Hanashi 11 - No Longer Dense

Atsuko is hiding under the bed, clutching a small nail filer as a weapon. Her hands are shaking, and her breathing is heavy. She's holding her breath and trying to make sense of the situation. Suddenly, the old wooden door creaks open, and Kenzo enters the room, "Where have you gone, Atsuko? You have nothing to worry about." His voice is calm. Atsuko takes a deep breath and crawls out from under the bed, standing guard with the nail filer pointed at Kenzo. "What are you?!" She asks, demanding him to give her an answer. Kenzo's appearance is unsettling. His hazel eyes are now glowing purple, and he's wearing black, runny eyeliner. He looks taller and slimmer, and his charming demeanor is replaced with an eerie smile,” I don't know how to explain things to you." He hesitates. Atsuko isn't buying Kenzo's words, shaking her head, "You liar! I saw all of those girls! I was going to be next? Was that your plan all along!!?"

Furious, she charges at Kenzo with the nail filer, but he easily overpowers her and disarms her. “You're so weak! So beautiful and special to me despite that….”

"Grrrr....let go!" Atsuko tries to get out of Kenzo's grip yet that only results in complete failure. He whispers a word in her ear, and Atsuko falls into a deep sleep. As she sleeps, Kenzo contemplates what he should do with her. He thinks about adding her to his collection of Wilting Roses or playing with her a bit longer. Meanwhile, Atsuko is in a deep sleep and her mind races with questions as she navigates the dream world. The forest is lush and green, with tall trees and a cool breeze blowing. She wonders what it all means and why she's here. Suddenly, Leonarda appears before her, looking pretty and alluring. She warns Atsuko, "Please don't give into Kenzo or his spells or else!”

"Easier said than done...." Atsuko retorts, falling to her knees, overwhelmed by distant memories and confusion. She wonders if she can truly resist Kenzo and his tricks. Leonarda places a blessing of protection on Atsuko's necklace, causing a small white light to rest upon the charm. Atsuko is grateful for Leonarda's help, but she's still confused and frightened. She thinks about Jun and wonders where he is. Is he also in danger? "Don't ever trust Kenzo again. For his words are only sickening lies." Leonarda warns once again before flying off. Atsuko stands there within the dreaming forest, looking around as Leonarda leaves her. The dreaming forest begins to even fade until she's all alone in the darkness.  

****

Kenzo slowly awakens from his deep slumber, letting out a soft yawn as he feels Atsuko's warm body next to him. She is still sound asleep, completely unaware of his wakefulness. Kenzo decides to get out of bed and head to the shower, not wanting to disturb Atsuko's peaceful slumber. As soon as Kenzo leaves the bed, Atsuko awakens, feeling a sudden sense of relief wash over her as she realizes that she is no longer under Kenzo's spell. As she looks around the room, she is struck by its antique decor and the eerie atmosphere that seems to permeate everything. The red hue outside only adds to the sense of unease that she feels. Atsuko whispers Jun's name softly, her eyes filling up with tears as a small memory comes across her mind. However, it's too vague to reveal anything, leaving her feeling uncertain and confused about what to do next. She knows that her next move will determine how everything else plays out.

Atsuko shudders in fear as she thinks about what could have happened to her if she was still under Kenzo's spell. She knows that she would have ended up like the other girls and that it's still a possibility. Just then, Kenzo emerges from the bathroom, a beige towel wrapped around his waist. Atsuko pretends to be asleep, not wanting to give away her newfound awareness. Kenzo walks over to the bed and gently caresses her cheek with his index finger. He leans down and plants a kiss on Atsuko's pink lips, but she doesn't kiss back. Instead, she moves away, blushing beet red and not saying a word. Atsuko's memories of being with Kenzo flood back to her like a sudden sunshower. A sense of unease creeps over her as she recalls the moments she spent under his spell. She confronts Kenzo with a cold voice, "You do this to every girl just so you can kill them in the end?"

Kenzo responds with a confident tone, "Why do you care? I love you Atsuko and only you. You're the one I've been searching for. You're like a jewel to me, a special jewel that I will try to polish every day for my personal needs." Atsuko feels uncomfortable, tears welling up in her eyes,"I don't even know you. But maybe I do remember you from childhood." Kenzo's face darkens, and he wears a smirk, not knowing what to say.

"What else do you know?" He asks. "This place, all of it is just an illusion, a simulation of some kind. I was placed here against my will by some mad scientist who was crazy about the occult!" Asuko bursts out loud as she begins to sob. Kenzo wonders how Atsuko is starting to become more aware. Then it hits him that she's wearing a strange necklace that seems to give off a protective aura. As Kenzo tries to snatch a strange necklace from Atsuko's neck, he receives a shock that makes him curse, "Ouch! Damn it!" Atsuko stops crying, being so angry, "You're a leech aren't you? A lustful, lying, and ferocious demon..."

"So what my little darling? You can't escape and you're trapped here forever with me.” Kenzo replies, sounding confident. Atsuko stands up and decides to stop pretending to play dumb. "If it's going to be like that, then please treat me nicely. You've been taking advantage of me for so long..."

"What if I told you we are married and have children?" Kenzo announces. Atsuko laughs, not believing him. In response, Kenzo snaps his fingers, and everything around them begins to change. Kenzo fades away, and everything in the room disappears. Atsuko looks down and sees a fancy trinket on her ring finger, which she vaguely remembers seeing while in a trance. She wonders what Kenzo is up to now and when he will quit with the illusions. And with that, she blacks out and becomes unconscious.