ACT III - The End of the Reign

I couldn't think of anything to say, as I hung in the air, completely caught. There was no use trying to force my way out, as his grip was much stronger than I would have ever expected. I knew that he wouldn't let go, even if I struggled. "So," his voice felt like knives behind my back. "Care to explain what this tomfoolery you attempted to pull is?"

I couldn't say anything. I didn't know. I knew there was no way I wouldn't be caught at the end of it all, but I had no words to say. I decided to accept my fate without a protest. Surprisingly enough, he let me go.

"Go ahead, run away if you'd like to. I knew you'd end up being a traitor at the end. I knew of your little, foolish plan all along, and I was fully expecting it." I turned towards him, taken aback with his words. What did he mean that he'd expect me to be a traitor…?

"Just to be clear, I won't do anything to those rascals who took the objects with them, they're empty shells by now, completely useless. Sadly for them, though, poor Seira-kun won't take his memories back. They can't cause such a reaction on him."

Goddammit. So it was all one futile attempt… I held on to a row of items nearby for support. I was starting to get real dizzy. "But you," he continued, with an intense tone of scolding. "What's your excuse for causing all this? Isn't your own memories your priority? You know what punishment a traitor will receive from me." I didn't respond.

Again, I didn't know. I didn't know why I had done all this, I just wanted to desperately run away and pretend none of this had happened… And if I did run away, I wouldn't have to pretend; as all my memories would actually be wiped by Tsukumo.

"Oh, I know why you did this, and it's precisely why I expected you to act like this somewhere along the way." He walked around in circles, exploring every bit of the shop, as I stood in place, listening to the words that could ruin my life any moment now.

"It's because you love that boy. You'd do anything for him."

Since his face wasn't in my sight, I felt a bit bolder. "N-not true! Didn't I complete the Play? You got the items, you got his memories—I made that happen!" He hummed in satisfaction. "Hmm, true. Despite your feelings, you still did your job properly. Which is why," he kept on talking, as he walked towards his working desk. "I'm willing to forgo your punishment, and let you keep your fan. There's no harm caused to me, after all, as long as I have these glasses—"

His voice cut off, and I heard sounds of him opening and closing the drawers. After a few moments of silence, Tsukumo appeared in front of me like a wild storm. He grabbed my collars. "The glasses are gone. Rena Kogarashi, you will tell me where they are, or else—"

"Or else what?!" I took his hands and pushed them away. "How am I supposed to know, I didn't go with them!" His black eyes started to look like they were flaming inside… I was facing a true inferno.

"You will tell me the boy's home address. Now." I glanced around to find an object to defend myself with, and then grabbed a long umbrella. "No, I won't. I'm not telling you anything, you sick old man!" He laughed, voice shaking with anger. "Oh so now you want to show your true colors! Fine with me, I knew this'd happen! I knew!"

I gripped the umbrella tight. "You keep saying that—then you should have fired me before all this happened, you bastard!" His expression was overflowing with fury, especially after calling him that. But his sick grin was still stuck on his face. "Hah! I think you're aware of it at this point but, all I care about are memories—and memories that come from a place of love are some of the strongest. I let you feel your dumb little girl feelings, so that if the push came to the shove, I'd devour your heart as well!!"

At that moment, all my memories about my time together with Tsukumo flashed before my eyes. I had met him during my worst times of depression, and he had helped me gain back interest in life. We had shared many meals together, I had given my years into being his assistant—and yes, even though I was deep down in filth, ruining people's lives together… I don't know, something in the way that he'd listen to my troubles, give me advice and give me words of encouragement had made me believe that… He cared about me.

But no. Turns out, I was just a source of his next meal, even using a word as disgusting as 'devour' when it came to my heart. All this time, I was merely a tool for him to use, nothing more.

I bit down my lip, tears filling my eyes. Seeing my state seemed to pleasure him, a lot. "Oooh, did the poor girl realize she never meant anything to me, despite the years? Why, it was always you who chose to cling to me, despite witnessing all the things I did to human beings. Are you going to cry like a baby, realizing it's your turn now?"

My lips started bleeding from how hard I was biting them. I wouldn't cry in front of him, no!

"Shut up. Whatever it is, I'm not telling you his address. You don't have the glasses, you can't do anything." Hearing this, he started laughing his god-awful laugh again. I couldn't stand it, and if he did it one more time, I was ready to smack him hard with the umbrella! "Hahaha! My, they might have the glasses, but I hold the keys to unlock the box. I don't need you to tell me the address, I can just find it on my own effortlessly. There's nothing of use you can offer to me anymore, other than your memories. A shame, really…" He got closer to me, so painfully slow that I couldn't figure when to hit him with the umbrella. "Especially after I gave you a chance to keep your memories, but your mind seems to be completely brainwashed by that short shrimp of a fool, so... Fine, this was your choice."

"Do whatever you want."

He seemed surprised. "Oh, not even one drop of regret in your voice. Interesting. You do realize that your mind is so dependent on the hand fan that you'll really lose each and every memory of your life?" I knew it, I understood it. It was true, all these years, I had used the fan's powers so excessively, both for work and my personal matters, that my brain was closely wired to the fan. There was a possibility that not only I'd forget all about Yuujin, I'd also forget about my hometown, and everything that made me Rena Kogarashi…

Tears started their descent on my face. "Take them all you want! I don't need your sick items anymore, to hell with them! So what if I lose everything… I… I want to make brand new memories with Yuujin and everyone…! Your reign ends here, Tsukumo!!" I raised the umbrella and lunged forward to attack him. But at the same time, he raised his cane, and as it hit the floor… I was too late.

"You traitor."

With his cane coming into contact with the floor, thumping with force, I fell on the ground, wincing in pain. I dropped the umbrella, and tried to get back on my feet, but the sharp headache made me lose all my balance. I tried to recall some memories, while I was still aware of the situation I was in. However, with each passing second, I could feel my memories getting wiped one by one.

I held my hands on my head, wanting to rip out my hair from the intense pain.

"A-arrrgh—!!!!!"

I heard footsteps approaching me. I managed to open my eyes, despite the pain. I looked around me. Where was I? Why was I here? Who was that man? Who was I? Why was my head hurting so bad…?

The man held me up, and retrieved something from my bag. A hand fan. It made my heart thump loud, but I didn't know why. Was that mine? I tried to shake myself off from his hold, but my body was so weak, and his arms' grip so strong…

"I'll be taking these memories, thank you. Mmm, I've been getting such good nutrients lately… Now then," he moved his hands up and down all over my body. It felt disgusting, every place intensely burning after his hands' touch. "I might as well have a bit of extra fun."

His face was right near my ears, I wanted to run away, but I couldn't. I screamed for help, but all that came out was a cry for help in a language I didn't understand. My shouting seemed to amuse the old man. Hands still roaming all over me, he murmured "Oh, you still seem to remember your mother tongue, how fascinating…"

I didn't understand a thing. All I knew was that I felt awful, I wanted to run away. What was happening to me? What was I doing here?? I desperately wanted to go home…

…where was 'home'?

A kick to the door, and a loud man's voice was heard.

"Stop right this moment and surrender!"