Wanted Posters Warrant Attention

"Mika-chan... wake up, Mika-chan."
Nozomi gently poked the sleeping Mika on her nose, watching as her face scrunched in displeasure. Once her eyes finally opened, Mika jolted back out of habit, studying her unfamiliar surroundings. She quickly remembered the events of yesterday morning.

"Nozomi-chan... how long was I asleep?"
Mika stretched her sore limbs, looking surprisingly cute in her disheveled loungewear.

"I'd say around sixteen hours. I tried to wake you for dinner last night, but you just wouldn't budge."
Nozomi slipped out of her pajamas and into her school uniform, tying her tie with practiced precision. Mika felt a little jealous at her normal life. Here, Nozomi knew how tie a tie- how to make friends and attend classes. Meanwhile, Mika was just kind of... there.

"Sorry, Nozomi-chan. I guess I was more tired than I thought. Plus, your floor is the most comfortable place I've ever slept."
Mika hugged her pillow to her chest, watching as Nozomi applied a thin layer of makeup in the mirror.

"You know, you can use my bed, Mika-chan. Think of me as, like, a sister... or a really close friend."
Nozomi used her smartphone to check her bangs, making sure her hair was the highlight feature of her appearance.

"You look good, Nozomi-chan. That stuff you put on your face makes you look like a doll."
Mika sat on the edge of Nozomi's mattress.

"You mean my foundation? If you want, I can help you apply some later, Mika-chan."
Nozomi stuck out her tongue, taking Mika's hand to lead her downstairs. There, was a beautiful array of traditional Japanese-style breakfast foods. Hidaka Jin was whispering a silent prayer while Nozomi took her seat. Mika poked at her food, unsure of what to do.

"Not going to eat? You'll need your strength for work, Mika."
Jin spoke through bites of rice as he noticed Mika's hesitation. She fidgeted with the handle of her chopsticks, poking at the simple food before her.

"Is this a real breakfast? It's very similar to the Bara-gumi's."
Mika shoveled large chunks of rice into her mouth, using her miso soup to wash it down.

Nozomi grimaced at the name, Bara-gumi. She propped her chin in her palm, chewing angrily with her eyes closed.
"The Bara-gumi, huh? I guess even monsters have to eat a regular breakfast."

"Not all of them were evil, Nozomi-chan. There was a beautiful woman named Harumi, and she was very kind to me."
Mika watched as Jin and Nozomi stared in disbelief. It was evident that they didn't believe a word Mika had said.

"Harumi? How come I've never seen her around? Are you sure she was a member and not just a pawn, like you?"
Jin gave Mika a skeptical once-over, trying to convince himself that the Bara-gumi members were all equally as malicious as one another.

Mika nodded her head.
"She's Charlotte's wife. I guess she's more of a... lurk-in-the-shadows kind of member. She had very pale skin and tattoos on her legs."

"Tattoos on her legs? I've never seen a woman like that. Have you, Papa?"
Nozomi seemed rather interested in Harumi, especially given the fact that Mika was trying to vouch for this mysterious woman's kindness.

Jin stroked his chin hairs, trying to recall if he had a clue as to who Harumi was.
"I can't say I have... but I'm sure Mika is telling the truth. Is she someone who we should be cautious of, Mika?"

"Probably not. From what I gathered based on conjecture alone, Harumi is very stealthy and seems to take on more private missions."
Mika finished her breakfast, setting her dishes aside.

"Enough Bara-gumi talk! You're going to ruin my good mood! I'm off to school, Papa! When I get home, I'll show you how to put on makeup, Mika-chan!"
Nozomi dashed out the door, almost forgetting her school bag amidst her racing thoughts.

Mika stood by patiently for instruction. Jin was already hard at work, washing dishes and chopping vegetables for the upcoming lunch rush a few hours away.
"Hidaka-san? Is there anything I can help with?"

Jin wiped the sweat from his brow, admiring Mika's enthusiasm. He motioned to a set of knives beside a few crates of cabbage.
"You know how to chop thin slices? Go ahead, kid."

Mika grabbed the handle of a chef's knife, studying the glistening blade as she gazed at her own reflection. The knife seemed to call out to her; taunting her with memories of the Bara-gumi. She began giggling as she sliced the cabbage into thin, crunchy strips. Her mind was clouded with thoughts of Charlotte, imagining the cabbage was her bloodied head. Mika cackled loudly, causing a glimpse of concern to flood Jin's face.
"Mika? Hey, Mika?"

"Die... die... die..."
Mika's face relaxed into a sinister smirk, her eyes half lidded and her cheeks faintly pink. She hadn't even noticed the drool dripping down her chin, almost as if she were possessed by a wicked hatred for Charlotte.

Jin grabbed her from behind, locking her in a full nelson hold. Mika jolted from her trance, watching as her vision blurred between hallucination and reality. She let out a blood curdling shriek, rapidly gasping for air as the panic took hold of her mind. Jin struggled to keep her pinned down, offering soothing words as she began to hyperventilate.
"Mika, focus on my voice! You need to calm down, you're safe! Nobody is going to hurt you!"

"Harumi! I need Harumi!"
Mika slammed her head against the wooden countertop, recognizing the familiar feeling of an anxiety attack from her first encounter with Charlotte's wife.

"Harumi isn't here! It's me, Hidaka Jin! Mika, you need to calm down!"
Jin felt completely helpless, fearing that Mika might never come down from her frantic episode. The door of the ramen shop chimed to life as a familiar face entered -Hidaka Nozomi. She carried with her a piece of paper with Mika's face plastered under bold text that read 'Wanted By The Bara-gumi'

"Papa, look! The Bara-gumi is hunting for Mika-chan!"
Nozomi stopped in her tracks, noticing Mika's position in her father's arms. She immediately rushed to their side, watching as Mika's face began to sweat from her rapid heartbeat.
"Mika-chan?! What's happening?!"

"Nozomi-chan... Help me..."
Mika collapsed into her lap, allowing Nozomi's familiar scent to calm her nerves. She lay across her friend's soft legs, inhaling the lavender scented perfume emitting from Nozomi's school uniform.

"Mika-chan! What's happening to you?!"
Nozomi carefully stroked the girl's pink hair, watching as she collected herself with slow, calculated movements. By the time Mika had gotten her bearings, she noticed the wanted poster by Nozomi's side. Her face turned sour, and she emptied her stomach onto the floor below.

"If the Bara-gumi wants me, I would like to see them try to take me. Bring it on, Ninagawa Charlotte!"
Mika used the counter to leverage herself to her feet. Her legs shook violently as she stared at the poster beneath her.