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The rain is unending. The monsoon season hasn't yet begun but the rain wouldn't stop. Hoshimi Miyabi looks up at the sky, the dark sky, the dome of Ether should collapse soon. If not then destruction would never end. An umbrella is held over her head and she instantly turns around to face a boy.
His uniform was getting wet with the rain, and his umbrella was over her head. His yellow bandana matches his eyes; it's a lighter colour, yet it's strangely memorable.
"The rain won't stop for a while." She can barely make out his voice, yet he sounds so familiar. His face, his voice, and his being were entirely familiar, yet she couldn't recall who he was.
"...Who are you?" He smiles, pushing the umbrella in her hand, "Just a stranger on a mission." He takes a step back, turning around without as much as glancing at her. He disappears into the fog and when he's completely gone, an Ethereal emerges from within. She reaches for a blade to no avail. The Ethereal jumps at her, and she's certain she'll die tonight.
Her eyes shoot open, gasping when she comes to see her ceiling. Ah. A dream? She's been having that same dream more often than she should. The first bits are true; they've happened, and she can recall them easily, but she doesn't ever recall the Ethereal coming after her head.
She knows who the person is yet she's unsure if he remembers her.
No matter. She should get to work now.
It doesn't come as a surprise when Miyabi arrives at the office with a pamphlet and other unnecessary things in her hands. She seems to have a hard time saying no to the civilians. As such, the office tends to overflow with food, among other things. Harumasa sighed, taking the bags from her and putting them on the table while he and Soukaku looked at each item.
"What is the pamphlet for, Chief?" Yanagi peers down slightly to look at the pamphlet Miyabi was holding. "Oh, war appears in the form of food." Miyabi nods, passing the pamphlet to Yanagi who chuckles lightly. As soon as Soukaku catches wind of the word 'food', she rushes to Yanagi's side, looking at the shops.
"...Aren't they too excited?" Harumasa sighs, plopping a salted cracker in his mouth, watching as an invisible fire grows behind Yanagi and Sokaku. Maybe the shops they visited often were taking part in the food festival?
"Are they?" He glances next to him, Miyabi looking through the bag to grab something quick to eat. "Are you going to go?" He asks, rummaging through the other bags, finding a box of candy Miyabi liked. Speaking of, if they were gifts for Miyabi, could the rest of them eat it or not?
She hums, glancing at the two with a light smile. "I will. Will you-?" Her question is put to a halt once Harumasa offers her a box of candy, she wasn't aware he knew what she liked. "If the Chief is going, I should too." He smiles, watching her ear twitch as she takes the box of candy, a light smile on her face.
Maybe it was just him, but the Chief was cute. "There's more. Should I put them at your desk?" She nods in thanks, quietly eating the candy, watching as he arranges the snacks, mindful of what one another enjoyed eating. Most of them were left for Soukaku, as expected.
"Chief, Asaba, shall we all go together?" Yanagi asks, breaking the tranquil atmosphere between the two officers. "Fine by me~!" Harumasa calls, picking up the snacks and leaving them on her table, and then on Yanagi's. Miyabi watches as Soukaku rushes to the table, loudly thanking Harumasa before rushing to put the snacks on her table.
He didn't take anything for himself...?
"Chief?" Yanagi asks again, and Miyabi almost jumps but faces her with a smile, "Yes. Let's go together."
Moments later, Soukaku and Miyabi leave for a quick outing. Likely to check in on the files they needed to get from the higher-ups. That's something he can ask later, but for now, he needs to get coffee.
Walking towards the counter in the break room, he greets Yanagi, who nods in acknowledgement, though she is busy making her coffee. He needs to filter the paper, too. How long have they used the same one? Well, that doesn't matter anyway. He looks at Yanagi for a moment before asking a question.
"Deputy-Chief, have you ever been in love?" Harumasa waits for Yanagi to finish working on her coffee before he can make his own. The conversation comes up and he knows Yanagi wasn't expecting that of all things.
"I haven't." He's almost surprised she answered. "Why do you ask?" He didn't particularly want to answer the other question. He'd much rather talk about someone else's love life than his own.
"It's nothing...just," He's never hesitated this much in his life. It's just Yanagi knowing about this, there's nothing wrong with it. "I think," Who is he kidding? He's sure of it. He presses his hand on his forehead and Yanagi has to physically stop herself from doing the same. The last thing she was expecting was for Harumasa to ask her for anything love-related.
"I'm in love with the Chief." She drops the cup of coffee only to catch it before it falls to the ground. "Ah...I see." She's not sure what to say to that. She'd known him to have liked Miyabi, it was clear as the day during their first mission. Despite never having been on a mission together, they already had unexplainable trust in one another. Rather, did the Chief even like him in some romantic sense?
"Yeah...and, our Chief is completely oblivious when it comes to love." He sighs animatedly, fiddling with the sleeve of his jacket as if even admitting his love was embarrassing.
"Why do you like her?" She won't lie, she's a bit curious. It's Harumasa Asaba they're talking about after all. He's rarely ever mentioned anything about himself, there's almost nothing they know about him.
"Because she's cute." Harumasa instantly responds much to Yanagi's disappointment. "Seriously?" That's all he had to say? Cute? He chuckles awkwardly, waving his hand around as if signifying it wasn't something serious.
It's nothing special, it's almost surprising Yanagi wants to know why. "She's an airhead always rushing to protect other civilians." He smiles lightly, pressing the settings on the coffee machine. From his peripheral view, Yanagi nods in agreement.
"She doesn't bother to care if she's injured. She speaks strangely; I've gotten used to it; we all have, but-" He groans, hiding his face in his hands. "I like her. For no reason and every reason." He looks at Yanagi for a response, her glasses fogged up by the steam of the coffee as her hand shakes.
"V-very nice." She won't lie, she wasn't expecting that confession. That might've been the last ever thing she could've expected from Asaba. Even he was capable of liking someone...what is she thinking, of course he would be.
Offering him a weak thumbs up, she darts her vision around the empty room. "And if the Chief doesn't reciprocate?" She doesn't think herself to be particularly close to Asaba Harumasa. They've become co-workers by chance, and at the very least, she can consider him someone she trusts.
He looks at her, his lips pursed, as if he hadn't thought of that yet. "Then maybe I'll die?" He chuckles only to be met with a death stare, "I'm joking-I'm joking!" He redacts his statement, scratching his cheek awkwardly. He hadn't thought of that yet, he doesn't plan on confessing. If Miyabi doesn't like him then he can't show her his feelings.
He doesn't give Yanagi a proper answer. He can't tell her he's undeserving of love. How can he think of hurting someone, Miyabi specifically, in the future if he's going to turn into an Ethereal?
When Soukaku and Miyabi return with a stack of papers, he's already dreading the work that will come next. Speaking of dreading things, he looks at the time, frowning at making an error. Quietly removing himself from the room, unaware of Miyabi's eyes on him, he walks into the break room, taking his medicine quickly.
The bitterness hits his throat and his neck burns. The trace marks left by the doctors on his neck had yet to heal. How much longer he'll live, how much he can do this in this fast-paced world, he doesn't know.
But for now, he'll get back to work and hopefully sleep for a few minutes before Yanagi notices. It's tiresome, really. The job is tiresome but at least he's blessed with a good boss.
He's mostly done with his work and was just passing the time by reading a book, hoping it'll help him fall asleep sooner. Just as he gets to the boring bits, someone taps on his shoulder. Shivering, afraid of it being Yanagi, he revolves around his chair to find none other than Miyabi holding out a snack for him. Ah, wait, that was the snack he liked. Where did she get it?
"It wasn't in the bag though...?" He tilts in head in confusion. How would Miyabi have his favourite snack? Much less, how did she know it? "I brought it." She informs and his eyes widen, looking up at her in surprise.
"Why?" He questions, tugging at the packet and offering her the first bite. "Because you didn't take any." She answers, taking one of the bitter gummies and cringing at the taste, though it doesn't show too much on her face. He huffs amusedly, smiling at her almost in adoration.
"Thank you, Chief." She nods, informing him it was an easy task. Even if it were easy, he still appreciates it.
"You read novels?" Her ears twitch as she hovers down to look at the novel Harumasa is reading. "Hmm? Yeah," He nods, closing the book to show her the cover.
"The Last Flight came out with an adapted novel so," He shrugs, unsure if Miyabi enjoys movies in the first place. In the first place, some clerk at a bookstore recommended it to him. Usually, he wouldn't read novels, he just picked it up because of boredom.
Miyabi hums, sliding an unoccupied chair towards her and plopping on it. Her eyes stuck on the book, she asks what it's about but Harumasa can't focus on answering when she's so close to him. He can feel her hair on his arm, ah, he can't do this! Seriously, he shouldn't be left alone with Miyabi Hoshimi!
If she keeps doing this, and asking him about his interests, his crush will only go deeper. At this point, he can't be sure if he even remembers the premise of the movie...his head hurts, his heart hurts, everything hurts.
It's a cold windy evening, almost the perfect time for the food festival to start selling out. It's the prime time to eat and buy cute trinkets other shops were selling. "Should we go in duos?" Yanagi asks, glancing at Harumasa who tilts his head in confusion.
Sighing, she glances at Miyabi and Harumasa sweatdrops, making a cross with his hands but Yanagi only smiles mischievously. Ah, he shouldn't have told Yanagi about it. Without even hearing a response, Soukaku and Yanagi rush towards the food stalls, leaving the duo still at the entrance.
"You forgot your scarf at the office?" Miyabi points at her neck, wrapped in a warm scarf. Harumasa nods, laughing it off, but she can see him shivering a bit.
She stares at his neck, the choker still on. He's not once removed it, she's almost curious why he never puts it away.
"What about you?" He tilts his head, watching as she unwraps the scarf from her neck.
"If I have my sword, that is enough." She responds and he huffs, going along with her words as she wraps the scarf around his neck. She stands on her tiptoes to reach his neck, and his eyes shoot down, not leaving her face. When her red eyes meet his amber ones, he instantly looks away, feeling his chest tighten. The scarf is warm, too warm, almost like huddling together by a fireplace.
She watches as his cheeks flush up, she's assuming it's from the cold. It's windy, and the blistering cold makes her want to eat some hot ramen but right now, her face feels warm. She's not so sure what she's feeling but she's happy.
He digs his face into the scarf, sighing in it as he sees the light flush on her cheeks. Ah, damn it. Why did the Chief have to be so adorable?
"So, where should we go, Chief?" He asks, trying to play it cool as if he totally isn't nervous. "Ramen shop," Miyabi mumbles and Harumasa hums, he can follow her wherever she goes. He doubts his eyes will ever leave her.
Walking by the sidewalk, he looks around, trying to make a mental note of any other food he'd like to try. When they get to the ramen chain, Harumasa holds the door for Miyabi, letting her go in. The minute they arrive inside, a server takes them to their seat and passes them menus.
"Hello, customers! We're having an event where couples who can finish five bowls of ramen can get a pack of Red Bean Buns, would you be interested?" The server enthusiastically asks, a bit bummed no one yet had decided to take on the challenge.
"Should we do it, Chief? Don't know if Tsukishiro can get any for herself," He tilts her head and she slowly nods in acceptance. "Great. We'll do that, thank you." He smiles politely at the server who nods enthusiastically, telling them she'll be back in a few.
Miyabi glances at Harumasa who tilts his head, gesturing her to ask ahead. "Are you okay with us being called lovers?" Miyabi asks and Harumasa who smiles at her teasingly.
"Won't the Chief and I be a power-duo if we got together?" Ah, he's running away from the question. She needs to change the question.
"What are you getting Asaba?" Miyabi's ear twitches as she keenly looks at the menu. If she gets three then Harumasa could get two. There is it again, they've spent enough time together, should she not call him by his first name? And she didn't answer his question either!
Before he can say anything, the server arrives with a notepad, asking for their orders.
Enough time passes and the thought still lingers in his mind. Why can't she call him by his name?
"Uh, Miaybi-Chief, isn't it too formal?" He asks, finishing up his first bowl. He needs a break before he can start on the second one.
"What is?" She tilts her head in confusion, putting down her chopsticks to take a sip of water. "I'd love to hear you say my name." He winks but the flirting goes over Miyabi's head.
"Harumasa?" She says in a questioning tone and he groans lightly, almost quietly. He can't win when it comes to her. He hides his hands in his face much to her confusion, "Harumasa, are you alright?" The rest of the sentence goes over his head, she called him by his name again.
"I can't win against you, Chief," He chuckles, his hand pressed against his cheek as he watches her casually finish another bowl of ramen. The one time they'd gotten off work early, they ended up at a food festival. Soukaku was going around trying everything she could get her hands on, and Yanagi was likely waiting in a long line for her red bean buns. If not, then she was accompanying Soukaku while internally crying about her red bean buns.
And here he was, with Hoshimi Miyabi eating her fifth bowl of ramen to get free red bean buns for Yanagi in case she couldn't get any. His other bowl was still filled, he hadn't taken one bite. "Do you not like it?" Her ears twitch in confusion as she grabs her glass of water only to see it empty. Harumasa passes her bottle of water, one which he'd always kept on him in case he needed to take his medicine during a mission.
"I do." He grins, watching carefully as she tries to eat her food faster so they can leave, "You can eat slowly. I can wait."
Nodding in thanks, she tugs at the plastic cap, the cap coming off easily. Oh, he'd already opened it for her. She glances at him as he pokes at the side of pickled radishes, his arm across his stomach as if he had too much to eat.
But she doesn't understand why he said that. What does he mean when he says he couldn't win against her?
She looks up at him, his gaze already on her. "What are you thinking of?" He grins teasingly, his hand pressed against his cheek, "About you." She deadpans, continuing to eat her ramen.
After they're done and waiting at the counter, waiting for their red-bean buns, Miyabi breaks the comfortable silence.
"In what way will you lose?" She tilts her head and Harumasa blinks in surprise. He can't say it's because of her, and how her being near him is enough to destroy his heart.
"Hmm, if you suddenly became an Ethereal," She will admit she hasn't accounted for that possibility. She didn't think Harumasa would either, it's surprising; as if she learns something new about him every so often. "then I wouldn't be able to defeat you, Chief." She hums in consideration, a thoughtful hand pressed against her chin.
"With enough time, you can." She nods, content with her answer but Harumasa only chuckles, as if amused by her response.
"I doubt so." He's absolutely certain, but she can't understand. Why would he think of it in the first place? They have enough time, they haven't been affected by Ether yet. "It's more that I won't be able to kill you even if I could, Chief." She blinks in surprise.
She'd mostly understood what he'd meant, what his silent actions signified, what his advice as someone working in the institute longer than she was.
Yet this once, she cannot understand him in the slightest.
The cashier returns to the duo, putting the bag of red bean buns on the table. Before Miyabi can take it, Harumasa takes it for her. She's half expecting him to give it to her but knowing Harumasa, he'll carry it.
She's killed those who turned into Ethereals before, her mother being one of them. To be a hero doesn't mean killing bad people, but protecting everyone. If that were the case, then was she protecting those who were turning into Ethereals as she killed them?
"If the Section 6 becomes Ethereals..." She whispers to herself, following Harumasa outside the shop. He holds the door open for her, and once she comes out, he watches as he smiles politely at the people entering the restaurant, holding the door open for them too. He faces her again, his smile much brighter than before.
It will be challenging to kill Harumasa if he becomes an Ethereal. She doesn't think it'll happen soon, but with how wistful he is at times, she's sure there's something he won't tell them.
"It will be difficult," He hums in agreement, offering his hand to her as they walk down the stairs. Again, something he's always done. She doesn't think much of it, she doesn't know if he's doing so with the kindness of his heart or not. Despite so, she takes his hand. He holds it for a few seconds longer, squeezing it lightly, almost impossible to notice if she weren't aware of it.
She doesn't comment on it. She's never done so. Even when he walks on the sidewalk, when he gives her an umbrella on the days she doesn't have them only to find out he'd gone home in the pouring rain. That one time he had met her outside a mission, before she became an officer and he had still given her his umbrella. She hasn't once spoken to him about it.
She remembers the day she first met Harumasa as an officer. They had come across one another during a meeting, and when he first met with her, he smiled politely. It was similar to how he had smiled at the people walking into the restaurant, it's a much different smile than he gives her today.
It's radiant, he's almost as bright as the sun during twilight. Not harsh to the eyes, and yet he provides a soothing gaze.
She's not sure why he gives her soft smiles, why he always has everything she needs on hand. It's not the same way he treats Yanagi or Soukaku. With the former, they always tend to banter, where Yanagi always gets the last say. Whereas for Soukaku, he tends to treat her like a sibling but still seems to respect her skill.
What her relationship is with him, she isn't sure. From the moment she's known him, she hasn't gotten a clue what he thinks of. Everything she knows about him are from the actions seen in the office. Why does he give her such soft looks? Why does he hold her in such regard? Why is he so nice to her?
She's grown around people holding her in high respect, always wanting something from her. Specifically the demon sword, but Harumasa didn't seem to want it. It seemed like he liked...? Did he like her?
"Do you like me?" He turns his head around so quickly she's almost afraid he'll break his neck. His cheeks flushed, an incredulous expression on his face, as if that was the last question he was expecting.
"...Guess I'm busted." He laughs lightly as if it doesn't mean anything. He's always been too good at hiding everything, despite working with him for a few years, and coming across one another at the institution, she hasn't gotten behind his wall.
She doesn't like it. She doesn't like how he always seems to know what she thinks, what she needs yet she can't give him the same. "Why?" It comes as a whisper. She's never been taught this, she's not sure what to do.
"I couldn't help it, Chief. It's difficult not to like you." This is the first confession she's heard. She can't respond to it. She doesn't know why or how he came to like her.
"You don't have to say anything." He reassures, "I can wait even until I'm a hundred for you, Chief."
It's not often he spars with Yanagi and Miyabi. He refuses to spar with Soukaku; there's nothing more terrifying than her throwing that weapon around everywhere. Yanagi's naginata is a bit annoying to deal with when he uses his sword, considering he's more adept at a bow than a sword.
Now he's facing Miyabi. Her wooden sword on her hip as she stares down at him. His own sword was loosely held against his hand. There's no animosity between the two but the air feels heavy. He doubts he can win against her but he's not going down with a fight.
"Begin!" Yanagi calls from the sidelines and Miyabi swiftly unsheats her blade, running towards Harumasa who's keen on playing defensive. He effectively dodges Miyabi's sword and by extension, him being hit on the head. He clenches his jaw in frustration, she wasn't allowing him to land a hit at all!
"Please go easy on me Chief!" He calls, sliding away from her. At a good distance, he launches his sword at her, taking her by surprise. Harumasa doesn't stop running, and Miyabi flanks the sword away, the impact making it land near Harumasa's foot. Before she can correct her stance, Harumasa picks up the sword, sprinting towards her to cut down her sword.
When he gets close enough, Miyabi turns, her leg up in the air to land a kick on his stomach. As she does, Harumasa falls, unexpecting on the impact. "That's unfair, Chief," He groans, lying flat on the ground.
"You used a different technique," She states, extending her hand to help him up, "Something to take you by surprise. Did it work?" He grins clasping his hand onto hers. She slowly nods, it's likely to help if an Ethereal uses a similar technique against her. She needs to be prepared at all times.
"Thank you, Harumasa." He hums, squeezing her hand lightly. "Maybe you should kiss me if I win?" He grins and before he can play it off as a joke, Miyabi giggles.
"Very well. The next time then." His eyes widen and she lets go of his hand, walking towards Yanagi and Soukaku. "Ch-Chief?!?! You're serious, right!?" Yanagi looks at him curiously and then at Miyabi's obviously trying to hide her smile. Ah...she supposes she'll have to get used to seeing this more often.
Maybe a few months have passed since he's first confessed. He's won against Miyabi maybe once yet he didn't receive the promised kiss. However that doesn't matter when she's right in front of him.
He's found himself on the office floor again. Miyabi sitting facing towards him, looking away from his disappointed gaze while she gently pushed the first aid kit towards him.
"Aren't you being too reckless, Chief?" Harumasa sighs, cleaning the wound on her cheek. At this point in time, he's become the personal healer of the three of them. Most times Yanagi can take care of herself, and Soukaku doesn't get hurt all too much. Miyabi didn't either but these days, she's been coming back to the office with a cut or two.
"Seriously, you need to take more care of yourself." He sighs, flicking her forehead making her groan lightly. Most things don't hurt yet that does.
"It matters not if I saved someone else." He deadpans, putting his finger against her forehead. She shuts her eyes, preparing for the impact of the flick but he only taps her forehead. He stares at her, his amber eyes drowning, wishing to witness her for eternity. If only living until he was a hundred years old were doable, then he surely would've spent that time with Miyabi.
She rubs her forehead, frowning at the uneasy feeling nestling in her.
"The Ethereals aren't getting stronger, and you're already stronger than them." He applies the antibacterial ointment on her cheek, brushing it softly. "Don't go around getting hurt, Chief." If she doesn't keep getting hurt then she wouldn't have a valid reason to see him after work. Rather, why did she want to see him so often?
Sure the Ethereals aren't getting stronger, but in the future, she will become weaker. "Harumasa," He hums, gesturing her to go on, inching closer to her body to put the bandaid on properly.
She wants to feel his warmth on her body more often, she wants to touch him innocently, wants him to do the same. She wants him to hold her hand as he bandages her arm. As he applies ointments on the blisters on her hand. She wants to hear his breathing, she needs to know if he stays alive. He has to stay alive.
"Does it hurt?" Her line of thought is broken when he asks. Her back has been hurting but it's nothing to trouble him with. "I'll live." He frowns at the statement.
"Not what I asked. Where else does it hurt?" She's...confused. She likes how gentle he is, she likes the love he gives her. She likes how he is in battle, how observant he is. She likes everything about him. Ah. There's no way.
"My back," She breathlessly whispers, a bit embarrassed but Harumasa only nods, asking her to turn around. Doing as asked, he slowly lifts her shirt, a bruise running across her lower back.
He clicks his tongue, "Seriously, Chief, I know you're very capable but take it easy for a few days, okay?" The bruise will heal on its own so the most he can do is wrap a bandage around it. She can feel his cold fingertips on her stomach, how he flinches at the contact but doesn't make a voice. It's quiet, too quiet for her liking. Now she realises she's liked him but can't utter a single word. She needs to deviate from her thoughts, something...something else.
"If the day ever comes that I am taken by Ether, will you kill me?" There's no request here. She's actively aware of what might happen if she continues going into Hollows daily, she knows she'll collapse before saving more than she could've. He's already answered this on his own volition once, and the answer will not change.
"I told you already. I can't win against you, Chief." But he sincerely hopes she can win against him. "And, we don't know if I'll be the one taken before." He knows, he definitely knows he'll be the one gone soon.
"Can you promise to kill me if I become one?" He's saying it as he laughs, but she knows not to take it as a joke. Harumasa...she doesn't understand him in the slightest.
"If I can't?" She feels her body on fire, it's never happened before. She's never felt this deep sadness, such nostalgia upon thinking of his death. She doesn't want to be the one who'll do it. "A hundred lives are worth my one singular life. I trust you, Chief." She doesn't like that look on his face, his face telling her he's prepared for death, he's simply awaiting it.
Not yet a corpse, yet lifeless. He gets up, offering her his hand. Like clockwork, she intertwines it with his, he gives it a light squeeze and would let go. This time however, she kept holding on to his hand. For some reason, she's terrified. If she lets him go now, she's not sure if she'll be able to see him again.
He looks down at their hands, then at her his mouth slightly agape. "I'll take you home," She coughs, opening the door with her free hand while Harumasa chuckles, "Shouldn't it be the other way around, Chief?" She shakes her head calmly, smiling warmly.
"It's the same task, no?" He huffs out a smile, his grin mischievous, "Want to stay the night too?" He's shot down immediately.
Standing outside Harumasa's place, it looks like any other apartment building yet she can't help but feel it's inviting. He, on the other hand, thinks of inviting her in but knowing the Chief, she would likely go to her own house. Before he can say anything, she breaks the silence.
"To say it as it is, you can defeat me as an Ethereal." He blinks at her words, sighing at the same conversation. "It's impossible, trust me." She still doubts it. Seeing the doubt on her face, he huffs, tapping her forehead.
"I shan't use my blade." She promises, as though hoping she'll have some control over her mind if she ever becomes one. "So, you're saying I can't defeat you if you use your blade?" He raises his eyebrow, leaning against the door frame. Miyabi frowns, thinking on his statement. If he were to use long ranged-combat, then he could.
He smiles seeing her deep in thought. "I can't because I'll like you even if you become an Ethereal, Chief." He's already confessed, yet every time he does, it feels like the first time. It's calm. It's unlike the explosive love she expected it to be, it's calm and strangely constant.
"Do you want to drink? I have some I need to finish." If he's going to invite her in someday, he might as well do it now.
She enters his house, a lone cacti stands on the shelf. She almost wonders if its because he couldn't keep any plants alive.
He gestures her to follow him to his room, a packet of dried snacks and cans of beers in his hands.
It's quiet. Like the peace obtained after defeating a powerful enemy. It's comfortable. His entire existence is comfortable.
"Chief, I want to say something." His head is resting against the frame of his bed, her sitting beside him. Empty cans of beer laid neatly in a straight line, surprisingly. "What is it, Harumasa?" She asks, putting her knees against her chin. She rubs her arms, feeling a tad bit cold. Harumasa gets up, slightly wobbly.
"Ah, it's something..." He opens his closet, taking out a blanket. He kept this one at his sofa but hasn't gotten the time to put it out there ever since he got it washed, "and, nevermind. Don't worry about it." He shakes his head, passing her the bedsheet as he sits beside her, crossing his legs.
Thanking him for the blanket, she lays it over her legs, sharing it with Harumasa. "I'd still like to hear it." He extends his hand towards her, as if asking to hold it. Doing as assumed, she intertwines her hand with her, fingers locked together. His hands are sweaty but she doesn't mind.
"Then, I love you, Chief." He's already confessed. She's never quite understood the difference between words 'like' and 'love'; now she thinks she does. He's always said he liked her, this is the first time he's said this.
"You're drunk," He frowns, shaking his head vigorously.
"...I can't get drunk, you know." He points at himself, obviously drunk, his cheeks flushed, his hands sweaty.
"Your cheeks are akin to ripe apples." She smiles, putting down the can of beer to poke his cheek. Putting down his can, he puts his hand on top of Miyabi's resting on his cheek.
"Are you teasing me?" He pouts, his head falling on her shoulder. She jumps slightly, both her hands occupied. If he falls asleep, she won't be able to go home?
"Chief Miyabi," He whispered, his body falling down at her. She cannot stop him from falling, and seconds later, he ends up on top of her. He looks at her, lifting his head from her neck, he lets go of her hand but her hand stays still on his cheek. She cannot move, her heart is beating loudly and she hopes he cannot hear it.
"Please fall for me too," He's begging, but she can't answer. She doesn't know what any of this means. Seconds feel like hours and he falls back onto her shoulder, his breathing heavy, eyes closed. Ah...he's fallen asleep.
"This feeling is unknown, but, I want to know more." She mutters to herself, retracing her hand from his cheek. She doesn't know if she likes him, he's an indispensable part of Section 6 but as towards her, she doesn't know if this strange feeling would've begun had he not been there.
"I'm afraid I've already fallen, Harumasa." This is her only confession.
When he awakes, she will already have left. His phone will buzz with a mission and it's the undeniable truth he'll have to be there despite unwilling to.
The Hollows and Ethereals are something still not understood. The horrors they bring, the undeniable fact they cause pain and terror.
Miyabi Hoshimi has faced numerous Ethereals in her life, yet for the second time in her life she can't bring herself to cut it down.
"This is why you asked me?" She needs a response, anything, something before she kills him. She doesn't want to but she has to. "Yeah," He weakly mutters, falling to his knees, his hand gripped on her sword. His body was turning into shards, similar to how a person becomes once they start turning into an Ethereal.
His breathing is heavy, she'll have to kill him before he completely transforms. It's reminiscent of a memory she'd like to forget but in the ever-changing world, she cannot.
"Sorry about this Chief," He gasps, tugging at her sword but it doesn't move. She holds her ground, unwilling to kill him just yet. She refuses to let him die just yet.
"Is there no cure?" It's too late. She already knows it's too late but she cannot bring herself to kill him. She knows better than anyone what this means but she cannot let go of him.
Crystals form at his neck, reminiscent of her mother before she passed. Yet again she's watching the same scene. Yet again, she's rendered quiet, there's so much she wants to say, has to say but she can't. The world feels cold, ether surrounding her body, half is body turned into an Ethereal. She has to let him die human but-
"I love you, always, Miyabi." This is the final confession. The blade goes through his stomach, his hand on the hilt as he slides it up to his neck. Looking straight at her, he nods, giving her a final smile.
Yet again, she couldn't kill when she had to. She shakes his bloodied fallen body, but there's no response. Her face feels wet, her hands are red with his blood. This is the momentary warmth she can have.