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Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.
Makoto stared blankly out the window, watching that familiar green hue overtake the sky. They weren't due for a Tartarus run today. But something under Makoto's skin itched.
He's been feeling off the entire day. He promised Ren he'd take better care of himself, but…
There isn't a Tartarus run planned for today.
Would anybody know if he just… went by himself? He'd obviously have to be stealthy about it. Some people might be sleeping, but others could be around the dorms, and he couldn't let them catch him in the act.
He could just use the back door. No one should be hanging around there tonight.
But then again, weren't doors like that usually alarmed? Makoto didn't want to risk it. If he accidentally tripped an alarm, that'd surely send everyone running.
What a bother.
Looks like his best bet was checking the front door. After all, there was no way in hell he was climbing down from his window. Could he even fit through it in the first place? Doesn't matter. Ren would definitely cry if he dropped himself trying to climb down the dorm walls. The last thing Makoto wanted was to make his little brother cry.
"If you die…What do I have left to live for..?"
Makoto's hand flew to his Evoker's holster. Why must his mind to remind him of those words? Was this day just determined to get shittier? Deep breath, deep breath. Don't think about that right now, just think about how you'll get to Tartarus.
Makoto made his way down to the main lounge area, looking around inconspicuously for any occupants.
…Crap. Ren's here.
Makoto walked up to his little brother, sitting down without a word. He usually waited for Ren to talk first. After all, if Ren didn't speak to him willingly, there was hardly a chance Makoto would get anything out of him.
…
Okay. Looks like this time Makoto needed to speak first. That's great. Things were really looking up, huh?
"Can't sleep?" He asked in a low tone, not judging, but still concerned.
Ren shook his head. His hands were oddly still for once, as if he wasn't all there. Makoto frowned further. Looks like it wasn't a good day for either of them.
"Why did you come down here..?" Ren's voice was almost a whisper. If Makoto was paying any less attention, he might've missed it.
He shrugged. "Same as you."
Ren seemed to shrink down further at that. Was he… crying? What for? Makoto couldn't tell what set him off this time. Maybe it was all the stress from the past week? After all, those two full moon Shadows were a scary sight to see in the lobby. Makoto's heart almost stopped when he saw Ren passed out on the ground. Thank god he didn't have any serious injuries.
Makoto simply pulled his little brother close, letting him cry into his side. Once he tired himself out, Makoto could tuck him back into bed. Then, it was off to Tartarus.
…Damn, that was faster than he thought it'd take. Ren must've been more exhausted than he looked. Was he skipping nights? Makoto would have to check if Ren was actually sleeping next night. For now, he'd just have to bring him back to bed.
Makoto teleported to the highest floor he could. Just until the next teleporter floor. I'll just go until the next teleporter floor.
His Evoker sat in a tight grip in his hand. God save any Shadow that crossed his path today; he was in a mood.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Makoto kept his finger firmly on the trigger. Just until the next teleporter.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
His moves were growing sloppier. Just until the next.
Bang.
Bang.
The Reaper was on his tail. Just until…
Makoto opened his eyes to see the first floor of Tartarus. He'd better get back before anyone notices. Thank god tomorrow was a Sunday.
Mitsuru was definitely going to kill him. If Ren didn't get him first.
…
Just a little bit longer, he thought as he pointed the Evoker at his temple once more.