Corpse March

Chapter 26

The rest of the day passes by in a flash. At least, it does for Haru, who opted to take a nap instead of help with the preparations. Still, nobody’s come to get her yet so she assumes everything is proceeding smoothly.  Well, nobody until right now.

“Psst… Haru…”

“Hm?”

Slowly, lazily, she lets her eyelids split themselves apart. The orange glow of the sun starting to set fills her eyes. She takes a deep breath. Is it that late already? She lets her head hang off of the tree branch she was lying down on. As her head swings back and forth, she sees Tsumugi’s upside down face staring back at her. 

“Are you busy?”

“Nah, I’m just chilling. What’s up?”

She lifts her head back onto the tree branch and lets her body go limp. For now, she’s just another vine hanging from the canopy. The only part of her that she lets stay conscious is her head and her mouth. Everything else is functionally asleep. 

“So, um, I was just thinking that I don’t think the elites entirely trust you yet.”

“I’ve been over this already. What part of my rock-solid alibi don’t they still get?”

“Yeah, I know that this can be really frustrating, but you know how prejudices can be. Married or not, it seems that they still see you as an outsider.”

“Ah, whatever. I’ll be a controversial figure. Suits me just fine.”

“I dunno. I sort of want the elites to feel like they still have an ally in all this, y’know? Their wife and leader just died, I’m sure that they must be feeling lost right now.”

“Really? They all seem fine to me. Even Kikimi’s still got that fighting spirit in her.”

“Well, maybe to you, but to me… I dunno. I just dunno, I get the feeling she’s struggling. If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind… like, patching things over with her? I get that you both haven’t exactly been getting along. I was wondering if we could change that, y’know? Set a new precedent. If the other Elites see you two getting along, then, we might see some things change for the better.”

“Mmmmm… I feel like this is going to be a bad idea, but alright, sure, you’ve talked me into it.”

“Really?! Thanks, Haru! I knew I could count on you!”

“N-no problem. Just l-leave it to me.”

Tsumugi squeals a little and does a little hop for joy. For some reason, Haru feels her heart do the same. 

———————————————————————————————————————

“Ayyyy, Kikimi.”

“...Hmph. What do you want?”

Kikimi cocks her rifle restlessly. An Ak-47. An amalgamation of wood and steel coming together to create a death-dealing machine for a ridiculously low price. The rhythmically deafening sounds of the assault rifle sound like a soothing melody to Haru. They remind her of the good ol’ days before she owned KANNIBAL. When non-magitech guns were the best that she could find. That was a long time ago. Oh where did the days go? Haru cocks the pistol that Asuka gave her. Is this the biggest caliber you have? She asked. Asuka only nodded.

The first criteria anyone should have when using a gun is whether it goes ‘POP’ or ‘BANG’. If it pops, drop. If it bangs... She can’t remember how the saying ends but she assumes that ‘bang’ is what you want to go for. This gun pops, sadly, but it’ll have to do, she supposes. Semi-automatic. Compact. Good for concealed carry. Or just carry. Concealment hasn’t mattered in a long time. Glock… 19– no, 17. If nothing else, it’s dependable. 

“I’m bored.”

“Yeah? Why don’t you help with the train, then.”

“But you’re not helping either.”

“Shut up.”

“Regardless, I’m still bored.”

“You can do whatever you want.”

“Mmmmm…”

“...”

“...”

“Hey, Kikimi.”

“What is it?”

“Are you still mad at me?”

“What do you think?”

“Hm. I think you are.”

“Whatever you say, Haru.”

“...”

“...”

Hm, this doesn’t seem like it’s working. Time for a change in tactics. Something a little more traditional.

“Hey, Kikimi.”

“What is it now?”

“Have you ever wondered what it’s like to shoot someone in the head?”

“I’ve shot Monarchs in the head before.”

“That’s cool.”

“...”

“...Wanna shoot me in the head?”

Haru takes out her pistol.

“What? No?”

“Oh c’mon, think of it as my way of apologizing for being such a pain in the neck.”

Haru takes a step towards Kikimi. Kikimi takes a step away. 

“What are you…?

“It might be fun.”

Haru takes another step towards Kikimi. Kikimi takes another step away. 

“You’re going to have to work for your meal, though.”

“Don’t come any closer!”

Kikimi levels her gun at Haru, but not without hesitating. In that miniscule interval the electric signals in her brain travel to her hand, Haru closes the distance between them. Before the gun’s barrel is even pointed at her face, her hand is already in position to bat it aside.

“Don’t be such a stick in the mud.”

Kikimi steps back and fires off a warning shot. It misses Haru’s brow by mere inches. 

“Ooh, nice aim you’ve got there, lamb chop.” 

“I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but–”

“I’m not trying to pull anything, I’m just trying to have some fun.”

Guard.

A familiar circular plane of energy appears in front of Haru as she saunters towards Kikimi. It stops the barrage of bullets that Kikimi’s unloading from her gun. There’s desperation in her eyes, they’re both fixated on the carefree smile on Haru’s face. The most terrifying thing is that there isn’t even an inch of malice in her expression. Unlike the Magitech weapons the Monarchs used against her, traditional bullets simply bounce harmlessly off the surface of the guard. Little bruises like polka dots begin to blossom along her arm as the magic takes its toll. But that’s fine, it’s not as though she has to keep up the shield for very long. 

“Those are useless against us magic users, you know~”