"Go Away!" shouted Hanabi from her bathtub.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoFoUfod9H
"Open the door! It's important!" said Sung Hwang (Hanabi's brother) from behind the door.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QhUAHF2WM
"What do you want?" Hanabi shouted.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMlOKTo3Es
"I just want to talk! So once you're done, get out of your room and come meet me in the backyard," said Sung Hwang.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH47erNpZH9
"Meeh..." Hanabi rolled her eyes in the bathtub.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR9XJJbWEO
"Do you understand?!" Sung Hwang asked.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQu7z1J9nd
"Yeah, sure..." said Hanabi.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOgnLvH5OR
PLOD. PLOD.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7IM5nCXvq
PLOD.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2CiU4Jbd2
His footsteps faded from behind the door as her brother walked away.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU6a9av2sc
"Haaa..." Hanabi sighed, sinking deeper into the tub.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkV5X1SUy4
"What's he going to say now?!"
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqBDNyqPjJ
**LATER THAT DAY...**
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknRu2uL2Vk
In the backyard, on a tiled veranda beside a colorful garden of green grass, Sung Hwang sat in one of four chairs arranged around a white round table.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC3xMfbxd1
The roof above the veranda gave it shade.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ6IadBIVp
WHOOSH-
A cool afternoon breeze blew.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV2dYF2MZr
He watched two squirrels run across the green field, one carrying a nut.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVCPOMG8Nt
A thin stream of steam rose from the hot tea on the table.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPGnx0emdO
PLAP! PLAP!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8USxjbSNM
PLAP! PLAP!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ez8cWa9Fo
Sung turned.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFQ2Xz9W7z
Hanabi walked toward one of the chairs, hands tucked into her unzipped jacket, wearing short pants.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNG5xAxqOH
TP.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS7PJDwXoW
SCREECH-
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dYZzMRzuQ
SHHFFF-
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7DST8NDeG
She pulled the chair back and sat, propping her right foot on the seat.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJFOwGN9Ez
"HMPF..." She rested her head on her right fist.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zZGJevbhe
"I'm here now!" said Hanabi.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdweqCm0T1
"Hm! Okay..." said Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxxrYoDbhU
"So how have you been doing?" asked Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V5h6i4qyR
"Why do you ask?" Hanabi asked.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBETVqzSYd
"I asked you a question!" said Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6b9zTF967
Sung Hwang picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMYQPblxaS
"Tsk..."
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q7hZ6wbxd
"I'm alive! That's all that matters!" Hanabi replied.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYb8LbPxBC
SIP!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWMAEippcx
CLACK!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RCe690RYT
Sung set the cup back on the table.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD49D4hAPNx
"Then thank God! I heard from Mom that you were kidnapped a few months ago," said Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIZcitG644
"And you've been getting into a couple of troubles lately. You're even on the news!" said Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwfbsVqel9
"How do you know that?! My face was clearly blurred on TV!" exclaimed Hanabi.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmTTtgMTLi
"I've known you very well since we were kids! Figuring out your face in a blurred pic would be easy!" said Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjbsVWzChg
"Hm! Is that why you abandoned the job you prioritized over everything?!" asked Hanabi.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHQRXXJSeK
"No!" replied Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9ribJw36n
"Hmm! Or maybe..." Hanabi patted her chin, smirking.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc0TMCGPs8
She slapped her right hand on the table.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ450Vz6NG8z
PAT!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhbODkAvvf
"You were worried about me!" She leaned toward him.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNSQbVXIni
"N-NO, I'M NOT..." said Sung, turning away, a blush on his cheek.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ifue6CdCW
*Heh! He looks so funny when I tease him!* Hanabi thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO91wi5V7iY
"Then what is it?" asked Hanabi, leaning back in her chair.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvcZk7WNri
Sung Hwang turned back to face her.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitN6gitPnE
"Well, you see..." His eyes darted to the side.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKqHY5jHaj
"Well what?!" Hanabi scoffed.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy8sQYMqkb
"I... was... worried... about... you!" Sung muttered, trembling.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPOF7VNyS9
"HAH! I KNEW IT!" Hanabi pointed, laughing.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Qy3XvjrM
"You are such a SOFTIE!" Hanabi scoffed, mockingly.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaMKbHgT6Y
"SOFTIE? I'M NOT A SOFTIE!" said Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSNN8AyC6J
"IT IS MY DUTY AS THE ELDEST SON TO CARE ABOUT THE YOUNGER ONES, AND AFTER ALL, YOU ARE MY ONLY SISTER!" he yelled.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgh6ka1JdZ
"WHY WOULDN'T I BE WORRIED?!" said Sung.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGxENFN1LZ
"Oh my... I'm so touched by your words, Oni- uh, I mean...
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QrIXdUoPO
SOFTIE CHAN!..." mocked Hanabi, striking a pose.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP2A2sNKYA
"THAT'S IT, KEEP QUIET!" he yelled.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5gPJDEeSt
"SOFTIE CHAN!" said Hanabi.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwentF8fPRt
"I'M WARNING YOOOU..." He pointed angrily.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPF5MewxAZ
"SOFTIE CHAN!" Hanabi mocked again.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGeRLOJxMC
"THAT'S IT. ARRGGGGGH!"
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM3M0ec04F
Sung lunged at Hanabi like a gigantic boar with fire in its eyes.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboBrVKPPWK
Hanabi, her back turned to him, stared out as if looking at the fourth-wall screen, a grin too wide for her face stretched across it.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJSRzKAYgo
Her eyes were pitch black.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qYSHC71zE
Her right hand was raised, a phone in it. On the screen, a number was dialing, with a name beside it:
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tBFjhBIBE
**MOM!**
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4dx9mWnei
RING! RING!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJYpXMseoY
---
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLYp8IN2Jw
A chocolate-skinned hand dipped into a pocket and pulled out a ringing phone.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvPizRsbaS
It was P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mYFreVpBl
He squatted at the edge of a sandy walkway on the cliffside under the afternoon sun.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGcecr6ja9
His back rested against a wooden fence as passersby glanced at the strange stranger.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDPfE3ygRu
The wounds from his battle with Mei and Miu were plainly visible, but he couldn't care less.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dUCJ5ipwE
**SOMEWHERE ON THE PLANET;**
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwzqUzFZ9O
RING RING
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNSmGYpUed
"What the...!" P thought, staring at the screen, confused.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59m7N1owKC
PHONE SCREEN:
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULLbgQicXm
××××××××××
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY680rvB1M
UNKNOWN NUMBER.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgQeAiNF81
P answered the call.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR0dKK9mfg
BEEP!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgKhTdPoWs
PHONE: (A TRIUMPHANT SONG PLAYED)
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIz7JIEYqp
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR FREE MONEY!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0b1NuEOd0
BEEP!
P ended the call.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqRP9yJjBw
"Tsk! Scammers!" said P, annoyed.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQGS92hnJg
SHFFF!
He dropped his phone.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzq2MRrgWA
MURMUR MURMUR
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCT8TcQ5pR
He watched people chatting, some walking, kids playing. Everyone was living their own episode in the event marketplace.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRfYh2ADJl
The atmosphere was cheerful!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcscYrGAHx
To P, it was a spectacle!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3udcw897To
*Things are so peaceful, and everything's completely normal!* P thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kt7RHPbsX
He lifted his head to the blue sky.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9eVu7i7mG
*The world is at peace, even though there might be some criminals, terrorists, or thieves lurking around...* P thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxR7RpAD8r
*It's still fine! The government can handle all that!* P thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxu4yuFPTp
"Haaa..." P sighed, lowering his head.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PawN4Cm1W
*At least the world isn't going through a horrific apocalypse!* P thought.
*Everyone's having a good time, and I'm having a bad day.*
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5sVcHPaDA
*I had to make a lot of sacrifices! Including myself.* P thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTth33TeECZ
MURMUR MURMUR!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbkMDAgfM2
Cheerful songs filled the air!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZShf4rlF33
People lived their lives.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts4VRws2Aq
"HAHAHA!" cheered two children with balloons, chased by a woman.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJEk4fU2zt
WHOOSH.....
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrrdtWpJ15
His eyes fell sadly to the ground.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfkajA88Ib
*Now I have to watch them...*
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDATGKrMET
"Hahahaha..." a female laugh echoed in his head.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX4EB2duQB
*AS THEY REAP THE FRUIT!* P thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoryZqyHubl
*Ignorance is indeed a blessing!* P nodded slightly and smiled.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi5xwwApTe
Suddenly—
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeih6HgcXk
FLAP!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10r02reRuM
A kid tossed a dollar bill at P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rskyJJKVa
TP.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uDESUYk4P
The money fell at his feet!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49cgDH1UOd
"Take care of yourself!" said the Japanese kid, walking away with his mom.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoJ95rOF4Q
"HEH?" P thought, confused.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHITMlD5Ag
His mom covered her mouth to hide a chuckle.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rbmH1z7V0
*Shit! I'm so broke even a kid can see through me!* P thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUjKZbBnhJ
SHFF-
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz2QB3RBTm
But P picked up the money and slid it into his pocket.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsN7vKfPG7
*I need money! Money to take care of myself, travel to Na... Na-ka-na... NAKA... Let's just say Nakanayo Ward in Kyoto,* P thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlyoPtynP2
TL/N: It's Nakagyō Ward actually.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngQVymjzwB
*And find that guy Graniel told me about, called Kenji Ichiro,* P thought, serious.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShIeF1PZWw
He rested his right hand on his chin.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7Is6961UA
*I need money, but how? I don't even have a job.* P thought.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtczRyNMr7d
*What should I do?*
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqBWwisROR
Suddenly—
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs3V5CT2EJ
POP!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR4SVzbbUD
A mini version of P, with white wings and a halo over its head, appeared floating above P's right shoulder.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpth7L2uoV
Angelic P: There's no need to worry, my child!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8G4I3s6f6
"Huh? Child? Who the hell are you?" P asked, confused.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm69MESSY7J
Angelic P: TEEHEHEHEHE!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIEFGxFCJ5
The angel chuckled.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYTw3OagCy
"I'm the good inside you!" said Angelic P, bumping P's chest.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNRGm0aF3q
BUMP!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ts9QmqhNO
SPARKLE! SPARKLE!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9vh8RM8tZ
The bump sprinkled sparkling light over P's chest.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHTHr1YrS7
"Good inside me?" said P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4zh34Jo8w
"I still have that?" asked P, looking away, confused and shocked.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFWB5YWRND
"HUHU! Yes, you do! Everyone has good in them!" said Angelic P, swirling happily around him.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpKtxWWJ1M
"...That's a lot to take in," said P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBvYDisn3e
"So where were you in my darkest moments? Where were you when I needed help the most?" asked P, serious, with disdain.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1zGXNCDhB
Angelic P's expression fell.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1QsoKAHgt
SPRINKLE! SPRINKLE...
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUCkjn11Iw
PAT!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MNtysNB3Q
Angelic P flew to P and patted his right shoulder with its left hand.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fEBG1gxxE
"I know what you've been through, and I know your deepest pains! I know your struggles, P," said Angelic P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bEYSY7L1m
"I've always been within you. I was the voice that always told you that you had HOPE!" said Angelic P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI55Xjk2It
"I'm the voice that kept you moving even when you couldn't!" said Angelic P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3b88BBVS0
"I'm the testament of your struggles!" said Angelic P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2em18KPrb
"Oh! Thank you!" P said with an appreciative smile.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilkaGgPfaw
"Oh, chucks! Stop!" Angelic P blushed.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP5RtVO6qq
"If I were you, I would have killed myself a long time ago! But now I'm here to advise you," said Angelic P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLR7k01gjj
"That no matter what! HMPF-" Angelic P flexed its little muscles.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGNS5yna2j
"Never give up!" said Angelic P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNkxYayJYu
P smiled at the mini angel, unaware of the public eyes on him.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzu7IJZMmz
To passersby, P was smiling and talking at nothing.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrrSEejUgX
MURMUR! MURMUR!
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gXv8NEqFO
"Is this man serious?" said a distant voice.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUzPzFIB6q
"Is he crazy?!" said a female voice.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3feT6JSsU
"Mommy, I'm scared!" a child cried as her mom pulled her away.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgtmu9pKFB
"But moments ago, he was normal! Is he going mad?!" said a female voice.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4dKoR0v52
Angelic P reformed and started swirling again.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFelwG9F4j8
"No matter how many times you get turned down for a job, keep trying and trying. You're gonna get a job someday!" said Angelic P, cheerful.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUtBTNtLDo
P frowned at once.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfpJzQmtUu
"What do you mean *someday*? I need a job right now!" said P, checking his mini version.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHItCMvVFPr
Sweat broke across Angelic P's face.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9EWLhjYTo
"Uh-oh! B-but success takes time!" said Angelic P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8EfDuGqVc
"I need time! I need money! I need money right now!" P demanded.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGMeiJPfwh
"Bu-but...!" said Angelic P.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6YFdd6xsJ
"BUT! BUT! WHAAAAAT...!" said a similar mini voice, but sinister.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AsTRiP2FK
Angelic P and P turned to the side at once.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3XLMVjoHc
The camera swiftly panned to P's other shoulder, where a mini P sat with two red horns on his head and a red arrow tail.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7OAWoGAxq
He held a tiny red pitchfork.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhV2939doQ
"Oh no... you're here!" Angelic P gasped in panic, pointing.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YIBnlF8JW
"SURPRISE... MOTHERFU*KER," smiled Devil P.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxHMcy7ig8
and then Add to home screen.