Tsukiko awoke to the sound of pounding on her door. She stumbled into her clothes and to the front door. Fumiko stayed in bed, letting herself sink back into sleep.

Haruka stood at the door. She demanded that Tsuki and Fumiko follow her somewhere. Tsukiko hardly ever listened to her sister's orders, and Fumiko felt that she had no reason to.

This time was different. Haruka looked serious, for once in her life. She wasn't smiling, but begging. Tsuki didn't see this as something playful, but something desperate.

With no real explanation, she led the two younger girls through the city on a long, winding journey. No matter how many times they begged Haruka for an answer, she only replied with silence and a blank stare.

After a decent trek, they arrived in a nice looking neighborhood. Haruka led them to the worst looking house out of the bunch.

The paint on the walls seemed to be peeling off the walls. Out front there was dry grass and dead plants.

The metal on the fencing and doorknob had rusted down through years of neglect. The windows looking into the house were covered by dark, black curtains.

The group stood just in front of the house. It looked almost abandoned. None of them knew what to do. Rather suddenly, Haruka ran up to the entrance.

"Open up in there!" Haruka’s hand slammed against the house’s front door over and over.

Tsukiko stood right behind her. "Hey, I don't know if this is a good idea or not."

"I know you're in there!" Haru shouted as she stopped to press her ear against the door.

"C'mon, let's go. Why're we even here in the first place?" Fumi complained, leaning from side to side to ease her aching feet.

"We can't give up yet." Haruka pounded harder. "Open up, you fuck!"

"You really wanna risk a noise complaint? Seriously, forget about it for now." Fumi approached Haru and grabbed her hand.

Haruka started slamming the door with her other fist. "The lights are on, Fumi. Can't you see!"

"Maybe they died in there." Fumi joked.

"Oh shit, you're right." Haruka started panicking, tugging on the door knob.

Tsuki grabbed Fumiko by the shoulder and pulled her away. "Might as well wait."

"Help me tear this door down, Tsuki." Haruka turned back.

"Uhh, no thanks." Tsuki turned away.

"Help me, Tsukiko!" Haruka spoke with a menacing tone.

Tsuki rolled her eyes and approached the door. "Fine."

"On one, slam into the door, ready?" Haru pressed her shoulder against the door.

"My shoulder’s gonna feel this tomorrow." Tsuki complained as she agreed to help.

"One… Two… Three!"

They both leaned back, and slammed into the door with some force.

"Shit, it didn't work, Haru." Tsuki winced in pain.

"Fuck off!" Haru shouted at her sister.

"Why don't you kick it?" Tsuki suggested.

Haruka backed up a bit, before running at the door full speed and putting all her energy into one kick. Her boot bounced off, making no real impact.

"Oww, goddamnit!" Haruka grabbed her foot in pain, before falling to the ground.

"Was it really that bad?" Fumi scratched her head.

Haruka sat up straight. "…no, not really."

"Let me show you how the pros do it." Tsuki boasted.

"Yeah, yeah." Haruka moved out of the way.

Tsukiko placed both of her palms flat against the door. She pulled her right arm back before slamming her palm against the door repeatedly.

"Wow, you guys are so strong!" Fumi laughed.

"I don't see you tryin’, Nakano!" Haruka screamed.

Fumiko grabbed Tsukiko by the arm and pulled her away. She stepped before the door, pausing to raise her arm. Before her hand could touch the door, it opened, revealing the woman inside.

"Who the hell're you? Why're you pounding on my door?" The woman looked at the three with a flat, emotionless face.

"Hey, it's me, Haruka and Tsuki. You remember Tsuki, right?" Haruka stood up with a smile.

The woman slammed the door shut.

"C'mon it's important!" Haru cried.

"Leave me alone, damnit! You say everything's important!" A muffled voice cried from within the house.

"No, it's true!" Haruka pressed her body against the door to hear the responses.

"C'mon, let's just go." Tsuki tugged on Haru's jacket.

"No, I'm not leaving." Haru pushed Tsuki’s hand away.

"Let the lady be, Haruka." Fumi stared off into the sky.

"You're not even gonna greet the Third Knight?" Haruka shouted.

As soon as Haruka said it, the woman opened the door. "Third Knight?"

Haruka grinned. "Yep, that's the Third Knight Himura!"

The woman sighed. "Fine, get in."

--

The front door led into a rather long hallway. Some stairs lead to the second floor. Other than that, it was difficult to get any details from the other first floor rooms. They were all either closed off or too dark to be seen.

The only real light in the house was the sunlight coming in from the front door. At the end of the hallway was a dim white light.

The woman led them to this room, which was decently sized. There was little in terms of furnishing. The only things left in the room were a computer screen and tower on the floor.

Tsuki took a close look at the monitor and noticed that it was open to a rather plain looking message board. A few notifications blinked on the bottom right.

The woman guiding them was very careful to kick away all the empty bottles. It was the minimal amount of effort she could muster for her guests.

"What do you want, Haruka?" The woman leaned in very close to Haru's face with a rather flat expression.

"Brush your teeth, Shizuka." Haru leaned back.

The woman turned to Tsukiko. She looked at her for a moment, before leaning in, making Tsuki uncomfortable. Tsuki struggled to keep eye contact with the woman. Her face looked somewhat familiar, but not enough so that Tsuki could identify her.

Her eyes were dark and tired. There was a slight ring in each one of her irises that shifted to a slightly darker color. Her face had an intimidating form.

Her hair was thick and messy, curling slightly in parts. It reached down all the way to her hips, making it seem as though it hadn't been groomed in quite some time.

On closer inspection, it looked somewhat clean and soft. It just had a strange, unkempt appearance to it.

"Who're you?" The woman spoke.

"Himura Tsukiko." Tsuki tried her best to keep a strong demeanor.

The woman paused to think before speaking again. "You the Third Knight?"

"Yeah." Tsuki nodded.

The woman grabbed Tsukiko by the chin and inspected her like a horse. "Hmm… Aurelia really knows how to pick 'em, eh?"

There was a certain aura coming off of the woman. She effortlessly twisted around Tsukiko's face with immense strength.

Tsuki had no real idea of how stable this woman was.

Deep down, she feared the woman could snap and kill her in an instant.

Still, below that, there was another sense of familiarity. A faint feeling of kinship emanated from the woman.

Eventually, the strange woman let go. "Haruka, this your sister?"

"Uh, yeah." Haruka raised an eyebrow.

The woman rolled her eyes. "Well, duh, no shit."

"You alright, Shizuka?" Haruka looked concerned.

"Do I look alright?" She sighed.

"You're in nothing but underwear. I'm expecting either really good or really bad." Haru chuckled.

"Haha, real funny, I… Wait, what the fuck?" The woman looked down at her body.

"How long have you been like that?" Haruka’s laugh became an awkward one.

"I… don't know, actually." Shizuka scratched her head.

"When was the last time you showered?" Haru grabbed Shizuka's hair.

"I-I don't know."

Haruka put a hand on Shizuka’s shoulder. "You’re dirty. C’mon, let’s go get you all cleaned up."

They both left the room, stumbling into one of the doors in the hallway. A faint light escaped from underneath the door.

"…holy shit." Tsuki looked around the room.

"What?" Fumi laughed. "Surprised people like this are real?"

"A little…" Tsuki admitted.

"I know this message board." Fumi stared at the computer screen. "Good taste."

"Do you still visit?"

"A little." Fumi admitted.

"I wonder if we've ever posted on the same threads." Tsuki blushed.

Fumiko frowned. "Don't you feel bad?"

"Why?" Tsuki asked.

"Look at this place. She just… I dunno… I guess this all hits a little close to home." Fumi sighed.

Tsuki frowned too. "I get it. I think Haruka's got it covered for now."

"Yeah…" Fumi checked the hallway.

"Don't trust her?"

"I'd rather not get involved, but… I don't know." Fumi put her hand under her chin.

Tsuki sighed. "Yeah, let's just wait and see, alright?"

They were silent for a moment.

Fumiko's lips curled into a smile. "This place kinda reminds me of your room."

"No… I'm not this messy." Tsuki shook her head.

"It's got that same feel, though." Fumi chuckled.

Tsukiko raised an eyebrow. "What feel?"

Fumi sniffed the air. "It's got that weird smell your room has."

"…do I really smell that bad?" Tsuki frowned.

Fumi shrugged.

"C'mon, c’mon, sit down." Haruka returned with Shizuka.

Shizuka was now wearing a black t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Her black hair was tied in a rather loose ponytail, and her eyes seemed as tired as they did before.

Her eyes made her look tired, and broken. The slight bags underneath and the inconsistent color made her look frail and sad.

By no means was this woman ugly or unappealing, but there was clearly something missing. Her body seemed soft and squishy, like someone who didn't get much exercise. She wasn't obese, just out of shape.

"I-I'm sorry, Haruka." Shizuka had a shameful look on her face.

Haru avoided eye contact. "No… it's fine…"

"I should probably introduce myself, huh?" Shizuka motioned for them to sit down in front of her.

Tsuki tried to appear formal as she and the others tried to sit down with her. "So, who are you, miss?"

"My name is Himura Shizuka." she bowed her head slightly.

"…Himura?" Tsuki asked.

Fumiko folded her arms. "So you're the First Knight?"

Shizuka’s eyes pierced through Fumi. "It would seem so, wouldn't it?"

"But you're so…"

"Weak? Disgusting? Worthless? A complete waste of--." Shizuka leaned forward a little more with each insult.

"Quit it." Haruka interrupted.

"Can I ask you something?" Tsuki spoke up.

"…Fine." Shizuka relented.

"Why’d you become a Knight?"

Shizuka had a pained look on her face. "I was a kid, y’know? I was dumb."

"Be more specific." Tsuki prodded.

Shizuka sighed and opted to speak rather bluntly. "I wanted to protect someone that I cared about. They didn't care about me, though."

"Oh… I'm sorry." Tsuki's hands kept awkwardly writhing around.

"What're you apologizing for? It was my problem, my fault." Shizuka frowned.

Tsuki blurted out a strange question. "Why?"

Shizuka leaned forward. "I… wasn't good enough."

"Or maybe they weren't good enough for you, Shizuka." Fumi spoke with confidence.

"Heheheh, are you blind, miss?" Shizuka laughed.

"If you're willing to fight for someone, I think you deserve some respect. To know the person you love is willing to risk it all for you…" Fumi edged closer to Tsuki. "You’d have to be heartless to not appreciate something like that."

"Don't act like I don't know who you are, Nakano." Shizuka turned to Fumiko.

"Huh?"

Shizuka smiled. "I’m talking about your father."

Fumi shut her eyes. "Then he definitely didn’t deserve you."

Shizuka sighed. "I don’t know."

"He's nothing but a cold bastard. Don't worry about him anymore." Fumi grit her teeth.

"Fumi…" Tsuki tugged on her arm.

"...sorry." Fumi shook her head.

"Listen, we came here to ask you something." Haruka spoke with an assertive tone.

"Fine, shoot." Shizuka scratched her head.

"We want your help in taking down the Shakudos." Haruka looked her in the eye.

"Not interested." Shizuka yawned.

"But I thought--"

"Look at me, Haru." Shizuka looked down at herself. "You know I can’t do any fighting like this."

"Maybe this'll get you out of the rut!" Haruka reached out to grab Shizuka’s hand.

Shizuka took a deep breath. "For the last time, this isn't just something you can drag me out of. I'm not some damsel in distress, damnit. Life isn't a game."

Haruka tried to speak again, but she couldn't.

"I know we can't ask much of you." Tsukiko frowned. "I understand your situation."

Shizuka turned. "Do you? Do you really?"

"I do." Tsuki repeated herself.

"So, what're you here for, Tsukiko?" Shizuka smiled.

"I’m not really sure. Had I known, I probably wouldn’t have come. I wanna keep this between me and them." Tsuki spoke.

"You and them? They do something to you?" Shizuka leaned in close to listen.

Tsuki took a deep breath. "They stabbed Fumiko."

Shizuka's eyes widened. "They… stabbed you?"

Fumiko nodded.

Tsukiko scratched her head. "She's really important to me, so--"

"You're doing this out of love."

Tsuki turned red. "…yes."

"That changes things, doesn't it?" Shizuka cracked her knuckles.

"What do you mean?" Tsuki asked.

"Your sister has a knack for pissing the wrong people off, so I assumed she dragged you into it." Shizuka yawned.

"Hey!" Haruka whined.

Shizuka ignored Haru completely. "But I don't think I'd be much use to you."

"Don't fight anymore?" Tsuki cocked her head.

"I'm afraid not, Tsukiko. I gave it up a while ago." Shizuka laid back on the floor.

"Huh? Why?"

Shizuka shook her head. "I don't really know what to fight for anymore. To be completely honest, I just kinda sit around waiting for the day I die."

"Shut up." Haruka groaned.

Shizuka glared at Haru before turning back to Tsuki. "Sorry, I'd rather not get involved."

Tsukiko looked down at the ground awkwardly. "I see…"

"I feel like… I'm not Knight material anymore." Shizuka laughed weakly.

"Why not?"

Shizuka shrugged. "Even if I did help you, I'd probably end up running away again."

"Again?" Tsuki asked.

"No." Haruka stood up and walked to a closet, and then tore the doors open. "Put ‘em on right now!"

A few articles of clothes fell to the floor.

"The hell is your problem?" Tsukiko stood up.

"I’m not putting them on!" Shizuka grit her teeth.

"Do it, Shizuka! Put on your jacket!"

"What’s this gonna prove, huh?" Shizuka cried.

"I don’t want you to give up. I don’t wanna see you like this!" Haruka demanded.

"Why’s it matter to you, huh?:

"I love you!" Haruka sobbed.

There was a moment of silence.

"You were one of my closest friends. Tsuki was too. She’s back in my life, and I want you in my life too. I got into this cuz of you, remember?" Haruka teared up.

Shizuka stood up and pulled off her shirt and sweatpants. "Fine, I'll wear it if you'll stop crying."

Shizuka pulled on some black pantyhose, and a golden yellow undershirt. Over it all came a jacket very similar to Tsukiko's. The jacket itself was inky black. There was a gold band on each sleeve and two on each shoulder.

"There, you happy?" Shizuka sat back down. "It's just an outfit. If you're so damn concerned about the Knights, then start patrolling the streets on your own again. I…"

Haru shut her eyes. "Alright…"

There was a harsh, awkward silence.

"Wow, Aurelia really knows how to make those jackets." Fumiko tried to lighten the mood.

"Huh?" Shizuka turned to Fumi.

"You look good in that." Fumi remarked.

"O-oh…"

"I'm kinda jealous." Fumi pouted.

"We should get going." Haruka started for the exit.

"You actually giving up this time?" Shizuka turned to her computer.

"I guess I'm like you after all, then." Haruka’s words were sharp.

Shizuka stopped typing. "Shut your mouth, Haruka."

"What was that?" Haruka turned around.

"Shut your mouth, you little brat." Shizuka leaned back and laid on the ground.

"After all I've done, that's how you treat me?" Haruka grit her teeth.

"Haru, c'mon, leave her alone. She has her reasons,." Fumiko looked up at Haruka.

"They're dumb, shallow reasons." Haruka rose her voice.

Fumi stood up. "Shouting isn't gonna fix it!"

Haru slammed her fist against the wall. "That's all it is, isn't it? I'm always wrong! I'm always the stupid one, I'm always--"

"I get it, Haruka." Shizuka paused. "I’m not useful anymore. I’ll just hold you back."

"I don't care if you’re useful or not, I just want you around. I don’t wanna lose you!" Haruka shouted.

"You’re not losing me! I’m right here…" Shizuka’s voice grew quiet.

"Then stop saying you wanna die. Stop saying you’ve given up. I’m not gonna let you give up, not now, not ever!" Haruka’s voice cracked.

"Don't cry for me, Haru."

"Sorry… sorry… I'm really sorry."

Shizuka leaned in close, making intense eye contact with Haru. "Live your life, Haruka. I’m a liability out there. There’s nothing wrong with me staying here."

"You're not a liability, Shizuka, you're family! I love you!" Haruka began to cry.

Shizuka refused to react at first.

It became very clear from the look on her face that she was holding back tears of her own. "I said don't cry."

"Why wouldn't I cry? You wanna sit here in this room till you die. I just want things to be like before." Haruka wiped her eyes.

Shizuka leaned forward and hugged Haruka. "I-I'm sorry, Haru."

"Try."

"I--"

"Just try, for me, okay?" Haruka begged.

Shizuka lowered her head. "Kid, you can't--"

Haruka pushed her away. "Quit being so damn stubborn!"

Shizuka bit her lip. "Fine, I'll try…"

"Thanks…"

Fumi nudged Tsuki. "Hey, what the hell's goin' on?"

"Shhhhh." Tsuki warned her.

Haruka stood, sniffling and wiping her face. Shizuka had gone red with embarrassment. She kept trying to talk, but she couldn't get the words out.

"You three should head on home, alright?" Shizuka turned to the others. "Actually, gimme some privacy with the Third Knight, okay?"

Fumiko helped Haru out, wrapping an arm around her for support, as she walked down the hallway to the outside.

"Tsukiko, support your sister." Shizuka sighed.

Tsuki looked Shizuka in the eye. "And what about you?"

"Don't worry about me, I don't--"

"Promise me you'll do whatever you can to make my sister happy." Tsuki demanded

Shizuka turned away. "I already said--"

"You're a Knight, act like it." Tsuki spoke harshly.

"...support your sister, and I'll do whatever you ask."

"I'll try." Tsuki agreed.

Shizuka motioned for Tsuki to sit down. "It's not a joke."

"Yeah, I know." Tsukiko sighed.

Shizuka got close, her terrifying eyes staring into Tsuki's soul. "Asking you to help her is the least I could do. If it weren't for her, I'd have starved months ago."

"Has she been feeding you?"

"Yeah, and sometimes she puts my clothes on for me." Shizuka had no filter.

"But--"

"Yep, I’m just about to hit thirty. Depression's a bitch, Tsuki." Shizuka lowered her head.

"Yeah, I get it." Tsukiko avoided her eye contact.

"I can read you like a book, y'know." Shizuka chuckled.

"Huh?"

"Heheheheh." Shizuka laughed to herself.

"Am I really that easy to read?" Tsuki didn’t know how to react.

"…you remind me a lot of myself back when I was your age." Shizuka spoke like an old woman.

There was a moment of silence.

"I thought you were depressed, what's with that big smile?" Tsuki asked.

"I… I'm just stubborn."

"What?"

"Deep down, I know everything Haruka said was right. Being with her-- No, meeting you all was the highlight of my year. Still, I'm scared. I don't know what I wanna do." Shizuka took a deep breath.

"If I've learned anything in the past few days, it's…" Tsuki laughed weakly. "Sometimes, you can't do everything alone."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. I got into this, wanting to solve it all on my own, just trying my best to end this all as quick as possible. I didn't think I'd be meeting my long lost aunt, or making all these new friends. Hell, a week ago, I thought I'd never see my sister again."

Shizuka stared for a moment before speaking. "You really remind me of myself when I was your age."

"Huh?"

"I dunno… You're so stubborn. Why won't you just leave me be? Why doesn't your sister just leave me be?" Shizuka stared off into the distance.

Tsuki shook her head. "Sounds like you're the stubborn one."

"...probably."

There was a short pause.

"Hey, do you have a phone?" Tsukiko pulled out her own cell phone.

"Huh?" Shizuka looked like a deer in the headlights.

"Got a number or a way to contact you?" Tsuki held her phone out.

"Why would you want to contact me?" Shizuka still had no idea what to do.

Tsuki shrugged. "I dunno, you seem like a good person."

Shizuka closed her eyes and smiled. "Can I say something embarrassing?"

"Shoot." Tsuki tried to stay more casual.

"Alright, Shizuka, don't say anything stupid." she took a deep breath after talking to herself. "I haven't had anyone ask for something like that in ages. My heart's actually pounding out of my chest right now."

"Hmmm…"

"Oh, I said something embarrassing, didn't I?" Shizuka hid her face.

"No." Tsuki smiled. "No need to be embarrassed around me, we're family after all."

"Oh, you're too precious. Much kinder than that oaf Haruka." Shizuka praised her.

"She's trying her best." Tsuki defended her sister for once.

"I know that… Really, I should do better for her." Shizuka looked rather guilty.

"Do better for me too." Tsuki added.

"Huh?" Shizuka cocked her head.

"I wanna get to know you better. How am I supposed to know who the First Knight really was if they’re all depressed and cooped up all day?"

Shizuka closed her eyes and smiled. "You wanna get to know me better? That… sounds fun."

After they exchanged contact information, Tsukiko stood up. "Well, I should get going, see ya."

"I… kinda want you to stay now. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good conversation without getting scolded." Shizuka turned red.

"I’ll come back, I promise. Please be more patient with Haruka. I understand why she’s upset and I think you do too."

I know, I know. I just… I haven’t felt motivated in a long time. All of my energy kinda vanished." Shizuka’s face twisted into a look of powerful sorrow.

"Taking the first step is what matters most. I’ll be here when you want to take the first step. Family sticks together, Shizuka." Tsuki stood up.

Shizuka choked up. "Thanks, Tsuki."

"...if you ever need anything, just call… or text, whatever's better for you."

"Seriously, thanks."

--

"God, what took you so long?" Fumiko complained.

Haruka and Fumiko had waited for Tsukiko to come out. Haru had regained her composure, but Fumiko was still trying to comfort her.

"C'mon, let's go back to Aurelia's." Haruka motioned for the others to follow.

They stepped away from Shizuka's house, and onto the street.

Suddenly, a voice bellowed. "Ain't we lucky, boys?"

They turned and in their path stood three Shakudos. One of them was holding an aluminum baseball bat.

"Oh, goddamnit!" Haruka rolled her eyes.

"So the gang’s all in one place, huh?" One of the masked figures laughed.

"Stay behind me, Fumi." Tsukiko pulled Fumi behind her.

"Here's what I'm offering!" A female Shakudo spoke. "We’ll let that girl go if you two get on your knees and beg!"

"Fuck off!" Haruka shouted.

"We’re only after the lady in that house. Doubt she'd put up much of a fight, so let's have some fun." The Shakudo with the bat laughed.

The female Shakudo had a bizarrely ornate mask, with a very detailed, golden floral design. She was in constant motion, moving from side to side, gently. She held her fists up, like a boxer.

Almost immediately, Haruka ran forward, starting the brawl with a fast kick. Her flowery opponent was almost as fast as she was, her feet in a constant dance.

Tsukiko opted to go after the other two, letting her sister go after a more worthy opponent. Luckily, these two weren't too quick, but they were definitely tough.

Tsukiko struggled to wear her targets down. The man with the baseball bat swung it around wildly. He started screeching and hollering like an animal, trying his best to intimidate.

The other did his best to distract her in any way he could. Tsuki was stuck between avoiding a weapon, and having to take jabs from someone she couldn't fight off.

Haruka fought in lockstep with the floral mask. Haruka spun and curved around her enemy like a snake. The woman in the mask tried her best to break through, hopping around like a kangaroo.

Their unpredictable movements made it impossible for them to gain any ground. As one landed a blow, the other hit even harder.

In a last ditch effort, Haruka landed a blow on the floral mask's jaw, nearly knocking the mask clean off.

There was an opening in the man with the bat's rhythm. His movements were slow and repetitive. Tsuki managed to hit him in the stomach. She finally enough time to turn to the other figure, who had been nothing but a thorn in her side the entire fight.

She made quick work of that one, shattering his mask in only one blow. Right after, she heard Haruka shout her name.

Across the path, Haruka had fallen down to the ground. Somehow, the Shakudo with the baseball bat had gotten Haruka on the ground. Just as Tsukiko tried to move forward, the woman with the floral mask grabbed her by the neck.

"I told you to stop, didn't I?" The woman growled.

"Haruka!" Tsukiko shouted.

"This is for your own--"

Tsuki watched as someone in black ran forward. The person in black tackled the armed Shakudo and knocked them to the ground. The bat made a harsh sound as it hit the pavement.

Shizuka had come in at the perfect time, saving Haruka at the last possible second.

The woman in the floral mask gave up her grip on Tsuki's neck as they watched the attack unfold.

The now disarmed Shakudo tried his best to defend himself as Shizuka shoved him against the wall. She beat him to a pulp, as Tsuki and the floral mask stared in silence.

Shizuka finally stood up. "Well? What the hell are you waiting for?"

The three Knights focused their attention toward the third Shakudo. In a desperate bout, he ran toward Fumiko, wrapping an arm around her chest and holding her like a shield.

"C'mon, you really wanna do this?" Fumiko sighed.

The figure remained silent.

Tsuki looked down at the discarded baseball bat before shaking her head. Instead, she wrapped her fingers around a road sign next to it.

"…the hell you doin’?" Haruka watched.

"Shh, shut the fuck up, this is the good part!" Shizuka smiled.

Tsuki’s hand turned red, then pale, as she forced the road sign out of the pavement. She pulled it up and held it with both hands like a weapon.

"What the fuck?" Haru's eyes widened.

"That’s impressive!" Shizuka clapped.

Tsuki kept her attention pointed at the now trembling figure. Her grasp on Fumiko began to loosen. Fumi looked at Tsuki and nodded.

"Back away, man!" The floral mask's movements got sloppy.

Fumiko suddenly dropped down, biting down on the figure’s arm. The floral mask screamed, losing its grip on Fumi. She dove out of the way as Tsukiko swung the street sign, hitting the Shakudo with the blunt, flat end.

The figure fell to the ground, grasping its injured shoulder.

Tsukiko approached, holding the robed woman down with her boot. "Tell the others. If I ever see a Shakudo threatening my friends ever again, they’re going back in an ambulance."

A powerful kick sent the figure reeling.

Shizuka sighed. "I'm nothing but trouble, huh?"

Fumi laughed. "Nah, this time we brought the trouble to you."

Shizuka mumbled. "…I guess you’re right. Never thought I’d be wearing this again. Whatever, I’m kinda sleepy. I’m gonna go take a nap."

The First Knight opened the door to her home, and slammed it shut behind her, disappearing once more.

"Wait! Shizuka? Shizuka!" Haruka ran to the door and started shaking it.

"C'mon, Haru, let's go." Tsuki tore her away.

--

"You think she's okay?" Haru looked stressed.

"I think she's fine." Tsuki replied.

They sat in Aurelia's shop once more, face to face.

"How do you know that?" Haruka leaned forward.

"I just… I just know, y’know?"Tsuki spoke vaguely.

"What'd she tell you?" Haruka whispered.

"She told me in private, Haru. I can't tell you." Tsukiko shook her head.

Haruka had a defeated look on her face. The secrecy was more painful than she would ever admit. She looked about ready to cry again. Something about it was concerning to her.

"How was your aunt?" Aurelia appeared at the end of the table.

"I didn't expect her to be so…" Tsuki trailed off.

"Depressed?" Aurelia frowned.

Haruka sighed. "I'm just glad she hasn't gone and offed herself…"

"Shizuka was always so admirable. She was a true hero." Aurelia smiled again.

"Was? She's still a hero, damnit." Haruka slammed the table.

Aurelia chuckled. "Yes."

"What's so damn funny?" Haru growled.

"You do not have to defend her honor. Shizuka has done more than enough to prove herself in my eyes." Aurelia's eyes glowed for a moment.

Haruka’s fist opened up as an awkward silence settled over the room.

"Sometimes, I wonder if she even trusts me." Haruka laid her head down on the table.

"I think she does." Tsuki assured her.

"She always tries to push me away…" Haruka lowered her head.

"Shizuka has been stuck in this cycle for years now." Aurelia explained. "She wants to be independent, but she cannot bear being alone. She has spent far too much time on her own, and it is hurting her. I think this will be the catalyst for her to change."

"Am I not good enough?" Haru stared down at the table.

"It is not a matter of being good enough, Haruka. Things are rough right now, but they will improve. Her emotions are not something we can control." Tsuki comforted her sister.

Once again, the Second Knight began crying. "I'm just sick of seeing her like this…"

Tsukiko grabbed Haruka's hand. "I can tell she’s still strong, deep down. You saw her fight. She just wants to protect you, and this is her way of doing that."

"Driving people away is protecting them?" Haruka glared at Tsukiko.

"I never said I agreed with it."

"I don’t wanna be protected, I want my friend back." Haruka spoke for a second, before she started sobbing harder.

"Shizuka may have retired, but she has not given up. She still has a fire that burns within her, but it is weak." Aurelia looked serious.

"I can’t tell you what she told me, but… There’s something in there." Tsukiko offered a bit of support.

"Haruka, I have known your aunt long enough to know that she is not weak. What she feels may be stronger than her current drive, but I know she can recover. Especially with your support. This is the same woman who just a few years ago, fought over forty men to protect you." Aurelia smiled.

"Wait, forty?" Tsukiko's eyes widened.

Haruka raised her head, her tears still staining the big smile on her face. "Yeah, you shoulda seen her. She was tossing guys left and right, it was amazing!"

"Likewise, do not forget that you yourself rival her strength." Aurelia looked Haru in the eye. "Your own strength comes from your heart. If your heart hurts, you will be weak. Understand that she only wants to protect your heart from pain."

"But it still hurts. I just wanna hang out with her again. I wanna see her smile again." Haruka wiped her face.

"Some people need purpose, Haruka. Seeing you and Tsukiko together, supporting her, may be the push she needs. Remember how you felt when you drove away your sister." Aurelia scolded Haruka.

"…then I’m gonna bring her drive back. I’m gonna make her strong again. Even if it kills me. I wanna see her smile again." Haruka took a deep breath.

"Me too." Tsuki put a hand on the table.

"Huh?" Haruka turned to her.

"She sounds cool. Besides, she’s family, right?" Tsukiko smiled.

"Of course she’s cool, she taught me everything I know." Haru's toothy grin stretched across her face once more.