"HIME IN THE DARKNESS”

Episode 3

Classmate A: Is Yami absent again today? She wasn't here yesterday either.

Classmate B: She seems to be absent a lot for someone who just transferred in.

(Yami came at the school but full of bandages everyone is shocked)

Itsuki: Yami... you're covered in bandages! Yami, what happened??

Yami: Just a cold.

Itsuki: Don't gimme that! There's no way that's a cold!

Yami: I'm fine. I can still go to the ocean.

In the end, Yami never told me how she got hurt. And the next day, she didn't come to school.

^ DEATH SUPPRESSANTS ^

Akari: Yami! Yami! Hang in there! Yami!

(Itsuki went to the village and run towards them he heard of Akari)

Itsuki: (Thinking) I knew there was something going on!

^ Inside the House ^

Akari: Yami! Yami! Answer me! Yami!

(Itsuki saw Yami's laying on the floor and full of bloods)

Itsuki: Yami... Yami! What's going on? Stay with me! Hey! Are you okay?

Yami: Please... take me to... the kitchen... in the back.

(Itsuki help Yami to go to the Kitchen)

Yami: In that cupboard. We need to take this pills... called death suppressants everyday, or we'll die. Those researcher entered some chemical on our body so we need this. If we don't take them for thirty hours, our skin starts to split. Then blood pours out from all over our bodies. At thirty-five hours, our organs melt, and we die. We have 10 pills left. Enough to last the two of us for five days. These pills are our life itself.

Itsuki: (Thinking) She was forcing herself not to take one until the last second.

Yami: I tried to save up, but it doesn't look like I'll make it to the ocean in eight days.

Itsuki: (Thinking) All because I went and invited her to the ocean...

Yami: Don't worry. I took a pill, so if I get some sleep, I'll be good as new. And it's not your fault. I wanted to see the ocean. Somehow, I feel like I really wanted to go a long time ago.

Itsuki: (Shock) Huh?

(Itsuki go to Akari)

Akari: Where's Yami?

Itsuki: She's sleeping in the kitchen. Where can you get those pills?

Akari: They're probably nowhere except at the lab where the researcher is. But we escaped en route, so we don't where the lab is.

Itsuki: Oh... I see.

Akari: We've only got five days left to live. So I have a favor to ask you. For these last five days, please bring us cake.

^ At the Kitchen ^

Yami: I gotta clean up. Hot water...

(Yami go to the outside and saw Itsuki cutting some woods)

Yami: What are you doing?

Itsuki: Feeling better already?

Yami: I'm fine. When we take the death suppressant, the wounds heal up right away.

Itsuki: I see. Akari said, "If you don't have anything to do, cut some firewood," so...

Yami: Hey... That's way too much firewood. We won't be able to use it all.

Itsuki: (Thinking) It's not like it's set in stone that they're going to die. If we can just find a way to get more pills...

Itsuki: Hey! There's smoke coming from that house! Huh? Why's it on fire!?

Yami: I was boiling water.

Itsuki: I'll get Akari out! You blow the kitchen up and put out the fire!

^ Inside the house ^

Akari: What's the deal with this smoke!?

Itsuki: Akari! We're going out of here! Let's go.

Akari: Hey! Don't use this as an excuse to feel me up!

Itsuki: Shut up! Jeez, how can you be this heavy when you don't even have any boobies!?

Yami... Did she manage? Let's go.

^ Outside the house ^

Itsuki: Wow, the fire's already out.

Yami: (Crying) Sorry.

Itsuki: Did something happen?

Yami: Akari, I'm so sorry. The pills all burned up. You had your last one yesterday. It's... It's my fault.

Akari: (Bleeding) Don't cry, Yami. Don't worry about it. I'm just gonna die a little faster, is all. But I don't want to suffer as I melt. So before that happens, kill me, okay, Yami? Crush me so I won't feel a thing.

Itsuki: (Thinking) Isn't there another way out of this? I gotta think of something.

Itsuki: We're still okay.

Yami: Huh?

Itsuki: All we have to do is take some pills from Dresden Pharmaceutical's Takayama factory.

Yami: How do you know that?

Itsuki: I memorized the drug's identification code. "DR" is for Dresden Pharmaceutical. "623" is the drug type. "G" is the factory. For this maker, it's the Takayama one.

Yami: Is it normal to know what sort of thing?

Itsuki: It was written in a book about drugs I read one time. I have a pretty good memory. My brain records everything I see, even if it just once, like a scanner. It's nothing compared to you guys, but I guess you could call it my special power. But thanks to that, I can't even forget things I'd like to. It's rough.

Yami: That's nothing at all. It's so much sadder to forget things you want to remember.

Itsuki: Well, yeah... Hey. What should we do now? We don't have much time. Let's look up the drug and factory on the observatory's computer.

Yami: Do you want me to take Akari?

Itsuki: I'm fine. She's heavy. Oh, but couldn't you just move her using your power to "carry" her?

Yami: Not possible. All I can do is break things. If I touch people, my power can affect them, but I don't have fine control over it.

Itsuki: I see. So you... beat me in arm wrestling by...

Yami: We're lucky your arm didn't break, huh?

Itsuki: You weren't worried about it breaking!?

^ At the observatory ^

Itsuki: This sucks. There's no info about those pills. But I figured out where the factory is. If we take a bus and a train, we can make it today. The problem is security.

Akari: In that case, let's call Aoi.

Itsuki: Who's Aoi?

Yami: She's a friend also expiremented girl like Akari but she ran away. Aoi can do anything online. It's thanks to her that I got into your school. If we ask Aoi, she might be able to lift the security.

Akari: But she's so expensive.

Itsuki: She makes you pay even though you're friends?

Yami: Not money. She takes death suppressants as compensation.

Itsuki: But that means you're exchanging your life for her help!

Itsuki: (Thinking) Yami and Akari sold chunks of their own lives to save mine.

Akari: But this time we don't have any pills to give her.

Yami: The only option is ask her to do it for some of the ones we'll get later.

(Calling Aoi)

Yami: Hello, Aoi? Aoi, if you're there, please respond.

Aoi: D'ya have to call me so casually? If we hang around each other, we'll be easier to catch.

Yami: Aoi, we want to ask you for another computer favor.

Aoi: Huh? Fine, but you gotta pay upfront.

Yami: Sorry. We don't have any pills to pay with. Aoi?

Aoi: Oh. I feel really bad for you, but I'm no volunteer.

Yami: Wait! We're going to the factory where the drug is made. We'll pay you in pills when we get them.

Aoi: So you want me to neutralize the security? Sound interesting. I'll do it! In return, you gotta give me half the pills you steal.

Itsuki: Huh? Hey you, greedy much!?

Aoi: What? Who are you!? Yami, Akari, did you get an outsider mixed up in this!? You know what's gonna happen, right!? He'll get killed for sure!

Itsuki: I know that.

Aoi: If you get it, that's fine.

Itsuki: More importantly, can you really lift the security?

Aoi: Well, no human could do it, but I do have power now. I can crack their codes like they're nothing.

Itsuki: (Thinking) If that's true, her power could cause massive social unrest.

Akari: Yami, run!

Itsuki: What's wrong?

Yami: A forecast. Akari, what did you see?

Akari: Yami! Yami, you'll be killed! You'll get cut in half! Yami, you can't go to that factory!

^ At the Laboratory of researchers ^

Researcher A: There are signs that someone was searching for the drugs identification code.

Assistant : From where?

Researcher A: In addition to spoofing the IP, they want through numerous anymous, overseas proxies. We won't be able to tell right away.

Assistant: Oh well. If we take care of them, it's over anyway. Time to move out, Yoshi. Destroy the Princess and who's with her. If you don't, you're the one who's gonna die. We've equipped your Harnest with a beacon. If you make a move to escape, you'll be ejected and die. So don't even think about it.

^ At the Observatory ^

Yami: I'm... gonna die?

Akari: That's Yoshi. She must be waiting in ambush at the factory.

Yami: Yoshi! Isn't she an AA?

Itsuki: Huh? What's an AA?

Yami: Experimented girls have ranks. The highest is AAA, and the lowest is C. By the way, I'm B and also Aoi. Yami has no ranks she is not an experimented girl she only have power maybe thats why the researcher keeps searching on her.

Yami: We were going to be disposed of, since were defective.

Itsuki: (Thinking) Even with their powers, they're B rank?

Akari: Yoshi is AA, a hybrid who can use two types of power. She's not someone we can deal with.

Itsuki: How often are Akari's forecasts correct?

Yami: If left alone, 100% of the time. But if we act, we can change the future.

Akari: If the forecast changes, I'll see the changed future. If I don't see anything, the forecast hasn't changed.

Yami: But now, thanks to the forecast, we know there's an ambush. We should definitely be able to change the future.

Itsuki: But if there's an enemy at the factory, they may have removed the drugs. (Itsuki to Aoi on call) Hey, Aoi. You still have pills, right? Can't you share some of these guys?

Aoi: Huh? How can you even say that!? Are you telling me to speed up my own death?

Itsuki: This has nothing to do with you, so shut it!

Akari: It's okay. They don't intend to let us live, so I don't think they'd bother removing the pills.

Itsuki: (Thinking) This factory really is our only shot...

Itsuki: So then, what kind of power does Yoshi use?

Akari: The first type is slicing attack magic. Anything within six meters gets sliced to ribbons. And the other is...

Itsuki: We can come up with all the plans we want, but the main issue is this Yoshi girl.

Akari: If you flip the switch on experimented girl Harnest, she'll lost the ability to use power.

Itsuki: "Harnest"?

Yami: It's a machine. The machine that researchers insert it at the back of the body so they can make power. There are three switches. On the bottom right is the "hang up" button. If you push it, she lose the ability to use power for a whole day. On the bottom left is the "eject" button. If you push it, they die.

Akari: However, power can't have any physical effect on a Harnest. We can't flip or break the switches using power.

Itsuki: So theres nothing to do but approach and flip it directly? And what's the third switch?

Yami: We don't know. All they told us is that it's something worse than death. So everyone is too scared to flip it, and no one has ever seen it flipped.

Itsuki: Well, now we know what we have to do.

Akari: It's no good. I can't see it. Even though you're discussing the strategy, I'm not seeing a new future. Yami, you really can't go! If you do, you'll be killed!

Yami: Will this guy die?

Itsuki: "This guy"?

Akari: He'll probably survive.

Itsuki: Like I'm not here!?

Yami: I see. Then that's fine. I'm sure we'll pull off the plan.

Itsuki: (Thinking) What kind of logic is that? There's no point in doing this if you die.

Akari: Hey. I have a favor to ask you. Don't let Yami use too much power. If she does she loses things that are important to her, because it is an effect of the chemical that researcher insert to her body when the time she saved me.

Itsuki: Important things?

Aoi: Hey. It's already time to board the train. If you don't leave now, you won't make it.

Yami: O-okay. Akari, just hold tight. We're gonna get those pills.

Aoi: Careful out there, you two.

Yami: R-Right. Okay, let's go.

(Ended the call)

^ At Aoi's place ^

Aoi: (Talking to herself) (Bleeding) Sorry, Akari. I just don't have any pills to give you. But I can't go dying before the operation starts at 12:00. I'm counting on you, Yami.

^ Inside the train ^

Itsuki: What're you doing?

Yami: D-Don't look!

Itsuki: Drawing a picture or something?

Yami: Why would I be drawing a picture?

Itsuki: Well, you can't write, so...

Yami: Don't make fun of me! I can write anything!

^ Outside the Factory ^

Itsuki: That's the factory. Following the plan, you'll break in through the front door to draw Yoshi's attention. I'll go in through the back, get behind Yoshi, and flip the switch on her Harnest. If you encounter an enemy, make as much noise as possible so I can find you. Got it?

Yami: Hey, I want you to do something for me. When you get inside, read this letter.

Itsuki: Is this what you were writing before?

Yami: Please.

Itsuki: What's that all about? It's almost time!

(Yami and Itsuki separated to do the operation)

Itsuki: (Thinking) It's 12:00. We're counting on you, Aoi!

(Yami is already inside and Itsuki is on the back door inside)

Itsuki: Oh, right. The letter.

(Itsuki was reading the letter)

Itsuki: That i***t!

^ At the Observatory ^

Akari: Oh no. This is bad.

Aoi: (On call) What is?

Akari: There's no new forecast. At this rate, Yami is gonna die.

^ At the back door inside ^

Itsuki: Could she have intended to from the start!? What kind of dumbass waltez through the front door?

^ At the front door inside ^

Yoshi: (Laughing) Long time no see, Yami. The Princess who can't kill nobody.

Yami: Princess? What are you talking about?

Yoshi: I'll slice you to pieces.

The letter "I'll lure Yoshi away. While I do that, please find the pills and run. Please don't come to save me. If I can use my life to save Akari and Aoi, my life doubles.

Itsuki: She was planning from the beggining to be a decoy and die alone. Sure, If I do as she says, I can save Akari and Aoi, no problem. But does she really think I can leave her to die!?

^ At the observatory ^

Akari: Whoaaaaaa....

Aoi: What? What's wrong?

Akari: The forecast changed! Itsuki is gonna die too!

They'll both get killed!

^ At the Factory Front door inside ^

(Yami is not using her power, only to lure Yoshi)

Yami: Stop this! Why do we have to kill each other?

Yoshi: Kill "each other"? Don't be ridiculous. This is one-sided slaughter, from my side.

(Yoshi use her power and the dress of what Yami's wearing is cut and all she's has now is the bra, Yami use her power to fell something for Yoshi but... )

Yami: D-Dammit!

Yoshi: It's no use! There's nothing I can't cut.

Yami: (Thinking) It's fine if I die here. But I have to keep her busy until he finds the pills.

(Itsuki was coming to the front gate to help Yami)

Itsuki: Over there?

Yoshi: (To Yami) Oh, finished running already?

Yami: Damn you!!

(Itsuki is watching them)

Itsuki: So that's Yoshi.

(Itsuki saw Yami's moles)

Itsuki: (Shock) Huh!?? Those are... Kurayami's moles! How? They weren't there before... Oh! As she grew, the moles shifted from where they were when she was a kid. She really is...

Itsuki: (Crying) I'm so happy. Kurayami is alive! I'm coming, Kurayami! But why don't you remember me?

(Itsuki remember of what Akari said and Yami)

"Don't let her use too much power. She loses things that are important to her" Akari.

"It's so much sadder to forget things you want to remember" Yami.

Itsuki: I get it. The important things she loses are her memories. That explains everything. Well, she doesn't have to remember me. We'll just make a new memories of being together from now on!

(yami saw Itsuki)

Yami: (Thinking and hoping that Itsuki can survive) Why? Why are you here? You'll get killed! Run! Please!

Yoshi: (To Yami) Begging for your life? Don't bother.

(Itsuki trying to save Yami but he is late, Yoshi sliced the body of Yami, she still didn't see Itsuki)

Aoi: (To Yami) i***t!

Itsuki: (Shock and Mad) I... I... lost Kurayami again!?

"The other is..." Akari.

Itsuki: No, not yet. We're still okay.