The Stele of White Names
Countless names were engraved on the massive stele inside Husina Shrine. The ones at the top, carved long ago, bore the weight of years. Yuuna placed her hand on the stele. It was so cold.
The grooves of the names felt smooth under her fingers. Recently carved, they gleamed pure white, untouched by even a speck of dust. And there were far more of these pristine white names than the faded ones below.
If I had given myself to him from the start, would these names never have been etched here? Would the stele not be half-covered in this blinding white? She squeezed her eyes shut. Shaking her head, Yuuna opened them again and stared resolutely at the steadfast monument, imprinting the sea of white names before her into her mind—like carving them there herself. Never to forget.
Each time she added a name to this stele, it hurt. She had prayed, steadied her heart, endured for tomorrow. But this time, it was unbearable. Never in her life had she engraved so many. With every name, it felt like her heart was being gnawed away.
She wanted to stop. It was too heavy. Even as she carved and ached and suffered, she had to keep walking. It was like sinking into a swamp—the magical girls etched on the stele seemed to drag her down with every step. Each one was agony. But for those who remained. Because they trusted her, still fighting for the country, for the world.
She shook her head again, casting out the thoughts. While she wallowed in self-recrimination, frozen in place, the world wouldn't stop. The Behemoth Gate incident had to end here. The funerals were over, the cleanup complete. All that remained was to send them off.
Closing her eyes, Yuuna prayed, calling each name—one by one—from the stele, now etched in her mind.
With her heart settled, she entered the room where the others waited. They rose at the sight of her, each pausing whatever they had been doing.
"Are you okay?" Their eyes held a sorrow deeper than ever before.
"I'm fine. Any word from Black Tree yet?"
"...Yes."
Dragon magical girl Rin replied with a bitter twist of her lips. I rubbed my dry face with both hands and sighed.
One month. A full month since the gate was cleared. Hunter Kwon Yong-jin had promised to return her after one month. But cleanup took exactly that long. Yesterday marked the end, yet Black Tree Guild had made no move.
I wanted to rest. To stroke Sakura's tail for peace of mind. To see her tiny hands diligently tending my bath.
"We're going to Korea."
Desperate to see Sakura even an hour sooner, I headed for Korea. Sakura had always cared for me at my side, but without her, wolf magical girl Yui came along. And, just in case, dragon magical girl Rin too.
Upon arriving in Korea, Yui and Rin followed me straight to Black Tree Guild. We reached it quickly and pushed open the doors.
"Such advanced magic..." Rin marveled at the massive barrier enveloping the guild. Yui sniffed the air, nostrils flaring.
"Hm? Oh, Lady Yuuna?"
A woman approached as soon as we entered, recognizing me. It was guild master Lianna, magical girl Kang Hae-bin.
"Kang Hae-bin. I've come for Sakura."
Kang Hae-bin smiled and nodded. "Understood."
We followed her, boarding an elevator that descended underground. When the doors opened, we surveyed the facility.
"What is this place?"
"Most guild members live down here."
After walking some distance, we reached what looked like a hall. And there sat Hunter Kwon Yong-jin.
We halted abruptly at the sight—not of him, but of the woman draped across his lap. Black cat ears, black tail, short hair, petite frame—she had always seemed so cute. Healing, even. But now Sakura was naked, nuzzling him like a pet.
Her body was covered in tattoos I had never seen, even in our shared baths.
"Welcome. Earlier than expected."
Snapped from our shock by his words, we refocused.
"What have you done to Sakura!" I shouted at him.
"What does it matter what I did?"
"What...?"
As I spoke, he looked at me with utter incomprehension.
He suddenly gripped Sakura's throat. "Kek! Guh! Hek!" Yui and Rin lunged from behind.
But their charge was halted. Sudden gravity slammed them face-down.
"Nngh...!"
"Damn...!"
"Care to calm down?" Kang Hae-bin's voice from behind dripped with menace. Even Yui and Rin were pinned helpless.
"To avoid hassle, I'll restrain you for now."
Black bandages erupted from the floor, wrapping the powerless pair like mummies—faces spared.
"Lady Yuuna, have a seat."
Kang Hae-bin's breathing remained steady despite her power. I sat, glaring at Hunter Kwon Yong-jin.
"Nyaaang~"
Sakura rubbed her head against his hand, purring happily. This wasn't the Sakura I knew. She acted like a real cat.
"I was going to return her yesterday, you know?"
"Chup, chup!" Sakura suckled the hand that had just choked her.
"But she threw a tantrum, refusing to go."
Muffled fury emanated from the bound Yui and Rin.
"You... have brainwashing powers too?"
Our eyes met.
"Not me."
"So one of your guild members does..."
My voice thick with rage drew Sakura's gaze. She finally looked at me—our eyes locked.
"Sa... ku... ra... nim...? Ahh!"
Her eyes widened; she clutched her head in agony.
"Sakura!"
At her pained expression—unseen before—I bolted up and rushed to her, wrenching her from his arms into mine.
"Wow, impressive."
He clapped in admiration. Ignoring him, I checked Sakura. Her vacant eyes, devoid of life, stared back. My heart tore at the sight. What had happened in that month? Unimaginable.
Sakura, who sacrificed her body for me. Now gazing into my eyes.
"Lady Yuuna?"
Sakura looked up, life returning to her eyes.
"Yes...! It's me, Sakura."
I smiled brightly. Her gaze clung to me, tracing my face slowly—then tears welled.
"Lady Yuuna...! I, I, did my, best...!"
Tears streamed as she reached out with trembling hands. I grasped them. How much had she suffered? For her to weep like this.
"Honestly, didn't expect her to snap back. You two must be closer than I thought?"
Hunter Kwon Yong-jin chuckled, still clapping. I shot him a murderous glare.
"Don't glare like that. The deal was, do whatever to her—no restrictions."
He showed his open palms.
"Take her. Oh, and I left her virginity intact—on purpose?"
His leering grin begged for a punch, but treating Sakura came first. After he said his piece and left, Yui and Rin's bindings released.
"That bastard...!"
"Is Sakura okay?"
They rushed over, inspecting her. She remembered them too.
"Lady Yui... Lady Rin..."
I scooped Sakura princess-style and fled Black Tree Guild with Yui and Rin, returning straight to Japan.
I thought bringing Sakura back to Husina Shrine would end it. I purged every trace of brainwashing. It should have worked.
Yet here she was, naked in my arms, nuzzling my breasts.
What the hell did he do to her?
I couldn't fathom it. The brainwashing was gone; every check confirmed no issues. I saw it myself.
But Sakura's behavior upon regaining her senses at the shrine was shocking. She stripped instantly and masturbated, face twisted in torment as she plunged into herself. Something was wrong.
I knocked her out and held her close. Even unconscious, she nuzzled my chest.
"...Haa..."
I buried my face in her hair, inhaling unwittingly.
"...Sniff."
"Haa..."
Never like this in all our time together. Why did she smell even sweeter? Maybe just like this...? But soon, I had no choice but to take her back to that man.