Chapter 21: Microchip:Free Will

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"Crying...doesn't mean we're weak, it means we're strong enough to face our mistakes and move forward" She continued, "You've been through alot, Kukkai. And you've had to face it all alone" 
Kukkai bit his lip harder and tears streamed across his face.
"I'm sorry, Kukkai...for everything. Please don't give up, you're not as alone as you think. We're all worried about you and we're all here for you. You mean so much...to us" Amu whispered. 
Kukkai couldn't help but fall apart, at that moment. He realized how much he had lost and what his life had become. He tried to be a man and stop the tears but they just kept coming. 
"Kaidou" he said under his breath "i'm sorry" 
"you're not alone, Kukkai" Amu whispered, "I'll always be..." she trailed off her lip trembling violently.
 
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 "you'll always be a child, that cannot keep out of an adults plans" Hoshina said, meters away from them.
Amu looked in his direction shocked. Kukkai lifted his head and looked at him. 
"Souma" Hoshina said, indicating a demand.
Kukkai moved away from Amu then pushed her away. She rolled across and hit her back on the wall. She lifted her head up, trying to find words.
"no, bring her to me" Hoshina demanded
Amu saw Kukkai walk over to her, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him as he walked to Hoshina. 
"...Actually, you do it" Hoshina said as he handed Kukkai a microchip, it was the same one, she had before!
"No. thats..." Amu trailed off, trying to stop Kukkai. She wrapped her hand around his and looked into his eyes
"Why are you doing this? What happened to you?" she asked
"Surely even you can guess by now. Souma, show her." Hoshina said
Kukkai pointed to the microchip on the side of his neck that was almost invisible.
Amu froze, "Kukkai..." Suddenly all the pieces had come together, Amu felt fear as well as relief go through her. 
 
She couldn't believe it, Hoshina had been behind, possibly it all. Tears streamed down her face, 
"It wasnt you, was it Kukkai?" She asked him
He didnt respond, he glarred at her with those eyes, his usual eyes that hid Kukkai's true self behind them.
"It had to be, the microchip not you. It makes sense. You would never do those things and you would never try to kill yourself!" She said
"You're wrong" Hoshina said as he walked closer to them both, 
"To put it simply, his device is called, Free Will. Unlike the device you had, he can regain his consciousness at anytime, when not in command. It's an auto self off/on circumstance. However the Kukkai that just tried to jump off this building, is he, himself and what he  intended to do." Hoshina explained
"You were in more pain than any of us realized..." Amu said quietly to Kukkai. 
He tried to insert her mirochip but she backed away, "leave Kukkai alone! and what have you done with my charas!?" 
Hoshina scoffed, "He may as well be a servant than die don't you think?"
"How dare you! Treating Kukkai like this and talking about him like he's nothing but an object!?" Amu yelled at Hoshina full of frustration and anger.
"Teach her a lesson" Hoshina ordered Kukkai
Kukkai grabbed Amu's neck and strangled her. 
Soon Amu's vision began to blur "I...can't...breathe..." She thought.
"Ku...kkai" is all she managed to say
"let her go!" Ikuto said as he had appeared
Kukkai turned his head to Ikuto and gripped Amu's neck tighter. He looked over at Hoshina then at Ikuto. By holding onto her neck Kukkai flung her all the way to the other side of the top of the building. Amu managed to turn on her back and tried to catch her breath.
 
Ikuto saw she was okay and set his glance back at Kukkai "A puppet himself had created a puppet. Thats what happened before right? I don't think it was ever really you" Ikuto explained.
 
"My heart, Unlock" Ikuto said as he Character Transformed with Yoru
Hoshina sighed and backed away, "Deal with him quickly" 
Kukkai Character Transformed into Sky X Jack.