A/N: Aika has more to say, and Aoi listens.


Igurashi,

Please meet me in the same place as yesterday. I need to speak to you.

Aoi scanned the note again for the umpteenth time as they walked down the path. The rocks crunched underfoot.

There was no sun today. Instead, thick, fluffy white clouds blanketed the sky and hid the warmth from sight. Somehow this felt ever more like their current mood.

They didn't have to wait long when they got to the small clearing. As soon as they turned the corner, they noticed Aika waiting near the water. Their eye lit up and they got closer.

"You wanted to see me?" They asked, trying to keep the nervous energy out of their voice.

Aika turned towards them and beckoned them closer. Her face was impassive, though there was something in her eyes.

They saw no harm in obeying, so they stepped closer. As soon as they were near enough, she reared her hand back.

It was too quick for them to react. A sharp cracking noise echoed through the air as the momentum from her slap sent them careening into the pond.

They fought against the water, sputtering and coughing as they surfaced. Their hair stuck to their face as they sought her out with a shocked gaze.

"What the hell did you do that for?" They demanded.

Aika shook her head and began to sign, her eyes darkening with anger. "(I never got to thank you for murdering my boyfriend. So thank you.)"

Aoi flinched back as if she'd struck them again.

"(I apologize for letting my anger get the better of me,)" she signed next. Then she stooped before them, offering her hand and a sheepish look.

Aoi scanned her face for any traces of deceit before cautiously taking it. To their surprise, her grip was sure as she pulled them out of the water, paying no mind to the droplets splattering the front of her pants.

Wordlessly, she handed them a towel as they struggled with their shirt.

Once the towel was on their head, she paused a moment before continuing in their line of sight. "(That's the tamest I've allowed myself to be. There are… quite a few things I wish I could say.)" Her eyes hardened for a moment. "(There are actually quite a few things I wish I could say and do to you for what you did to Rokuda.)"

Aoi paused in toweling their hair dry, their eye downcast.

Gently, she reached forward. Their shoulders stiffened, but as they stared into her face, they did nothing to defend against her touch.

Once her fingers touched the damp wrappings around their face, she took in a sharp breath. Her lips trembled for a moment, but no tears filled her eyes.

When her nail found the end of the wrapping, she fumbled with it for a few moments before gingerly tugging it free of their skin.

Aoi's face was solemn as they softly knocked her hand away, instead pulling the cloth away from their face.

A flicker of emotions went through her face as she watched it slowly uncover them. As soon as their closed eyelid came into view, she inhaled once again. Sharp rivets marred it up and down and the skin around the area was flushed.

Her brows dipped as they looked up at her. Somehow she didn't think she could stomach the sight of their empty socket if they opened their closed eyelid.

"(Did…)" her hands trembled. "(Did he do this?)"

Aoi's jaw clenched from the memory and the phantom ache that surfaced with it. "Yes."

They jolted a bit at the feeling of her fingertips again, this time on their cheek. They watched her warily as her thumb brushed across under the lid. The feeling of the nail rivets under her hand made her clench her own eyes shut.

Pain washed over her chest. For a moment, breathing was difficult.

Then Aoi's cold hand was over hers, and she let out a silent sob.

Rokuda's kind expression flashed across her mind's eye. She could practically hear his voice again.

It was so easy to pretend that his murderer's hand was his, cold and clammy not with water but with death.

"Rokuda..." she mouthed his name as her other hand clenched into a fist in her lap.

Aoi watched her with concern as she began to silently cry, her head bowed so that her hair covered her face.

Gingerly, they squeezed her fingers. They were slightly less rough than theirs, but still held enough softness to indicate she took care of her hands.

"I'm sorry…" they said quietly.

She patted their cheek and when they let go of her hand, she began to shakily sign. "(I can't forgive you yet. I know my heart needs some kind of retribution. I know that it will heal. But I… I can't forgive you when you took my entire future away from me.)"

"I understand," they nodded, looking down at the grass. "I will wait for the day you feel like you can."

Slowly, she lifted her head. Her eyes were swollen and puffy, but she managed a trembly smile.

They watched as she raised to her feet. For a moment, her lips parted, and it seemed as if she had more to mouth, but at the last moment she closed her mouth and bowed her head, turning and hurrying away.


A/N: Please tell me what you thought.