[FFML] [fanfic][dark][Yotsuba&!] Pretty Neighbor 2nd Visit, Chapter 15: Asagi & Desperation

[Mythril Moth]

AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Sorry for the delay in getting this out. There were complications, primarily 
health-related. Plus some scenes wandered into this that I wasn't expecting.

This is the chapter where things get REALLY soap-opera-ish. Well, more than 
they already were.

Also, I've played a bit fast and loose with my limited knowledge of Japanese 
law here. Since this is a bit of a melodrama, just...ignore anything that 
doesn't quite mesh with reality, mmkay?

And now, without further adon't...

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ASAGI & DESPERATION

by Mythril Moth

based on Yotsuba&! by Azuma Kiyohiko

subsequently based on the "Pretty Neighbor" Yotsuba& doujinshi series

no permission asked or given

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Koiwai had barely been awake half an hour when the bell rang. It was an 
overnight courier, delivering a registered package.

Koiwai stamped the delivery confirmation form with his hanko, accepted the 
parcel, and bowed to the courier.

"What's that?" Fuuka asked, walking up behind him.

"Hmm..." Koiwai examined it. His eyes widened. "Oi."

"What?"

He pointed at the sender's address.

Fuuka went pale.

"Looks like they're in Fujiyama now," Koiwai said, grimacing. "Or were when 
they sent this." He opened the parcel and began pulling a veritable mountain 
of documents out of it.

"What's all that?" Fuuka asked.

Koiwai thumbed through it all, brow furrowing as he did so. "Hmm..." He 
nodded. "Yeah, I *was* kind of wondering about this stuff after the big 
blow-up."

"What stuff?" Fuuka asked.

Koiwai raised an eyebrow. "What stuff do you *think*?" he asked.

"How the hell should I know?" Fuuka asked. "Look, I'm more organized and 
responsible and less sloppy than you are, but I'm still functionally a kid 
and you're the only adult in this house!" She winced at that. "Oh god that 
sounded bad." Shaking her head, she amended, "Point is--"

"You don't know about all the paperwork stuff that everybody has to deal 
with, I get it," Koiwai replied, waving her off. "Yeah, that's stuff you 
only find out about through experience."

"Yeah," Fuuka replied, looking away, feeling ashamed.

Koiwai sighed. "Fuuka-chan, don't. This is just life in Japan. Adults have 
to deal with mountains of paperwork for every goddamn thing. A lot of it's 
pure bullshit, but that's how it works."

Fuuka sighed. "Okay." She gestured towards the stuff coming out of the 
parcel. "So, mind explaining it to me?"

"It's a big damn mess of bureaucratic paperwork," Koiwai said. "Oh--wait, 
wait, here's a letter." He unfolded it and read it, stone-faced.

"What? What do they say?" Fuuka asked.

"Just says what all they've sent me," Koiwai said. "Ayase koseki, notarized 
parental consent forms, transfer of registry, oh--they sent along all the 
marriage paperwork we'll need to fill out, that was nice of them..." He 
nodded. "They also gave me the number and address for the family attorney, 
because we're probably gonna need help sorting everything out legally."

"Which entails?" Fuuka asked. "I mean, I think I get the general idea, but 
I'd like to know exactly what's going to happen here."

Koiwai nodded. "Okay, basically, what all this stuff does, is it lets me 
marry you, then lets us change Ena over to my koseki, essentially legally 
adopting her, and..." He frowned, stroking his chin.

"What is it?" Fuuka asked.

"Hm? I'm just wondering why they sent their koseki. I mean, just moving you 
and Ena off the Ayase koseki onto the Koiwai koseki, that's all done by the 
registrar. It doesn't make sense, unless..." He shook his head. "But I have 
no legal authority to..."

"What?"

"Just a minute," he said, wandering into his work room and closing and 
locking the door. Fuuka could barely hear him, through the door, speaking to 
someone on the phone.

She started pacing, wondering why he'd locked her out and feeling slightly 
hurt by that. After what felt like nearly half an hour, the door unlatched 
and he came out, a vaguely bewildered look on his face. "What is it?" Fuuka 
asked.

"I have legal power over the koseki," Koiwai said.

"Which means?"

"I can't close it, I can't change any records concerning your parents, but 
any other changes I make to it are legally binding."

"Which means?" Fuuka repeated.

"Which means I can strike Asagi off the Ayase koseki." He frowned. "It's not 
easy to do that--I've never actually heard of it being done since before the 
war--but I'm pretty sure we have enough evidence of sufficient reason to 
delete her from the koseki."


Fuuka's eyes widened. "Which would mean--?"

"She ceases to legally exist."

---------------------------------

"EH?! You can delete Asagi?" Ena asked, eyes wide.

"If you're not registered on a koseki in Japan, then as far as the 
government is concerned, you don't exist," Koiwai said. "Back in the old old 
days, they used to do this to declare someone ronin, or stuff like that, but 
in the modern days, it just isn't done." He paused. "But if I can convince a 
couple of government officials just how dangerous Asagi is, I can probably 
get approval to delete her from the koseki." He smirked. "She'll have a hard 
time causing us trouble when she no longer legally exists."

"So, let's get going on that right away!" Fuuka said.

Koiwai shook his head. "First thing's first. We get our house in order. Once 
we've got you two legally on the Koiwai koseki, THEN we go after Asagi." He 
sighed. "Looks like I've gotta get out that damn suit I hate wearing..."

---------------------------------

Miura strolled out of the entrance lobby of her apartment building, humming 
to herself.

Five feet from the door, she ran into Torako.

"Miura-san," Torako said quietly, "I am truly sorry about this, but 
Asagi-sama has ordered me to abduct you."

Miura took a step back. "Wh-what?!" She started to break to the left, to run 
around Torako...

"Miura-san, if I fail Asagi-sama, you are aware of what will happen, are you 
not?" Torako asked.

Miura froze in place. "She'll kill Yotsuba-chan," she said softly.


Torako's eyes widened. "How...you knew?" she whispered.

"We figured it out that day, yeah," Miura said sadly. "By the way, your 
roots are showing a little today."

Torako reflexively reached up and fingered her short black hair. "That's how 
you knew?" she asked.

Miura shook her head. "The carpet, not the drapes."

It took Torako a minute to figure that out. When she did, she blushed. "Oh."

Miura sighed. "So I gotta get abducted, huh?" she asked. "What's the bitch 
up to now?"

"I am afraid I cannot tell you right now," Torako said. "But you will find 
out later today."

The younger girl grimaced. "Okay, let's get this over with."

---------------------------------

"I'm glad we got THAT over with," Koiwai said, exhaling tiredly.

He and Fuuka had rented a car and driven into the city to meet with the 
family lawyer, who had assisted them in filling out all the paperwork. Then, 
they had gone to the municipal building, where they were finally legally 
married, and submitted the documents to transfer Ena's registration.

"I'm sorry marrying me was such a chore," Fuuka said sarcastically.

"Fuuka-chan..."

"I'm joking, Kotashi. That WAS exhausting." She sighed happily. "But now, 
I'm really, truly Koiwai Fuuka."

"Yes you are," Koiwai said with a smile.

The attorney walked up to them. "Koiwai-san, you said there was one further 
matter to attend to?"

"Yes," Koiwai said. "Now that we've gotten the most important stuff out of 
the way..." With a sigh, he pulled another sheaf of documents and a compact 
disc out of his briefcase. "We wish to delete a certain individual from the 
Ayase koseki..."

The attorney's eyes widened.

---------------------------------

The bell rang. Ena answered. "Hayasaka-san," she greeted.

"Ena-chan...is Miura-chan here?"


Ena shook her head. "I haven't seen her all day."

Mr. Hayasaka looked nervous. "I was sure...I can't find her anywhere. If she 
shows up here, tell her to call, alright?"


"Of course," Ena said, slightly worried.

"Thank you."

As soon as Mr. Hayasaka left, Ena picked up the phone. "Jumbo-san? I'm sorry 
to disturb you, but Miura-chan seems to have gone missing. I'm not sure we 
need to worry yet, it's only been today, but keep an eye out for her, okay? 
Thanks."

Hanging up, Ena sighed. "Miura-chan..."

---------------------------------

The lawyer's eyes had bugged out as Koiwai and Fuuka made their case. 
"Whoo...Koiwai-san, I don't even know what to say. This is..."

"I know. Look, this bitch is completely evil, and we've got to screw her as 
hard as she's screwed us. And her parents seem to have realized that..."


"Yes, I think I'm beginning to see why they gave you legal authority over 
the koseki," the attorney said, face pale. "We'll have go to court for this, 
you realize. This may take some time."

"However long it takes," Koiwai said, absently squeezing Fuuka's hand. 
"Whatever we have to do to destroy Asagi, that's what we'll do."

"Well, now that you've taken care of the issues which prevented you from 
calling the police..." the attorney began.

Koiwai and Fuuka exchanged glances. "We're still apprehensive about going to 
the police," Fuuka said. "We have reason to believe we're being watched VERY 
closely. If that's the case, then if we call the police, she might abduct 
or...or kill someone close to us. Possibly even our daughter..."

The attorney sighed. "I can appreciate your concern, of course. Well then, 
I'll see about starting the court proceedings for deletion..." He looked up. 
"You're concerned you're being watched...is it possible Asagi-shi knows 
about this?"

Koiwai shrugged. "I doubt it. I hope not, anyway. If she did--"


"If she did, we'd already have gotten one of her little friendly calls," 
Fuuka muttered.

The attorney nodded, shuffling documents. "Then I will attend to this 
promptly...and as discretely as possible."


"We appreciate your assistance."

---------------------------------

"Welcome, welc--YOU!!" Jumbo roared as he saw who had walked into the shop.

"Takashi, don't yell at the customers," Jumbo's father called from the back 
room.

"This is no customer, Oyaji," Jumbo spat. He regarded the unwelcome arrival 
with absolute loathing. "You have a HELL of a lot of nerve--"

"Oh my, oh my," Asagi said, tittering lightly into the back of her hand. 
"And I thought you once had such a fixation on me!"

"Yeah, that was before I found out what you are. Get out."

"I...don't think you want to throw me out just now, Takashi-kun," Asagi 
said, striding into the shop and looking around, fingering a flower here and 
there. "You see, I need you."

"Go to hell."

"Mmm...not really an option," Asagi replied. "Now, normally I'd be just fine 
with never seeing your stupidly huge, obnoxious self ever again, but..." She 
favored him with a nasty smile. "It seems certain parties have found a 
particularly sneaky way to greatly inconvenience me, and I simply cannot 
have that."

"I can 'greatly inconvenience' you right now," Jumbo said. "How's a broken 
neck sound?"

"Like a life sentence in prison for you," Asagi said absently, examining her 
fingernails. "I had a different kind of life sentence in mind for you, 
actually."

Jumbo scowled, feeling a peculiar dread gnawing at his stomach.

"You see, my parents may have pulled a disappearing act, but they're still 
involved in my sisters' lives." She sighed. "They've given Koiwai-san 
everything he needs to make his happy little home legal."

"That's good, then," Jumbo said.

"I could honestly care less about that, but it's the other thing they did 
that annoys me," Asagi continued, frowning prettily. "You see, for some 
reason, they saw fit to give Koiwai-san legal power over their koseki."

Jumbo blinked, then grinned nastily. "Too bad for you, then, nonexistent 
bitch."

"Oh, he hasn't had a chance to erase me yet," Asagi said airily. "And he's 
not going to." She pulled her phone out, and spoke into it. "Torako? Bring 
the package inside, please."

Torako entered the shop, carrying a duffel bag. She locked gazes with Jumbo 
and looked away in shame.

"Now, listen carefully, Takashi-kun," Asagi said, striding up to the counter 
and leaning up into Jumbo's face. "I think it's about time a big, strong man 
like you found a wife. So, here I am."

Jumbo gave a snort of disbelieving laughter. "You're insane," he said.

"No, I'm desperate," Asagi said. "It annoys me that I've been forced to do 
something so vulgar as even be seen in the same room as you, much less enter 
into a legal marriage with you. But I have to act before Koiwai can delete 
me, and you're the only sap I can think of offhand that I can force into 
marrying me." She scowled, marring her pretty features. "FORCE into marrying 
me. ME! That Koiwai bastard WANTS to marry HER! EVERYBODY *LOVES* *HER*! I 
only seem to attract COMPLETE *FREAKS*!" She slammed a fist on the counter. 
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW UNFAIR THAT IS?"

"It seems perfectly fair to me," Jumbo said. "Fuuka is a nice girl who never 
causes anybody trouble. You're a twisted, psychotic bitch."

Asagi sighed. "You know, I really hate it when people remind me of my own 
flaws. I really do."

"Then get used to it. And while you're at it, get out. There's no way in 
hell you're using me to get out of checkmate."

"Oh my, oh my," Asagi said, tossing her hair. "Then I guess you don't care 
what happens to the little bokukko."


Jumbo felt a chill. "Wha..."

"Torako? The hostage, if you please."

"Yes, Asagi-sama." Torako unzipped the duffel bag, and extracted Miura, who 
was tied up, her eyes and mouth duct-taped.

"MIURA!" Jumbo cried. "Let her go, you--"

"Torako? If the next words out of Takashi-kun's mouth are not some form of 
marriage proposal, kill the girl."

"Yes, Asagi-sama," Torako said quietly. She shot a pitying, remorseful look 
Jumbo's way.

His jaw tightened. "I guess I have no choice. Asagi, marry me."

"Not the best proposal ever, but it'll do," Asagi nodded.

"Good, now let her go!"

"Oh, I don't think so just yet," Asagi replied. "Not until we take care of 
the paperwork and I'm moved onto your koseki. Once I'm Takeda Asagi by law, 
we'll let Ena-chan's little lover go. Until then, well..."

Torako sighed and stuffed Miura back into the duffel bag.

"I'll see you at the municipal building!" Asagi called, blowing Jumbo a kiss 
before walking out.

Jumbo heard his father babbling on the phone to the police in the back room. 
Sighing, he walked back, taking the phone from his father's hand. "There has 
been a misunderstanding. There is no emergency here. We are sorry to have 
troubled you." He hung up.

"TAKASHI! What the hell? What's the matter with you? They had a little girl 
tied up and were threatening to kill her!"

"And they WILL kill her, unless I do exactly what Asagi wants," Jumbo 
replied. "You have no idea what that bitch is capable of." He sighed, taking 
off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "And now on top of 
everything else, she's forcing me to betray Koiwai. DAMMIT."

His father's face was pale. "Takashi," he said weakly, "just what the hell 
is going on?"

"I'll explain later, Oyaji. Right now..." Jumbo grimaced, jaw tight. "Right 
now, I've got to go get married."

---------------------------------

"We're home!"

"And we're married!"

"And a certain someone in this house is named Koiwai Ena now!"

Ena smiled distractedly at her sister and adopted big brother. 
"Congratulations," she said, pacing by the phone.

"Well, don't be TOO happy for us," Koiwai said, frowning.

"I'm sorry, Oniichan. It's just..." Ena sighed. "Miura-chan's been missing 
all day."

Koiwai and Fuuka exchanged glances. "What?"

"Hayasaka-san came by earlier. He has no idea where Miura-chan is."

"Kotashi, you don't think--?" Fuuka asked, covering her mouth with her 
hands.

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Koiwai said, frowning.

The phone rang, and Ena picked it up. "Moshi-moshi? Hayasaka-san...I'm 
sorry, no, Miura-chan still hasn't...yes, I know. Don't worry, we'll find 
her. Oniichan and Oneechan just got back, and I'll call Jumbo-san and...and 
we'll find her. Just be patient."

Ena pressed the disconnect button, then connected to dial another number. 
She waited, fretfully...

After a minute, she frowned, hung up, and dialed another number. This time, 
after thirty seconds, she slammed the phone down in frustration. "Jumbo-san 
isn't home and the shop's answering machine picked up," she said.

"Call the police?" Fuuka suggested.

"Hayasaka-san already did. They don't consider a child missing until 36 
hours have passed."

"That's stupid," Koiwai said. Sighing, he untied his tie. "Let me go get out 
of this fucking suit, then we'll start looking for her. You stay here by the 
phone and...and keep an eye on Yotsuba."

"Okay, Oniichan."

---------------------------------

Miura awoke in what she recognized to be a love hotel. Her eyes and mouth 
had been untaped, but her hands and feet were still bound.

"I'll cut loose your hands, but not your feet. Try anything and you go back 
in the bag," Torako said.

Miura glanced up at her. "A love hotel? You're gonna rape me now, too?"

"Of course not, Miura-san," Torako said. "Not unless Asagi-sama orders it, 
and she has not."

"Probably thinks I'd enjoy it," Miura muttered. "So why the--?"

"Inexpensive and they do not ask questions."

"Of course."

Torako cut the tape binding the younger tomboy's hands, then placed a tray 
of rice balls and a can of warm tea in front of her. "Please," she 
instructed.

Miura nodded and ate, not too quickly but quickly enough given that she was 
starving. "So she's forcing Jumbo-san to marry her, huh?"

"Yes," Torako replied. "It is her only means of legal protection from the 
power Koiwai-san has been given."

Miura sighed. "Why didn't those stupid fucks just do it themselves?"

Torako eyed her coldly. "If you had a child...even one as evil as 
Asagi-sama...could you bring yourself to disown them?"

Miura thought about that for a long time. "I honestly don't know," she 
admitted. "But yeah, I see what you mean. Best to have Kotashi-niisan do it 
so they don't have to feel guilty, right?" Wiping her mouth with the back of 
her hand, she sighed. "Thanks for the food."

"Of course." Torako nodded. "Would you care for anything else?"

"Don't suppose I could get an ice cold Coke? I could really go for one right 
now."

Torako nodded. "I will return shortly. Please do not attempt--"

"Yeah yeah, I'll be a good girl."

A few moments later, Torako returned with two Cokes, handing one to Miura 
and uncapping the second for herself.

"Thanks," Miura said.

"It is the least I can do," Torako replied. "I am truly sorry for what I 
have done to you, Miura-san."

"Yeah, I know," Miura said, taking a swig of her drink and sighing. "It 
sucks so hard, what that evil bitch did to you."

"Yes, it does."

"So why don't you kill her yourself?" Miura asked. "Looks to me like you've 
had every opportunity..."

Torako grimaced. "I...cannot take a human life," she said. "I have tried to 
kill her, but...I faltered." She bowed her head, ashamed.

Miura raised an eyebrow. "You do realize, with that admission, you might 
have just guaranteed my escape."

Torako shook her head. "You will not escape. You will not have 
Yotsuba-chan's death on your conscience."

Miura sighed. "Yeah, of course not. I love the little fart too, y'know."

Torako smiled. "Besides, even if you DID escape, one of her other servants 
would reacquire you. And they would NOT be as accomodating."

"How the hell many slaves does she *have*, anyway?" Miura asked.

"At least four that I am aware of," Torako said, sighing.

Miura shook her head. "Damn," she said, taking another swig of her soda. 
"Does she have *ANY* weaknesses?" she asked.

"The only true weakness Asagi-sama has is that she tends to go berserk when 
she is reminded of how unwanted and unloved she is," Torako replied. "You 
heard her rant at the flower shop."

"Yeah. That was even scarier than that shit she said to Fuuka-neesan the 
other day."

"When she loses her composure, she cannot think as clearly," Torako said, 
finishing her drink. "But she recovers fairly quickly from such lapses."

Miura sighed. "So our only option really IS to try to kill her."

"She is human, Miura-san. She can die as easily as any other human. If you 
can truly bring yourself to commit that ultimate act..."

"After what she did to Ena-chan? Yeah. I want her to die."

Torako sighed. "I fear your protective attitude towards your lover will 
place you both in danger one day."

Miura shrugged, finishing her soda. "Much as I bitch people out for 
forgetting I'm a girl...I'm Ena-chan's knight. I'm her prince and her 
protector. I don't forgive anyone who hurts her."

Torako smiled. "You are an interesting person, Miura-san."

"Thanks." Miura stretched her arms over her head. "So, what now? And don't 
say sleep, I got enough of that crammed in that damn bag today."

"I have a few amusements," Torako said, rummaging through her handbag. "Do 
you play Battleship?"

"Bring it."

---------------------------------

Shortly after sunrise, Mr. Hayasaka's phone rang. "Moshi-moshi?" he asked.

//Hayasaka-san, this is Ena. Has...has Miura-chan come back yet?"

He sighed. "No, Ena-chan, she hasn't. You haven't had any luck finding her?"

//Oniichan and Oneechan looked all night for her until they couldn't stay 
awake anymore,// Ena replied. //I'd be out lookin' for her too, but I gotta 
stay with Yotsuba-chan. An' we tried to get Jumbo-san to help look for her, 
but nobody can get hold of him either.//

"Who's this 'Jumbo-san'?" Mr. Hayasaka asked.

//A good friend,// Ena replied. //He's big and kinda scary-looking but he's 
really nice and he's always prepared for just about anything.// She sighed. 
//If we could get hold of him...he cares about Miura-chan too, he wouldn't 
stop until he found her.//

"Hmm. I need to meet this person sometime," Mr. Hayasaka said. "But for 
right now, I think..."

//Call the police again, Hayasaka-san. And if...if we see or hear 
anything...//

"I appreciate it, Ena-chan."

---------------------------------

Ena sighed. "I'm scared..." She started to sniffle.

Yotsuba trotted up to her. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Ah! Yotsuba-chan, it's n--"


"Don't lie," Yotsuba interrupted, frowning. "You know I know better an' I'm 
sick of people lyin' to me--"

"I know, I know." Ena sighed. "Miura-chan's gone missing and nobody can find 
her."

Yotsuba's eyes widened. "That's bad!"

"Yeah."


"I'll help look for her!"

Ena smiled. "That's sweet, but you and me have to stay here and watch the 
house, and wait to see if she shows up."

"Oh. Okay." Yotsuba hugged the older girl. "Don't cry, Auntie Ena, it'll be 
okay."

Ena raised an eyebrow. "'Auntie' Ena?"

"Mommy said I gotta call you Auntie Ena now," Yotsuba said.

Ena giggled. "PLEASE, don't. I'm not old enough to be an auntie."

"But Mommy said!"

Ena rolled her eyes. "Do you even know what an auntie is?"

"Mmmm...nope!"

"Then don't worry about it. I'll talk to Oneechan and put a stop to that." 
Ena shook her head, giggling. "'Auntie' Ena my ass..."

---------------------------------

Late in the day, the paperwork was processed, everything signed and stamped 
and sealed, and Jumbo and Asagi were married.

"Okay, NOW do we release Miura?" Jumbo asked angrily.

"Yes, yes, we'll go dump the little yuri tot off at my dear sister's home," 
Asagi said dismissively. "I need to flaunt you to them anyway."

Jumbo sighed.

"Oh, don't feel too badly, Takashi-kun," Asagi said. "Just think of the 
lovely honeymoon we're going to have!"

The giant raised an eyebrow at his 'wife'. "You can't be serious."

Asagi narrowed her eyes dangerously. "You would spurn your bride, on the 
joyous day of our union?"

Jumbo shook his head resignedly. "I'm getting really sick of hearing you 
threaten to kill people I care about, so I guess not."

Asagi chuckled. "Good boy. You're learning."

"Bitch," he muttered. They reached the truck, and found Miura sitting in the 
back, unharmed and looking vaguely grumpy. "Miura-chan, you okay?" Jumbo 
asked.

"Yeah yeah, they didn't hurt me," Miura said. "Torako-san kicked my ass at 
Battleship a couple times, but other than that..."

"You see, a~na~ta? Just for you, I had my kindest, most accomodating servant 
entertain your little friend."

"How...*nice* of you," Jumbo grumbled, starting the truck.

"Oh, and Miura-chan? I know you're looking for a weapon back there. Don't 
bother. I had Torako clear out anything you could use to kill me." Asagi 
turned and smiled at her. "Sorry about that!"

"Che," Miura grunted. "I'd tell you to eat my dick if I had one, you stupid 
shit-eating cock-faced cow cunt--"

"Oh my, oh my! Such filthy language!" Asagi gasped, covering her ears 
delicately. "Why on Earth do your parents not wash that nasty little mouth 
of yours out with soap?"

Jumbo smirked. "You know, Miura-chan, sometimes I enjoy hearing the trash 
that comes out of your mouth..."

Asagi thumped him in the ear. "Brute."

---------------------------------

At sunset, everyone had returned home for a brief supper and a bit of rest 
before going out to search again.

Ena was standing on top of the property wall, looking up and down the street 
fretfully, when Jumbo's truck pulled up and stopped in front of the gate.

Miura climbed out of the back of the truck, looking sullen and angry.

"MIURA-CHAN!" Ena exclaimed, jumping down and embracing her. "We were all so 
worried, nobody knew where you were, what happened?"

Miura looked down and away. "Ena-chan...I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"They used me..."


The entire family had piled out of the house now, and were watching Ena's 
joyful reunion with Miura.


"Looks like Jumbo-san found her," Fuuka said, sighing with relief. "I'm glad 
we can rely on him..."

The driver's side door opened, and Jumbo emerged, walking up to the gate. He 
looked extremely unhappy.

"Jumbo-san!" Ena cried. "Thank you for finding Miura-chan!"

"Don't thank me," Jumbo said. "I have done nothing to deserve thanks."

"It's not your fault, Jumbo-san," Miura said, voice shaking. "They made you 
do it."

"Do what?" Koiwai asked from inside the gate.

Jumbo sighed. "Koiwai...I am truly sorry. You as well, Fuuka-chan."

"Sorry? For what?" Koiwai asked, concerned.

Jumbo bowed his head. The passenger side door of the truck opened.

Everyone stared at who emerged.

"Oh my, oh my."

Asagi walked up beside Jumbo and wrapped herself around one massive arm. 
"Now, now, a~na~ta! When were you going to tell your friends the happy 
news?"

Jumbo remained stonily silent.

"Jumbo...?" Koiwai asked. "What...did you do...?"

"Oh, Koiwai-san! I thought I should let you know," Asagi said, smiling, 
"since you ARE proxy to the Ayase koseki and all...

"There has been a registry transfer. You should make a note of it."

"A transfer?" Fuuka asked, not liking where this was going.

"Why, yes," Asagi said cheerfully. "I believe you wished for Ayase Asagi to 
no longer exist, yes? Well, you've gotten your wish.

"From now on, you can call me *Takeda* Asagi." Laughing airily, she slapped 
Jumbo playfully on the chest. "Come on, a~na~ta! You can play with your 
little friends later."

Koiwai and Fuuka stared at Jumbo. Fuuka's face was drained of color. Koiwai 
looked furious.

Jumbo turned his back on them. "They were going to kill Miura," he said 
simply. "I'm sorry." With nothing further, he returned to the truck, which 
drove away into the twilight.


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Mythril Moth
www.mythrilmoth.net