One hour had passed since the incredible Laser Tag game, and after plenty showers of praise and attention from countless spectators, Shihon was found latched onto Liohime like glue as they patrolled around the rest of the Polar Town Fair compound.
With a spectacular golden plastic crown placed on her head around her costume 'ears' that poked out and a large bag of popcorn in her bandaged right hand, Shihon continued to munch happily.
It looks like Mission: Kill the Harlot was finally successful, and she was very proud of herself.
Good for you, Shihon. This is why you're Best Girl.
"U-Um, aren't you sticking a bit wayyy too close to me, Shihon?" questioned Liohime, as Shihon basically stuck herself onto his right side and rested her head on his shoulders while they both walked on and admired the exhibitions on display.
"Wazzat?"
"Chew and swallow, first idiot."
".....Swallow what? Your cu-"
"Aaaaand I expected another unfunny sex joke right on time. Also, you're literally about to crush my right arm with the way that you've been holding on to me."
"You'll be alright. It's your jerk-off arm, right? You should be able to endure it. It's got a bit more extra muscle over there than on your left, after all."
"And another unfunny sex joke. How many is that today?"
"Hell if I know. Plus, I've been away from you for too long, so I gotta make up for that by doing everything in my power to enjoy your company now," she answered meekly before stuffing her head into the popcorn bag and taking in a mouthful.
"I see…"
He sighed and drew into silence before speaking up again.
"What exactly…did you and Tisha say to each other when you were duking it out?"
"Wah???"
"Chew. Swallow. Popcorn."
"...Are you mad that I possibly said something bad to your ex?"
"W-Woah now, chill out, will you? It's just that she didn't seem like herself when we all returned to the spectator room. She didn't even acknowledge me when we passed each other."
"Thank God."
"Hey…"
"Nothing was said," Shihon stated, frustration building within her as she clearly wanted to avoid talking about Tisha Marsey. "I just beat her to a pulp and she lost like a fucking reta…..can't say that word these days. But she'll be fine….maybe? Don't know, don't care. Let's move on, Master. Shouldn't you be celebrating with me?"
"I've given you so many hugs, head pats and praises after the game that I can't even count. What more could you possibly want?" Liohime grumbled, causing Shihon to avert her eyes.
"Ugh, you really are no fun, Master."
".....I'll think of something when we get home."
"YES!!!"
She leaped for joy and tripped, almost clashing into the ground, but Liohime caught her with a perfect reaction time, bringing their surprised faces only an inch close to touching each other.
"A-Are you okay?"
"...Woah."
"What?"
"By chance, where would you rank the Missionary position?"
"Huh? Just get up, already."
He hoisted her body upwards and his eyes wandered over to a lone figure sitting at a nearby bench. His eyes lit up as he recognized the young boy.
It's that Billy kid, by himself.
"Anyway," Shihon spoke as she interjected, "I surprised you with that win back there, didn't I? I proved my strength to you, didn't I?"
She continuously poked him at the side of his abdomen in a teasing manner, and Liohime chuckled at the tickling sensation.
"Yeah, yeah, you did great. Still, I kinda had a feeling that you'd pull through. You didn't need to prove anything to state that you're strong. I know that you're strong, strong enough to protect me when tough times are ahead."
Shihon paused and then bit her lip. Noticing the sudden silence that prevailed instead of her usual thanks to compliments, Liohime narrowed his pupils.
"Is everything okay, Shihon?"
"Um…."
Tell him, Shihon, she begged herself.
Since a few days ago, the one thing that had been plaguing her mind was Liohime's incoming trip to the Paradisus Legion. He had not told her about it since then, and the concern only grew when her gut repeatedly told her that place was a location that should be left alone.
She wanted to remain close to him and be by his side when the time came for him to leave Polar Town. But, was he planning to not include her since he had stayed silent about it? Why did he not inform her? And even if he does decide to tell her soon, why not as soon as possible?"
Tell him about your concern…
"Um…I…"
"You what…?"
"I gotta use the bathroom."
"Oh."
She turned red and her nose twitched while she avoided his gaze.
"Well, I'll be right here, talking to Billy," Liohime replied, pointing to the kid that seemed to stare off into space while sitting on the wooden bench, and then began to walk over to him.
Shihon palmed her face and exhaled.
Maybe I'm just overthinking it. Yeah, that must be it, right?
Deciding to take a brisk stroll in order to clear her head, she took a few steps forward, but then stopped as she noticed someone several feet away…
…Someone who instantly spotted her inspecting gaze from a far distance and quickly ran off.
What the…..isn't that…!?
With her breath stopping short, she chased after the individual, weaving her way through the busy crowd as her heart raced with excitement and anxiety.
***
After two minutes of trying to get through a busy crowd within the compound, Shihon entered the car park area and barely glanced at the figure trying to enter a car on the far end, isolated from other vehicles.
I have to catch her, right now! Shihon exclaimed, and burst forward with the fastest speed that she could manage in her human form.
The human had entered the driving seat, and was about to turn on the car engine when the other front door on the opposite side was flung open, and Shihon scrambled inside.
"GYAHHHH!!!"
"It is you!"
The Magical Beast Girl held her arms up in the air, signaling that she meant no harm despite her basically breaking into a vehicle, and spoke softly.
"You're…the girl that I saved from the alleyway."
Unaware of anything else around her, she closely inspected the young woman's terrified expression and confirmed that she was indeed the same person.
"Y-You shouldn't be here…." the girl mumbled hysterically.
"Huh? Well, actually, I'm here because-"
"NOT ANOTHER WORD."
Shihon's lips stopped moving.
Her mind began to process the new voice that cut into the conversation, and finally, her face relaxed as she sat motionless.
She couldn't breathe. She couldn't speak. Hell, she could barely blink.
It was a rough, menacing, gruff voice.
It wasn't the voice of the man who she had faced in the alleyway.
It wasn't the voice of anyone who she knew.
Yet, a ghastly feeling of overwhelming dread engulfed her soul, paralyzing her to her core.
Her entire existence halted, just for a second, as she realised that she and the girl beside her weren't alone in the car.
And before she could respond, or do anything for that matter, a blade was held to the girl's neck from behind, and the voice from the passenger seat behind her continued:
"Move even an inch, and the girl dies."
--The horrifying post-credits scene of the perfect, peaceful movie...had begun.