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It's finally over.
Although no, that's a big word to say. The whole Char chasing thing ends, that's right. No need to be on guard all the time. To celebrate this Hinao, when she sees their faces, rubs her hands and smiles widely, except it looks almost menacing.
"Let's have a celebratory dinner! Dibs on Azami-san!"
Azami, of course, is very much against it, but he can't object because he is the one who misses Sojo and lets him destroy the cafe. Hinao is already enjoying a festive party and payment for the repairs at someone else's expense, and Azami can only keep sighing bitterly, at the same time insulting Shiba, who suddenly brings up the broken car and wants compensation too. In general, the cafe is noisy, and the whole atmosphere is quite cheerful, despite the recent events. Even Char, in a new fancy dress, is running back and forth with a very cheerful expression, even though she has been sitting in a bloody cage where she was…
When his mind goes back to that, Chihiro almost flinches and abruptly looks away, trying to distance himself. He feels a bit out of place in such a hectic atmosphere, but he is dragged to the party by force, being told that he needs to distract himself and that this is the easiest way to do it. Such a thing is entirely beyond his mind. But Char is asking, she looks into his eyes and grabs his hand, how can he refuse? So Chihiro comes. He sits in a corner and watches everything from there, rarely responding to attempts to talk to him. It's not fun, but for Char, he can pretend he's interested.
Chihiro is still not in a condition to actively participate in all her demands; his right arm hurts each time he tries to move it, but he tries to stay involved. While absently watching Char attempt to pick out the best flavor of a bubble tea, Chihiro almost misses the moment when he's squeezed onto the couch by Shiba. The latter looks so grimly serious that it makes Chihiro dread the possibility of more danger lurking around, but instead, Shiba speaks with a deadly serious voice:
"Chihiro. We need to drink."
He sets two shot glasses on the table and pours from a bottle. It doesn't look like the most expensive whiskey, the same kind Shiba drank after the father's funeral. Seems to be his favorite brand. Chihiro glances at Shiba with a skeptical look.
"I'm not allowed yet."
"That's all bullshit. About the age and so on. I'm serious. You need a drink."
Shiba's moving closer.
"It'll help you relax."
"Shiba-san…"
"Chihiro, don't be an ass, come on."
"I'm not allowed to drink for medical reasons."
For a moment, Shiba looks at him suspiciously. He's probably a little tipsy by now, hard to blame him after what happened recently, and Chihiro isn't about to lecture. But he's not going to let himself be dragged into this swamp, no way. Alcohol — strictly beyond adulthood. Maybe, he wonders, by then he'll be able to get all the swords back, and there'll even be a proper occasion. He looks at the muddy drink in the shot glass before him, but it only shimmers gold under the faint light of the lamps, nothing more.
Suddenly, Shiba's arm wraps around his neck and pulls him closer. With a sigh, he begins an extremely tedious speech:
"You know, I would have believed all of this even, and probably stayed away from you until you were in your twenties, but just recently the doctors told you to stay in bed and rest, and what did you do? You went to rescue Char. So don't give me any bullshit about you following their orders. Drink up, Chihiro! There's a good reason to drink today, and you have my permission!"
"Leave the kid alone," Azami interrupts, and Shiba brushes him off.
"I didn't ask for your opinion!"
"Chihiro-kun, seriously, if you don't want to, then don't. Ignore that idiot."
"Azami! Get lost!"
"Why are you bothering him?"
They continue to argue, and Chihiro sighs, realizing that it will never end. So he takes the shot glass, swirls it around in his hand, and drains it in one gulp, making Shiba and Azami's eyes widen in surprise. The former immediately applauds, which draws the attention of Hinao and Char, and Hinao immediately roars:
"What did I tell you about drinking in my cafe?!"
"Come on, we're having a celebration!"
Chihiro dislikes the taste of whiskey, but he decides to keep it to himself and simply returns the glass, asking him not to pour any more. Shiba is encouraged by this act and immediately starts proving something to Azami, but the latter ignores it all and only looks at Chihiro skeptically as if he doesn't believe what he just saw. Then he grabs Shiba by the wrist and, while apologizing, drags him away, telling Chihiro to rest.
The next guest to arrive is Char. She takes a seat next to him and peeks at Chihiro with a satisfied squint before proudly pointing at herself:
"Pretty, isn't it?"
"Hm…" For a second, he pretends to think about it. "It's nice."
"I like it too. And all this food… Is it all for me?"
Char still can't believe her happiness, it seems. That's normal in her situation. So many horrible things happened in the last month, and it has been even longer for her. Chihiro's gaze runs through the surroundings: this whole party is just an excuse to get a little rest, different for everyone, but they're here because they saved Char.
"Yes. It's all for you."
Char's lips begin to tremble, and she immediately puckers and begins to wipe away tears. Chihiro struggles to remember how Shiba comforted him three years ago and pats her shoulder awkwardly, but Char isn't upset, these are tears of happiness, and she starts to smile.
"I will tell you the secret... I'm so happy. Happier than when you bought me that ice cream. And Hinao-san's bubble tea tastes better… I mean, is that okay? You're not mad at me?"
"Of course not. She made it just for you."
"Well, in case… I liked your ice cream too!" Char spread her arms out. "Tha-a-at much. So thank you, Chihiro! For the ice cream! And the bun!"
The yelling from behind becomes more intense, and they both get distracted. Shiba seems to bring in some more drinks, and Hinao finds them. It makes Chihiro want to ask what he was even thinking, but he understands all too well (he didn't think, that's all), and so he just shakes his head. This carelessness echoed the one his father had. It is clear right away that they were buddies.
Char watches Hinao threaten Shiba with a broomstick, and then leans over to Chihiro and loudly whispers:
"Oh. What are they doing?"
"Now Hinao is going to smack him for breaking all the cafe rules."
Hinao swings her broom. She looks threatening. Shiba shrieks as he barely dodges.
"Chihiro, are you having fun?"
Once that question is voiced, Chihiro suddenly twitches and looks away.
Char doesn't even look at him, all consumed by the scene between Shiba and Hinao, who is trying to take another bottle of alcohol from him. Is he having fun? Chihiro is looking at the same scene… but he's completely far away in his thoughts. It's all silly, this little party. Things aren't over yet. But it's almost fun for him to watch as Shiba tries to toss the bottle to Azami, causing the latter to protest and the corners of his lips to rise involuntarily, higher and higher. Yeah, probably. He is…
He's having fun.
His gaze falls unwittingly on the reflection in the glass beside him, and he sees himself with an almost forgotten expression on his face, a small smile, as he had once long ago after his father's silly acts. But at the same time, the reflection also shows a scar, a white line, and an eternal reminder that revenge is not yet complete, that there are still swords left out there somewhere. The smile falters for a second and then disappears, leaving behind a sullen indifference.
What right does he have to enjoy himself before it's all over?
He made a promise to himself. A vow. But the end is still too far away, there's so much Chihiro hasn't done… He can't be distracted by even minor nonsense, he has to go forward until the very end until he achieves his goal. Whatever it takes. The reflection stares back with a wicked stare, and Chihiro thinks — right, that's it. There's no other way. He deserves nothing, including permission to have fun.
The scar is a mark. And it won't go away until…
Until this whole nightmare is over.
Suddenly, someone's hand lands on top of the scar, covering it. It's still visible, but Chihiro is distracted by Char standing behind him, trying to hide the wound with her fingers, failing miserably, then saying in a suddenly earnest voice:
"Don't be sad, Chihiro."
But have I earned my fun? I haven't accomplished anything yet. Father's blades are still missing. The Hishaku are alive.
"I know you're worried, even if you don't say so… When my mom died, that's all I thought about, too. But my mom always told me to move on. Besides, you worked hard. You saved me! That means a lot to me. So, at least in my evening, nothing is wrong with a little fun. You're doing this because I asked you to. Not because you decided to quit. Isn't that right?"
Chihiro raises his eyes and meets Char's gaze; without a smile or a grimace, she looks very different from when they first met. Come to think of it, he had already run away from the fight once, away from his father's blade, and all for her sake. Then he put Char above revenge. And what about now?
He glances into the reflection. From it, he looks back at himself, but with Char, who is still trying to cover the scar with her hand. He can barely see it, and in the mirror, he is looking past Chihiro, who is just learning how to be a blacksmith.
Father…
Father would have said the same thing.
At least for one day, he can pretend that everything is fine. Because it's a celebration for Char, and Char has suffered more than he has. She's just a child, and saving her is the right thing to do. For the sake of such a thing, it's okay to turn away from the original goal for once.
Chihiro puts a hand on Char's head and rubs her hair, then smiles.
"Yeah. You're probably right."