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sadisticsmiles · 6 years

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Beyond a Thief’s Power Episode 23

Final Concert

Kenshi gaped, but his stunned look when he and the others saw the massive gap inside of Le Renard Noir where the basement and parts of the interior were, soon became an excited glee about it. “Whoa, this is just like being in a real horror game!”

Atsumu quickly turned from his shock at the cedar-haired man with fury showing on his own face. “A horror game?! This is no time to be thinking about what you like playing, Kenshi! My pride and joy of a basement is gone!”

“Calm down,” Takuto interjected with indifference. “It’s not the end of the Human World. At least we’re back home safe and sound.”

Riki added while looking staid as ever, “Yeah.” His shoulders slumped. “Ibuki blew it up and sent us to the dimension when she was possessed. Kikuno had ‘awakened’ her to do so while we were waiting around.”

Hiro looked down sorrowfully. “I wish… we could’ve had more power to save her from all of this.” His waterworks arrived and he sobbed. “She was with us for the last four months… and we failed as a band of noble thieves to steal her away from the dangerous things we didn’t want to involve her in!” He declined his head and shut his eyes.

Sayuri stared at Hiro’s back and placed her left hand on the left side of it, near the top. “Hiro.”

Riki looked at the two of them and slowly, yet gently, petted Hiro’s head with his right hand.

Seeing his fellow members of the Black Foxes put Atsumu at ease and he softly smiled.

Rina looked across from her left; she was standing next to Takuto who was on her right side and behind Kenshi, who was in front of them. In fact, she was gazing at Mitsuki, who was all the way on the other side on Riki’s left. “What about Mitsuki-san, Manjuki-san, and anyone else who’s wounded or injured? They need the most care right now.”

Taiga agreed, “Rina’s right. We shouldn’t neglect anyone who’s hurt. Although, a magician’s body is tougher than a human’s, I’m not able to do much.”

Kuruha exhaled. “Let’s have everyone who’s gotten the brunt of the fights to change out of their clothes and wash the blood off. Then, we can help out with the treatment.”

“Yeah,” Kokoro said. “Someone should look at Aaron. He must’ve broken parts of his body while beating up Circ with all he had in him. I bet he’s got some open dents protruding outward on his arms, and stomach.”

“’Scuse me?” Aaron raised his voice mildly with a sardonic tone to it, while looking calm. “A magician’s body is better than a tin heap of cans. I didn’t get any of my blood spilt from using whatever I could muster up to attack while his guard was down. You’re an ingrate even though Futaba and I risked ourselves to save your puny ass.”

Kuruha looked at her younger sister. “Kokoro, knock it off. Can’t you be more appreciative to Aaron?”

Kokoro frowned. “…Hmph. Whatever.”

“An ill-mannered pipsqueak who can’t find an inkling within her to thank me,” Aaron commented. “A lot of people in this world would find it hard to believe she’s older than she looks, as well as her having a boyfriend who’s nine years her senior.”

Hyosuke put on an eye smile. “It might not make you feel better, but Miyuki and I have an age difference of nearly six years.”

Aaron closed his eyes. “It’s different than what I’m talking about.”

Hyosuke opened his eyes. “What?”

Futaba smiled faintly. “Aaron’s talking about Kokoro’s relationship between two humans, but you’re a human male paired with a female magician. You don’t mind it, however, it does have a different connotation and gap from how the auras are given off with us than with humans.”

“Precisely the point,” Manjuki flatly agreed. Then, she mumbled under her breath so her voice was not heard by most of the humans. Riki heard her, on the other hand. “You don’t know what it feels to us. It’s never been a light matter.”

Manjuki and the other magicians who weren’t with the main group and the Mamiya sisters turned around to leave.

“Hurry up, folks!” Takuji hollered with his back turned.

Rina smiled wryly. “Really. They all have a vibe unlike ours.”

Sayuri stared and gave a brief laugh. “Aha! That’s what it means to be deep-rooted, but true to yourself in a way.” She looked genuinely happy and was beginning to revert back to her old self, just a small bit.

“I guess so,” Hiro slowly brought himself to smile. His tears were flowing less and he regained his posture.

Kokoro sighed. “How they can be so straight-laced beats me.”

Kenshi nodded with a peaceful awe to him. “Yet, they all carry a large part of Neon with them.” He closed his eyes. “Manjuki’s my definite favorite out of them. Maybe I love her too much to dispute with her values.”

Riki’s eyes popped with a mad expression on his whole visage. “What?!”

Kenshi opened his eyes with a mischievous glance to his leader. “I didn’t mean it that way. You know she’s an older sister figure to me no matter how much she looks on the outside.”

In a hasty sprint, Kenshi was out in within a few seconds with Riki chasing after him.

Hiro had a blank look with wide eyes on his face. “Uh-oh, Riki the Siscon is back.”

Takuto stared down the hall with a short sigh exiting his mouth. “Honestly, this is getting past the Ibuki meter. No offense, but he suddenly moved away from her. What’s gotten into him? He didn’t care much for Manjuki.”

Hiro titled his head to his left. “Yeah. He’s acting pretty strange.”

Mitsuki looked down with a sad smile. “…Riki feels responsible for hurting her. Of course, I do too, because we’ve ignored her for so long when we’re supposed to be a family.”

Nao reassured the dark purple-haired magician with a kind smile. “Mitsuki-san, don’t take things too hard. Manjuki understands how difficult it is to endure everything on your own. She chose to go to you and Riki-san.” There was a light of envy in her eyes. “She chose you over me. I could’ve easily been the one she rushed to without a moment’s hesitation, but her heart never wavered for you. I’m a bit pained, but I know family will always be placed above one’s best friend and many others.”

Mitsuki lifted her head up. “Nao…”

“That said,” Nao continued, “shouldn’t you wash your right hand? You’re still covered in blood.”

Mitsuki nodded. “Un. I’ll catch up with you all.” She vanished immediately.

“Let’s go check on everyone else,” Atsumu exhaled.

They soon returned to see what went on in the dining area.

“You’re late,” Takuji informed the group as they came in. He was sitting down on a chair at one of the tables with his right thigh over his left one. His arms were relaxed at his sides, though.

“You sure took your time,” Rumi mentioned with a warm smile on his visage.

Nao gazed at her cousin. “Some things came up.” She glanced at Manjuki next and blinked. “I see your blood’s gone from your shirt, Manjuki. You must be feeling better.”

“It’s thanks to Asuka,” Manjuki told her best friend. “My wound wasn’t healing fast enough since the Human World is still putting strict limits on our powers.”

An eye smile appeared on Asuka’s face. “Staying in Neon has been helpful to my recovery. I had a large boost of power at home. Ehehe.”

There was something about Asuka’s smile that piqued curiosity in the area from the human males, but it was a secret.

“By the way,” Takuto said to Asuka, “is everything going well with your brother? He’s been sick for a longer time than you have, so how was he able to come to save us from the dimension?”

Asuka opened her eyes, not once did her smile budge. “Yes. Onii-sama is doing better now. He recovered just in time so that we could finish Roxanne off and bring Swillving with us.”

Just then, Mitsuki teleported into the dining area. “About Swillving’s blades… were the new ones from Karen and Walter?”

Asuka nodded. “Onii-sama had their blades infused with hers, so they had to break in order for him to use his powers as well as my own. Because we went outside of Neon, our powers were limited, which Swillving’s new form was our last resort in killing the last of those beings.”

“I see,” Mitsuki replied. “Swillving wasn’t waiting for me, but she was needed to kill Roxanne.”

“We’re sorry,” Asuka apologized. “Onii-sama called her to Neon after your father-in-law’s assault on you took place, to make the final preparations for our entrance. To have stolen her from you was wrong. We didn’t give you the chance to see her as she was before the last battle.”

Mitsuki smiled assuring her world’s princess. “It’s fine. I’m glad she was in your hands. You’ve grown quite strong and beautiful since the last time I saw you, Asuka. Kousuke as well. I’m proud of you both.”

“Thank you, Mitsuki-san,” Asuka said.

“How touching,” Minagi added blankly.

Shortly afterward, Kenshi and Riki ran into the building. Then, the cedar-haired man went behind Manjuki and stopped. Riki halted in front of Manjuki, but his glare did not leave Kenshi for a second.

“You’re really hiding behind my sister, huh?” Riki asked. “Don’t be a coward, Kenshi, and just let me get my way with you.”

“No way, Riki,” Kenshi blurted out. “I didn’t mean anything serious about that.”

Riki’s gaze locked on with a cold look in them. “Oh? Care to say that again? I’m sure you won’t want to mess with my fists. Take responsibility for blubbering in the first place, why don’t you.”

“C’mon, don’t be like that,” Kenshi pouted.

Riki’s right eye twitched. “I’ll be however I am, so stop stalling and take my punches like a man. First, Ibuki had feelings for you, and now you’ve run your mouth about Manjuki. Who’s it gonna be?”

Hiro narrowed his eyes and thought, What about Sayuri?

Manjuki let out a breath and gazed at Riki. “Onii-san, there’s nothing to be angry about. Kenshi and I are only platonic, in regards to one another. The love you misinterpreted was the third and last one: friendship.”

Riki listened to Manjuki and sighed. “Okay, I get it. I’ll drop the whole thing, except there’s one more thing about Kenshi that we should clear up.” He shifted his position and looked at Kenshi, Sayuri, and his fellow Black Fox members.

Manjuki gave a light nod. “It’s alright; we all know—except for one of us.”

Riki’s eyes widened slightly, but he balled his hands into open fists with comprehension. He steadily addressed the sniper of the Black Foxes. “Kenshi, how do you feel towards Sayuri now?”

At hearing her name, Sayuri’s eye widened in surprise. “Eh?”

The fingers on Hiro’s left hand lightly jerked. “…” Yet, he stayed in his spot to hear the cedar-haired man’s response. He would not allow himself to wane in his friendship with Kenshi.

A short silence was inside Le Renard Noir. Kenshi turned around and stared into Sayuri’s eyes. There was something he was not certain of, but he had felt a release from within him some time while everyone was in the dimension. He knew something was not right before he and the others met up and then reunited with those who were in Roxanne’s area. The very thing which was gone from his entire body left no conflict and unresolved issues, but he needed to resolve it. Looking at Sayuri, he felt nothing. He searched, but still, there was nothing he could feel.

Huh? Kenshi’s eyes widened while he entered his mind. I… I can’t feel anything. My feelings for Sayuri are nonexistent than before we met all up in the last space of the dimension. What does this mean?

“Nothing romantic,” he announced in a quiet tone of voice. “That’s… I don’t know how my feelings aren’t there anymore.”

Sayuri was still baffled, and Rina’s eyes widened.

“Uh…” Sayuri trailed off.

“What’s going on?” Rina asked.

Takuji stared the two of them, but started with the blonde magician. “Rina, you must’ve forgotten.” His gaze narrowed toward his partner next. “Sayuri, I’m disappointed in you. You’re a Magician of Fate. You can deduce what Homura-sama has concealed from your knowledge after hearing what Kenshi said just now.”

Sayuri quickly shifted her gaze toward the mint-haired magician with a vexed facial expression. “What?! You’re always so lenient when it comes to Rina, Takuji.” She stared for a few seconds before adding in a calm manner, “Why does everyone else know that Kenshi had feelings for me, but I have to be the last one to find out? Does this really have to go back to Faye’s title as the being of Fate?”

The human males in the Black Fox Alliance were even more confused by the revelations unfolding.

“W-Wait,” Atsumu blinked with a dubious look on his visage. “Do Kenshi’s feelings have to do with the curse on the magicians enacted by Faye?”

Rina sighed, yet her facial expression was not one of exhaustion and anxiousness, but full of a composed look. “Yeah. Sorry to have hidden everything to you guys months ago. We magicians have been under orders not to talk directly about the real aspects of the curses. It’s should be fine now with the three of them rid from the universe.”

“So the truth of it originated from…” Kenshi cut himself short yet slowly.

“Yeah,” Rina reiterated. “Your feelings were the result of the powers of it. They were never real.”

“Rina…” Kenshi did not feel any resentment, so he was more understanding with his friend. “You guys went through a lot.” He smiled at Rina and Sayuri. “Not just the two of you, but all the magicians. Rina, didn’t you say what you did back then for our sakes?”

Takuto gazed at Kenshi. “For our sakes. As in, the rest of our team—the Black Foxes?”

The cedar-haired man nodded. “Despite the face Rina was following orders, when she said that the feelings I held for Sayuri were real, she instigated a new round of fun, and brought us to work together and our own bonds ended up being tested.” He glanced at Hiro and grinned. “Right, Hiro?”

Hiro was a little confused, but soon smiled back. “Yeah! We really did have fun teasing you, even with the arguments that happened in our group.” He was fond of those times. “Welcome back, Kenny.”

“Thanks,” Kenshi continued to grin. “It’s good to be back.”

“Hold on,” Rina said. “I didn’t do anything other than what I had to when I faked my words about thinking you were really in love with Sayuri, Kenshi. You’re giving me unnecessary credit for the things I haven’t contributed to.”

“But the things that are unintended are the ones that are fated,” Kenshi stated. “You’ve done more than you think because you’ve been with us for a long time. Having you around is more than enough. We wouldn’t have experienced so much without you and the others. I’d say we’d be ordinary guys doing whatever we wanted without a care.”

As if egged on by Kenshi’s words about fate occurring unintentionally, Mitsuki’s Book of Neon glowed brightly. In fact, the violet light shone to the point where it lit up to form a big sphere around the Black Foxes.

“What’s going on?” Riki asked.

“Beats me,” Takuto shrugged nonchalantly.

“Wow…” Hiro trailed off in awe.

“This is such a beautiful light,” Atsumu said as his eyes were fixated in bewilderment and interest.

While Mitsuki was speechless, Manjuki glanced over at her sister.

“Onee-chan, you should be able to come back now,” the younger Saionji sister declared neutrally.

Mitsuki’s eyes widened and she looked at Manjuki. “Eh?”

The light dissipated and the guys also turned their attention to the purpureus-haired magician with perplexed expressions on their visages.

“You were exiled for over nine years to this day,” Manjuki continued. “Your Book should be up-to-date. Therefore, you can return to Neon.”

“I’ve been forgiven?” Mitsuki questioned. Naturally, she was uncertain afterward. “But… It was my punishment for falling in love and pursuing my feelings for Riki that led to my banishment and the reduction of my powers. Additionally, you became the head of our family in my place, Manjuki. I’m at fault for bringing shame upon us.”

Minagi glanced at her eldest cousin with a tranquil look mixed with her stoicism. “It’s nothing you should fret over. The whole universe—Neon and the Human World—was saved. We, the magicians of the Hidden Resistance, weren’t the only ones who aided in our objective to ultimately end the entities. Everyone at home is grateful for your part.”

Rumi smiled with his mouth slightly opened and his closed eyes. “Yes. Truly. We mean it when it comes to the whole universe. After all, if Neon and its magicians perished, so would the Human World.” He opened his eyes. “Without us, you wouldn’t be alive. Not to be quite condescending, but it’s the truth.”

Futaba laughed. “Hehe, goes it show how much Circ overestimated us magicians! But, thank you. We can live our lives freely.”

Mitsuki felt herself filled with affection for the magicians. “You guys…”

Takuto glanced at Riki; he noticed something about the latter’s facial expression. “What’s the matter now? You’re frowning. Might as well make yourself known as the Attitude King, for magic’s sake.”

The grimace on Riki’s face didn’t budge. “…It’s just… Manjuki has several people who love her—especially men. I was also wondering about that Charles guy.” He instantly remembered the moment the dark green-haired male magician caught his sister-in-law in his arms, and the gaze they had for each other. “You two were off in your own world during a crucial time for everyone.”

Takuto narrowed his eyes. “Someone’s older brother instinct has taken over and transferred to his non-blood related sister. How overprotective do you feel, ‘cause I’m positive everyone senses an obligation to Manjuki than an innate response from you.”

Hiro nodded with narrowed eyes. “Uh-huh.” Then, he whispered, “Siscon.”

Atsumu giggled. “Oh my. Riki, you’ve said it now.”

“Haha!” Kenshi laughed.

Hyosuke made a disgusted face. “I want to barf.”

“Wow,” Kokoro breathed. “An extreme case, huh?”

Takuji stared at Riki with a blank expression etched on his visage. “Never thought it’d go this far. That’s a human for you.”

Aaron exhaled with a neutral staid look of his own. “Doesn’t exist with magicians anyhow.”

“So this is what my cousin-in-law is like,” Minagi noted. A faint smile appeared in a barely noticeable amusement. “Humans really are different.”

Asuka said with a gentle smile, “After living in this world, I’ve learned something new myself.”

Miyuki’s mouth opened a teensy bit. “A strange one is the leader of the Black Foxes. I’ve witnessed something oddly… appealing even Nonaga would agree with a little.”

Nao laughed. “Haha, how nice. Manjuki must be a bit unfortunate yet lucky at the same time.”

Rumi tilted his head slightly to his right with some interest. “Hmm~. Mitsuki-senpai, Manjuki-senpai, and Minagi-senpai have a human man in the Saionji and Hogo families. The addition to them is no doubt something that causes a ruckus to all the magicians, but can now be accepted gradually. Congratulations, Riki, and senpais.”

“Oh,” Mitsuki said. “Thank you, Rumi.”

Aaron changed the subject back to Riki’s bothered curiosity. “Well, Juki? Arent you going to tell your older brother about you and Charles?”

“I was getting to it,” Manjuki stated with a glance to the teal-haired magician. Then, she looked back at Riki. “Charles is my lover.”

Riki was surprised. “Manjuki, you’re dating someone?”

The purpureus-haired magician nodded. “Un. It’s been over eight years.”

“A long relationship, eh?” Atsumu grinned. “To think our Manjuki isn’t married.”

Manjuki glanced at the boss of the Black Foxes and replied. “No, I am.”

Hiro and Hyosuke shouted simultaneously. “Ehhhhhhh?!”

Taiga interjected, “I know this is late, but what happened to not disturbing the neighbors?”

Takuji gave a brush to his left with his right hand. “I soundproofed the building over four months ago.”

“Oh,” Taiga replied.

Atsumu laughed lightly. “Aha, my bad for bringing it up a while back.”

Takuto’s eyes narrowed while he was still aloof. “Yeah. You’re a bad fly that should’ve been swatted when you came back with everyone.”

“Hey…” Atsumu frowned. “That was uncalled for.”

Rina sighed and placed her left hand on her hip while she turned toward the light blond. “Takuto, you don’t have to be mean to Boss. We just went through a long battle.”

Takuto clicked his tongue. “Tch. You came in late.”

“I was back to full health after staying in Neon!” Rina yelled. “I even came from the palace to rejoin everyone for the last part, and you’re still not grateful for being alive. I was a fool for saving your not-so-sorry ass.”

“You want an apology that bad?” Takuto asked in an indifferent manner.

“No,” Rina rejected. “And I don’t want your thanks.”

Rina turned the other way, to her left side.

Mitsuki, on the other hand, was quite swamped from hearing her sister’s words. “Wh-When did you and Charles… H-How long have you two been married…?”

Manjuki looked down into her loli of an older sister’s eyes. “Well, we started dating after I graduated high school. Two years after that, I graduated college and we got married. We’ve had six years together as a married couple. Anyway, Minagi, Rumi, Ayura-san, and I are also teachers working with Asuka, who’s the principal, at Sozoteki Geijutsu Academy.”

“Charles-senpai has a mysterious aura,” Nao added. “It’s one thing that attracted Manjuki to him after your class graduated, Mitsuki-san.”

“Ayura-senpai was also a bit surprised since she and Charles-senpai are your friends and you three were classmates,” Rumi mentioned.

“Not so much for Elise and Aikishi,” Minagi informed in a serene manner. “They’re also your friends and classmates from the high school we went to, but it’s rare for magicians to be surprised because of something.”

Mitsuki’s shouldered fell. “I see.” She forced herself to smile and looked up at her younger sister. “As long as you’re happy, Manjuki. To think you and Charles are together is new to me, but… I’ll get used to it because we’re family.”

Manjuki blinked. “That’s fine, Onee-chan. You don’t have to be strong all the time in front of anyone. I can tell as much as everyone else how much you’ve felt hurt and sorry. You’re not the head of the Saionji family anymore, but you’ll be able to see everyone. Mom and Dad will be happy to see you’re well.”

“Manju-chan,” Mitsuki said. Her smile became genuine at that moment. “Thank you.”

Aaron glanced over at Mitsuki, exuberating his cool atmosphere and his ice-cold good looks, as always. “Can’t be helped when you’ve been banished from Neon for almost a decade, Mitsuki-senpai. You’ll quickly get back to living normally, though.”

Futaba smiled. “We should also apologize for keeping Kenshi with us. Thus, I’m sorry—along with the other Hidden Resistance members. We’ve caused you to worry.”

Riki smiled back. “It’s cool. We’re just relieved he’s been in good hands.” He relaxed his shoulders. “But to think you guys went to the same high school as Mitsuki is beyond our minds. Of course, Manjuki attended it, but Nao, the members of Multi-Star Clover, and the former members of Frenzycs, too. It’s a lot to take in.”

“I’ll say,” Takuto agreed in his monotone voice. He opened his laptop with his right hand. “I can finally check the date and time. It’s 2:49 a.m. on August 29th. Man, we took a while in the dimension after being sucked in at midnight.”

Sayuri nodded. “The fighting seemed to take a shorter amount of time, but we were in there for over two hours.”

Hiro heaved a sigh. “It sure wasn’t rad; it was bogus having to keep avoiding Roxanne’s usage of Rina’s powers. Takkun, Boss, and I were so not having any fun going all over the place.”

“We actually couldn’t get near her, Hiro,” Takuto corrected. “She was pushing us away from her, so we never got a chance to go around, either.”

Hiro puffed his cheeks out. “You know what I meant. She tried whooping us with everything she had! Doing gymnastics wouldn’t had saved our skins if it came down to having a last resort for us to dodge her.”

“I’d be a laughing stock from a circus and you’d be twirling and swinging yourself,” Takuto commented. “Beardless would be dead in no time.” He laughed. “Hahaha!”

A horrified yet angry expression donned Atsumu’s visage. “What?! You’re going too far with your imagination, Takkun! My back’s not broken, for your information!”

“Well your sense of humor is, or it’s nonexistent,” the hacker smirked. “You’re bad at disputing with people, so give it up already.”

Atsumu allowed a triste sigh to escape his mouth. “Huh… Why must you always be cruel to me?”

“You soul begs for me to,” Takuto answered, having reverted back to his usual nonchalant self in a flash.

Atsumu instantly lost his will to respond. “…”

Kenshi laughed. “Hahaha! Can’t beat Takuto’s retorts.”

Taiga asked, “You can’t?”

“They’re able to shut Boss up at a gnarly rate,” Hiro winked with his right eye.

Taiga’s eyes widened. “Sounds amazing.”

Rina narrowed her eyes a bit haggardly. “Taiga, they’re not as great as you think they are. Don’t ask Takuto about anything he says. He wouldn’t be a good influence on you.”

Still as stoic as ever, Takuto glanced at Rina. “That’s not true. Teasing you most of all brings me an awesome reaction.”

“…Go dump yourself off somewhere so you aren’t in the same place as me,” Rina flatly said with a look of lifeless eyes.

“You’re being petty there,” Takuto said.

Rina turned her back on the programmer. “…I’m done.”

Sayuri breathed. “Well, anything else we should all talk about?”

Kuruha proclaimed, “The final concert for Multi-Star Clover is currently undecided since Claire was supposed to finish the plans for it.” Her visage then became full of sadness and she looked down. “I… probably pressured him too much and I didn’t know he and Elizabeth weren’t themselves when I went to make sure everything was done. This was the last thing all of us from Multi-Star Clover and Frenzycs, which Claire, Aikishi, Aaron, and Rumi were part of, wanted to do together before disbanding MSC.”

Kenshi shared those feelings as well as the dark silver-haired young woman did. “Kuruha…”

Kokoro placed her left hand on her sister’s right shoulder. “Onee…” The look in her eyes showed no sadness, but the orbits were clear with a resolve, due to having to stand tall and strong for their long-time friends. “It’ll be alright. We can go on without Elizabeth and Claire. They’d want us to.”

Kuruha looked into those lime-green eyes of the amaranth pink-haired girl and nodded with a small smile forming on her face. “Yeah. We can’t disappoint out fans. They would be confused if we left them hanging.”

Miyuki’s eyebrows raised a little. “How are you guys going to go on without your friends? Elizabeth Diamond was the main vocalist and Kuruha Mamiya’s the center, despite the fact that Kuruha is more famous out of all the members.”

Kenshi lowered his head. “I’m not quite knowledgeable on most of the ways the entertainment industry deals with having any deceased talents in their agencies, but there are some groups that do end up disbanding right after. Or, the members split up and become solo acts. Overall, those who work in this type of world move on with their lives.”

Kuruha had a determined expression on her visage—her eyes were brimming with a will to keep going and her mouth was a faint line. She faced Kenshi and spoke. “I don’t want to quit when we’ve been planning our farewell concert to be back in Yamato1 after leaving South Korea with the last appearance we made. We’ve got to do something not just for those two, but for the fans.”

Hyosuke smiled broadly with a sensation of admiration and ecstasy erupting within his body, especially in his chest. “This is so cool! You’re giving off an overwhelming aura, Kuruha.” Breath taken, he felt himself grow cold with satisfaction, simultaneously with the hotness whooshing around inside.

Minagi closed her eyes and opened them. “Then, we’ll settle on a press conference tomorrow to announce Claire and Elizabeth’s deaths, and the concert as both an homage to them, to our fans, and one more thing.”

Kuruha turned her head towards the light green-haired member of the girl group. “Three things? What’s the last one?”

“It’s a secret,” Minagi replied. “For now.”

Kokoro blinked. “Can’t you tell us?”

“No,” Minagi denied.

While the Mamiya sisters were perplexed, Aaron smiled at Minagi.

“I get it,” the teal-haired magician said. “Mina, you’re pretty sly even as an adult. I’m proud to have you as a childhood friend.”

Minagi gazed at Aaron. “Likewise. You’re quite strong, Aaron. Don’t need to drink your milk?”

Aaron placed his right hand on his abdomen. “My stomach’s alright.”

“I see,” Minagi noted. “We’re down to four members in Multi-Star Clover, but there’s one person who has what it takes to go on stage with us.” She narrowed her eyes a very small fraction. “In Elizabeth’s place as well as her own.”

Aaron nodded approvingly before a smirk planted itself onto his visage. “Of course.”

Futaba smiled and looked at Manjuki. “This is fine, isn’t it, Manjuki?”

Manjuki stared into the picton blue-haired magician’s eyes. “I don’t mind.” She shifted and looked at Nao. “What do you say? Will you join us for the final concert, my one and only best friend?”

Nao’s eyes widened. “Me?” She gazed at her most special friend from high school. “Manjuki…”

“It’s up to you,” Manjuki stated. Next, she extended her right hand in a moderate motion. “If your answer is yes, my hand is here for you to take. If your answer is no, don’t worry. We’ll manage and have Rumi come in.”

Rumi winked with his right eye at his cousin, Taiga, Hyosuke, and Miyuki. “I give my consent in a heartbeat. It’s nice being with my former schoolmates, after all.”

Nao looked at Rumi with a slightly troubled expression. “Rumi. You don’t actually care about performing in the concert after you and your former band members disbanded Frenzycs years ago. What’s with you?”

Rumi kept his smile on. “I’m giving my love to our fellow magicians. I don’t mind. We’re cousins, so what’s the harm?”

“This is a female idol group, not a male one,” Nao argued. “I don’t mind joining, but you should refrain from activities since the entertainment industry would have a fit over mixing men and women in the same idol group. The Human World is strict about their rules, even with one concert. It’s different than Neon’s lenient entertainment industry, and we magicians know our world is more laidback with our celebrities.”

Rumi held out his hands so his palms would face up and motioned them toward his body. “Let the Human World fuss. It went through a so-called ‘calamity’ over four months ago. Things have gradually become different, and we recently saved the universe, so things are going to continue to change.” He set his hands down to his sides. “You’re not a hundred percent fine with the way we do things, oh beloved cousin of mine, but we’re making this concert our last change.”

“Your last change?” Nao wondered.

Rumi dodged the question. “Go finish your answer. You’re halfway through.”

Nao shifted her glance to Manjuki, who was still holding her hand out. “Sorry, Manjuki. I’ve kept you waiting.” While her best friend didn’t respond, she walked toward the head of the Saionji family, reached forward with her right arm, and grabbed hold of her hand. However, Manjuki returned her friend’s grip, to which Nao smiled. “You’re not even speaking to me. Seriously, how stubborn can you be?”

Manjuki let go of Nao’s hand, letting her own rest back at her side, before sighing. “You took your time.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Nao said. “You know I didn’t mean to.”

“At six in the morning in front of Multi-Star Clover’s agency, we’ll meet,” Manjuki brought up. “We should have enough time before the school day starts to set up the press conference between today and tomorrow because we’re magicians.” She glanced at the other magicians in the restaurant/bar. “We should get back soon. It’s still tiring to be in the Human World for us.”

Asuka smiled. “Yes, we can’t stay here for too long. Today’s another weekday.” She placed her right hand on the side of her face; her smile was a bit conflicted. “The students must be worried.”

Rina agreed. “You’re so dedicated to your work. I’m sure the kids in the Human World tend to miss you a lot, Asuka.”

“We still have some third generation magicians students to teach,” Asuka replied. “We shouldn’t overlook the fact they’re also young.”

“I admire that about you, our princess,” Rina added.

Sayuri put her right hand over her mouth [to not let anyone see her yawning] with closed eyes. Her shoulders slumped from the exhaustion in her body. Another yawn came shortly after and her eyes closed once more. Her hand slowly—very slowly—fell to her side and she remained in a sleeping position while she stood.

Rina walked over to her best friend and a warm smile appeared on her visage. “Time to go home, huh.”

Takuto glanced at his… his what? He and Rina had not once rekindled their past relationship, yet they still held a strong flame for each other, which was actually quite rocky than fiery. The past few months were more of a tolerant way of him being nicer to her, but both of them were on different levels of stubbornness when it came to the other. However, he managed to say, “Be careful.”

Rina’s smile became fonder for the light blond. “Neon isn’t dangerous, but thanks, Takuto.”

The next few seconds flew by and Rina and the other magicians, minus Mitsuki, Nao, and Miyuki vanished from Le Renard Noir.

“Uh…” Miyuki trailed off. “I’ll… go home, too. Nonaga and the others at school won’t be happy if I didn’t attend school, so…” She glanced at Hyosuke. “I’ll meet you again, Hyosuke.”

Hyosuke smiled tenderly. “Yeah. Have fun, Miyuki.”

With a last smile on her visage, Miyuki teleported to Neon.

A short silence filled the area, but was broken by Riki.

“Hey,” Riki began as he narrowed his eyes. He was calm along with everyone else. “What’ll happen other than the MSC preparations?”

Kuruha looked at the leader of the Black Foxes. “Well, there’s still some stuff to do in order to move forward. You guys have it rough as well.” She closed her eyes and opened them. “For instance, we’ll give Claire and Elizabeth a small plate somewhere, but it won’t be in a cemetery, since we shouldn’t waste the places for other people to bury the ashes of their loved ones. Claire was once a writer known as Faire, as in the French verb meaning ‘to do or make.’ Elizabeth, Kokoro, and I supported his writings of our memories and adventures together before each death we went through because they’re precious to us. In all of our lives together and his writing, there were times when he felt like a father to us, and Elizabeth a mother, rather than our closest friends.” She stopped herself for a bit. “As for you guys, it may be insensitive of me to suggest this, but this girl—Ibuki—can have something done in a similar manner. However you guys want to remember her by is up to you, but I don’t think a grave is necessary after being in the dimension. Graves tend to have a sadder feel to them from our2 experience.”

Kokoro mentioned, “Yeah, they did seem to look after us. Sometimes, I wondered if we could’ve had more of a bond as a family, seeing as the four of us kept leaving our parents and our lovers to stay with them throughout our last years in every life.” She smiled brightly and giggled. “Hehe, and then we met Aaron and the others years ago. I really don’t know for certain, but perhaps they healed us and prolonged our lives. Can you guys believe it? We, who were going to die again over three years ago at the same ages we died each life we lived, had our own curse broken by them?”

Although Taiga, Hyosuke, Hiro, and Riki were a bit confused, Kenshi, Takuto, Atsumu, Mitsuki, and Nao listened without any bafflement.

Kenshi’s visage had a knowing smile. “The Eternal Reincarnation Cycle broke six years ago, right?”

The Mamiya sisters only smiled back.

“Wait.” Atsumu had a grim look on his face. “You’re saying that you’re really the quartet from the twelfth century? The ones who were led by Claire Fioré against the Roman Catholic Church and the founders of the Door to the Eternal Reincarnation Cycle?”

Kuruha answered. “Of course. We aren’t people who would lie about the truth.”

Taiga placed his right hand on his chin and his eyes narrowed as if he were deep in thought. “There was a rumor about the human members of Multi-Star Clover and Frenzycs years ago after your groups debuted. About… how similar you four were in appearance to your previous selves. Not only from your original lives, but every one after your first deaths.”

Hyosuke nodded. “True. There were a lot of photos in both old articles and books—not just history ones. They were even classes in school about you guys, then tabloids, and showings on television. You guys are legendary and living legends once more.”

Kokoro laughed. “Ahahaha! Legendary. Living legends once more. How amusing today’s generation is!”

Mitsuki commented. “Hiro may say some strange things the Human World has, but Kokoro has part of the olden Japanese language in her as well.”

Kokoro’s eyes narrowed fondly. “I am from an old era, after all. Onee is the one who’s always been more modern-sounding, even back then.”

Kuruha folded her arms. “Though, Kokoro tends to like being called an old lady, I don’t. Maybe I do fit in more with Minagi, Manjuki, and Elise in Multi-Star Clover’s group, but magicians find it to be one of the worst insults when someone calls them old.”

Nao’s mouth was a thin line, yet she was neutral. “We don’t age once we hit seventeen, and we’re technically immortal, aside from the curses that were placed on us and the restrictions of the Human World. Furthermore, it’s bad for our hearts to be pierced, but we’re made of gemstones, so it would take a magician who’s stronger than us to be able to kill us. This is another reason we magicians don’t have bad relationships. It’s a rare thing for anyone to want to kill another among us.”

Takuto proclaimed, “Magician facts are pretty useful. I’m lucky to have my laptop updated after we got out of the dimension.”

“It’s automatic, of course,” Nao replied. “You must have read plenty of the pages by now, Takuto.”

“With almost nothing but work to do since we took a long break from dealing with the 14K, I’ve been reading as much as I can,” Takuto stated. “Too bad the knowledge I obtained wasn’t useful in dealing with them.”

Hiro smiled casually. “Come on, Takkun. Everything worked out in the end. On the flipside, Rina used your laptop to save us and Boss! It was so cool how she threw it at Roxanne’s attack and reflected it back to her, especially since Roxanne was using Rina’s powers anyway!”

Mitsuki and Nao’s eyes widened. “Eh?”

Atsumu tilted his head to his left. “Is something wrong?”

Nao blinked. “It’s just…” She paused before continuing. “I assume Rina hasn’t mentioned it to Takuto or anyone else. A magician’s Book of Neon and their cell phone are both connected to their lives. She risked herself to save you three, so Takuto’s laptop would’ve most likely been damaged. Thus, Rina would’ve also been hurt from the attack and her cell phone would’ve cracked. Then again, if she didn’t have her cell phone with her when she went to help you out, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

Mitsuki sighed while the look on her face became collected. “I’m glad she wasn’t reckless. Rina knows as all magicians do of the consequences of their choices.”

Riki grinned triumphantly. “She made it before us, which was enough with what we’ve been through.”

Hiro pouted. “Poor Rina. She rarely gets any appreciation for doing things for us—mainly for Takkun, but seriously. We should throw a party for her sometime.”

Takuto narrowed his eyes while remaining aloof. “She’s not a victim, you know. She can handle not getting anything out of me.”

Kenshi smiled with a gleam in his eyes. “Now that I think about it, you two don’t argue so fiercely as you did before I was out of the picture. Did something happen since then?”

Takuto blushed in a fury. It was a quick memory jog for him, but he recalled their last kiss together months ago and the recent confession he and Rina exchanged before the promise they made. “N-No! Nothing a-at all!”

“What?” Kenshi urged. “Tell us!” He enjoyed his light teasing. “I’ve missed out, so let’s catch up, Takuto!”

“No frickin’ way!” Takuto objected. “You snooze, you lose, Kenny. I ain’t got anything worth tellin’.”

Kenshi’s mouth opened widely. “Aww! I’ve been with the Hidden Resistance and we took down most of the 14K’s forces during your break. Can’t you at least fill me in on the details?”

“Nuh-uh,” Takuto said. “I’m not saying anything.”

The banter between the sniper and hacker of the Black Foxes made everyone laugh. With Kenshi back, it wasn’t as lonely as before. The group wouldn’t have to be so serious about what they would do with their conflicts with the 14K resolved.

Atsumu felt refreshed and brought up something that hadn’t been done since the Four-Thirteen incident. “Why don’t we have our own pre-party right now? We should fill our hungry stomachs after our big ordeal.”

Taiga stared at the bar/restaurant owner. “That…” He smiled happily. “Sounds fun.”

Hyosuke’s eyes widened. “Bro…” Then, he felt a sense of peace and affection for his brother. “Yeah, it does sound great.”

Nao reached out with her right hand and petted Hyosuke’s head. She smiled gently, and they three of them seemed to be closer as a real family than before. There was a warmth spreading from them to which the members of the Black Foxes smiled at the sight. Atsumu went into the kitchen shortly afterward, and the Mamiya sisters also smiled tenderly. It may have appeared strange to have the end of the Black Fox Alliance at an early morning hour with two girls, who had lived many lives, with them. And yet, they all did their best to keep their smiles for those they lost and for themselves. It was not the same happiness from messing around for fun; it was a new ray of bonding before the hours would pass and dawn would arise.

XXX

It was 6:05 a.m. on the morning of August 30, 2007. The members of Multi-Star Clover had met up five minutes ago, along with the staff, which had Kokoro and the other magicians, including Rumi and Nao. Gathered in front of the agency they arranged to hold the press conference, the press and bystanders from around the city of Ginza waited in wonder of the news they would hear from the famous idols and former celebrities.

Aikishi was in a gray and gold plaid-pattern business suit and wore a pair of pewter dress shoes. As one of the co-managers for Multi-Star Clover, he was one of the representatives and stood on the left side of the table (right side for the audience). Then, he began with the words, “We are here today to let you all know about the details for the final concert, as well as to bring some information about the alterations to them.”

A reporter asked, “Could you tell us why Elizabeth isn’t present today? I can see that Claire isn’t here with you, to add. Also, what is Nao doing here with you?”

Another reporter inquired, “Are you doing a collaboration for the concert?”

“Wouldn’t this be the first time for MSC to work with Nao?” a third reported wondered. “Seeing as it’ll be the last time for the group to have a concert, is this why you’re finally doing something together?”

Kuruha, who was seated in the center of the table, said, “Settle down.” She wore a plain black dress that covered her shoulders with sleeves cut above her elbows. “It’s a difficult time for us, due to the fact we’ve lost Elizabeth and Claire to death’s door.”

Everyone around the group were stunned.

“C-Care to explain what happened?” one of the reporters asked.

“Both of them,” Kuruha said. “They were both suffering from something they couldn’t escape from, but it was too late before we found out. Yet,” she paused. “They were always putting us before themselves, so they never told anyone until the last moments of their lives. It was more than their own stasis, but darkness that closed them off from their five senses.”

Futaba took over for a few seconds while standing on the other side of the table. She wore a charcoal business jacket over a white button-down dress shirt, a matching skirt that almost reached her knees, and black flats. “To be cut off from the world and the friends they made was a toll for them, and for all of us.”

“In honor of them as well as for our fans,” Kuruha declared, “we will continue as Claire and Elizabeth would’ve wanted to make this the best concert Multi-Star Clover has ever put on. We also share the same wish they did because we’ve been together for the past six years, and yet, there was nothing we could’ve done to save their bodies. The only thing we’ll be able to do is go through the last performances before we disband and separate for good.”

“And what about Nao?” a reporter inquired. “Do you have anything to say about your role for the MSC concert?”

Nao, who was wearing her casual clothes, smiled lightly. “I can’t replace the group’s beloved main vocalist. I hadn’t met her before and I didn’t know her, but of her name and her several reputations as a figure from different times, and as a celebrity.” She let out a brief laugh. “Ehe, the person who could stand on par with my vocals is my cousin, Rumi Akihama, who wouldn’t have minded being a backup if I had refused to sing Elizabeth’s parts. I must say, I’m amused at my own reputation as the top idol and model right now. I do, however, have plans on retiring as well with the concert’s end.”

At the last part, everyone from the audience of the press conference were more shocked.

“Wha—” another reporter attempted to speak, but was still at a loss for words.

“You’re all uncertain if what I said is true,” Nao continued. “I assure you I’m not lying. I would rather walk on the path to the future with my husband, our family, and our friends. Even I believe the entertainment industry needs to stray away from the most famed talents, in which there are magicians. We have things going on as well, you see.”

With no shift in the citizens’ reactions, Aaron clapped his hands twice. As usual, he wore his black suit with a black tie over a white button-down dress shirt, while he stood on Futaba’s right side. With a smile for the public, he proclaimed, “Well said, Nao. Everyone, we do have our own things to do, other than stick with the agency’s schedules. On the other hand, we’ll hold the concert next Saturday night. The entries will be free of charge and open to anyone who’ll come.”

The staff gave the people time to let the information sink in with their pause.

One reporter asked seconds later, “Where will the concert be held?”

Elise gladly answered. “Inside of Tokyo Dome! It’ll be the concert of the year, so we’ve already arranged for it. However, we’ll make sure to broadcast live for anyone who can’t be there or if seats are filled up. Other than that, we will also make plenty of DVDs. Once again, they will be free of charge, so we’ll give them to you as gifts.”

“What time will the concert be?”

“Seven-thirty p.m.,” Manjuki said. “In case anyone has something to do such as work, eating dinner, and so forth, don’t fret. The DVDs will simultaneously be created with our staff’s magic.”

“By staff,” a female reporter finally asked, “you’re referring to the former members of Frenzycs, I presume?”

“Yes,” Rumi confirmed. He stood on Aikishi’s left side. “But do not forget Futaba and the rest of the staff will also be there to help us, and we’ll be working to make this an awesome concert for you all!”

Futaba smiled gently at the sea of people at the press conference. “Please enjoy the concert.”

Aikishi followed up. “It is our pleasure to bring this to you all in Tokyo.”

The rest of the group gathered gave everyone surrounding them a smile. Soon, flashes from the cameras and applause from the others [who weren’t holding anything] sounded throughout the area. The press conference came to a close and made its news on television, hence it was a worldwide sensation, but the seats were filled up on the online forms. Although many fans had their hopes for a seat for the concert broken, they were still guaranteed a DVD to watch and remember it, along with the idols they adored the most.

In addition, the members of the Black Foxes had resumed their daily jobs from before with Hyosuke as a part-time employee/mascot. Rina and Mitsuki cooked in the kitchen with Atsumu since business was booming once more, while Sayuri became the waitress there; she wore the black short-sleeve uniform shirt and pants the employees wore with black shoes. Hiro and Riki continued their jobs as waiters with her, Takuto went back to work sometimes at his company to stay away from the countless customers at Le Renard Noir, and Kenshi returned to his job as a firefighter, sometimes checking on his mother who nearly fainted at seeing him after those past few months, and helping out occasionally at Kikufuji. Taiga was still treating Hisao Watanabe, the ex-businessman alone at home, and Miyuki was still at school, talking to Nonaga. The guys at Fuse Investigations worked throughout the days and were proud to see the news about the Multi-Star Clover press conference and concert, just like the Black Foxes, Kujo brothers, and the ex-business man.

And so, the next nine days passed by as though they sped through a rapid motion in impatient anticipation for the concert. The night of September 8th was just getting started for the first performance. The cameras were ready with Kokoro and Kenshi in focus, while they and the surrounding fans were inside the nearly pitch-black area. As soon as the vivid lights ran onto the stage and seats on the lowest level, the J-pop music began. Every single one of the fans were pumped up and cheering to the sound. Altogether, the members of Multi-Star Clover and Nao appeared on stage in the back: Kuruha was in the center, Minagi was on her left with Elise on the light green-haired magician’s left, Manjuki was on Kuruha’s right side, and Nao was on the purpureus-haired magician’s right. Their first outfits were frilly dresses; Kuruha wore a slate dress with two straps [which were also frilly] and the dress itself reached until right above her knees, her shoes were gray ankle boots; Elise had a red dress with a single vertical strap on her right side and her dress covered down to the half of her lower legs, with a final touch of red peep-toe wedge heels; Nao wore a daisy white strapless dress that went down to the idle of her thighs and a pair of daffodil ankle strap slim heels; Manjuki wore a pomp and power dress where the straps crossed over and wrapped around her neck, and punch pink mules; Minagi wore a seafoam green dress with a single diagonal strap over her left shoulder, in which the dress length flowed down slightly past the middle of her thighs, and she had on a pair of salt white spool heels.

Fortunately for the Black Foxes [excluding Kenshi who was working the cameras with Kokoro], the Kujo brothers, Miyuki, and the guys from Fuse Investigations, they were sitting in the front row seats. After all, they made time away from work to come see their special ones who were a part of the concert. As the members of Multi-Star Clover and Nao began their performance, the audience waved glow sticks and waved their merchandise. Of course, Hiro got the most fired up for Nao and had more power to his cheers with a hot pink glow stick in his right hand, and a circular fan with Nao’s smiling cute face on it; this was obviously more support than Hyosuke did for Manjuki, and the other people in the dome. Sayuri glanced to her right and smiled at her lover, while Takuto glanced over two seats over with a stoic expression and a sigh. Rina was in the seat between him and Sayuri and patted her ex-boyfriend’s back with her left hand, and Atsumu smiled from the seat on Takuto’s left side. Riki was over on Hiro’s right side with Mitsuki next to him, and they smiled with affection for Manjuki. Taiga was on Mitsuki’s right side and stared with a look that told the world he saw Nao’s appearance to be the most incredibly beautiful one out of the girl group, and sitting next to him were Hyosuke and then Miyuki. At the very least, the front row seat holders had close-up views of the idols.

For the songs that followed afterward once the first one ended, the five young women changed into different costumes. These included to shirts—some with vests—and pants or skirts, and other dresses and shoes. Eventually, they performed their last song with the same clothes as their first song. After the song ended, the stage fell silent and they gathered together a few feet away from the edge. The fans and even those sitting in the front row with in a state of bewilderment, while the idols were waiting with smiles on their visages for the murmurs and dubious looks to die down.

“You all haven’t heard about this from the press conference,” Kuruha began. “However, there was one last thing Minagi had in mind. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll let her say it.”

Minagi told everyone, “Because this has been a major concert for us, Claire and Elizabeth, as well as for our fans, it is something some of my most trusted magicians know about. Nao doesn’t know yet, but with our finale and our disbandment right after the end of our concert, I want to leave these words engraved in all of your hearts. Without a doubt, things will become tougher without us in the entertainment industry in this world. Even so, there are other talents who need to grow and have those who will support them along the way. My fellow members and Nao shall leave the entertainment world… to a new era!”

At the end of her words, Minagi and the other idols raised their right arms up. The sea of people in Tokyo Dome instantaneously erupted with cheers for the end of the concert. Kenshi and Kokoro finished the footage before the members of Multi-Star Clover and Nao exited the stage. Aaron, Rumi, and Aikishi ceased the special effects and lighting, and the audience slowly evacuated from the area.

XXX

1) Kuruha is referring to Japan when she says Yamato.

2) While it is indirectly an experience for both Kuruha and Kokoro, the former is talking about how they didn’t have their mom around since their first lives and so on; that is, until their current lives.