Episode 4: Fam | i | ly (Part 2)
(𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑵 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑰𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑶𝑳𝑼𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 - 𝑩𝑨𝑫 𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑲𝑶𝑵𝑮 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑳𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑷𝑼𝑻 𝑰𝑻 𝑶𝑵 𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑷) ∇∇∇
...
The air around them began to thicken as Tsugumi and Ao enter Dogenzaka, not with the clean tear of a Reaper appearing, but with a growing sense of malevolence, a distortion in the UG's very fabric. The purple glow intensified, not as a scan, but as an encroaching, oppressive aura.
From the alleys, from behind invisible buildings, from every shadowed corner of Dogenzaka, they emerged.
First, the familiar, yet terrifying, form of a Bigbanfrog. Its light blue body pulsed, its yellow eyes blazing with an unholy light, the blue tattoo-like patterns on its hind legs seeming to throb with power. This was the same formidable variant they had faced at the 104 Building, It let out a guttural croak that resonated deep in their bones.
And with it, a relentless tide of Mosh Grizzlies. These were huge, hulking Noise, far larger and more physically imposing than any they had encountered before. Their bodies were immense, made of jagged, shadowy rock and twisted metal, resembling monstrous bears with glowing red eyes. They moved with a lumbering, inexorable power, their heavy steps shaking the very ground of the UG. Each one was a tank, a force of destruction. There were at least five of them, their numbers overwhelming in their sheer mass.
This was no checkpoint trigger. This was the Game's final, brutal challenge. The "last challenge," as Uzuki had hinted.
"Mosh Grizzlies... and another Bigbanfrog," Tsugumi breathed, her face grim. Her body screamed in protest, but her mind was already calculating. These are high-level Noise, designed for attrition.
Ao's tired grin vanished, replaced by a look of sheer dread. "No way... This is way too many! And a Bigbanfrog?! We just barely handled one of those!" Her voice was tinged with despair.
But there was no escape. The Mosh Grizzlies began their slow, powerful advance, their glowing red eyes fixed on them. The Bigbanfrog coiled, ready to spring.
"Move!" Tsugumi commanded, her voice cutting through the despair. "Hah!" She opens her arms with fury creating two ball of electricity spinning around her, Tsugumi dashes forward to the Bigbangfrog throwing the balls of electricity at him.
The Bigbangfrog quickly moves jumping away avoiding the impact of the her attack, which make the balls slam into a wall and explode.
Ao, despite her fear, instinctively flared her hands with the vibrant orange of her Pyrokinesis Pin. "Alright, you ugly lumps of rock!" she roared, channeling her fear into aggression. "Let's see how much fire you can handle!"
The Bigbanfrog struck, launching itself again but now in a colossal, arcing leap, aiming to smash them both. Tsugumi immediately responded, unleashing a powerful Shockwave from her palm. The concussive blast hit the Bigbanfrog mid-air, causing it to wobble, but not enough to deter its trajectory entirely. It slammed into the ground just feet away, shaking the street, its yellow eyes burning with fury.
Ao, seeing the massive creature, unleashed a concentrated stream of fire from her Pyrokinesis Pin, directing it at the Bigbanfrog's face. The searing flames washed over its light blue body, causing it to roar in pain, but its thick hide seemed surprisingly resistant.
Meanwhile, the Mosh Grizzlies were closing in. Their lumbering steps were slow, but their immense size meant they covered ground quickly. Their goal was simple: to crush them.
"Spread out! Don't let them box us in!" Tsugumi ordered, her voice sharp. She launched another Shockwave, this time a wider, sweeping burst, that hit the nearest two Mosh Grizzlies. The powerful force sent them stumbling back, their heavy forms momentarily off-balance, grinding against the invisible street.
Ao, her Pyrokinesis still engaged, began to conjure fireballs, launching them in rapid succession at the advancing Grizzlies. Each fireball detonated with a boom, leaving scorch marks on the Grizzlies' shadowy forms, but they absorbed the hits with surprising resilience. These Dixiefrogs were built to withstand punishment.
One of the Mosh Grizzlies, ignoring the fire, reached them. Its massive, rocky paw, glowing red, swung down in a crushing blow.
Tsugumi reacted instantly. She couldn't evade it completely due to its size. Instead, she activated her Shockwave Pin, not as an attack, but as a defensive counter. She projected a precise Shockwave directly against the incoming paw. The forces met, and while the Mosh Grizzly's attack was slowed and deflected slightly, the sheer momentum still pushed Tsugumi back, causing her to skid across the UG. She felt a jarring impact, her body aching.
"T-chan! Are you okay!?" Ao cried, seeing Tsugumi stumble. She immediately diverted her fiery assault, aiming a concentrated stream of fire at the Mosh Grizzly that had hit Tsugumi, trying to draw its attention.
The Bigbanfrog, having recovered from Ao's flames and Tsugumi's Shockwave, launched another sonic scream, a debilitating wave of pure Noise energy aimed squarely at Tsugumi.
"T-tsk... What do you think!?" Tsugumi felt the scream hit her, a jarring sensation that tried to scramble her thoughts. She gritted her teeth, activating her Shockwave Pin again, creating a focused counter-shockwave directly at the source of the scream, disrupting its effect. She couldn't afford to be disoriented, not against these foes.
As Tsugumi managed the Bigbanfrog, Ao was being surrounded. The Mosh Grizzlies were slow, but their numbers were overwhelming. Two were closing in on her, their heavy forms blocking her escape routes.
"You! Get out of there!" Tsugumi yelled, her voice strained. She launched a Shockwave at the Mosh Grizzly closest to Ao, trying to push it back.
Ao, her mind racing, saw her escape route. She activated her Psychokinesis Pin. Instead of attacking, she focused on her own movement. She unleashed a sudden, powerful psychokinetic burst directly beneath her feet, a controlled explosion of invisible force that propelled her sideways, away from the encroaching Grizzlies, creating crucial distance.
"Phew! That was close!" Ao panted, landing several yards away. She immediately turned and unleashed a flurry of fireballs at the Grizzlies, trying to thin their ranks. The fire was effective, making their shadowy forms spark and crackle, but they were still coming.
The Bigbanfrog seized the opportunity. It launched a smaller, faster Bigbansprog directly at Ao, aiming for an attachment.
Ao, seeing the incoming toadpole, reacted. She quickly manifested her Psychokinesis Pin and intercepted the Bigbansprog mid-air with a sharp, invisible telekinetic shove. The toadpole was thrown off course, crashing harmlessly into an invisible lamppost.
"These guys just won't quit!" Ao grumbled, redirecting her Pyrokinesis to sweep a wide arc of fire through the advancing Mosh Grizzlies, trying to create more space.
Tsugumi realized they couldn't keep fighting defensively. The Mosh Grizzlies were too durable, the Bigbanfrog too persistent. They needed a strategic opening, a way to deal decisive damage. Her Shockwave Pin was excellent for crowd control and defense, but it lacked the raw destructive power to quickly put down such heavy Noise.
"Ao!" Tsugumi called out, her voice clear and urgent. "We need to focus fire! We take down the Bigbanfrog first! Its abilities are too disruptive!"
Ao nodded, understanding. "On it, T-chan!" She poured more energy into her Pyrokinesis Pin, preparing a more concentrated attack. Her hands began to glow fiercely, the air around them shimmering with intense heat.
As Ao charged her attack, the Mosh Grizzlies continued their lumbering advance. One of them, a particularly large specimen, lunged directly at Tsugumi, its massive paw swinging down.
Tsugumi knew she couldn't simply Shockwave it away. She needed to survive this blow to give Ao the opening. She used her Shockwave Pin defensively, creating a short-range, intensely focused concussive barrier directly in front of her. The Mosh Grizzly's paw slammed into it with immense force, but the barrier held, absorbing the brunt of the impact. The recoil still sent a jarring vibration through Tsugumi's body, but she remained standing.
"Now, Ao!" Tsugumi yelled, pushing through the pain.
Ao, having finished charging, unleashed a blinding burst of concentrated fire from her Pyrokinesis Pin. The super-heated inferno engulfed the light blue Bigbanfrog completely, its massive form shimmering as it was consumed by the intense flames. The Bigbanfrog roared, a final, agonizing sound as its body began to crackle and dissolve under the relentless heat. Its yellow eyes flared, then dimmed, and with a final shudder, it imploded into a shimmering cloud of light blue and purple static, leaving only faint echoes of its croaks.
"One down!" Ao gasped, exhausted but exhilarated. "Just the Mosh Grizzlies left!"
But the Mosh Grizzlies, though slower, were still a formidable threat. The remaining five advanced, their glowing red eyes fixed on the two Players. They were clearly enraged by the loss of their leader.
"Their numbers are still too great," Tsugumi observed, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her energy was critically low. "We need to finish this. We need to use it. The Harmonizer."
Ao's eyes widened, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "The Fusion Pin," she corrected, a tired, almost giddy grin on her face. "Our Fusion Attack. It's time."
Tsugumi nodded grimly. The Harmonizer Pin was a last resort, a powerful, combined psych that required perfect synchronization and immense energy. It was a gamble, but against this many Mosh Grizzlies, it was their only option. It also felt like a fitting end to this brutal Day.
"Ready, Ao?" Tsugumi asked, her voice low, a tremor of anticipation running through it. She knew the sequence, the shared intent, the phrases that would unlock their combined power.
Ao's smile widened, her fatigue momentarily forgotten, replaced by a surge of renewed determination. She clenched her glowing orange and blue hands. "Feel it! Now!" she replied, her voice ringing with confidence, echoing the familiar call from their previous use of the attack.
Tsugumi met her gaze, a fierce resolve in her eyes. "Disappear," she stated, her voice sharp, a final, deadly command.
The Mosh Grizzlies, instinctively sensing the immense, overwhelming power, lumbered to a halt. Their red eyes glowed with confusion, then panic. They let out deep, rumbling growls, but it was too late.
Ao, now glowing intensely, began to hover upwards, propelled by her Psychokinesis Pin. As she ascended, her hands spread wide, and with a titanic effort of will, she began to lift everything around the Mosh Grizzlies. Cars, invisible lampposts, chunks of the invisible street, even unseen rocks from nearby planters all rose into the air, swirling around the Mosh Grizzlies in a chaotic vortex of telekinetic energy.
The heavy objects hovered precariously, then Ao, with a grunt of immense effort, slammed them down onto the Mosh Grizzlies making the objects she throws become flowers and petals sharper like a blade. The Noise roared in pain as they were crushed under the invisible barrage.
Simultaneously, Tsugumi, now a blur of motion, her movements so fast she seemed to be almost teleporting, darted all around the chaotic scene. Empowered by the Harmonizer, she unleashed her Shockwave Pin with unprecedented force. She wasn't just projecting energy; she was becoming a living weapon. With every slash and every slam, she used her intensified Shockwaves to strike everywhere around with devastating force onto the Mosh Grizzlies. She was a whirlwind of concussive slashes, each strike adding lethal power to Ao's telekinetic assault.
The Mosh Grizzlies shrieked, their rocky forms cracking under the combined, relentless assault. They were being pummeled, trapped, and utterly overwhelmed. Their red eyes dimmed as their forms flickered, slowly dissolving into purple static under the sustained, crushing impact.
Finally, with a last, monstrous push of their combined power, Tsugumi and Ao disengaged. Ao gently lowered herself to the ground, landing gracefully on the left side of the now-clear crater. Tsugumi, her blinding speed receding, landed on the right. Both of them let out a deep, synchronized sigh, a release of every last ounce of their physical and psychic energy.
And then, with a final, blinding flash of light, the residual energy of their Fusion Attack exploded outwards from the cleared center. The last wisps of the Mosh Grizzlies vanished completely, atomized by the surge.
The silence that followed was absolute. No more red glows, no more yellow eyes. The Mosh Grizzlies were gone. The entire area around the Dogenzaka was purged.
Tsugumi slumped, leaning heavily on her knees, panting, the immense drain of the Dropdown leaving her utterly spent. Ao, too, was on the verge of collapse, her limbs trembling, her vision blurring. They had won.
Ao slowly pushed herself up, looking around at the cleared space, then down at her palm. The timer was still ticking. A mere 85:00 minutes remained, a stark reminder of how close they'd come.
"We... we actually did it," Ao whispered, her voice hoarse with exhaustion and relief. She looked at Tsugumi, a small, tired smile on her face. "That was... the toughest fight yet."
Tsugumi sighs, too tired to speak, but her gaze met Ao's, and in her eyes, there was a glimmer of shared triumph, a quiet understanding of the immense challenge they had just overcome. They had faced the Game's final, brutal test, and they had passed.
Tsugumi takes a picture of the Ramen place, with that ending the mission with 4/4 Checkpoints.
The mission was complete. All checkpoints found, all Noise purged, the order followed. For now, they were safe. But the exhaustion was profound, and the knowledge that another Day of the Game would surely await them was a heavy burden. They simply needed to find a place to rest.
Tsugumi and Ao stood amidst the lingering echoes of their final, devastating attack, their bodies trembling from the immense exertion. The air around them in Dogenzaka, once alive with the terrifying presence of Noise, was now utterly still. Their ragged breaths were the only sound in the otherwise silent UG.
Ao, still leaning heavily against an unseen wall, slowly lifted her dominant right hand. She stared at her palm, and a gasp escaped her lips, a sound of profound relief and disbelief. The glowing green numbers, which had relentlessly ticked down their precious minutes, were gone. The timer had simply vanished, leaving her palm clear.
Tsugumi, her own energy nearly spent, slowly raised her left hand, her dominant one. She too watched as the faint red luminescence on her palm, the constant reminder of their impending doom, flickered once, then dissolved entirely, leaving only her skin beneath.
A wave of overwhelming quiet washed over them. The ever-present thrum of the timer, a silent yet palpable pressure that had defined their every moment since the start of Day 4, was gone. It was a silence deeper than the absence of Noise, a true cessation of the Game's immediate threat.
"It's... gone," Ao whispered, her voice barely audible, thick with emotion. She turned to Tsugumi, her eyes wide, glistening. "The timer... it's gone, T-chan! Day 4... it's done!"
Tsugumi let out a long, shaky breath, her shoulders slumping not from exhaustion, but from the sudden release of a monumental burden. A faint, weary smug touched her lips, a rare sight which she hides with a sighs. "Hum," she murmured, her voice soft but imbued with an undeniable sense of triumph. "It's done. Day 4 is complete."
Ao nods grabbing Tsugumi's hand, jumping right on front of her with a smile. "Look at ya smuging! So cute~"
Tsugumi hisses taking her hand off Ao's grip "Quiet! What are you trying to do now!?"
Ao giggles shaking her head "Come on now! Let's get it! See? No shock, no fainting! We have the day off!"
Tsugumi hisses annoyed "Gah! Again with the day off thing!? You should focus on focusing on what may happen or to watch yourself for where you will end up falling down when you faint!"
Ao giggles, shaking her head again "Nonsense! Now let's get in! You promised, remember?"
Tsugumi becomes more annoyed "When did i do that? Don't you dare to put words on my mouth!"
Ao grabs her hand again, pushing her to the Sushi place "Come onnn! We are waisting time!"
Tsugumi groans and sighs "You are so stupid, I swear you will get me eraced. I already said i don't wanna!"
Ao giggles pushing her inside "Well, too bad I don't care at all, T-Chan! Come on! You will love this place!"
Ao pushes Tsugumi inside the Ramen place, The overwhelming relief was palpable, a tangible weight lifting from their shoulders. They had faced error, penalty, and escalating, brutal challenges. They had pushed their limits, fought through exhaustion, and synchronized their very beings. And they had survived. The absence of the ticking clock was the ultimate, undeniable sign of their hard-won victory and now it was time to rest up a little.
The moment the door swung shut behind them, the lingering smell of exhaust from the main street mixed with the rich, savory nostalgia steaming off the ramen shop's interior. Ao, focused purely on replicating a perfect memory, barely registered the transition.
"I told you, Tsugumi! This is it!" Ao chirped, tugging her toward two stools at the worn wooden counter. The counter itself bore the faint scratches and burn marks of decades of communal use, its surface glowing warmly under the low, orange lights of the shop. "My spot. Sit, sit! The vibe is everything!"
Tsugumi meticulously smoothed the creases from her outfit, refusing to concede to the establishment's casual air. "You pushed me. And the fragrance is assaulting. We are literally incapable of eating something nutrition or pleasure from here, yet you insist on this theatrical exercise." She perched stiffly on the outermost stool.
Ao giggled, bumping Tsugumi’s arm playfully. "Come on, T-Chan, what do you mean we don't get nutrition with a good bowl of ramen? We just put a bunch of veggies on it! Here, they serve everything à la carte so you can eat ramen the way you like the most! Isn't that amazing!?"
Tsugumi rolled her eyes, a sharp, quick movement. "Tsk.... I don't like to see you this excited about something so pedestrian. I hope that it is at least palatable...."
Ao leaned back on the stool, resting her elbows on the counter and propping her chin in her hands. "Ohoho, just wait, T-Chan. Your tongue will melt with the explosions of flavors! You know..." She giggled, her eyes twinkling as she studied Tsugumi’s rigid form. "You kinda remind me of my dad, Lan. He also used to complain about this place because he liked ramen a certain way.... Like his village way or something, traditional. But he ended up absolutely loving this place! He actually used to sit where you are sitting right now, you know. They say that only the man of the house sits on the first chair, or something.... Tradition, I guess?"
Tsugumi’s back went ramrod straight. She quickly stood up, the stool scraping faintly on the wooden floor, though the sound was too low for the living to hear.
Ao’s eyes widened with playful panic. "No-no no-no! You don't need to stand up, T-Chan! You’re just much of a leader for this team, hehehe~ You radiate authority!"
Tsugumi simply moved to the stool next to the first one, crossed her legs with an audible hiss of fabric, and let out a dramatic sigh. "What now? Why aren't they coming to get our order? Is this some sort of poorly managed service model?"
Ao giggled, waving her hand dismissively. "Now, T-Chan, this place promotes conversations and interactions between the client and the chef or employees. It's part of the vibe! So you have to call them."
Tsugumi narrowed her eyes, a sharp, predatory look. "So, they aren't doing their jobs properly."
Ao just shook her head. "That's just the rules, silly! I'll call him right now!" Ao spun on her seat, cupped her hands around her mouth, and called out playfully, her voice ringing with forced cheer. "Mister Ryu!? Woohoo?~"
From behind the curtain separating the kitchen, the figure of Chief Ryu emerged, wiping his hands on his apron. The kitchen beyond him, visible only through the slight parting of the curtain, was spotless, shining with stainless steel and the warm glow of cooking oil. Ryu was a stout man, radiating a patient, solid calm. He looked directly at the two empty spaces they occupied, their shimmering forms subtly distorting the light, and nodded slowly, a professional, welcoming gesture.
"Welcome, my good friends," Chief Ryu said, his voice deep and warm, He smoothly slid two empty ceramic bowls onto the counter in front of them, an effortless, practiced motion that bespoke years of routine. "What will it be? The signature Miso is my life’s work, but the Tonkotsu is pure comfort."
Ao beamed, leaning eagerly onto the counter. "Oh, the Miso, Chef! With extra spicy scallions, please! The one that makes your nose run?"
Chief Ryu chuckled, resting his hands on the counter. "Ah, a enjoyer of fire. You have good taste. A bowl of my ramen, shared with a fried It’s the perfect blend of elements hot, soft, sharp all working together. The warmth of the broth is the warmth of the soul, shared."
Tsugumi folded her arms tight against her chest, her lips pressing into a thin line. "It's a lipid-rich suspension served at an elevated temperature. And philosophizing over the nutritional value of a pork bone stock does not improve its caloric efficiency."
Ao shook her head gently, her smile unwavering. "Come onnn, T-Chan... You just have to enjoy the moment! Stop calculating everything!"
Chief Ryu paused, raising an eyebrow slightly at Tsugumi’s spot. He didn't seem annoyed, merely curious about her critique. "Efficiency? My friend, you miss the point entirely. Life isn't about efficiency, it is also a experience. It’s about the memory you make when you lean over that steam with your friend." He moved back to his prep area, beginning the intricate process of building their phantom orders.
Ao threw Tsugumi a significant, triumphant look. "See? It’s all about the experience, Tsugumi. Just listen to this, okay? Your mind is gonna blow up with nostalgia!"
Tsugumi sighed, whispering something too low for Ao to hear. "It's gonna blow up with all of this unnecessary nonsense.... How i will have get nostalgic on a place i never was on the first place?"
Ao immediately launched into her memories. "T-Chan, it's like nostalgia from the good times, not the place itself but hey... you know this place is practically my second home. We used to sneak out of class early just to grab a bowl here. One time, my friend Kim tried to hide her phone under the counter while she ate, thinking she could beat a record, and she dropped it right into the water bucket!" Ao dissolved into bright, clear giggles, the memory making her vibrate with energy. She turned to the Chef. "She cried for like five minutes! But Chief came out and gave her a whole new bowl, right? You’re the best Chief!"
Chief Ryu chuckled, the sound deep and rumbling as he poured broth into the first bowl. "Oh, the phone-dropping incident. A classic. That's why I always tell the young ones focus on the food, not the gadget. Life’s best moments don’t need a screen." He slid the first Miso bowl, topped with rich pork and those requested spicy scallions, in front of Ao. "That's why there's no such thing as livestreams, photos, or anything that isn't important in my humble place. You have got to enjoy the full, unfiltered experience!"
Tsugumi glanced at the bowl, then back at Ao, a cold, analytical assessment in her eyes. "Your recollection is excessively sentimental and lacks practical value. The efficiency of a waterproof phone model would have prevented the emotional distress you recall."
"That’s why you’re no fun!" Ao pouted playfully, bumping her shoulder against Tsugumi’s. "Don't just preventing the mess share the disaster too! We all chipped in to buy Kim a new one, and she cried more when we gave it to her than when she dropped the old one. That's friendship, Tsugumi! It’s messy and emotional and you wouldn't trade it for anything."
Chief Ryu, now placing the second bowl in front of Tsugumi, offered a gentle smile. "The bowl is ready for both of you. May your bond be as strong as this broth."
Ao raised an invisible hand in salute. "Cheers, Chef!"
Tsugumi spun the bowl a quarter turn, studying its composition. "Humph..."
Ao giggled, grabbing some veggies and putting them on both of their bowls, portioning them precisely. "Come on, T-Chan. It's just simple ramen, it's not a five-star meal. Here! Let's deal with that calorie problem!" She smiled. "I suppose it is the first time you eat ramen, right?"
Tsugumi sighed, staring pointedly at the bowl. "No.... It's not my preference. I prefer my dietary procedure."
Ao giggled mischievously. "Sunshine burgers and fries diet procedure, right?"
Tsugumi hissed, a sharp intake of breath. "I only eat at Sunshine when I am stressed out, alright? It's a localized comfort measure."
"Got it, Got it," Ao conceded. "We could order the burger-inspired ramen if you want, it's made for the young uns like us, hehe."
Tsugumi’s lips twitched. "Don't treat me like some junk food addict, alright? Let's just endure the noodle soup..."
Ao clapped her hands, ready to eat. "Now that's the attitude! Itadakimasu!"
Tsugumi rolled her eyes, but quietly repeated, "Itadakimasu...."
Ao grabbed her chopsticks. "Alright, let's start with mixing it all together."
Tsugumi squinted. "We aren't supposed to do that. It disrupts the careful layering of flavors."
Ao nodded quickly. "Just stay with me, you will see!" Ao mixed the veggies into the sauce on her bowl, soaking them thoroughly. Tsugumi followed her movements with precise, grudging motions until Ao stopped.
"Now let's eat," Ao declared, grabbing a large portion of the noodles, twirling them around the sauce and veggies, and eating. "Mhmmmmmmm~ It's so good! And so hot!~" Her eyes sparkled with genuine, intense pleasure. "Quick, T-Chan, the food will get cold!"
Tsugumi sighed, the sound thick with exasperation. "What an exaggeration...." She copied Ao, grabbing a small, careful amount of the noodles and eating.
Ao leaned in, waiting for her reaction. "Sooo?" She took another long slurp of the noodles. "Ohh, hot! Yet so good! Hehehe~"
Tsugumi’s eyes narrowed slightly, a small flicker of approval hidden within the scrutiny.
Ao’s eyes widened, recognizing the subtle shift. "A reaction! The flavors hit hard, isn't it?"
Tsugumi closed her eyes, swallowing carefully. "It's eatable. Nothing special... The textural components are well integrated."
Ao giggled, slapping the counter. "On other words, it's amazing! Tee-hee~"
Tsugumi took another slow slurp, covering her mouth meticulously with her hand. "No, it's eating manners, a thing you should acquire."
Ao took another large slurp. "Mhmmm~ hehehe~ when the food is good, we ignore the rules, you know?"
Tsugumi blushed faintly, taking a quick sip of phantom water.
Ao smirked, sensing the victory. "Super spicy, right? That's what hits the most, it's like a volcano on your mouth!"
Ao settled back, resting her elbow on the counter. "Like one day, when I was here with my besties... Tomika, one of my besties of course, liked a very cute guy but she was afraid of talking to him. We told her to confess her feelings, but she was afraid of getting rejected or something. So, one day when we were here, we challenged her to a truth or dare so she could admit it already! We asked her if it was true that she hated the guy, she said no immediately, hehe. Then we asked her if she, like, loves him, and she said no, so we asked her, what was the Truth then? She likes him or not? Truth or dare, and she said dare! We challenged her to say the truth or eat the special ramen with extra spicy! She was about to do it! But she ended up giving up because the special ramen with extra spicy literally kills your palate for days. We were getting ice cream after, so yeah, hehehe. They ended up together, crazy right?"
Tsugumi raised her eyebrows with a small, cynical smirk. "Emotional bribery, cleverly disguised as a social game."
Ao pouted, picking up her chopsticks again. "Come on, T-Chan. Sometimes you need a little push to get out of your comfort zone and learn new things." She smiled, taking another slurp. "You should never be afraid of expressing your feelings!"
Tsugumi ate more noodles, covering her mouth. "Keep your emotions for yourself. They are a waste of time. They impair judgment and lead to inefficient outcomes."
Ao playfully rolled her eyes. "You and your edgelord stuff. You are totally a goth!"
Tsugumi stiffened. "Stating the reality of psychological impact does not make me a 'goth,' girl."
Ao rolled her eyes playfully. "Okay, okay, 777 fan~" She giggled. "You know, you remind me of my bestie, Misako too. She is also an edgelord just like you, all 'society, you wouldn't understand' and stuff. You guys would be the best friends! Like, you would vibe with all my friends! When we win this game, we will meet all together in this place and have a good time! Ramen and good vibes!"
Tsugumi rolled her eyes. "In your dreams.... A highly improbable logistical scenario."
Ao leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Sooo... Are you enjoying it now? Be sincere..."
Tsugumi sighed dramatically. "As i already said... It's nothing special, just noodles... but the broth has a subtle, appealing depth."
Ao slapped the counter, giggling triumphantly. "YEAH!!! See? I told you it was good!"
Tsugumi hissed. "Now shut up, I am trying to enjoy a meal here."
Ao giggled. "Alright then, boss~ hehe~ This place is just wow.... I love the vibes, the people, everything it represents family and good times...."
Tsugumi rolls her eyes "Good vibes, good times, nostalgia, you sound like a broken record once more..."
Ao sighed as she took another slurp of her noodles and looked around the shop, her eyes calming down and filling with deep, satisfying nostalgia. The neon sign outside cast a soft, rhythmic glow through the window, illuminating the small, cozy space. Suddenly, her eyes locked onto the window table. Her body froze.
The bright, infectious light in her eyes snapped out like a blown fuse.
At the table sat four girls, their phones resting beside their ramen bowls, their laughter light and real.
Yumi, Kim, Misako, and Tomika.
The sudden, cold dread was a physical shock, turning the flavorful air into toxic dust in her lungs. She stopped breathing, her hands gripping the counter, the chasm between life and death tearing open.
"Hey? What is it?" Tsugumi noticed the absolute, chilling silence next to her.
A sound, raw and torn, ripped from Ao’s throat a shout of recognition and profound despair.
"Yumi! Kim!"
She launched herself around the counter, ignoring Tsugumi's hissed warning, charging toward the table. She wrapped her arms around Kim, squeezing her with a frantic, impossible desperation.
The girls screamed. Kim struggled wildly against her, a sound of pure terror.
Ao opened her eyes, tears streaming, looking down at Kim's face. The raw, animal fear in her friend’s gaze was worse than any Noise attack. "Waaaa! It's you girls, it's really you!"
"Hey, stop! What are you doing?!" Tsugumi was instantly on her feet, grabbing Ao's shoulders and forcefully pulling her away.
Ao blinked, confusion giving way to a manic, forced joy. The smile immediately snapped back into place. "Oh my god, it's you! Yumi, Kim, Misako, and Tomika! I missed you guys so much! I have so much to tell you! Guys!"
She tried to dash toward them again, but Tsugumi held her fast. The girls were now screaming hysterically, pointing fingers at the empty space Ao occupied.
"Ao, you have to cut it out! You're terrifying them!" Tsugumi hissed, her voice low and urgent.
"What are you talking about? They're my friends! They're just being dramatic!" Ao protested, struggling violently.
Around them, the restaurant patrons were staring, their faces twisted in judgment. The weight of their gazes pressed down on the two Players.
"Help! This old man is trying to touch us!" Misako shrieked.
"You pervert old man!" Tomika added, their words slicing through Ao.
Ao’s eyes widened. "Old... man?" She glanced down at herself, then back at the terrified group. "Guys, stop playing! It’s me, Ao! I missed you!"
Tsugumi’s eyes narrowed, wondering what was happening...
Chief Ryu, his face now grim and determined, burst from the kitchen. "What is all this commotion? Get away from my customers!"
The four girls immediately fled behind Ryu, pointing fingers. "Sir, it’s them! They’re perverts! The one in the hoodie just grabbed Kim and wouldn't let go!"
Ryu’s expression hardened, fueled by protective anger. "I wasn't expecting you two kind-looking persons to be perverts. This kind of behavior isn't acceptable here!"
"What!? What are you guys talking about!? It's me! Remember me!?" Ao cried out, utterly desperate, her voice cracking.
"They must be those old people who still act like young people!" one girl sobbed.
"Wha-" Ao's eyes were huge now.
"They do it so they can touch younger girls!" another cried.
Ao tried to rush forward again. "Guys, please, just stop! It's me! Ao!"
Tsugumi pushed her back firmly. "Hey! Stop being stubborn, they are actively trying to repel you!"
Ao turned on Tsugumi, looking at her with desperate disapproval. "T-Chan, please! Stop pushing me! They are my friends!"
Ryu moved with astonishing speed and strength. He grabbed both Tsugumi and Ao by their arms the contact solid and agonizing and shoved them toward the exit. "You two get out of this place! Now!" He threw them out onto the cold, hard pavement of the alley.
Ao stumbled back, collapsing onto her knees. Tsugumi regained her balance instantly, rubbing her arm, a flicker of shock in her steady eyes.
Ryu stood at the doorway for a moment, his brow furrowed as he scanned the empty space. He shook his head slowly, a mixture of confusion and disgust on his face, before returning inside.
"Well," Tsugumi said, her voice strained and thin, looking down at the distraught girl. "I suppose that answers whether or not we can interact with the living, and how the living now perceive us."
Ao didn't move. She stared at the pavement, the earlier light completely extinguished. Her face was locked in a profound, terrifying paralysis. Her best friends had not only rejected her, but they had screamed at her, seen her as a monstrous, repulsive, violating old man. The joy and self-assurance that had defined her entire life were utterly shattered by the realization that her existence was now a source of disgust and fear.
"Hey?" Tsugumi asked, the raw, uncomfortable gravity in her voice deepening. "Are you alright?"
Ao remained silent, motionless, the trauma of her total, grotesque erasure settling over her like a shroud.
To Be Continued....
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