try, at least?]

"We don't get to choose who we love", thought Shizune... But signing this might be a bad idea in these circumstances.

Shizune: [...I'm sorry, Misha. I thought you were over this. Over me.]
Misha: [I love you, Shizune! I love you! You don't get over that, not ever. Can't you love me? Don't you have any love for me, in your heart?]

Misha never called her by her real name... Always "Shicchan". Whether or not this was a conscious decision, it was an important moment, and Shizune considered her words carefully... How demented was she, really... Was she still trying to convince Shizune to love her, now of all time, after she killed all their friends? How was she picturing this...
Misha was obviously out of it, and Shizune wanted to try and play this to her advantage.

Shizune: [I'm sorry, Misha. I didn't know... I should've paid more attention to you, to your feelings. I wish I could go back and time... Things might be different, if we could.]

Misha's eyes opened, surprised;

Misha: [You really think so?]
Shizune: [I do, Misha. I regret some things I've done. Said. Do you think it's too late to try again? Please...]

Misha smiled and cried a little at the same time, a weird scene for Shizune to see, though the storm hid most of Misha's tears.

Misha: [Of course it's not too late... ]

She looked around, seemingly confused, like she had just got back to her senses;

Misha: [What have I done, Shicchan? I ruined everything...]
Shizune: [No, Misha. We can still fix this. We can fix everything, you know we can.]
Misha: [You really think so? Oh, what should we do...]

"I have her now", thought Shizune.

Shizune: [First, we need to get off this island, out of this storm.]
Misha: [Oh! Right... Give me a second Shicchan! I'll call emergency services.]

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a phone. Shizune eyes narrowed in confusion; Did she have this phone on her all this time? Misha pressed a few numbers, then turned away to shield herself from the rain.

Police: 'Police, what's your emergency?'
Misha: 'My friend is trying to kill me, I stole her phone. Come quickly!'
Police: 'Stay calm, go hide somewhere safe. Who is trying to kill you? Where are you? What is your name?'
Misha: 'I'm Misha... Shiina Mikado. I'm on a private island, owned by the Hakamichi family. I don't know where it is. Across a bridge. Shizune Hakamichi is trying to kill me!'
Police: 'We're looking for the island as we speak, we'll be on our way as soon as possible. Are you safe right now? Is there somewhere you can go for help until we arrive?'

Misha looked at Shizune, then turned away again;

Misha: 'I think she's coming my way, I can't speak anymore. Come quickly!'
Police: 'I think we've found the Island. We have a patrol not too far away, and the coast guard. We're on our way. Where exactly-'

Misha hung up, turned back to Shizune, and looked apologetic for a moment, before throwing her the phone. Shizune didn't recognize it from that distance, in the storm... But now that she held it in her hand, she recognized her own phone.

Shizune: [How?]
Misha: [...I took it from Akira.]
Shizune: [Akira? Did you...]
Misha: [I'm so sorry Shicchan. Yes, I did. I'm so sorry... What are we gonna do?]
Shizune: [It's ok Misha. We'll explain everything. Everything will be fine.]

Shizune wasn't sure whether Misha really called emergency - or anyone at all -, so she quickly pressed her speed dial number for the police; She could not say anything, but surely they'd do something if they received a call that never hung up.

Misha: [How can we explain that Shicchan? Explain... everything? I killed all these people...]

Shizune had to try to soothe her; It was painful for her to say this, but it was the only thing she could think of that had any chance to work...

Shizune: [You didn't kill Hisao, Misha. I did. With that gun at your waist. My fingerprints are on it. We're in the same boat, Misha. We'll get through this together.]
Misha: [You really believe this, Shicchan? You really want us to get through this, and be together?]

Shizune had to win time...

Shizune: [Of course I do, Misha. I want to put all this behind us. Turn that page. Don't you?]
Misha: [Yes, but how can we do that?]

Shizune almost asked Misha to give her the gun, but it was too early; It would be suspicious, and if she lost her there, she might not ever get her back. The gun was empty anyway, and Shizune didn't have any bullets on her.

Shizune: [We're gonna have to make up a story about what really happened here. A story we'll both agree on.]

They stayed like that for a while, at a safe distance, signing to each other mostly one-handed, neither of them wanting to drop their weapon; Misha's knife, and Shizune's ripped off phone. Shizune explained the whole plan... It didn't make much sense, something about Hisao killing the first two girls, then Shizune killing him in self-defense... Lilly had poisoned Emi, and attacked Misha with a knife but lost it, and Misha killed her with her own weapon. The story was vague and they didn't have much motivation for the murders to happen, but Misha didn't question it; Shizune always thought Misha was a bit slow, but for the first time, she was glad of it. It worked in her advantage. Had Misha been smarter, she would've known this story would get ripped to shred by the cops during the investigation. "And now, the finishing touch...", Shizune thought... But would she dare? As Misha wasn't signing anything, apparently trying to imprint the story in her mind, Shizune went for it;

Shizune: [It would probably be better if I had the gun. I'm the one who shot Hisao, remember? And it's my family's gun. There would be no reason for you to have it.]

"This should make sense", she thought. More than that made up story about the murders. "If she refuses, I'm gonna pretend it doesn't bother me".

Misha: [Oh, sure. Here.]

Misha threw the gun her way, and Shizune, thinking quick, let it fall to the ground; Never catch a gun that's falling, that's how accidents happen. Especially with the rain matting her short hair on her face; Shizune had to move it off her eyes, then she walked two steps toward the gun, and picked it up.

Misha: [There's still a bullet in there Shicchan.]

"What?" was Shizune's first thought; "She emptied it..."
When she looked at the cylinder, she saw that Misha was telling the truth. Five empty holes, but one bullet still in there. "What is she thinking, giving me a loaded gun? Is she that stupid? Or did I convince her with my story, about trying with her... about love?".
Confused, she looked at Misha, who signed;

Misha: [I didn't fire all the bullets. I just pretended that I did, but I kept one in and threw the gun away in case I needed it again. No one but me would bother going to get it back, thinking it was empty. And if you told them you had more bullets somewhere... They probably wouldn't have let you get it anyway. Not after Hisao.]

"Did she figure this all on the spot? How could she plan all of this..." She might not be as dumb as Shizune thought she was. "That was a big gamble", Shizune thought... She couldn't help feeling some kind of pride in Misha pulling a move like that, considering the risks if someone had run out to get the gun, and saw that Misha left one bullet in. "That's more something I would do..."

But she had more important concerns than fawning in awe about Misha's plans though... She had a loaded gun in her hand, and Misha was at such a short range. Should she kill her right here and there? Misha wasn't signing anything, perhaps waiting for a reply, and Shizune had the time to think it all through;

"What if I miss..." Misha still had the knife, and Shizune didn't trust her chances against her, a phone against a knife. Could she shoot her accurately before Misha even realized Shizune was about to kill her? She wasn't sure. Misha had done a lot of planning for this... What if she also knew Shizune would try to kill her, and was ready for it? If that was the case, and with the storm raging, Shizune wasn't sure enough about her aim to try that shot, with just one bullet... Even though her competitive spirit so wanted her to try it - like a demon on her shoulder, taunting her - she knew it was too big a risk, when missing meant a near-certain death... But there was another reason why she didn't want to do it; Hisao.

Missing would likely mean Shizune's death, but what would hitting mean? The gun already killed Hisao... If she killed Misha too, what would the cops believe? The rich, weird girl invites six people at her isolated house; She kills two of them, and the other four deaths are inexplicable. Would they really believe her story? Now that she was considering the question, it led to another; What if she did not shoot her, they both left the island together, and as soon as Shizune told the cops everything, Misha would turn on her and tell them Shizune did it all? As she was considering all possible moves by Misha, and their outcomes, Shizune noticed a strange reaction in Misha, one that she couldn't explain; Like she realized something suddenly. Misha signed before Shizune could even ask her what was happening.

Misha: [What will be different, Shicchan?]

Shizune dropped the phone but kept the gun in her left hand, and signed with the right.

Shizune: [What do you mean?]
Misha: [I mean... You didn't love me then. You didn't love me for more than a year after my confession. And you loved another...]

Shizune wasn't sure what to say to that, and let her continue.

Misha: [So why would that change? I killed all your friends and suddenly you're gonna love me?]

"I'm losing her", Shizune thought. "Think quick..." She changed her grip on the gun, ready to use it, would Misha start running toward her with the knife.

Shizune: [Isn't that what you wanted?]

Misha sobbed, or at least Shizune thought that she did, but it was hard to see at this distance, the storm still raging.

Misha: [Of course that's what I want, it's just... I don't think it's possible, Shicchan. I don't think you will love me any more than you ever did.]

She raised the knife by an inch, a subtle movement of the wrist, but Shizune definitely caught it. She was crouching a little too, like she was about to make for a run.
"I'm not losing her", thought Shizune; "I lost her already".
She raised the gun and pointed it in Misha's direction. She couldn't sign anything, both her hands busy holding the gun, but her posture and the look in her eyes probably said it all. Misha didn't move, other than her hands, to sign something;

Misha: [Don't shoot! I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm just gonna leave, I promise.]

Tears were flowing down her face at this point, and she looked in despair. Shizune wanted to sign something back, but she didn't dare move the gun away. Would be hard enough to hit her, if she tried something... She had to be ready.
Misha started backing away slowly, and Shizune, having no way to communicate unless she held the gun with just one hand, simply shook her head, and pointed to the ground with the gun, gesturing for Misha to lay on the ground.

Misha: [Please Shicchan, I'm sorry. I just want to leave. You will never see me again, I promise...]

Shizune shook her head again and pointed at the ground once more.
Misha opened her mouth, and while Shizune couldn't hear anything, she could guess she was screaming, in panic; She didn't have the time to think why she was doing it, as a second later, the knife flew from Misha's hands, in her direction... Or at least approximate direction. The knife fell short, five feet in front of Shizune, slightly to the side. By the look of it, it landed handle first anyway;

Misha didn't wait for Shizune to do anything, and simply turned around and ran away from her; Shizune had a plan in mind if Misha ever ran toward her, but she wasn't expecting her to run away... "Should I let her leave?". She only had a few seconds to make a decision, it would be too late after that...
"What if she has another gun hidden somewhere? She had a phone hidden away, after all...
What if she simply grabs a knife and hides somewhere?"

The thoughts crossing Shizune's mind were many, and confused... "Soon I won't get to decide anymore"... Misha was close to being out of range of the gun, if she wasn't already.
"I can't let her leave. Too dangerous" was Shizune's final thought, leading to her conclusion; She raised the gun a few degrees to make up for the longer range, and pressed the trigger;

The bullet flew at the right angle, and Misha likely didn't think Shizune would shoot, as she didn't even try to dodge the shot;
It struck her in the leg, passing through, causing Misha to scream, trip, and fall to the ground.

A second bullet was fired, and took Shizune in the shoulder;
The third and fourth, in the back and neck.

Cop: 'GET DOWN! LAY ON THE GROUND!'

Shizune turned around in confusion, which caused her gun to be pointed toward the two cops in front of her;
The next bullets all went in her chest, the cops being closer now and having an easier aim.

She dropped the gun and fell on top of it, bleeding all over herself from a dozen bullet holes;
She opened her mouth as if to speak, her mind having forgotten for a moment she didn't know how to speak... But the blood hemorrhaging from her neck would prevent anyone from speaking anyway;
The cops were on her in an instant, taking the gun away from her and cuffing her hands behind her back... But it was pointless; Shizune was no more at this point... Simply a corpse, floating in a puddle of blood and rain.

The first cop stayed next to her, searching her for more weapons and looking around... While the second one went in the direction Misha ran to.

Misha: 'HEREEEEEEEEEEEEEE'

She coughed, and yelled again;

Misha: 'I'M HERE! Help! I'm shot! She... She shot me, HELP!'


End of chapter 5.
Epilogue: https://pastebin.com/xfYm7d7y