June 14, 1999 -- After Club

[all_onis_are_true]

[Another day, another bout of messing around. Hiroshi can't shake the feeling that everybody seemed more on edge than usual today, though. Must be more spooked from that silly ceremony than they wanted to let on. How foolish. They were all still alive, right?

Well, okay, Maria could believe what she wants. She's young. She'll learn.

The mail is sitting at the foot of the door when he gets back to his house. His parents are out for now; Father, no doubt, is still working at the lab, and Mother must be out shopping. Well, never mind. He sorts through the mail, and stops.

There's an envelope in here, marked to him. No return address, though. He frowns. Well, he IS expecting a letter one way or another from that school in the city, but he can't imagine they'd send him something without any sort of letterhead. He puts the other mail on the table and opens up the envelope.

The only thing inside was the following letter:]

UNBELIEVER
THE NINTH IS DEAD
YOU WILL DIE SOON TOO
SHIGETSUNA-SAMA DEMANDS IT



[He furrows his brow. The Ninth? Who's the Ninth? There were only eight! Where'd this note come from? Who could have...

Shaken, he tears it up into several pieces, his breathing shallow and tight. Whoever from the club sent that, it's not funny. He needs a walk to clear his head.

Which is, of course, where you might run into him. He seems on edge, either way.]

Comments

[all_onis_are_true]

[It... couldn't be. Did Alice know about the letter? Did she send it? But why? Wasn't she supposed to be one of the saner ones? If he'd have guessed anybody, it'd be Maria, playing a trick. But...]

I... am certain you would be the first to know if I do receive anything.

[He pauses.]

You have not gone to see if Souji was home sick, have you? I was thinking perhaps I should check in on him.

[independent_dollmaker]

Ah, yes, Seta-san. He wasn't at school today, was he?

[The sound of a single foostep, as she draws closer to Hiroshi's back.]

I wonder what could have happened to him. Nobody's seen him, after all.

[all_onis_are_true]

[She's so close. Why is she so close? What is wrong with her?]

It is rather worrying, is it not? He is usually quite good about attendance.

[Maybe YOU know something about it? But he doesn't ask this.]

[independent_dollmaker]

[She's close enough that she could reach out and touch you now, Hiroshi. Is it really safe to keep your back turned?]

Yes, it's worrying. I'm very worried.

If you knew something about it, you'd tell me, right, Yamane-kun?

[all_onis_are_true]

[He turns, perhaps a little too abruptly.]

Ah... of course, Alice. You are my friend after all, yes?

[Although honestly, he's suddenly not sure of that at all anymore.]

[independent_dollmaker]

[She doesn't back up when he turns around, putting her just a bit too close for personal space comfort levels.

The summer sun glints off of the edge of something sharp in the depths of her purse.]

Of course I'm your friend, Yamane-kun.

That's why I want to make sure you get that letter. I'm sure that your wish was granted, after all.

[all_onis_are_true]

Y...yes...

[What do you know? WHAT DO YOU KNOW. Who else knows? What are you planning?]

I... believe I should get going. Father will get upset if I do not get to my coursework soon.

[independent_dollmaker]

Going home so soon, Yamane-kun? I thought you were out to enjoy the weather. I wonder if something's wrong.

[all_onis_are_true]

Nothing. Nothing is wrong. I assure you I am quite fine, Alice.

[Leave him alone you nutcase!]

[independent_dollmaker]

Then why don't we talk a little longer? It's not often that we get to talk with just the two of us.

[Come to think of it, there's not another living soul in sight, is there?

If something happened here, how long would it take for someone else to find out about it?]

[all_onis_are_true]

I REALLY need to get going, Alice. You know how my father can get at times.

[He is about a half second away from running like hell.]

[independent_dollmaker]

Well, then, if it's your father, I guess there's nothing you can do.

I hope we get to talk like this again.

[There's a touch of a threat in that last sentence.]

[all_onis_are_true]

Yes. I am QUITE certain we will be talking again soon.

[In the meantime, he has a sempai to check in on.]

[independent_dollmaker]

[Alice doesn't seem to have anything else to say as Hiroshi hurries off.

However, he can feel her eyes on him until he's out of sight.]