a truly strange woman

   The princess watched the girl flip through a notebook as if she were searching for an answer to Hakaze’s question, which made her tilt her head a bit. What, was she following a script or something? She claimed to be innocent, but it didn’t sound like she even believed herself. “Are you sure?” she asked, ending in a smile. It was nothing to make a big case over by bringing in suspicions of guilt or innocence, Hakaze just found the girl’s actions a little amusing.

That being said, Ryouko was still polite. She was a cute highschool girl, after all. So when asked for her name in return, her hands on reflex shut her notebook, flipping it over to the cover. Taking a quick glance, Ryouko reads the title before her and remembers, looking back up to Hakaze.

"Ah...It appears my name is Ryouko Otonashi..?" Says the red head, once again giving an answer binded with uncertainty. 

By the time Hakaze references back to the birds, Ryouko has already forgotten. She looks unsure when the potential princess looks back to a flock birds. They looked like an unruly bunch, unlike the regular harm free pigeon you'd normally see. The other woman seemed to agree with her thoughts, as she began to speak about them in an almost alarming amount of detail, only confusing the red head more. 

     ”To do your treatment, of course.” The model’s frown deepened, gloss glistening from pouting lips. “One you desperately need, evidently.”

     Truthfully, she was entirely capable of taking the neurologist’s place. She’d not only integrated him into her plots to start, but also furthered his research by his end. To say that she could twist her altered self around her finger was no exaggeration should she obtain the tools she needed. Instilling forgetfulness was child’s play compared to wiping memories or developing programs, and she for one, was grateful.

     Afterall, should her former self gain back her identity, it could be catastrophic. Such should be reserved for when a carefully conniving plan had been masterfully created by the blonde’s despairingly brilliant mind. For the time being, it was merely a matter of gaining trust and choosing her words with great precision.

     ”Matsuda-kun introduced us yesterday, have you forgotten?” How tragic, she must have been utterly distracted by the love of her life to remember to write it down— ah, right, this is just a lie. “This was already explained but… I’m temporarily taking over your treatments as he thoroughly investigates this city. The name is Junko Enoshima, so please make sure to take note this time.”

     Without needing to worry about the other scampering off, the model began to walk in the direction she initially desired. It would be best to make the forgetful girl’s apartment the place she returned to whenever lost, so perhaps that should be their first destination. Then again, her own apartment would suffice as well… how blessed she was, having such sanctuaries. In any case, a means to steal equipment from the hospital will have to come after.

Although her age range must have been similar to hers, it was as if this stranger was on another level--one more dangerous than her own. As warning bells went off in the redhead's mind she began to realize this girl was probably on a whole new plane of existence Ryouko wasn't even aware of. The type of girl you should avoid at all costs. Her very standing there had an impact, and as red eyes fixated themselves on to a darker, paler blue the indestructible fear was undeniable. She was captured. Without any means of rope or physical power, she was completely and utterly captured by the fashion girl.

 In situations like this, it was natural to run away, wasn't it? So then--why was she unable...? Why were these despairing eyes locking her in place? These were questions that would remain unanswered. All she could do know was watch the blondes mouth move, words flying past her until--

"Matsuda-kun introduced us, you know?"

What..?

Did she...Just now...

Matsuda-kun introduced us, you know Matsuda-kun introduced us you know Matsuda-kun introduced us you know Matsuda-kun introduced us, you know Matsuda-kun introduced us you know Matsuda-kun introduced us you know

....Could she be telling the truth? Ryouko could only hope. Her body was tense for a whole new reason now, her thumping heart beating to an alarming extent. It wouldn't be out of the question if the mentioner of Matsuda-kun could hear the sounds coming from in front of her. Her hope and nervousness were consuming her completely, shock resulting in her shaking body.

"D-d-d-d-d-did y-you....Matsuda-kun?!" Ryouko repeats the woman's words in her head what could be 100 times. The queries that racked her brain only piled up--Matsuda-kun knows this girl..? Taking over her treatments? More importantly, what was their relationship? Familiar words 'Have you forgotten' rang through her mind, triggering her hands to open the notebook she held as she flipped through the pages. However still, no hints revealed themselves. 

Ryouko Otonashi's notebook was the only thing she could trust. It never failed her, afterall. But this... all this information, none of it was written. By her own laws, that could only mean it wasn't true, right? But to say things like that...to say Matsuda-kun wasn't truly in this world with her--

She didn't have the heart to refuse it. 

Upon sudden instruction, she begrudgedly wrote the name eerily familiar down in her book.

[  Junko Enoshima  ]

As she scribbled the name down, the owner in question had already begun to move--leaving Ryouko behind before calling out to her one last time.

"Wait--wait for me!" 

   The princess looked around for anything that could be used as an offering but ended up just using a few coins from her pocket instead. “Tree within the tree…" she began and after the change in her hand been accepted and dissolved, Hakaze charged forward with her body converted to a silhouette of translucent, ethereal blue light.

   In an instant, she had grabbed the girl and moved them both to the other end of the street, leaving the pigeon flock suddenly confused and without a target. Hakaze lightly stepped to a standstill after her high-speed flight and steadied the girl, releasing her from the hugging embrace she’d carried her with. “Are you okay?” She looked her over a couple times to check for injuries, then removed her hands from her shoulders. “I’ve never seen that before. Did you provoke them?”

"Nooooooooooo!" It's a blood curdling scream honestly, probably resembling more of a bird squawk than a human being, as ironic as that was. Her eyes close shut as she accepts her cruel fate, and then--

"Huh...?" Is as much as she can get out in her drowning confusion. After what seems like an appropriate amount of attack time with still no hit, Ryouko allows her scrunched eyes to open. There are no birds in sight--and, to add to her shock, she finds herself in the arms of an unfamiliar woman. 

It was something she just couldn't wrap her head around. Had she managed to avoid the birds attack? Had she ran into this woman, then immediately forget running into her? She was no one she recognized, with long peach hair flowing by red eyes. Then again, she never really recognized anyone. 

"Wh--What's happening? Who are you?" Her voice showing signs of panic laced with confusion. 

The blonde could’ve sworn she heard her books and binders practically swimming through the notes she collected. It wasn’t embarrassing more than it was stupid— the nerve of those people! Making a cute girl like herself stand outside the harsh, cold hallway. Starving, too. (but that mostly because she skipped breakfast.)

Didn’t stop her from complaining though.

A pigeon flew by, and Usagi waved it off. If there was one thing that could’ve ruined her mood more, it was if she found a suspicious white pile on her new cardigan. Though, more pigeons began to flock by, to what seemed to be— an attack? On a cute girl too! Usagi ran to the other, her backpack sliding off her shoulders. "Oi! Go pick on someone your species. Sheesh." she continued to wave her bag wildly, until she was sure all the pigeons got the message.

"Oi!"

                                                      Apparently not! 

She cranes her neck, watching from her position on the ground as a blonde heroine figure with oddly familiar pigtails comes to her rescue. To others, the sight probably seemed ridiculous. One girl balled up on the ground, while another is warding off a dangerous group of pigeons. But to the red-head, it was a scene right from the movies! Soon enough, all hints of threats from incoming birds are gone and Ryouko could move safely once more. Once the lady in question regained her breath, she quickly opens Ryouko Otonashi's Notebook to write down the event that had just took place.

[  today i was attacked by a flock of birds i may or may not have offended! it was totally scary, but a blonde girl with funny pigtails rescued me! i am very grateful towards her. be sure to tell matsuda-kun this later! !  ] 

Reading over what she just wrote, she closes the book with a satisfied snap--then finally deciding to acknowledge the girl, looking up with starry eyes.

"Uwa! Just now, you were a lot like S*ilor M**n-chan! Amazing.." 

     It’s unexpected but engaging, inconceivable but exciting, a shock of unprecedented proportions capable of simultaneously instilling disbelief and thrill and fear— a brilliantly written plot twist!

     Before her eyes, without a single breath of effort on her part, was one such delight. With a permanent expression of loss that could only provoke the pity of others, the very definition of a tool strutted by ever so casually, her face nose-deep into a notebook depended on more than life itself.

     Seconds pass as Junko’s mind positively unraveled, understanding surfacing in sudden sparks as she blinked awestruck by the potential of this world, its technology, and herself. The more she watched her past form glance about in confusion, the more her heart began to pound in a mix of nostalgia and inspired brilliance. Much like a scientist having witnessed a phenomenon beyond modern explanation, she was eager, ready, and already filled to the brim with plots, hypotheses, and despair.

     It wasn’t so unfathomable! There was a machine capable of bringing back those who died, those of other dimensions, and even those of other worlds! That Junko Enoshima could be brought back from a time where she was in the midst of an experiment was not so far-fetched!

     The model disguised an uncanny laugh behind gleaming ruby nails, heels stepping towards the other girl before she could escape from sight. So many decisions to make, yet far too many questions left unanswered to make them. Therefore, her first priority is to seize her subject, determine what she recalls, and keep her utterly clueless.

     ”Hey, hey, hey! Ryouko-chan! What’s with you?” Pouting with a look of impatience, Junko waved over the other with urgency.

To Ryouko, a loss this immense was only comparable to death. 

But she couldn't give up! Despite the loss of her Matsuda-kun, she couldn't give up! In the depths of her beating heart Ryouko knew that her and Matsuda were meant to be, no power could deny that fact, alternate world or otherwise. Although she was scared, alone and presumably married, she couldn't lose hope. Matsuda-kun was her hope, her destiny! And though they may be separated now, with an innocent heart like hers--a heart filled with hope--things could be changed.

-- I want to meet Matsuda-kun. I want to meet Matsuda-kun. I want to meet Matsuda-kun.

With only that thought in mind, Ryouko walks with determination, flipping her pages of Ryouko Otonashis Notebook to various doodles of the boy in question. They aren't much, but they're enough to get her heart pumping for a different reason. Theres a lighter skip to her step now and she's just about to head home until someone calls out. 

  ”Hey, hey, hey! Ryouko-chan! What’s with you?” 

They're looking at me, she thinks. Dark eyes wrap her in, a pang of familiarity pangs within her chest and she shouldn't be making eye contact but it's something about those eyes that keeps her there.

"Ryouko-chan...?" Red eyes flicker to the notebook in her hands, closing the book and reading the title.

Oh! That must be me!

But why is this mysterious girl speaking with her, she wonders momentarily, skimming through the book to find any sort of description--though there's nothing to be found. What business did she have with her? What did she mean by getting worse? The questions sent the redheads mind in a tizzy, head filled with question marks. This girl...should have nothing to do with her.

"…….E-Eh? I-I—"

What had just happened? Had this girl just… completely disregarded everything she’d said?

"………"

Hive City held it’s fair share of strange inhabitants, sure, but this was something else entirely. As patient of a person as Chizuru was, it would be rather difficult to deal with someone with the attention span of a flea.

Or the memory of one, for that matter.

"Ah, um, hello. I’m Chizuru Yukimura. It’s nice to meet you. It seems as if I accidentally bumped into you a few moments ago— So sorry about that! I should’ve been looking where I was going."

She was introducing herself all over again… It felt strange, but it was necessary in order to help this girl out, right? That was all that mattered. …Would they ever see each other again after this? Briefly, Chizuru found herself wondering how this girl would be able to manage in such a big, bustling city, full of twists and turns. Maybe it’d be for the best if they stuck together for awhile…? It’d be nice to make a new friend, after all…

"Do you know where you are? I could give you directions, if you’d like…."

[ I frowned. I cursed my forgetfulness, then. I was surprised I hadn't written about this girl in my book! I usually write down almost everything in my book, so why not her? Did I miss her? Did I forget to write about it? Or, perhaps--

She just didn't matter?

Most people didn't have anything to do with me. But...I was already interacting with her now, and for the second time, apparently. It'd be bad manners to ignore her existence so suddenly! Or, at least, it'd probably be.

I opened my notebook and quickly jotted her name down, a small but decent description to go with it. Chizuru Yukimura. There.

After I had finished writing, I payed close attention to what she said this time around, hoping it'd stick longer. She had seemed to ask if I knew where I was--I at least remembered that.]

 Moving on to more important things—!

"I see, I see!! I have someone most important to me too! Is that boy your servant as well? I bet he is, isn’t he?" Why did Alice even sound so excited talking about this and why did she assume it was the same for others just because her most important person was someone she considered her servant? Who knows.

"S...Servant?"

[What? A servant she said, right? Did I miss hear? Did she say serpent? Either way, Matsuda-kun was neither of those things! He was too important to be any kind of servant! If anything, I'd be his. I'd do whatever Matsuda-kun asked of me, servant or not. Him being my servant made no sense to me at all. Him being a serpent made even less sense. 

I decided to brush that off. ] 

"W-Well, about love.."

"Yes! I definitely love him, with all my heart! He's the only one I can remember, after all."

While she gathered her thoughts, or freaked out, or whatever she was doing, he stopped to think for a moment. Matsuda. Matsuda…nope. Wasn’t ringing any bells. Not all that surprising, considering he still couldn’t tell Naegi and…that other kid with the ahoge apart.

Oh wait hey she said a thing. Leon raised an eyebrow at her.]

"You’d…die."

[That escalated quickly.]

"Look, I dunno for sure, my memory’s been kinda shitty lately and this place is huge— but I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen ‘im. Someone who’s been here longer mighta seen him."

[Damn, how devoted was she? Or maybe “obsessed” was a better word. Like, yeah, she couldn’t find this Matsuda guy and that really sucked. Leon could understand that. What he didn’t understand was her dedication to finding him, her apparent belief that she couldn’t live without him.

Frankly, he thought it was kind of pathetic.]

There were a lot of things I could ponder at this moment, a lot of questions I could think about--but none of them would do me any good. When did breathing become difficult wasn't the question.   All I knew now was that my head was hot, and the only noises I could make were those of a dying bird.

It took me a while to remember how to speak properly.]

"N..n..."

[My book was held tightly against my chest, as I let out shaky breaths. I didn't bother writing anything down. How could I? I hadn't learned anything valuable. Nothing about Matsuda-kuns location, nothing about whether he may even be here--

My stomach churned and I felt sick. It took most of my strength not to collapse right in front of the other.

Holding on to one piece of hope....really was a difficult task.]

"You really...haven't seen him then..."

[I managed to breathe out the words, my eyes staring down at the pavement, flickering to the mans on occasion. I looked at his face, I then realized. To put it simply, this man didn't understand at all. He didn't understand what I was going through...My saviour, My world, the boy I like the most--

The only one I can truly remember is gone.]

"I know..I know I need to keep looking, but I'm..."

"Hm, but how do you know it’s about me? Do you also draw my face or describe it somehow? If you don’t do that, someone else might talk to you and pretend it’s me and you will never know it’s a fake because you can’t remember!"

That wouldn’t be that much of a problem when it was with her, but if that happened with someone she was close to, this might really be dangerous in some way. God, it really had to be scary not even being able to remember a face and feeling like being surrounded by strangers. She really had to be strong to be able to endure that because Alice wasn’t sure if she could handle that so easily. Probably not.

Oh well. To be polite, I continued answering her questions.]

"Ah, well...I write small details about people I encounter, their names, and significant things about their appearance, so If I ever meet them again I'll probably understand."

"....If that were to happen, I'd trust my book. I don't think that happens often, but.."

[I put on a small look of concern.]

"I'd really have no way of knowing."

[I wonder if I realized before, what a disadvantage it was to have this book, to have this problem. Probably. Matsuda-kun is usually reminding me, anyway. But I shouldn't be thinking about that now. Her final question, was...]

Just, y’know, “fuck you and your posters in my face.”]

"That’s not what I—"

[Forget it.]

"Nevermind. No, I haven’t seen him."

I suddenly felt hopeless.

I wondered for a brief moment if this man could see me shaking.] 

"I..."

[ If I had to be honest with myself, I didn't know. I had no way of being sure if Matsuda-kun really was in this city. That was just me clinging to piece of hope. What else could I do but that?

If I didn't believe he was here somewhere, I wouldn't be able to go on. 

There'd be no point at all.]

"I....I don't know for a fact, but I have to keep believing! If he wasn't here I'd--"

[I'd die. I'd die I'd die I'd die.]

"I'd die."

Anyway. Normally Leon wouldn’t spend much time in sector oo5 at all, but he’d been relocated recently, and it was now his “home.” It was a welcome change from the ever-changing first sector; the shifting streets were a goddamn nightmare, even disregarding his faulty memory. He had enough issues with that, thank you very much.]

[Leon felt a lot more at home here, anyway, pushing his way through bustling crowds. Most of the city was like this, but the fifth sector had so many more people and, really, was probably one of the safest sectors to be in. No suffocating smog, a significantly lower risk of being shot…

Suddenly a piece of paper was shoved in his face, interrupting this train of thought. He stumbled to an abrupt stop and scowled at the girl in front of him.]

I wondered, for a moment, if this man could read. It was pretty obvious what I was doing, after all. The flyer clearly read "MISSING" in bold letters, with a (very good, if I might say) drawing of Matsuda below it. With this shoved in your face, it should be obvious what I'm doing right now! I'm on a mission to find my beloved! 

Maybe he couldn't see it properly? It was already pretty close...but, I shoved the flyer a little closer to his face. ]

"I'm looking for someone very important to me, his name is Matsuda Yasuke! He looks something like this, probably...Have you seen him?"

[I said quickly, a tremendous hope in my voice. I had gone through many people prior to this one, all of them either continuing to walk away and ignore me, or telling me they hadn't seen him. With every rejection, a sadness rolled through me. Though I couldn't let that stomp my spirits. I had never been this determined before! And although I was very determined, I was still just as scared for his answer as I was with the previous. If he said no, I'd have to keep looking. If he said no, It'd take even longer for me to reunite myself with Matsuda-kun..]

“Ah? This is yours?” Anyone could claim something that easily, it was like a role if someone was trying to hide from another. Looking at the item on the ground had he slowly bent over to retrieve just yet and once it was in his possession had the younger tilted his head at the female in such a confused manner. Was this something that she wanted back, more than likely. He didn’t have to hand it over for free, he could have just been negative with the whole thing and told her that since she didn’t have it in the first place that she didn’t deserve it. Though was Kano that bad for a person? He tried to think not.

His eyes staring at the black book one more time as he held it out to the female so carelessly, his hand held out in order to give it back. “Sheesh! How could you ever forget such a thing, is my question! Come to think of it, are you joking with me. To throw something at me like that, it’s so rude and uncalled for.” Though as she could have went to reach for it did the other snatch it back. Teasing her with her own item as if it was something she deserved.

After I had gotten my book back, he would have nothing to do with me anymore.

Still hurt from my fall, I got up wearily, ready to take back the book I had misplaced. I don't really remember how I lost it anymore, just that it was gone when I checked. I wonder, had this man stolen it? I tensed, for a moment. If he did, what was his motive? What could he possibly want with a high school girls notebook?! Just as I really was beginning to get myself riled up, I took a breath. I had no proof to give if he had taken it from me. In reality, he might not have taken it from me at all! Maybe........maybe a shady looking culprit had taken it, and this boy tried to save me!? And now, being reunited after that catastrophic incident, he was ready to return my book?!

That theory had gone out the window as soon as it had came. 

Just as I thought he was motioning to give it back, he snatched the book back, saying odd things as he did. ]

"I..I don't know what you're talking about..I just want my book back!"

[ My cries however were left ignored, as he talked over me. Throwing questions at me at a ridiculously fast pace, then answering them on his own. What a tiring guy. Already exhausted, I tried responding again. ]

"I-Inside that book really is nothing out of the ordinary, I think. Though it is very important to me!"

[ In all honesty, I had no idea if anything like that was in my book. I don't remember writing anything like that, or knowing anything like that at any point, but because of my 'problem' I obviously wouldn't. Though, a cute young girl like me knowing dangerous facts like that really sounds out of character, don't you think? Me, a terrorist?! ]

"And I'm really not a terrorist..I'm just a young girl!! Please return my book back so I can be on my way!"

[ And finally, for his last question--]

A hum leaving from his lips as he became indecisive on how to go about things, it wasn’t that he was bored and had many things to choose. It was just that he had so many opportunities in his grasp and he didn’t want them all to slip out through the cracks of his fingers. It was as if he was blessed with water from a divine intervention and here he was trying to hold it all but soon it was going to overflow. He was a greedy child and so he would raise his hands to his lips and indulge in it all. He enjoyed just this, and he would milk from it all just to hold some satisfaction. A light chuckle leaving from his lips as he paused in his steps, ready to mess with one of the people he grew to admire. Though this planned was stop as he heard something, as if thrown from behind him and done to hit him right in the middle of his back.

Turning quickly on his heel to see what was used as a weapon, eyes widening to see what true horror lied at wait. It was something unbelievable that brought a shiver down his spine, his body had went cold and the taste in his mouth had gone sour. It was hard to swallow since his throat was beginning to close up at the unimaginable fear that was laced before his eyes that brought over that since of shock. A step back and a quick gasp as he played off being offended, the attacker’s weapon was nothing but a notebook.

Who could ever be so cruel? Unbeknownst to him who could have done such a thing did the blonde walk forward and bend his person in grabbing the item a aimed for. Looking at what was in his hand, a notebook that was gifted with a pencil did the blonde open it so carefully, allowing fingers to grip at the end of every page that was littered with words. It was almost like a diary that just held a a lot of basic information. He didn’t see who had the time to write down all the easy things to remember or than again, it could have been someone getting rid of it because they held no use for it anymore.

The pencil now held left hand was used to scribble against once clean pages, adding in whatever that he felt was as of good use. It was his now and all he had to do was make good use of it. He was feeling a bit helpless today, he was a dirty person so why not write how dirty people felt? His sentences started off along with how the notebook went with its own.

✍ I’m so good with numbers, science, math I like. But I’m terrible with English, so I despise.

✍ My problems, my resolve, just can’t solve that homework.

✍ Can I read the blackboard written as clear as it can be? Can I read their mind? See that kid’s lost fantasy? Can I find the one who dyed their red heart to black? Hey, who could it be? Find someone to tell me.

It ringed through my ears as I tried to keep my breath steady. I was running desperately, as fast as my legs could possibly take me. I went by people like a hurricane. I felt sick. The worst, most despair inducing thing has occurred.  

My notebook has been lost. My trusted partner.

I needed to find it. That was the only thing going through my mind, the only thing pushing me forward. Where had it gone?! 

Where where where where where where where. 

Fear had filled me completely as my  feverish steps began to waver. How long had I been running? How long have I been searching for? Those questions ran through my mind. No matter. I wouldn't stop. I couldn't stop! I had lost my world--my memories had gone missing and without my book I--

I came to a halt as a shiver ran through my body. 

Matsuda-kun. My moments spent with Matsuda-kun. My memories with Matsuda-kun. My most precious treasures.

Gone. 

I had to find them! I couldn't--I wouldn't lose Matsuda-kun again! All my memories, I had to find them! I needed to protect my world! Like a chant, I whispered his name to keep me going. A fiery heat went through my body--escaping from my heart and reached every muscle inside me. It was if I had been regenerated. Reborn. My body had stopped shaking entirely, and my goal was clear.

I could do this. I had to. I--]

"Agh!"

[The sharp impact of running into someone resulted in my butt landing right on the ground.]

"Ow ow ow ow..."

[As I rose to my knees, rubbing my now sore bottom. It really did hurt...I wonder if the other person was ok? Ah--no, as cruel as it sounded, this person had nothing to do with me. Right now I had to focus on--

Ah....

What was I looking for again?

I thought hard, even pulling out one of my dramatic thinking poses, until I finally noticed. Looking down, was a black notebook, the stranger must have dropped it. On it's cover, I made out the words--A look of shock quickly spreading to my face as my voice raised to a yell.]