Chapter 21&22

Chapter 21: Kurumi Tokisaki's Past

Hearing Kurumi Tokisaki's words, Izumi Kyoka's eyes widened slightly.

To her, it was almost unbelievable that someone in this world would willingly choose a path of darkness.

For Kyoka, all she found in killing was pain, and the deeper she went, the more despair she felt. Cut off from the world of ordinary people, she was left with nothing but a cold and fractured heart. This life had almost driven her to the edge of collapse.

But for Kurumi Tokisaki to say she willingly chose such a life?

"Why?" Kyoka couldn't help but ask, "Don't you feel the pain, Sister?"

"There was such a thing once," Kurumi replied with a slight smile. "But for the goal I must accomplish, such pain is hardly unbearable. Sometimes, you can even find a twisted pleasure in it."

"A goal?"

"That's a personal matter; you don't need to know," Kurumi said, gently patting Kyoka's head.

The real Kurumi Tokisaki was once just an ordinary young lady. Gentle, elegant, noble, yet approachable, just as she appeared.

Until one day, she encountered a crazed Spirit, nearly died, and was saved by Mio Takamiya, the Original Spirit. Mio claimed to be an ally of justice, labeling the crazed Spirit as an evil presence, and invited Kurumi to join her in the fight against this evil.

Being young and naive, Kurumi believed Mio, despite knowing little about Spirits or Mio's true intentions. Out of gratitude for being saved, she trusted Mio completely. And so, Kurumi absorbed a Spirit crystal and became the Spirit of Time.

Together, they defeated several crazed Spirits, and Kurumi firmly believed she was doing something righteous.

Then, one day, during a battle with the Spirit of Flames, Kurumi discovered the Spirit's true form: her long-lost friend.

She learned that all the crazed Spirits she'd been destroying were humans, transformed by Mio, the mastermind behind these tragedies. In that moment, overwhelming despair nearly drove her mad.

Enraged, she demanded answers from Mio, but in the face of this "Mother of Spirits," Kurumi's power was weak. Mio, still finding her useful, didn't kill her but instead erased her memories and cast her into the Spirit world, the "Neighboring Realm."

When Kurumi reappeared in her original world, she'd forgotten everything — even who she was.

But the power of her Tenth Bullet allowed her to recover erased memories. Using it on herself, Kurumi remembered everything Mio had taken from her.

For her friend, for the betrayal she'd suffered, to stop more innocent people from being sacrificed, and for the world itself, Kurumi decided she would kill Mio Takamiya.

Thus was born a vengeful spirit.

No matter the cost, no matter the scorn, no matter the loneliness or suffering, she would kill Mio.

Even if it burned her, others, or the entire world.

Even if it made her the most evil Spirit.

Yes, no one forced her to do this. No one tricked her into it. It was her own choice to walk this thorny, hellish road.

A path that would end in tragedy, a path few could understand, a path bound to draw condemnation. She'd accepted all consequences the moment she made her decision.

Retribution? Punishment? Judgment?

She would embrace it all.

"Let's go, Kyoka." Kurumi's smile was as gentle as ever. "It's time to leave this place."

"Yes..." Seeing that Kurumi wasn't willing to talk more about herself, Kyoka didn't push further, obediently following her.

Riding the elevator up, they quickly left the dungeon.

"Where are we going now?"

"First, let's find a place to stay."

The elevator reached the ground floor.

As the doors opened, they saw a man in a black coat, with a face pale as paper.

At the sight of him, Kyoka clutched Kurumi's clothes tightly.

The Port Mafia's Reaper in Black, Ryunosuke Akutagawa.

"Excuse me, sir, would you mind moving aside?"

After a moment of silence, Kurumi was the first to speak. "We're on our way out."

"You're Kurumi Tokisaki?" Akutagawa's voice was deep.

"Can you move?" Kurumi asked again, "You're in my way."

"Not until you answer my question."

"I'd prefer not to start trouble here." Kurumi sighed, "I'm not Kurumi Tokisaki. Satisfied?"

"I received a message from the Boss, saying that the command of my subordinate, Kyoka Izumi, would be transferred today to someone named Kurumi Tokisaki, and that this person was in the Port Mafia, planning to take my subordinate," Akutagawa replied. "If you're not Kurumi Tokisaki, then why are you with her?"

"Mori Ogai..." Kurumi felt a slight headache. "That old fox wouldn't let this opportunity slip by, would he?"

Upon hearing Akutagawa's message from Mori, Kurumi understood Mori's plan. Handing over subordinates was normal enough; with a superior's approval, a subordinate couldn't interfere.

But Akutagawa wasn't an ordinary person. Learning his hand-picked subordinate had been given to someone else, he'd surely come looking for trouble.

Mori wanted exactly this to happen. Akutagawa, the second-strongest gifted individual in the Port Mafia, was a perfect match for Kurumi.

At the drug factory, the combatants were mere regulars, unable to draw out Kurumi's full strength. So, Mori replaced them with someone capable of forcing her true powers into the open.

Through this battle with Akutagawa, Mori intended to analyze the extent of Kurumi's abilities.

And if, by "accident," she happened to die, Mori would be spared the worry of Port Mafia secrets leaking out.

"Such a troublesome man," Kurumi sighed inwardly, looking at Kyoka. "Sorry, Kyoka, it seems we'll have to delay going home."

---

Chapter 22: Battle with a Gifted Individual

"I am indeed Kurumi Tokisaki." Realizing Akutagawa wouldn't yield easily, Kurumi decided not to defuse the situation. "What do you want, Mr. Akutagawa?"

"Return Kyoka to me." Akutagawa cut to the chase. "She is my subordinate, not your secretary. Give her back, and I'll find a more suitable secretary for you."

"I'm quite content with her as is. There's no need for a change."

"It seems you misunderstand." Akutagawa took a step forward, stepping into the elevator. "This is an order, not a request. I'll ask one last time. Return Kyoka to me."

"An order?" Kurumi tilted her head, revealing her golden clock-like eye. "If I remember correctly, Mr. Akutagawa, you and I are of the same rank. You don't have the authority to command me."

A dangerous gleam flashed in Akutagawa's eyes as his black coat seemed to come alive, writhing slowly.

But in the end, he did nothing; the black fabric returned to stillness.

Ignoring Kurumi, he extended a hand to Kyoka. "Come here, Kyoka. That's not where you belong."

"No..."

"Hmm?" Akutagawa sounded surprised. "You're defying my orders as well?"

"I won't go with you," Kyoka's voice trembled slightly. "Sister helped me; I must repay her kindness."

"Having heard Kyoka's words, I believe you can leave now." Kurumi brushed aside Akutagawa's hand. "An ex who can't let go becomes a nuisance. Surely, you understand that?"

"Enough, Tokisaki. I'm only sparing your life out of courtesy." Akutagawa's voice was cold. "But if you dare insult me, I won't hold back, despite our equal rank."

"Oh my, so arrogant." Kurumi chuckled. "I didn't expect a silent hound to speak of manners."

"I am fully aware of my role as a hound. Cheap provocations are laughable to me."

Akutagawa's tone remained icy. "Hand over Kyoka, and I'll spare your life."

"Many have tried to kill me."

Kurumi raised her hand, and two flintlock pistols formed, one aimed at his chest. "I'm still here. Care to guess why?"

"The moment you fire, that weapon and arm will vanish. I assure you."

"Are you declaring war?"

"I don't enjoy tormenting the weak. With your powers, what could you even do?"

His coat rippled, transforming into a sharp black blade hovering an inch from Kurumi's forehead. "Stealthy powers rarely see the light of day."

"No problem. As long as I win."

"You think you can beat me?" Akutagawa sneered. "With memory reading? Hiding in shadows? Sending clones to die?"

"Then, shall we see?" Kurumi asked calmly. "Isn't this the purpose Mori sent you, to test my abilities? If so, let's skip the talk and prove it with action."

"The Boss merely informed me of Kyoka's command transfer. I came here on my own, to reclaim what's mine. If you hand Kyoka over, this ends for everyone's good," Akutagawa replied. "Whatever Mori's intentions are, I neither know nor care."

"I'm afraid I must refuse."

"Then there's only one way left."

Akutagawa retracted the black blade into his coat, turning to press the button for the elevator to go to the third basement level. "The victor shall claim command over Izumi Kyouka. No objections?"

"Perfect."

"Good."

The three of them descended to the third basement level in silence.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, they stepped into a long hallway.

Akutagawa was the first to step out, heading toward the faintly lit exit at the end.

"This is the Port Mafia's martial arena," Kyouka whispered. "Before I became an assassin, most of my basic training was done here. It's also the only place where ability users can spar without penalty from the organization."

"Sounds ideal—at least we don't have to worry about repair costs."

Seeing Kurumi still in the mood for jokes, Kyouka pursed her lips, worry etched on her face. "Akutagawa is an extremely dangerous man. I don't think fighting him is a good idea."

"Don't you trust me, Kyouka?"

"…No."

"How honest," Kurumi said, helplessly. "But I understand. Until now, you only know me as someone who can read memories, and that ability doesn't seem very helpful in combat."

"Please, don't push yourself. I'm grateful to you, so I don't want to see you hurt."

"But you don't want to go with Akutagawa, do you?"

"If it means you'll be safe, I'm willing to go."

"You called me 'sister,' so at the very least, let me live up to that title, okay?"

Kurumi patted Kyouka's head, comforting her. "Don't worry, I'm not as fragile as I look."

In truth, she could give Kyouka back to Akutagawa. After all, she didn't truly need a personal secretary.

In the original story, Kyouka was supposed to be Akutagawa's subordinate, eventually moving to the Armed Detective Agency to capture Nakajima Atsushi. After a series of events, she would leave the Port Mafia and become part of the agency.

But her intervention had altered the timeline. The mission originally meant for Akutagawa had now fallen to her.

In other words, because of Kurumi's presence, Kyouka had lost the chance to stand in the sunlight.

Handing her back to Akutagawa would be akin to sentencing this girl to a life of darkness.

Thus, whether from her own heart or out of guilt, Kurumi would not agree to Akutagawa's demand.

Emerging from the narrow hallway, they arrived at a vast martial arena.

The arena was spacious, ideal for ability users to hone their skills against one another. The ground bore terrifying scars left by powerful fighters.

Cracks, dark burn marks from explosions, deep cuts from blades…

Just these remnants of previous battles hinted at the intensity of fights that had taken place here.

Akutagawa pointed to the ring on the floor. "Shall we start now? Or do you need time to prepare?"

"Let's finish this quickly; I'd like to be done in ten minutes and make it in time for lunch."

"Allow me to remind you, my ability is specialized in killing. Once I make a move, I hold back for no one."

In a rare moment, Akutagawa cautioned her, likely due to her status within the organization. "Live or die, you bear the consequences."

"Thanks for the warning, though it was entirely unnecessary."

With a single thought, Kurumi summoned two flintlocks to her hands.

"Feel free to go all out. I'll go easy on you."