Part Three
Chapter Thirty-One
Seeing how late it was, almost eight at night, Yamato "graciously" allowed us the night to ourselves to get situated and reacquainted, though it was done only at Natsuko-san's insistence. Yamato also said dinner would be ready in a bit and to "keep our asses planted" until she came back so we didn't get lost wandering around the temple compound. I'll admit, my initial reaction was to ignore her on principle, but the guys ambushed me, and the girls did the same to Kokomi, grabbing her hand and dragging her to a far corner of the room to talk quietly. With the kind of guys my friends are, "quietly" wasn't much of an option, but they've never had any problems with talking.
Yare, yare. Is it too much to ask for some food and a good night's rest? With everything that's happened in the last few weeks, I feel it's the very least God owes me.
But then, when has He ever cared about owing me anything?
Something Special
"So, what do you make of all this, Kusuo?" Hairo asked, doing his best to tone down his natural exuberance so as not to wake Yuuta. "Yamato-san says Akemi is dangerous, but we're going to have take care of her and the rest of her people if we want to put this to rest, right?"
"Unfortunately." Kusuo rested his chin on Yuuta's head as the boy dozed on his lap. He'd gone over his encounter with Akemi Homura backward and forward, and the only conclusion he could reach is that she'd been playing with him. She didn't need to make such a spectacle of Yuuta's kidnapping; she could have swooped in and taken him then disappeared again without anyone being the wiser. So why expose herself so irrevocably? Especially considering all the trouble Dark Reunion had apparently gone through the last five decades keeping their existence such a tightly held secret.
"Maybe she went rogue?" Kusuo muttered aloud, his brow furrowing. That could explain things, but he didn't get that feeling from her.
"What was that, buddy?"
"I believe Kusuo-kun is referring to the woman he fought at Universal Studios Japan in defense of Iridatsu Yuuta-kun, who is currently sleeping. It is likely that Kusuo-kun is wondering what prompted Akemi Homura to show herself in so public a sphere when, previously, Dark Reunion has done so much to maintain anonymity from the world at large. I believe the answer lies in Kusuo-kun's current state of normalcy as well as Kaidoh-kun's intimate knowledge of Dark Reunion. He may not realize how much he knows about this organization, and I believe Akemi Homura herself, who does appear to be the leader of this organization, realizes Kaido-kun's current ignorance but also recognizes the threat he could pose if his memories break through the surface of his previous existence as one of these Reborn. If Akemi Homura felt that Kusuo-kun and Kaidoh-kun are enough of a threat to her operation, she could have believed herself driven into a corner with no other option than to act."
Akechi tilted his head in consideration, barely pausing before continuing. "Another possibility is that Akemi Homura was so focused on achieving her ultimate goal that she dismissed the consequences of exposing herself in such a way. Based on the surveillance tapes we watched of the fight, Akemi Homura appears to be quite powerful and has some level of control over time. This power is what allowed her to slip in and out of Kusuo-kun's sight and made her ultimate abduction of the boy she believed to be Yuuta-kun possible despite Kusuo-kun's—"
"Too much!" The shout went up from all the boys but Kusuo and nearly jolted Yuuta out of Kusuo's lap as he was shocked awake. He stared around at the gathering of—to him—strangers, and Kusuo scowled at his suddenly sheepish friends.
"Sorry, Kusuo," Hairo said, rubbing his nose with a faint blush.
"Yeah, sorry, buddy. But now we get to see the little buddy too!" Nendou grinned and leaned forward, wriggling his fingers on either side of his head in a bizarre greeting. "Hey there, little buddy!"
Yuuta pressed flat against Kusuo's chest, his eyes wide in terror. Kuboyasu grabbed Nendou by the collar and yanked him back. "Don't be an idiot, Nendou. The last thing any kid wants to see after waking up is your face."
"Baron Cola," Yuuta whimpered, still staring at Nendou. "It's Baron Cola. He's gotta be with that lady, Aniki!" Twisting around, Yuuta buried his face in Kusuo's chest. "Don't let him take me!"
Yare, yare. Kusuo barely had a chance to roll his eyes as he tried to compose some comforting something or other before Kokomi appeared at his side, one hand on Yuuta's back as she leaned into embrace the boy and shush him.
"Shush, Yuu-chan," she crooned, pressing a kiss to his temple. "This isn't Baron Cola. It's actually Nendou-san. He's Baron Cola's good twin, even if he does look a little scary."
Nendou blinked. "You think I'm scary, Teruhashi-san?"
She smiled at him, raising the obligatory 'offu,' and shook her head. "Of course not, Nendou-san. But Yuuta is a young boy whose only point of reference is the villain in his favorite show. It would be difficult for him not to be afraid after seeing you only a few times."
"Oh, right." Nendou crossed his arms and nodded. "I guess that makes sense."
Behind Nendou's left shoulder, Kuboyasu rolled his eyes.
"He…he's not a bad guy?" Yuuta asked, peeking up at Kokomi with one watery eye. She shook her head.
"No way!" She ruffled his hair. "Do you really think Kusuo or I would let a bad guy within a thousand kilometers of you? You're surrounded by heroes, you know?"
"I am?"
"You are!" She coaxed Yuuta into her arms and shifted him around to face all their friends. She pointed at Shun. "You remember him, right? He's Cyborg Qoo." She pointed at Kuboyasu then Hairo. "And that's Cyborg Ramune and Cyborg Pokari Sweat, and over there is Strawberry Milk Girl and Calpico Girl. We also have other special friends like Akechi-san, Toritsuka-san, and Aiura-san, who all have special powers!" She then pointed to herself as Yuuta tilted his head back to look up at her. "And, of course, I'm Peach-T Girl," she pointed at Kusuo, "and Kusuo is Cyborg Cider-man #2. So, you see? You are absolutely safe here, Yuu-chan. Everyone here will protect you, no matter what."
Nods all around. Kuboyasu even raised a fist and slapped his bicep in one of Cyborg Ramune's classic poses. "Hell yeah, kid. Ain't no one messing with you while we're around!"
A tentative smile pulled at Yuuta's lips, and he nodded. "I always knew Aniki was a hero. I should have known his friends are too!"
"They absolutely are." Kokomi tapped Yuuta's nose. "But right now, the boys are thinking up a way to fight all of the bad guys, so why don't you come sit with me and Chiyo and Mera while they talk, okay?"
Yuuta nodded and slid off Kokomi's lap so she could stand and take his hand. She used Kusuo's shoulder to lever herself up but paused half-way to give him a half-smile. "The girls and I will go to our room for tea until dinner. Let me know if you need me?"
Kusuo nodded, and Kokomi ushered Yuuta toward the door where Yumehara, Mera, and Aiura waited. Once they were gone, Kusuo let out a sharp breath and scrubbed a hand through his hair. What was he going to do about Yuuta in the long run? Especially when Kokomi was so much better with the boy than Kusuo had ever been.
Setting that problem aside to deal with later, Kusuo turned back to the subject at hand. Or would have done, except everyone was staring at him. Kusuo frowned.
"What?"
"Yo, Saiki," Toritsuka said, frowning. "Did Teruhashi just call you Kusuo?"
Yare, yare.
"So?" He swept a hand at his other friends. "They all call me Kusuo, and Aiura too."
"Yeah," Toritsuka pressed, leaning forward with one elbow propped on his crossed legs. "But that's Teruhashi, man! Teruhashi!"
Yare, yare.
"Actually, it would appear that Teruhashi-san is more than just 'Teruhashi' to Kusuo-kun based on the angle of their glances, the lingering touches, and the lack of reaction when Teruhashi-san used his name so familiarly. It seems this is a discussion that Teruhashi-san and Kusuo-kun have already had, possibly at length, at least that is to be expected considering Kusuo-kun and Teruhashi-san have already had se—"
"Akechi!" Kusuo glared and slammed his fist against the floor, cracking the tatami when a bit of spirit energy leaked by accident.
"Ah! My apologies, Kusuo-kun. Of course, such a thing has no reason to be discussed in company and is none of my business besides. I'll forget I ever noticed and refrain from mentioning it again. I understand that—"
"You know, guy, you really talk way too much." Nendou dug into his nose with his pinky as he spoke. "Who cares if Buddy and Teruhashi-san are finally together? It's about time, you know? They've liked each other forever."
"Whaaaat?!" Toritsuka pressed both hands against his temples and reared backwards in utter dismay. "Saiki and Teruhashi-san? Together? What is this world coming too?!"
"Dude, chill." Kuboyasu shot Toritsuka a disgusted frown. "Teruhashi and Kusuo have been together for months, Kusuo just didn't realize it before now." He raised an eyebrow in Kusuo's direction. "Or have you realized it yet?"
Kusuo frowned. "We weren't together until yesterday."
Kuboyasu snorted. "You didn't know you were together until yesterday, maybe, but you were definitely together." He waved his hand toward the others. "We all knew. It was just a matter of when you did."
Hairo nodded, his arms crossed and eyes closed as if he were a teacher disappointed in a promising student who took way too long to solve what should have been a simple math problem. "It's true, Kusuo. I've been waiting for you guys to admit you were a thing since that first New Years at your house."
"Heh." Shun flipped his bangs from his face, almost glittering as a smug grin settled on his lips. "Honestly, Kusuo. How could anyone possibly be so slow when it comes to their own love life?"
"Like you're one to talk," Kusuo, Kuboyasu, Hairo, and even Nendou said in the same dead-pan monotone. Toritsuka didn't notice as he chewed on a handkerchief and cried.
"Eh?" Shun said, but Kusuo waved the question away.
"We have more important things to deal with right now." Kusuo leaned forward, meeting each of his friends in the eye. "Yuuta is in danger, and the rest of us by extension. We need to figure out Dark Reunion's plan, find Akemi Homura, and put an end to all this."
"And all in a month, too." Hairo crossed his arms and shook his head. "We've definitely got our work cut out for us."
"Eh?" Kuboyasu cocked his head. "Why only a month?"
"Because school starts up again in September, man." Hairo looked ready to laugh. "You really think we'll have time to save the world when we have class, homework, and after school clubs to deal with?"
"There's something I don't get, though," Shun said, a fist to his chin as he stared sightlessly at the wall. "Why is Dark Reunion going through so much trouble for just one kid? I mean, Yuuta's a good kid and all, but he's still just a kid. He doesn't even have any powers, right, Kusuo?"
"Not that I ever noticed." Kusuo paused after that, suddenly remembering Yuuta's odd movements in the hotel. The boy had been sound asleep, but he'd still managed to dodge Kusuo's every attempt to undress him (Still not what it sounds like). Was that just a coincidence, or was it some latent power Yuuta was just now coming into? Was there a certain age that normal psychics developed their abilities, or did they have them from birth like Kusuo had?
Normal psychics? Kusuo massaged his temple with the heel of his palm. How is this my life?
"It doesn't matter if he has powers or not," Kusuo said at last. "Akemi Homura seemed to care about Yuuta himself more than anything he could do. Well…" His brow furrowed as he remembered her single-minded assertion that it was Madoka she wanted, not Yuuta. "It's not even Yuuta she wants, but the person he used to be."
Looking up, Kusuo motioned between himself, Nendou, Hairo, Kuboyasu, and Shun. "Yuuta is Reborn, like us. He used to be a person named Madoka. Akemi Homura is obsessed with this person and thinks she can get Madoka back if she removes Yuuta's soul."
His friends all blanched, speechless, until Shun ventured a tentative, "She want to kill him?"
Kusuo nodded, his lips thinned to a solemn line. "That is what she said."
"Well, screw that shit!" Kuboyasu slapped his palm against the floor, making Kusuo jump. He still wasn't used to unexpected actions or shouts. "She thinks she can step into our turf and shake us down for all we're worth? That bitch ain't got a damn clue." He raised a clenched fist and grinned a dark, yankee grin complete with bulging forehead veins. "Girl or not, I'll take her down with my bare fucking hands if she even thinks about taking me on!"
"How noble."
Everyone jumped at the unexpected voice drifting through the shoji screen. Kuboyasu and Hairo turned, their backs were to the door, as the partition slid open with a crack. Yamato lounged in the door frame, her lean body draped against the wooden frame with one arm raised over her head and the other propped lazily on her hip. A round of 'offu' went through the room at her admittedly seductive appearance, but she didn't seem to notice.
"Noble," she repeated, "but stupid as shit. We don't know much about how her psychic power works yet, but it's pretty obvious she has some sort of grasp on time. You have a hell of a lot more training to do before you can get even remotely close to her level." Her eyes snapped to Kusuo. "Even you, Saiki. Maybe especially you."
Kusuo frowned, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean time?"
"I mean time." Yamato rolled her eyes with a scoff as she pushed away from the doorframe. She tossed her long chestnut hair over her shoulder and shifted the lollipop in her mouth from right to left. "Honestly, it pisses me off that you didn't notice on your own. You were the one fighting her, dumbass. Didn't you stop to wonder how she could move like that? I mean, I only saw the security video, but it was totally obvious she was slipping in and out of time."
Kusuo blinked. Slipping in and out of time? He'd assumed teleportation, but time travel? He had used time travel himself, obviously, but it was always to go back and change things, and even then, it rarely worked out the way he wanted it to. But if Akemi Homura was, as Yamato put it, 'slipping in and out of time,' that meant she was moving forward and backward at will.
Or maybe…Kusuo pressed his crooked finger against his chin. Maybe she wasn't moving forward and backward, maybe she was actually stopping time?
Honestly, that made the most sense. How else would she be able to be exactly where she needed to be to make the most impact against her opponents? Just fast-forwarding would only be helpful if she could see into the future she wanted to change, and constantly rewinding time would create branching timelines that she may or may not be able to control. The odds of her separating out the exact sequence of events capable of making her seamless actions so, well, seamless were practically impossible. Plus, if that was what she was doing, there's no way Kokomi would have managed to get Yuuta away from her. She would have just rewound time the moment she realized Yuuta wasn't in her grasp and taken him anyway.
But if she could stop time, why not just kill him while it was stopped? Or kidnap Yuuta? If she'd done that, Kusuo would have never even known she was there.
Unless…She can't interact with Realtime when time is stopped. She could fire her weapons, but the bullets couldn't connect until she started time again. And since she took Yuuta and ran away in Realtime, she probably couldn't stop time for anyone but herself.
It's not much, but it is a weakness.
"Get it now?" Yamato scoffed and pushed away from the door, once again shifting her lollipop as she sauntered across the room to take the empty space at the table beside Hairo. "Good to know the space between your ears isn't all air."
"Damn it, lady!" Kuboyasu went up on one knee, his fist raised in challenge. "What the hell is your problem, huh? We didn't ask you to come around, you know; you and your sparkly friend just showed up and dragged us along. So how about showing some damned respect, huh?"
Yamato scowled and slammed one palm on the table, her yankee vein a rival to Kuboyasu's. "You got a problem with me, four-eyes? Cause I'll tell you now, if it wasn't an assignment from my dad you can bet your ass I'd have no problem leaving all of you to fend for yourselves. And just where do you think you'd be then, huh? Huh?!"
Hairo dropped a hand on Yamato's shoulder and eased her back down onto her floor cushion while Shun clung to Kuboyasu's left arm and Nendou pressed down on his right shoulder.
"Calm down, Yamato-san," Hairo said. "It may not seem like it, but we do appreciate what you've done for us. That being said, there's no reason for you to so constantly go out of your way to antagonize us. You offered us your help, yes, but we're giving our help right back." He gave Yamato that almost paternal frown of infinite disappointment he always seemed to bring out at exactly the right time to elicit the greatest effect on the viewer. "Is it too much to ask for a little mutual respect?"
Yamato stared at Hairo, her eyes blinking rhythmically as if she were face-to-face with some sort of unknown creature of lore. After a long moment, she tore her eyes away, but she didn't shake off his hand.
"I…guess you have point. And yeah, I'm frustrated, but I guess you guys are too." Her eyes flitted around the table for a moment, lingering longest on Kusuo before shifting back to Hairo. She sighed. "I guess I can tone it down a little." Her gaze sharpened and cut to Kuboyasu with an accompanying scowl. "But if one of you starts something, you better as hell believe I'll finish it!"
"Yeah?" Kuboyasu grinned maniacally and brought up a hand to motion her closer with his fingers. "Just bring it, bitch!"
If Hairo had been any less Hairo, Kusuo was sure he'd be slamming his forehead against the table. Not that Kusuo blamed him.
Yare, yare.
"Oh my," Natsuko's exasperated sigh turned Kuboyasu and Yamato into stone. "Must everyone always be so rude to each other?"
"It-it's not my fault!" Yamato shifted her lollipop and jabbed a finger at Kuboyasu with a faint blush rising high on her cheeks. She refused to look at anyone as she said, "It's this guy who always starts shit with me. I'm just a poor, defenseless girl, you know? If anyone should be scolded for being rude, it's this guy."
"Who do you keep calling 'this guy,' huh? I have a name, dammit!"
"Offu, Natsuko-san," Nendou said, waving at the blind girl with a grin. "Is dinner ready yet? I'm starving, ya know?"
Natsuko's whole face lit up with a soft, angelic smile, and she nodded. "I just came to get you all. Oka-sama and Keiko-ba-san decided to set up in the formal dining room since there are so many people here." She stepped aside and motioned with the hand not holding her red-tipped aluminum cane. "I am quite happy to show you all the way."
There was a low murmur of consent mixed with a round of 'ng' (and how strange was it that Nendou was able to tone it down to a mere 'offu'?). Kusuo stood last as everyone else filed out of the room, Kuboyasu and Yamato, of course, glaring daggers at each other as they went.
"Just send me the directions," Kusuo said, tapping his temple. "I'll let Kokomi and the others know."
Toritsuka wailed from his corner of the room. "How dare you call her Kokomi, you bastard?!" He threw an arm over his teary eyes and sobbed. "This is so wrong! Of all the guys to get such a beauticious angel, why did it have to be you-u-u?"
Akechi patted Toritsuka on the shoulder as he pushed the wailing medium from the room with both hands flat against his back. "You say 'of all the guys,' Toritsuka-san, but one would think that it would be obvious that a man so accomplished and powerful could be the only match for one such as Teruhashi-san, who wields such a formidable power of her own. It would be unthinkable that anyone less would be worthy of one such as her as it is Kusuo-san—"
"That's exactly the problem!" Toritsuka shouted as he and Akechi disappeared from the room. "If it was any other guy, I'd have a chance to steal her, but from Saiki?!"
Kusuo rolled his eyes and shoved his hands in his pockets. Yare, yare.
"I've sent you the directions, Saiki-san." Natsuko waved briefly before turning to follow the rest down the hall. "If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to call."
Kusuo nodded politely enough that it was almost a bow and made his way out the opposite doors to the residential hallway holding his family's rooms. The conversation was animated enough that Kusuo could hear Yumehara almost the second he stepped into the hallway, and he had to fight down a smile. How was it that these girls had gotten so far under his skin that he actually found their annoyances almost endearing?
He rapped once on the shoji's wood frame but slid it open before anyone responded. Kokomi quirked an eyebrow at him, her lips turned half-up in an expression of amused exasperation. "Honestly, Kusuo, what's the point in knocking if you're just going to barge in anyway?"
"It's my room; I'll barge in if I want."
Aiura stiffened at that, and her eyes went wide. She looked around; her attention lingered on the single futon and chest dresser. Kusuo noticed a minute tremor run through her, and he swallowed a sigh. Yare, yare; best get that conversation out of the way.
"Aniki!" Yuuta bounded from Kokomi's lap and threw himself into Kusuo's arms. He lifted the boy easily, suddenly grateful that his body's natural strength had been enhanced by having held his powers rather than being cripplingly weakened by losing them. "Are you done talking now?"
Kusuo nodded. "For now. We have things to talk about later, but right now, it's time for dinner."
Stars lit up Yuuta's eyes. "Yay!" He threw up his hands. "I'm so, so hungry, Aniki! You have nooooo idea how much!"
Considering Yuuta last ate almost nine hours ago, Kusuo had a pretty good guess, but he only nodded. "Aa." Setting the boy back on his feet, Kusuo nudged him toward the sink in the far back corner. "Go get washed up."
"Kay!" As ordered, Yuuta bounded over and went up on his tiptoes to reach the low sink and scrub up. Giggling, Kokomi got up to help him, letting Kusuo turn his attention to the rest of their friends. He smiled at Yumehara first. Her lack of any sort of power made her the most vulnerable of his friends, and he didn't realize just how relieved he was to know she was okay until seeing her just now.
"Yumehara-san," his gaze shifted, "Mera-san. I'm glad you're both all right."
"Of course, we are!" Yumehara's grin turned sheepish, and she rubbed the back of her head. "Well, I say that, but it's really all thanks to Chisato. She insisted the two of us stay together over the weekend, and well, that really saved me."
Kusuo's eyes went briefly wide before narrowing. "What happened?"
"Oh, no!" Yumehara waved both hands wildly. "Nothing bad, really. I just felt safer knowing she was around." Clasping her hands atop her knees, she fiddled with her thumbs. "That night after everything that happened, I wasn't able to sleep at all. Chisato called me this morning and said we should stick together, so when Natsuko-san and Yamato-san called us all together, I didn't panic like I would have if I was by myself."
Relaxing, Kusuo nodded. "It's good that you two decided to stay together." He honestly doubted it would help much if the two had been singled out by Dark Reunion, but it still made him feel better to know his friends were taking this insanity seriously. "And you, Mera-san? Everything okay?"
Mera grinned, the light flashing off her glasses as she gave him a thumbs up. "Everything is A-okay on my side, Saiki! I've already had several great meals today, so I'm all powered up!"
"Good." With no more reason to stall, Kusuo turned to Aiura. She'd put on a strained smile, and the moment she realized he was watching her, she raised her v-ed fingers in front of her right eye.
"Yo, Kusuo! No problems here!"
"Hn." Unconvinced, Kusuo met Kokomi's eyes across the room. He didn't need to make any sort of indicator regarding his intentions; she simply nodded once and popped Yuuta off her knee to dry his hands.
"Come on, Yuu-chan. We'll go save a seat for Kusuo at dinner, ne? That way, he can get cleaned up too."
Yuuta's face fell at first, the self-conscious uncertainty lingering beneath his natural exuberance rising to the surface for only a moment before his expression lit up with understanding, and he nodded. "Yes! Aniki was talking, so he didn't have time to wash like you and me."
Then, almost before Kusuo could blink, Yuuta and Kokomi were at the bedroom door, and Yuuta was waving good-bye. "I'll save you a good seat, Aniki!"
Kusuo blinked at the display. Did anyone else just see that?
As if in answer, both Mera and Yumehara stood and smiled like nothing was wrong with the world.
"We'll go too," Yumehara said. "I want to talk to Kaidoh-kun before dinner."
"Aa." Kusuo nodded, then paused. "Yumehara-san."
She looked back, her head cocked. "Yes?"
"I…apologize for dragging you into this. Everyone else has some sort of power to protect themselves, but you're just a normal girl."
Yumehara scoffed, then laughed out right as she waved him off. "Don't be silly, Saiki-san. We're friends, after all. What sort of person would I be if I didn't want to help my friends?"
Thrown a bit by Yumehara's subtle confidence—but then, hadn't she acted the same way in Oshimai-ken when Shun had been so insistent about the heinous crime of keeping secrets?—Kusuo almost didn't have time to say anything before she ducked out of the room.
"Yumehara-san."
She poked her head around the corner, confused but smiling. "Yes, Saiki-san?"
"If we're friends, it's fine to call me Kusuo."
Yumehara's mouth opened to a surprised 'o' before a wide grin took over. "Yes, Kusuo-kun!" She wagged a scolding finger. "But only if you call me Chiyo, too!"
"Hai, Chiyo-san."
The girls and Yuuta gone, Kusuo took in a silent, steeling breath and turned to the low kotatsu table (set up for summer, obviously) and met Aiura's accusing eyes.
"So, I guess everyone gets to call you Kusuo now, huh?" She sighed and dropped her chin onto her palm. "And for a while, I really thought I was something special, you know?"
Kusuo groaned internally. How was he even supposed to have this conversation? Talking was never his strong suit, but now he was supposed to put something so complicated and intense and…and personal into words? He didn't even know where to start.
Yare, yare. This wouldn't be happening with telepathy. At least then Kusuo would know what not to say.
"So, this is your room, huh?" Aiura's tone was unnaturally monotone. She tapped one primly painted nail against her right cheek as she spoke, her eyes slowly roving the neat and tidy guest space. "Funny, Teruhashi said this was her room."
Of course this would be where Aiura chose to start. Kusuo felt a headache forming between his eyes and resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. Yare, yare.
"It is," he said at last. No point in beating around the bush.
Aiura's posture tightened up, her head sinking deeper into her shoulders. "I see."
Silence. Should he say something else?
"Geez! This is so frustrating!" Aiura dropped her forehead against the tabletop and pounded it with both fists. "How did this even happen? Is it because she met you first? Because if that's the case, then I never stood a chance!"
She propped her chin on the table and looked up at him, real tears lining her eyes as her lower lip trembled with suppressed emotion. "What did I do wrong? Am I not pretty enough? Am I too loud? Should I have approached you differently? Acted demure?"
"You tried that," Kusuo couldn't help but say. "And I already told you, I like people who are themselves."
Instead of looking relieved, Aiura looked crushed. "Which just means that who I am isn't good enough for you, right? Even after everything?" Her broken expression took on undertones of anger as her stretched out hands formed trembling fists. "I did everything you ever asked me to, Kusuo! I kept your secret, stopped using my powers so much, I even stopped a volcano with you! But none of that was enough, was it? You just took and took and took and couldn't be bothered to give me the one thing I asked for in return!"
Shock, anger, even disgust knotted in Kusuo's stomach, burning their way up to his heart. "You're forgetting something, Aiura-san: I never asked for your affection. I've told you again and again that I don't feel that way for you. And yes, I asked you for help on occasion, but more often than not, you volunteered. I'm sorry I can't return your feelings, but I won't let you sit there and believe I owe it to you to love you like you say you love me. And honestly, if you do love me, you'll respect the decision I've made."
Kusuo pressed a hand to his chest, glaring down at her. "I'm my own person. I'm allowed my own feelings, my own wants, my own desires. I'm grateful to you, I think of you as my friend, and I want to stay friends. Not because of what you can do—or what you can do for me—but because you've always been a good, honest, earnest person, and I like that about you."
Aiura stared up at him, gobsmacked. "You…like me?"
Kusuo's smoldering anger softened. "Just because I don't love you, Aiura-san, doesn't mean I hate you."
"Mikoto." She sniffled and scrubbed at her nose with the back of one fist. "If we're going to be friends, you might as well call me Mikoto like you do with Chiyo-pipi."
"I can't imagine why I would ever call Chiyo-san 'Mikoto-san,'" Kusuo said dryly. "But I accept your offer, Mikoto-san."
She managed a watery smile. "It will take some getting used to, you know. I can't just stop liking you all of a sudden, and I can't promise I won't get jealous every now and then."
"As long as you're respectful of my feelings, Mikoto-san, I would never dream of disrespecting yours."
Sighing, Mikoto drew her arms in until they were folded beneath her chin. "I guess that's the best I can hope for right now." A wry smirk crossed her tear-stained face. "Well, that, and that you and Koko-shi break up."
Not gonna happen. Kusuo was surprised by the vehemence of that thought but did his best not to show it as he nodded. "Fair enough."
"Hn." Mikoto pressed her hands flat against the table and levered herself up onto wobbly legs. "You mind if I use your sink?" She waved a hand at her smeared mascara. "I don't have to look in a mirror to know I'd make a good Sadako."
Kusuo nodded. "Of course. And Mikoto-san?"
"Hn?" She stumbled to the sink and twisted the knobs, testing the water temperature on the inside of her wrist.
"I am sorry."
"Yeah, yeah." She waved him off with a grin, though it was a mere shadow of her usual exuberance. "Just go on to dinner and let me get cleaned up, okay?"
Knowing that lingering would only hurt her more, Kusuo nodded and left the room, sliding the door closed. He'd barely taken a single step before sobs drifted through the thin rice-paper screen. Clenching his fist, Kusuo closed his eyes and wished things could be different. He would never—could never—love Mikoto the way she wanted him to, not in this timeline anyway, but he did wish he didn't have to hurt her so deeply.
Not able to handle her silent sobbing any longer, Kusuo opened his eyes and followed Natsuko's mental map to the main dining room.
