"I don't trust you."
I raised an eyebrow as I wiped blood off my hands and turned to the black haired kid—Geto Suguru. I shrugged at his words before checking that the sorcerer at my feet was truly out cold by kicking him in the head.
"The feeling's mutual, kid."
He didn't dismiss his Cursed Technique—something to do with summoning Shikigami. I sighed at the look on his face, one I'd grown used to over the past week since Amanai and the Gojo kid vouched for me tagging along.
"Fine kid, I'll bite. Why don't you trust me?"
He shifted his stance but made no move to attack, his eyes narrowing instead.
"You came out of nowhere, Amanai-san and Satoru doesn't seem bothered by you being around... and that's not even counting your Cursed Energy."
I looked at him, mildly amused. 'When was the last time I had to deal with an antsy teen?' The amusement faded as I thought of a brown haired pervert.
"And what of it, kid? Want me to bow down and swear on my mother's grave that I've got only wholesome plans for you lot?"
Snorting, I started walking past him. He still didn't move, but I heard him sigh as I passed.
"Your Cursed Energy feels... old."
I twitched and came to a stop.
"You're not a Cursed Spirit, but you feel similar to one. That's part of the reason I'm wary of you, Sasaki-san."
I chewed my cheek, then gave a small nod.
"I am old, kid. And in my age, I've seen many things. Experienced more than most. I've felt pain that would make men drop dead on the spot. I've carried hatred and anger longer than you've been alive."
Cracking my neck, I turned my head to look at Geto. His brow furrowed, his expression unreadable.
"Yet despite all the... emotions I carry, I hold no animosity toward you or your group. Why would I?"
He opened his mouth, then shut it again.
'Good enough.'
I took that as my cue to leave, letting him mull it over while he cleaned up.
'I need a fucking drink.'
-
Misato Kuroi—Amanai's caretaker.
And someone who looked like she hated every fiber of my being. Judging by the glare she gave me, I wasn't far off.
We were alone in an apartment under my name. Everyone knew it'd probably be targeted soon. Amanai and Geto were off doing something related to one of Amanai's "final wishes before merging" and the Gojo kid was out doing his own thing.
I waited for Misato's frown to turn elsewhere, but even as I finished making coffee, she hadn't taken her eyes off me.
'Is this gonna be a thing with everyone?' I hoped not, but even that felt like wishful thinking. I sighed and turned to her, coffee in hand.
"What's got you staring so hard, Kuroi-san?"
I hoped she'd act her age and be upfront about whatever had her glaring holes into me. But...
"Riko-san speaks well of you."
I hummed, not particularly curious about what Riko said, though I had a feeling I'd hear it anyway.
"Why did you help her when you met her? I doubt you didn't know who she was."
'And here I thought she was just another stuck up sorcerer.'
"It would be a lie to say I knew what I was getting back into." I said, sipping the coffee before sitting across from her. "And I doubt I could give you a reason that would satisfy you..."
Kaede's voice gave a slow echoing whine in my mind, but I focused on Misato.
"But if I had to say why..." I trailed off, thinking about Amanai and the week spent watching over her, dealing with sorcerers after her—and me.
'Kaede and her would be a duo of trouble.'
The corners of my lips twitched as I took another sip of the hot liquid.
"If I had to say why, it's because she reminds me of someone I once knew—a very long time ago."
She raised an eyebrow in question, but before she could speak, the Gojo kid burst in with bags in hand, the other two following behind him.
"We're back!!"
And just like that, a migraine formed.
-
F̵̠̿r̵̳͗e̶̻̎é̴̫-̷͇͝"S̴͉̈́t̸̗͘õ̸̝p̸̮̈́ ̶̨́t̴͔͊h̴̻̑é̸̟
̶̖͛L̶̹͗ḛ̶͗t̴͔̎ ̶̙́ȋ̷͔t̵̜̀-̸̼̀F̴͚̈́ĺ̴͎o̵̩̎w̷̺͛
̶́͜C̷̜͐h̷͉̀a̴͑͜o̶̫̓s̵̪̈́-̶̣͌R̶̦̀ë̴̗j̴̖̿e̶̥͛c̵̩̒t̶͔̒
̷͙́E̵͚̎n̸̗͂d̷͔̕ ̵̞̈́o̸̘̔f̵̪̊-̵̘̐T̴̩͐i̴̯͝m̸̎ͅe̴̗͆"
Letting out a groan as my bones creaked and my injuries flared, I pushed myself upright and stumbled to the bathroom—just in time to vomit whatever was left in my stomach.
"Fuck..."
'I drank too much.'
"Should "S̶̡̜̖̦̟̟͚̄̈́͆͌̾͋͝T̶̗̟̓̍͆̊̄͛O̶̝̿̾̿̉͑̓̕P̶̮̟͍̤͈̣̮͑̐͆̃̌͜"drinking, Ryou."
Kaede's voice tore through my head like chalk on a blackboard.
Still wincing, I cleaned up the mess, brushed my teeth to get the stink out and stared at my reflection—grey hair, tired purple eyes.
"Annoying." I muttered before sighing and slumping. Then, straightening up, I stepped out of the bathroom—only to nearly walk into Amanai standing just outside the door.
"Are you okay, Sasaki-san?"
I nodded, yawning and made my way to the kitchen.
"D-Did you want to talk about it?"
'Thought she needed the bathroom...' I sighed as I started making instant coffee.
"No, kid. No, I would not like to talk about me drinking."
In the reflection of the spoon, I saw Amanai slump before suddenly pumping her fist in the air.
'What...?'
"Sasaki-san."
I turned toward her as the kettle began to boil. "What is it, kid?"
She twitched, hesitating, then took a step forward.
"I have a few days left... before I go to Master Tengen. To merge."
I nodded. I'd overheard their plans for tomorrow—something about an aquarium.
"I was wondering if... you would like to go with us?"
I tilted my head. "I'll be at the beach with you all though?"
She froze, then stomped her foot.
"Why are you being so distant and difficult?!"
'That was a switch.' The kettle clicked off. I raised a hand to stop her from interrupting as I poured the hot water into a mug.
"The better question is—why are you so insistent on being around me? You do realize that, beyond dealing with sorcerers, we're strangers."
Finishing the pour, I returned the kettle and lifted the mug to my lips.
"You seem so lonely..." she said softly.
I didn't know whether to scoff or not. Childish answer—but I let her speak.
"You may not realize it, but... you look at me weirdly."
...
...
I turned to face her, leaning against the bench.
"I don't look at you in any way, kid."
She looked like she was going to stomp again but held back. Instead, she sighed and looked up at me.
"Sasaki-san... I've been jealous of that look before..."
'Jealous?' I took another sip of coffee as she looked down, hands curling into the hem of her oversized shirt.
"It's the same look that parents give their kids when..."
I twitched—not just at her words, but at the shrill scream that tore through my mind from Kaede. Gripping the counter, I clenched it tightly, forcing myself to keep my face calm.
"Get some sleep, kid. You've got a long day tomorrow."
With the mug in hand, I turned and walked back to my room.
-
-
-
{Author's Note
Currently Updating:
Life After Death: Strength of Suffering
One Piece: System of the Restricted
DxD: A Second Chance
Coming Soon:
Yoruichi x Male OC – DeviantArt
Game of Thrones Fanfic – TBA}