Spiraling

While Shiori and Hikigaya are away at the convention, the others are left to entertain themselves. Chizuru lays on her bed on her back with her head hanging over the edge of her bed. Her expression is that of extreme boredom. She lays there for a moment before groaning loudly and throwing herself up.

Chizuru "It's such a perfect day! There's got to be someone who wants to hangout!"

She quickly swipes her phone off her nightstand and starts typing away. She puts the phone up to her ear as it rings.

Lucy "What's up Chizu?"

Chizuru "Lucy! Please tell me you're not busy right now!"

Lucy "Sorry man but Ryuji and I are helping my dad out at the restaurant today."

Kenji "Lucy, who you on the phone with?"

Lucy "It's Chizuru, dad."

Kenji "Chizuru? Tell her to come on down, I think we got it from here."

A couple people in the back behind Kenji give thumbs up. Lucy gives a slight smile and returns to her call with Chizuru.

Lucy "Well, dad says you should come by."

Chizuru "Yes! I'll be right over!"

She hangs up the phone, wraps a flannel around her waist, grabs her bag and rushes out of her room, down the stairs. She heads for the front door when her father stops her.

Henry "Where are you going?"

He says with a slightly asserting tone.

Chizuru "Oh, I'm just going to meet Lucy at her dad's restaurant."

Henry "All by yourself?"

Chizuru "Yes?.."

Pastel "Not without these, you're not."

Suddenly, her mother steps out from behind Henry holding a small bottle of pills.

Chizuru "My refill?"

Pastel "Yes. Who knows how late you'll be home. Don't tell me you forgot your other bottle is empty."

She gives her a slightly disapproving look as Chizuru laughs nervously and pulls an empty pill bottle from her bag.

Chizuru "Oh, yeah…"

Pastel "Chizuru, you have to be more careful. You know what can happen if you don't take your medicine."

She gently places the bottle in hand and places a soft hand on Chizuru's cheek.

Chizuru "I know mom. I'll make sure to not forget next time."

Pastel "I hope so. Now go have fun, but be safe!"

She gives her a send off kiss on the forehead as she steps out the door.

Chizuru "I will! Love you guys!"

As she closes the door behind her, Henry steps forward to say something else with a concerned look on his face when Pastel lifts her arm in front of him, stopping him.

Henry "But, darling.."

Pastel "I know, my love. But she is growing up and will be out from under our wings more and more. We can only hope she's grown healthier and stronger."

She turns and holds his head in her hands. He gently presses his head into her palms with a conflicted look on his face.

Henry "Of course…"

It doesn't take Chizuru long to make it to the restaurant. When she arrives, she comes in and gives Lucy a hug.

Chizuru "So what did you guys wanna do?"

She asks excitedly while Ryuji takes off the black shirt he had on.

Lucy "I was thinking maybe we hit up the arcade. How's that sound to you guys?"

Ryuji nods approvingly.

Chizuru "Yes! That sounds like super fun, let's get going!"

She grabs their wrists and pulls them out the door. Lucy waves goodbye to her father as he smiles and waves. They make their way to the arcade, a smaller building with lots of games inside.

Chizuru "Woah! I haven't been to the arcade in so long! They've really changed it up."

Lucy "Yeah, Ryuji and I come here every now and then. They're pretty good at changing things up."

Chizuru "Oh yeah? Just you and Ryuji huh?"

She asks, playfully nudging at her feelings for him. Lucy smiles and shakes her head a bit, brushing off her comment. Chizuru laughs as they begin to have fun. They play some games for a little while then as Ryuji games hard on one, Chizuru and Lucy stand behind him.

Chizuru "It's too bad Haru and Sugawara couldn't make it."

Lucy "Yeah, I tried calling him but it just went to voicemail."

As she says that, we go back to that moment. A hand is holding Haru's phone and clicks the hangup button on Lucy. It's Sugawara. He puts the phone down on the table as he lowers himself back down on Haru and they go back to making out as Haru wraps his arms around his waist. Back at the arcade.

Lucy "Yeah I can't imagine what he's busy with."

Chizuru "Well I know something you're busy with."

She gives her a mischievous smile. Lucy gives her a confused look. Chizuru leans in closer to whisper behind Ryuji.

Chizuru "You're busy checking out Ryuji, aren't you?"

Lucy "Chizu!"

She says still whispering.

Lucy "I am not. It's not like that."

Chizuru lifts her eyebrows up and down a few times as Lucy just rolls her eyes. They eventually make their way to this game that has a tiny room for it. There are two play mounted guns pointed towards a screen. As soon as Ryuji sees it, he stops and taps Lucy on the shoulder. She stops and turns around to him. He looks at it and speaks.

Ryuji "That one looks fun."

Lucy "Woah, look at you. I haven't seen you this riled up in awhile."

He smiles at her and they make their way to the box. Chizuru sees this and gets an idea. As they get to it they see there are only two players at a time for this game.

Lucy "Sorry Chizu, it's a two player."

Chizuru "Oh, don't worry. I don't mind watching."

They smile at her as they all climb in with Chizuru sitting in the middle. They play a few levels into the story when eventually a cutscene comes on.

Chizuru 'Now's my chance!' "Hey Ryuji, I had a quick question."

Ryuji "What is it?"

Chizuru speaks softly so not to seem obvious but loud enough for Lucy to hear her. Lucy looks at them from the corner of her eyes, trying not to seem like she's paying attention since she thinks the conversation doesn't concern her.

Chizuru "I was just curious if you gave any thought about dating recently?"

Lucy's eyes widen with shock and Ryuji pays more attention to her.

Ryuji "Dating you?"

Chizuru "No no no silly! I just mean in general."

Ryuji "Oh, I can't say I have really."

Chizuru "Really? But so many people have asked you out and we're already entering our second year soon."

He just shrugs a little. Chizuru seems displeased with his answers.

Chizuru 'Time to bring out the big guns!' "So you don't have a crush on anyone?"

Lucy reacts even more intensely than before. Ryuji pauses for a moment and looks ahead with a neutral expression.

Ryuji "Well I-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Lucy suddenly speaks up.

Lucy "Ah, you know what, I'm kind of thirsty. Do you guys want any food? I'm gonna go use the restroom."

She quickly stands up and leaves before he can speak anymore. They look with confused expressions for a moment.

Chizuru "I'm… gonna go follow her. We'll be right back."

She then leaves the game and follows Lucy. Ryuji sits there for a moment staring where they just were before lowering his head a bit. Lucy walks out the back doors of the arcade to the small patio area in the back. She walks hastily and is holding her arms tightly to her chest, obviously distraught.

Lucy "What am I doing? What was that? Why did I freak out? It doesn't matter, it's all okay-"

Chizuru "Lucy?"

She stops and looks up with surprise.

Chizuru "Why did you leave like that Lucy? Did something happen?"

Lucy grits her teeth a little before quickly turning around to face her.

Lucy "Yeah, you did."

Chizuru gets a shocked and sad look on her face.

Lucy "I mean, what were you thinking? Why have you all day been messing with me?"

Chizuru "I just… I thought-"

Lucy "You thought what? That you're helping me? Helping me with what, Chizuru? All you've been doing is messing things up. Making me feel weird and awkward."

Chizuru stands there timidly, stunned by what she's hearing and obviously upset about what is happening.

Chizuru "I thought I could help you with it…"

Lucy "With what? There is nothing to help with Chizuru. There is nothing to fix. There is nothing there between us, there will never be anything between us. Ryuji will always be my friend, nothing more so stop trying to 'help' and just leave it alone."

Chizuru stands there holding herself tightly, hanging her head down low for a moment. Not a sound coming out of either of them. After a moment of silence, Lucy sighs softly and breathes in.

Lucy "Listen, Chizuru?.. I didn't mean to be so harsh.."

She steps towards Chizuru which causes her to step back. Chizuru lifts her head and smiles at her.

Chizuru "No, it's okay Lucy. You don't have to apologize. It was my fault. I don't know why I was being so pushy today. I should've left it alone."

She smiles at her but her body and voice shakes. Lucy tries to smile back but can hardly do it. She takes another step towards her but Chizuru steps back once again. This time Lucy is surprised. She looks down at their feet to see it then back up to Chizuru's face.

Chizuru "I really should be going now. This was really fun, I had fun today. I'll see you guys later?"

She begins to step back while speaking but once she finishes she turns around and rushes to the doors and through them. Lucy watches her leave but as soon as she does, her eyes widen. Ryuji is standing there, just a bit behind where Chizuru was a moment ago. Lucy realizes that he was there listening to it all. His expression is neutral. Or it would be to any person who would see it but Lucy knows him all too well. She can tell he is hurt too.

Lucy "..Ryuji, I-"

Ryuji "We should head home."

After he says that, he turns and walks through the doors. Lucy stands there for a moment staring at the doors before lowering her head.

Chizuru eventually makes it home. She comes through the door and heads straight up the stairs. She stops half way up them and looks through the doorway to the kitchen on the counter. She sees a note card that reads:

'Headed to the store. Be back soon. -Love Mom & Dad'

She stares at it for a moment before continuing up the stairs and to her room. She closes the door behind her and leans against it. After just a moment she slides down it and into the fetal position. She lays her head on her arms, burying it into her chest and legs. She begins sobbing all by herself.

Late one night, back at the Devil's Syndicate warehouse. The different members are all doing their own things, moving crates, building things, or just hanging out. Amber walks in carrying a duffle bag. She looks uneasy and unsure of what to do. She walks in and heads towards the living quarters when she hears someone call for her.

Alexi "Psst! Amber! Over here!"

She looks over to see a fairly tall and skinny man roughly the same age as her. She gets a look of relief as she quickly walks to him and gives him a hug.

Amber "I'm so glad to see you're okay."

Alexi "As I am too for you."

Amber "What are we gonna do? I don't think I can take much more of this…"

She hangs her head low and expresses high stress. Alexi pauses for a moment and looks sympathetic before responding.

Alexi "From what I hear, we may not need to…"

Amber looks at him slightly confused by his statement before Commander Spark calls out to everyone.

Spark "Everyone, cherished members of the Devil's Syndicate, please come gather around."

They look over with concern but know they must do as he says. Everyone eventually makes their way around the little stage he stands above them on.

Spark "As I am sure you all are aware, we have been working on something very big and you all have had a part to play. The boss will certainly be pleased with that. However, the time for preparations and hanging around like most of you do, is over. We are ready to enact phase two."

After he finishes that statement, four large people shrouded in shadow step up behind him. The four of them each look different from each other but one of them is recognisable, Keeper. Amber gets a look of terror.

Amber "Oh no…"

Spark "Because of that, the four Poles of the Devil's Syndicate will be staying with us for the time being but before any of that, I have a question."

The crowd looks at him confused.

Spark "On our last mission, both Fullsky and Watchdog showed up, like they always do. Now we don't expect zero resistance against what we are doing, them showing up is expected. However, they showed up before we even made any attempts to complete our objective, before we even did anything. Who can explain that to me?"

The crowd is silent for a moment before someone raises their hand. Spark motions for them to speak.

Member "Someone would have needed to tell them, right?"

Spark "Yes, you are correct. But who could've told them something that even the police didn't know about? Something only we knew about."

Amber is freaking out towards the back because she knows she's the one who told Fullsky about it like they agreed. When she looks up she notices Spark staring right at her. Her heart begins beating heavily as sweat forms. She doesn't know what to do. He stares at her with a slight smile on his face but his eyes are sharp. She feels almost like he could kill her with just his gaze. Spark begins to open his mouth to speak when he is interrupted.

Alexi "Maybe they were just-"

Suddenly, a plasma spike is shot past his neck in an instant. He didn't even realize it had lightly cut the side of his neck. No one was able to keep up with it. Spark is now staring at Alexi with a much more aggressive look.

Spark "Do not interrupt me. Speak when given permission to speak. Now, what is it you were saying?"

The spike slowly pulls away as Alexi is now sweating and swallows heavily. He stutters before he speaks from the fear of almost losing his head.

Alexi "I-I just was thinking, maybe they weren't told? Maybe they too found out about it and were scouting it out. They are superhumans a-afterall…"

Spark glares at him for a moment with squinted eyes before looking away.

Spark "Yes I suppose you could be correct. Regardless, we were still able to accomplish our goal with minimal loss. I will put aside my suspicions for now. A week from today we will begin the final act so be ready and everyone do your part. You wouldn't want to be left behind."

He gives them a smirk before dismissing them. As everyone spreads out Amber grabs Alexi's hand and whispers.

Amber "Thank you…"

Alexi "Don't mention it…"

Amber looks at him as they walk back to the barracks. She looks at the cut on his neck that's bleeding a little. She then gets a determined look on her face. They sit across from each other, Alexi with a bandage on his neck now. Amber stares at him as he rubs his neck lightly and reads a book. She pulls something from her pocket and looks at it in her hand. The device Fullsky gave her. She sweats and shakes nervously but stays determined. She stands up and steps towards him, patting him on the shoulder.

Amber "I'm gonna go for a walk. I'll be back later."

As she turns to step away, he grabs her wrist lightly. She turns and looks at him confused.

Alexi "Please, don't be crazy. I can't do this without you."

He looks at her seriously as Amber sighs. She lowers his hand and gives him a reassuring smile.

Amber "I won't."

He smiles back weakly as she turns to leave. She closes the door behind her as she steps out onto the dirt road.

Amber "I'm gonna get us out of this, I promise.'

She eventually makes her way to a park with little light around. She pulls the device out. He holds it in her hand shakily for a moment before exhaling and clicking the button on the device. A small light on the front blinks red slowly for a moment until the static stops.

Fullsky "Fullsky."

Amber "It's me, Amber. I have to tell you something super important. Their plan, it's complete. They're moving onto phase two in a week. I'm not sure what is exactly happening but it definitely has to do with the amulet and serum. I heard it's going on inside Fawn Tower. I wish I could tell you more but that's all I know."

She speaks quietly in the shadows of the park as she briefs her. Fullsky doesn't respond for a moment but then does.

Fullsky "Got it. Thank you for your courage Amber. Stay put for now and play it cool. Once we take them down you'll be free from them permanently."

Amber "I hope so… Thank you Fullsky."

The channel then goes static before clicking off. She sighs as she puts the device back in her pocket. She turns around and is immediately met by the sight of Commander Spark.