Chapter 70: Through the Looking Glass
Akane smiled, resting her head back on the headrest of her seat on the southeast-bound commuter train. It had been quite the weekend. There were the down parts, for sure – she hadn't especially enjoyed Ranko's retelling of the events at the talent agency – but she'd also gotten to witness Ranko bouncing back, and singing that incredible song. Making her stand.
Being a long holiday weekend, Akane had found herself with some time to kill. She thought it would be a nice surprise to have a breakfast date with Ranko. She'd stopped at a local bakery -- she didn't dare try to make something herself – and picked up some pastries and coffee. It wasn't much, but she was mostly looking forward to surprising her. Maybe they could spend the day together. The train car's CCTV monitor had just flashed an ad for a carnival that was going on not far from the Phoenix, and that sounded like it might be fun.
She chuckled to herself, remembering the night at the carnival in Nerima where Ranko had first successfully used the Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire technique to catch her a goldfish. It had been the last good night she shared with her before the possibility of a return to her masculine form had been lost forever. How fitting would it be if one of their first real dates were at a carnival, in her new hometown, with her new identity?
Akane stood as soon as the train squealed to a stop, slipping out the door quickly. She wanted to get the pastries to Ranko while they were still warm. She sighed happily as she walked down the sidewalk, waving to an old man that was walking out to get his morning newspaper. It was going to be a great day.
She skipped excitedly up the two steps to the glass front door, and just before she reached for the handle, she saw movement from within it. She watched for a moment, wanting to sneak up on Ranko to maximize the surprise. No one else would be there this early. So who is that in there with her? Akane looked closer, and recognized the guy that had talked her onto the stage the other night. What was his name, Chase? Clash? Something weird like that.
The mysterious man stepped closer to Ranko. His fingers ran down her neck.
And then, she watched in horror as he leaned down and kissed her.
She dropped her bag on the ground and ran.
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