II. Once Upon a Time in the West

Modern Fictitious(or not) Earth 20xx – z(?)

“We’re really sorry!!”

The group of girls, some at her age and some older than her, had been groveling in front of her for minutes already. In front of them was the ‘boss’ who were bowing down in embarrassment to her.

“Again, I’m sorry for all the trouble me and my gang caused you.”

“No no, no worries… Just… Let them stand already I don’t feel so comfortable while seeing them look like that. It would be just fine as long as you’ve realized your mistakes.”

“BOSS PLEASE LET ME HIT HET ONCE! I WOULD APOLOGIZE AGAIN!!”

One of the girls suddenly spoke. The ‘boss’/cousin hit her with the broomstick to shut her up.

“I really did not know you’re coming today… Oh it was today…”

“I’ve been telling you that since this morning!” –the mother/auntie butted in.

“Well I guess you’re all forgiven. Phew quite a loud bunch you got there. Well anyways, before this escalates to an even confusing situation…”

The little girl introduced herself to her cousin and to her friends. She gave a smile brighter than anyone could offer there. She’s about to start her high school days and live free(but not really) away from her parents while helping at the inn.

“Oh by the way, I forgot to tell you. We’re all attending at the same high school, that school which you got admitted and will be a freshman this coming school year. I’m two years older than you so I’m a third year there. A senior.”

“Eh?!! EEEH?!!!”

The little girl was shocked. But as she tried to recover, her cousin already added up another problem.

“As you see, our group is not the only one existing here at this town. There are several groups too. But don’t worry, our group is the one currently standing at the top.”

“Why does it sound like it’s not very convinciiiiiiiing!!!!” –all she could do was to shout and complain.

---

“Hey underling, better keep up or we will leave you.”

There was this girl who had been helping her since she started high school. But she’s not a ‘friend’-type companion who would invite her to hang out after school, nor invite her to do club activities.

She’s the very same girl that bumped her that day when she arrived at this town, a member of her cousin’s gang.

“Hey wait!! Let me catch up!! Also I didn’t even signed up for this!!”

The girl was carrying stuff for the group. Three bags, some plastic bags containing lunch, a kendo stick, and random other items.

The girl was unsure of what she entered. A training ground for her to gain experience, or a lair of unknown demons. She was unaware that the upcoming three years of high school for her would become both ‘hell’ and ‘fun’.

But she’s not a little girl anymore. High school had her mature even more due to the events that she have experienced while studying away from her parents. She have stayed at the inn, helped her cousin attend at the inn’s activities during night, and attend school during mornings till afternoon.

But those were the only stories that her auntie have told her mother.

---

During those times being in gangs have been a trending subculture and the youngsters of the town have started establishing their own groups which have led to multiple territorial battles and skirmishes. It was not like the town had been big, most of the gangs are being composed of youngsters only so the elders just took them as child’s play. There had been times that incidents have been getting too far so the elders have to take action to suppress them.

“So… How are we going to keep this from your mother? She’s pretty scary once she’s angry. Even her husband couldn’t keep her anger down.”

The little girl and her cousin were sitting in front of her Auntie.

“Uhm… I guess we just don’t let her go finding out?” –her cousin answered impolitely.

HIT!!

The auntie hit her with a kendo stick. Just how she feared her cousin at first, even more to the aunt which could always hold her leash without breaking a sweat.

“Tsk, what happens in this town, just stays in here anyways. You know that’s how it’s always been.”

“Yeah like you young lads keep on playing around with this gang thing. You’ve been a real problem to the elders recently, you know?”

“Like we could do any other thing to oppose them.”

The mother and daughter continued their discussion about playing and elder roles which more and more lose any sense as the topic went on.

“Anyways. I’ll help you keep your little secret for a while, but if ever the secret comes out, I’ll be turning a blind eye and won’t come to your rescue. Got it?”

“Uh… Auntie… that doesn’t sound so comforting.”

“What, are you in? Don’t tell me you’re backing out now.”

“This is forced auntie! Why are you all acting so convinced? AAAAAH!! Don’t blame me on what happens next!”

And with that, a secret agreement had been formed betweek the three of them. A secret between her, the aunt, the cousin, and the people of that remote town which have been long known for their booming hot spring industry. In fact, later on it would become the town’s sole secret too.

At first she was a little free-spirited girl who have always wanted to venture parts unknown or whatever her interest piques her. Looking at how her older cousin had been living out her youth, she have been reminded her of herself when she was even younger.

She was in denial at first.

The little girl slowly got interested bit by bit on living a life of a yankee. With her cousin testing her, she passed became her cousin’s underling without the consent of her aunt. Lately her aunt found out that she’s been hanging out with her cousin and started her yankee life so they had to persuade her aunt to not tell her parents about it. It would only be for three years that she will study at theirs. They had to keep her activities a secret or it could have her force-transferred back to the city with her parents.

---

Amongst these gangs, two groups have always rivaled at the top. One of these groups had been led by the aunt’s daughter.

The little girl’s cousin, which have led the group towards the top, was still a student, and have to graduate from high school. And as she have to leave, she have to resign from the spot of the group’s ‘boss’ too.

Her very first encounter with her was right at the first day after she have arrived from the station. Such coincidence struck her as she have encountered one of the top groups and even more, knowing that it was being led by her cousin. At that moment the little girl thought that it was something permanent and would last forever, but like the other previous boss, she had to hand the title to the successor too.

“Why are you telling me this?”

The little girl and her cousin was talking at the veranda of their room upstairs of the inn. It was a serious conversation, like having a parent-child discussion about the child’s future path to follow.

“Well we’re blood related. Also it’s because you’re a member of my gang too. It’s a given.”

“Still…”

“Listen. It’s not like I don’t trust my members, in fact I’ve eyed on some leader potentials as well within them. But in any case. I would like you to lead once I’ve retired.”

“Wha—” –the little girl was shocked. She questioned herself why this heavy responsibility had been asked of her.

“It’s a personal request. You should. I know you would. Think about it.”

The little girl were at loss for words. That night after their talk they just looked at the starry sky

She kept her cousin’s request for the meantime. Her high school days and yankee adventures proceeded as follows:

She gained achievements and proved her worth on the group so she climbed the ranks. Though her reign as the leader of their group had built a solid foundation on their group, her cousin was two years older than most of the members so as a norm to follow, after graduating high school she had to resign to her post as the ‘boss’ and hand over the title to the selected member that proved herself.

Passing all the trials, the little girl proved her worth and had been passed on the ‘boss’ duties and responsibility of the group.

“Boss I won’t stand for this!”

Her one and only rival for the ‘boss’ title had been angry and complaining. The little girl couldn’t utter a word. It came all of a sudden. It was like yesterday that her cousin made an absurd request from her. She had been grateful to her and her family so she had less reason to decline.

Also inside of her, she had thoughts before of wanting to become one too. She’s a free little spirit after all.

“Why? We had a fair assessment and my cousin proved her worth even more. I don’t see any reason as to why this would be unfair.”

“Bu-but…” –the rival was overwhelmed by the words of the ‘boss’ and went silent.

“Still, I would like to test you one last time. Are you determined enough to be the boss of our group?”

The cousin asked the little girl one last time, not as a boss, but as the cousin who’ve asked her a favor about a year ago.

“…”

“…”

“I’ll take it. Leave the rest on my hands.”

And with that, the passing of the title to the successor had been completed.

Her cousin, the previous ‘boss’, have completed her final duty and left the gang to the little girl’s hands.

Being unsatisfied with the results which led to the little girl being elected as the new ‘boss’ of their group, several members left the group, leaving the very few members who have trusted their previous ‘boss’s decision. Having left with a small group, the standing of their gang hit rock bottom.

The gang nearly died.

But the little girl did not let that happen. Carrying the will of her cousin, the previous ‘boss’, she dragged her remaining members to the path of glory. It was a tough run for them but they got by each challenge one by one. They’ve started stirring up a storm with all the other gangs that had been long established at the town. They’ve won territorial battles, subdued other gangs despite the overwhelming odds, they’ve made alliances, cut ties with others, and grew their group, that eventually turned into a family of their own.

Fearless as she had been, she commanded her gang to push through any situations while being careful of not actually getting into harm’s way.

That’s how the little girl have been branded as ‘The Daredevil of the West’

The succeeding two years, the town’s gang body had been hit by a violent storm. It had been quite a scary nickname. It could have anyone who heard it tremble in fear, just by knowing the extent of the ‘Daredevil’s capabilities. Rumors have spread even to the neighboring towns but the townsfolk themselves had been too careful not to let out a single confirmation of its existence.

It was true that the ‘daredevil’ existed but at the same time it was true that the so-called ‘daredevil’ was the free spirit, little sweet girl all along.

Those achievements were acknowledged not only by their allies, but their foes too. The path had been laid there. The only action needed to be done was to follow it. While steadily gaining back the glory that their gang once had, they gained several new things and experience too.

The little girl strived even more to be worthy of the title she gained.

The same set of events happened over and over for the remaining two years of her high school. She said goodbyes to those who left, and she said hellos to those who joined. She have met dozens of people and gained several years worth of experience for just three.

And just like the previous boss, she graduated high school and it was about time she leave the gang.

It had become a huge family compared to the state when the previous ‘boss’ left them.

“It’s time ‘boss’, you should wrap this up and appoint the new leader.”

“Yea. Understood.”

Her right-hand-woman told her. She was the same that bumped her from way back she first arrived at the town, and the very same girl that rivaled with her for the ‘boss’ title. She was a classmate, a friend, and a family.

The successor had been appointed. It was her right-hand-woman’s subordinate. She never had one so the next eligible would be the direct subordinate of the right-hand. After appointing the successor, the three of them stood at the front.

“Well, what should I be saying…”

She looked at the faces of her subordinates. The leaders of the gangs she had alliances were there too. It was not only them, the opposing gangs were there too. It seemed like they agreed to a one day ceasefire just to send the ‘daredevil’ off with a farewell.

That was the result of her two years worth of hardwork.

A respected and honored individual.

The Daredevil of the West.

“Uhm… do whatever you may with the title. Today, I’ll be stripping off myself of the ‘daredevil’ title. You may fight it over, you may leave it vacant, or win it for yourselves. It does not concern me anymore… But always remember…”

Her final words towards everyone she have shared experience for the past years went like piercing daggers to their hearts.

“…To anyone of you that knows, don’t ever leak the real identity of the very first ‘daredevil’. Any information that will be getting out of this town, will get to me fast. And if you do, I will hunt you down.”

Those final words shivered the spines of everyone listening. She had been respected much, but at the same time, she had been feared to just as much.

Her final duty as a legendary yankee that once lived at a remote town that had a hot spring industry, several stations away from the city which she originally lived.

She gave out a powerful grin, yet followed by a very silent and solemn voice.

“Hora. Get out of here now… you’re making me cry.”

---

That night she immediately packed up all of her things and prepared to leave.

Her cousin had been working full-time at the inn as soon as she graduated so she still kept in touch with the members of the gang, but have kept transparent all the time.

“Aneki… Thank you… for everything.”

“You don’t need to give me any thanks. I was the one that have brought you into this at the very first place.”

They were talking at the front yard of the inn. The little girl had been carrying the same luggage she had when she had her first encounter with her three years ago. They both grew old, gain experiences, learned things, meet new people. But the emotions they had remained the same even if a long time were to pass by.

“You see, I decided to study here just out of a whim. During those times I was a very free spirited young girl. Do you think this is a huge coincidence?”

“No, I don’t believe in coincidences.”

“Well I kind of saw that coming.”

“Stay safe on your trip.”

“Aneki… I’ll come back some day.”

The two ex-‘bosses’ said their goodbyes to each other. One was to leave, and one was to stay.

The one to leave was ‘The Daredevil of the West’. That night, the name became a part of the town’s history.

---

The once little girl, now at her late teenage years, finally arrived home, at the city where she used to live before studying at a faraway place.

Her mother had been standing at the front door, waiting for her only daughter to arrive. She haven’t seen her for years. They had been apart from each other for whole three years and the only way they had contact each other were through phone calls. How much have she missed her daughter to have to wait for hours until she finally arrives home. It was only natural, motherly love.

As she looked towards the end of the road she could see her daughter finally arriving.

It took a minute for her to finally be at the front of the gate and entered the yard.

“Mother I’m home—”

THUD!!

Her mother hit her at the head.

“What the fu— I mean, Ouch! What are you doing?”

“You could say the again with a better and respecting tone.”

“HUUH?! This is how you greet your daughter that finally came home after a long time?!”

THUD!!

“OUCH! WHY??!”

“And I’ve told you not to associate yourselves with Yankees!”

Her mother was furious. It had not been a single day that passed since she have left the hot springs and her mother already knew the things she had been doing for the past three years. And it was supposed to be a very deep secret.

“Those scumbaaags…” –she clenched her fist and murmured.

She felt the anger and urge to know who amongst the gang body of the town had informed her mother.

But she was wrong.

“It’s not one of the youngsters just so you know. I’ve known for a long time already.”

“Tsk! Auntie.”

“Did you just clicked your tongue at me?!”

“So that’s why. I should have known I couldn’t trust her on keeping a secret.”

The little girl imagined the face of her auntie laughing with an evil face.

“Hey that’s not nice, apologize to your auntie right now.”

“So. What would you do? For the record I’ve already laid my hands off. I’m an ex-yankee now. Just feel free to punish me already. I have my own faults too.”

“Ugh. What have you become in just three years.”

It was when her mother suddenly embraced her.

“You dummy! You had me worried to the core. Good thing your auntie promised me that she would keep you in check and send you back here once things get out of hand, but you managed on your own. Such a free spirit, you are. You should thank her again for taking care of you.”

All of her worries had been flowing out as she continued and continued to speak. The lecturing went on for a few more minutes and they stood still as her mother held her beloved daughter. As the mother continued lecturing her the little girl realized and realized more her own mistakes and how she had worried her mother. She came back to her proper senses and apologized.

“Mother, I’m sorry.”

“I know. Good to have you back, I missed you so much.”

“Yeah, me too. Let’s go inside, it’s freezing here.”

The mother and daughter, after being together again after a long time, went inside the house.

“Where’s father”

“Drunk, sleeping.”

“Sheesh.”

---

Modern Earth, 20xy

The break time is almost over and almost no one or rather no one was left at the cafeteria or so Seria might have thought.

She scouted the area first by taking a peek at the small at the little gap of the door that wasn’t completely closed. After seeing nobody seated at the tables eating, she assumed that everybody must have been finished already, so it should be safe to execute her retrieval plan.

She looked at a certain table at the farther side of the cafeteria. Seria looked like she was looking for something important.

“Hmmm. Good, it’s still there.” –she let out an almost muted sentence which even she could hardly hear.

It was about time to execute her plan, but she needed to check for some things first: she looked upwards and checked the cctv cameras. She was on a life and death retrieval mission which she needed to accomplish no matter what.

Seria always had a good memory. She seldom makes errors while at work and this was one of the very rare cases that there had been a lapse on her carefulness. She was pertaining to Fred’s draft that she carelessly forgot and left at the table when she and Old man had a coffee break earlier.

“The other guys must have thought someone reserved and was already using the table so they haven’t used it. Good thing it had not been thrown into trash.”

It would be a big deal if what Seria said were to happen. Fred and his team would have to redo the whole draft if they didn’t kept a copy at their studio. The draft pages was compiled by a black office clip as it was lay down at the table and got long forgotten by the one who should be responsible for it. It was really a good thing that the cleaners had not considered it as ‘shred-able trash’. Or it could be also that somebody refrained them from touching it because the owner might come back for it later on. Seria felt the need to secretly thank (editor in chief must not know) her teammates later after she have secured it.

Slowly…

She opened the door slowly and silently.

Slowly…

She opened the door to the point that only her slim body could fit in. And with the flexibility of her body, passing through a small gap was nothing. She went in like an acrobat in a circus trick, or like a magician on his escape the prison trick.

She then crawled silently towards the first table. She hid her body beside it like a kid playing hide and seek.

“Hm… so far so good.”

By human standards, one would look like a fool if he/she were to do the exact thing Seria was doing. But for Seria, it looked too natural. The sleek black slacks that she wore, the tight office dress which emphasized her well-built slim body. She really looked like an agent sent to spy a company to steal a high-level confidential document.

She then crawled towards the next one, then the next one, until she reached the table where the she have spotted the forgotten draft. From a standing person’s perspective, nobody else could be seen at the cafeteria. Then suddenly, a hand appeared at a certain table and got the lying draft that had been left there.

After securing the draft Seria suddenly stood up and wiped off the sweat on her forehead after a very tiring mission.

“PHEW! PACKAGE SECURED!”

“WHOAH SHIT!”

“WHOAH! WHAT THE!”

The two of them was startled at each other, Seria and Old man.

The kitchen sink had been wet, an indication that it have been used. Near the sink was a dish rack with several plates, cups, mugs and glasses arranged to it. Most of the employees were using their personal lunchbox set if ever they were diligent enough to prepare their lunch at home before going to work. But the tableware was provided by the company too just in case an employee will be needing them. Just always clean them and return them to their proper place once finished using had always been the proper etiquette and Old man had just followed that.

“Why the hell are you here?!”

“No I don’t want to hear that from you! Don’t just suddenly pop out of nowhere like a mushroom or something!!”

“Err… I guess you have a point. My bad.”

She didn’t had an answer to that. She admitted she just suddenly popped out of nowhere. Of course, she didn’t even entered the cafeteria properly.

“But what about you? If you’re here at the first place why don’t you just say so?”

“Well I’ve been here the very beginning. I was just cleaning the tableware I’ve used after eating.”

The sink was located alongside the door where Seria entered so it should be normal if she wouldn’t be able to see Old man at it. Like an investigator, she confirmed Old man’s alibi by looking at the droplets of water from below the dish rack which haven’t dried yet. Those had just been washed recently.

She gave Old man a squint, just like trying to tell a lying face and a face telling the truth.

“Pfft. PUHAHAHAHAHA!!” –Old man bursted out laughing.

“Wha-What?! Why?”

“Well I never expected to see that childish side of you! What, you playing the double agent on a foreign movie or something?”

Seria just gave him a frown. She only did it so she wouldn’t get caught by the cctv-camera. She was trying to hide the very fact that she have left a very important draft which was the proof of a week’s worth of hardwork of Fred and his team. It was due to a specific and important reason: to avoid getting a negative feedback from her boss.

Seria could not tell that directly to Old man, he was a previous junior to her before he got promoted so she needed to maintain the best impression to him like she always had.

“Hmp! I do this every once in a while, you know?”

“Well you have your similarities with Anemone. I think you two will fit each other.”

“No, thank you. You’ve let go of Fred already. Cheaters doesn’t deserve second chances. Besides, watching you suffer by being Anemone’s editor still amuses me, so might as well play your role for a while longer.”

“Hey don’t make it look like I was the one in the wrong here, I’ve got reasons too.”

“Heh, I know, I know, just kidding you… Besides…”

Seria approached Old man with the intent to kill. He pulled Old man’s tie and forced him to get near her. She then whispered besides his ear.

“Don’t ever tell anyone what you saw in here. You will die, okay?”

Fearing the massive negative intent that personified beside him, Old man had no choice but to nod his head.

This was not a death threat nor an extortion. Seria was just kindly asking Old man to keep quiet. It was a silly ploy to avoid getting scolded. But she somehow blown it off big time and gave Old man a wrong idea due to her bad wordings.

“Hah! I knew I could count on you, junior!”

With all the events finished and wrapped up, Seria went out of the cafeteria like it was nothing.