At least we are together

Yukiko wipes the tears from her face, frustration and despair flashing in her eyes.

"Are you gonna finally tell me who is after us? Who was that girl? And what was all this?" She storms over to Manami, glaring down at her

Manami looks up, a hint of annoyance on her face.

"Does it really matter?"

"Of course it matters! You have been dragging me around all this time, and I do not know anything!" she snaps

Manami sighs, her expression unreadable.

"Its my family, okay? They want to kill us because I killed my father. Happy now?"

"What the fuck? Who was your father, and who the hell are you?!" -anger creeps into her voice

She begins pacing, running a hand through her hair as she thinks aloud.

"How did I get caught up in this mess? And dont even get me started on you killing your father..." -she grits her teeth, overwhelmed

After a moment, she sighs, biting her lip.

"I understand, okay? I know you were trying to protect me. I know he wanted to kill me." -she bites her thumbnail, trying to make sense of it all

"Ah, shit... I do not know how to feel about any of this... about you killing your father to save me." -she steps closer to Manami

"Just spit everything out already! I am done with all this!"

Manami stands abruptly, grabbing a fistful of Yukikos hair and pulling her close, her eyes blazing.

"Shut up. Got it? Just shut up. You know enough."

"L-let me g-" -Yukiko starts, but Manami tightens her grip, then shoves her to the ground.

Yukiko falls hard, punching the floor in a mix of anger and defeat.

Manami watches her for a moment, then pulls her to her feet.

"You have to keep only one thing in that little mind of yours: Im keeping you safe, got it? Now enough of this pointless shit. We have to go. We are leaving the city." -as she drags Yukiko along

___

They walk for an hour before stopping at a market to buy supplies.

While Yukiko follows Manami around, a nearby dog wanders over and licks her leg. She looks down, smiling as it returns to its owner. When she looks up, she sees Manami still tense, scanning the area.

Deciding to break the tension, she asks.

"Do you... have a dog, Manami?"

Manami glances at her, an eyebrow raised.

"Huh? Where did that come from? Are you trying to break the tension or something?"

"Maybe." -Yukiko shrugs, looking away

Manami sighs, grabbing a few bottles of water.

"Yeah, I had one."

"You had one? What happened to it?" -she tilts her head

Manami pauses and scratches her head.

"I... I dont know."

"You dont know?" -Yukiko asks

"No." -Manami says, dropping the supplies at the register

After they pay and head back to the street, Yukiko stops suddenly, her face crumpling as tears roll down her cheeks.

"I... I miss my mom..." -she says softly

Manami grabs her hand, pulling her along without looking at her.

"You will see her again. Okay? Now stop crying."

"Y-you promise?" -Yukikos voice is barely a whisper

But Manami remains silent, leaving the question unanswered.

___

Meanwhile, Yuuji and Kaito drive toward Yukikos mothers house.

"I know it is hard for her... but we need to talk with her. She might know something helpful." -Yuuji says, studying the investigation notes

"She seemed calmer when we asked her this morning. I think shes ready to talk." -Kaito replies

Yuuji flips through the notes, frowning.

"So, it says Manami killed her father. But why? There is no motive listed, just that he is dead. This is nothing."

"I mean the family was accusing her, but how were they so sure?"

"That is all the investigation team found so far. And about the family... good question." -Kaito scratches his head, shrugging as he keeps driving

"Throat slitting?" -Yuuji sighs, frustrated

"This is not much to go on. Who was handling this investigation?"

"Yuuji, I... I dont know," he says, shaking his head.

"You dont?" -Yuuji looks at him for a moment, then leans back in his seat

___

They soon arrive at the house, and Yuuji knocks on the door.

"Maam! We are from the police! We are here to talk!"

"Huh? She is not home or what?" -Yuuji knocks again

"She should be." -Kaito says, trying the doorknob, which turns easily

"Well... the door is unlocked at least."

They step inside, calling out for Yukikos mother, Honoka.

"Yuuji... where the hell is she?" -Kaito asks, scanning the empty rooms

Yuuji shakes his head, and he lets out a bigh sigh.

"Man, I have a really bad feeling about this."

___

Later that night, Yukiko and Manami continue down the darkened streets.

"Manami... we should really find a place to rest for the night." -Yukikos voice is small and tired

"Yeah i know, i know... just keep walking for now." -Manami replies

They turn into a narrow alleyway, only to be confronted by three men, smirking as they keep looking at them.

"Well, well. Out a bit late, arent you, ladies?" -one of them sneers

"Mind your own business." -Manami growls, trying to pull Yukiko along

But suddenly one of the men grabs Yukikos arm, yanking her back.

"Aw, dont be like that. We just want to have a little fun."

"M-Manami?!" -Yukiko calls, fear gripping her voice

"Huh? You fuckers. Let her go. NOW!" -Manami steps closer, fists clenched and her eyes flash with rage

"And what are you gonna do if we dont, huh? Call the cops?" -he taunts, his hand moving to grope Yukiko

Yukiko gasps, her scream muffled as one of them clamps a hand over her mouth.

Manami tilts her head, her expression darkens, her blood pounding with fury.

"You… you idiots are dead." -she swings her fist, landing a blow across one mans face, sending him sprawling to the ground

The second man lunges at her, but she dodges and grabs his collar, slamming him against the wall before delivering a rapid series of punches to his face.

The third man shoves Yukiko aside and rushes at Manami, but she pivots and tackles him, straddling him on the ground as she rains punches down on him. Her hand closes around his throat, squeezing as he struggles beneath her.

"You… damn… psycho…" -he chokes out, his eyes starting to glaze over

Suddenly, Manamis eyes widen as she releases his throat, leaving him unconscious. She stares at her hands, then begins to laugh, a cracked, unsettling sound as tears spill down her face.

Yukiko rises shakily, watching her in fear.

"M-Manami?" -she whispers, hesitantly approaching her

"I remember now... i remember..." -Manami looks up at her

"W-what are you talking about?" -she asks, her voice trembling

Manamis laughter fades, but the tears keep spilling, her gaze distant as she whispers.

"My dog… I strangled it."