Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Faster, faster, faster. The girl ran and climbed her way up the tower. Her heart was beating like crazy, her whole body was aching, she could feel her legs ready to give out at any moment, but the girl pay no mind. She was racing against time. She forced her body to run, crawl, move faster, anything to get to her destination sooner.

Chisato is up there. She have to help her, it's her duty as her partner. All that she need was time. Please, please let her still be fine.

After what seems like eternity, she could finally see the exit. She ran faster, exerting her body to it's max. As she reached the exit, the girl looked up and screamed.

"Chisato!" Her voice trembled as she spoke. She could see the blonde girl laying down passed out. Majima's foot stepping her hand.

"Hey Chisato, your partner have finally come. Don't you have something to say to her?" The man taunt as he grind her foot against the girl's hand. Takina could hear the blonde girl's groan from below.

"Get your foot off of her you!—"

Just as Takina was about to ran up to them, Chisato suddenly glanced up, grabbed Majima and threw his body down with her. Takina could hear something crack as both of their body fell on top the glass. The blonde picked up her gun and began to shoot at the man. If she was still in her right mind, Takina would think the girl's figure would be no less than majestic. But panic was going through her head. The cracking grew louder the more shot got fired. Takina could only watch it all unfold from where she stand as an onimous feeling starts to fill her heart.

As Chisato's final shot hit Majima's head, the glass below them shatter and both of their body fell along with it. Takina stare in horror as she watched Chisato fall. Time felt to have slowed down for that moment. She screamed, calling the girl's name as she panicked. Her mind went frantic, and as if on instinct she ran and prepared her wire gun and shot it the girl's way. She prayed to god, prayed her hardest all her life for it to hit. But fate was not on her side. When has god been by her side?

The shot slightly missed her target and wrapped itself on the gap where Chisato was supposed to be. Takina stared as the blonde fall and their distance grew farther. She tried to think of another way to save her, but it was too late. Her body was too far to reach. She looked down at the blonde's falling body, smirking a bit as she fell.

The gun she held dropped to the ground as she collapsed on the spot, her mind unable to comprehend what happened. How did she fail? Why did any of this have to happen? She missed her shot. She messed up. She failed to save Chisato. She failed to prevent her death. Takina failed her. She failed her and now she have to face the consequences.

She shut her eyes and cried, all her frustation materializes in the form of teardrops. She has kept it in ever since she found out about Chisato's lifespan. She refused to shed tears for her. But now with the girl gone, she has no reason to hold it in anymore.

She cursed god for failing her. Blaming them for not listening to her prayers, but she knew deep down it was her fault. Chisato died because of her. She held her head with both hands and placed her forehead on the floor. And with that, she smashed her forehead against the floor until she bleeds, punishing herself with the pain it brought. Siren filled her ears as it drown out all the noise from around her. Her mind went red as self blame start to take over. She could feel her body trembling and her heart beating frantically like it might burst out of her chest. Overwhelmed by it all, she covered her ears and shut her eyes. She screamed once more into the void as wished it was all just a bad dream. She wishes she could reverse time to before the tragedy happened.

"It's not just me. Everyone's time comes sooner or later," Takina hears Chisato's voice enter her ears. It's the line she said back in the old radio tower. The line Chisato said after she let Yoshimatsu go. Did the stress cause her to hallucinate Chisato's voice?

"But today's not that day," the voice spoke. Today's not that day? What a joke. Chisato died today. She failed to prevent the death of the most precious person to her.

"Isn't that right?" Takina knows Chisato is already dead. She saw her fall with her own eyes. This voice is definitely just in her mind. But... The voice sounds too real. Maybe she's still...?

Takina then lift her head slowly and scoffed, as if to mock her thought. Contrary to her expectation, Chisato is right in front of her, hand by Takina's side. Takina's mouth hang agape, confusion and shock filled her brain. Not sure how to react, Takina grabbed her hand and held it against her cheek, trying to confirm her presence. 'Her hand... It's warm.'

"Hm? Eh? Takina, what are you—" before Chisato could finish her sentence, a gust of wind suddenly blew from the open window from besides them. From the other side of the window stood a helicopter hovering in it's place. The helicopter door open revealing a blonde kid calling out for them.

"Hey! Are you two alright?!" The kid shouted from inside the helicopter.

"Mizuki's really annoying, so hurry up already! God it's so windy here... my eyes and mouth are so dry!" She complained and was followed by a coughing fit.

"Well, you heard her Takina! Let's hop in," said the girl in front of her, reaching for her hand and urging her to follow her. Takina grabed it and follow without hesitation. With her memory of Chisato's death still fresh in her mind, she wonders if it was just a dream, but considering the girl is all fine and well she'll keep it to herself for now. Even so, the pain of loosing Chisato is still real.

Everything is not all fine and well.

As Chisato and Kurumi was discussing about the plan, Takina was in her own world trying to figure out what the hell is happening. She feels like she already knew the info Kurumi was sharing even though it's supposed to be her first time hearing it. And even weirder than that, the information she shared was the exact same as the one in the dream.

The realization then dawned on her, was the dream actually real? No, it's beyond common sense for her to be able to go back in time. Is it deja vu? But she remembers it all too well for it to be something her brain falsely conjure in a moment of despair. Then it has to be the first option, did god actually answer her prayers?

Can she save her this time?

Save. The word keep repeating itself in her mind. If she did go back in time, that means she got a second chance. A second chance to save Chisato. Maybe god took pity on her this time.

"Hello? Earth to Takina?" Chisato's voice snaps Takina back to reality. Chisato and Kurumi is now staring at her worriedly. "What are you thinking about, Takina? It's not like you to not pay attention to the detail of the mission," Kurumi asked.

"No, it's okay. We just to have stick that USB in the Enkuboku's control room right?" Takina responded while pointing at the USB stick with a walnut logo in Chisato's hand. "Then everything's settled. Leave everything to Walnut."

"So what are you gonna do, Chisato?" Mizuku shouted from the pilots seat while looking their way. She should really pay attention to what's in front of her when controlling a helicopter.

Chisato pump her fist lightly in the air and said, "Okay! Lycoreco's back in business!" Though excitement was plastered all over her face, Takina didn't miss that tinge of relief Chisato showed.

Chapter Text

Things went by as I remembered. We rushed into the control room, apprehend the guards quickly, Chisato struggling to find the USB port while arguing with Fuki, and finally Kurumi restoring the radiata functionality.

It really is the past. Then the lilybell should be preparing to fire right about now. Should I wait by the door and try to fight back? No, there's a chance I could get shot. There's no point in changing my previous at this point in time. Besides, Kurumi's distraction should be getting broadcasted soon.

Not long after that, the gunfire stopped as the announcement from the control room ring out. It's right about at the same time as the one in my memory. Fuki's currently speaking with the commander while Chisato is still watching the broadcast announcement. All the problem should already been dealt with right now, but I know otherwise. It's been more or less an hour since we left the old tower, there's a high chance Majima is already here.

"After this is where our real fight happen."

Should I search for him? No, it's too risky to leave Chisato alone. There's a chance I won't find him too even if I look everywhere. Even if we met, there's a high chance I won't be able to fight back and would just become a hindrance to Chisato.

Think. What's the best strategy to use. My past knowledge may come in handy, but there is no guarantee it's 100% right.

I have to come up with a countermeasure to avoid 'it'. If I fail, there isn't going to be any future. I can't imagine a future without Chisato in it.

If this is the past, I have to avoid it.

If this really is the past, then in a couple of hours Chisato will—

"Hey Takina~ you okay? You've been spacing out with a serious face for a while now."

"My body can still hold up for a few hours. That should mean I'm still okay"

"No no, hold on. You've been running back and forth from the radio tower, there's no way you're body is fine!" Chisato went closer and pushed me to take a seat in the control room.

"What, are you understimating my stamina? Just so you know I can still climb 317 meter easily."

After much resistance from me, she finally managed to make me sit on a chair by the monitor. On top of that, she leaned her body and placed both of her hand on the table behind the chair to make sure I wouldn't be able to escape.

"But running a couple of kilometers without break is still too much even for me you know? And what's with that suspiciously specific number, do you plan to climb the whole Enkuboku tower or something?!"

I would do anything if it means there's a chance you will live.

"Just a possibility." I place my right hand on her cheek. It's warm, she's still in front of me.

"This girl, who taught you these things?" Chisato leans in to the touch and place her hand on top of mine.

"They're closer than you think"

"Geez, it's Mizuki again isn't it. She  must have rubbed off on you."

No.

"Who knows?"

It's you.

"Hey! Why are you smirking like that, I didn't even say anything funny?!"

By the time we went out of the control room, the sky has already turned a shade of red as if to foreshadow what's about to come. Chisato is at the front while I stay closely behind her. Looking around, I still see no sight of Majima. I wonder how Chisato must have noticed and warned us about him in my previous memory.

"Hey Takina, thank you." Erika who is besides me suddenly spoke. Huh, what's this girl talking about?

"The only reason she's still here is because you got kicked out instead. Make sure you give your proper thanks." Added Sakura as she turn around to face us.

"Oh, is that what you meant?"

"I should have told the commander exactly what happen."

If it was the 'past Takina', I would've been mad, I think. But now...

"That's true. What a nasty women"

Because that happen, I was able to meet Chisato. It flipped my world upside down for the better. If I got the chance to go further into the past, I wouldn't change my decision. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Now, I'm able to let that incident go. The 'Takina' now is able to comfortably joke and treat it as just another stepping stone in my life. I have Chisato to thank for all that.

Now, please give me the chance to pay it all back.

"How dense, the whole lot of them..." Fuki commented.

"What colour do you want for your café uniform?" Chisato suddenly said.

"Huh?!"

"You disobeyed orders to stand by, so you might get shipped off to LycoReco as well!"

"Tch," A click of her tounge can be heard. "Come on, don't be stupid."

Chisato chuckles a bit as a response. "Well you can just wear mine."

My body froze at what she said. Right, I've almost forgotten why I came back. Losing focus could mean fatal, I have to be more alert.

"Hey Takina, you okay? You stopped walking." Chisato walks closer to me as she rest her hand on my shoulder.

"No, I was just..."

Just what? Thinking about you? I've already done that the whole time since that time we went to the aquarium together. Then the most optimal way to avoid you dying? Is that a better answer?

"Spacing out." It's not entirely a lie.

Chisato must have figured something's up from the way her expression slightly change. But decides not to pry into it.

"Oh! The elevator's almost here!"

The time has come.

"Chisato, you go in first."

"Hm sure. Ladies first, am I right?"

"Don't forget about us, we're all a girl here!"

I readied my gun out as I scan around the room. There's still no trace of Majima around.

The elevator arrived not long after with a ding. Fuki and others including Chisato has already got in it. "Takina, come on in or we'll leave you behind!" Chisato shouted from the elevator.

"All right." I lowered my gun and started to walk to the elevator. But as I came in, a weak thud came from behind. Turning around, a lycoris bag with a pug keychain lay on the floor way in front of the door.

"Oh! My bag!"

As Chisato was about to run out, I snatched her wrist in panic. I gripped it tightly as to not let her go.

"Eh, Takina?"

"Don't. Don't go out."

"But it's the bag with the keychain you got me! I would regret it all my life if I just leave it there you know?"

"Please don't go" I raised my face and felt my grip on her tighten. I probably made the same face as I did when I failed to get her heart back.

Chisato's face stiffen for a second before going back to her signature smile.

"Takina, let go." She said coldly. Her tone of voice contrast greatly to the smile on her face.

What the hell? What do you mean let go when letting go means you'll be gone?

"Crap, we're running out of time" Chisato said under her breath.

Eh? Running out of time?

"Fuki, shield!"

Before I could even process it, a barrage of gunshots was shot at our direction. Chisato shielded my body, while Fuki put out her lycoris bag to defend. Our body fell with a thud as the elevator door closes slowly.

The glass around us are cracked and blood is spilling out on the floor. Chisato lay on top of my body unmoving. My breathing went frantic as I realize what just happen. No, no  this isn't supposed happen.

"Hey, Chisato? Don't joke around." I shake her body lightly, I couldn't even tell if she's alive from her heartbeat.

Her body fell from on top of me. She didn't respond.

"Hey, Chisato! Open your eyes!" Blood is spilling out from the side of her body. My hand is covered in Chisato's blood too.

"You idiot, move aside!" Fuki shove my body away and begin applying pressure to her wound. The blood didn't seem to stop however.

"Erika, check her breathing. Sakura, grab the gauze from my bag. HQ!"

Hm? Is chisato dying?

"Takina, grab a hold of yourself!" Fuki shouted at me while shaking my body furiously. But her voice didn't seem to reach. My mind was already occupied with other matter.

Chisato wasn't supposed to die here, hell she wasn't even supposed to get injured. The future changed because of me. The future changed because I stopped her from running to her bag. She's dying because of me.

My body trembled as I gaze at her unmoving body. Flashbacks of my previous attempt replayed itself on my mind. I failed.

I failed again.

My mind went blank.