Uzuki: It's a demon-banishing charm. I'll give it to you.
With strength born of panic, I reach my right hand under my pillow and search.
Last night's dream wasn't so bad, and I had my doubts, so I hadn't pasted them in the room's four corners, like she told me, but...
Under there, the ones last night from Uzuki-san...
Kei: I'm telling you to stop!!
I pull them out with my groping hand, and with my palm flat, strike out at Nozomi-chan.
An eye-burning flash.
A crackling light like a static discharge encircles my body, and I cower in surprise.
Kei: ---
Even as I brace myself, there is no shock, no impact, and no pain.
All I feel is the crumpled paper in my palm crumbling into dust.
I don't really understand, but that charm is the real thing, with a real effect. Uzuki-san is amazing---
---Then, like the aftermath of a burst firecracker, I catch a metallic scent in my nose, and I pull myself out of my meandering thoughts.
For a situation like this, I can't just space out like I always do.
I don't feel Mikage-chan's fingers touching my face.
Strength is returning to my hands and feet.
I can escape.
As I realize that I regained my freedom, I quickly survey every direction.
Nozomi-chan and Mikage-chan were both moved several steps away.
Nozomi: To think you'd be hiding something like that. I didn't even imagine......
Mikage: It seems we underestimated you.
In the tranquil dress of Nozomi-chan's voice is irrepressible anger.
No attempt to hold it back, she flings a frightful glare my way, and thrusts her once pearl-white palm at my face.
That hand is---
Kei: Ah...... no way......
That light I thought was harmless...
It must have been menacingly painful to her. Her palm is scorched and boiled. So atrocious, I can't look straight at it.
Kei: S-s-s-sor--......
Terrified, trembling, my tears overflow.
As I grip tightly at the half-drawn futon, I want to just pull it over my head and hide.
I didn't mean to do anything like that.
I only wanted to deter them. I never meant to hurt her.
Nozomi: What are you afraid of? Was it not you who gave me this?
Mikage: This was your doing.
Nozomi: Wipe those tears clouding your eyes and take a good, long look.
Kei: B-but I...... I'm-...... sorr-......
Nozomi: Ufufu, is this something you can apologize for, I wonder?
Mikage: As compensation for wounding our physical forms...
Nozomi: We will redeem the price in your Nie no Chi but, this will truly---
Quivering with the color of blood, her eyes, suffused with the wrathful heat of a glowing ingot, shine in the darkness.
Nozomi: ---cost you dearly.
The twins edge forward a step.
Kei: Hii!?
I abandon my feelings of guilt, leaving only fear, and try to escape.
Kei: W-why---
But I can't run.
My legs, my hands, can do nothing but quiver.
They aren't touching me, like before, yet I'm paralyzed.
This is probably... from looking at those shining red eyes.
There's no way a normal human like me can compete with them.
Again, another step forward.
Nozomi: If you let us have your blood to the very last drop, I might just forgive you.
Mikage: Yes. Once we drink you dry---
It's impossible. They're already where they can reach.
I have to run. If I don't, they'll take all the blood in my body. But...
But, but... my body is petrified, and I can't avert my vision by myself.
Nozomi: Ufufu, you are doing us quite a favor.
Mikage: Even so, this is the end.
The moonlight is cut off, and I'm covered by a dark shadow.
Nozomi-chan's eyes shine clear, crimson---
Am I just going to die here, in the end?
Continue...