With Kanao taking a backseat for a while… the start of mini-arc: Truth within the Rain.
Oh, I've changed the title from Ch. 6 since it was too long lol.
(Chapter unedited.)
Truth within the Rain: Plight of The Butterfly
What an unforeseen event. He didn't expect to encounter the subject of his curiosity in a street of 17th District. Sleeping in his arms like babe, shivering at the cold weather, clutching him as her source of warmth while her pale lips trembled and her face scrunched up from pain. He can see clearly the cause of her discomfort since he can taste the iron as he smelled it in the air, clinging the girl like a second skin, seeping her wet bandages now loosely clung in her legs as well as her wrist.
Just how reckless is this girl to not receive proper treatment? She must be quite stubborn to able have her way and allowed Captain Unohana for her early discharge.
Was he worried at the subject sleeping in his arms? No, not necessarily. He was just confused. Isn't pain and blood one of the biggest fears by humans haunted on about when they were alive? If not, why endure when it doesn't benefit you when it would only worsen the state of your body?
The girl seems to be say the latter. She had obviously walked a great distance where she came from, and now he was carrying her to the destination she pleaded him to go despite the offer to bring her to a clinic. With the unconscious girl in his arms, her light breaths and clenched fists in his shihakushō, it should be the first thing she would come up in this situation, especially the condition of her health.
But why at Red Light? It is the home place of Pleasure District—as people would sometimes call the 14th District—and the building would be currently full of enthusiastic customers and outgoing Oiran, he can't think of any reason why the girl chose to go there. Other than that, she doesn't seem to be a member of Niji Ōu; Black Light nor White Light, neither was likely. He was sure of that fact.
Well, either way, no need to dwell on that, since he can see the towering building in the distance as he slowly approached the boundary between 15th and 14th. When he arrives at Red Light, he will draw answers why his subject of curiosity wanted to be there instead.
Hara smiled brightly, as per procedure. In truth, she was actually tired. All she wanted right now was rest in a fitful sleep and have sweet dreams instead of a nightmare. The incident may be a one-time event but she can't forget the fear she felt when she set her eyes on the amalgamated snake that managed to slither its way to her home while it attempted to attack her, defenseless.
It was a wonder why the abominated snake caused this much panic from her when she thought she was already used seeing stray animals—sometimes, insects; mostly spiders—barging in her home and handled it herself when this particular snake managed to shook her core, degrading her into a trembling, whimpering mess in the corner of her house instead of shooing it away like usual.
Perhaps it was the snake's eccentric appearance? Probably. Its form did unnerved her and she can't forget how it swiftly lunged to her as it attempted to bury its fangs to her while she flailed around like a madwoman in her home before it slipped away from her skin, hissing at her and raised her voice to a scream, asking for help.
Hara will be forever grateful to Kanao for the quick disposal at the snake. Their first meeting may be brief, but she can recognize the girl who sat in her home, glancing and gazing at every people as they walked passed her, trying to ignore her piercing eyes directed at them before they eventually got used to it.
It was kinda amusing seeing the apprehensive look of the visitors as they enter 14th District—by extension, Flower District. Some even say it was the rite of passage to endure the stare of this observer, while some joked she was a guardian who looks after the Flower District and scans the potential threat entering the district.
Her friend may not aware of this but Kanao was quite infamous in 14th District. Observer from Farthest Gaze, as they call her. People is really fond giving out names to people whom they do not know, like Oyakata, the Master of the Mansion for the founder of Flower District. Kanao's distant behavior might be the reason why she was given 'farthest' as part of her epithet for being so far-removed yet so close at arm's length.
Does her friend felt lonely by herself? If it was her, she would cry every night why no one wanted to befriend her. After that, she would analyze herself what was wrong to her and cast it away so people would approached her without hesitation.
To be acknowledged by others… to be recognized… to be accepted…
If Hara was in Kanao's shoes, she would try her best to catch their attention. But since it was granted in her job as an Oiran, she had nothing to do anymore.
"Hara, isn't your shift already done?"
Hearing the voice of her fellow Oiran, Hara responded without averting her attention away from the reflection of her solemn look in the mirror. "I know. You can go ahead. Don't worry." She reassured.
A defeated sigh entered her ears as she can hear the other Oiran shifted and saw her grabbing her bag in the mirror. "If that's what you want. Be careful, okay? Wouldn't want a decent friend to suddenly disappear or else, I'll be lonely by myself."
Hara chuckled. Erika considered her as decent person in this establishment full of haughty beauties who wanted nothing to be in each other's presence, or so they say. Unspoken rivalries are common in Red Light and they refused to befriend one another so their reputation won't be tarnished by others… or so they say. Hara found it pretty stupid. And Erika shared the same opinion. "Do not worry, my dear friend. I have the perfect escort to accompany me." She said in a parody of haughtiness, imitating their not-so-friendly Oiran.
"I hope it is. But I'm serious though. I don't want to be lonely again."
She was caught off guard at the somber smile Erika had. Hara responded with a guilty yet sincere look. "Me too."
Silence washed over the dressing room as both Oiran looked down to their feet before Erika broke the spell. "There's no need for us to be gloomy! We'll see each other tomorrow, okay? Bye!"
After raising her hand in response to the quick wave of farewell from Erika, Hara turned her head in the mirror and skimmed over her current appearance. The pretty mask she had donned earlier was now long gone after she wiped the make-up, revealing the worn-out face and tired eyes. Her white hair messy after she had let her hair loose from the elaborated hairstyle she had worn, uncombed and untamed. Instead of the complicated styled kimono, all she wore is a simple light-colored yukata.
The Oiran of Red Light from Flower District has long vanished and was replaced by Hara, the Rukongai resident of 14th District.
Standing up in her chair with a sigh, Hara grabbed her own personal thing with her and walked to the door as she gripped the knob. Her 'escort', Makomo must have been waiting at the other side of the door. The girl's presence won't surprise her anymore.
And yet she did.
There was no one there.
Blinking in bewilderment as she looked left and right at the hallway, Hara closed the door behind her. Why is Makomo not here…? Is she on day-off or something…? Shrugging, she walked at the direction where the employees are instructed to go out. When she opened the back door, expecting a cold air of the night touching her skin, there crouched in front of her, was a man kneeling at her foot with raised fist as if he was about to knock the door.
Hara froze—
A look of familiarity went over his face as he saw her. "Ah, it's you! I need your—"
—and slammed the door closed.
Stunned silence doused over them like a cold water as both sides registered what just happened. A loud knock reverberated from the door. Hara flinched at the noise. "Hara-san, I need your help and please let us enter!"
She panicked at his demands. "I can't! We're not allowed to do that!" As per protocol, the employees are not allowed invite strangers inside the establishment. Red Light is the home of the founder, Oyakata, also known as The Manager in this area; the person who gave her an 'escort', appearance obscured and hidden from the masses. "What are doing here, Shinigami-san?" Hara asked.
A brief, contemplating silence was heard from the other side. "Can you at least take something from me?" The Shinigami who formerly interrogated her requested, his voice faint at the door. "It's fine if you won't let me enter. The person I had with me is hurt."
"Person? Hurt?" Hara blinked, frowning. She can scarcely recall something resting in his arms after she had closed on him. There was a sense of familiarity when she replayed the scene in her mind's eye. Something in his arms. A person. Pink yukata and black hair. To confirm her suspicion, she opened the door to a small crack, landing her eyes first at the Shinigami before lowering her gaze in his arms. She was right. "Kanao-chan!" She exclaimed, running towards her friend who is currently unconscious in his chest.
Hara profusely checked on her state. Kanao's body is burning, she was surprised the Shinigami had not let go of her friend at the seeping heat of her skin when she immediately flinched away as soon as she touched Kanao's forehead. Shivering at cold air, breathing lightly as well as the fine sheen of sweat forming; Hara wondered if she was suffering from hypothermia when she saw the damp yukata clinging to her like a second skin. She can feel something welled up within her. "Why didn't you take her to a clinic?" She said furiously.
"That was my intention but she insisted." Hara looked with narrowed glare to search his eyes under his glasses. She was gratified when there was only sincerity. "If we stay here longer outside…" She knows. She knows if they stand further here, Kanao would surely suffer even more.
Glancing back and forth around the hallway, Hara pulled the Shinigami inside, her hands still hovering over her friend's body. "Come in. Don't worry. There's no one around here."
"But…"
"If we stay silent, we'll arrive at the dressing room without trouble." Hara told him in low voice. The dressing room is her compromise. There's no Oiran left loitering around so they should be safe there for now. If she gets caught, she'll take full responsibility for it.
Hara watched Kanao being slowly set down in the sofa. The Shinigami carefully slid his hands away from her and backed away except he was stopped with a tight grip he realized Kanao's hand still clutching on his clothes. What an intimate gesture, Hara thought with slight jealousy as she looked at them when the Shinigami gently removed her friend's hand away from him and set it down to her side. She fought back the feeling to look away when she noticed the Shinigami's hand lingered longer at her friend's before he stood up and walked to the door.
"Wait." Hara can hear her voice raise to stop the Shinigami from opening the door.
"What is it?" Without even turning around, she can hear his confusion.
"Thank you."
She thought his response to her gratitude would be 'you're welcome' or something like that. What he actually said caught her off guard.
"Looks like you were able to befriend the person whom you were scared of."
His words made her turn around and looked at his back. Blinking, finally knowing what he meant, she dryly laughed. "I guess I was just being a coward. It was just an unnecessary fear."
"There's no shame possessing some kind of fear." The Shinigami started. And for some reason, she felt goosebumps running her skin and stood frozen behind him. "After all, fear is necessary for evolution."
What?
"My name is Tsukinami Nezha. Feel free to chase after me."
Hara made no move after that. She was stuck in her position. Gaping at the door with wide eyes where the Shinigami no longer stood. After a while, Makomo shook her out of her stupor, asking her what happened.
The only thing she could do was utter a name. Tsukinami Nezha.
Kanao felt the wind blew from behind, along with the sensation of falling.
Strangely, she was not afraid. It was comforting. It was a strange feeling to be comforted at the idea of falling but she did. Because she knew; somehow she knew that below won't be her grave. The Harbinger of Death wasn't waiting for her; she was already dead. Why should the ground below something she should fear? She had accepted Death and Death was already with her.
Then tell me, what do you fear?
Hearing a familiar voice, she opened her eyes. Pink and purple entered her sight. A cluster of muddled strokes as if a messy painter smeared the sky like a tangled shapes of constellation. It was a strange picture while she looked and falls to her apparent death. It doesn't even look farther the more she descended to the ground.
Staring, she lingered her eyes above her and then blinking, noticing something. The sky was moving, she realized. The more she looked at it, the more it gets stranger.
No, a voice spoke to her, or perhaps it was just in her head, look closely.
Through her pointed eyes, she looked closely. She had already noticed the sky was moving. Was it the clouds? She wondered but it wasn't shaped like a wispy, airy-looking clouds. No, it doesn't look like it. It was unrelenting and continuous with noise of soft flutter, faint and subtle. Wings, she recognized.
That was when she saw it.
It was as if the sky opened up above her, like a shape of a flower—of a lotus along with flickering noises of faint flutters. As the sky parted like a petal, a shining looming moon peeked through the cracks and gaped at it. It was big, and if only she wasn't falling to her apparent death she thought she was flying close to it. The moon shined gently, comforting her and reached out her hands as if to embrace it.
Look closely, the voice told her again.
The scenery changed around her but the sensation of falling still pulled her below. Raising her head, her eyes landed at the sight of the pink and purple creature flying close to her face, unperturbed at the wind.
Pretty, she thought.
But I won't last long, it responded.
Why? She asked.
Butterflies doesn't live long, it told her matter-of-factly.
Aren't you afraid?
Beautiful things doesn't live long, if it was a human being, it would have shrugged its shoulders nonchalantly, that's just how things worked. I'm not afraid.
How the things worked… was it truly that accepting? People say butterflies are the symbol of rebirth but it appeared to be closely related to death.
Why do you think rebirth is not related to death? It questioned her thoughts, rebirth is revival, the beginning of rebirth is death, why are they not connected?
I didn't mean it like that, she argued to it, death is the dead end, death is an abyss without light. The final ending.
If it's a precipice then build a bridge, it chuckled, if you can't find a way then make another one.
But butterflies doesn't gets revived after death, how could they make a bridge between life and death?
You are no butterfly, it mused, you gave up. You're just a petal fluttering in the wind, lifeless and dull yet beautiful.
At those words, she was reminded that she was falling yet below doesn't seem to arrive. She wondered if she was falling into an endless void.
But I'm glad, she returned her attention when it spoke, you finally heard my voice.
Your voice? She blinked, wondering what it meant, am I supposed to hear you?
One way or another, it answered vaguely, either way, I'm glad.
Abruptly, she struggled to breath, grounded and flattened when she realized she had finally reached below. As she opened her eyes, the moon was no longer there. A high ceiling greeted her sight.
"Kanao-san?"
Her stirring seemed to have caught the attention from someone, cyan-green eyes peered down at her worriedly. She wanted to look closely at the person who busied themselves around her when she can vaguely noticing them touching her legs and wrist but she can't. It was as if her strength was completely drained from her. With her head still foggy, she closed her eyes in a dreamless sleep.
Then tell me, what do you fear?
Those were the only words she remembered.
Hara knew she should be resting in the guest room with Kanao. Restlessness possessed her since… that day. Nightmares would plague her dreams, and to make it worse, her encounter with the Shinigami earlier makes her want to stay awake for the whole night. She doesn't know what truly happened after he said something to her. She recalled it was something with fear, and ironically, a shadow of terror froze her on the spot before Makomo snapped her out of it.
Tsukinami Nezha.
What a pompous name.
It was the same Shinigami who questioned her during the snake incident. Hara had thought it was weird for people in shihakushō to suddenly barge in her home and received a barrages of questions from the Shinigami. She didn't even have the opportunity to ask his name until he introduced himself today. Feel free to chase after me, he had said but she doesn't know why someone would chase after him. She shared this sentiment to Makomo in confusion before asking why he said that.
"Maybe he knew…something we didn't. Perhaps it was an invitation to observe him… of sorts." Makomo had supplied her with equal confusion as hers.
There was something in her gut, maybe from her women's intuition, saying there was something more to this Shinigami. Something frightening hiding behind those glasses of his. He may be a mild-looking man with an easily discounted appearance but the fact that she was left unmoving when he left, there must be something he did to her.
Something unseen, something overlooked.
The amalgamated snake, a voice whispered.
No… no way… was the Shinigami somehow involved with the snake? If he did, then it would make sense why she suddenly received questions after questions from him as if he was checking the handiwork.
There's… no way it was the case, right? After all, as a Shinigami they were only doing their job… Perhaps he was doing the usual procedure to see if there was any one wounded from the snake, right?
Right?
Wait, Hara paled, any one wounded? Kanao was wounded during that time. And the fact that the Shinigami brought her here… wounded… and her breaking the rule just for him to enter the establishment…
Was he observing Kanao-chan ever since that incident?
This is bad. This is really, really bad.
She needed something, someone to talk about this. If she can't, she will explode from worry. Hiding secrets is not her greatest forte and she needed to get it out of her system.
Something is wrong, she wanted to shout.
Immediately when he heard the door closed, Kagaya raised his voice. "What of it?"
"Hara-san is currently resting," Makomo's voice rang like a bell in the silent room. "Kanao-san had been put in the guest room with her."
That made him relax however only partially. Part of him screamed at him, whispering in alarmed tone from the back of head. Something is wrong, it told him. He trusted the voice, he always did. That's what made him turn into position he currently stood. "Did you ask her why she had Tsuyuri Kanao with her?"
"No," He can hear the troubled tone from her. "She seemed shocked for some reason. It was like she was put into a trance. Frozen and staring at the door as if she saw someone off."
Kagaya bristled. "Is there?"
"…yes. There are traces left," Makomo's voice increasingly getting lower. "Reiatsu… it was a reiatsu of a Shinigami, Kagaya-san."
"What?" He thought a truce was put into an effect; no Shinigami was supposed to be allowed in the establishment, especially here in Red Light. Don't tell me… he thought, horrified at his speculation. "Did she invite the Shinigami in, Makomo?"
Makomo sighed, "It appears to be. There was no sign of struggle either."
"Did you found out who it was?" Kagaya's mind was swirling. Are they doing these deliberately against them? Had they finally taken arms against them? No. It seemed to be reckless. For the Shinigami to leaves traces of his presence…
Something is wrong, it told him again.
"Sabito are currently investigating it. The dressing room for the Oiran has been moved," She paused, as if having second thoughts before finally saying, "Actually… Hara-san said something."
That caught his attention. "What is it?"
"It was… a name, I think. The Shinigami must have introduced himself before he left."
He was strangely growing impatient. "And?"
"Tsukinami Nezha, that's what Hara-san said."
"Then has that been investigated?"
"We're not allowed to do that, Kagaya-san." Makomo was in disbelief at his question. He knows. But he didn't care.
"Yet the Shinigami did. Return the favor." Kagaya donned his Master of the Mansion mask before her.
She was silent after those words. "As you wish, Oyakata-sama." And then, she closed the door.
Something is wrong, it echoed within him.
When Hara heard the door being closed in the distance, she hoisted from the wall and sauntered at the foot of the stairs. As she saw the familiar girl about to descend with a distracted look, she never wasted time and raised her voice, "Makomo-chan, can I ask you a favor?"
Startled, Makomo halted her steps and blinked. She conjured a smile on her face but it looked forced in her eyes, "What is it?" she asked apprehensively.
With a tilt of her head, she wondered why Makomo seemed to be nervous around her. Nothing happened during last encounter… except for the strange slip-up. Amane, she remembered but shook it away. It's a different matter, that's not what she wanted to talk about. "Is it possible to meet with The Manager?"
Makomo gave her a frown. "Why do you want to meet with… him?" she trailed off, as if catching herself at the last second.
Hara stared at her with contemplative look. Makomo… Makomo would be a good candidate to talk with her current worries. She had been her escort for a while but… the voice in her head told her to talk directly to The Manager. And judging from Makomo's distracted look, she doesn't seem to a good candidate to talk right now. As the bodyguard of The Manager, it's inevitable she would be busy and would never a spare a good portion of her time to talk.
But is it really a good idea to talk directly with The Manager? She broke the rule to not invite a stranger in the establishment and yet The Manager never rose a finger against her in punishment. He had let her off scot-free. And for that, she ought to give him thanks and gratitude. He had been kind to her… ever since those men nearly took her away for questionable…
She shook her head profusely. Dang it, how many times does she have to remind herself to never linger her in that incident? Kanao saved her and The Manager… gave her an 'escort' for this reason even though she still a bit miffed at the idea.
As if her confidence had fled away, she half-heartedly smiled and bowed, "No. Never mind. Just forget I asked that."
Foolishness must have possessed her for asking that 'favor'. The Manager is not just a person who manages the things here in this establishment, he is the one who is also called as Oyakata, the Master of the Mansion, the founder of Flower District. For a mere Oiran like her, she had no chance to meet with this kind of person who obviously stood at the top.
Then who she should talk about the churning emotions burning in her chest?
"If you are asking for a favor, can I ask the same from you?"
"Huh?" She was dumbfounded of the girl's words. She can't mean… "You have a favor to ask from me?"
Makomo winked at her. "After all, it would be fair like that, right?"
Hara offered her a thankful smile… but what is up with her mischievous smile…?
"What's the favor you ask from me?" She asked hesitantly, wondering at the implied look Makomo directed at her.
"The Manager had been stressful lately, if it is possible, would you relieve him from it?"
The wheels in her head turned, unperturbed and relaxed. But when she heard those words and the implication, cogs gradually slowed as she attempted to process what Makomo spoke to her. It took her for a while to understand and exclaimed a single word, louder than she intended.
"WHAT?!"
No, no, no, there's no way Makomo was asking for her… skills, right? Her skills as an Oiran? And using it to… The Manager, the founder of Flower District known as Oyakata, right?
As if reading her mind, Makomo provided her with a smile, "Talk with him. Hearing a familiar voice will surely relieved him."
Even though what she wanted the most was sigh in relief, she can't help but notice her choice of words. "Familiar… voice? But I never talked with him, Makomo-chan. I don't even know what he looks like."
Is she? For some reason, there is an infuriating part of her telling her, screaming at her that she should have known it the whole time but she brushed it off in the corner of her mind.
Makomo stood in front of her, unmoving and unblinking. When Hara saw her frozen state, she was about to ask her what was wrong but it looks like she was able to recover when her ever-present gentle smile returned, "My apologies, Hara-san. This is the second time this happened, right?"
"Yeah…" she agreed. Amane and familiar voice had been her slip-up which is, according to Makomo's reaction, had been a major mistake she accidentally made. It makes her wonder if Makomo and The Manager knew her before she applied in this establishment. Many years she roamed here in Rukongai, their existence must've eventually slipped away from her mind.
"What do you say, Hara-san?"
"Hmm?" She was forced out of daze and landed her attention to the girl, "Say what?"
"You still haven't accepted my favor." Makomo said matter-of-factly.
"Oh, right. Yeah, sure, why not? It's not really a bad thing to talk with… him, right?" Her tone shifted into disbelief when she realized that she will be talking with Oyakata face-to-face by accepting Makomo's favor to 'relieve' him. As much as she wanted to ask about their mysterious connection with Makomo, if she had the nerves to do it, perhaps she will attempt to talk with… him of all people about it.
"Good." Makomo's smile looked brighter than usual. "If possible, here's what you should do to him."
"Huh? I thought I only had to talk with him."
"Talking to relieve him won't be enough. You should do more than that."
As she was given the 'directions' from Makomo through a whisper, she shot her an incredulous look when she was done. "I had to do that?"
"I'm sure he'll like it."
Those were the only words Makomo said before she left. Raising her head up to the stairs, Hara pondered if she should do what she had received from the girl for The Manager. She should be, she refuted herself. Makomo trusted her with this. She shouldn't betray her expectation.
But… why should she call The Manager as Kagaya without honorifics? That seems awfully rude to use for someone she (still) doesn't know.
Hara's shift had ended long ago, as Erika had reminded her earlier. But being burdened with the 'favor' and the worries raging inside of her chest, standing in front of a certain door is her current responsibility.
Is this really a good idea? She asked herself whenever an opportunity strikes when she had walked to this door in front of her. The Founder of Flower District—known and named by the residents as Oyakata, he was the most guarded man in this District. He even took the role of The Manager, the responsibility to manage the Red Light establishment.
And yet, there she is. Collecting her nerves with a bated breath at the door where the Founder was probably resting in this high evening at the other side. Finally steeling herself, she raised a fist and rasped the door.
"Who is it?"
Even though she expected it, the muffled voice still made her jump. What a smooth voice, she briefly noted. With the most professional tone she could offer, she bowed and introduced herself as if he had stood in front of her, "My name is Hara. Oiran of Red Light."
There was a brief pause before a voice silently asked, "Why are you here?"
She was a bit taken back at the subtle doubting tone. She reasoned to herself that The Manager was probably in disbelief she didn't went home yet.
Well, since Makomo didn't told her to hide it… "I was sent here by Makomo…" —chan, she nearly spat out before correcting herself, "Um… by your bodyguard, Makomo."
Another pause occurred, this time longer than she liked. Hara started to doubt herself, thinking she shouldn't have told about Makomo's involvement. But it wouldn't make sense for an Oiran like her to approach this room in her own volition. The guards wouldn't let her pass if she did. A reason was what The Manager asked and she provided it to him. She had done nothing wrong at this point.
Whether she will be able to see his true face or not is up to the decision from him.
Though it's not like she was curious about his appearance, it was just possibility that maybe she won't be able—
"Enter."
—to see him. Never mind that.
"Then pardon for the intrusion."
When she first set her sights inside the room, she thought she had gone blind. Adjusting her eyes in the darkness of the room, she can see an illuminating light outside as the only source of visibility. Spacious yet deserted, clean yet secluded, loneliness was what set her heart from what she saw. If only for the person standing at the large window, his back facing to her, she would have already left there, thinking she must have entered the wrong room.
This is not what I expected from The Founder's room, she thought with a forlorn look.
"Good evening."
Hara bristled before bowing respectfully to him. "Good evening… Kagaya." She bit her lip, waiting the scolding to come in her way for the informal greeting
"Yes."
At the silent reply, she visibly relaxed but the next words from him made her raise her eyes in attention.
"Why are you sent here… by Makomo?"
The Manager still haven't turned around to face her. Weird, she thought. "Umm… with her favor." She said carefully.
"And what… favor is it?"
Is it really a good idea to tell him the truth? That would be embarrassing but… "To… uh, talk to you." That wasn't a lie either.
A contemplative silence hovered him. "…talk?"
"Yes." It made her remember the purpose of her favor to meet him. "A favor for my favor. A fair debt."
That response made him turn his head but not fully showing his face. "Your favor?"
"My apologies… Kagaya." Damn, she still not used without using honorifics to other. Oiran are not made for that. "I had actually asked her first for a favor to meet you."
"Meet me?" Curiosity coated his words, the more he was obliged to turn around to face her as she observed.
"Yes. It is about…" she faltered, her heart beating in her chest, collecting herself, "the Shinigami I invited here. I wanted to talk…"
The next words she wanted to say fell silent from her mouth as she gaped at him, taking in the appearance of the man who faced her with a faded shadow that touched his face.
But not enough to obscure him.
Glazed eyes landed on her, unfocused and indirectly. He looked to her general direction, not fully on her. The skin on his upper face looked darker than the rest, and for a brief moment, she was reminded of a scene, a person who saved her with blood splattered on their temple, lilac eyes squinting ahead before slashing the amalgamated snake with a blade.
Blind, she felt the blood drained from her face, The Founder of Flower District is blind.
No wonder Makomo introduced herself as one of his 'eyes'.
"…about him." Hara finished her sentence when she found her voice.
"What about him?"
It took a while to close her mouth before flies could enter and responded with a wavering voice, "I'm here to…" she shook her head. This is not the time to be staring at him. There are more important matters than The Founder's appearance. "I'm here to talk about my suspicion about him." She told him with a resolute tone than earlier.
She watched him walking to his chair, with a grace and dignity than ever she could be and seated himself. "I will listen."
Releasing a breath, words came out from her mouth, "I think the Shinigami I invited… might be involved with the snake incident."
She paused for consideration, watching his reaction as he nodded at her to continue.
And she did with a question. "Before I continue, can I ask something?"
He rose a delicate eyebrow, "what is it?"
"Is it normal for a Shinigami to monitor incidents in Rukongai…?"
"No. It is not normal."
Her eyes went wide. "What?"
"Well, I wouldn't say normal but it's rare. Not all incidents are recorded by the Shinigami, not when it threatens Seireitei or Soul Society as a whole. Whatever happens to Rukongai, it usually take a while to reach the word to Seireitei."
"What about right after the incident?"
He frowned. "Right after?"
"Right after the snake incident, Shinigami arrived my home left and right. I was questioned about it."
"Strange." He mused. "Right after, you say? It sounds like you have been monitored from the start."
"No." She rejected the idea. It doesn't make sense. What make sense was… "I think it was the snake was being monitored."
Nodding, he listened her words. "The snake. Quite an uproar it rose."
"Yes." She agreed. "I don't understand why it caused a such a racket."
"It should be." He refuted her gravely. "It wasn't a normal snake. It was a Hollowfied snake."
"H…Hollowfied…?" She was taken back at the unfamiliar word.
"There was an incident in the past about a group of Shinigami who turned into a Hollow. Ever since then, the idea of a Hollow penetrating here in Soul Society had put Seireitei on guard. The reason why set their eyes on the snake incident was because the creature was turned into one."
"I…I didn't know about that." Hara felt ignorant at the words she uttered earlier.
"That was long ago. Some people might have already forgotten about it. You and I wasn't even here when it happened. No need to feel bad about it."
You and I… what a strangely intimate choice of words. "Then it happened before Flower District was created?"
A ghost of smile grew on his face. "The Flower District is still recent. The times before was chaotic and I thought I could use it… in a more healthy and sufficient way."
She can feel the shock coursing through her. Did he just told her the reason why he created Flower District?
"Continuing our conversation earlier when we veered away, it is about the Shinigami you invited you wanted to talk about, right?"
"Huh?" She was startled, realizing they did change the subject unknowingly. They must have getting comfortable with each other… "Y…yes! Yes, I did! Umm… I think the Shinigami might be involve with the snake incident."
Wait, didn't she already said this earlier?
Instead of correcting her, he smiled patiently, "And you think that this Shinigami was the one who created the snake. Am I wrong?"
Dumbfounded, she nodded. Amazing, she thought, he already connected the dots.
"And?"
"And? Oh." Of course, he knew she didn't came here to only talk about the Shinigami might be the creator of the amalgamated snake. "After the incident, he might have shifted his attention since the snake was disposed."
He gave her a muted 'and?' look.
"And it might be Kanao-chan."
She can see him catching off guard at her words. "To Tsuyuri Kanao? Why?"
"He's the one who brought her here. He said Kanao-chan insisted to be brought here. That's why I… invited him in." her voice slowly faltered at the last words.
"I see." He quietly replied. "You broke the rule for her."
"I'm sorry, Oyakata-sama." She bowed in apology, unknowingly reverted to formal honorifics. "Seeing Kanao-chan like that… I can't help it. I'm sorry…"
"It is okay…" he paused with thoughtful look. "Is there any more reason why he set his sights on her?"
Thankful that he changed the subject, she replied respectively, "In that incident, Kanao-chan saved me but she was wounded at that time. I heard she was poisoned… that must be why he shifted his attention to her…"
As if those words was the trigger, a certain conversation rush over her mind.
"I wonder if that girl is okay…"
The Shinigami raised an eyebrow. "'That girl'? What does a girl had to do with this?"
"She's the one who killed the snake. She saved me."
"How intriguing. Do you know her?"
"Not really. I only noticed her living in a dirty tent at the side of the road. Now that reminds me, she was always a strange one…"
"What makes you say that, miss?"
"…her eyes scares me."
"…oh?" He blinked in interest.
In interest.
No… no, no, no. Don't tell me, he... the reason the Shinigami set his eyes on Kanao… was because of her?
"If he was the creator of the snake, he must be observing Tsuyuri Kanao for further after-effects of the poison." A smooth voice snapped her out of her daze as he mused. "But why did he obey in her insistence to be brought here? He doesn't seem to be working for them…"
Hara doesn't know what expression she currently wore right now. She was a bit thankful he doesn't seem to see her state. She doesn't want to receive looks right now. Especially not from him. She was devastated she might be the reason why the Shinigami knew where to observe since she unknowingly dropped it on him where Kanao lived. Living in a dirty tent, she recalled her own words. With a caliber like his, it won't take him time to search for a strange girl with scary eyes, as she had supplied him before.
I'm sorry, Kanao-chan, she tried to reach her heart out to the girl who is not in this room, unconscious, if it wasn't for me, this wouldn't have happened…
"Amane, what's wrong?"
His concerned voice made her raise her head to him, seeing him sporting a worried look. She watched him as his eyes lit up in realization.
"I'm sorry… Hara, I know Amane is not your name…"
A soft chuckle came from her. Even though she didn't correct him, he still did anyways…
"Are you okay… Hara?"
Hearing him asking the same question, she just smiled. An amused smile or a conflicted smile, she doesn't know. She just… doesn't know. But words flowed from her mouth.
"Do we know each other… Kagaya?"
She recalled earlier if she had guts to raise the connection about them, she would. But in this case, it wasn't determination that filled her to ask this question. She just… did. She doesn't even care if she received an answer or not.
"Are you sure you want to know?"
I don't know, she almost told him. "If you want." She muttered.
Time stood to a standstill. At least, that's what she felt when neither of them didn't move. At the window, Hara peeked through his shoulder as she saw the purple shade of the sky, noting the night has been slowly transitioning to dawn.
"Before we do that, how about we introduce each other first?"
Is it really necessary? She thought they already knew each other…
A small 'thud!' noise distracted her from her thoughts and looked at the table, her attention shifting at the title of the book that was set in front of her.
A Journey of Three Companions.
"What…?" She raised her bewildered look at him, even though he can't see it.
"Ubuyashiki Kagaya, founder of Flower District." He suddenly introduced himself out of nowhere.
She blinked, not knowing what to do. Is she supposed to introduce herself in return or…?
"Who are you?"
She felt her muscles tightening, memories rushing over her mind. A question that demands a name. A name that she doesn't possess. Or at least, she thought she didn't possess. Amane, this was the name Makomo and… he called her. It must be her true name since they seem to know her. The time when she doesn't seem to know them.
They say a name was just a label of distinction. As a resident of Rukongai, a forgotten identity when you lost yourself in isolation is a common case. And she was one of them. A name no longer carry any more importance in this place and she thought the same. And so, she named herself. Hara, the Wilderness.
But which name should she introduce herself? Amane was a lost artifact, an antique of the past. She doesn't even remember of the time when she carried it. Who was she when she was Amane? What was she like as Amane? She doesn't know, she doesn't recall, and she won't introduce herself of the person called Amane when she can't remember her.
Right now, her name is Hara. The Oiran of Red Light and the resident of 14th District.
"Hara. Citizen of Flower District."
The Founder… no, Kagaya gave her a satisfied smile, as if liking her answer. "Good. If that's what you are now, do you want to find out who you were as Ubuyashiki Amane?"
She can feel her eyes bulging out, her jaw dropping as she processed the name. Ubuyashiki… Ubuyashiki Amane? That's the same like his…
"Are we…" she stammered, trying to sort out her thoughts, "are we?" Those were the only words she can speak in shock.
He smiled, as if pitying her current state. "Yes."
That single-word answer felt like she bathe in a very cold water.
Author's Musing:
Not an author's musing but more of a:
AAAAHHHHHH BLEACH ANIME ANNOUCED, BURN THE WITCH MOVIE (it was stated as movie instead of OVA, probably a short anime film) AND BURN THE WITCH MANGA IS GONNA BE SERIALIZED AS A WEEKLY MANGA (I think) IN SHONEN JUMP (Kubo said it will be a short-term instead of long-term like Bleach).
Now where's the news about Kimetsu no Yaiba movie?
Terminology used in the chapter
(taken from r/bleach, wikia and google)
Shihakushō (Garments of Dead Souls): A specialized uniform worn by Shinigami.
Oiran (First Flower[?]): A high-ranking courtesan. Also considered as a prostitute but they were distinguished from them since they were highly trained entertainers and had a greater degree of choice who would be their customers. ([?]According to the Wikipedia, the first kanji of Oiran means 'flower' and 'leader' or 'first' in the second).
Niji Ōu (Rainbow Mantle): The 7 branching groups who manage and protects Flower District. (Note: Niji Ōu can also be read as Rainbow King).
Tsukinami (Monthly): The mysterious Shinigami's surname. (Note: I thought combining Tsuki (moon) and nami (wave) would mean Moonwave lol).
Nezha [Deity]: He is a teenage protective deity in Chinese mythology with a rebellious streak. Also serves as a patron saint of young adults.
Reiatsu (Spiritual Pressure): The externalized force exerted by the spiritual energy of a soul.
Rukongai (City of Wandering Souls): The slums outside of Seireitei where souls from the World of the Living/Human Realm are sent.
Hollow: A race of creatures which are born from Human Souls who do not cross over to Soul Society after their death and stay in the Human World for too long.
I think you guys already know who that mystery Shinigami lol.