CHAPTER NINE - BLOODY BULLET TRAIN TO LOVE ARC - MALFUNCTION

"Haru Fukuzaki?"

Fukuzaki nods.

"Yeah. I'm Kou's sister."

The hospital receptionist smiles.

"Right. Follow me this way."

Fukuzaki nervously looks down as she passes through the sterile white halls of the facility.

After reaching the door, she gives it a quiet knock, meekly peeking her head through.

"Hey, Kou..?"

The young boy's face instantly lights up.

"Haru...!"

He sits up, unable to fully get up from the bed. The lower half of his body seems to have suffered a severe injury, though whatever it may be was completely obscured under thick layers of casts and bandages.

Fukuzaki smiles.

"Hanging in there?" she asks, sitting beside him.

"Um, yeah."

She notices him clenches his fist nervously if only for a second.

...

She was confident before she walked in that there were so many things she wanted to tell him. But in the moment, none of them seemed to come to mind.

"How's school?" asks the young boy.

She looks surprised.

"Uh, good! I... I made some new friends."

She can't help but look down with a shameful expression. Noticing this, the boy gives her a warm smile as if to compensate.

"That's great, sis."

...

"Hey, I, uh, got you something," Fukuzaki says while shuffling through her school bag.

"Really?"

She pulls out a few small packs of trading cards.

The boy smiles.

"Is that Devilmon?"

"Duh."

"Thanks," he replies innocently. "Do you know about the new VX cards? They can do crazy damage! Ryota showed me!"

"Sounds like no joke."

"Yeah, my deck is still better than his though."

Fukuzaki softly smiles.

"He came to visit you?"

The boy nods.

"Yesterday. He had to leave pretty soon though."

"Aw, too bad."

She punches his shoulder playfully.

"Heal up already, you hear? So you can go back to karate and kick his ass."

The boy has a somber look in his eyes.

"...Yeah."

"What's wrong?"

For a moment, he hesitates.

"I dunno if I'll ever be able to do karate again."

...

"Huh, whaddaya mean? You're a tough guy! You think something like this is gonna keep you down?" Fukuzaki nervously laughs.

"Stop messing around, sis."

The faint light in Fukuzaki's eyes immediately disappears.

...

"I'm... I'm not joking around. You'll get through this. Okay? Now come here."

She gives him a soft hug, nuzzling his head.

"Love ya."

She rests her head on the boy's shoulder in a poor attempt to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.

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Outside the hospital, Fukuzaki inserts a few coins into a vending machine. The sun sets below the horizon, casting the city in a warm glow.

Despite pressing the correct button, the machine refuses to dispense her drink.

...

She furiously kicks the side of it with all her might. 

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Misaki sits at her desk, surrounded by the idle chatter of the class 1-C students. Hidden from view, she holds a notebook under her desk, quietly sketching the outline of a human figure.

Inuyama peers over her shoulder.

"Woah, you're good, Misaki!"

"I don't need you telling me that," she scoffs. "You really were a pro, you know."

Inuyama touches a finger to her chin, tilting her head to the side while feigning absentmindedness. 

"Huh? I dunno what you mean..."

"Hey, whatcha guys doing? Misaki's drawing again?"

Fukuzaki approaches the two. Misaki looks embarrassed.

"Hey, it's not a cue for you guys to just hang around! You know I don't like being watched!"

"Yeah, sorry. Just taking a quick look."

...

"You're not gonna tease me today? How very unlike you," Misaki sarcastically mutters.

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

Fukuzaki seems annoyed.

"Come on, don't play innocent," Misaki teases. "Wow, Misaki, you're such a good artist, for someone who's so fat," she mimics.

"...Or something."

"What's the hell's your problem?" Fukuzaki spits.

...

Misaki's expression softens before she narrows her gaze.

"It's a joke. What's with you today?"

"Nothing's with me. What's with you today?"

"Okay, whatever. You found a way to ruin it anyways."

She slams her notebook shut.

"Hey, don't fight, you two! The class trip is tomorrow, you know! Where did you wanna go see? I was thinking-"

"Cut it out, Inuyama. You don't need to do that every time."

Fukuzaki lowers her voice before abruptly getting up and marching out of the room.

"S-Sorry..." Inuyama looks down.

Sitting at her desk, Riru nervously watches the conflict.

"Um... I'll go after her!" she awkwardly shouts, shooting up from her seat.

Surprised, Inuyama raises her head and smiles.

"Huh? ...Thanks, Ruriri."

"Do what you want," Misaki pouts while stuffing her notebook in her bag.

Riru nods to them both while quickly dashing towards the door.

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Having thoroughly explored the halls outside the classroom, Riru runs up the staircase towards the roof. It seemed to be one of Fukuzaki's favorite spots, and one that would be a perfect place for clearing her head.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, however, she finds the area completely empty.

She slumps on one of the ledges, defeated.

"BLOODSPLATTER MOON..."

"Huh?!"

The sound of the deep voice booming from the tall and menacing silhouette behind her causes her to swivel around in shock. The hooded figure is completely covered from head to toe in what looks to be a tattered cloth.

"...Des?"

"NAH THAT AIN'T ME."

"Stop lying! What are you wearing?!"

She reaches towards the cloth, but the figure swiftly evades her grasp.

"NO STOP IM SUPPOSED TO DO THAT ITLL LOOK REALLY COOL TRUST ME."

"Who cares about that?!"

"OK ARE YOU WATCHING NOW."

...

"OK ARE YOU WATCHING NOW."

"I'm watching," she groans, her attempt to ignore him proven unsuccessful.

In one quick motion, the figure removes its hood, revealing its true identity to be none other than Des. Though his appearance is mostly unchanged, he has a large scar running down one of his eyes.

Smiling confidently, he strikes a powerful pose, his cloak billowing dramatically in the wind.

...

"THAT WAS PRETTY COOL RIGHT."

"No! Why are you even here?!"

"ARENT YOU GONNA ASK WHAT HAPPENED TO MY EYE."

"Huh? What happened to your eye?!"

"IT'S A SECRET."

He winks.

"Ew, stop! Don't do that!"

He winks again.

Furious, Riru refuses to engage. 

"Answer me. What are you doing at my school?"

"IM HERE TO PROTECT YOU. I HAVE UNDERGONE RIGOROUS TRAINING IN BOTH BODY AND MIND FOR THE SAKE OF THIS PURPOSE ALONE."

"Give it a rest already! I thought I told you to leave me alone!"

"...GABRIEL. THE DEVIL EXTERMINATOR."

"Huh?"

"HE'S IN YOUR CLASS RIGHT. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WANTING TO BE YOUR BOYFRIEND."

He looks off to the side, embarrassed.

"...I'M WORRIED ABOUT YOU. AS A FRIEND."

"Since when are we friends again..?" Riru mutters.

She stands up and points at him, determined.

"I don't need your protection! Nothing is gonna happen! And if it does, I can handle it myself!"

She looks away.

"I'll have fun at the class trip and forget all about you."

...

Des turns around, seemingly having given up on his quest, before he suddenly stops in his tracks.

"...A GROUP OF DEVIL EXTERMINATORS IS HEADING TOWARDS KYOTO. I SAW THEM."

Riru's eyes widen.

"STAY SAFE."

Without another word, he jumps off the rooftop, his tiny devil wings vigorously flapping to catch the weight of his fall.

Riru grabs her hair in frustration.

"Aghhh! I didn't ask you!"

She grumpily plops back down onto the ledge. Wherever Fukuzaki had gone, the sudden distraction meant she was now far out of reach. Any conflict remaining between the girls would have to be resolved during the school trip.

And with the day quickly approaching, Des's words never quite managed to leave Riru's mind.

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The rays of the early morning sun peek through the windows of Shinagawa station, softly illuminating the flood of Yamabuki high students engulfing the interior. Instructors and staff members do their best to be heard amidst their deafening chatter, interrupted by the sudden sound of screeching metal created by the passing trains.

Riru pushes her way through the crowd, peeking over heads until she spots what seems to be the backside of Fukuzaki's head.

"Hey-"

"Riru, do you wanna hang with us?"

"Huh?"

Riru turns around at the sound of Ichimi's softspoken voice.

The girl softly waves at her with a smile.

"During the trip, I mean. But it's okay if-"

"Hah? Why are you getting her involved?" Hori scowls.

"I think she should decide for herself," Gabriel laughs.

"You can't be serious..."

Despite a few days passing since Gabriel's arrival at the school, Hori was still practically glued to him at every moment.

"I'm not sure..." Riru nervously looks over towards where she caught a glimpse of Fukuzaki, who already seems to have been swallowed up by the crowd.

"Anyways, where are we gonna visit, Gabriel?" Hori asks, ignoring her.

"I'm cool with whatever."

"Huuuh? Come on, you've never been to Kyoto, right?! What about Kinkaku-ji? What sorta stuff are you interested in?"

"Lots of things, I guess..." he laughs.

"Come on, are you ever gonna open up to me?" Hori has a dissatisfied look.

The group makes their way towards the train platform, their conversation interrupted by the pleasant tune of an electronic chime. The bullet train speeds towards the platform, followed by a powerful gust of wind before it finally comes to a stop.

"Alright, everyone, in a straight line!" shouts one of the teachers.

In a blatant dismissal of this warning, students simultaneously attempt to cram themselves through doorways leading inside the train's narrow and densely packed interior.

"Let's sit over here!" shouts Hori over a sea of heads.

Unable to find Fukuzaki and the other girls, Riru resigns herself to her fate and follows along.

After a few minutes, everyone eventually manages to find their seats.

"Thank you for riding the Shinkansen again today. This is the Kodama express bound for Osaka. This train stops at Shin-Osaka station."

The train slowly starts to pick up speed.

DING!

"Next stop is: Shin-Yokohama. Shin-Yokohama."

Hori comes to a sudden realization.

"Agh, Crap! I forgot to bring my lunch!"

She turns towards Ichimi, showing her a sinister grin.

"I'm sure you don't mind sharing, do you..?"

"H-hey!"

"Ah, don't worry about that. You can have some of mine," smiles Gabriel, oblivious to any implications of his words.

Hori's face flushes red.

"H-huh? I mean, I guess that'd be fine, if you really insist..."

Distracted, Riru peeks her head above her seat, still attempting to look around for any trace of her friends.

For whatever reason, an anxious dread was crawling its way throughout her entire body.

...

Everything will eventually come to an end.

Why was she thinking about that right now?

She shakes her head vigorously, attempting to rid herself of any unnecessary thoughts.

For the time being, she would enjoy herself.

Everything will eventually-

"Come on, let's play a game!" she shouts.

"Huh? Like what?"" Hori narrows her eyes.

"Uhh... Dare! I dare you to do something really stupid!"

"Huh?! Hold on, isn't it usually truth or dare?! Where's the truth?!"

"Don't you get it? There's no truth to be found in this world..." laments Ichimi.

"W-well, then I dare you to show me what's in that weird backpack of yours!" yells Hori, pointing towards Gabriel.

"Huh? Come on, that's a secret," he rubs the back of his head, embarrassed.

"Stuff it! What're you always hiding?!"

"Wouldn't that one be counted as a truth, though..?" Ichimi wonders.

She laughs as Hori grimaces in frustration and desperately attempts to reach across towards Gabriel's seat.

Riru smiles and joins in on the fun.

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"Remind me why we're all the way out here, again..?" complains a short and young-looking devil exterminator. Her silver hair, which she twirls around her finger, is styled into two long pigtails on each side of her head, with straight-cut bangs almost entirely covering her eyes. Most noticeably, she's dressed in a black lolita outfit, with white cross insignias dotted around the hem of the skirt. 

"My dress is getting all dirty..."

"Insurance. We got a tip," spits Uriel. He narrows his jet black eyes at the girl in annoyance.

"Sounds like a waste of time to me..."

The two walk down the dimly lit underground passageways of a train station, accompanied by a small squad of fellow exterminators. Following along with them is the flamboyant Mister Sandalphon, this time wearing an extravagant feathered headdress. 

"You can't feel it? The disturbance..."

He strikes a pose and pushes up his "2020" shaped sunglasses.

"...In the groove..."

He jumps in front of the silver-haired girl.

“Say it with me! Bad vibrations!”

"The only bad vibes here are you, old man."

“Bernadette. Your dolls,” snaps Uriel.

“You could at least ask a bit more nicely…”

From the palm of her hand sprouts a giant mass of bubbling black ooze, eventually morphing into dozen of tiny black bird-like entities.

With a wave of her arm, the creatures take flight, each moving towards a different direction within the labyrinthine maze of underground tunnels.

As they move throughout the endless halls and empty train tunnels, a few smaller groups of devil exterminators position themselves in various points throughout the railway system.

As if sharing their sight, Bernadette nods towards Uriel.

“Everyone’s in position.”

"Good. Now we wait," he scowls.

"...And hope this is all just a bad joke."

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Before Riru knew it, an hour had already passed.

DING!

"The next stop is: Mishima. Mishima."

"Uuughhh! I'm starving!" cries Hori.

"I'll be right back. Going to the bathroom," says Ichimi, leaving her seat.

"Don't take too long! It's your turn next!"

She nods and heads off, slowly stumbling through the crowded cars on her way towards the back of the train.

The noise of the wind fiercely blowing outside becomes painfully loud, piercing through her ears until all other sound is eliminated.

...

KACHING!

Suddenly, a break in the noise. The lights flicker in perfect coordination with the sound.

"Wha..?"

A few feet in front of her, a strange sight had suddenly manifested. 

A bright red arm sticks out from a pool of blood, two hands diverging from its single wrist.

"Huh?! What's-"

KACHING!

Upon simply being touched by the hands of the mysterious being, the girl's body instantly combusts into nothingness, shooting splatters of red across every direction.

In her place, the hands hold onto an ornate and intricately decorated sword.

The nearby passengers, now completely drenched in blood, still struggle to comprehend the gruesome sight they'd just witnessed.

Wha..?"

"Huh?"

This state of utter confusion was enough to distract anyone in the car from noticing the slow deceleration of the train as it reached its next stop.

The electronic chime plays once again as a crowd of people at the station patiently wait to board. 

The doors slide open.

"Thank you for riding the Shinkansen agaKACHING! KACHING! KACHING! KACHING!

KACHING!                                                                                                                                                        KACHING!                                                                                                                                                        KACHING!                                                                                                                                                        KACHING!                                                                                                                                                        KACHING! KACHING!                                                                                                                   KACHING!    KACHING!              KACHING!     KACHING!      KACHING!                   KACHING!       KACHING!                 KACHING!        KACHING!          KACHING! KACHING!     KACHING!                                         KACHING! KACHING! KACHING!          KACHING!  KACHING!                  KACHING!         
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