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Daiki still isn’t sure how he agreed to come here, but today’s been a long day. Especially when, unfortunately, he did not get the cool time train he wanted, and now he lost Tsukasa again.
Not that it matters. Tsukasa doesn’t remember. Tsukasa is different now, the longing less apparent. Closer to the heroes he used to covet, a light in his eyes…
(Reminding Daiki of his brother. His brother who was really a good person, unlike Daiki’s own pretending.)
“Here’s a towel, then,” says the owner of the bathhouse. Behind her, her husband is… shooting a video? With, presumably,their kids, all in varying states of disinterest.
Cute idea. Daiki had expected kids. Many of them. He was a smart, strong, upstanding citizen. Excellent breeding stock…
Ha. Yeah. A million lifetimes ago, maybe. Daiki’s not even into women. He’s into men.
(Because of Tsukasa, he tries not to think. Tsukasa remade him, in many ways, and now Tsukasa just doesn’t know.
But then… Daiki left first, didn’t he?)
“Is there a reason I’m here?” He asks. The woman, who had all but dragged him here, smiles.
“It looks like you needed it,” she says. “Do you need more of a reason?”
“People that nice get hurt,” Daiki replies.
“Yes, we do,” the woman says. “But it’s worth it. At least for me, anyways. I’ve seen what it’s like when people stop caring. They break.”
“I don’t care,” Daiki says. “And I’m fine.”
The woman just smiles knowingly.
“Let me know if you need anything,” she says.
“I can take whatever I want.”
“Sure.”
It’s true, he could. But something holds him back, like…
She’s his polar opposite. But she feels so similar.
He ends up hanging out the rest of the day, and why not? This was Tsukasa’s favorite World, might as well enjoy it while Tsukasa is missing. He can go steals something later. Maybe finally succeed a theft here after that first one and, well… today.
The woman, whose name is Yukimi Igarashi, she tells him pointedly, doesn’t tell him to leave. It’s so fucking stupid. She’s just a normal woman.
And yet…
The kids ar put to bed, and Genta falls asleep in the public area, and Daiki just kind of stares.
“I have never met such a useless man as your husband,” he says as Yukimi comes out to do last bits of tidying. “Is he that good in bed?”
“And if he is?” Yukimi asks, grinning. Daiki rolls his eyes.
“Still, you can do better,” he says, “What was that about possible debt for his vlogger antics?”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Yukimi says. “I’m good at plenty of things for the two of us, and I love him.”
Daiki shakes his head.
“I just don’t get it,” he says. “Do you just like projects? Like Tsukas—”
He cuts himself off. No. Forget about Tsukasa.
(He can never do that.)
Yukimi sighs.
“I don’t know about whoever you don’t want to talk about,” she says, “but for me… I suppose, I don’t mind. He’s happier now. Even if he’s not quite who I fell in love with.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
Yukimi shakes her head.
“Ancient history,” she says. “He loves us. He’s happy. I guess that’s enough for me. I got to fall I love with him twice, after all.”
“…So did he get amnesia or something?” Daiki asks. Yukimi’s face closes off, ever so slightly.
“…Or something,” she says.
“And you’re okay he forgot you?” Daiki asks.
“I’m okay he’s happier, now,” Yukimi says. Daiki laughs, shaking his head.
“I never could be,” he says. “I… I’ll just keep chasing, I guess. Pathetic, right?”
Yukimi opens her mouth. He gets up and points the DiEnDriver. She only flinches a little.
“Why aren’t you scared?” Daiki asks. “I’m pointing a gun at you.”
“Oh, I’m scared,” she says. “But this isn’t the first time, and I figure you’ll shoot regardless of my words.”
Daiki definitely does not pout, twirling his gun away.
“You’re insane.”
“Maybe a little,” Yukimi smiles. “I stole a devil’s man, I believe.”
“You… what?”
“We all have our secrets.”
Daiki sighs, rolling his eyes.
“I’ll be going now,” he says. “Have funny with your picture perfect life.”
“Good luck with the one you don’t want to talk about,” Yukimi replies.
He doesn’t know what to say to that, so he leaves.
He understands why she stays, though. That feeling…
You love him. He’s different now. He’s happier.
He doesn’t remember.
She made a good, loving choice. Daiki… just doesn’t know what to do at all.