The Carnelian Sparrow

Act I: Bipolar Nightmare

“…So that’s about it, Koharu. As I said over the phone. It was my, um… ‘abilities’ that allowed me to escape. But… I do not know why I said what I said. Something… came over me, I cannot explain it.” Hanako was speaking in a hushed tone from her corner of the newly reopened Newspaper Club room. The window had been temporarily boarded up, much to Koharu’s frustration, and the debris had been cleaned out entirely.

“Illogical. No reason to antagonize that girl. But ultimately doesn’t change much.” Koharu’s brow furrowed as she stared at the boarded window, perhaps out of habit, then returned to her desk, tapping a pen against its surface. “We have to clear a guilty girl’s name. Not guilty of this incident, but many more. Probably. Difficult.”

“… I have no idea what to do. I should… consult with Mother about this,” Hanako muttered, enough for Koharu to hear. “She would… know how to handle this sort of situation.”

Koharu peered over in Hanako’s direction. “It’s a good idea. I’m sure she’s defended the guilty before. Thieves, murderers. Bullies can’t be any different.”

“Whoa, bullies?! Which one of you is having a bully problem?!” Shinju, fashionably late as always to the club meeting, had slipped inside mid sentence. “If y'all have a bully, maybe I oughtta get involved.” She made her way over to the desk Koharu was sitting at, setting her bag down.

Hanako’s eyes widened, the air in the room going still for a moment. “N… No, Shinju. N-Nothing so serious as that. I-I’m fine. We’re… we’re fine, right? Koharu?”

“Rui Tomatsu.” Koharu was as blunt as always, speaking as she ran her fingers over the cut on her forehead. It had healed quickly enough; Koharu was methodical about treating the wound, if for no other reason than to get Midori off her back, but it was clear that a scar would form afterwards. Koharu didn’t mind this, but without her usual distraction, she resorted to feeling the wound, as if to check its progress manually.

“Tomatsu… y'mean that girl the school’s trying to bury over the vandalism?” Shinju scratched at her cheek, staring down at her desk. “The girl we’re trying to prove didn’t do it? She’s bullying someone?”

Koharu merely nodded. “Correct. That is our job, as Newspaper Club. To find the truth, then report it.”

“I guess we can’t just let nature take its course with this one, huh? It’d be easy, but then again, that’s not who we are, huh?” Shinju sighed, leaning back in her chair to stare at the ceiling. “…Yeah, it wouldn’t sit well with me either.”

Relaxing a bit the longer Shinju spoke, Koharu turned back to stare at the board covering the window. “Any advice from your sister?”

“None, sorry. Couldn’t really bring it up. She got called away right as dinner was done. I got a good window for it tonight, though.” Shinju turned to face Hanako, who had stayed quiet this whole time. “If ya want, I can have 'Haku give you a ride home.” It was clear that Shinju pieced together enough of the conversation to draw a conclusion as to what happened. “She won’t mind, it’s not even that far out of the way.”

Hanako closed her eyes, focusing her breathing as the air returned to normal around her. “Thank you, but… I-I’m okay. Really. I’m not hurt or anything, so… don’t worry about it, okay, Shinju?”

“If you say so. But that offer’s always there, y'know. Oh, I almost forgot!” Shinju reached into her bag, digging out a stack of papers. “The club report thingies you wanted.”

“Thanks.” Koharu snatched the stack, flipping through the pages and seemingly skimming its contents. Nodding with a bit of satisfaction, she slipped them into the mess of a folder that Koharu had assembled. “Hanako. Can you report on the Fencing Club? Since you’ve joined it this week.”

Hanako jumped a bit, but gave a meek nod in reply. “S… Sure. I don’t mind. Though, I haven’t really been to a meeting yet…” Sensing Koharu’s gaze, though averting it, she cleared her throat. “But… tomorrow is my first meeting. I can… bring back something for you by the end of the week.”

Koharu nodded again, staring at the clock on the wall. “And the second year class president?”

More prepared this time, Hanako handed a single sheet over to Koharu. “Yuzuki Tokai. But it’s strange… the race was much closer than I, or anyone really anticipated. Satomi Yasuda quite nearly won.”

“Stranger things have happened,” Koharu replied neutrally, adding this new sheet to the pile. “I’ll compile the paper as soon as I can. We can leave early I guess.” Standing up, Koharu gathered her things, giving Hanako a rare, concerned expression before swiftly leaving the clubroom.

“Huh? I just got here! Man… oh well. I don’t have anything better to do, so maybe I’ll just go for a walk. Which way d'you live again?”

Hanako stood up, stretching her arms before grabbing her own bag. “Shinju… please, there is no need to worry over me. I… I’m a fencer now, after all, no?” She gave a sheepish little smile, which quickly faded. “…I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Shinju shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t doubt that. But if that Tomatsu girl tries anything funny, she’s gonna have to deal with me!” A confident smile lit her face. “So you -sure- you’re okay? You’re not just saying all this to put on a brave face, right?”

“…I’m shaken up, sure. But I am fine. Rui doesn’t know where I live, and I doubt she’s just… lying in ambush or something. Besides, I am… much more light on my feet these days. I… I’ve had to get into shape for my… new club, after all.”

“Well, alright then. But just, if you’re ever in a situation where you don’t feel safe, just send me a blank message, okay?”

“Alright, Shinju. …Thank you.” Hanako nodded, giving Shinju a more authentic smile before leaving the clubroom, and soon after, the school.

Despite her confidence, Hanako spent a lot of her walk looking over her shoulders, for any hidden signs of Rui. And shadow that stuck out, anything out of place, anywhere someone could lie in ambush. She let out a sharp squeak as she felt herself collide with someone. Someone taller than her. Falling back, the first thing she noticed was that this girl was not Rui Tomatsu.

The girl in front of Hanako was wearing the same uniform, yet a neat ponytail held her pale blonde hair, lighter in tone than Hanako’s. Her gray eyes were cold, but she flashed a gentle smile, holding out her hand. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. Ah, there’s no need to be nervous. Unlike others in my class, I’m not out to pick on the first year kids.”

Hanako hesitated, staring at this girl’s hand before tentatively reaching out with her own. Slowly rising to her feet with the girl’s assistance, she dusted herself off, looking away somewhat timidly. “I… I apologize. I, um… I wasn’t really… paying attention, either.”

The girl chuckled. “No harm done. My name is Esther. Esther Rinju, a third year.” She spoke, as if trying to reassure and calm Hanako down. As if she were used to calming people down, Hanako noticed.

“…Hanako Sasaki,” she replied meekly. “F… First year. …Y-You already knew that.”

Esther’s smile faded, just a little, though Hanako noticed this. Her eyes remained cold, yet her expression was still calm. “Ah, an acquaintance of my sister Alice, perhaps?”

“W… We have met once or twice. But… that’s all. Why do you ask…?” Hanako was put off by this question, but she didn’t feel the same sense of dread as she did with her meeting with Rui.

“Oh, I’m just…” Esther trailed off a bit, looking back towards the school, behind Hanako. “I suppose I’m just overprotective of my baby sister, that’s all. If you two aren’t that close, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

Hanako was not reassured by Esther’s words, noting the exact choice. She didn’t reply for a quiet, tense moment. This was a different sense of foreboding, Hanako thought, than her experience the other day. Rui was imposing, yet her intentions were crystal clear. Esther, however, was hiding behind layers and masks, and it was impossible to get a read on her motives at all.

Esther would break the silence with another warm smile, one Hanako didn’t immediately trust. “Ah, but I’m holding you up, aren’t I? My apologies. I am on my way to take care of something.” Hearing this, Hanako sensed what it was. She could feel the faintest, tiniest hint of a Witch’s presence at the far edge of town. Turning her head, however, gave this away, and Esther couldn’t help but chuckle. “I had a hunch. You’re one of us too, aren’t you?”

Jumping again, taking a step back, the air around both Hanako and Esther came to a dead stop. “I… I don't—”

“'—know what you’re talking about’, right?” Esther had finished Hanako’s sentence. “Seriously don’t worry about that. I’ve been a Magical Girl for years now. I used to help girls like you all the time.” Something in Esther’s tone had softened, somehow, as the subject had been broached. “Tell me, when did you make your wish?”

There was no sense in denying it. “…Last week. I’ve… been in a few battles now. It was difficult, but…” Without realizing it, Hanako had begun to open up to Esther.

“I see. Well, I’ll make you a deal. I can help you out, if you ever need advice or even assistance out in the field. In exchange, all I ask is that you don’t get too close to my sister. Fair?”

Once again, Esther had held out her hand. Hanako was silent for a long moment, only reaching out as she noticed a frown starting to form on the elder girl’s face. Shaking her hand, Hanako looked away. “D…Deal.”

Esther’s smile slowly returned. “It’s obvious, right? You two aren’t close already. It’s free help. You’d have been a fool to dismiss it.” She took a few steps past Hanako, who hadn’t budged. “I’ll see you around, I think. Hanako, take care until then, okay?”

Hanako stood there in stunned silence as Esther’s footsteps echoed and faded.

“That’s about it, cat. Pretty basic stuff, really. If I keep hangin’ around Alice, I’m riskin’ the mentor of all mentors in Mitakihara beatin’ the hell out of me.” Yui was lying from one corner of her chaotically unmade bed to the other, staring up at the ceiling. She was twirling a drumstick, perhaps to keep hersel busy. “The band’s not breakin’ up, and Alice’s my best friend. But if I get into it with her sister, it’s gonna get bad. You’d get what you want, and we can’t have that.”

Kyubey was sitting on top of Yui’s little TV, staring down at her, tails swishing behind it. “That is quite a predicament you’ve gotten yourself into, Yui Arashi. There is one obvious solution, however. If you bring this up with Alice directly—”

“—Then she’ll get desperate enough to wish for you to end it. Nice goddamn try.” Yui sighed. “The hell do I ask your opinion for, anyway? Your advice exclusively is gonna lead to you an’ Alice. This weird chess game’s getting old. 'Specially since you suck at it.”

The creature showed no outward reaction. “Well, in a more unbiased suggestion, there is a Witch not too far from here. You might be able to clear your head after a good hunt. Fighting seems to be your pacifier.”

Yui sat up, looking a bit surprised that the idea didn’t cross her mind first. “…Alright, olive branch accepted. Esther’s home by now, so no way in hell this is a ruse. Well then, I’m off.” Sure enough, Yui had sensed the Witch nearby earlier, but her dilemma with Esther had caused her to forget about it.

It wouldn’t take long for Yui to leave the apartment, given she didn’t need to sneak out. Her grandfather was out tonight, another fight on the docket. It was the third this week, a new best for him, and he had another lined up later in the week. The money was good, and Garou Arashi often rode his good fortunes all the way until they crashed.

Transforming right outside her front door, she made her way in the Witch’s direction. It was a short walk, and Yui could feel an immense animosity coming from the labyrinth. Cracking her knuckles, Yui felt herself settle into a fighter’s mindset. “Make it a good one tonight, I really need a good one.” It was a mantra that her grandfather often chanted to himself right before a fight, and Yui had adopted it once she became a Magical Girl.

Taking a deep breath, Yui bounced a little on her feet, rolling her shoulders to loosen up. Her weapon of choice in this line of work was an ornate golden staff, one that she could call lightning to from seemingly anywhere, even if there was no logical sky. She deduced quickly enough that this magic came from her soul, and that it was merely her subconsciousness calling the attack from the sky, rather than somewhere else, like her fingertips.

Someone like Yui wasn’t usually philosophical enough to linger on a topic like this, but since it was something she had to rely on in a Witch’s barrier, she had no choice but to study basic psychology. It was one of the few extra courses Yui decided to take in school this year, and ironically, the one in which she had the highest marks. Higher than the rest of her subjects, but still barely above average overall.

Before Yui could enter the barrier, however, she felt it shatter. As if someone or something destroyed the space itself, let alone the Witch inside. Smoke was pouring into the alleyway, and Yui could only make out the shape of an older girl standing in the center. Her eyes widened, and she lowered into a ready stance, though she was anything but. If Esther had beat her here, and if she were looking for a fight, Yui would have to think quickly in order to escape.

The smoke began to clear, and Yui blinked as the figure became more discernable. Yui didn’t recognize the dark-haired girl standing where the Witch’s dimension had once been. This wasn’t Esther. Her stance didn’t relax, however. That attack, whatever it was, was far too powerful to simply ignore. What was worse was the overbearing feeling of animosity. It hadn’t come from the Witch, but this girl instead.

“Heh… now, that’s a good start,” the girl said quietly. She was facing slightly away from Yui, about ninety degrees to the side, staring vacantly at the night sky. She leaned her head back, eyes widened with a sort of mad trance, and she tilted her head to look in Yui’s direction. “What, you wanna go too?”

Yui would soften her stance, lowering her arms. “Whew, damn. I was a minute too late, huh? Would’ve loved to see how that went down, though! The barrier goddamn exploded!” It was an act Yui had put on in the past to escape situations where she was in over her head. “Heh. I’ll have to catch the next one, I guess.”

The girl’s smile faded and she turned to face away from Yui. “What a shame. And here I was, thinking I could have a little more fun tonight. Well, no sense in it, if you’re not in the mood. …Yui Arashi.”

Yui took a step back, eyes not leaving the girl’s frame, despite her being turned away. “You know me?”

“Who doesn’t? You’re the loudest, most obnoxious second year I’ve ever seen. Even worse than you were last year, too. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that someone like you fell into our world.”

Yui shrugged a bit indifferently, despite the girl not being able to see it. “Well damn, that’s a bit awkward. I don’t really know you, senpai.” Rui Tomatsu, Yui thought. A soul that dim was unmistakable, and the proximity combined with Yui being in her Magical Girl form gave her a good sense of it. She showed no outward fear, but she also knew this was a fight she couldn’t win. Fortunately, she had been of that mindset from the start, fearing an encounter with Esther.

“Rui Tomatsu. Since you asked so nicely, junior.” She gave a dismissive wave, walking away from Yui. “Now stay out of my goddamn way. Mine isn’t an anger that a bystander can handle.”

Yui dropped her form as soon as she was sure that Rui was nowhere nearby anymore, hands in her pocket as she started to walk back towards her apartment. “…Can’t argue with that. Man… I really messed up, didn’t I? Koharu’s gonna need some serious help, if that Rui chick does what I think she’s gonna do.”