Chapter 15: Promise

AN- It's that time again for another update. Must admit, I'm a bit disappointed by the turnout last chapter. Oh well- *shrugs* I'll still write even without any reviews. Reviews just makes the process easier and more fulfilling. It's not like I'll have my revenge against my readers or anything *Smirks evilly while readers of The Survivor shudder at that which is to come*. Either way, enjoy your update. Last chapter we focused on canon characters. This time it's back to OC's, because I know you just love reading about original characters! Also, started leaving soundtrack recommendations to accompany stuff. Should've probably given one for the Menos fight, but oh well.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Beta: Recently got Darth-Vulturnus to take over this job. Round of applause to him, and that stuff.

At long last, the lecture was over! The Lieutenant was gone, the dark days over, and the sun was shining once more!

"Marcus...never have I been so glad to not talk to a woman."

"Javan...you pervert. Also, you didn't talk to anyone! It was me who had to deal with the full brunt of that lecture!" Shiver. Momo didn't look it, but she could be scary. Either way, I had been taught a valuable lesson about experimenting with highly volatile Kido spells without permission, supervision or sufficient teaching. Namely, not to do it when Momo was close enough to spot you.

That woman was crazy strict on safety protocol and keeping promises. Hell, this was almost enough to make me regret messing with the subject to begin with. For now, I would avoid heavy Kido modification, if only to avoid another rant like that.

Luckily, she said nothing about Kido correction...and that Hado No 54: Haien Kyukyoku sure could do with some...correction. Because really, rules lawyering is the greatest.

Still, there'd be time to ponder things later. Momo had mentioned I had more visitors waiting for me... and I sure as hell knew who they were.

My friends.

The five of them stood at the door. Nobody said a word. For a moment I just watched them, taking them in. Kasumi's arm was in a sling (Remarkably better than having no arm), Daichi was covered in bandages and it looked like Akimi had a slight limp that she was desperately masking- but they were fine. That was the important thing.

"Marcus!" Came Daichi's triumphant cry as he rushed towards me and threw his arms around me to give me a very vigorous hug. A manly one, of course. He thumped my shoulder in a blunt show of our purely platonic and bro-ific relationship, then released me feeling only slightly worse than before. "Marc, my main man! You're awake!"

"No Daichi, I'm not. Clearly you just fantasize about me so often that I'm in your waking dreams too now." I quipped. He gives me another thump for good measure.

"Heh. You wish." Daichi snorted and moved away to a more respectable distance, but the look of relief on him was real. He doesn't say it much, but I knew he cared. The fact that he stood by the others and protected me said everything.

I beamed in happiness, "Guys... it's great to see you."

Hayato didn't do much to acknowledge my words, only standing behind Daichi with a small medical book held open. Not reading, but instead watching the group's actions with an analytical mind. Judging from the choice of text, our fight had affected him just as much as the rest.

"I'm glad to see you are well too, Marc." Three guesses for Mika's facial expression as she said this. Smile, smile and smile. Strained and worried, bags under eyes from not sleeping, but she was smiling. I already know without a single word said that she's upset by my present state, but happy that I've come through.

Then there was Akimi. "Humph! It appears that you have pulled through. As the Nishisaka rival-"

"-I would expect nothing less of my rival," we all finished for her.

She flushed, "Am I really that predictable."

"Yes," decided Hayato.

"W-well, it's not like I really cared or anything! I merely visited to... to guarantee that I had someone to push me on! Now that he's well, he can die in a ditch for all I care!"

With another 'humph' she turned her back, almost petulantly.

I held back the urge to giggle as Daichi coughed, spluttering something that sounded remarkably like 'tsun-tsun'. Because while she could deny it, she couldn't escape from her Tsundere personality traits.

Then, standing at the back of the group, somehow isolated, was Kasumi. So far she had said nothing and appeared tense. I couldn't place her expression. A blend of scared, worried, relieved, happy and... guilty? I don't know what she had to be guilty for though. She didn't throw me head first into the path of a Menos. She wasn't responsible for my condition.

"Kasumi, are you okay?"

Her arm was in a sling but at least she had one, so I didn't know why she was upset.

"W-what?" She stuttered, looking away. "Ummm... yeah, I am. My arm is healed. It's not p-perfect, and won't be quite the same... but it's fine. I can live with scars."

I pressed on, "But apart from that? Are you okay?"

Sullenly, she spoke, "F... fine. I'm fine."

"That's a load of nonsense!" Akimi declared, "I have only known you for a short amount of time, but even I can see that you aren't 'okay.'"

The heiress' words prompted another flinch from Kasumi. "This w-was a mistake. I... I should go," she promptly decided, spinning on her heel. She couldn't even take two steps though, as Hayato had moved surprisingly fast and gripped her sleeve with one hand while the other held his literature closed.

"Stay."

"B-but I... I failed," she had tears at the corner of her eyes, "W-why was I so stupid to think I could stand here, l-like a friend when I was so useless? When I couldn't kill the Gillian? When M-marc got hurt because I couldn't do my job. I...caused this."

"Bullshit!" I snapped, banging my hand against the nearby chair, "You caused nothing. You did nothing wrong!"

"B-but I-"

"We should have died, back then," Akimi's clear voice interrupted. Kasumi stopped her stuttered response and looked to her, "We all should have. Blaming you for failing is stupid, because we were all out of our depths. None of us should have had to deal with that mess! It was the Captains, the Gotei 13 that messed up, and that should have been guarding its students and monitoring its threats better! I wouldn't ever ask for a Third Seat to fight something like that. So stop being a self centered fool!"

"W-what?"

"You were useless!? Then what about me?" She angrily gestured to herself. "I'm the Nishisaka prodigy! If anyone should have been able to do something, it was me! Yet I tensed up in terror and did NOTHING while you single handedly charged that... that... that monster! You didn't fail! You cut it! You weakened it for Marcus, and for Hayato! You gave it your all, did your duty, and even while lacking a limb you still fought on!

"But me? I gave up! I thought it was hopeless, and for all my 'genius' I did nothing. It was Marcus that came up with the plan, that gave us hope and led the charge. It was Hayato that killed it! But me? I was more useless than Daichi!"

"Wrong." Intoned Hayato, butting in. "Statistically speaking, Daichi did less."

"Hey!" Daichi complained, but didn't deny.

"Shut up bookworm! Pervert! Not helping!" She snapped, then turned her fiery temper back to Kasumi, "So stop being so selfish and self blaming! You accomplished more than I did!" She trembled in anger and regret. "You're... better than I am."

"I'm... I'm sorry." Kasumi said.

"Stop apologising!"

"No! No! I'm... sorry, because you're right." Kasumi gave a shaky smile, "I guess I wasn't as useless as I thought."

"Nah! You kicked ass out there!" Daichi praised, throwing an arm round her flirtatiously while waggling his eyebrows, "We should celebrate. Together."

"Daichi," I reminded, "Remember that she's technically strong enough to snap you in half. Literally."

"I-I meant we should celebrate... together... as a group! Yeah! A group! Preferably with at least Marcus and Akimi between us!"

I sighed, a tired smile on my face. Same old Daichi. His perverted antics actually tend to liven up the atmosphere, generally brightening the mood, "You know, maybe we should. Celebrate, that is. A 'congrats we're all not dead, except for the whole Shinigami thing' party would be awesome."

"Wouldn't it just!" Shouted Daichi, "Well then, once exams are over in a week, let's go out drinking! One big party! Just us five."

"Six," I corrected, "Kasumi should come too."

"B-but... I wouldn't want to intrude," She said shyly, "They're your friends."

"Any friend of Marc is a friend of mine," Mika said benevolently, "I haven't known you long, but I could grow to see you as a friend."

"Thank you," The medic said sincerely, a smile on her face and her previous troubles forgotten for the minute.

"So... party, or no party?" I said, seeking clarification.

"Party," This time Akimi confirmed, "After surviving that, I would gladly stoop to drinking with commoners. In fact... I'd almost enjoy it. It'd be a pleasure to drink with you all... though, it's not-"

"-like you like us or anything."

She flushed again, in what I was sure would become a long running gag. "I'm not that predictable, am I?"

"Yes."

"Hayato! You aren't helping!"

We all laughed, and I couldn't be happier. We'd all lived through the impossible, but the experience had brought us closer together. After surviving that, we could survive anything. I'd want nobody else to have my back, and would charge into hell at their sides if ever they asked.

"Truly, I could ask for no better friends." I voiced my sincere thoughts aloud. If my voice shook, or I had to wipe my eyes, then it wasn't because I was injured or had dust in my eyes. It was because I truly felt that these guys were the closest thing I had to family in this world.

"Ahh shucks," My scarf wearing friend scratched his neck, and said what we were all secretly thinking, "Group hug?"

"Group hug." I nodded solemnly, smile still in place. They gathered round my bed (As I couldn't rise), then Daichi started it, Hayato put aside his book and added to it, while Mika happily partook in. Akimi was a bit more reluctant (No doubt mindful of her status, as well as our own), but she too tentatively stretched out her arms and joined.

"Mental hug!" Screamed Javan, no doubt wanting to join in the action.

"... Sure. You too... partner."

Finally, Kasumi was the only one outside the hug. As if she were an outsider. I frowned, as I didn't want that.

"Come on! I said a FULL group hug!" Daichi commanded.

"B-but, you hardly know me..."

"There's still a place for you, and if I have to humiliate myself with this, you can do so too," Grumbled the redhead.

"F-fine!" I could have sworn that the third seat used Shunpo to get to the bedside that quickly. With a content smile she joined the hug, accepted into this group moment despite her relative lack of former interaction.

She was welcome here.

The moment lasted a few seconds longer, then we broke apart. It didn't need to last longer.

"We made a good team, didn't we?" Mika whispered as she drew away.

"I admit it. We did." Akimi conceded, more open than she normally was.

"It's a shame we'll all be going our separate ways, to be honest," I mused, "I'm in the Fifth Squad..."

"I'll join the Sixth," Added Akimi.

"Second," Supplied Mika.

"F-fourth!" Kasumi announced, as she was already a Shinigami.

"And others!" Finished Daichi for himself and Hayato, who had yet to decide their place.

Truly, this was the start of something and the end too.

"Hey... just because we're in different squads, doesn't mean we ain't got each other's back, right?" Daichi said. "I mean, if any of you guys every asked for help, I'd drop everything and be there in a flash." He clicked his fingers. "Like... like that! You're my friends, and we got some good chemistry! I'd be there! No way am I letting no stupid military organisation separate Team Daichi!"

Hayato snorted, "Since when has there been 'Team Daichi?'"

He spluttered, "Heeeey~ that hurts! It's been, like forever, man! I'm the leader, Hayato's the smart guy, Marc's my bro, Akimi's the smug one and Mika's the Chick! Plus, recent recruit Kasumi!"

"I don't know... ," Mika raised a delicate finger to her chin, as if deep in thought, "If we were a team, I doubt Daichi would lead."

"We all know that I would be leader." Akimi announced imperiously.

I smirked, "Get real, miss 'lost the Kido war'."

"Grrrgghh... I'll show you! I'll win this year, then we'll draw! If I can't win, then I'm dragging you down with me!"

"Ahhh! I know!" Kasumi declared, jumping on the balls of her feet and prompting a giggle from Daichi that was silenced with an elbow to the side from Hayato, "Team Marcus!"

I blinked in surprise, "Me?"

"That works." Hayato shrugged, then collected his book from the floor.

"He was basically leading us against the Gillian."

"I admit it was his plan," Akimi grit her teeth, "And I suppose it would be better than a pervert like Daichi... ."

"Hey! I resemble that remark!"

"So it's agreed then! Team Marcus!" Kasumi announced happily, as she dramatically pointed. I expected a shower of explosions or a sound effect, but was woefully disappointed.

"Wait- since when has this moved beyond a joke and become a serious thing?" I questioned.

"Dunno," Shrugged Daichi, "Since it started making sense. We make a good team, and there's no reason for people from different squads not to team up. Missions with multiple squads involved happen all the time."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine then. If we really have to formalise the obvious fact that we're friends and would obviously drop everything to help another, then so be it. Team Marcus it is then."

"Yay!" Squealed Kasumi happily, "I'm part of something!"

"Pardon?"

She waved it away, brilliant smile not reaching her eyes, "Nothing."I didn't press. I was just glad she was coming out of her shell and making more friends.

Daichi clapped his hands together loudly, drawing attention back to him. "Now that we're a team though... there is one Serious question I must ask you. What... is our theme song?"

Akimi was indignant, "What?"

"Our theme song! Every team needs one! Plus, a catchy slogan!"

And so the arguments started again. Daichi kept the conversation going, Hayato served to reel him in, Akimi just tried to seem aloof but failedmiserably, while I laughed, Mika mediated and Kasumi just soaked it in.

Moments like this made me glad to be here, in this world, despite the danger.

"You know, Javan...I'm happy here."

A moment's pause, then Javan replied, "I'm glad to hear it, partner."

XXXXXXXXXX

(Play Princess Amagi Traditional Taste Remix)

In a way, it was almost expected that Mika was the only one to choose not to leave.

By now it was dark and the moon had risen, while my other friends had long since departed. She hadn't though. She had slipped into the chair at my side and together we enjoyed the pleasant silence. Even Javan had said he was going off to sleep, and had suppressed our communication link, recognising this private moment for what it was- private.

Kasumi should have shooed her off and voiced hospital protocol...but I think that just this once, due to the mood and her general happiness, she had made an exception.

Things change, but sometimes they don't really. Mika and I didn't always need to talk, and I was kinda used to her silently having my back.

"I almost lost you." Mika admitted, presumably accepting what had happened only a day or two ago, "When we fought that Menos... you nearly died."

"I know," I sighed, "It was me that did the almost dying."

"It made me realise something. Something important."

"Well, what was it?"

"That I didn't have forever. That things were changing. And that I really needed to remind you of something important."

"You don't need to explain yourself," I reassured her, "You're my closest friend. Just say what you need to."

"That is the thing though. I don't just think of you as a friend," She admitted. She wasn't smiling now, and could only stare out of the window at the moon rather than at me. It reminded me of two other times we talked, the times that truly made me feel like we were close. "It's not an over-exaggeration to state that you are the person I am closest to in all this world."

I blinked, suddenly unable to deal with what I was hearing. It sounded awfully similar to what she'd said before, but now in this circumstance it felt like it had a new meaning, "You have to be shitting me."

Because sue me- in this context, it suddenly sounded a hell of a lot less like a girl desperately clinging to her truest friend and more like a confession. Y'know. A romantic one. I hadn't really thought much of romance since I had other things on my plate, and while Mika was beautiful, I didn't think that I was... well, ready.

"No, Marc. I am not, as you say, 'shitting you,'" Mika's polite self uttering those words seemed almost out of place, "It isn't really that surprising actually that you are the one person I value above all others."

I noticed that Mika wasn't confirming or denying my suspicions, or perhaps hadn't noticed what I was taking her words to mean.

"I said it before. And so I'll say it again, since it bears mentioning that to Mika Ikeda, Marcus D Solus will always be the person closest to her heart."

Okay- now this was definitely starting to sound confessiony. Though again, she wasn't giving me a bloody clear answer!

"But... am I the 'close' closest, or just 'closest?'" I asked, almost desperately.

"Does it matter? It doesn't change the fact that I need you. Whatever this is... I hold it above all else." Mika said resolutely, with absolute confidence, stating only the truth. The sky is blue. Gravity acts downwards. Light is a wave (Except when it's not). And Mika Ikeda considered Marcus D Solus to be the person she was closest to.

In the face of such brutal honest and sincerity, who was I to splutter denials and say otherwise.

I forced my raging emotions down and took a deep sigh, "Okay, I accept that. B-but why?"

"I had no friends," The former shrine maiden said, "Once I died, I was racked with guilt, as you know. I would have likely became a Hollow had I not been spirited away so quickly. Likewise, for the decades I spent mourning I was hardly in a position to make bonds with people."

"You didn't have a single friend?" I asked, almost disbelievingly that nobody would want to be friends with a girl like her while she was in the Rukon District.

"If they did try to extend the hand of friendship, I slapped it away," The Japanese beauty admitted with small tinges of shame, "Even when I entered the Academy, I had no tangible connections to anyone, and didn't dare or try to form any bonds. Then I met you."

I flinched, "Yeah, I did kinda refuse to leave you alone, didn't I?"

"You did," She nodded, "And I'm glad you did. You dragged me kicking and screaming from my solitude. Step by step, night by night, month by month in that garden you made me open up, despite myself. And then, you did something miraculous. You gave this lonely girl friends," She pronounced the word like it was unfathomable, "Let's be honest here, the others are your friends. They only accept me by their sides because you do. While they care for me now, it's because of you that they began."

I said nothing, only sheepishly scratched my head. I didn't know what to say. I could hardly argue that what she said was a lie. After today and what everyone said, it was obvious I was the glue tying us together. Even that bastard Aizen said so.

"And even more than that, you gave me closure," Now was when Mika chose to allow herself to smile her beautiful, radiant smile, "You took on my burden, accepted me, and allowed me to move on with no regrets."

"Yeah, but you're the only reason I even got here!" I argued. "I would have given up back in that first month if you hadn't been there for me. Because that's what friends do; we're there for each other. So I'm nothing that special, since anyone would do the same."

"No, Marc. Believe me when I say that not everyone would do what you did," She shook her head sadly, "And even if they would do it, in the end it was you that did it. In that garden, you promised to never leave me. To never forget me- the me of the present, as well as the me of the past. That means everything to me." By the end she was whispering. It was only our close proximity that let me hear her.

"Mika..."

"I say all this again to remind you of just how important to me you are. You are more than a best friend. You are my closest companion. The person that accepts me. That saw beyond my mask. That made the promise," The look in her eye suddenly became fierce, "After the events in the World of the Living, it truly made me realise just how dangerous our occupation is, and just how much your passing would affect me."

"Mika... ," I repeated again, still unable to deal with her blunt honesty. I was used to the girl wearing masks, dancing around issues, mincing her words and hiding her actions. Here she was being open and straight forwards, and it was going past all my defenses. Only on one other very serious occasion had I been able to remove that mask.

"For you, I would do anything," She declared, "It's easy to say I would die for you, because its shockingly easy to do so. To protect you, I fought even though I was sure I would die. I honestly thought I was going to die when we charged the Menos."

I couldn't hold myself back. Despite my condition, I lunged forwards and threw my arms around her. "Shit... Mika. I was just as scared as you are," I might have hid it well enough to motivate the others to fight, but that Menos Grande was terrifying, "So for the love of god, don't say that again. I'm a hypocrite since I'd do the same thing for you in that situation, but you have no idea how much it would break me if I lost a friend."

"And that is precisely what I like the most about you," She insisted, returning the hug, "That honest, unyielding devotion to those you care for. But while you would do the impossible for a friend, I would do anything for you. I said I would die for you. But more importantly, I would kill for you. For your sake, I would bloody my own hands."

"No," I shook my head. Mika had lived a hard life, and she didn't deserve any more problems. If I was truly the person she cared most for, then so be it. Either way, I wouldn't add to her burdens, "I would never ask for that."

"I know," She nodded, pulling away, "But the intent is there. No matter how much I would hate it, for you I would do it. I would willingly commit such a thing, even if you never asked me to, if only it would help you."

It was moments like this that reminded me that despite the smiles, Mika was a sad, lonely woman. Not the young girl she physically appeared to be. In years, she was old enough to be my grandma, and she had spent much of that time alone and miserable. Even if I wished otherwise, something inside her broke long before I met her. And I couldn't honestly blame her for this...devotion. Not since I knew her so well.

I was the one she cared about the most, therefore I was the one she would always prioritise, even above such things as her remaining innocence or even her life.

"I've thought long and hard about it, and made my decision. I was taught that there is always balance. Yin and Yang, light and dark, right and wrong, creation and destruction. In our case there is an Imbalance. You did something priceless for me, and there is nothing I can do to replace that. So instead I offer a promise for a promise."

"Are you sure?" I tentatively asked.

"Yes." She said simply, awaiting my reply with quiet dignity.

I gave another tired sigh, "Fine. While I don't want or need your promise, whatever it is, if it makes you feel better than feel free to make it."

"I intended to do this regardless." She declared, before she rose from her seat. Then, she bent down, falling gracefully into a one legged kneel. Like a knight before her liege. Mika was always a girl that seemed very oriental. From the way she moved, talked, looked and acted, she was distinctly eastern; a Japanese woman at heart. Seeing her do such a western pose as a knights' kneel was kinda shocking.

"I promise to be your Sword." She declared from her position, eyes averted.

"I'm pretty sure a sword has to be, ya know, metal. Not a girl." I pointed out, utterly ruining the moment. Mostly to try and buy a few seconds to process the bat-shit stupid thing I'd just heard.

"A metaphorical one," She said almost irritably, "And one who's prime moment you just ruined."

"Look, you just suddenly just knelt before me and said something as ridiculous as the fact that you'd be my sword. You deserve it."

"Mou~ ," She sighed cutely, shaking her head. I almost heard her muttering about 'hopeless males,' "Fine. I shall be blunt then, as I seem to be doing so much tonight. I don't really care much about being a Shinigami now. My petty reasons for joining are no longer as important."

"They're not petty," I defended.

"Perhaps not, but that doesn't change the fact that now it feels less important. As time moves on and my memories are taken from me, I'm sure that it will become only more unnecessary," She shook her head sadly, "You though- whatever cause you end up fighting for in the future, I'm certain it will be far greater. Kasumi was right when she told me that you would someday be great. Already it is clear to everyone that you have a promising future, having already slain a Menos Grande."

"Hayato did it," I muttered, but was ignored.

"So since I can't help you in other ways, there is only one thing I can give you. My loyalty," She specified, "I implied it during that silly 'Team Marcus' moment, but it goes beyond that. Between the Gotei 13 and you, I will always choose you, Marcus."

I looked around suspiciously, "Be careful about saying that, Mika! Still in a Seireitei hospital, you know! And this is a military group! Ya don't let them hear you saying traitorous thoughts if you want to keep your head!"

"My apologies," She didn't sound sorry at all, "But it's true. Before I planned to enter the Second Squad, or perhaps enter the Stealth Squad and join the hunters. I will still do that. Except now I'll serve as your hidden blade. There will be threats you'll never see coming, people who will despise your Ryoka nature, and more enemies that you cannot face alone."

Now, Mika rose, and gripped her sheathed blade tightly, "Therefore this humble former shrine maiden shall serve you from the shadows. I can never be your Knight, as it were. I'm not suited for such a role. Likewise, there is no burden I may carry for you. All I can do is what I have been taught to do- deceive and kill."

"I will always be watching out for you," She switched back to her voice of absolute truth, "I will always be your ally. Even after my soul has passed back into the Soul Cycle, even after time itself grinds to a halt, you will never be alone in your endeavors. I'll be there for you, like I know you'll be there for me. That is my self-proclaimed promise."

"I WILL be your sword."

Despite everything a fond smile slipped through, "You know up front that I think this is stupid and unnecessary, right?"

She nodded, "I know."

I shook my head, and offered her my hand-offering a handshake to reaffirm the deal. She could be just as stubborn as me, it seemed, "Well if you're so dead set on this, then fine. A promise for a promise. I'll always remember you and stand by your side, while you'll... be my sword."

My eyes rolled at the silliness of all this. I was glad no one else was currently here.

"That's all I ask for," she took my hand and gripped it firmly, refusing to let go, "I do swear."

Nothing more was said after that. Nothing more was needed. Together we watched the moon through the window, until eventually I nodded off, still holding her hand. When I woke up in the morning she was gone, like a ghost.

XXXXXXXXXX

Fate was suffering the emotion commonly referred to as disappointment.

The Error in the system had not only survived the machinations she had put in place, he had suffered little overall damage and through blind luck had actually improved his own position- earning allies and experience.

The entity disliked this. In a world such as this, the threat she had sent should have easily overwhelmed and erased the Error, the fact that the Error had beaten it was worrying.

Say what she will about the relative weakness of this Error compared to others, it was tenacious. Truly, it had a stubborn nature. Given enough time and energy it would naturally become a large enough threat to warrant sending in the Big Guns.

Suffice to say- while some barely survived the Big Guns, most fell, while none left with anything resembling victory.

Except that one Error. While inactive at the moment, it had single handedly caused the most problems she had ever encountered.

She was going off tangent. This Error would eventually grow in strength, but she doubted it could ever match the Outlier.

Even so, this Error was still irritating.

But she could deal with this.

For such was Fate. She was inevitable, and she was patient. This attempt failed, but the next would not. It would be awhile before she could strike, requiring many months to prepare and weave the outcomes required to make it possible, but when she did the Error would be deleted. And if it survived again... then escalation would be the meaning of the day.

And then once it was gone, all would be right with the world.

AN- Not much to say about that one. Some of it felt a bit off, but leaving it to fester would only make me more and more dissatisfied with it. So yeah, the real purpose of the Menos attack was to cause this- Team Daichi! Because honestly, the true purpose of this fic is the ascension of Daichi to main character status! That is definitely not a lie!

We also got more Mika development. Felt that I had to really nail in the fact that she was a broken woman, while also reiterating Marc's promise and introducing her own. To Marc, those promises will be important. Eventually. Anyhow, next chapter will DEFINITELY be the last in this stupidly long arc. I know I've said that like a dozen times, but I'm not joking now! This time, it's true. One last push and we're done! Then a shorter arc to fill in Marc's early career as a Shinigami before we can move into canon!

So feel free to leave a comment about what you think. Like what you saw, or got a complaint? Let me know- every comment helps. But until then, I'm signing off to revise. Undying Soul out.