Himitsu 17 - Prisonic Fairytale

Atsuko slowly opens her eyes, greeted by the familiar sight of the blue sky adorned with fluffy white clouds. The serene environment seems to welcome her heart, mind, and soul, and she takes a deep breath of the fresh air. As she sits up from the grass, she notices Hideo sleeping beside her and gently nudges his cheek with her index finger and thumb. Hideo grunts and opens his eyes, giving Atsuko a strange look. She realizes that he must be wondering why she woke him up and smiles softly, "How long do you plan on sleeping?" Hideo responds with a sudden and unexpected sadness, "I wish I was never born."

Atsuko's smile changes into a look of deep sorrow, understanding why he says such a thing.  She knows that Hideo has his reasons for feeling this way and decides to change the subject, "I know where we are." Hideo is caught off guard, "How do you know?" Atsuko looks around at the scenery before them and says, "I can't quite place my finger on it, but we've been here before." Hideo suddenly recalls a short-term memory of getting cut by Atsuko's fingernails and realizes that what she says is true. "This place is Tourika, where the goddess of insanity lives, and it's also where you come from." Atsuko explains with a bitter smile. Hideo doesn't deny anything, for he says, "That's correct. Also, even though I come from this place, I was human once..."

"Really? What happened to you?” As Hideo is about to explain to Atsuko what happened to him, a blonde girl comes running towards them from a distance. Her blue eyes have a slight glow to them, and she is dressed in priestess apparel. It's Myra. However, she seems to have no recollection of the events she caused before. "You two have finally arrived!" Myra exclaims as she approaches them. Atsuko responds sarcastically, "Are you here to show us hospitality? The least you can do is serve your guests some food! Better yet, take us to a place of fun."

Hideo chuckles, not expecting such a response from Atsuko. Myra tilts her head and raises an eyebrow, "Um....sure....follow me!" She leads the way, and Atsuko and Hideo follow her. Something seems different about Myra. She appears to be less of a threat than before. Previously, the forgotten realm was an infinite space of grass and sky. But instead of leading them there, Myra takes them to the entrance of a mysterious town called Okinawa. Although it's a familiar village, it seems desolate this time. However, if one looks closely, they can spot a few other entities hiding in fear, not because of Myra's return but because of Atsuko. A white silhouette watches over Atsuko, protecting her. As the three continue walking, Atsuko recognizes a familiar alleyway they pass by, along with friendly shops that seem permanently closed. The only opened and lit-up shop is a place called Bonbons de Rêve, which Atsuko remembers as a cozy café. She used to eat there, and Jun was the waiter and cook. She misses him dearly and hopes to see him inside.

****

Myra walks into the cafe, beaming with excitement, and looks around, calling out, "Is anyone here?" Hideo and Atsuko enter shortly after, and Atsuko can't help but gasp in awe at the cafe's unique and antique decor. The cafe's ambiance feels more like a mysterious antique shop than a place to grab a cup of coffee, but there are still tables and chairs for guests to sit and relax.
As they look around, a man who looks like Kenzo, the owner of the cafe, emerges from the employee-only door. However, his persona is different. Despite that, he still has the same white hair, mesmerizing hazel eyes, and delicate porcelain skin with freckles under his eyes and on the bridge of his nose. Kenzo's fragment greets them politely, "I'm here. All three of you should make yourselves at home." Atsuko exchanges a glance with Hideo, who is already staring at her with a curious expression. Myra goes and sits down at an antique and black cushioned booth which is further away from the entrance of the cafe. Once Myra isn't close, Hideo tells Atsuko some information, "That Kenzo is the fragment he left behind here, in this land. You see, he wasn't always so corrupt and selfish."

"Wow.....that's new information I didn't expect." Atsuko replies, going over to the table with Myra. She sits across from her and Hideo sits next to Atsuko. They settle down and Kenzo's fragment comes over to hand them three menus, ready to take their orders. Atsuko looks at her menu eagerly, but as she opens it, she realizes with disappointment that it is blank and has no words. However, before she can question it, the menu starts to display words, with each letter appearing on the menu as if by magic. Atsuko's expression changes from confusion to disapproval as she reads some of the main dishes' strange names. The names are quite unusual and unsettling, including "Malice dish," "Crying soup," "Spell clock steak," "Missing eye spaghetti," and "Rose petal poison fish." The only dish that seems up to par is a simple appetizer called "Memory of Recollection." Atsuko asks, "What is the Memory of Recollection appetizer?" Kenzo, who appears to be in charge, glances at Myra, who wears a curious look. It's as if Kenzo is waiting for her approval. Hideo fakes a smile and looks at Atsuko, "Maybe you should choose something else." Atsuko shakes her head, "No way. What is this appetizer?" 

For some reason, Myra glitches; her curious look turns into complete anger before it glitches back to the curious look. "Someone is stubborn. Fine, have the appetizer." she says, her voice somewhat calmer than before. Atsuko smiles with glee, but Hideo sighs quietly and says, "Let me have the same thing." Myra, still looking slightly perplexed, orders the "Tempest Rage" main dish. Kenzo nods, using a small notepad to write down the orders before leaving.  Atsuko turns to her two companions and asks, "Can one of you explain to me what the Memory of Recollection appetizer is?" Hideo clears his throat before responding, "It's a unique dish that has the power to evoke hidden memories. This meal is created from a specific moment in your past and once you eat it, you will relive that moment in a distinctive way that only you can recall. The Kenzo you see here is the version of him before he turned corrupt and evil. He is passionate about cooking and can masterfully create a dish that triggers any desired memory."

Atsuko listens intently, but notices that Myra seems upset and unable to react. She appears to be struggling to express her anger towards Hideo and Atsuko, but something is preventing her from doing so. Hideo's behavior is also unusual. He seems to be going off-script, revealing information to the victim of the experiment and expressing emotions that he shouldn't be feeling. Atsuko is unsure how to react and feels a tinge of fear. Suddenly, Myra stands up, looking confused and disoriented. Her blue eyes widen as her body starts to glitch, unable to control her conflicting wills. She wants to express her rage towards Hideo and Atsuko, but something is preventing her from doing so. Atsuko watches in disbelief as Hideo quickly grabs her hand and moves away, making sure she follows suit. She asks, "What is happening to her?" Hideo explains, "This is a fragment persona. It occurs when a person's old self merges with their new self. Myra's old self in this Tourika wasn't hostile, but the one from the other Tourika was most definitely hostile.” As Myra glitches, her form begins to distort until she vanishes entirely, as if she was never there with Atsuko and Hideo. The atmosphere in the café shifts from tense to tranquil, and the two sit back in the booth without any urge to flee. Silence fills the air as they wait for their appetizer, Memory of Recollection. Hideo is overcome with a sense of purification, but he keeps it to himself.

He is finally getting what he wants. Soon he will be released and repaid in full for all the damage he has caused. As Kenzo's fragment makes its way out of the kitchen, he approaches Atsuko and Hideo, who are eagerly waiting for their meal. The aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air, making their mouths water with anticipation. Kenzo places a plate in front of Atsuko, containing a simple sandwich made of freshly baked bread and a slice of cheese, accompanied by a glass of water. The meal is plain and unremarkable. For Hideo, the meal is more elaborate. Kenzo places a black bowl in front of him, filled with steaming hot tomato soup. Seven small cubes of yellow cheese on tiny toothpicks are placed beside the bowl, ready for him to grab and dip into the soup. The presentation is simple yet elegant, and Hideo can't help but feel grateful for the effort put into his meal.

"I'm a way better cook than this, but these are the meals I had to make. This is what I saw when I glanced at you both." Kenzo's fragment says, as if apologizing for the simplicity of the meal. Atsuko stares at her meal in disapproval, but she doesn't say anything. "Thanks." Hideo politely replies. Kenzo nods and leaves to go back to the kitchen, leaving Atsuko and Hideo to enjoy their food in silence. While taking her first bite from the sandwich, she can't help but enjoy the taste. Despite the sandwich and its plain appearance, the taste is as if she's eating something delicious. Right when she drinks the water, a memory hits her, making it feel as if her brain is ripping in two. She screams in sheer pain and proceeds to view a memory of recollection.

Memory Flash: True Recollection (Atsuko's POV)~ Before Eternal Sleep / Somnus Machine

As I recollect my memories, I stumble upon a vivid and harrowing one that still sends shivers down my spine. It transports me back to the time when I was trapped in Dr. Alistair Crane's prison, held captive with no hope of escape. The memory revolves around one of my interactions with the mad scientist, where he informed his sinister intentions. Bound by loose chains around my wrists and ankles, I sat across from him in his dark and eerie office. "Why are you doing this!? It is not fair. Someone will save us! I know it!" I cried, sure of my own words. Dr. Alistair laughed, mocking my very words, "I've done my research on you little Atsuko. You have no family so no one would come to rescue you. That's the only reason why I came to your Orphanage to work there." 

"That's not true." I denied, knowing all too well that it was all true. Dr. Alistair smirked, "But it is. And about Jun, I'm just taking out my anger on the youngster. His father and I were rivals in high school. He stole Laura from me and even married her." Dr. Alistair wore an expression of deep hatred before it turned into a forced smile, the smile he showed me looked so ill. Close to what a lunatic would look like if they were to smile, "You don't have to worry Atsuko, once you're stuck in my Prisonic Fairytale, you won't remember your useless life. You will be happy and won't have to worry about this reality." I remained silent, sadness was all I could feel and fear was all I had. Suddenly, Kenzo entered the office being much taller than me. He looked human but too lanky in stature and his ears were pointy at the tips of them. 

I could feel his eyes piercing through me, and his sharp, pearly whites sent chills down my spine. "I think she's going to be a great specimen, Dr. Alistair." Kenzo said, looking away from me and at the mad scientist. "I know that. I chose her for you. You both are a cute match." Kenzo nods in agreement. I rolled my eyes in deep anger and hatred. Everyone back at the orphanage thought I was crazy. Kenzo has been terrorizing me since I came to that orphanage and It was all Dr.Alistair's fault. Only I and a few others saw Kenzo from time to time but I would always see him the most.  Not even Seiko could see him. And now I know why.

"You're going to die someday, demon!" I yelled the words that came out of my mouth and didn't want to stay in.  Kenzo laughed, "Oh really? The only one who is going to die will be you." This memory now serves as a reminder of the darkness that lurks in the world and the sinister minds that devise such evil plans. It's always been that way for so long. When will it end?

Memory Flash: True Recollection (Atsuko's POV) ~ Before Eternal Sleep / Somnus Machine End

****

“Atsuko!” Hideo calls out. As his voice echoes through the room, Atsuko slowly opens her eyes to find him standing over her, looking worried. She sits up and looks around, disoriented and confused, trying to make sense of her surroundings.  She sees that they are standing in a grand ballroom, illuminated by shimmering chandeliers and ornate candelabras. The walls are adorned with intricate designs, and the room is decorated with lavish furniture. She is amazed by the sheer beauty of it all. "What happened? Where are we?" Atsuko asks, sitting up and looking around. "I'm not supposed to be here. Kenzo is supposed to be standing here with you but I had a change of plans to make things right.” As Hideo takes her hand and helps her to her feet, Atsuko notices that they are both dressed in regal attire, fit for a queen and king. She realizes that she is wearing a beautiful, flowing gown made of silk and lace, and Hideo is dressed in a sharp, black suit with a deep red tie. She feels like a part of a fairy tale. "What do we do now?" Atsuko asks. Hideo answers, "We merely dance."