I know I said this story would be slow-paced as hell, there's another part of me telling me to be done with this because I have an idea for another story and I wanted to start with it already (which I did, I already wrote a few paragraphs). It's another crossover story with a yet another emotionless (or stoic) girl as the focus protagonist. I might post it soon but I'm having mixed feelings since I'm already focused here and I don't want to divide my attention between them… Damn me and my easily distracted mind!

Anyway, let's enjoy this chapter!

(Chapter unedited.)

Now you might wonder, whom are they giving it?
Why do they have to give it to someone who deserved and earned it?
And most of all, who is that?
…well, didn't I told you this is a road to apathy?

Tsuyuri Kanao, at some point, had these thoughts lingering at the back of her head.

They're all already dead, why does people still had earthly desires?
They're all just souls, why still longed for living comfortably?
They're all but gone, why yearned to exist again?

They are meaningless. Meaningless because they are temporary. Meaningless because they would fade. Meaningless because they had no purpose. But despite being meaningless, why does people still reach after it? Was it because it was fleeting? Was it because it doesn't live long? Was it because— Was it— Was it—

Was it because it was human instinct?

Was it because they longed for it?
Was it because they hanged for it?
Was it because they gazed for it?

…or was it because it was only natural for them?

Tsuyuri Kanao doesn't know what was natural for them—for her. She doesn't possess ambition, desire, and dream. She doesn't know was supposed to be natural. Mind? Body? Heart? Which one was she supposed to follow and tell her what was natural?

Natural means it was to be expected.
Natural means it was usual.
Natural means it was ordinary.

Then, if it was normal, what was the purpose behind it? The earthly desires, longing for peace, yearning to exist again, what was the meaning of it?

Tell me, why do you desire that thing?
Tell me, why do you want a quiet life?
Tell me, why you want to live again?
Tell me—
Tell me—
Tell me—

Can someone please tell me?

In the end, she doesn't know. She heard a saying that everything had a purpose, a meaning, a reason to explain a phenomenon that was unexplainable. Then, if those words echoed some type of truth; if no one can tell her what she wanted to know, she will search for it. She will look for it no matter what it takes. With her eyes, she will search for a purpose—a meaning and reason why everything is happening. Why everyone desires what was 'natural'. Why they longed for peace. Why they want to live again.

Yes, this will be her solution. An answer to her question.

…

…

…now that reminds her, Tsuyuri Kanao, where did she get this name?

…

…she forgot.

And then, she forgot everything.

Thus, she became an Observer from Farthest Gaze eventually no longer knowing the meaning behind it.

Chapter 15: Mystery, Misery, Memory

The first thing Kanao saw when she opened her eyes was an unfamiliar run down ceiling.

Where is she? She sat up from her position before wincing in pain. Looking down to her legs, she blinked in curiosity. She went up to touch the newly secured bandage around her legs, wondering who replaced the bandage.

"If you're wondering about the bandage, I replaced it."

She looked at the direction where she heard the voice and saw Tokitou Yuichirou… or maybe Muichirou? She tilted her head at her own confusion.

"Again, if you're wondering, I'm Yuichirou. I guess you were pretty sleepy back there that you fell asleep in Hashibira's arms. Where did you go last night with that wound of yours? Well, whatever. I'll be back. Let me call Muichirou and Hashibira so my brother can formally greet you."

She looked at his back as he walked away from her before he turned to a corner, disappearing from her sight. She returned her gaze to her legs, looking at the neatly tied bandage from her legs as she started rubbing it gently, hoping the ease the lingering pain.

…

…

…what should she do now?

Even though she agreed to come with him, she doesn't know what she was supposed to do. Yuichirou did say his twin brother wanted to meet her, but she doesn't know if it was just to meet her. One thing she knows for sure is that they wanted something from her, after all, his twin brother should have ignored her like others would act likely so. Why go through all the lengths searching for her in 14th District? It's obvious what they want—

"Tsuyuri Kanao, isn't it?"

She gasped in surprise as she looked up and saw the three of them towered before her.

That was fast. She was startled at their sudden appearance before she relaxed comfortably with their presence. She nodded at the man which she assumed to be Muichirou who sat beside where she laid.

"Good. I'm sorry if this sounded rude but, Yuichirou, can you leave us alone?"

She glanced, looking between the twins as she saw Yuichirou eyeing his brother with a look as if he had already expected it.

"I'm fine with it. Let's go outside, Hashibira. Let them talk in peace."

"Inosuke stays. This matter also concerns him."

Inosuke… she looked at the good-looking man with green eyes who looked uninterested at the conversation. Hashibira Inosuke… so that is his name. She made a quick note to herself.

"Hmm… alright. I'll wait outside. Make sure to take your time."

The three occupants waited for Yuichirou to walk outside as he closed the door behind him. Inosuke was first to break the silence before either of them could start.

"So? Yukana is gone, you two can start."

Yu…kana…? She wondered who that was but she had an inkling he was talking about Yuichirou.

"I was about to, Shinora, but you started first."

"Shinora?! Who the hell is that?! If you're talking about my name, it's Inosuke! Hashibira Inosuke!"

"I know, you idiot. Unless you start remembering names clearly, I will continue to mispronouncing your name until then."

"What did you say?!"

He was… mispronouncing Yuichirou's name…? Yukana was far from Yuichirou though…

"Tsuyuri, right? Let me formally introduce myself. I'm Tokitou Muichirou, Shinigami belonging in the Sixth Division. If you knew this Inoshishi behind me—"

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

"—then let me also introduce myself as the predecessor leader of Black Light. As for the incident at the Wilted Root a few days ago, I apologize for his behavior."

She held her hands up. "No, it's fine. I think I should show gratitude to you since you saved me back there."

"Ah. There's also that incident too. Don't mention it. Quite a bizarre situation, isn't it, since we're all present here."

"Yeah…"

With the exception of the siblings, it is odd they're having pleasantries to each other in this room together.

"…now that's enough small talks. I will tell you why I called you here. According to Inobira, you seem to know the breathing technique he saw earlier this morning. Are you aware of this technique the whole time?"

She blinked, not expecting she would be questioned out of nowhere.

"No. An incident made me realized it. I didn't know it until that. Is there something in it?"

"…possibly. How did you discover it?"

"I was in pain because of the poison. I did the breathing technique for a week and somehow, I was healed."

…an image of a bottled medicine came to her mind unsuspectingly. She shook her head to erase it.

"Hmm… it can do that, huh? What about fighting? Did you use it while fighting?"

"No… not really…" She remembered the men she defeated in front of Red Light but that was most of her…probably.

Muichirou nodded. "I see. What about you? The same thing happened to you, right? The breathing technique?" He turned his head to Inosuke in inquiry.

"Did you forgot about it, you damn Mochi? Of course it did. Then you suddenly approached and told me you will taught me how to use my breathing technique effectively."

"And you did. But you didn't really use it for good, isn't it? Now we finally met each other after many years, I think I can say this to you after seeing how Black Light had fallen. I'm disappointed."

Inosuke grimaced. "T-That's your fault, you idiot! Why did you make a leader of Black Light, anyway?! I tried my best to make my part as their leader!"

"Because I know you're a good person. But for some reason, you have become worse. Before you were all talk and bite but now you're biting more than you should."

…what should she do? She had a feeling their conversation would escalate to something worse.

Hearing silence in Inosuke's part, Muichirou continued. "You never raised a hand against someone before, Inosuke, unless they deserve it. But when I saw you a few days ago, slashing Tsuyuri's wrist and legs, what the hell were you think back there? You attacked an innocent person, had that thought not came and drilled to you? Not just you broke the unspoken rule of Black Light, you also betrayed my trust."

"Bastard… Don't talk any further."

…this is bad. This is really bad.

"Why should I? I have my mouth to talk, you can't stop me. Are you angry because I'm telling the truth?"

"Tokitou! I already told you to shut your goddamn mouth!"

"…that's rare. You got my name on second try."

…jeez. Why did it out turned like this?

She sighed. "If you're fighting in front of me, I would like to leave."

"…no. I'm actually done talking with this guy. Arguing with him any longer will further waste my time."

She suddenly had a déjà vu with those words. Where did she heard that before?

"Hey, Inosuke, where do you think you're going?"

She raised her head to see Inosuke walking away from them with a hard look before he turned his back towards them and turned to a corner.

…for some reason, why does he look like—

"That Inosuke… why does he look guilty?"

—Muichirou ended up echoing her thoughts.

"He probably left to clear his thoughts." She tried to reassure. "I'm sure he will come back."

"I hope so." He sighed. "He must have did something while I was gone and made him somehow worse than before."

She didn't attempt to reassure him further since she had no idea the history to their quarrel.

"Continuing our conversation earlier, it was the breathing technique, right?"

She nodded.

"Just like I did with Inosuke, I will taught you how to use it effectively but I will not do it for free."

"…you wanted something from me?" Just as she feared…

"'from you'…you could see it like that perhaps. I'm giving you a proposal, a recommendation. And by accepting it, I will teach you how to use the breathing technique."

She cocked her head. "What is it?"

"Become a Shinigami."

It took her a full minute to process his words.

"What?"

And then the lightning flashed from the window, a roaring thunder echoing in the distance.

Author's Musing #15:

First, it was Muichirou, then it was Tanjirou and now it's Iguro? Is the red blade is some sort of death flag?

(I'm sure Tanjirou will manage to wake up somehow but currently, he is kinda dead).

Was Muichirou a bit OOC here? Please tell me because I'm not confident with myself if I wrote him properly.

Part 4 of JoJo… was good. My favorite part so far. Again, it has its own highs and lows but still very, very good. Currently started watching Part 5…