Kindred Souls

Shoko's days were a relentless cycle of work, study, and training, each moment a constant reminder of the price they had paid. The loss of Suguru and Satoru's cheerful presence had left a void in her life, and their rare meetings only served as painful reminders of what they once had.

Six months had passed since the devastating loss of the Star-Plasma Vessel, a tragedy that had cast a long, looming shadow over the lives of her friends.

She had just finished her usual shift in the morgue, her focus on mastering her reversed curse technique unwavering. The sterile, cold environment of the morgue felt oppressive, a place that held too many memories of the tragedy that had unfolded six months ago.

As Shoko stepped out of the morgue, her mind was a tumult of thoughts and emotions. The burden of their unique abilities weighed heavily on her, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was all worth it. The world had taken so much from them, and it seemed to give so little in return.

She began the walk back to her dorm, her footsteps heavy with the weight of her thoughts. Her fingers fumbled in her pocket, searching for the comforting embrace of a cigarette, hoping that the familiar taste and the tendrils of smoke would offer some solace.

However, her heart sank as her fingers found an empty pocket where her lighter should have been. Frustration crept onto her face as she searched her other pockets, to no avail.

Shoko muttered a frustrated curse under her breath, her thoughts mirroring her inability to find her lighter. She leaned against a lamppost, defeated, and stared out into the dimly lit street. The world felt as cold and unforgiving as the morgue she had just left.

As she stood there, grappling with her own frustration and the pain that still lingered from her thoughts, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "Need a light, Shoko?"

Startled, Shoko turned to find Suguru standing before her, a small, genuine smile on his face. His long, flowing black hair caught the dim light, framing his features in a way that almost made her heart skip a beat.

Shoko felt a mix of relief and gratitude. "Hey, lifesaver. I can't believe I forgot my lighter again,"

Suguru's smile only deepened as he offered her a light. The flicker of the flame in the dimly lit street created an intimate moment between them, a moment that felt like a respite from the turmoil they faced daily. The cigarette's tip ignited, and Shoko inhaled deeply, letting the familiar rush of nicotine soothe her frayed nerves.

Suguru watched her with a mixture of concern and understanding in his dark eyes. "You've had a tough day, haven't you?"

Shoko exhaled a plume of smoke, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Yeah, the morgue is always a stark reminder of what we've lost. The world can be so cruel sometimes."

Suguru nodded in agreement. "It's hard to accept that our abilities come with such a high cost, and it's even harder to come to terms with the fact that the world might never appreciate what we do."

Shoko took another drag from her cigarette, her thoughts filled with anger and despair. "Sometimes, I wonder if it's all for nothing, if we're just wasting our lives on a world that won't change."

Suguru's expression grew more somber, mirroring her own feelings of frustration. "I understand those doubts, Shoko. We have our reasons for doing what we do. We can't control the world, but we can control our choices."

Shoko found a small, appreciative smile in the midst of her turmoil. "You always know what to say, Getou."

He returned her smile with warmth in his eyes.

Their playful banter created a comforting backdrop to the tranquil beauty as they paved the way to their dorm in the evening. Shoko couldn't resist the urge to tease Suguru, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "But seriously, Getou, why do you always carry a lighter when you don't even smoke?"

Suguru leaned in closer, his voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone. "Ah, Shoko, that's a well-guarded secret."

Shoko raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "You can't leave me hanging. What's the story behind it?"

Suguru leaned closer, his voice a hushed whisper. "I carry a lighter in case I meet a beautiful girl who can't find hers and needs a knight in shining armor."

Shoko couldn't help but laugh, a warm, melodious sound that seemed to chase away the lingering shadows in the corners of her heart. "Eh, a knight in shining armor with a lighter?"

Suguru joined her laughter, their camaraderie as comfortable as a favorite old sweater. "I aim to set the bar high."

As they basked in the simple joy of their friendship, Shoko couldn't help but let her thoughts drift into deeper waters. She gazed at the horizon, the setting sun casting long shadows across the way, and a faint trace of melancholy crossed her features.

Amidst their laughter and teasing, Shoko stubbed out her almost-finished cigarette on a nearby lamppost, extinguishing the last ember with a contented sigh. She turned to Suguru with a mischievous grin. "I've run out. Mind giving me a light for a new one?"

Suguru's response was swift and accompanied by a sly smile. He brought up the lighter and ignited the fresh cigarette for Shoko. The flame danced to life, casting a warm and gentle light on their faces. His actions displaying a level of finesse that suggested he had done this many times for her before.

Shoko took a deep drag, savoring the familiar taste and the soothing effect it had on her nerves. Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she turned to Suguru. "You know, you really do have a knack for this, Getou. It's like you were born for moments like these."

Suguru's voice was filled with warmth and sincerity. "Anytime, Shoko."

Their steps had taken them to the entrance of Shoko's dorm. The tranquil beauty of the evening seemed to linger around them, casting a serene aura.

Shoko couldn't help but smile as she looked at Suguru. "It's getting late, Getou. You should go home as well."

Suguru's dark hair caught the dim light, creating an almost ethereal halo around him. He nodded, "Right. I should get going."

Their farewell had an undertone of reluctance, as if neither of them wanted the evening to end. The warmth of their friendship had made the night seem brighter, the mysteries of their world less daunting.

But as Shoko began to walk towards her dorm, a sudden thought stopped her in her tracks. She turned around to face Suguru, her eyes filled with a playful spark. "Hey, Getou."

Suguru looked at her curiously, his gaze fixed on her with curiosity. "Yes, Shoko?"

A mischievous smile graced Shoko's lips, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "How about we catch Human Earthworm at the cinema this weekend?"

Suguru's eyes held a hint of intrigue as he thought over her invitation. He couldn't resist a playful tease, his lips curving into a sly grin. "A movie at the cinema, Shoko? Are you asking me out on a date?"

Shoko chuckled, her laughter painting the night with warmth. "Well, Getou, it's not a date unless you make it one."

Suguru's laughter blended with the night's ambiance. "In that case," he declared, "consider it a date."

Shoko couldn't help but roll her eyes with a playful sigh. "Alright, this weekend it is! I'll text you the details."

Suguru's warm smile radiated excitement as he responded, "Can't wait, Shoko."

The night seemed to cradle their lighthearted exchange, promising a future filled with shared laughter. Both of them went to sleep that night, their thoughts lingering on their encounter, silently believing that it had lightened their day more than they had expected.

Little did they know, it had quietly added a touch of brightness to their lives, making them look forward to waking up in the morning, anticipating their next encounter.