The calm before the storm

“You did well. I’m impressed how much you’ve improved. Since you go back to work tomorrow, we won’t be able to train as much,” Madoka smiled.

“I learned how to escape that damn tank at least,” Serika grumbled as she looked at Yuni.

“Well I learned how to escape from that salon chair,” Yuni countered.

“I couldn't escape the strait jacket,” Emeri lamented.

“Well, at least not without stashing a knife on you. Now let's grab some lunch” Madoka smiled.

"The view really is nice from up here. I can see why you always sit here," Yuni mused.

"I prefer the fresh air," Serika replied.

"So wanna try riding the train here after we eat?" Madoka.

"Ugh, the one that goes ALL the way through this building? It's more like a slow roller coaster without the twists and turns," Emeri grumbled.

"Still have bad memories from it?"

"Yeah, though I wouldn't mind braving it again. Maybe it'll be more fun with friends."

"Alright."

...

"So why did you hate riding in this thing?" Serika asked as the four rode on the restaurant's mini train.

"I hurled after a torturous workout. Though now, I guess it's fine," Emeri stated.

"WEE! Look at all the amenities this place has!" Madoka cheered as she ate a crepe.

"Next stop, the rain-forest area!" Yuni cheered as she raised a piece of fried chicken in the air.

"Heh, I was cheering like them when I first rode this. I was so surprised at all the sights they put in. It was like a mini amusement park ride," Serika mused.

"Guess maybe I'll make some good memories of this train," Emeri smiled.

"I assume you want to keep this private for the time being. Well, I could understand it after seeing the results of the test," Harumi sighed.

"D- Does that mean-"

"Yes, you and Yuni are biological sisters."

Serika went pale as she was hit by the revelation. "So then, that means the Ookuma blood-"

"Was likely from Akuma Ookuma. That means the piece of shit is technically your older sister."

"B- But Fubuki said her child was killed then!"

"She never saw it directly, she just felt it. Then when she could see, the dead infant she saw had already been mutilated to the point where it was unrecognizable, though given the circumstances, it was fair and reasonable for Fubuki to assume that was her child. As for why you were swapped with the piece of shit's, it's likely because her own child was a stillborn."

"What do you mean?"

"If the piece of shit didn't have a stillborn, Akuma would have likely raised you personally. Though the situation still seems odd. Serika, do you remember anything else about your birth, like anyone else that was present?"

Serika thought back. "Yeah, some high school girl with multicolored twintails."

"That explains everything. That woman is Hilda Hakkin, the daughter of Alfred Hakkin, one of I.L.U.'s governing members as well as the current chairman of the governing board. Hilda was apparently close with the piece of shit, and was essentially her most valuable ally. I imagine she found out that the piece of shit's baby was a stillborn, and decided to swap you with her in secret. She likely heard about Akuma raping Fubuki and deduced that at best, you'd be the child of him and Fubuki, and at worst, the child of Fubuki and her partner. She probably thought it'd be perfect to have the daughter of Fubuki Dakota grow up to become an I.L.U. loyalist."

"Th- That's messed up."

"Luckily, you escaped. And as for Hilda, she met a gruesome end, so no need to worry about her."

"Yeah, Rika really saved my ass back then."

"Considering I.L.U. apparently has no idea what really happened to you or the piece of shit according to the Ginakawa family intelligence network, I think it's fair to assume that Akuma himself doesn't know of your survival, nor does anyone else suspect that you survived."

"Guess I got Sensei to thank for that."

Serika then headed back to her room, however, now the pressure was on her. She wavered between telling Yuni and just keeping things secret. She was so lost in thought, she nearly bumped into Emeri on her way back.

"You sure seem lost in thought. Everything alright?" Emeri asked.

"Y- Yeah. Sorry for almost bumping into to you," Serika mumbled as she began walking away.

"I'm all ears if you need someone to wail to."

"I already aired my grievances to someone."

"Oh, then that's good. I hope it helped."

Serika paused as she thought back to what Rika had told her. "Well, she never said I had to rush it," she thought as she headed for her room.

“Never thought I’d ever walk with you to work,” Serika grumbled.

“Likewise,” Yuni retorted.

"See you two later for dinner at the restaurant!" Madoka waved.

Luckily for Yuni, Sayuri had her badge on her when she was arrested, meaning her indefinite suspension was lifted. Her biggest concern though was Mochi. If she really was the Illumous mole she needed to be dealt with.

"I still can't believe Mochi would be a traitor," Serika grumbled.

"Why's that?" Yuni asked.

"Back in the day, she had a strong sense of justice. She even planned on becoming Superintendent general in order to reform the police. But I guess that incident gave her bitch of a sister the opportunity she needed to enslave her."

"To be honest, it's kind of hard for me to imagine her like that considering she's pretty much her sister's errand girl and has nothing but praise for her."

"You didn't know her well before. After the incident, she was like a completely different person. She began hanging out with Purin and rarely hung out with me or Bianka. Sensei also trusted her before the incident to... I wonder if Purin mind controlled her in a way that would even deceive Sensei, but still, I can't imagine her making such an oversight.  Bianka always told me how Purin couldn't stand Mochi, yet after the incident, she suddenly became friendly with her. That would definitely raise a red flag with Sensei."

"How bad was their relationship?"

"She tried to outright kill Mochi once. That, and you saw how happy she was when she saw Mochi with her face kicked in. I wonder if she helped Fujiko get that wax gunge setup. There's no way Fujiko would have been able to do that all on her own."

"Could her sister have helped her?"

"Nah, she was in prison at the time, but Purin, Inohara, and Kurobane were all officers at the time. Those three were close with Fujiko's sister so its possible all of them helped out."

"Kurobane was present during the mission to rescue Sensei, but I'm pretty sure Nakajima kept an eye on her the whole time. Inohara and Purin weren't there either, but Mochi was."

"Hmm, maybe she did leak things then. Poor girl."

"Yeah, it's even more tragic considering her own sister likely did it to her. Even though I'm an only child, I was like an older sister to my cousins, and the one thing I learned is that an older sibling should protect their younger sibling. I think I might actually hate Purin now."

"Because of how shitty of a sister she is?" Serika somberly asked.

"Yeah, she not only betrayed her sister but stripped her of her free will. That's vile beyond a reasonable doubt."

Serika smiled and nodded as she and Yuni continued walking. "Heh, guess I'll just not tell her. No need to throw a wrench into everything especially when we've got a solid friend group," she thought.

As the two entered the station, Kaori greeted them clad in flamboyant attire. “Serika! Time for the mind bondin. Oh, Yuni. Guess we could do it with Yuni too if ya want."

“Move it loon, I’ve got business to take care of," Serika growled as she and Yuni shoved past her and walked into Mutsumi’s office.

"Not gonna even diss my outfit? Lame, I'll go back to chill with Pupu then," Kaori shrugged as she headed out.

Mutsumi smiled as Serika and Yuni entered her office. “It’s good to see you two back, though I’m surprised you two were staying with each other. Well it’s good that you’ve bonded somewhat considering I was thinking of making you two partners."

Serika and Yuni stared in shock at Mutsumi. “Partners with HER!?” they shouted in unison.

“Yes, Yuni is in need of a partner and same for you Serika."

"But Bianka-"

"Is now working under Assitant-comissioner Myouchi. Plus considering you’re both Reika’s disciples and are in the fight against Illumous, it’d be easier if you two were partners. Soooo?”

“Well, she’s an incompetent buffoon, but better than nothing I guess,” Serika grumbled.

“Yeah, I’d rather have her watch my back then risk going in solo,” Yuni grumbled.

“I do have one condition though. Tell me what happened with Sensei. I heard about the rat, but I want to know who you were trying to bust,” Serika demanded.

Yuni somberly looked down at the floor as Mutsumi told Serika. “We heard that the man who supposedly lured Gozaemon Ginkawa to his death, had fallen for the bait Reika laid out for him and was hiding in a warehouse. He is a member of Illumous’ Council of 12 named Akuma Ookuma.”

Serika’s heart pounded as her face went pale.

“Are you alright?”

“Huh? Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I got a little scared. Now let’s interrogate that bitch.”

Yuni felt guilty for not telling Serika sooner. However, she didn’t want to hurt her when she was having the best moments of her life at the Ginkawa mansion.

“Sorry, I- “

“Shut it Twintails, don’t want to hear it from you,” Serika grumbled as her hand trembled.

“And with that its official, now take your badge Yuni, and don’t EVER lose it again.” Mutsumi smiled.

After reclaiming her badge, Yuni followed Serika and Mutsumi down to the holding cell where Sayuri was imprisoned. Sayuri was now in the same place and position Madoka was in when she was restrained.

Mutsumi removed the mouth restrain and Sayuri began to smile. “Well look who it is? Twintails and the gorilla bitch are here. So, what do you wanna talk about?”

“She’s been very resistant. Even when we asked her about Carl and Mochi, she refused to budge,” Mutsumi warned.

...

Police sirens blared as an ensabmle of police vehicles headed towards the Ginkawa mansion.

“What is the meaning of this!” Harumi demanded as she draped herself in a bathrobe.

“We have no idea, though it’s likely related to Madoka-sama’s incident a few days ago,” a servant theorized.

“I’m asking how they got in this far! The drawbridge should have been raised. Who let them in here!?”

“We let them in!”

Harumi turned to see the twins glaring at her. “What the hell is the meaning of this!?”

“We are just-"

“-Cleaning up trash.”

Harumi stormed into the lobby as a group of officers walked into the mansion. They were led by a middle-aged woman. The woman was Zerin Nakayama, a senior commissioner in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Kurobane, Mochi, Purin, and Yumeko were all present as well.

Zerin then approached Harumi. “Harumi Ginkawa, you are under arrest for involuntary manslaughter. Madoka Ginkawa is also under arrest for manslaughter, assault and battery and escaping police custody," she stated. Zerin’s voice sounded like nails being scraped across a chalkboard.

“What do you mean 'manslaughter'!?” Harumi demanded.

Yumeko walked forward. “Fujiko’s dead! You and your daughter murdered her with your little stunt,” she coldly glared.