New Line: A Fresh Step   von Xanderionas
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                             Kapitel 9: Chapter 9
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The next morning, Hifumi awoke to a bed no longer empty. She felt a great heat
beside her, warming every corner of her body. She turned her head to find Anders
asleep next to her, dressed in a simple shirt and boxers. She felt herself blush
as she stroked his hair, pushing a strand out of his eyes while he breathed
soundly. 
“So cute.” she murmured, continuing to pat his head gently while she
shuffled closer to him. She checked her heart for any aberrations, finding
nothing to her relief. While they hadn’t taken things further last night, her
mind was still reeling from the kisses he had placed upon her hand, tracing the
areas with her own lips as if soaking his scent into her. She immediately felt
stupid for thinking like that, sensing her cheeks burn with embarrassment and
buried herself in his chest. She almost gasped as she realized how wide his
shoulders were, able to envelop her without trouble. Her surprise was nothing
however compared to the shock when his arms suddenly wrapped themselves around
her waist and pulled her even closer, looking up in panic to see him smile
warmly.
“Good morning, Hifumi.”
The sheer sound of her name from his lips made her heart soar, but she pushed it
back down to return the greeting:
“M-morning Anders. Sleep well?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe it. I think it’s time we got you fed though.
Those tablets don’t come from nowhere after all.”
She gave a light groan as she bumped her head against his.
“You’re still so careful around me. I wouldn’t forget them at this point,
you know.”
“That’s what you think. I know how easy it is to forget your medication one
single day and ruin several weeks’ worth of treatment. Now come on, let’s
make breakfast at the same time.”
“Five more minutes…”
But her pleas fell on deaf ears as he extracted himself from her, shuffling out
of her bed and stretching high enough to touch the ceiling. She used to feel a
bit envious of his height, no longer however since the time she saw him hit his
head against the doorframe. The sound itself had frightened her off for good. 
“Nope, no skip days.” he chided like an overprotective parent, “I won’t
have my beloved girlfriend come out of her routine just because she happened to
find herself a dashing boyfriend. Come on.”
She tried to fight back once more time, until submitting to the power of
sunlight as he pulled open the curtains. Yawning loudly, she stepped out of bed
and grabbed the tablet rack from her bedside table, joining Anders in the
kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and swallowed the pills with
trained ease, downing the entire glass at the same time. It was a habit she had
developed after a near-accident had led to one of the pills getting lodged in
her throat. 
Slowly feeling more awake, she joined Anders in preparing breakfast, them
deciding on the simplest variety of rice, toast and eggs. As they sat down on
the table and dug in, the sun continued to creep up along her balcony window.
Hifumi let her eyes wander towards outside, the same happening with her
thoughts. 
“What is it? Eager to get out on the track again?”
She returned her gaze to a grinning Anders, shaking her head slowly.
“No, just... still unable to believe this happened…”
“The accident, the recovery or us?”
“All of it... I still feel like I’ve been dreaming for a very, very long
time.”
His gaze grew more solemn as they exchanged eye contact, slowly reaching over
and squeezing her hand softly in his.
“It’s all real, Hifumi. As much as I myself think this is a dream, it is
very much reality. I’m both unbelievably happy and incredibly scared of what
might happen in the future, but I will take strength from this hand that I
hold.”
She gave a warm smile in response, placing her hand over his and returning the
gesture. They remained like this for a good few minutes, each soaking in the
warmth of the other, when Anders’ phone buzzed again on the countertop.
“Again with her.” Anders sighed, opening his phone and proving his
suspicions with a frown, “Yagami isn’t letting up. She wants to see me
tonight without question.”
“Shouldn’t... shouldn’t you answer her then? I think... it might be a good
idea.”
He raised an eyebrow at her statement.
“You think? After everything I’ve done?”
“Especially after what you did. It... isn’t fair to the others to continue
hiding like this. They deserve to know, just as you deserve to be forgiven... in
my opinion.”
“Forgiven? Me? I still have a hard time believing that.”
She moved to speak yet was preempted by him raising her hand to his lips for
another kiss.
“But if you believe that it is the right thing to do, then I trust you. I’ll
tell her to meet with me then. Not just her though, I have others to apologize
to.”
“Good idea. Where do you want to meet?”
A shadow passed over his expression, before he responded:
“Someplace I haven’t been to in a very long time. I need to prepare myself
before going, but I know Yagami will understand. You want to come with, I’m
sure?”
“Yes.” she said with complete confidence, “I want to talk to Kou myself.
There’s… something I need to clear up with her.”
He looked surprised for a moment, before returning to his usual smile.
“Got it. Well then, shall we finish up and go for training? I might make you
attempt four laps this time.”
She grew a shade paler.
“Really? Can’t it just be three?”
“I won’t let you slack off just because we’re together now. You need to
constantly push your body so that you can move beyond the stage you were at
before the accident. You’re still not quite there yet.”
“I feel like I already am though.”
“Just your imagination. Never let your goals be blinded by expectations. Now
come on, the eggs have gone cold.”
They quickly moved to finish breakfast, washing the dishes and getting dressed
in record time. As they left the building Anders kissed her on the cheek,
causing her to turn scarlet and begin chasing him out of embarrassment, him
happily skipping along before her with the most relaxed expression she’d ever
seen on him.
Their training took less time than usual, thanks to the fact that she was both
motivated to do better and that Anders had begun to allow her to jog. It was a
welcome change from the constant fast pacing, allowing her to use her legs more
fluidly. After completing her rounds, even the dreaded fourth one, without
incident, he gave her a special offer to return home on his back. She refused
however and instead walked briskly back, him having to run after her to keep up.
She felt a proud smile form on her face as she showed enough endurance to make
it all the way back home, only needing assistance while climbing the stairs.
That didn’t matter to her though. She was getting stronger, she felt it. She
could grow beyond the limitations that a new heart set against her. It was then
that she had come to realize just how much she had changed from that timid, shy
girl only a few months ago.
Once she finished washing up and getting dressed, Anders awaited her patiently
by the car, no longer needing to watch over her at every corner. She had just
descended the first flight when a voice called out to her from behind:
“Excuse me. Are you Takimoto Hifumi?”
Hifumi turned around to see a rather odd figure one flight above her. Her silver
hair was pulled up into a tight bun, the bartender outfit making her stand out
without question. As she wondered whether it was cosplay, Hifumi caught sight of
the elderly features that surrounded a pair of brilliant prismarine eyes,
watching her with a gaze that seemed to reach beyond the mortal realm.
“Yes, I am. Can I help you?”
Hifumi was glad that she could still speak without stuttering, despite her heart
having quickened in pace. She felt it wasn’t at a critical level though and
listened as the woman spoke up in her melodic, enigmatic voice:
“Pardon me for hindering you. I merely wish to ask you a brief question
regarding Anders Tansuke, if you don’t mind.”
The sound of his name surprised Hifumi, who didn’t know whether to trust or
suspect the woman. She didn’t know of any enemies of Anders, nor had he ever
told her. Yet she decided it was better to be cautious. The woman seemed to
notice her distrust, giving a smile that knew just a bit too much for comfort.
“I am not here to interrogate you, please relax. Your condition is still not
perfect. I only wish to know whether Anders has informed you on his decision to
leave the city. Can you answer that for me?”
Her question put Hifumi off-guard, the world freezing over in her head. It must
have been clear from her expression, for the woman smiled even wider.
“I see that you yourself don’t know. Well then, let me no longer disturb
you. You have a long day ahead and you will need all your energy, I gather.
Farewell for now.”
The woman turned to head back up the stairs, Hifumi calling out before she could
vanish from sight:
“Wait! Who are you? Why did you tell me this?”
The woman glanced back down at Hifumi, her smile growing ever more mysterious
while a strange glint appeared in her eyes.
“My name is Maria. You will come to see me again soon enough, Ms. Takimoto.
For now, I wish you a good day at work. Send my regards to Anders, I do wish to
see him again someday.”
With that she disappeared around the corner, Hifumi chasing after her as fast as
she could without stumbling. As she looked around the corner though, she stared
in disbelief as nobody was there. It was impossible, the arrangement of the
stairs requiring someone to be visible until they crossed at least twelve feet.
Yet no sign, nor sound, remained of the strange old woman. Staring at empty
space in confusion, Hifumi suddenly heard a car horn echo outside the apartment,
scrambling to get back down to the car.
“S-sorry!” she exclaimed as she came to a stop, Anders only watching her in
amusement.
“You’re still early, relax. What kept you so long?”
“S-someone wanted to talk to me.”
“A neighbor?”
“N-no. I don’t think so at least.”
His expression showed considerable thought, before he shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, no point in standing around. Tell me more about it while we’re
heading to work. I can at least speak with you during the ride this time
around.”
“That’s true.”
She giggled, entering the car and waiting for him to begin heading down the main
road to work. Her thoughts quickly became clouded however as she thought back to
the question the woman had asked her. Her mind filled with doubts, something
that she hated these days.
She turned towards Anders, him occasionally glancing in her direction, before
asking the question that weighed her mind so terribly:
“Anders, are you planning on staying here in the city?”
The car rocked as he accidentally pressed the brake, jolting her forwards. As
she reclined in her seat again, she noticed him making a troubled expression.
“Sorry. What made you think otherwise?”
She was about to divert from the topic, before realizing what the woman had
meant. 
“You said you don’t have a job yet, but you still live in the house that you
and Sayuri used, right? Doesn’t that mean you can’t pay the rent, after
having paid for my transplant?”
His jaw tightened slightly as he made a turn, it evidence enough for her that
she was on the right track.
“So it’s true. You’re struggling to pay your bills because of me and need
to find another job. And because of your record from the cyber-attack, you
likely can’t find employment anywhere here since they would have heard about
you.”
Every word seemed to strike him like physical blows, each one causing her fresh
pain in return. His eyes began to darken, his grip on the wheel tightening until
she could hear the leather squeak in protest.
“Hifumi…” he began, but she didn’t let him continue:
“So you’re thinking of leaving, aren’t you? You need to go work somewhere
else, maybe even outside the country. And that’s why you’re also pushing my
training so much. You want me to be as fit as possible so that you can move on
without a bad conscience. You said you wanted to stay with me, yet you already
planned to leave me.”
She couldn’t hold her tears back anymore, the silence which permeated her sobs
only cementing the reality she had caught up with. Anders didn’t speak,
continuing to drive as if he had never broken out of his shell in the first
place. The mood sank further and further until they reached Eagle Jump, Anders
parking in front of the building this time. As she tried to wipe the tears off
her face, feeling her makeup run down in streaks, she heard him rummage for his
phone and type something. He didn’t say anything while he sent the message,
merely typing out another one for her to read:
-	I’ve made my decision, Hifumi. I will show you what that decision is right
now.
He handed her a handkerchief, accepting it gratefully and cleaning off the last
of her destroyed makeup. He stepped out of the car at the same time as her,
shuffling over so that the two of them faced the building directly. She had no
idea what he was planning, but the determined look in his eyes gave her a sense
of dread. A scenario crept up of him handing her over to Yagami and Rin, before
entering the car again and driving off for good. She didn’t even know where he
lived still, so she couldn’t follow him. The thought made her tremble with
fear, causing her heart to act out of control again. He offered no shoulder of
comfort though, watching the doors while keeping his arms crossed. Remembering
her training, she used her breathing to calm down again, only this time having
extensively more trouble doing so. It was as if something was stuck in her
throat, preventing her from breathing normally. The clump remained until she saw
the doors open, revealing two people she knew very well. 
“So it wasn’t a prank.” Yagami declared as she stepped out, Hazuki right
behind her while scanning Hifumi’s expression with stern eyes. It was an
unusual sight, Hazuki usually being either too casual or too loose with her
coworkers. Yet now, she looked all the part of a Director.
“Takimoto.” Hazuki began, before altering her target to Anders, “I see you
have come before us again, Mr. Tansuke. What is the meaning behind Takimoto’s
tears?”
Her voice carried a dangerous undertone to it, as if threatening Anders into
having done something criminal. He ignored her words though, focusing on Yagami
instead. She did the same thing, their gaze silent between each other for what
felt like ages until she sighed and slumped her shoulders.
“So, what’s this supposed to be, a showdown? Why are you together with
Hifumin? Did you say something to her to make her like this? Do you have any
idea how worried she was about you? How much she wanted to see you before you
vanished?”
Each of her questions tried to strike him down like Hifumi’s words earlier.
Yet he weathered her blows, his gaze unyielding as he watched both women return
gazes of unsuppressed anger. It therefore surprised them all when his face broke
out into a grim smile, before speaking in a clear voice:
“You said you wanted to speak with me, Yagami? Well, you’re getting your
chance. Along with you, Hazuki.”
Both women stared open-mouthed at him, neither believing what they had just
heard. Hifumi couldn’t help but feel a bit tickled by the reaction, despite
her depressed mood. 
“You...” Yagami began stuttering, before Anders stopped her:
“I’m not talking with you here though. We’re moving location and I’m
deciding. I don’t think you two have any problems with that, right?”
His words came across as a challenge, both flinching a bit at the tone but
returning the same stare as before. Hazuki then gave a nod and stepped forward,
icy determination in her eyes.
“Very well. But I expect a complete explanation. Including why you made one of
my girls cry.”
“You’ll get your answers. Now please, come with us.”
He turned on his heel and entered the car, Hifumi almost in sync with him while
the other two glanced at each other. They eventually entered the car themselves,
making the space inside appear somewhat cramped for the first time. Not a word
was exchanged while Anders drove down the next street, eventually arriving on a
road she recalled quite well. It was near empty at this time, the neon signs for
different bars turned off until night approached. He parked the car near a small
alley, Yagami giving a surprised sound from herself.
“Really? Here?”
Her tone was less questioning than confused, Hifumi sensing there being more to
this area than she knew. Anders didn’t answer, stepping out of the car and
awaiting them by the alleyway entrance. Hifumi and the others followed, Hazuki
throwing an arm around her in support that she accepted. She still felt torn
apart inside from her earlier revelation, thus she dreaded anything that came
her way now, as it could merely be speeding up the process to the future she
didn’t want to envision. Once they were grouped up again, Anders guided them
down the dark alley, Hifumi slowly catching sight of a light down it. A sign
soon cropped up, its flowery lettering forming a name she had never heard
before.
“The Masked...Glass?”
“Yeah.” Yagami answered, her gaze distant as she read the sign herself, “A
strange bar that only appears when its customers require guidance. But why is it
here now? It shouldn’t appear when groups come.”
Hazuki didn’t comment, her own gaze reflecting something indescribable as they
came to the open door. Light piano music echoed from inside, inviting them
further in. Anders took the first step in, Yagami following him while Hifumi and
Hazuki entered last. The moment her eyes adjusted to the dimmed lighting inside,
Hifumi stared in wonder at the nature-themed decoration around her. Everything
seemed to have been grown out of the ground instead of placed there, the light
scent of nature hanging in the air. As they all came in, a melodious voice spoke
up:
“I see we have a gathering today.”
Hifumi turned around to the window to see Maria from earlier seated at a high
piano, her appearance unchanged from before. She wondered how she could have
made it all the way here in the short time since she first saw her, the thought
however displaced by Anders speaking up:
“Hello Maria. It’s been a while.”
The bartender’s smile froze for a moment, her evidently not having expected
him to speak either. The expression lasted only a moment though as she shook her
head.
“It has indeed been a while Anders. I did not know you regained your voice.
When was this the case?”
“Only yesterday. I would like to order another time though. I need to speak
with these people privately.”
“I see. I shall leave you to your business then. But spoil me one thing
Anders.”
“What is it?”
“Do you have any regrets about what you’re going to do?”
All watched as Anders shook his head.
“By the end of this, I will not. I promise you.”
“Then my role here is done. Good luck.”
Maria bowed once more and departed for the back of the bar, entering through a
door almost hidden in the paneling. Anders meanwhile guided them to a round
table with a long sofa surrounding it, seating himself first next to Hifumi
while Yagami and Hazuki took over the other side.
“So.” Yagami began, her eyes no longer wandering the length of the bar’s
interior but solely focused on Anders, “What do you have to tell us? I hope
you know what you’re in for, after the way I had to go lie to everyone about
it.”
“I presume you told Hazuki the truth?”
“Yeah. I couldn’t hide anything from her. I’m surprised you asked to see
her of all people as well.”
“I had a hunch. It’s not difficult after you get to know a person.”
“That’s rich, coming from you.”
“I’m aware of your anger towards me for having been so secretive. But before
we end up in a shouting match, let me explain what I’ve been up to since
vanishing nearly three months ago.”
“Anders,” Hifumi interrupted, tugging gently at his shirt, “Are you
sure?”
He stared back at her with dead seriousness. 
“I’m positive, Hifumi. This is for your sake as much as mine.”
She nodded and remained silent, noticing Hazuki’s raised eyebrow at her. She
ignored it though as Anders took a deep breath and began:
“When Hifumi was hospitalized, where was she found?”
Yagami looked surprised for a moment, before answering:
“A park near the hospital.”
“That’s a lie. I told the hospital staff to tell you that.”
“What?” Yagami nearly jumped at him, before being stopped by Hazuki’s hand
blocking her.
“Continue, Mr. Tansuke. I’m sure you had your reasons.”
“Thank you. The truth is, Hifumi was found in Tama Cemetery. And the person
who found her was none other than me.”
Neither Hazuki nor Yagami could hide their astonishment at the reveal, Anders
pressing on without letting himself get interrupted:
“I administered first aid and called the ambulance that brought her to the
hospital. And when it was found she could get a heart transplant, I opted to pay
for the surgery. I can see you’re shocked by the fact, but I have no regrets
about doing it. Hifumi ran across the city without pause, searching for me until
she could no longer move and collapsed due to her weak heart. Had I not found
her, she would have died then and there. The whole month she spent in the
hospital, I dedicated to a part-time job as a nurse in the same department,
training myself in how to treat patients like her. I also ensured that nothing
about my actions got leaked to you or Hifumi’s mother. If you wonder why I did
all this, I felt guilty over how my rash actions had gotten her involved. Thus,
I spent the time and money I had towards ensuring her recovery.”
“This whole time?” Yagami asked, her face open in shock. 
“Yes. You heard from Hifumi’s mother that she had gotten a caretaker to care
for her during her recovery, correct?”
“How did you…?”
“Another hunch. That person was me, or at least in title. I spent the last two
months visiting Hifumi’s household and helping her recover from the surgery. I
oversaw her medication and her physical exercise, ensuring she wouldn’t end up
worse than before with a new heart. And she has improved leaps and bounds since
then. You’ve seen it for yourself yesterday when she came to work.”
“True.” Hazuki remarked, her expression neutral but her fingers pressed into
her arm, “I had wondered who or what had changed her so much. I no longer
recognized her when she marched out of the producer’s office.”
“That was all Hifumi’s doing. She might disagree, but in fact it was her
willingness to improve herself that led to such a comeback. I merely provided
support. And that is the summary of what I wanted to say regarding the last few
months. I don’t expect there to be any forgiveness.”
He fell silent, Hifumi herself unable to speak up as she awaited how Hazuki and
Yagami would respond. The silence that hung over them was deafening for her ears
that refused to register the lack of sound and began ringing eerily. Just as she
couldn’t stand it any longer, Yagami sighed and leaned into her seat.
“Honestly Anders, you’re incorrigible.”
“I don’t get what you mean.”
“I mean, doing all this for one person? Not only saving Hifumin’s life, but
training yourself as a caretaker so you can help her recover, all to pay her
back? That’s known as ‘overkill’ in most video games.”
He gave a dumbfounded look in return, Yagami elaborating while leaning over the
table:
“Think for a moment. Any normal person who would have been able to get her to
the hospital would have left it at giving their name and leaving, unaware of
what would happen in future. But you not only stuck around for her sake, but
even paid for a freaking heart transplant? Plus, you spending months in
Hifumin’s house? If there’s anything I don’t believe, it’s that. Hifumin
would never…”
“Would never what?”
Yagami shut up while Hifumi broke into the conversation, giving a cold stare in
her direction.
“Kou, I need to talk with you... in private. Anders, you alright with
that?”
“Absolutely. I will fight my own battle here with Hazuki, so don’t rush
anything. Come on Hazuki, I’ll treat you to a drink at the counter.”
Hazuki’s eyes narrowed in the way a cat spots its prey.
“Am I getting invited to a drink by a penniless man? This is not my lucky
day.”
Anders tried to cover his surprise by coughing, Hazuki meanwhile shifting over
to the counter with the smuggest smile Hifumi had ever seen. Once he recovered,
he shot Hifumi a look that screamed ‘busted’ before departing, leaving her
and Yagami to watch each other. She cleared her own throat before beginning to
speak, the chatter between Hazuki and Anders almost inaudible at this distance.
“Sorry for making this so... obvious. But I think you know why we need to
talk.”
Yagami leaned back into the sofa, her gaze as scrutinizing as it was
contemplative.
“I don’t, honestly. I was just surprised you could speak out against me like
that. Does that mean he really did come by every day?”
“Yes. Without fail.” Hifumi was grateful that her voice still hadn’t
stuttered.
“Then this whole thing makes even less sense. Hifumin, you’ve changed a lot,
I can see that. But what is it that caused it? I know Anders and him going out
of his way to help others isn’t anything new. But he paid for your heart! He
trained to help you recover from the surgery! And he’s even been visiting to
help you recover! What is it about you that made him go so far?”
Yagami’s face showed she was genuinely dumbfounded, something that Hifumi
could sympathize with. She refused to show it however, intent on making her
feelings clear.
“Why are you asking me? You should know, given how much he’s helped you
before. I’m going to be as direct as possible here, Kou. I know how he was the
one who helped you out of your slump back during the competition. I know how he
pushed himself to have the partnership work out so quickly. And I know... how he
sacrificed himself for your sake after the cyber-attack on Kerzo.”
Yagami’s expression changed dramatically fast, her jaw tightening as she
looked away. A distant expression danced on her face, mixed with mild anger.
Hifumi took it into account as she continued:
“I figured out about your trouble for the competition from the beginning.
I’ve worked with you for a long time now and I can tell when you get stuck,
even if you tricked Aoba. There was no reason a partnership would work out so
quickly either without significant motivation from Anders. It was him who told
me about the attack. It... explained a lot of your actions after he was
arrested.”
“How come?” was all Yagami uttered, Hifumi not requiring more to extract the
rest.
“You mean, how come he told me? Simple, I asked him. I was patient and he
opened up to me eventually. He doesn’t like to talk about himself, but he
opens up as long as one gives him a chance.”
She caught Yagami’s eye twitch at that, a small bit of pride spreading in her
chest.
“Kou? You alright?”
“Hifumin,” Yagami began, a trace of suspicion in her voice, “what’s
really going on here? Why did you want to talk to me alone? Was it to poke fun
at me for something I did?”
Even though she could go further, Hifumi realized that Yagami was sharper than
expected. She therefore opted to lower the hostility in the air instead:
“You’re right, I shouldn’t be skirting around the issue. I need to tell
you something. Something important.”
“I still haven’t received an answer to my own question. Please answer me
that first.”
Hifumi sighed, aware that Yagami was merely stalling for time. She could sense
it by the nervous twitch in Yagami’s eye reappearing over and over.
“Kou, you know the answer is absurdly simple. He went that far because to him,
helping someone out means he will use everything he has at his disposal to sort
out their problems. I’m no stranger to it and neither are you. Or did I
misunderstand the phone call between you and Makimura?”
The pair of blue eyes watching her widened in shock.
“How did you…?”
“I was in the office when you talked with her, Kou. I had gone to the bathroom
and was about to cross the hallway when I heard you two talk. I eavesdropped on
you, I’m sorry. But I heard pretty much everything.”
“I... see.” Hifumi could see how Yagami’s arms tensed up, “So, why are
you bringing that up now?”
“Kou, don’t try to skirt over this. You know that ever since you met Anders,
he’s done nothing but try and help you with your issues. From drawing to your
misunderstandings, he did everything to help you be at peace with your troubles.
It is no different to how he treated me. But there was one major difference.”
The upwards glance as Yagami narrowed her eyes showed she was ignorant of the
meaning.
“What would that be?”
“Kou, when he helped me it was initially out of guilt. But everything he ever
did for you, he did out of affection.”
Yagami visibly recoiled, spinning around to check on the other two. Hifumi cast
a quick eye as well, seeing how Hazuki slapped Anders on the back, her cheeks
visibly flushed while he tried in vain to stop her from drinking out of the
bottle. Both women turned back to face each other, a light shade of pink on
Yagami’s own cheeks.
“You’re not serious, Hifumin.”
“Kou, why are you ignoring the truth? You must have known, somewhere in your
mind, that he wasn’t doing this much for you just out of courtesy. Anders is
kind beyond measure, it’s true. But he went to jail for your sake. He was
ready to offer himself just so that you could be safe. Those aren’t the
actions of an acquaintance, but of someone who cherishes you far more. Has he
told you about why he wanted to join Eagle Jump in the first place?”
“Hifumin, didn’t he say so himself? He wanted to train his drawing skills to
help him make his novel…”
“That’s a lie. He might have had an interest in it before, but it faded into
the background when you finally appeared in front of him. The moment he was able
to get to know you, he wished to get closer to you. To understand you. To show
you how much he cared. And what did you do?”
"That's… not your business, Hifumin.”
Hifumi bit her lip momentarily as she contemplated the words she was about to
say. Then relinquished her hesitation as she knew that this was why she had
wanted to speak with Yagami in the first place. 
“Kou, I went into that cemetery because I thought he might be hiding in a
place with few people. The fact that Anders was there was a miracle beyond
belief in my view. But it wasn’t just him that was there. You were as
well.”
Another shocked expression, another tightening of her arms. It was clear that
Yagami was growing increasingly unsettled. Hifumi gave her no chance to respond
though, unsure if she could keep it up after interruptions.
“You saw what he was doing, who he was with. I won’t point out details. But
ask yourself this, Kou. What did you think of Anders when you saw him? Did you
understand him better? Or was the reason for you leaving him alone because you
refused to understand him?”
Having said her part, Hifumi now leaned back herself, waiting now for Yagami to
come to terms with her words. The blond-haired woman was gazing down at the
table, her hands balled up as she battled some internal strife. Hifumi had
struck gold with her question, her suspicion after Yagami’s hesitant tone back
at her apartment having verified itself. She took another glance towards the
bar, only to catch Maria appear out of seemingly nowhere, carrying a silver tray
with two cocktail glasses. Only, each one shimmered in a variety of different
colors, swirling around and never retaining one single pattern. One was overlaid
with wisteria petals, while the other one carried the head of a daisy. She
placed the cocktail glasses down with such elegance and grace that no sound came
from them touching the table. Hifumi wished to speak up, but Maria placed a
finger before her own lips. So she remained silent as Maria retreated to the bar
counter, where Anders was struggling to get a word in edgewise through
Hazuki’s drunken rambling. She wondered just how much stress Hazuki had been
piling up to look like that, feeling somewhat sorry for Anders. As the thought
crossed her, Yagami spoke up:
“I won’t be able to answer you with words, Hifumin. Not with her around.”
“Say what?” was her genuine response. Yagami pointed to the cocktail glasses
with a sour smile.
“Maria here is a bit of an oddball. She always knows your intentions at a
glance and spouts wisdom that makes you want to twist up into a ball for its
accuracy. These drinks are a good example. They’re known as ‘Journeys’ and
they help you sense the emotions that you’re currently feeling. See how she
arranged them?”
A quick glance sufficed to show that they had been placed so that the glass with
the daisy was before her, while Yagami had the wisteria one. 
“This means she wants us to not continue talking with words, but emotions.
She’s weird like that. I’ve had them before, but only for me. I have no clue
what happens when we drink each other’s, but I suppose Maria knows what
she’s doing. What do you say? Shall we drink to understand?”
Hifumi couldn’t resist a giggle.
“That’s… bad advice.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
They grabbed their respective glasses and lightly tapped them against each
other. Hifumi hesitated for a moment as she brought the cocktail to her lips,
the scent of the liquid confusing her with a mixture beyond description. A quick
glance at Anders though gave her the courage to press onwards, letting the first
sip into her mouth.
The moment she began to taste the concoction, she was overwhelmed by a surge of
feelings, their exact nature unknown as she lowered the glass and squeezed her
eyes shut. A sudden image played in her mind, one foreign to her in every way
possible. She was sitting in the bar again but at the counter, facing Maria with
hazy eyes while the woman departed for a back room. Her hands that moved without
her control began to fumble for something, before a slip of paper crept up from
the side along with a pen. As she read the writing through her unfocused vision,
she found herself looking up to see none other than Anders before her. He was
smiling, the same masked smile he had worn so often in Hifumi’s own memories.
But this was not one of them. She felt something burst out of her chest, coming
across like a mix of suspicion, intrigue and above all despair. The last one
stung harshly, granting her no reprieve. She continued watching as ‘she’ and
Anders delved into conversation over the paper, their conversation slowly
raising the mood that she felt down in the depths of her chest. The picture then
began to shift as she collapsed onto the ground, only to be picked up by Anders
and brought to the taxi by him. Then, she felt something new explode within her,
reminding her of gratitude or even mere interest. She felt the heat on her
cheeks as she kissed Anders on his cheek, before he closed the taxi door with a
blush. The memory ended at that point, allowing her to open her eyes with a
gasp. She saw that Yagami had gone through something similar, her hand over her
chest while being deathly pale. Yagami’s teary eyes slowly moved to face hers,
endless empathy in her expression.
“Hifumi…” Yagami began, trying to rein in her emotions, “I’m so sorry.
I didn’t know... you were in so much pain.”
A small gasp escaped Hifumi as she realized that they had gone through.
“You... were there? In the graveyard?”
Yagami nodded solemnly.
“I felt... your pain. Your anguish. Everything. It was so heavy, I thought my
own heart was going to break. But you... you survived through that?”
A shadow crossed Hifumi’s face as she recalled her first week in the
hospital.
“Not really, as you know.”
“Oh no, I’m so sorry!”
Yagami looked ready to throw herself under a bus, so vivid was the shame in her
eyes. Hifumi tried to calm her though with a smile, as strained as it was.
“It’s alright, you couldn’t understand back then. I saw something from
your memory as well. The night you first met Anders.”
“Ah.” was the intelligent reply from her, before a pink tinge crept up on
her cheeks again. Both women looked away from each other, the mood growing
increasingly awkward until Hifumi took up the reins and asked:
“Shall we... continue?”
After a few hesitant seconds, Yagami gave an almost imperceptible nod. They both
grabbed their glasses again and moved to swallow the rest. 
Thus began an excruciating journey for both Hifumi and Yagami, each sip evoking
another memory from the other person to play before them. Each gulp was beset by
countless emotions that tugged at their hearts like seamstresses, sometimes
making Hifumi feel blessed while at other times, they threatened to make her
have a nervous breakdown. She saw how Yagami’s life passed before her, from
Yagami’s second meeting with Anders to their chats in the bar after the
partnership was established. The moment where he revealed his scars to her by
accident, the anger and irritation Yagami had felt upon him trying to hide it
from her. The time he had been arrested and dropped the note for her, Futaba’s
explanation in the hospital, the night she begged Maria to help him. That memory
in particular made Hifumi’s heart pour out for Yagami, who recognized the
lengths the woman had gone herself to help Anders. 
Yet the memories didn’t stop, from the conversation with Hazuki about hiring
Anders, the reconciliation with Makimura, meeting with Anders’ father and who
she presumed to be Sayuri’s. All the way until the final sip was taken,
transporting her to a site both familiar and foreign to her. Gravestones marked
both end of the path she stood in, opening up however to an open space where a
single grave stood, surrounded by a low polished wall. Anders sat before it, his
expression turning into horror as he recognized Yagami. Hifumi continued
watching as Yagami froze Anders in place with her presence, before she moved
over to the grave and read the names inscribed. She caught Sayuri’s name,
along with whom she presumed to be Anders’ mother and Yumina. The words Yagami
said while praying to the grave struck Hifumi deep. She hadn’t expected her to
be so considerate after the suppressed anger she had felt upon seeing him. Yet
as Yagami finished her words, she felt an enormous weight on her shoulders,
taking her a moment to recognize it as regret. Yagami’s last words to Anders
echoed in her mind repeatedly:
-	Anders, I can’t help you. You don’t let me in, you don’t let me try to
understand. You run away the moment things start looking well for you and I
can’t understand why. So please, at least stay safe. Whatever it is that you
can’t let me see, make sure to find someone who can carry that burden with
you. It’s not right to be alone. You taught me that.
At that point, Hifumi awoke from her journey and found herself in the bar again,
Yagami sitting across her with tear-streaked cheeks. She tried to wipe them,
only for fresh ones to take their place. It was almost heartbreaking to hear the
words that bubbled out of her, their tone so genuine it hurt to listen:
“I’m... such an idiot. I left him there... when he was in so much
pain...”
“Kou.” Hifumi eyed the most skilled artist in Eagle Jump with the gaze a
mother might cast over its child. She moved over so she sat next to Yagami,
placing her hand over Yagami’s own.
“It’s alright Kou. I understood your feelings as well. You don’t have to
blame yourself.”
“But, Hifumin!” Yagami argued, “You were right! I heard what he said about
me, about what he felt. I tried to swallow my own feelings but…!”
“I said it’s alright. We all live with our own interpretations and opinions.
If they don’t fit another person, then one cannot help them. I learned that
myself just now. You had it rough yourself, Kou.”
Hifumi leaned in and gave Yagami a hug, who returned it with vigor as she sobbed
into her shoulder and kept mumbling:
“When I left that graveyard... I was lost, confused... I had no idea what I
was doing or had done. Rin found me and just... kept me company. I couldn’t
bear to think about Anders for the next few weeks after that, the truth I found
in the cemetery constantly making me angry at myself without reason. His family
didn’t help either, I couldn't figure out whether he even was in the same
country anymore. After a month passed, I slowly realized that I would never be
able to move on at this rate.”
“So, you decided to become a couple with Rin?”
Yagami slowly separated herself from Hifumi, the reddened rings not detracting
from the vivid determination in them.
“Hifumin, I am not using Rin as a scapegoat. She’s the closest person to me.
Every day we spend together as partners, the more I can't imagine not being at
her side. So I will do my best to cherish mine and Rin's feelings, so that I can
live with the decisions I’ve done.”
Those words struck deep with Hifumi, who couldn’t withhold a giggle.
“I see. I promise I won’t tell Rin anything. But make sure to care for her.
Rin’s been looking at you for so long that if anything were to happen, I’d
have no clue how to help.”
The smile the two women shared was one that went beyond mere appreciation. It
was one of understanding, one that secured the relationship between the two of
them. Yagami suddenly burst into giggles, leaving Hifumi alone to ponder it
until she explained:
“You’re easy to be envious of, Hifumin.”
“Me?”
“You didn’t just survive a heart attack, you gained a new chance at life.
You had the choice of retreating to a bed at home, unable to ever regain the
chance to live how you wanted to. You could have simply decided to give up.”
The truth that such thoughts had passed her mind in the past hurt Hifumi more
than she expected.
‘But you didn’t, Hifumin. You fought against that future. You strove to get
better, to hold yourself upright. The woman who strode into that office all
those months later was nothing like the you before. You found yourself a
purpose, a strength from within. It’s no wonder that somebody like Anders
would fall for you. I’m happy for you, truly I am.”
An undeniable heat formed on Hifumi’s cheeks as she looked away for a moment.
“Kou, I…”
She was silenced by another embrace from Yagami, whose posture had relaxed
significantly.
“Hifumin, you’re far more of a role model than you think. I thought I had
done the right thing when I walked away from Anders, but I just caused both
myself and him more pain. I’ve finally begun to accept the future I’ve
chosen with Rin. If he can try as well to begin a new life with you, then
nothing would make me happier. I’ve come to understand the complexity that is
Anders, something you grasped much quicker than me. So please, Hifumin, take
care of him.”
Now Hifumi couldn’t hold back her own tears, digging her face into Yagami’s
shoulder while they remained bound through what could no longer be considered
mere friendship. It was a mutual agreement of feelings between two women who had
both gone through their share of tough experiences in life. When they split
apart once more, there was no more hesitation in their eyes.
At the same time, they caught the sound of someone collapsing on the bar
counter, turning to find it being none other than Hazuki, her expression
dripping with bliss. Anders stood beside her, scratching his head nervously
while Maria gave a sigh.
“She certainly doesn’t know when to hold back. Anders, I’m going to have
to charge you for this.”
“You’re kidding! She drank enough for five people!”
“And you’re paying, since you invited her. Rules are rules.”
It was impossible to overlook the grimace he made, groaning while leaning
against the counter.
“I’m never coming back here again, Maria.”
Hifumi observed the bartender’s smile widen in response.
“That’s wonderful to hear, Anders. I’ll go ahead and call the taxi, you
focus on gathering up the money. Bill’s on the counter.”
She pointed to a white slip before slipping herself into the back room, Anders
casting one look at it before turning white. Unable to hold back any longer,
Hifumi stood up and walked over to him, Yagami close behind. Once he spotted
Hifumi approaching, his face regained a shade of color.
“Welcome back. Looks like you two managed to work things out.”
Hifumi exchanged a knowing glance with Yagami, both giving a brief giggle.
“I guess you can say that. Is Hazuki...?”
“Down for the count. I tried to talk with her about getting a job again, but
she outdrank me before I could get my point across.”
“That’s too bad... wait, get your job back?” Hifumi switched into alert
mode almost instantaneously, Anders nodding earnestly.
“Yep. I told you before that I made my decision. I had the option until now of
leaving the city and finding a way to pay my bills. I knew it would involve
leaving you, something I couldn’t stomach but also found no way out of. You
aren’t fully recovered yet and forcing you to come with would have been asking
too much from you.”
“That’s not…!”
“For me to decide, I know. But as you both know, I tend to make my own ideas
and pull through with them, regardless of what others may think. So far, it’s
served me well. But this time, you showed me how flawed it was, Hifumi.”
His smile widened as he grabbed her hands in his own, causing her to blush
again.
“You showed me that it was alright to live in a world where others could care
and worry about you. I thought myself beyond help and retribution with Sayuri
and the others, yet you shattered that mindset. You gave me hope. You gave me
warmth. And above all, you showed me what it means to live again.”
He ended his words by releasing one of her hands, stroking her head softly in a
manner that made her moan quietly. He soon released her however, making her a
slight bit disappointed. 
“Yagami.” he began, his voice lacking hesitation but instead sounding
weighed down, “I suppose I have to explain myself. I never gave you the
chance, after all.”
Yagami’s expression was indiscernible, until her next few words made him gape
in shock:
“No, you don’t have anything to explain.”
“What? But I…”
“You are right that you never gave me a chance to approach you. But just as
well, I never tried to give you time to open yourself. That month we spent was
nothing short of dramatic. Partnerships, cybercrime, trials. We did more that
month than others have their entire careers. And at the end of it all, I decided
it was better to leave you be, before I ended up hating you more than I already
did for the truth I discovered myself. I thought it was the right choice, that I
was respecting your wishes at the same time. But just like how I couldn’t see
Rin’s affection before my nose, neither could I sense yours. I barely inquired
about your circumstances and I refused to hear what brought you to change so
much when it counted. At the end of this long ‘journey’, Anders, I only want
to apologize.”
Before he could stop her, Yagami gave a deep bow, speaking as she kept the
pose:
“I ask that you forgive me for the trouble I caused.”
She didn’t move, Hifumi watching with bated breath as Anders’ expression
contorted repeatedly, until he gave a sigh.
“Yagami, raise your head please. I’m not fully integrated with Japanese
culture, bowing isn’t my style of apologizing.”
As Yagami returned to her upright stance with a confused expression, she
immediately changed it to shock when he took a step forward and hugged her. 
“Yagami Kou. You were the woman I admired for her character, the artist I
respected for her skill. You gave my life color again after the accident. You
gave me the strength to persist and pursue a future, as faint as it was. The
time I spent with you will remain unforgettable for me. But the feelings I held
for you once no longer exist.”
He relaxed his hug somewhat, his gaze centered on hers. It was respectful,
polite, yet warm.
“I wanted to make that clear, once and for all. I might still be out of a job,
I might still be an idiot who listens more to himself than others. But I am a
better person in part thanks to you. We both have other people to care for,
people to show our affection to and to help ourselves push towards tomorrow. I
can promise you that I will continue to look after Hifumi, just as she has done
for me.”
He glanced back at Hifumi with a smile, before returning his attention to her.
“With that, Yagami, do you think I could be forgiven instead?”
No answer came, the two people locked in what appeared to be an eternal embrace.
That is, until Yagami began mumbling into his shirt:
“Not until you let go of me. This qualifies as ‘cheating’ on your
girlfriend.”
He leapt back from her, as if stung by a giant wasp. He immediately turned to
Hifumi with panic in his expression, who simply cocked her head in confusion. As
the two of them wondered what was going on, Yagami burst into laughter, wiping a
tear from her eye.
“Sorry, sorry. I just couldn’t help it. You’re still so cute when you
panic, Anders.”
Anders’ mouth flopped open in surprise, before a blush conquered his cheeks.
“Yagami!” he growled in an embarrassed tone, which only made Yagami laugh
harder. Hifumi was still stunned into silence by the sudden change in
atmosphere. The air between Yagami and Anders had seemingly switched in an
instant, her attitude towards him more resembling a younger sister as she poked
fun at him. Anders tried to act tough, but she dug through his facade without
remorse, making him more and more annoyed. She sat down on a bar stool and
surveyed the situation, only to be surprised by Hazuki’s voice beside her:
“Things certainly worked out, didn’t they?”
Hifumi turned to see Hazuki fully refreshed, as if the drunken state she was in
before had never happened. 
“How did you...?”
“I was never drunk, Takimoto. I’ve played the drinking game long enough to
know how to act beyond help. I didn’t want to give Anders an answer until he
and Yagami settled their differences. Luckily, Maria picked up on my signal and
gave me scented water instead.”
Out of nowhere, Maria’s voice popped into existence, the woman as mysteriously
present as when she vanished.
“I had a hunch you were aiming for this, Ms. Hazuki, and merely acted upon it.
Your plans have come into fruition, it seems.”
“As have yours, Maria. You know, you remind me of someone I heard about a long
time ago.”
“Is that so? Might I inquire what you were told?”
“Just that there used to be a woman much like you, constantly watching other
people and trying to find ways to guide them towards reconciling. My
great-grandmother often told how she had been like a sister to our family.”
Hifumi noted with intrigue as Maria’s eyes widened in surprise, before her
usual expression took over.
“I see. Well, that is a most curious story indeed. Not that such ones can be
trusted without doubt.”
“Fair point. Anyway, I think it’s time me and Anders had a talk.”
She turned around in her seat and watched the squabble between Anders and
Yagami, raising her voice so she was louder than either of them:
“Mr. Tansuke, I think we should begin negotiations.”
They stopped their argument abruptly, Anders staring in utter shock at Hazuki.
“You tricked me!”
“Only so you could get your luggage out of the way. It’s much harder to make
decisions when you have regrets, isn’t it?”
The silence he gave as an answer was indicative enough of her having struck
gold.
“Anyway, Mr. Tansuke, I was made aware that you wish to join our company once
more, is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s right. But this time, I don’t want a particular position or a
particular person to be my supervisor.”
Almost every pair of eyes raised themselves in the room at his words, spare
Maria’s. 
“Anders?” Yagami inquired, “What do you mean?”
“It means that I wish to be employed at Eagle Jump. Not because of some
half-truth like ‘I want to learn how to draw for a novel’. I want to work at
Eagle Jump because I know my skills are as wide as they are flexible. I want to
take a position that gives me the greatest ability to benefit the company.”
“Curious.” Hazuki’s gaze was mired in deep thought,” So you wish to join
us not simply as an ex-employee, but as a member of the front lines? You know,
even if I were willing to hire you, I would be fully justified to place you at
the bottom as a janitor. Perhaps you’d last longer than as character
designer.”
The cringe he gave in response was strong enough to be audible. Yagami gave a
drawn-out whistle.
“Ouch, Hazuki. That’s harsh.”
“Yes!” Hifumi butted in, irritated at Hazuki’s suggestion, “You can’t
do that to him! He’s able to do so much, you must consider something else!”
Hazuki’s glance at her resulted with a cocky smile to creep up on her face,
making Hifumi feel a bit disconcerted. 
“Well, Takimoto, what do you expect me to do? I can’t possibly hire him into
our direct circle again. After all, our office forbids romantic relationships in
the same company.”
Hifumi’s mouth opened a bit as she realized the immediate problem, it having
never come up for her before. 
“No way…”
“I’m sorry, Takimoto. But again, I can’t go ignoring company policy. I
could just sweep this under the rug, but should anything ever come out public,
then not just you and Anders, but the company as well is in trouble. We have a
reputation to uphold. So unless you and Anders agree to break up your
relationship, I can’t hire him for anything that would be suitable.”
Stunned silence reigned in the bar, nobody willing or unable to speak.
Hifumi’s mind raced with half-finished ideas and possibilities, only to
conclude that it was impossible. Hazuki might be air-headed at times, but she
knew what the responsibilities were in the workplace and the rules that needed
to be upheld. 
“Hold on a minute!” Yagami suddenly interrupted, waking Hifumi from her
thoughts, “Then why didn’t you do anything about me and Rin?”
“Because I know the rules, Yagami. Romantic relationships between two people
of the same 'gender' isn’t prohibited on paper, only between men and women.
The board decided on the rules of no relationships back before I joined. When I
entered the stage, it quickly became clear that I was powerless to convince the
board otherwise. Only the Producer could negotiate with them and he was in full
support of the board’s opinions. So I made use of the loophole and employed
mostly female applicants, to at least foster some relationships that could
spring up. Anybody was free to pursue anyone else outside the office. You and
Rin were one of these special cases I had hoped could appear with time. It’s
why I secretly supported you from the sidelines before Anders came.”
Another period of awed silence encroached on them all. Hifumi had always assumed
Hazuki’s only reason for the female-only staff list was due to her slightly
perverted desire to see beautiful girls. Yet now, she recognized that Hazuki had
tried to manage the workplace environment as well she could by utilizing the
openings in company policy. She may have had some personal preferences mixed
into her selections, but she considered the wellbeing of the employees. The
silence was finally stopped by Anders giving a sigh.
“I see. So there was something like that. Hazuki, you have my thanks for the
explanation.”
“No need. What will you do now though, Anders? There’s not a lot at my
disposal. I can recommend you to another company, but the chances of you being
accepted are slim, even if they were to overlook your involvement with
Kerzo.”
Anders crossed his arms as he sat back down on one of the stools, Hifumi seating
herself beside him as she bit her lip nervously, Hazuki and Yagami exchanging
troubled glances. This was a problem that they had never been able to fully
solve up to this point. The only sound for a good while was that of Maria
cleaning a pitcher over a sink with a white cloth. Just as Hifumi was finding
the atmosphere too oppressing, Anders jumped up and spun towards Maria with a
cheerful expression. 
“Hey, Maria, you got any ‘Expectation’ left?”

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