#celestialwrites

Hoshiko hazily looked at the “spell book” next to her, if it even was a spell book.

Hoshiko discovered a disturbing truth about her mother, Akane. Her mother’s naivete from her childhood never left her as she went to adulthood- the main cause her husband cheated on her. Akane was childish back then, always talking in riddles, and it eventually creeped out her husband. Hoshiko was disgusted by her mother’s behavior, but remembered that her mother’s childhood wasn’t all pink and rainbows.

Hoshiko sighed as she threw the book in the trash. True, Hoshiko was naive, but not like her mother, who couldn't tell the difference between fiction and reality.

Pathetic... 

It's been a month since she found out Ryuji was cheating on her. Hoshiko thought she could handle it, as long as he didn't divorce her. She was content with just being his wife-- or so she thought.

More days went by and it slowly gnawed a Hoshiko's heartstrings, seeing him out every night sleeping around with other woman. It hurt her, in more ways than she can imagine. Clutching the hem of her nightgown, she looked towards her phone and tapped twice, reading the time.

It’s 4 a.m... fuck, everything hurts...

She sighed and lied down on her bed. Hoshiko stared up at the dark ceiling, thinking of the many things she wanted; being held in her lover’s arms, kissed, touched, cuddled....

Feeling something wet on her eye, Hoshiko touched her cheek.

"Huh...?" Hoshiko touched her wet cheek, "T-tears...? I'm... crying again?"

Hoshiko whimpered. She put her hands over her wet eyes, and let the tears spill once more. 

She hated Ryuji, yet she couldn’t let him go.

///

A few days later, she and her husband were at the kitchen table, eating a rare meal together.

Ryuji, slightly concerned for his wife, asked, "Hoshiko, honey, are you alright?"

Hoshiko slowly turned to look at Ryuji. Hoshiko looked awful, having very obvious dark circles under her eyes, her skin very pale-- probably for the lack of sun. Her short hair was messy; as of it hasn't been combed in weeks.

Opening her mouth, Hoshiko responded, "I am fine."

Ryuji got up and leaned towards Hoshiko, checking her face a bit closer, "Are you sure...? You sure don't seem fine to me."

Hoshiko nodded. 

He's... worried for me now? Out of all times, it had to be now?

Ryuji sat back down, not satisfied with her answer, "Alright... remember you can tell me anything, I'm you're husband." Finishing his plate , he stood up and told Hoshiko, "I'm off to work! Also, later this evening we'll be going to a party. Make sure you look... presentable."

Hoshiko slowly nodded, her dark,empty eyes looking straight onto Ryuji’s bright ones. Ryuji smiled, "Well, I'm off!" and closed the door behind him.

He wants me to go to a party with him...? Maybe... maybe he wants to apologize...?

///

Hoshiko spent the day making herself look presentable. She was still depressed, but going to a party with Ryuji might just be what she was looking for.

After eating lunch, she took a hot shower, cleaning and scrubbing her hair and body. It's been a while since I last showered throughly... when was the last time I showered...? She couldn't remember.

After that, she shaved her body hair, as her legs and armpits were rather hairy. Not that she cared, but she longed for Ryuji to accept her, to truly love her. Maybe... maybe...

When she finished shaving, she began going through her closet looking for the right dress, shoes, and accessories to wear.

"What to wear... what would he like his woman to wear?" Hoshiko wondered. She began thinking what type of dresses he would usually like on a woman...

Wait, no, she shouldn't be thinking that. Not after everything he's done to her. Her family's business is going bankrupt, he's cheating on her, and...

Hoshiko shook her head. No, she didn't have time to think about this now, she had to get her clothes ready for the party.

///

After checking her closet for the perfect dress that evening, she finally made the decision to wear a long, navy blue dress, with small, glittering gems decorating the torso and the hem of her dress.

"Perfect," she smiled.

She laid the navy blue dress on her bed, and headed towards her dresser.

She sat down in front of it, and began styling her hair and putting makeup on her face.

However, as she cut her long hair a month ago, she had a hard time figuring out how to do her hair.

“I can only hope for the best now,” Hoshiko thinly smiled at herself as she styled her short hair.

///

It was 7 p.m., the time where her husband was going to take her to tonight's party. Wearing her long, navy blue dress, she walked down the stairs with a happy vibe, the bidders looking up at her in awe.

"You look beautiful, Hoshiko! Glad to see you happy!" said Baba eagerly.

"You clean up good! You don't look like trash for once!," exclaimed Ota.

"Ota!" Soryu glared at Ota.

"The kid's right," said Mamoru, "You look nice for once."

"Thanks guys," Hoshiko warmly smiled.

Ryuji coughed, interrupting the bidder’s interactions with Hoshiko. 

"You look beautiful Hoshiko, but it's time to go. We might be late at this rate," said Ryuji.

He called me beautiful...!

"Okay!" Hoshiko blushed as she grabbed her husband’s extended hand.

"Then let's get going then," he smiled.

///

At the party, Hoshiko was happy. Happy that she finally got her husband all to herself, with jealous stares and gushing couples looking at the married couple as they danced with smiles plastered onto her face.

Hoshiko was happy she danced with him, him treating her like the princess she was.

Her mood started to drop when he left her to dance with another woman much more prettier than her. She heard snickers from the group of girls 5 feet away from her. 

“Did you know? Her husband’s cheating on her with that girl!”

“So I’ve heard! I could’t care less, though, haha!”

“Don’t you feel bad?”

“Not at all! She doesn’t deserve someone as hot as Ryuji. With his neat hair and gorgeous hot body, ah~, he deserves someone better.”

Eavesdropping and the woman’s conversation, she turned to them and gave them a glare before walking away, hearing laughter.

She walked away from the crowd and went into the hall, trying to maintain calm, and tried telling herself, "He's just trying to be polite..."

He’s just being polite to the woman. You don’t even know who’s he cheating on you with.

Taking deep breaths, Hoshiko looked out the nearby window. The moon’s light shined onto Hoshiko’s face, showing her pity. Sighing, she looked back at the moon, putting on a brave face before searching for her husband.

It’s about time I confront him and come clean.

///

"What a scoundrel you are, openly cheating on your wife like this," said the beautiful woman dancing with Ryuji.

Ryuji scoffed, "If I were truly a scoundrel, I would've done much more monstrous things. She's lucky she has me."

The woman giggled, "Heh, does she know?"

"Of course she knows," Ryuji grinned, "do you want to get some fresh air?"

Ryuji stopped dancing and put his hand on the woman's back, and guided her to the balcony outside.

///

This is a really small mansion..., thought Hoshiko.

She tried finding her husband in the party hall, but he was no longer there. Her stomach turning into knots, she hurried out of there, determined to find her husband more than ever.

She continued walking through the halls until she spotted two people at the balcony.

Insticts took over her and she hid behind the pillar beside her. She peeked her head towards the balcony, squinting. She saw her husband, Ryuji, talking with that beautiful woman, the one he was dancing with earlier.

"How... how could he...," she whispered, tears threatening to spill. She concentrated on hearing their conversation.

"I love you, Ryuji... Let's run away together!" said the woman.

Hoshiko gasped, What... why is she...!

Ryuji lovingly looked at the woman, his warm brown eyes staring onto her.

A tear drop spilled onto Hoshiko's cheek. She furiously wiped it away.

I must contain my composure...! I have to stay strong!

Ryuji caressed the woman’s cheek in a loving manner. 

"I... love you too," responded Ryuji, smiling.

Hoshiko's eyes grew wide, anger surging through her.

The couple shared a hug for a brief moment, with the woman letting go first, "I've got to go now, see you tomorrow evening, my love."

“See you,” responded Ryuji.

She waved goodbye and left Ryuji alone on the balcony.

Having enough, Hoshiko made sure the woman left, and slowly walked behind Ryuji.

Taking a deep breath, Hoshiko made her way towards him. There was no other person in sight.

"...Ryuji," Hoshiko firmly said.

"...huh?" Ryuji turned around, surprised to see Hoshiko this close in front of him.

Ryuji's surprised expression returned to normal as he kindly stared at Hishiko.

What do you see in her...? Hoshiko felt her heart beat faster.

"What is it Hoshiko? Is there something wrong?"

Hoshiko took a deep breath. If only she had faced him sooner.

"I... Why... why are you cheating on me...?" trembled Hoshiko. She didn't want to cry in front of him-- no, she had to stay strong, for herself.

"Oh...? You found out?" Hoshiko felt Ryuji's aura go darker, "Why...? Haha, isn't it obvious, Hoshiko? I wanted to be the CEO of the company your family owns. Well, owned, pfft."

"Was that all I ever meant to you? Just a pawn? Did you even love me...? Every loving word you said to me... was that all a lie?"

Ryuji stepped closer and held Hoshiko's chin closer to his face.

Argh...!

“It was all a lie,” Ryuji grinned maliciously.

"So naive... to think I would fall in love with someone like you...! Haha, how pathetic." He roughly let go of her chin.

Eyes wide, Hoshiko couldn't believe the hideous words coming out of his mouth. Her emotions were getting out of control. She wanted to cry, oh so bad.

"What are you going to do now, Hoshiko? Cry away your problems? Ha, that won't work, Hoshiko. You're an adult. Act like it." snickered Ryuji.

"An adult...?"

Ryuji nodded, "Yes, yes, Hoshiko, time to grow up!"

"... I have...!"

"Hoshiko... honey, no you haven't! You have the same mindset as your mother: childish. You believe in those 'witch stories' your mother has told you? Trash."

"...! How did you know about that...!?"

"Your mother told me."

“... I don’t believe in them! A-and I’m not childish! Ryuji, I loved you...! How could you do this to me!”

"...Is that really going to work on me, Hoshiko? Your tears won't work on me, nor on anyone, it's useless.

“I never loved you, Hoshiko, get that through your thick skull, will you?”

Hoshiko looked down to the floor. Hearing this out of Ryuji's own mouth made things worse. She couldn't believe it, was she in denial the whole time? Yeah... that's it. Maybe this is just an eye opener for her. Maybe--

"Look, I'm heading back, I dunno about you--" began Ryuji. Ryuji suddenly stopped, a strong, yet delicate hand holding him back.

Hoshiko wouldn’t let him go, no matter how hard Ryuji struggled. Hoshiko’s aura turned threatening, slightly frightening Ryuji.

"Hoshiko... let go. Now." Ryuji warned.

He couldn't see her face, as she was still looking down at the ground.

"..."

Ryuji was roughly pushed back onto the stone balcony, hurting his lower back.

"Hoshiko what on earth--"

Before Ryuji could finish his sentence, he fell off the balcony, Hoshiko’s dark expression looking down at him.

///

Trying to maintain her rapid beating heart, Hoshiko quickly went back inside the mansion, making her way to a nearby restroom.

Inside, Hoshiko looked into the mirror. She looked like a mess-- her makeup was slightly, but notably, ruined. Her hands were trembling violently. She... really did it. She killed him off...!

I killed him off...!

Hoshiko fixed her makeup with trembling hands. He couldn't have survived that, no he couldn't have-- the fall was too high, no way he survived that.

Hoshiko washed her hands. That goddamn bastard should've never cheated on her in the first place. He would've still been alive, Hoshiko in his arms.

Hoshiko left the bathroom and headed towards the party hall. On the way there, she passed by the woman Ryuji was cheating with. 

Motherfucker would still be living if he chose me. I would've forgiven him! But he chose her instead of me! I hope she feels the desperation I've felt when I couldn't have him.

"Hoshiko!" someone called out to her. She turned to the direction of the voice and saw Baba with Ota.

"Hey, Hoshiko, where's Ryuji at?" Ota asked.

The godforsaken bastard is dead, Hoshiko thought.

"I'm not sure... last time I saw him he headed towards the balcony? I'm not sure," said Hoshiko.

"Are you okay, Hoshiko?" asked Baba concerned. Hoshiko sensed Baba trying to read her expression.

"Yeah, I'm fine Baba. Go on and find Ryuji. Tell him I'm going home if you find him." said Hoshiko. 

Baba hesitated and told Ota to go separate ways to find Ryuji.

I have finally gotten my revenge on the good-for-nothing bitch.

///

"Hoshiko!" Mamoru knocked on her door.

Hoshiko, a bit groggy since she fell asleep, opened the door, "What is it Mamoru...? It's 1 a.m. in the morning."

Mamoru never looked so serious, in the two years she knew Mamoru.

"You might need to sit down, Hoshiko. It's about... Ryuji."

Ah, so they found him dead.

Hoshiko sat down on the couch, inviting Mamoru to do the same. Mamoru sat down next to Hoshiko, sighed and looked into Yoshiko's brown eyes.

"Imma just go straight to the point. Ryuji's dead."

Hoshiko felt her heart beat fast. He's dead... good for him... haha.

"He... is?" Hoshiko said, pretending to feel sorrow.

Mamoru nodded,"I'm sorry."

///

The next few days passed by in a blur. With Ryuji's death, everything was chaotic. Good, as Hoshiko soon took control of her company once more.

Finally I could make some use of my business degree, she thought.

She also got her immense fortune back, and then something else.

The bidders were distraught with Ryuji's death. Although Ryuji handled the company very poorly, he brought in benefits from the auctions themselves.

Hoshiko knew about the auctions, but chose not to participate in such a thing.

Now with Ryuji's death, it seemed that his job as auction manager would fall onto Hoshiko's hands.

Hoshiko accepted it with a firm nod. The bidders promised her that they would teach her how to handle the auctions, and she would go from there.

All's well that ends well... except...

///

She would just get in the way! I can't have her meddling with what I do!

I need her to get away from me... if she doesn't I might as well become insane like her and talk nonsense! Haha!

That's it... I'd just kill her, simple as that...!

On a certain day, Hoshiko invited her mom out for tea, to celebrate Hoshiko's success.

"Congratulations, Hoshiko! I'm glad you came to your senses...!" Hoshiko's mother said joyfully.

"Thanks mom, I'm glad you're proud of me!" said Hoshiko.

Her mother giggled, sipping from her cup of tea, "Hmm, tastes weird..."

"Mother...?”

“Yes, Hoshiko?”

“How was dad like?”

Clunk!

The tea cup was roughly set onto the saucer, the air feeling tense.

“He was a weird man...,” began Akane with a tense expression, her forehead showing wrinkles as she thought hard.

“He kept a ton of secrets from me, books in a language I didn’t understand. Throbbed in his sleep... probably because of the guilt he had when he cheated on me,” answered Akane, grinning.

“He was still charming, though! In his own way, of course.”

“I see...,” responded Hoshiko meekly.

Akane sighed, “He deserved to die, like all other men.”

“...

“I’m going to go now, mother,” Hoshiko stood up from her seat, leaving her mother behind.

“Alright dearie, take care!” waved her mother.

Insane... useless...

///

"My mother's dead?" asked Hoshiko.

"Y-yes, you're mother died from an unknown cause. She wouldn't wake up this morning, no matter how hard we tried to wake her up. A doctor came in later that day and presumed her dead,” said a servant from her mother’s household..

Pretending to be shocked, Hoshiko managed an "Oh dear". She called off the servant and began making arrangements for her funeral.

"Hmph, finally. Now that she's out of my way, time to finally make my legacy,” she mumbled as she called to arrange the funeral.

///

“This will be the only time I’ll help... take this info for granted.”

///

Chapter 7 3/3 End

Finally finished, aaaaa! Sorry I haven't updated in week, haha but I’m back! Things have been getting rough in life but I’ll update it when I can!

“Would that be all for today?” the woman asked.

“…Yes, that’s all,” Eisuke said sharply. It didn’t faze the maid, despite him being cold. It would’ve bothered her back then, but now…

The maid, Hoshiko, bowed, and left Eisuke alone in his office.

Thump thump!

Eisuke sighed. He fell back onto his chair, clutching his heart. My heart… why is it beating so fast…

Eisuke shook it off and went back to work.

///

“Hoshiko! What do you think of this dress?” pestered Baba. Eisuke scoffed at Baba’s hopeless attempts to ask Hoshiko out on a date. Baba showed Hoshiko a rather revealing, maroon dress, to which Hoshiko thinly smiled.

“I-it’s lovely, Baba! Although I don’t think it’ll suit me-”

“I think it will suit you just fine, Hoshiko! Besides, I need to go somewhere where it requires me to have a date with me so-”

Eisuke, quickly becoming irritated with Baba, was about to say something when Hoshiko said, “I-I’m sorry Baba, I can’t tonight. I have a few things to take care of at home, so if you’ll excuse me…”

Hoshiko quickly left the penthouse, leaving behind a wide eyed Baba.

Ota laughed, “She rejected you, haha! Wow, maybe your lady skills are fading away?”

Baba gasped, “It can’t be! I’m still a handsome gentlemen! That’s what woman prefer nowadays!”

Eisuke chuckled. Heh, what a shame.

Mamoru groaned a bit, “Why are you guys being so loud?! I’m trying to sleep here.”

Soryu, sighing, closed his book, “Kishi is right; you guys are being too loud, I can’t concentrate on reading.”

Eisuke, seeing this whole exchange, felt relieved at Hoshiko rejecting Baba’s offer, and amused at the bidders teasing Baba. It made Eisuke feel… hopeful?

Thump thump!

Thump thump!

Argh, this again…? Wait… is this… is it because of Hoshiko…?

Eisuke began thinking. Whenever he thought of Hoshiko, his heart heated faster than normal, sometimes loudly thumping in his chest. He wondered if anyone heard him.

When did this begin? Eisuke couldn’t exactly pinpoint the date, but Eisuke had a bad feeling about this… or was this a good feeling?

Eisuke got up and began walking away from the bidders.

“Hey boss! Where are you going?” asked Baba.

“Somewhere,” answered Eisuke. The bidders looked at Eisuke’s back as he left the penthouse.

“Should we be concerned?” asked Ota.

“No, lets leave him be for now,” said Baba.

///

Eisuke sighed. He clutched his heart, his aching heart. The more he thought of Hoshiko, the more his heart throbbed, it pained him. He… he wanted to see Hoshiko.

He looked far into the distance, the direction where Hoshiko was living at.

“Argh… never in my life have I felt so… pathetic,” whispered Eisuke.

Why did that stupid woman make him feel like this…? So pathetic, so weak… This feeling… it’s… it’s… getting too–

Eisuke bumped into someone, snapping him out of his thoughts and began looking around him. “Hmm?”

Surrounding him were tall buildings and lights; a beautiful sight indeed. He could’ve enjoyed it better if he weren’t surrounded by… common people. It slightly aggravated Eisuke.

Eisuke began turning back, but as he was not accustomed to crowds such as these; he had a hard time getting through.

By the second he got more and more annoyed, as he kept bumping into people. When he finally thought he had escaped the crowd, he found himself in a dark alley.

Shit… I have to turn back quick, he thought. Just as he was turning back, a hand came up onto his shoulder.

“Heh, you look like a guy with lotsa money… Care to share you’re wealth?” said a man with a rather… built appearance.

Eisuke looked at the man and scoffed, “What makes you think I’d give my money to you?”

The man grinned devilishly, and reached into his pockets to pull out a gun. The man aimed it at Eisuke, who continued to keep a straight face, despite the man towering him. 

“Give me your money, now! Or I’ll–”

“–Shoot? Please, don’t waste your time, it’s pathetic–”

“Eisuke!” yelled a familiar voice. Brown locks bounced up and down as Hoshiko ran to kick the burly man from behind.

The man dropped to the ground, “Argh! You bitch! Argh–!”

Hoshiko held the man down with her shoe and aimed the man’s gun at him.

“I’ll let you go if you leave him alone!” Hoshiko threatened.

The man gulped, “O-of course! I’ll leave him alone.!”

Hoshiko grinned, “Okay, I’ll let you go! I’ll keep the gun, so you don’t get in anymore trouble, okay!” She lifted her feet off the man, and Eisuke had never seen a man run away as quickly as him.

Despite looking so strong, he’s a coward on the inside, really, Eisuke thought.

“Eisuke!” Hoshiko exclaimed as she ran toward Eisuke.

Thump thump!

“Are you alright?” Hoshiko asked. The moonlight didn’t shine so brightly that night, and Hoshiko never noticed how red his cheeks and ears were.

“I’m fine.” answered Eisuke. He walked away, turning his back at Hoshiko. Hoshiko stared at his broad back as he walked through the nearly empty streets.

“Well…? Are you coming?” Eisuke gestured.

Hoshiko smiled and nodded, “Uh huh!” as she skipped over to Eisuke’s side.

///

On the way back to the penthouse, the streets were no longer as crowded as they were before, to Eisuke’s relief.

“Say Eisuke, what were you doing out in the city?” asked Hoshiko.

“I was out doing business,” Eisuke fibbed.

“Oh, I see... Sorry for asking…!” apologized Hoshiko.

Shit, she apologized… she didn’t need to-

“…Although, I-I wish for you to not get hurt! Without me, you would’ve gotten-”

“-But I didn’t. Thanks to you.” Eisuke walked a bit faster, avoiding Hoshiko’s gaze.

Ugh... what am I doing, saying shit like that...

Hoshiko blushed as well, “…Your welcome!”

///

After walking Hoshiko to her dorm, Eisuke walked back to the hotel, meanwhile clenching his beating heart.

“Maybe this feeling isn’t so bad after all, as long as it’s beating for her.”

Thump thump!

Thump thump!

End

///

When Hoshiko got to the penthouse, she saw all the bidders gathered together discussing something important. The atmosphere was serious and tense; it was rare to see Baba wearing such a stern expression and Mamoru not sleeping for once. She headed over to the coffee machine to make Eisuke his favorite sweet beverage, pretending not to hear their conversation. 

“Who do you think stole the Queen’s Mirror?” asked Ota. 

“I don’t know, I’m looking into it; searching the place for footprints, anything the thief could’ve left behind,” responded Mamoru.

“Make sure to catch the thief quick, Mamoru,” Eisuke curtly said, “we can’t have more items stolen.”

Soryu nodded his head in agreement, “We can’t have a repeat of last time. The people will lose their trust in the auctions, and it will only be a matter of time when we get caught.”

The bidders all nodded in agreement. Hoshiko began walking towards Eisuke, giving him his coffee. 

“Thanks Hoshiko, you may leave now.” Hoshiko bowed at Eisuke, and left the penthouse, making her way to her break time.

So there’s a thief stealing items from the auctions? Hmm… I have a feeling it may not even be some silly old thief. 

Hoshiko thought to herself, and questioned whether to step in, or not.

///

Looking around for a table to sit, she looked towards a lone Hikaru, sitting alone. She headed towards him, giving him company. Hikaru looked up towards her and with wide eyes, he asked, “Hoshiko! Is there something you need?”

“Not really, I just thought I could join you!” smiled Hoshiko as she sat across from him, “You looked lonely, and eating with someone else could be really fun!”

Hikaru grinned, “That’s so nice of you Hoshiko, thank you!” 

Hoshiko smiled, happy to see Hikaru’s happy expression.

However, she felt a small hanging in her heart.

Why does my heart hurt…? Hopefully it’s not…

///

When Hoshiko’s shift at work finished, Sakiko, one of Hoshiko’s friends from work, asked if she was doing anything that evening. 

Hoshiko yawned, “Resting up for tomorrow! I’m a bit tired from running around too much, haha.”

“Haha, man Hoshiko, you should lighten up a little! Get out there and have some fun!” Sakiko suggested. Hoshiko laughed it off as she bid her friend goodbye and headed towards her apartment.

///

It was almost midnight. Hoshiko decided that she would try to investigate on her own, since she felt that the thief was not some normal thief, as she later heard from Mamoru he left no evidence. A perfect crime.

Tick tock

She stood up from her couch and prepared the items necessary for the investigation.

Tick tock

Whether or not she’ll meet the thief, she would be prepared to face him off, and report him to Eisuke and the rest of the bidders. 

Even if they have bought me from the auctions, over time they’ve done so much for me, in their own peculiar way. Despite being poor, this might be a way to pay off the huge debt, with small actions like these.

Ding dong!

The clock on her wall began ringing as her surroundings went from a moonlit blue, to a bloody red. 

It’s been a while since I’ve last done this, but if it’s to help the bidders, so be it.

/// 

The environment changed when she got out of her apartment, and it brought nostalgia to Hoshiko. She remembered how in high school she used to be a hero of justice– behind the scenes, that is. She discovered this weird world with a friend of hers, to only then discover that it could be used to spread evil– or to stop it. The duo dedicated their high school life to stop evil, and bring justice to those who have been wronged. 

This world also came with a cool disguise as well! It’s comfy and easy to fight in; if the occasion should arise for Hoshiko to engage in combat. It also gave Hoshiko a pair of night goggles, to hide her identity and to see through the dark.

As she walked through the ruined hotel, she began hearing running footsteps. She grabbed her gun behind her back and carried it, ready to shoot if necessary. This gun wasn’t a real gun, but in this world, anything is possible. 

She followed the faint sound of footsteps, and used her instincts to guide her way towards the running thief. 

Hoshiko began running after him, hoping to corner the thief.

I feel like he already stole an item– h-huh…?

Hoshiko began coughing as she ran into a cloud of grey smoke. She looked around her, and saw a figure heading towards the auction’s stage.

Got you now!

She ran towards the stage, but the room was all dark.

Argh! Where could he be? Wait, is he…?

Hoshiko heard a gun click behind her head. 

“Don’t move,” said the thief.

Shit. What to do…? Hoshiko bit her lip, calculating possible solutions to get out of this. 

“Heh, who would’ve thought that some tiny girl like you would come so close to ruining my plan…? Ha! How pathetic of me…,” laughed the thief. His laugh, his voice, it all sounded so familiar. Hoshiko couldn’t pinpoint who he reminded her of.

“Who are you?” she whispered.

Still holding the gun to her head, the thief snapped his fingers, turning on the lights in the dark room. He then faced her, showing a man with a skull mask. He took of the mask, revealing a familiar man with burgundy red hair and eyes, staring at Hoshiko. 

…H-hikaru?!

Hikaru laughed, “Kinda hard not to stare, am I right, haha!”

Her kind coworker is the thief!? And not only that, but he could navigate this… this world with ease? What…?

Hoshiko was more confused than scared at this point. Snapping out of her thoughts, she quickly kicked him in the groin, causing the young man to groan in pain. The gun flew out of his hand and slid across the stage.

“You bitch!” yelled Hikaru. He lunged towards Hoshiko, but she managed to kick him once more. Hikaru, now held down by Hoshiko’s boots, struggled to escape.

“How strong are you?!” Hikaru asked.

“My childhood friend taught me to fight. Plus, I was in gymnastics,” Hoshiko calmly said. She bent down to retrieve the item from Hikaru’s hip.

“I have a feeling we’ll meet once again. Hopefully it doesn’t have to be this way.” 

Hoshiko began running, hoping to find a nearby window. When she found it, she ran towards it, jumping from the tall building. She felt her blood rushing, a sudden thrill coursing through her blood stream. She landed on the ground with ease, and looked back at the hotel building she just jumped off of, amazed at herself.

Humph, even after all these years, I still manage to make a grand escape.

She smiled at herself, and headed back to her apartment.

///

Once back to her apartment, the sky went back to a beautiful moonlit night. Hoshiko felt disappointed in her coworker, but nonetheless, she felt thrilled. It’s been years since she felt this excited, and felt determined to go back to her days of justice. 

If only I found the time, Hoshiko thought. She sighed as she headed for a hot shower.

I’ll make up an excuse of how I found the item. I’ll decide what to do from there

///

End

I’m in love with Superhero/Villain AUs lol;; I loosely based this off Persona 3 and had some liberties to it so yeah haha

///

Two smiling woman faced toward the mirror; the old woman grinning as she fixed the young woman’s makeup. Taking a closer look at the young woman, it looked very much like Hoshiko, but with longer hair reaching down to her buttocks.

"All done, Hoshiko! Are you ready to meet your fiance?" the older woman smiled.

"Of course I am, mother! I've been waiting for this day since I was a little girl!" smiled Hoshiko. Her mother continued grinning, for this was the happiest moment she had seen her daughter.

"Alright, done! Come now, Hoshiko! You don’t want to be late to meet your future husband!"

"Alright mother!" Hoshiko smiled brightly as she walked towards the door.

///

When Hoshiko arrived to the place where she would meet her betrothed, she looked around for him, wondering if she was too early.

"I don't mean to seem desperate but... I can't say how happy I am to meet Ryuji again! It's been years... we even promised we would--," Hoshiko mumbled. She shook her head, thinking of her thoughts a bit too childish. She looked around, hoping to catch sight of him.

“Where is he...?”

After 10 minutes of waiting, a tall, brunette man came towards her, slightly sweaty from running.

"Is you're name Hoshiko?" asked the tall brunette-haired man.

"Yes, I am! Are you Ryuji?" she questioned.

The man nodded his head, "Sorry I was late, I had... a few errands to run, haha."

"It's fine! I just got here myself!" Hoshiko eagerly responded.

Ryuji sighed in relief, "Well, shall we head in now? We have a lot to catch up on. How long has it been? Ten years?"

Hoshiko nodded, "Yup! I'm so glad to see you!"

Ryuji smiled, "Me too."

///

After a few weeks of meetings and sending loving texts towards each other, it was already time for the couple to marry one another.

Hoshiko looked at a full length mirror, dressed in white. She twirled in her beautiful, white dress and giggled a little.

"Happy, Hoshiko?" said a voice behind her.

"Mom!" Hoshiko walked towards her mother and gave her a hug.

"You look so beautiful, sweetie! And so happy," she smiled gently at her, caressing her rosy cheeks.

Hoshiko sniffed, "Mom, you're going to make me cry!"

"Shh, save those tears for after the wedding! Come on! It's already time!" her mother grabbed her hands and headed towards the door where her husband would be awaiting.

///

On the aisle, Hoshiko slowly walked towards her soon to be husband. He looked so handsome in his suit, Hoshiko felt she paled in beauty compared to him. Ryuji took her hand as she climbed up the stairs towards him. They faced one another, seeing into each others eyes. Hoshiko looked into Ryuji's brown eyes, reflecting her smiling face.

Hoshiko felt a small stab to her heart. Her heart hurt just a bit; she wanted to cry. She shoved her feelings deep down of her heart, ignoring it and kept on smiling.

"Do you Hoshiko, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do." she smiled as she kissed her husband.

///

Weeks later, her husband was gone once again this morning. Hoshiko sighed, and got up from the huge, empty bed. She walked towards the bathroom to wash her tired face.

She rubbed her wet face onto the towel and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked... unhappy. Sure, she was with the man of her dreams, her relationship with her mother was fixed, she lived a happy peaceful life... what more could she ask for?

Hoshiko sighed and looked down. She tightly shut her eyes, keeping in the tears that would come out.

Suddenly she heard a knock from the door.

"Hoshiko! It's me, Baba! I have... to tell you something important."

Hoshiko quickly readied herself, "I'm coming!"

She got out of the bathroom and dashed towards the door. It wasn’t often that she got visitors.

"Good morning, Baba! How are you doing?"

Baba sighed and gave Hoshiko a wry smile, "I'm doing fine. Is it alright if I come inside?"

"Sure...!" Hoshiko replied, slightly worried for Baba's strange attitude. She gestured for Baba to sit down on the couch, to which he obeyed.

"I think... you need to sit down for this one Hoshiko. What I'm about to tell you isn't pretty."

"Okay...," Hoshiko sat down as well, facing Baba.

Baba sighed and fidgeted with his thumbs a bit. He looked into Hoshiko's eyes and said, "I don't know the best way to tell you this Hoshiko, but you're husband, he's... he’s cheating on you for various women."

Hoshiko clenched her fists, "V-various women...?"

Baba nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry."

"What prove do you have, Baba?" asked Hoshiko, trying not to burst into tears. If it was true, that would explain his absence. She hardly ever saw him...

Baba got out his phone, typing something into it. "Go to this address, Hoshiko, and go to room 369 at 8 p.m. tonight. You'll see I'm telling you the truth.

"W-why... why are you telling me this?!" mumbled Hoshiko covering her face, "You're his friend, aren't you?!"

"I can't stand by and watch you suffer like this not knowing what you're husband is up to."

Hoshiko looked up towards Baba, who began standing up.

"I'll take you to him if you want."

Hoshiko nodded.

///

Hoshiko sighed. She stood in front of the door, debating whether or not to barge in. Her hand was ready to knock; she looked at the number in front of her.

369...

She heard moaning on the other side of the door, which would normally make Hoshiko blush. But it didn't. She felt betrayed, angry, sad, and a wide set of negative emotions. She slumped down to the floor, grasping her hair.

Everything made sense to her now. She never had sex with Ryuji, thinking he was just shy and not ready to be intimate with Hoshiko yet. Ryuji was always busy-- or so he said. Tears began dripping down her cheeks, and to the floor as well.

She continued hearing the moaning getting louder; she wiped her tears away and stood up, walking away from the door and headed down to the car where Baba was waiting.

///

When Hoshiko got outside, it was pouring rain. She waited for her ride to come pick her up from this miserable place.

Baba arrived, and once she was ready, he drove off. he began telling her everything; how Ryuji only agreed to marry her to become CEO for the company her family owned, not for love, and how Tres Spades Hotel, the hotel Yoshiko’s parents owned, was close to closing.

Hoshiko's heart began to hurt again. A tear ran across her cheek as she looked to the dark, rainy road. Not only did he hurt her heart, but he’s hurting the company as well.

"I'm sorry, Hoshiko. I-I'd feel bad if I hid this from you. You're such a good person, stuck with such a rotten person like Ryuji."

Hoshiko didn't reply. She simply sat in the car, her mind wandering off to that memory, back from her childhood days with Ryuji.

"So that promise never meant anything to you, huh?" she mumbled.

///

Chapter 7 End

Just so you guys know, there’s still much to learn. This is almost nearly 1k words, and man, wow, might as well split it into three parts! Hope you guys enjoy future chapters! If you’re new to the fanfic, don't hesitate to message me if you want to be notified on future updates!

"He's cheating on me, mother!" Hoshiko whispered harshly. They were wearing elegant, yet simple clothes, just the right thing to wear when having tea out in the garden.

"Hmph, this was going to happen, whether you'd liked it, or not." said Hoshiko's mother as she drank some tea.

"Huh...? What do you mean it was going to happen?"

Her mother set her cup down to the saucer. "Hoshiko, since you're great grandfather started the Okouchi Company, your great grandmother, caught her husband cheating on her multiple times. Tired of his late night endeavors, she came up with a plan."

"A plan...? What type of plan?"

"Let me speak, child. Now, what she did was kill your great grandfather using an ax. Not just any ax, an ax with magical powers which would let her kill her victim without no one knowing it was her. Even if the evidence did say it was her, she would remain innocent."

"And what does that have to do with me, exactly...?"

"I'm getting to it, child, so silence.

Unfortunately for her, that ax didn't belong to her; it belonged to a witch. Your grandmother stole the ax from the witch, and after she killed her husband, the witch found out about her ax's whereabouts. She marched all the way towards your great grandmother's house and cursed her.

'Every man that you fall in love with will cheat on you; even the kindest of man.'"

"That... no, you got to be kidding me, mother. It sounds ridiculous. Magic doesn't exist."

"It does, child. But wait, there's more. Your grandmother is the reason why we kill our husbands. It's a tradition among Okouchi women. Imagine the benefits you could get! You could own the family company!"

"I can't...! Ryuji... he"

"Get a grip, child! Your father owned that company until I killed him. Then it went to his brother. Sadly, he chose to have no heir so the company was going to go to Ryuji, the best employee there, or you, his niece.

With Ryuji gone, it can finally belong to you! You majored in business, so this should be no problem for you--"

"Mother! T-this is too much to take in! I follow with what you say, but it's too wild! Magic doesn't exist!"

Her mother gave her daughter a stern look.

"Follow me," her mother said. Hoshiko followed her mother.

Inside her mother's house, there were lots of hidden passages that Hoshiko never knew about. The passages were cold and dimly lit, they needed a flashlight to see properly.

After what seemed like hours of twists and turns in the passages, they were in front of an old, wooden door. Her mother got out a rusty key and opened the door.

"Here... is where we keep all our magic books," said Hoshiko's mother.

"Magic... books?" asked Hoshiko.

Her mother nodded.

"My mother was the one who got all of this for not only herself, but for me and you. If we are to kill our husbands, we should do it without anyone knowing it was us. To do this, we practice witchcraft."

"That's horrible mother!"

"So what? My husband cheated on me! He must pay for it!"

"But mother! It's too cruel of a punishment! Even if he had hurt me, I-I wouldn’t do any harm to him!" Hoshiko wavered.

Her mother gave Hoshiko a grim smile.

"Hoshiko, child, you're too naive. It'd be best to kill him now than later; it'll hurt less later."

"No...no... I won't...!" Hoshiko said.

"Fine, do it your way. But just in case," her mother walked over to a dusty shelf and pulled out a small, blue book from the shelf.

"This book will help you create a potion to kill your husband, if you should ever need it," she handed the book to her daughter's trembling hands.

"I expect you to use it once."

Hoshiko sighed. With trembling hands, she gripped a pair of scissors, and cut her long brown hair short.

///

"Why'd you cut it, Hoshiko? Your long hair was so beautiful!" asked Ota.

Hoshiko laughed it off, "Sometimes change can be quite refreshing!"

"You look like a complete different person, kid," said Mamoru.

Hoshiko smiled at Mamoru. "Haha, maybe I am!"

“You look quite happy, Hoshiko. Did something happen?” asked Baba, slightly concerned.

“No, nothing... just found a cool book to read in my spare time! It’s amazing!” Hoshiko said while holding the small, blue book in her hands.

“Another thing, Hoshiko. If someone were to read this book, they wouldn’t be able to, it will only show blank pages.” said Hoshiko’s mother.

“Why can I read it then?” asked Hoshiko.

“Your ancestors were witches, even before your grandmother. Therefore, you are able to read it.

“Mind if I read it next, Hoshiko? After you’re done?” asked Ota.

“Haha, I’d rather not share this book to anyone.”

///

Chapter 7 2/3 End

Done with part 2 of chapter 7 lol. I’m on summer break now, so hopefully I get more time to write more fanfic. I feel like I’m making this fanfic a bit too much, but then I forget this has my OCs in it, soon haha, I dunno. I’m kinda sleepy so I’ll go get some rest now. Hope you enjoy!

"You look exactly like Ryuji!" gasped Baba. Ryuji....?

"It's kinda scary, a doppelgänger right in front of our eyes," said Ota.

"Could it be, Hoshiko, is this the reason why you..?" Soryu began.

Hoshiko looked at Soryu and began, "None of your business, Soryu. Eisuke's just going to do his job as my husband. Or fiancé, whatever the media will see fit," frustrated Hoshiko headed out the door.

Eisuke was baffled. Who was this...Ryuji guy? Could it be Hoshiko's dead husband that he’s heard of before? He left the shocked bidders behind as he followed Hoshiko to the car that awaited them.

///

At the party, Eisuke felt... like an outsider within his own world. Sure, this wasn't his world, but going to parties, events, and the like were his forte. He attracted people, he surprised people, he... was the spotlight. Now, he looked at Hoshiko, taking that all away from him. She was talking to men, and hid her cruel, hideous self from the public. Eisuke, of course, did the same back then, but in her case, she was the definition of fake.

She laughed with others, not bothered by men's lustful stares. When men made moves on her, she would dodge them with complete ease. When a man tried to touch her, she'd grab his arm, and laugh, giving the man chills down his pitiful spine. The man deserved it, Eisuke thought.

The Hoshiko in this world never ceased to stop surprising Eisuke it seemed. His Hoshiko was amazing in her own way; in a beautiful, goddess like way. He sighed at the thought of her, and once again was put in Hoshiko's shoes once more.

"Why the sigh? You're supposed to be having fun," Hoshiko snapped Eisuke out of his thoughts. She wore a fake smile, and it annoyed Eisuke just a bit. “You're not in any position to make that face at me, you know that, right?

"Dance with me, Eisuke." she commanded.

Eisuke truly wasn't in the mood to dance with Hoshiko, but nonetheless, he complied to her order.

///

Hours later, the duo went home. Once in his bedroom, Eisuke sighed and began undressing. He wished to know more about this Ryuji guy. All he knows is that he looks exactly like him, and that's about it really.

He let his clothes drop, and put on more comfortable clothes; his work clothes. Better than nothing, thought Eisuke. He would've slept nude, but due to the environment he was in, he'd feel uncomfortable and unsafe if something were to occur.

He lay on his bed, his head slightly hurting for overthinking too much about Ryuji. He wished he received answers on this. Just as he began falling asleep, he heard a familiar, velvet voice in his head:

Thee who has defiled Marie the Oracle, shalt experience a fate worse than Marie; thee who has the key to her heart, shalt be put to the test to seeth if be true thy loveth is truly real or not; if thy fail the test, thee shalt experience a fate worse than death.

///

Chapter 6 End

Shortest chapter I have written so far, but that’s because i want to write some good stuff for the next chapter lol. It’s gonna be great, I hope! The next chapter will explain Hoshiko’s actions and talk about Ryuji I hope you notice Ryuji is Eisuke’s other self in this world haha