Honoka's Bizarre Adventure: μ's Is Unbreakable

Chapter 21: Yanigihori's Last Stand -Lucille- (Part 2)

Previously on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!

Honoka reporting in for duty! What a disaster! When we were finally ready to launch our attack on Yanigihori, she got the drop on us and kidnapped Hanayo. Not only that but when we got there, Nozomi and Eli weren't there; we've been forced to split into two groups! Now it's us second years against Emi… but hey; there isn't a tough situation we haven't gotten out of yet!

Suzuki Emi was born to unknown parents, and was found abandoned at the doorsteps of an orphanage in the middle of the night, with no possessions other than the blanket she was wrapped in and the crab she laid in, with a single handwritten message;

"Her name is Emi."

The child was a quiet, solemn one. Rarely speaking to others, and when she did, it was usually in angry outbursts. Those in the orphanage her own age learned to stay away from the girl, despite their caretaker's attempts to help her better socialize with others. A girl who never smiled, and a girl who preferred to settle things with her fists.

"She bloodied her nose!"

"She stole my candy!"

"She scares me!"

Eventually, Emi was put into foster care, taking the last name "Suzuki" with her. It was in the hopes that perhaps having a slightly more stable environment, now in a foster home with other sheltered children, that things would begin to improve.

"This is serious! She split that kid's head and fractured their skull! We're lucky it's not worse!"

The seven-year-old Emi had to do three months in a juvenile center, also taking intense therapy sessions during her stay.

"No way! Again!? She… she just got out of juvenile detention two days ago!"

Emi didn't really care that everyone was afraid of her, that she had no friends.

"I don't need them."

That's what Emi thought.

"I'm stronger than they are."

"I'm smarter than they are."

"I'll just take what I want, when I want."

It was so routine, until that day.

"Hey, I want your candy."

The taller child faced Emi, eyes narrowed.

"No, it's mine."

"Too bad. I want it. Give it or I'll beat you up."

The other girl tilted her head. "What's your name?"

"What's it matter!? I want that candy! Give it to me!"

"If you can beat me up, sure, you can have it. But I want your name. You seem tougher than the other kids."

"SuzukI! Suzuki Emi!"

She smirked.

"Yanigihori Jori. Now, let's do this."

In one day, accompanied by a black eye and a broken arm, Emi's life changed.

Onto the path she hoped to walk for the rest of her life, by her side.

"Honestly! I've been like, totally dying to bring out「Lucille,」 you know?" Emi asked with a grin, facing the second years, as she emerged from a portal, twirling the zombie killing knife in her hand. "It's a lot different than your Stands, for sure," she said, running it on her own finger, grinning at the blood drawn. "It doesn't 'do the fighting for me...' rather, it's a 'tool for me to fight with.' If I get caught in the range of, let's say, Honoka-chan's「All Star」… I'm pretty screwed! Hyper offensive power but no defense, and dependent entirely on my speed! It'd be kind of a crappy Stand… if it wasn't in my hands!"

"We don't want to fight you, Emi!" Honoka yelled. "We just want to 'find Hanayo!' That's all we want; we're willing to let this go if you just tell us where she is!"

"It's funny… even though one of your hated enemies is in front of you, you really don't want to fight me, hmmm?"

"We don't hate you, Suzuki," Umi said. "At this point, we just want our friend back safe! We'd give up ending this conflict, not fighting any of you if it brings her back safely!"

"She's not just a teammate, she's a precious friend," Kotori said, frowning. She thought back to the battle with「Worker Bees,」how Hanayo and Nico had not only saved her but helped her awaken this power that lied dormant deep within her. "We care about her safety more than anything!"

"But you still brought them here, your kouhais, ready to fight us! You were still ready to put them in harm's way!"

"We all knew this would be dangerous and risky!" Honoka said. "We don't want to be fighting you girls at all! Yanigihori told me she doesn't accept things like neutrality… but that doesn't mean I ever wanted to be your enemy! μ's didn't start this fight; you Arrow Hunters dragged us into it!" Honoka yelled. "If we could solve this nonviolently I would, but that's just how it is! The first years all knew that they would be in harm's way by coming here… but they made that choice willingly, just like how you all made the willing choice to attack us! So yes, we brought our juniors with us; that doesn't mean we're not concerned about their safety, and that we don't want her back!"

Emi kept on grinning. "Kyahahahaha… what an interesting bunch! School Idols, I really am happy I finally got to meet some! The upcoming Love Live tournament is just that, a tournament… You're gonna have to break some hearts to win, aren't you? All the third years who'll never have a chance to participate again or anything like that… you gonna bleed for them, too?"

"What does that have to do with anything!?" Umi snapped. "This has nothing to do with Love Live!"

"Oh, come on! I'm curious, cut me some slack…"

She's testing us… Umi thought, her eyes narrowed. It was such an extreme change in topic; it had to be some kind of mind game, right? Was she perhaps planning on striking them while they were deep in thought?

Honoka closed her eyes, thinking on it. "… I guess no matter what happens, we do hurt some people, huh?"

"Honoka?" Umi asked, turning around.

"… If we entered and win… how many third years and other School Idols will never have a chance to win?" Honoka admittingly hadn't thought of it. "I'll feel really bad for them, yeah… but… we still have 'a dream!' And that 'dream' is something we want to make a reality! So, I feel really bad for all the other girls that will never have a chance two in if we do; but even if its nonviolently in this singing and dancing competition… we'll beat them to make 'the dream' become 'reality!'"

Emi grinned.

"That's what I wanted to hear! Wonderful! Now I know you're worth a fight!"

Emi slashed「Lucille,」a slice of pure energy flying through the air towards Honoka. She and her Stand jumped back, her friends doing the same.

"「Kaze ni Notte!」" Kotori yelled, her Stand launching several of its feathers in Emi's direction. But she was already slicing into the air, crawling into a portal and disappearing a moment later. "She vanished again…"

"Umi! What do you think she's doing with her Stand!?" Honoka asked.

"I… I want to say 'she's teleporting' but it doesn't feel like that…" Umi said, her bow and arrow raised. "She had to physically enter the portals she tears open with her Stand… but then she can appear somewhere else…?"

"… Umi, look out!"

Umi looked behind her as Honoka yelled. They could see a rift open in the air, and a moment later came Emi's arm, holding「Lucille」as she attempted to stab her, but with her warning Umi jumped forward to avoid it. Honoka brought「All Star's」arm to karate chop it in an attempt to attack, but by then Emi's arm had already retreated. The girls all scanned around, trying to find any trace of her.

"Honoka! To your left!" Kotori yelled, and Honoka's eyes widened as she immediately hit the floor, avoiding another stab.

"Come on, stop fighting dirty!" Honoka yelled, attempting to have her Stand kick the arm, but it disappeared again. "Come on!" She yelled, a Stand rush initiating; Honoka hoped that by attacking the air around where the arm had appeared something would happen, but it felt like she was just attacking the air. "Damn…"

"Everywhere and nowhere…"

Emi's voice seemingly echoed throughout the entire room, like an all-powerful divine voice graced them with its presence. "You'll never find me! I'm everywhere and nowhere; you'll never get so much as a single hit on me!"

"She's messing with us…" Umi said, taking a deep breath. "Alright… I don't know what she's doing, but at the least, here's what we know! We can't harm her when here's no portal, but she can't do the same either! If she could, she would have beaten us already!"

"So… we can only hit her during a counterattack!?" Honoka asked. "We can't even keep up with her as it is! That wouldn't be so bad if her entire body left, but she can take out just her arm… to attack us."

"I hope the others are doing better…" Kotori said, gulping.

"Imperial Glass Wrecking Ball!"

The other three were, unfortunately, not doing much better.

"Holy shit-!" Nico yelled, scrambling out of the powerful attack's way. "Jesus Christ, Maki! You didn't tell us she was THIS strong!"

"I absolutely did tell you she was this strong!" Maki yelled back, she and her Stand diving out of the way of Takamaki's powerful attack. "Even though it's seemingly just glass, it's something else!"

"This is a really bad situation, girls!" Fumiko yelled. Before they had Nozomi's powerful「Ace of Spades」to at least protect them, with her cards being able to form powerful shields. Now, while there were support beams and large mental shipping containers to hide behind, ultimately there was little in the way of defense to protect from「Castle of Glass'」attacks. The stunning lethality and raw offensive power of its glass was something the girls knew that they could take few hits off. Even in the last battle they had been largely on the defense, and now Takamaki knew what to expect from them.

"This gets a lot easier when you give up, you know," Takamaki said. "You girls don't stand a chance without the third years supporting you; just surrender calmly and I can take you to Yanigihori unharmed."

"Hey! I'm a third year, dammit!"

"… Wait, really?"

Nico was fuming, as was「Circus,」who stood barely taller than her. "Gah! What the hell do I have to do to get some respect around here!?"

"Isn't it obvious? We kick her ass!" 「Circus」said. "We just… need to figure it out!"

"There's not a lot of point in trying to attack her Stand head-on, I don't think it reflects damage back on her!" Fumiko instructed. "It has a weakness though! If I can lift it into the air, it can't really fight back! I need… If you can make an opening for me like the last fight, I think I can disable her Stand!"

"Well, gee, that sounds easy," Nico spat. "Maki! How did you do it last time!?"

"I made illusions with my Stand to get the advantage… I psyched her out while Nikaido got the Stand, but I doubt that'll work again," Maki explained. "And with her on the high ground like that, it'd be hard to sneak up on her… Crap, look out!"

"Glass Marble Storm!"

"Let's hear it for the「Single Ladies!」" Fumiko yelled, having the members of her Stand grab her allies and lift them into the air to avoid the incoming barrage. "If we can somehow force Takamaki down to our level, we can hide behind all storage stuff too…"

But Takamaki was smirking. "Gotcha."

"Oh no-!" Fumiko's eyes widened. They had floated up to her level.

"Glass Arrow Barrage!"

Fumiko was forced to let go of her allies. "E-everyone, look out!"

「Circus」and「Fur Elise」caught their users bridal style, but Fumiko took a rougher fall to the ground to avoid the broken glass flying their way.

"You alright, Nikaido?" Maki asked, rushing over.

"I-I'm fine…" Fumiko said with a wince. "I-I landed on my knee kind of hard though…" She tried to get up, wincing, and when she moved, she limped. "Shiiiiiit…"

"Well, that's one of you down for the count," Takamaki said with a grin. "Face it… without Tojo's and Ayase's guidance, you girls don't stand a chance against me and Suzuki. We're in a 'different league' than the rest of you… You only one with Tojo's assistance. Just give up and surrender; it'll be a lot easier on you," she said, brushing some hair from her face. "Even if you could somehow beat me and Suzuki… Yanigihori won't fall to you girls. She'll defeat anyone and everything, no matter how strong."

But she groaned, holding her head. "So just… give in…"

"… I think…" Maki's eyes widened. "Nico-senpai, she's still injured from our last fight… that's why she's trying so hard to stay out of our reach!"

"So if we can actually get to her, she'll fall quickly!" Nico said. "Now to just… make that happen…"

"Get ready! 「Fur Elise!」Prepare a concert! Beethoven's Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor, 'Für Elise!'" Maki commanded as her Stand slammed its fist into the ground, the familiar piano piece feeling the room. An illusion of a large, black barrier appeared; so as to hide their presence from Takamaki. The first and third year grabbed the second year, taking her to hide behind a container once used to hold cargo.

"Alright, alright… Let's figure this out! The illusions you can make… we just got to like, distract Takamaki! If she's still injured, all we need is one good hit, right?" Nico asked.

"Center of the Ring works for that as well," 「Circus」suggested. "It's a pretty high-stakes game… whoever reaches the other first wins," she reasoned. "This SHOULD be easy. Center of the Ring alone should be enough to win this, if we just attack during those few precious seconds…"

"I really don't want to kill her or anything…" Nico set down her backpack, unzipping it; in addition to the throwing knives there were now glass marbles on her person as well. "If these hit the wrong place, they could still be lethal… And honestly? Even with Minami being able to heal her if things go to far, I don't want to waste one of our five heals on an enemy!"

"Alright… Maybe, I can make an illusion, then you use Center of the Ring?" Maki reasoned. "That way, we can catch her off guard on two fronts—"

"Imperial Glass Wrecking Ball!"

The three Otonokizaka student's eyes widened as their shelter was impacted by an attack. "S-she found out where we were hiding already!?" Fumiko asked. "Did she take a lucky guess!?"

"Shit…!" Nico bolted to her feet. "This is bad! We need to get Nikaido out of here! 「Circus,」make yourself useful!"

"D-Don't talk about me like I'm useless!" 「Circus」demanded, letting Fumiko drape her arms around her shoulder. "Come on, Nikaido-san… "

"I'm sorry, everyone…" Fumiko hated feeling so useless, especially after participated in the prior fight.

"Don't worry… we'll beat her. We'll beat her and save Hanayo!" Maki declared, as she and Nico ran out into plain sight.

"「Circus!」Do your thing!"

"Center of the Ring!"

「Circus」drew the attention of all present away to a single piece of debris, buying just enough time to get Fumiko away from the hot zone before things returned to normal. It's gonna be three minutes before I can do that again, Nico thought bitterly. At least Nikaido is safe now!

"Well, isn't this quite the situation for you all? Down one fighter already! Not that she was much of a fighter…" Takamaki said, amused. Even as「Circus」sprinted back to Nico's side, she was amused. "You'll never reach me up here…"

"Grah… Repel!" Nico threw a few marbles to「Circus」who launched them at the enemy, but「Castle of Glass」quickly made a shield of glass to protect her. I just don't get how she knew we were hiding there… it could have been luck, but…

Nico noticed something for the first time, Takamaki was holding something; what looked like a walkie-talkie. "Hmm…"

"Nico?" Maki asked.

"Just shut up for a second…" Nico said, looking around… She had been so preoccupied by the fight she hadn't really taken a moment to carefully inspect her surroundings. She actually saw what looked like some insects buzzing around… Could it be…? As she took a few steps towards one it flew off nervously, far too alert.

She had an idea.

"Hey, Takamaki, time out!"

"… Eh?"

"I know you like all sorts of dirty tricks… but isn't that a bit much? I mean, relying on dirty, filthy insects to spy on us!"

"What are you—"

"Don't make fun of insects, dammit!"

Everyone went quiet as they heard one of the insects yell out.

"… I mean, bzzz!"

"Gotcha!"

"Dammit, Kobayashi!"

"What's going on, Nico!?"

"This is that insect user we told you about! She's spying on us… she'll give our locations away to her, so there's no use in hiding!"

Takamaki groaned. "Dammit… that was an ace-in-the-hole!"

"… Bwahahaha! Yes, Minami! It's I, Kobayashi Kaori! I've come back to aid my allies in our darkest hours and exact my revenge!" Kobayashi's voice yelled out.

"… You're not the smartest bulb, are you, Kobayashi?" Nico asked, grinning. "Let me guess… you can't control which bugs speak, so you just gave yourself away to the second years, huh?"

"Nice one, Nico!"

"Dammit! Alright, Kobayashi! Change in plans!" Takamaki yelled into the walkie-talkie. "No more stealth now that they know what you're doing! Assist me and Suzuki in the offense as well!"

"Aye aye, boss!" Kobayashi replied back, 「Worker Bees」beginning to descend as well. "Try not to destroy the bugs though, you know I can't just make a ton of them on the fly!"

"… Maybe we should have kept that to ourselves, Nico-senpai," Maki said, now annoyed.

"… Maybe. But at least we know what to expect now!" Nico said, grinning, as the younger girl groaned.

"You're hopeless…"

"Now, now… don't say that while we got a fight to win!" Nico said, her back pressed to Maki's.

"I guess that's fair enough…" And Maki couldn't help but smirk. "We just gotta beat her while avoiding some bugs, is all!" And they faced their powerful enemy in unison, even as some bugs approached.

"So, let's show her how an Idol fights!"

The second years were locked into a stalemate with Emi, although they feared that Emi would be able to gain an advantage soon.

The girls were primarily focusing on avoiding attacks while Emi was able to remain on an offense, even slicing Honoka's slide (albeit not deeply). The girls seemingly had no way to truly avoid her, or even detect her until it was too late. "Honoka, Umi, we can't keep this up forever!" Umi said, her back pressed to her two childhood friend's. "We're going to get tired eventually…"

"I know, I know," Honoka said through gritted teeth. "I mean, do either of you have any ideas!?"

Kotori bit her lips. "… I… I…"

"Yes, Kotori-chan?" Despite it all, Honoka forced a smile. "Any plans?"

"Let me… take to the air."

"But what if you can't see her coming or dodge!?" Honoka's smile quickly faded. "That's too dangerous, Kotori! I… I don't like that!"

"I don't like it either!" Umi said. "We're only able to keep our defense up because we can at least see her coming! There's no way we can keep an eye in the air!"

"'Everywhere and nowhere…' I think she's lying. I think I have an idea of how her reach might work," Kotori said. "I need you two… I need you two to trust me! If its too dangerous, I promise I'll retreat!"

"Alright… Kotori, be safe!" Honoka pleaded, her Stand still by her side. "We'll trust you!"

"「Kaze ni Notte,」take flight!" Kotori commanded, her Stand wrapping its arms around her and leaping into the air, hovering in place with flaps of its wings, scanning the ground below her.

She has to come out to attack us… she puts herself in a brief position where she's vulnerable in order to fight! The ultimate hit-and-run Stand, befitting a coward without honor! She's so different than the rest… it reminds me of Kobayashi…

Panicked thoughts regarding the fact they had no idea on Kobayashi's current status raced through her head, but she tried to push it aside. Something feels wrong though… if she was really 'everywhere and nowhere' like she said, she should be able to attack in such close enough range she could stab us from below us… and me, up here; she should be able to reach me! Unless…

Despite Emi's best efforts to remain unnoticed, Kotori noticed the girl crawl out of one of her rifts below. And unlike before where she only extended her arm to stab or slice, nearly half of her crawled out of this portal. There! When Emi launched a slashing wave into the air in her direction, Kotori was able to dodge, earning a glare. "Umi! 3'o clock position!" And Umi wasted no time readying her arrow, firing a Love Arrow before Emi could completely retreat, entering the portal at the last second. Even though they couldn't see the effect, Emi roaring in pain a moment later. "Umi, you got her!"

"Way to goooooooooooooo Umi!" In her excitement Honoka couldn't help but hug her!

"H-Honoka, not now!" But Umi couldn't help but smile a bit, before taking some deep breaths.

"You alright?" Honoka said with a frown, backing off.

"Y-yeah… just… that still takes a lot out of me," Umi said, wiping some sweat off her brow. "I can fire… two or three more maybe, we need to make them count…"

"Clever, aren't you? Never was fond of clever girls," Emi's voice echoed throughout the room, and despite not being able to see it in their hearts they could just picture the sneer on her face.

"'Everywhere and nowhere' my ass! I see how it works now… you're 'grounded,' aren't you, Suzuki?" Kotori demanded, yelling out. "You've entered a space where you can't hurt us, but we can't hurt you unless you come out to face us instead of hiding like a coward!" She was hoping that calling her a coward would provoke her, if nothing else.

"Ehehehe, nice try~" Emi said with a little chuckle. "I know I'm a coward! Kobayashi and I aren't like the rest of the girls here… we're not 'warriors!' I've never been brave like Jori-chan and Hiijiri-chan… Even when I was little, I never once tried to pick a fight I felt I couldn't win, or a fight where I couldn't play dirty!" Emi sighed in her little realm, smiling wistfully at memories long past. "If I hadn't realized how strong Jori was back then, I probably would've just thrown a rock at the back of her head… how different things would be now if I had…"

"Enough of your games, Suzuki!" Umi yelled. "We don't even want to fight you, Yanigihori is the one we're after!"

"And if you just give us back Hanayo-chan, we'll retreat!" Honoka said.

"But again, I want to fight all of you… as dirty and dishonorably as possible, I want to fight you all and win!" Emi said. "I want to see if your dreams are worth anything…"

"What does that even mean?" Umi asked, frustrated. "You just… went on about Love Live out of nowhere, we don't get it!"

"You mean you don't get it… Honoka! You get it, right?" Honoka went quiet for a moment at Emi's echoing voice, before nodding.

"Honoka?" Umi asked.

"Back when Hanayo and I had to fight Miano and Akeno, we fought to see who's 'dreams' were stronger. We had to fight the 'dreams of Akeno's and Miano's ambitions' with 'the dreams of our love being Idols,'" Honoka explained. "We knew that if we lost to Miano and Akeno and submitted to them, we'd never be Idols again… Akeno and Miano didn't understand we genuinely loved being Idols, especially Miano. It was a clash of our 'dreams and ideals!' It's the same thing here, at least to Suzuki-san…" Honoka went on. "It's 'our desire to save Hanayo,' and 'our desire to win Love Live' one day… that's what you're saying, isn't it? If we can't save Hanayo, we don't have what it takes to win Love Live? And you want that to be pit against your dreams…?"

"You're getting it, but not completely," Emi said. "Deep down… what have I ever wanted? As long as I was by Jori's side, I've always been happy… I guess deep down, I've never had any dreams or ambitions, kyahahaha!" Emi said, beginning to laugh. "But Jori does… so… I want to make sure you're worthy… Jori doesn't deserve to have her time wasted by pissants! So, I'm putting you all to the test, to make sure this is worth her while!"

"Suzuki…" Honoka frowned at that, genuinely sad. "You're… really that empty deep down?"

"I guess so… Maybe that's why you Idols have always interested me so much. The singing and dancing, having so much fun and taking pride in that… maybe, if I had been a bit more motivated…" And Emi went quiet. "… Would I have joined Yazawa when I was a first year in Otonokizaka…?"

"… Are you trying to gain our sympathy, Suzuki? Let our guard down?" Umi asked, eyes narrowing; she wasn't quite as moved as Honoka was.

"Nono… just thinking out loud, is all! This is the path I walked… I'm just in a weird place, is all! I want Jori to succeed in everything she does, if she had let me, I could've taken you all out discreetly when this was beginning, you know. And now, me and Hiijiri are serving as her last line of defense… But part of me wants to see what'll happen if you fight; and so, does she, after all… you know she wants to fight YOU in particular, right, Honoka?"

"… Yeah," Honoka said. "I've had a feeling."

"That is to say… for Jori-chan's dream of a good fight against you, I have to fall! You have to beat me or you'll never get a chance to fight her! It's all such a weird situation… Jori wants to fight you, but if she does, I have to fall! But she also wants her dreams to be fulfilled, even allowing me to fight dirty on her behest, which she'd never do normally… and I want to see what you're made of! It's all contradictions spiraling out of control and nobody gets to walk away with everything! But part of me thinks… if I beat you…"

Emi's laugh was like thunder in how it echoed.

"Maybe I'll get to say I finally got to one-up Jori! She wants me to beat you to protect her dream, but she also wants me to be beaten so she can fight Honoka… and I think she's leaning on the later. So, I want to defy her expectations and beat you… but I also want to see if you're worthy of fighting her because it's what she wants… isn't it all so confusing? What do I want, what do any of us want…?"

"Emi-chan…" Honoka's voice was softer now. She was ready to say something else, but a voice unfamiliar to Honoka and Umi interrupted them.

"Don't make fun of insects, dammit! … I mean, bzzz!"

"Eh…?" Umi looked around, blinking, eyes widening. "Honoka… l-look at those bugs?"

"Umi, this was an abandoned storage space, of course there's going to be- EW!" Honoka nearly jumped, seeing the sheer size of a nearby insect. "Oh, that's nasty!"

"That voice… that's Kobayashi! The one with the insect Stand that attacked me, Hanayo, and Nico!" Kotori yelled to her friends below. "The owner of the insect Stand Colony… Kobayashi Kaori, wielding the Stand「Worker Bees!」"

"… Bwahahaha! Yes, Minami! It's I, Kobayashi Kaori! I've come back to aid my allies in our darkest hours and exact my revenge!"The flying ants of「Worker Bees」replied, the message also broadcasting to the other enemies.

"Hehe… guess the other girls got the best of her," Emi said with a chuckle. "Damn girl, gotta learn to keep it together…"

"If she's replying back…" Umi's eyes narrowed. "Maybe this is how Suzuki has been able to home in on us so effectively. If she can see us through the bugs… And if this place's cameras are still operational…"

"There's not a corner of the entire complex she can't cover! Sight and sounds…!" Honoka realized. "So, this is your game, Emi!?"

"Yeah…" Emi created a portal and grinned, leaning out just enough to show off her walkie talkie. "This thing still works even in the rift between dimensions… It's been pretty good so far, hasn't it?" She asked, before retreating once more. "Not that it matters that you know!"

"Aye aye, boss! Try not to destroy the bugs though, you know I can't just make a ton of them on the fly!" Kobayashi replied, seemingly out of place.

"E-eh!? What did you tell her to do!?" Honoka stammered.

"Oh, I didn't give any commands… Hiijiri must've, though. Oh well… I won't get in the way!" Emi said. "Oi, Kobayashi! Go wild!"

"By your orders!" Kobayashi replied, the insects starting to converge.

"Oh no- Umi!" As Umi lacked a Stand that could fight for her Honoka pulled her close, having「All Star」destroy a few of the approaching bugs with its fist and feet, but… "T-there's a lot of them!"

"「Kaze ni Note,」descend!" Kotori demanded, her Stand obliging. Once the two were grounded once more her Stand gave a flap of its powerful wings, blowing away a few more, but not destroying them. "At the very least, I can keep them away- ow!" Kotori winced and yelled in pain at feeling one of the「Worker Bees」bite her leg, but had「Kaze ni Notte」destroy that one with a swipe of its wing. "They're strong enough to bite through metal! Alone they're weak, but together it's a huge problem!"

"Like a real insect swarm, its so annoying!" Honoka yelled, mentally commanding herself to destroy a few more.

"Didn't you know? A few ants on their own can't do anything, but together, they create things of majesty underground! That's the beauty of my「Worker Bees!」… I wasn't talking to you, Yazawa!"Kobayashi replied. "Suzuki-san! Aim… er… w-wait a second-" Kobayashi stopped, making sure to not accidentally communicate through her Stand.

"It's not as bad as last time… It must be hard; she's focusing on us and the others! She might not have as many ants this time either!" Kotori reasoned. "Let me focus on trying to keep them away while you two focus on Suzuki!" Kotori said, having her Stand create a few more gusts of wind with its powerful wings, repelling some bugs. But…

She's grounded again, Emi thought to herself, moving unnoticed by both her allies and her enemies. I was getting worried when she was in the air… but now, they're back to my level. Back to 「Lucille's」range… She reasoned. If this was one-on-one, I would've won already, but like this, I guess I have the advantage again!

It was so odd, this fight she both wanted to win and lose and nothing made sense, where the rules kept changing every few minutes. She loved it! Let's see, let's see… Right now, the biggest target would be… you, Minami!

She walked at a leisurely pace, speaking into her walkie talkie with a hushed tone. "Talk to me," she whispered. In this quiet tone her voice didn't resound through the battlefield, allowing her to discreetly communicate with Kobayashi.

"There's a blind spot, eight o'clock to Sonoda's position! I'll try to keep them there!" Kobayashi said, speaking through her walkie talkie. "This isn't easy though… Takamaki isn't holding back with her attacks; she's destroying a lot of my bugs! I don't have a lot to spare… One of their own is incapacitated on the other end, so I've been trying to pin down the third year and first year! But the way Takamaki is acting…"

"Don't have the bugs attack on her end. Go back to just covering all corners and giving her updates on the enemy's movements. If one fighter is incapacitated, don't bother hurting them even more," Emi was unusually serious in her tone.

Everywhere and nowhere… sounds cool, right? Emi said, taking her knife Stand and using it to rip open time and space before her, making a portal. And here I come!

She extended only her arm outwards again, slashing the air before her, time and space distorting as a very sharp slash flew through the air. A coward's weapon, unsuited for a fair fight… so different from Jori's and Hiijiri's Stands! That's the reflection of who I am…

"My「Lucille…」"

"You really hate fighting fair, huh?"

Emi thought back to when she was 14, having fought a rival gang alongside Yanigihori and Takamaki. It was a usual question coming from Yanigihori, who rarely objected to her fighting style.

"Come on, you know the answer to that," Emi playfully scolded, applying another band-aid to Takamaki's face as she winced, earning a glare as they relaxed in Yanigihori's apartment.

"Making that chick thing you were down for the count just to jam a pencil in her side was dirty, even for you," Takamaki scolded. "When you do shit like that, it makes Yanigihori look bad!"

"Jesus, we've known each other for years; call her by her first name already…" Emi said, sticking her tongue out. Looking in a mirror, she applied a band-aid to her own face over a cut gained.

"I'm serious! We're a gang; what we do reflects on Yanigihori! You should at least TRY to fight fairly once in a while!"

Emi just stuck out her tongue with a grin. "Kyahahaha! You look cute when you're mad, Hiijiri-chan~" She teased, earning her cheeks being pulled on by the other girl. "Owowowowowowow! Jesus, that hurts worse than a punch, Hiijiri!"

But Yanigihori chuckled. "Even after all these years, I have problems understanding you, Emi… Why do you enjoy being by my side so much? Because my guidance is the only thing keeping you out of juvie again?"

"Meanie…" Emi sat down when her cheeks were finally allowed to rest. "I mean, I'd definitely be back there if nobody was holding me back…"

"Am I holding you back?" Yanigihori asked, taking a beer from her parent's fridge. "Do you think I'm keeping you from being all you can be, Emi?"

"Nah… I don't think so," Emi said. "I think you give me a place in the world… I respect that a lot," she said, earning a silence from the other two girls. "It's not that I care so much about going back to juvie, or even adult prison… that doesn't scare me at all. It's not being by your side that I hate the idea of…" Emi went on. "No matter what happens… I 'want to be by your side,' Jori. That's why I hold myself back intentionally. Because If I did, I can't be by your side any longer… And you too, Hiijri! I wanna be by your side too!"

"… Emi…" Takamaki said quietly, earning a more sincere smile from her friend. Emi wrapped a finger in her ponytail, facing the two.

"Because even if I'm just a dirty coward… As long as I can fight alongside you two, I'll be happy, no matter what."

As her train of thought ended, Emi opened her eyes once more. I want to fight alongside Jori and support her dream, she thought to herself. I'm confident that's why I have「Lucille.」This ultimate coward's Stand that still boasts a higher power… If Jori were to let me go all out, to protect her dream…

"I would have killed you all when this just began."

"Umi, look out!" Umi kept trying to scan the area for signs of Emi, and unfortunately was looking entirely in the wrong direction when Emi launched her next hit-and-run attack. Realizing she didn't have enough time to run she held her bow outwards, hoping to block with it. But her eyes widened as she felt Honoka shove her out of the way, causing her to take the attack meant for her.

"HONOKA!" Umi yelled in horror as she saw her friend take the attack, a gash now on her stomach. She felt a few of the「Worker Bees」bite her but she paid no mind, ignoring the pain as she ran to her friend's side. Kotori blew away more ants as well, rushing over a moment later. "You idiot, why did you do that!?"

"And I guess that's one of you down~" Emi taunted as she saw Umi fall to her knees, holding her bleeding stomach.

"Is she OK!?" Kotori yelled, rushing over. "Damn you, Kobayashi! 「KAZE NI NOTTE,」KEEP THEM AWAY!" She yelled, her Stand once again being forced to repel the Stand Colony. "EMERALD STRIKE!" She made sure not to use too many feathers of her Stand's wing, but several feathers did harden as she let them fly through the air to destroy a few of the opposing Stand.

"Why would you do that!?" Umi demanded as her dearest friend lied on her back, tears in her eyes. "You should have let that attack hit me! Y-you're the one that matters the most in this fight, Honoka!"

"N-Not this one," Honoka said as she winced through the pain, smiling up at her friend. "Listen… Me and「All Star,」we're useless right now," Honoka said, earning a surprised look from Umi and Kotori. "My Stand… is meant to fight close-range, up close and personal… It can't do anything right now," Honoka said. "N-Now that we know more about her Stand I think she's gonna keep more of a distance instead of trying to directly stab us… I don't have a reach to hit her," Honoka explained. "Umi, Kotori…「Sleepy Storm」and「Kaze ni Notte」can both hit from a distance away! Its hard but… when she attacks, you'll have an opportunity to strike… you two are the only ones that can win this fight!" She said, clutching her bleeding stomach. "I-I believe in you two!"

I can heal her right after this, but… My Stand only heals one person once per day, with a limit on the number of heals it has per week… Kotori's eyes narrowed at the situation. Even if we beat Suzuki… no, for sure we'll beat Suzuki, but… When it's time to take on Yanigihori, I can't heal her during it.

"…"

Umi had been the only one to successfully land a blow on Emi during this entire battle, and yet she felt more powerless and useless than ever. Honoka was the hero, Honoka was the one that was going to defeat the Arrow Hunters and their enemies. Hearing her say she was useless in this fight… scared her.

"User… please, try to remain calm," 「Sleepy Storm's」voice encouraged in her head. "The key to victory is a calm and steady heart… As you are now, it will be impossible to defeat the users of「Lucille」and「Worker Bees.」"

"H-How am I supposed to do that!?" Umi snapped, startling Kotori. "This is… how is this something I can deal with!?"

"Slivers of power exist within you, and I am the manifestation of those slivers,"「Sleepy Storm」replied. "I grow alongside you and your power, your maturity. My full potential already exists within you, and as you try to gain an understanding of the power within you and your bond with others, I will be able to access those powers for you to wield. Think carefully… Is this truly so hopeless? Is this the only time you have ever overcome a hopeless situation?"

Umi thought of the early days of this bizarre school year. Learning the school was going to close, and the forming of μ's. It was such a silly, such a stupid idea to her at the time. Honoka was always thinking and dreaming of asinine ideas that she never followed through, giving up to return to her happy, carefree life not long later. But now life wasn't carefree. When the prospect of the school she loved so much closing down became a real threat, it was like something awoke in her dearest friend. And then when awakening a Stand and being thrust in a situation that was so beyond what anyone could expect a teenage girl to withstand… she had withstood it. All of them were! And why was that!? Some kind of internal strength?

"Focus yourself, user… focus yourself and reflect on the situation," 「Sleepy Storm」instructed. Umi saw several of the insect's approach, swatting at them with her bow, Kotori blowing them away a moment later.

"Kotori… we can do this, Kotori!"

"Our dreams are relying on us winning… Honoka is relying on us winning!" Kotori said, looking at Honoka, who smiled and nodded. "One blow… this is a battle that can be decided with 'one blow!' We can do this… She sees that we can win, so I'm going to believe her!"

See… she sees that we can win… Umi thought to herself, closing her eyes. Sight… Sight… Seeing… for some reason that in particular resonated within her. Honoka saw the school was closing… and 'saw' the 'path to keep it open' as a School Idol, no matter how silly it sounded! Rin couldn't see herself as a girl due to being transgender, but after everything learned how to see herself how she wished to be seen… and then at the Stadium saw the future she wanted; not just supporting us, but standing as our equal! And Hanayo… didn't Hanayo think she wasn't on the same level as us because of her shyness? But she saw her own worth as an Idol…

"How do I 'see' myself…?" Umi thought out loud. Kotori struggled too, because her father lives so far away… And it's like she's so much more confident now, too! Back at the stadium I was so upset at my own lack of power, but the determination to see everyone safe woke up my Stand. Suzuki even sees herself as a coward… and because of that, her Stand has suited itself perfectly for that kind of fighting style! But she still believes in the ideals of others, and especially in Yanigihori…

How do I see myself? How do I see the situation around me?

Umi seemingly blacked out for a moment, not responding to anything Kotori said, even as she yelled. "… I… I see something…"

"Umi!? What's wrong!? You're spacing out at a really bad time! 「K-Kaze ni Notte!」" She had to repel more insects. "Umi, please, I can't do this by myself! I need you alert too!"

"… Cover me… for a minute, please…"

"Umi!?"

Umi closed her eyes, blocking out everything for a moment and falling to her knees. Despite not getting up Honoka had「All Star」embrace Umi, determined to use itself to physically protect her from more attacks even at the cost of more damage unto Honoka's person. Sight… seeing… Like the eye of a hurricane, where everything is calm and tranquil… I've always been shy. I've always had anxiety, even when I was a little girl, if Honoka hadn't met me… I would have grown up such a lonely person, I'm sure… What did Honoka see in me when I was so little? A potential? Someone lonely? Someone who just needed a friend? What do I see…?

Umi opened her eyes not in the real world, but within her mentality. And when she did, she saw herself standing in front of herself, wearing her archery outfit and smiling.

"What are you seeing, user?" 「Sleepy Storm」asked, through the avatar of herself. "What are you seeing in your own mind?"

Myself, small and weak and sad… Umi thought, her thoughts physically echoing in this black space where only she and「Sleepy Storm」stood. I've always needed Honoka and Kotori to guide me deep down… They were the ones who encouraged me to do archery when I first thought of it, even though I didn't encourage Honoka when she first said she wanted to be a School Idol…

"Do you only believe you can do what others encourage you to do, user?"

No… I should be stronger than this. I scold Honoka so much… but I need her. I need her to help being my guiding star. Suzuki said she wants to always be by Yanigihori's side… to support her dream… and I want to be the same. I want to always be by Honoka's side, and always encourage her. No matter what… but I don't want it to be because I'll only have worth if I do. Yeah… like Hanayo and Rin to us… I want to stand by her as equals.

"Do you not already consider yourself equals?"

Not really, she was forced to admit. Even though I'm more mature than her and always scold and lecture her when she messes up… I've always felt like Honoka was 'above' me. That I can only be all I can be if Honoka is alongside me…

"What would happen if she died?"

Umi had to pause her thoughts.

I'd be lost… no matter how I view myself I'd be lost. I'd be losing my greatest and oldest friend. I'd be a wreck no matter what. But before… I feel like I'd lose all of myself. Honoka and Kotori dying, no matter what, will feel like a part of myself has died too. But I think… I would have viewed it as all of myself. But… that's not a good way to look at myself. I want to see myself standing tall and proud, by everyone's side. That's how I want to see myself… no… that ishow I see myself, Umi thought. Standing proud and tall! Like Honoka herself! And even… even her…

"… I want to be like you Suzuki."

"Eh!?"

I think I understand how she thinks now… and I, too, wish to always stand by Honoka's side, no matter what, Umi continued to think. Her Stand aura in the real world glowed brighter than ever. How I wish to view myself… no, how I will view myself… is by her side, forever supporting her dreams and ambitions, because that is my willing choice, and I will also have the strength to grasp my own dreams, whatever they may be! Even if it's just going to college and getting a good job one day, I will still stand by Honoka to support her dreams… and that same strength I give in support will come to my side as well!

"I am proud, user… you truly are a kind and wise master," 「Sleepy Storm」replied. "Clench your fists… and see the future in front of you…"

In the recess of her trance, she saw several strands of string floating in front of her. And suddenly, multiple visions appeared before her eyes. What is this, what am I seeing…?

She looked towards one vision. It was… herself, with her friends. She saw herself and the girls of μ's, practicing their singing and dancing… but no signs of Stands or hard-fought battles anywhere. She saw the day when they approached Principal Minami about participating in Love Live. Eli was still hostile, but not as much as she had been in reality. And before that, when they needed to get their grades up to continue to participate, Nozomi appeared to assist them in this vision as well. Eli still assisted them with their dancing and was still harsh on μ's, but she noticed neither Honoka nor Nico shot back like how they did in actuality, taking it much more timidly. And then, oddly enough, visions of things that seemingly hadn't happened yet. She saw the girls of μ's with Nozomi in an empty classroom, confronting a forlorn Eli, all smiling as Honoka extended her hand.

"You guys…" this visage of Eli said.

"Student Council President… no, Eli-senpai! We have a request!" the visage of Honoka said.

"Is this about practice? You need to master the routine from yesterday and—"

"Eli-senpai, please join μ's! I want you to sing with us as a member of μ's!"

Is this a vision of something that has happened somewhere, or to happen? Umi thought, turning her head aside to another vision. It was… a radically different vision, to say the least. There were several very muscular men, gathered at some kind of castle, it appeared. And in particular her visage was drawn to two of them, one man with blue hair wielding a sword, and one man with blond hair.

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOAH!"

"WRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I'LL SQUEEZE THE LIFE OUT OF YOU, JOJO!"

"I'LL CLEANSE THE WORLD OF YOUR EVIL!" As the blond main leapt at this "JoJo" the blue-haired man threw roses at him, distracting him before charging him with his sword, and severing his arm. He even managed to cleave his sword deep into the other man's skull… but he still lived! Some kind of Stand ability!? Umi wondered, only to see the man's sword frozen as the blond man drove his fingers into his neck… and then later the vision seemed to jump, ending with this "JoJo" cradling the blond man's head, still alive on some kind of ship…

It looks so old… the past…? Umi thought, turning to the next vision that had materialized from the third string of fate. It also looked quite old, seeing one man in a blue outfit with many stars on it, with a horseshoe on his hat confronting another man, a blond man dressed in a nice, purple suit with hair that ended in extreme curls.

"I 'promise…' I won't take revenge on anyone…" the man in purple said.

"And then you'll just let Gyro and me go?" the man in stars asked.

"Gyro… safely and uninjured…?"

"I promise…" But then the visage seemed to skip, showing the man in purple holding a gun and firing it, the man in stars firing what looked to be a fingernail at him and defeating him; unlike before, this was much more clearly a Stand power.

I… I don't understand, Umi thought. What am I seeing?

"Things that have occurred 'elsewhere' which could have occurred 'here' as well, but did not," 「Sleepy Storm」said. "We will continue to grow… your 'sight' is an exceptional thing, user. One day you will understand, it is the truest crux of our power once it fully comes to you, and you can fully access it at will," 「Sleepy Storm」explained, the visions disappearing as they merged together into one singular string. "But for now… once again, please, accept just a sliver of your full potential, my kind and wise master… we shall become stronger as you continue to grow and mature, but for now, please accept just a portion of our potential," 「Sleepy Storm」said, walking towards her with a smile. "And together, let us save Honoka and Kotori," it said, transforming into the bow that Umi wielded in combat, but without a string… and as if on instinct, Umi combined the string of destiny to create her bowstring.

I see… things in other places, and here… another time, another possibility? But one thing is for sure… right now… what I see, more than anything…

"What I see is myself fighting alongside all!"

Emi launched another attack, now managing to strike from a blind spot from all three girls. She saw an opening when Umi began to stand up, shaking「All Star」off. Once she's down, that's it, Emi thought in triumph. I'm so close to winning!

Without even looking over however, as if on reflex, Umi blocked the attack with「Sleepy Storm's」bow. "What the hell!?"

"I can see more now… I have to thank you for that, Suzuki," she said. Something began to manifest as well; her Stand aura became a partial armor, resembling a dark blue samurai armor that covered only her right arm, but there was something like… a slit forming in her forehead?

"Umi-chan?" Kotori asked. "Your Stand…"

"Just like you, I want to stand by Honoka's side… Forever, supporting her dreams… Because I know if I have the strength to stand by her side, I have the strength to support myself as well," Umi said. "Or is that perhaps more strength than you gain from standing at Yanigihori's side?"

"You bitch- don't pretend you know anything!" Emi snapped. She darted around waiting to find another opening. "Kobayashi! Give me an opening!"

"Go to her six o'clock!" Kobayashi instructed, having the insects begin to swarm again, forcing Kotori to work on them and keep her distracted.

I'm not like you… my desires, my ambitions are for Jori alone! I don't need strength for myself… Emi thought. Even though part of her wanted to lose this fight so that Jori could have the fight she was craving…

Dammit, why the fuck can't I just know what I want!?

She tore open a rift in time and space once more, preparing to attack once more.

"I've found you."

"What!?"

Before Emi could launch her own attack Umi turned, quickly firing an attack. "Love Arrow!"

The arrow ripped through the air at such a speed Emi did not have time to attack. Unlike the last arrow that just grazed her side, this arrow found itself logged in her shoulder, screaming in pain as she ripped it out and tried to retreat. "What the fuck was that, Kobayashi!? I thought you were keeping them distracted!"

"I-I am!" Kobayashi yelled into her walkie talkie. "You don't understand… she wasn't looking in your direction at all! I don't get it!"

"Ugh…" Emi winced in pain as she held her arm. Staying in the rift between dimensions was only possible if she had enough strength to keep her「Lucille」summoned. Stay focus, stay focused! Just… I just need…

"Kotori… when I yell 'now…' attack with everything you got wherever I attack, alright?"

"I… alright, Umi. I trust you."

"You got this, Umi!" Honoka said. "I believe in you!"

Emi opened another rift, hoping to get another cheap blow in. But…

"NOW!"

When Umi turned around, this time, Emi got a better look at her forhead, and the third eye that had opened. The eye was blue with a red sclera, and far bigger than any normal eye, taking up almost all of her forehead. Umi tested this new eye, having it rotate fully in her head. She found the eye able to move in all directions freely, and with much better eyesight than her normal eyes had, even able to 'zoom' in… seeing through solid objects as well, and even that which was not physically there.

Even when she was traveling in the rift of time and space, she could see Emi's movements freely. And so, the battle that would be decided by only one or two quick blows was decided in that instant.

"LOVE ARROW!"

"EMERALD SPLASH!"

Another arrow flew through the air, combined with a barrage of hardened arrows. In her panic Emi attempted to close her portal, but the attacks flew at such a speed it was impossible to dodge the attack.

I… I've lost…?

"Suzuki-san!? Oh no… T-Takamaki! Takamaki, can you hear me!? We got trouble on Suzuki's end… e-eh!? W-wait, hold on! What the fuck are you doing here!? H-hey! Stay away—" and Kobayashi was suddenly cut off… and Emi collapsed on her knees.

Guess Kobayashi got in trouble too… Emi thought with a groan. And with that「Lucille」faded from physical existence, and Emi, on her knees, was thrusted back into 'reality.' "I… I can't… fight after that…" She said with a pained cough, on her knees. "That was… that was pretty good…"

"Suzuki-san…" Umi frowned, taking a few steps forward.

"Of course, I lost… I didn't even know what the fuck I wanted that entire fight…" Emi mused bitterly. "To know that I beat the ones that even Jori was so interested in, or just content to test your resolve and see if you were worthy of fighting her… and you absolutely are," Emi said, sitting on the ground now. "I'm frustrated but happy… I hate being like this, not knowing what I want."

"… Maybe you need to do some serious thinking on what you desire, Suzuki-san," Umi offered. "Maybe you're not as content to just serve Yanigihori as you think you are."

"Kyahaha… Maybe…" she said, before groaning, but grinning again and taking out her walkie talkie. "You alright, Kobayashi…?"

"Yeah, don't worry. We just tied her up was all," a rather familiar voice said, earning surprised reactions from the second years as well.

"I… Is that you, Miano?" Honoka yelled out despite her own pain, earning a chuckle. Emi even held the walkie talkie near them so they could hear her better.

"Akeno and I decided to team up with you. We're not interested in this Idol shit, but we're turning in our status as Arrow Hunters to fight alongside μ's, so we decided to go get Hanayo," Miano said, earning big smiles from the second years. "It's over, Suzuki-san. And that's not all…"

"Sorry we were late, everyone. We decided to make a detour to visit Miyabashi and Homura before arriving. As you can see, the gamble has paid off. Hoshizora was quite cross… but lightened up when she saw the company we brought."

The second years turned around to see a familiar face smiling at them. "Nozomi-senpai!?" Kotori asked, who nodded in return.

"Elichi is assisting Nico and Maki right now, I imagine…" The third year said, taking a few steps forward. "That brings our total… to twelve combatants, against just the three of you. Elichi will likely be finishing wrapping up things with Takamaki soon."

"Ha… well, I'm out for now, then," Emi said with a grin, shrugging. "What the fuck… that was fun, at least. You're all worthy of fighting her… but I don't think it matters," she said. "Even with twelve of you and one of her… I still have faith in her combat abilities. I think she'll win in the end…" Emi said. "… But what the fuck do I know? I don't even know what I want."

"Perhaps you'd like some divination to help decide?" Nozomi only half-joked, her cards hovering by her.

"Nah, I'm good… I think I gotta decide what's gonna happen by myself," she said. "I won't hinder any of you any more… I mean, for now, anyways. Just… give Jori-chan the fight she wants, alright, Kousaka?"

"… I will. Kotori…"

"「Kaze ni Notte!」" Kotori cried out, her Stand healing her friend's injuries. "Honoka… Remember, because of this, I can't just patch you up in the middle of a fight now…"

"Don't worry, I'll be good, Kotori-chan!" Honoka said, jumping to her feet and grinning. And Emi's grin widened.

"You… deep down want to fight her too, don't you?" Emi asked.

"Honestly… it's really weird. I've been fighting a lot, but for some reason, it feels like it's been months since I had a fight where I can go all out…" And she continued to grin. "So, I want to answer yours and Yanigihori's wishes with「All Star!」"

"Good…" She said, taking out her cell phone, thankfully undamaged by the barrage and sent out a text. "Get ready everyone… for the finale!"

"Second years, please, let's regroup with the rest of the group…" Nozomi said. "The finale will be starting soon… let's not be late."

"Should I… heal her…?" Kotori asked. "Despite everything… those are bad injuries…"

"Leave me be. These aren't fatal injuries, if you feel that bad about it you can heal me up later," Emi encouraged. "For now, go to your next concert! Put on a performance Jori won't ever forget!"

And so, the second years and Nozomi left her behind, leaving her only with her thoughts.

"… What I want, hmm?" Emi thought to herself. "Wouldn't that be a nice thought…"

STAND: Lucille

USER: Emi Suzuki

STATUS: RETIRED

Nozomi took out her cell phone, calling Eli, frowning as it went to voicemail. She thought she'd be done by now. "Elichi, the second years already dispatched Suzuki by the time I got there. We're on our way now. With how big this complex is, it should take a few minutes…" She hung up, facing her juniors. "I thought that Elichi would have finished by now…" She said, her pace picking up, which the second years matched as well.

"Honoka-chan…" Kotori frowned as they four began to break into a light jog.

"I got a bad feeling…" Umi said, still in her transformed state, making their way to the other side of the storage complex.

"H-Honoka! Umi! Kotori, Tojo!"

The saw Fumiko limping towards them as they approached, their eyes all widening in horror as they saw her「Single Ladies」carrying two figures; an unconscious Maki and Nico, both of whom looked rather beat up.

"MAKI! NICO!" Honoka yelled in horror, rushing towards them. "A-are they breathing!?"

"Y-yeah! Just unconscious!" Fumiko explained. "T… they all beat Takamaki, b-b-b-but then…!"

"Where's Eli!?" Nozomi yelled, panic written on her face.

"S-she's still in there! With Rin! She's fighting… she's fighting that one…!"

In horror, the girls realized they should have picked up their pace a bit; they were indeed late to the concert. "Keep them somewhere safe!" Honoka demanded, earning a nod as the four sprinted forward.

They arrived in time to see Eli, clad in「Dancing on the Cieling」thrown through a wall. "ELICHI!" Nozomi screamed, rushing toward her dearest friend's side as the second years ran into the room. They saw Takamaki unconscious in a corner, and Rin stood there with「Cat Scratch Fever,」slightly injured and breathing hard but otherwise alright.

"Guys!" Rin yelled out, happy to see them. "W-w-w-we bit off more than we can chew! Even though they were all tired from fighting Takamaki…"

"Hey, you finally made it. I don't like being kept waiting."

Their blood ran cold as saw Yanigihori take a few steps forward, grinning at them. "So, you beat Suzuki too? Congrats… I guess it's really just me now."

Her stand was next to her. Standing at over six feet like her it towered even the other girl's Stands, it's skin a dark, deep blue. It was dressed in an outfit so like the Sukeban motorcycle delinquents they saw in anime and manga; a long skirt going near it's ankles and a school outfit with a long, red tie. But it also wore what appeared to be like an extremely large and heavy leather coat, hanging on its shoulders more like a coat, with messy blond hair not unlike its user, and red featureless eyes. In its right hand it held a flagpole even taller than it was, with a red flag with black writing in English: FIGHT OR DIE on one side, and STRENGTH FOR DREAMS on the other. "I was getting worried you were blowing me off for a moment there, Kousaka…"

The three second years felt their blood run cold in fear. The normally stoic Yaniighori grinned, her teeth bared in the process. "You and Ayase are the ones I've wanted to fight the most since the beginning… Don't let me down now, please, the adrenaline is coursing in every inch of my body. I need to let loose… And I don't think any of your other allies are enough. Please, I need this so badly…" It was a tone that was unfamiliar to Honoka from her brief experiences with Yanigihori; a desperate, needy, almost sensual tone that was aching for a release in physical combat. "You're not going to let me down, right…? Not after the last conversation we had…" Yanigihori asked, shivering in anticipating of the idea of battling with「All Star.」

"Ah…!" Honoka took a few steps back in fear. She's crazy! She thought, thinking of what to do next. But Nozomi stepped forward, making the decision for her.

"Honoka, Umi, Kotori, Rin; regroup with Homura, Miyabashi, and Hanayo," Nozomi instructed. "Elichi will probably regain consciousness soon, so let me hold her off for now!"

"T-Tojo-senpai!" Honoka wanted to protest, but Kotori but a hand on her soulder.

"Honoka, she's right. We… we need to regroup with the others right away!"

"How disappointing… Honoka, you're going to run off? I thought higher of you," Yanigihori spat, glaring.

"Oh, I'm absolutely going to kick your ass for what you did to Nico and Maki, and for kidnapping Hanayo! But my friend's safety is more important than your desire to fight, Yanigihori!" Honoka spat, her previous yearning for battle disappearing. "So maybe instead, you should prove to me that my time isn't being wasted!"

"… Alright, Kousaka. I'll have fun with Tojo until you're ready, Kousaka," Yanigihori said as the others ran off to regroup. "Tojo…"

"… I'm not afraid of you, even though I know I can't defeat you," Nozomi said. "It's all… as the cards prophesized, fate interwoven into destiny…" She said. "「Ace of Spades!」" She yelled, several of her cards flying forward, all easily deflected by the Stand's flagpole. Got you! But she had several cards fly around, trying to strike its side… "W… what?" Nozomi's eyes widened as she saw two shield-like appendages grow from its side. It changed shape!?

"I guess that wasn't really fair, to be honest. Yazawa and Nishikino were really tired from fighting Takamaki… Beating them wasn't that hard, and Ayase underestimated how much stronger I had become since the last time we met. When she comes back too, I want to fight Ayase properly too… her and Kousaka, more than anything else," she said, as her Stand grew four more arms, giving her there sets of limbs. "But I'll warm up on you, until then."

"If you so wish…" Nozomi said, recalling all her cards and stepping forward once more. "I will be more than happy to indulge you, Yanigihori-san."

This was a sacrifice, yes. Even though she had no doubt in her mind there was absolutely no way she could possibly win, Nozomi wanted to believe this was the choice her master would have made years back.

"This is a wonderland where adults are not welcome. Leave!"

Nozomi recalled her twelve-year-old self yelling in Arabic, standing up from her 'throne' in the abandoned mansion she called her kingdom, the other children stunned silent as the man approached, unafraid. This was a place no adult dared to enter, but he walked forward undaunted.

"Goodness… you've certainly created quite a mess here, haven't you?" The man asked, unafraid as he approached the 'devil Asian girl' that had become feared among on the streets of Cairo, even gaining the attention of the police.

"I built this place myself! It's a magic place without rules other than to obey the queen! And only children are allowed in… haven't you heard anything about me!? I'll… I'll kill you!" The young Nozomi yelled, her Stand aura manifesting as several cards of different decks floated around her, but the man was undaunted… and her eyes widened as an aura enveloped him as well.

"Hmm… no rules other than to obey you? You sound like quite the tyrant… I think you're in need of some discipline, young lady."

Nozomi smiled as the memories overcame her, a tear even falling from her eye as she thought to the days that changed her life. Master… would you be proud of the person I became? I'm not a devil anymore, and I'm fighting for the sake of others…

Despite knowing the inevitable outcome of the battle, she took a step forward with determination in her soul.

Master, Elichi, Honoka… I dedicate this battle to you all!

Next time on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!

Chapter 22: Yanigihori's Last Stand -Ferocity- (Part 3)

Stand profile: Emi Suzuki

Stand name: Lucille

Namesake: Kenny Rogers song of the same name

Actually real namesake: uwu (you know it or you don't)

Type: Tool Stand

Appearance/Personality: Lucille appears as an exceptionally large knife, one that is often nicknamed a "zombie-killer knife," somewhere between a large kitchen knife and a machete with a blade slightly over 9 inches long, with the Stand's length coming to roughly 15 inches with its handle. The bottom portion of the first half of the blade is serrated, and it comes up to a curved, extremely sharp tip. The blade has roughly four holes in it that seem to serve no practical purpose other than for aesthetics, and has a handle with green rope wrapped around it.

The Stand has no observable personality, simply being a tool for it's user to wield.

Abilities:

• Space-time ripping: Lucille has the ability to slice the air in front of Emi, allowing her to "cut" the air in front of her which she can then physically enlarge at will by physically tugging on it. In actuality this cuts through the fabric of space and time itself, allowing her to "enter" this rift in space-time she has created. When traveling in-between this rift Emi enters a state where she cannot be harmed, but cannot harm in return; she describes this as being "everywhere and nowhere" although this appears to be misleading; Emi must still physically interact with her surroundings to manipulate them, leaving her 'trapped.' For example: if inside a room with a closed door she cannot leave this room while traveling in-between torn space-time, as she is in a state of "invincibility" but cannot interact with her surroundings. However, this is still incredibly useful in waiting to set up an ambush where she cannot be detected. While her voice can be heard in this state, it comes across as an echoing voice with no discernible source, making it hard to pinpoint her location.

However, Emi can make small rifts in space-time once again to return to "reality." She can exit these portals fully or only partially, allowing her to deliver sneak attacks by quickly stabbing someone with only her arm reaching outwards, quickly withdrawing once she's done attacking. However, any attack that manages to go inside the portal during this time can reach her normally.

Futhermore, Emi can deliver a kind of "flying slash" with this technique, slashing the air that instead sends a crescent-shaped shockwave of torn space and time flying at the enemy. This attack appears to be extremely sharp, although she can manipulate it's lethality, and even when blocked by a Stand will likely deliver extreme damage by the law of a Stand and user reflecting damage upon the other.

Emi can only stay in this space between dimensions as long as Lucille is summoned. If she takes extreme damage and can no longer maintain her Stand or is rendered unconscious, she is immediately returned to the physical plane.

Stats:

• Destructive Power: A

• Speed: A

• Range: C (Emi's immediate surroundings)

• Precision: E

• Durability: E

• Development Potential: B

Stand profile: Umi Sonoda (Half-Awakened)

Stand name: Sleepy Storm

Namesake: Schiller song of the same name

Type: Tool Stand (Seemingly)

Appearance/Personality: Sleepy Storm in its current, incomplete state takes on initially the form of a blue rose, which then transforms into a bow for Umi to wield, materializing arrows out of Stand power to use against her enemy. The Stand itself seems sentient and calm, often giving helpful advice to its owner at certain situations and possesses extraordinary insight. However, as the Stand is only a fragment of itself at this moment it cannot manifest long enough to give more useful advice constantly.

As of the battle with Emi, the Stand has begin to progress further towards its true form, physically evolving as well. Umi now gains a dark blue armor around her dominant arm which is powerful enough to block attacks from other Stands, and even the bow appears to be more sturdy now, taking a blow from Lucille's space-time slash without taking any damage. A large third eye now manifests on Umi's forehead, a blue eye with a red sclera that takes up most of her forehead.

Abilities:

• Arrow creation: The signature, defining power of this Stand in combat is its ability to create arrows made of Stand energy to be fired from the bow. There appears to be no limit to how many arrows Umi can create, as long as she can stay conscious and draw energy to create more; as it comes from her Stand it comes from her own spiritual power, and excessive shots will leave her feeling weak.

• Velocity and Aim: The arrows shot by Umi appear to fly much farther than an arrow launched by a human girl of her build should be able to, and without losing velocity or impact speed. Furthermore, Umi's aim seems to be exceptionally improved as well, able to hit targets that are a great distance away and moving with terrific precision. With the Stand currently in a fractured state though, its full abilities and potential are unknown. As of it's most recent evolution, firing arrows does not appear to drain her stamina as much as it used to.

• The third eye: As of the Stand's half-completed form the Stand manifests a third eye on Umi's forehead, greatly increasing her effectiveness in using her arrows in spotting her target. This eye can move in a 360, free motion in any direction Umi wishes and can see through solid objects, such as the back of her head and other solid objects in the area. Its eyesight appears to be extraordinary, comparable to that of a hawk, essentially tremendously increasing Umi's range of attack as well, firing arrows that do not lose velocity form great distances away from her target akin to a sniper rifle. This eye also appears to be able to see beyond the physical and mortal plane, able to see Emi as she traveled in-between a rift in space and time.

• Viewing fate: Sleepy Storm appears to have an odd ability that allows it to see the weave of destiny itself, able to see that which may or may not happen; or perhaps have already happened in another time and another place despite not having happened in 'her reality,' which allowed Umi to see what could best be described as separate "scenarios" of history. The meaning of this skill, or if these "scenarios" even occurred at all is unknown, and Umi appears to be able to willingly access this power in its current state.

Stats:

• Destructive Power: C

• Speed: C

• Range: A

• Precision: A

• Durability: B

• Development Potential: A

Hey what is UP gaymers! I hope you've all been safe during the quarantines!

Man, it's been a while, huh? Throughout most of January I wrote a 45 page oneshot called School-Love!, a yandere oneshot for Gakkou Gurashi/School-Live! that took up most of my attention for that month, and then I took a writing break throughout February. Right when I was beginning to make some progress was when the COVID-19 quarantines began to happen, and I'm actually a receptionist at my family's clinic so I'm. Kind of around sick people a lot which was mentally not the great at first. As the other receptionist as asthma so I've been working full time... it's not bad, I got free computer access as long as it doesn't interfere with work; in fact, the majority of this chapter was written at work. I've just also been setting up an RPG campaign so I spent some of my time working on that...

But here we are! I'm sorry this has taken so long, with so few updates between the past 6 months in general. So here we are now with the second-longest chapter! And i'll admit, even before all this, I had some severe writer's block imagining how the fight would play out... I hope it was worth it!

We're living in extraordinarily uncertain and scary times. But it's not the end of the world; even if you get sick, don't give up, alright? In the end, we're gonna be fine. We might have a bumpy few months or even a bumpy year, but we're all gonna be alright

Keep that in your heart, and may every road take you a memory of Great Days!