Chapter 22:

The life of Serika Midoriya Part 2: The day Serika met Reika

Escape Witch

September 1st, 2017...

Serika awoke in a room she didn’t recognize. She had passed out in the woods and could not remember anything that happened afterwards. She frantically sat up and looked around. She was in a small bedroom and was bandaged up and wearing a bathrobe.

“Ara! You’re awake. Don’t worry, I’m not here to hurt you,” Reika smiled.

She was wearing jeans and a jacket rather than her business suit.

“Who are you!” Serika nervously glared.

“I’m Reika Yuzume, a detective with the Tokyo Metropolitan police.”

Serika began to panic as Reika stood up.

“I am also here to save you.

“___!?”

“You’re a victim of abuse and most likely grew up sheltered and indoctrinated by a parental figure. Based on the fact that you’re a young woman with no signs of sexual abuse, I assume the figure to be your mother.”

“__!”

“The look in your eyes tells me I’m right. I assume you hated and feared her to the point where you’d recklessly flee without even clothes or cash. The fact that you sloppily shaved yourself completely devoid of hair proves you were not as pressed for time. Though you fear for your life and fear you would be recognized if you had kept your hair. The fact that you’ve been hiding in the woods for a few days rather than seeking help like a normal person would, shows you don't trust people. I understand you are frightened, but please trust me. I want to save you. If you are who I think you are then that’s all the more reason for me to help you start a new life.”

“What the hell do you know about me!?”

“You’re Mao Ookuma, the daughter of Ruchi Ookuma.”

“____!”

Serika’s heart began to beat faster and faster as she collapsed to the ground in terror.

“I’m not going to hurt you! I’m here to help you.”

“LIKE HELL I’D BELIEVE THAT! YOU’RE AN ILLUMOUS GOON THAT’S GOING TO TORTURE ME TO DEATH BECAUSE I KILLED- “

“So, she’s dead.”

“____!”

Serika began to cry as Reika walked over to her.

“NO! PLEASE DON’T! I DON’T WANT TO BE HURT! DON’T KILL ME! I HAVEN’T EVEN EATEN ANY GOOD FOOD! [FUCK YOU], YOU- “

Reika embraced Serika in a hug.

“It’s OK, you’re safe. I’m not with Illumous. I’m trying to stop them."

“Like- “

“Do you know who Fubuki Dakota is?”

“Yes… I watch her videos…”

“She’s a wonderful journalist and a hero is she not?”

“Yes, she’s a hero… She saved me, she showed me that monster could be hurt.”

“It’s OK, I’m here for you. We can take this as slowly as need be. Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone else find out about you. I even brought some things for you."

Serika glanced over at the table and immediately noticed some manga and cans of matcha soda. She immediately rushed over and began drinking. Tears poured out of her eyes as she downed the cans in seconds.

"It's so good! Fuck that bitch for never letting me drink this!" Serika cried.

"Is there anything else you want? I can go out and bring it to you," Reika said as she showed Serika a catalogue on her phone.

"Order whatever you want. I have no qualms about the cost," Reika smiled.

Serika's eyes lit up as she scrolled through and clicked on everything that grabbed her interest.

A few days later...

Serika checked out her clothes in the mirror. She was wearing short shorts, a black T-shirt that exposed her midriff, and a baseball cap.

“You look bold girl,” Reika complimented.

“Shut up! I look Beautiful,” Serika glared.

“You’re starting to get a nasty mouth. “

“The hell’s wrong with that huh!?”

“Nothing, though you might have trouble making friends.”

“Who needs em! I’ve got you. Besides, how do I know they aren’t some Illumous rat?”

Reika sighed as Serika sat next to her on the bed.

“I can’t be with you forever; you need to get back on your own feet and become independent rather than depend on me.”

“I know that…”

Reika took off Serika’s hat and looked at her face.

“You didn’t like the makeup?”

“I mean, I tried putting it on like they did in the video, but I just looked weird. So I wiped it off.”

"I’ll do your makeup this time, if you don’t like it you don’t have to wear it.”

...

Serika gasped as she looked at herself in the mirror. She had never seen herself look this beautiful before. Tears began to pour out of her eyes.

“NO! Don’t cry! It will smear!” Reika warned.

Her warning came too little too late as the makeup smeared all over Serika's face.

“Well, you’ve got a pretty face, so you don’t need to wear any makeup,” Reika giggled as she wiped Serika’s face. She then gazed down at Serika's smooth radiant legs.

“I see you've been using that razor I got you."

“Yep! I’ve never been happier or looked so sexy before.” Serika giggled.

“I’m impressed you learned to shave so quickly, there’s now hardly a nick or scrape anywhere on your body.”

“I only became a bleeding mess because I was rushing and used a kitchen knife. I just wanted that hideous sludge clinging to my body gone. Though if it weren't for Fubuki, I'd have been brainwashed or worse microchipped. That bitch threatened to chip me if I so much as plucked out a single hair."

Reika clenched her fist as her expression darkened.

“I’m glad that piece of shit is dead. The fact that that piece of shit would subject her daughter to such cruelty just to control you sickens me."

"Yeah fuck that bitch! I never wanna see her sludge anywhere on my body ever again."

Reika smiled as she rubbed Serika’s head.

“So, are you ever going to grow out your hair?”

“What’s wrong with being bald?”

“Nothing, though I assume you’d like to try growing your hair out, considering you’ve never been allowed to do so before.”

“___.”

“You’re afraid your hair will link you back to that piece of shit, correct?”

“Yeah.”

“Have you seen what color it was when it grew back?”

“Nah, I've been shaving it every day.”

“Don’t shave your head and eyebrows next time, let them grow out and see what color they are.”

A few days later...

Serika glared at herself in the mirror.

“Dammit, its green.”

She began lathering her head and eyebrows with shaving cream as Reika entered the apartment.

“Hello, its me.”

“Oh, I’m in the bathroom, you can come in though,” Serika grumbled

Reika entered and smiled at Serika.

“It’s green I assume,” Reika smiled

“Yeah.”

“Well before you shave it all off, at least let me see it.”

Serika begrudgingly wiped herself off with a towel as Reika gazed at her hair.

“Oh, it’s a beautiful forest green. You should definitely grow it out,” Reika warmly smiled.

“But it will- “

“Your hair is far brighter and lighter than that piece of shit’s black sludge ever hoped to be. Plus, this is now YOUR hair, not hers. You're also free to style and wash it, or even dye it as you please.”

Tears began to pour out of Serika's eyes.

“C- Can I really, Can I finally grow out my hair like a normal girl. Can I finally go outside and do things that people normally do every day?” Serika cried.

“Yes, let’s go out right now. Those sneakers I got you have just been sitting by the door, it’s about time you wore them,” Reika smiled.

Serika tearfully smiled as she ran towards the door and slipped into a pair of chartreuse sneakers. She then sloppily tied the laces as Reika chuckled and taught her how to properly tie them before they set foot outside.

“Oh right, did you finally decide on a new name for yourself? I'd like to get you that new ID so you can start going to school.” Reika stated.

“Yeah, Serika Midoriya.”

“Serika Midoriya huh? Were you inspired by that manga you've been hooked to?" Reika giggled.

“Yeah, though I doubt I'll ever be a hero. Still its nice to be able to finally read and watch things I've always wanted to check out."

"You've got the green hair now too. Besides, if you became a detective like me you could definitely help people. Though I'd suggest just living a normal happy life until you truly decide what you wish to do. Don't let me influence your decisions and actions. Now one more question, why did you choose chartreuse sneakers?"

“Because I like the color!”

“All I needed to hear.”

The two laughed and smiled as they walked down the street.

Back in the present...

“And that’s how I met Sensei. A few days later I enrolled in high school, though I was a loner. It was a fine experience. I really did enjoy living a normal life. Best part is, the piece of shit's political party completely collapsed without her. I guess it was due to the fact that only she could control the microchipped poll workers along with all the scandals the party was being hit with thanks to those SD cards I snagged. Sensei was the one that ultimately made it a reality, though Fubuki did make some videos on the matter too. I then became a detective after graduating high school, in order to help Sensei take down Illumous but she refused to let me get any further involved in Illumous matters once Twintails joined the force. I guess maybe she wanted me to live a life free from worrying about Illumous. She would still hang out with me though. Though Twintails quickly became Sensei’s new favorite. I actually met her long before then, a few days after I gained my freedom actually. And we've hated each other since. Hell, I got in a fight with her at Ryokoma and we ended up having to clean the place up. I still think I'm smarter than her too. She only has more perfect scores cause she was in school longer. Then Sensei was murdered, now here we are," Serika stated.

Tears began to pour out of Madoka’s eyes.

“I had no idea you had such a horrible past," she cried.

“Yeah, and now- “

“We can be friends!”

Serika began to cry again.

“W- Will you really be my friend?”

“Hell YES! You really are an amazing woman. I’m happy to give my first kiss to you.”

“You know that really was my very first kiss like ever.”

“___! I can give you another one if you want.”

“Nah, I don’t have romantic feelings for you.”

“Not yet anyway.”

“Want me to clobber you?”