The great escape

"So now will you tell me what happened to Madoka?" Yuni asked Emeri as they pulled up to the airport.

Emeri began to sweat as Serika explained. "Dumbass tried to save you and screwed up badly."

It was the truth, albeit a very simplified version.

"Can she even escape like that?" Yuni nervously asked.

"We'll just wrap her up in bandages. With some milk, she'll heal up in a few days," Emeri stated.

Yuni nodded and grabbed the medical kit from the trunk. Once Madoka was all bandaged up, everyone headed inside.

"This goes without saying, but make sure you ditch all your tools and anything that could make you fail the security check. Last thing we need is to get stopped at security," Emeri warned.

"Didn't you say you packed us bags?" Serika asked.

"The servants already dropped off our luggage and confirmed it was checked before I left the mansion. It should be on the plane, now lets hurry so we don't miss the boarding."

Despite everyone's nerves being high, they all managed to make it past the security checkpoint without much issue. When the staff inquired about Madoka, the cover story was that she was to receive medical treatment in a different country.

Serika pulled her hat as low as it could go as she wheeled Madoka through the airport. "Glad we managed to get through the checkpoint, considering I'm probably on the most wanted by now," she thought.

"When does our flight leave?" Yuni asked.

"Boarding starts in 5 minutes. I haven't noticed a heavy police presence yet but stay on your guard," Emeri stated as she purchased lots of milk.

The girls then began boarding. They had a brief scare when the attendant stared in silence at Serika's passport for nearly a minute, but it turns out it was nothing major.

"Nearly had a heart attack when she just stared at my passport for a few minutes," Serika lamented as she reclined in the seat.

"This is the first time I've been on a plane," Yuni said as she gazed out the window.

"Mine too."

The girls were able to board the plane without any problems. They were in the first-class section and were seated in pairs. Yuni sat next to the bandaged Madoka, while Emeri and Serika sat together.

"Make sure Mado-chan's comfortable. The lift off might be a little rough for her," Emeri warned as the plane began moving.

Madoka grunted happily to affirm she was alright.

Yuni and Serika shrieked as the plane sped up and began its lift off. They let out a sigh of relief when the plane was in the air.

"Well, that was an experience," Serika grumbled as she gazed out the window.

"You'll get used to it," Emeri chuckled as Madoka happily began drinking her milk.

"Well at least you're not wailing in pain. Say Emeri, what about Miss Ginkawa?" Yuni asked.

"Oh, Auntie's sailing on the mansion. The island is actually one titanic ship."

"Considering how massive that place was, it doesn’t surprise me that it’s actually a cruise ship.”

“Hey Emeri, about what you said back then,” Serika awkwardly asked.

“I meant it. I’m sorry once again for pushing you so hard.”

“It was the only way. Besides something you had no idea about was ultimately what rattled me the most.”

“Tell me. I’ll share the burden with you.”

Serika then explained what Mutsumi had told her. Emeri clasped Serika’s hand as she gazed into her eyes.

“It’s not your fault. You’re not to blame. Not for your Sensei, nor for frightening me. I'll admit I was terrified. Your act was so authentic I couldn’t even recognize you.”

“Yeah, but as soon as I saw Yuni, I lost it. I also had no idea that Kurobane was a gorilla, and just thought I could get you and Madoka out safely if I kept up the act. But when that bitch tried to kill Yuni and ordered that gorilla to slug you... I just couldn't. I was already struggling not to break character. Who knows what the Commissioner might have done if she saw me crack.”

“No, I’m the one at fault. I should have had more faith in you considering I was the one that ultimately forced the burden on you. That’s why I want to stay by your side from now on. I don’t want you to suffer alone anymore.”

“Yeah, plus that whole thing is partially my fault for not telling you sooner. Besides we’re all friends on the run with each other, so we share our burdens,” Yuni chimed.

“You ruined the mood, Twintails. But yeah, thanks,” Serika grumbled.

"Back to calling me 'Twintails'?"

"You're my little sister, I can call you whatever dumb nickname I want," Serika mumbled as her face went red.

"Then I'll call you Celery-onee-san."

"Want me to rip your twintails off for real!?"

“If Madoka could talk, she’d call us tsunderes,” Yuni laughed.

Madoka giggled as everyone began laughing.

“See, you’re a cute girl at heart. One I’d be happy to go to the ends of the earth with," Emeri smiled.

“Wait, are you actually confessing to me?”

“Yeah. Truth be told, I’ve always been a bit more attracted to girls than guys. So what do you say? I’m fine just being friends if this is too overwhelming for you. To be honest, I kind of feel this is unreasonable for me to ask for considering how I acted back at the bridge.”

Serika smiled as tears rolled down her face. “Love has never been my strong suit. But I know enough about it to know that if someone can accept you even after seeing your worst, that’s someone that cares about you. You saw me turn myself into a piece of shit and murder scumbags. You were terrified, yet instead of abandoning me like I thought you would, you came to save me."

“Yeah, once I realized you were still in there, everything clicked. When I saw how hurt you were when you ran away, I knew I had screwed up.”

“And that’s what I’m saying. You hurt me, and showed me your worst, yet I still want to be with you.”

Tears began rolling down Emeri’s face as Serika gently brushed her hair. “I’ll be honest, I’ve kind of had a crush on Madoka ever since she saved me from drowning. But, I'd happily date a girl like you.”

“I don’t mind a threesome with her,” Emeri pouted.

“Ha Ha! And here I thought Bianka was the perv. Well, guess I’m a better fit for you than Yuni. She’d be pissed with you if you confessed to her after today.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Why would I be pissed?” Yuni asked.

Emeri then explained to Yuni what really happened to Madoka.

“HUH! She got arrested and confined at HQ and you didn’t tell me!”

“Yeah, I feared you’d do something reckless. Plus, I didn’t want Mado-chan to be in anymore pain. Serika was our best bet of saving her considering Illumous knew who you were.”

Yuni walked over to Emeri and Serika and slapped them.

“Idiots. I’m smart enough not to recklessly get myself captured.”

“That’s debatable,” Serika grumbled as she massaged her face.

“Well, I guess I did end up getting captured...”

“See, just like I said; you got caught.”

“It wasn’t my fault! Heck, I’m positive any of us would have failed to escape in that scenario.”

Yuni then explained everything that happened to her.

“Wait! You’re cousin’s with Illumous and the one that captured Fubuki!? Come to think of it, that bootleg col mentioned her when I pried him for intel.”

“You got intel?”

“Yep. I also secretly recorded the conversation. Deleting Benise’s confession in front of him really lowered his guard. If you wanna hear the recording, use earbuds so I don’t have to hear that piece of shit possessing my vocal cords.”

Emeri listened to Serika’s recording as Yuni and Serika continued to banter.

“Feel better knowing that my cousin’s now a top Illumous executive?” Yuni jibbed.

“NO! That bitch just pisses me off. Plus she's my cousin too, remember!?"

"Oh right."

"And you're supposed to be a genius. I'll never forgive her for what she did to Fubuki. Though I guess it makes me feel less guilty knowing I’m not the only one with blood ties to those bastards," Serika grumbled.

“Yeah. Now that I look back, there were signs that she was really messed up. Though I hope our cousins are alright considering she wants to kill them.”

"You'll need to tell me more about them."

Madoka grunted in annoyance, due to being left out.

“Alright, I’ll give you your milk so you can heal up,” Yuni grumbled as she pulled out a bottle of milk and a straw.

A few minutes later, Emeri finished listening to the recording. “This is amazing. That jerk practically told you every Illumous member and misdeed in American politics. I’m sure there’s stuff we don’t know, but this will undoubtedly give them more hell considering Mr. Kentucky’s in deep shit.”

“If you’re so impressed give me a kiss as a reward,” Serika giggled as Emeri kissed her on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re in love with me. I’ll happily date you even if I confess to Madoka,” Serika laughed.

“And you called me a perv,”Emeri chuckled.

“So I’m just a third wheel?” Yuni grumbled.

"Yeah, guess I'm better than you at romance," Serika taunted.

“Well not like I was searching for a romantic partner anyway," Yuni growled.

“Mmmph ngh mmph,” Madoka mumbled.

“Don’t push yourself. Just relax and heal,” Yuni said as she soothed Madoka.

The girls relaxed as the plane safely left Japan’s airspace. They had all escaped the country.