The first time you walked with Masamichi, you'd been living in Tokyo for nearly eight months. Your mjomba and auntie Emiyo brought you to meet this stern, mountain of a man whom your mjomba honorably claimed his kaka, brother.
It was a Friday afternoon, at a park, near an open market. You were in your usual attire, an oversized dark hoodie that might as well be a dress on you, pants, and tennis shoes. Your mjomba and auntie had you slightly in front of them proudly, Emiyo's gently on your back guiding you, your hoodie concealing you made it a bit difficult to see but you didn't care as long as it did its job hiding your face. The shades you wore helped cover your eyes, with the dark scarf you had wrapped around your neck covering the lower half of your face.
You wished you had your headphones, to block out the cheerful bustling noise of others and their overlapping voices swimming around.
It irked you, outwardly. Inside it was a dulling pain.
You, your mjomba and your auntie arrive at the park and walk through using one of the few paths available. A strong scent of sweet flowers and nature danced about tickling your nose just a bit. You could smell the faintest hint of lavender, your mother came to mind and your eyes were tempted to lift from the cement path to see.
A mistake on your part, keeping your eyes downward you failed to see your mjomba and auntie had stopped walking and called for you to stop, and next thing you knew…you hit something solid.
Was it a tree trunk?
Baffled you crane your head up and raise your eyes finding Masamichi standing, correction, towering before you. Wearing a dark zipped-up long-sleeved shirt with matching pants and dark shoes.
He looked at you for a moment, before addressing your mjomba.
After a quick introduction from your mjomba and auntie of yours, which they did proudly, the walk of three became four.
That walk you were quiet, just quiet, disinterestedly quiet, even when your auntie walked a bit up ahead with you to either look at something or do something. You heard your name fall from your mjomba's lips and Masamichi's; again you cared little.
You hadn't a single question or concern about meeting Masamichi.
At least back then, now, as you and Masamichi walked side by side along the street after finishing the shaved ice, in the opposite direction of the shop. Which happened to be going up a slight incline.
You did. You had questions, and this silence didn't help. It was there at the shop and stayed.
You mustered through the incline in your wedges.
Where is he going, you thought guardedly sliding subtle glances in his direction.
That internal stern expression made it difficult to interpret him. Even when he spoke, you'd think you'd have some basic understanding. You probably would have if you'd stayed.
Were you in trouble or did he know? Your mouth opened then closed, you couldn't ask the second question.
There was possibly no way he could, so it had to be you were in trouble…you did go dark for a bit.
You clear your throat and open your mouth to say something when your phone vibrates. You take it out, it was a text.
A text from him.
Your hand trembled a bit and your pace slowed. You opened the text it was a picture of Daiki.
At a clothing store, from the background, standing before a mirror trying on clothes. Formal clothes…you weren't sure, you were focused on the sweet smile he inherited from you but made his own.
He seemed to be either laughing or just elated about something. You couldn't tell from the angle of the picture; it didn't matter the angle seeing this picture nearly weakened your legs. You felt then began to shake, it was either that or let the tears misting in your eyes fall.
Your other hand began shaking, so instinctively you lifted it to your neck to grip the locket…and stop…feeling nothing but air, you forgot again. Another crack hit your heart.
Another text came, this time it was a message, you dreaded opening it not wanting to leave Daiki, but you tapped the message and opened it.
And what you read snatched the sharp gasp you expelled.
Up ahead, Masamichi realized and noticed the absence of your footsteps and presence. When stopped and turned around you weren't by his side and he easily realized where you were.
"She's got to stop with that disappearing act," he grunted and began walking back to you. "May!" He called, but there was no answer, "May! Hurry up."
Again no response from you, he picked up a bit more speed and widened in his stride. He called again adding a bit more volume in his voice.
"Promise me, kaka." Zabari's voice echoed in his mind.
Masamichi's fists clenched, from them. Damn that man.
"Ma-"
"Why are you are yelling, Masamichi?" You appear walking towards leisurely, with a raised brow. "I heard you."
"Then why didn't you answer?"
You give a small respectable bow, keeping your smile, as the corners lightly quiver, "It was work," you give a light dismissal wave," Nothing to worry about, just prices for venues. Theme coverage. Models. Possible. Guest list. That sort of thing. I do have a business to run, you know."
He stepped closer, with a long stare that almost felt drilling. Your smile dropped and like years before when he looked at you like this, you straightened up and shrunk slightly.
Masamichi wanted to say something to you, but let it be and moved back.
"Come on," he told you, turned around and walked away.
Your lips quivered for a moment until you bit them. You count to three, exhale, and release them. That stupid text message, you hoped Roselyn was aware of it.
"May!" Masamichi shouted impatiently this time up ahead.
You respond and hurry after him. He was waiting for you, his eyes hooked on you all the way till you by his side. He kept his eyes on you for another minute and started walking again.
You kept the same pace.
Again silence filled the passing time. You didn't want this and needed to know where he was taking you. You really needed to know…your time was limited.
Walking in these wedges wasn't tiring for you yet, but you felt a slight ache in the balls of your feet. You are almost tempted to stop for a moment, almost.
Observing the change of surroundings found you weren't in the area of the shop. In fact, the whole location was different, you estimated you were at least a thirty-minute walk from the shop. Where you were now, the area changed to more of a main street, it was a bit busier and bustling.
"Masamichi, where are we going?" You finally asked with slight irritation in your voice. It is minimal but there.
"Somewhere."
"Where is that?"
"Somewhere. Now keep up."
You quietly huffed but continued following him. Was there even an assignment, you began to wonder about avoiding people walking by. They barely touched your blouse.
"Is there even an assignment?" You finally asked.
He made a left, and you follow. "In a way."
"In what way?"
"A way. We're almost there."
Your mouth was open for another question but you closed it. A crow caws overhead, you stop for a moment and spot it flying overhead. A chill washed down your spine, contrasting your eyes narrowing.
The crow flew away.
Finally, Masamichi slowed his stride once he entered a familiar setting. Your wedges made a thick thud sound from the cobblestone path, it caught your ear and you realized where he had taken you.
The trees lined about, a large pond encompassing the area, benches securely distant from one another; small vendors selling something, and people just walking and taking in the sight.
A peaceful quietness despite the surrounding city life. This was but a minor part of the park.
He brought you to a park?
Why?
You slow your pace and gaze around. You couldn't really sense any curses, yet. Masamichi continued walking until he reached an empty bench in the center of the park, by the pond, and sat.
You sit too.
"Is this the assignment?" You asked with some humor.
"There isn't an assignment," he said calmly staring singularly at the pond. "I'm sure you figured that out, right?"
You had, but the question still presented itself. You dust off a small leaf that settles itself on your pants.
"Yes. But it's good to hear you say it," You lift a leg and cross it over your other one, "why the secrecy?"
"If I told you, you would have left. Finding it wasting your time and who knows when you'd respond for another one."
That stung, you knew what meant. "I apologize for my lack of communication. I had to handle a few things. Balancing this is still new to me." You defend yourself…partially.
"Integration or assimilate?"
You stiffen slightly, did he catch on?
You took a moment to respond, "Integration. It's been some time. Can you fault me on that?"
He shifted in his spot and still kept his eyes forward. Your eyes steadily on him.
"You sound like, Zabari."
Your squared shoulders soften upon hearing your uncle's name.
"Almost." He attached. "But he integrated fine. Even after everything. If I recall correctly, you were a little more stubborn than him when you integrated and it seems that hasn't vanished from you. To answer you, I suppose not."
You silently sigh relieved and straightened yourself back.
"Thank you." You said with sincerity.
That got him to turn from the pond to you. You give him a mild smile.
He stared at you. Just stared without a word, you couldn't really tell what his eyes were doing or trying to do. You remained forfeited and asked another question you needed to.
"Can I be seen? It could help with my integration."
He answered with a resounding, "No."
Your smile fell, "Why?" Your voice almost pitched to a panic, but you kept well.
He said nothing, you wanted an answer.
"Is it because of my absence? I won't do it again." You assure you needed this.
He folded his arms, "Not yet."
"Then when?" Your eyes nearly flashed with frustration and fear. "What would you like me to do? You allowed me back in, I should be able to be allowed to be seen?"
He still said nothing, he wanted to, Zabari's words surfaced in his thoughts.
Masamichi shook his head, "Not yet. There's a few more things I need to fix."
"What? What needs to be fixed? Why can't I return back to Jujitsu Tech? I'm a grade 1 now!"
You stand abruptly, Masamichi saw that thirteen-year-old before him.
"You will. Just not right now. I'll still need you to do the assignments I give you. Until then, just wait."
His reason made little sense, you tried to understand. You needed access back into Jujutsu Tech, this was supposed to work to your advantage. You were a grade 1, meaning you could take a position as a teacher there if you wanted or something else.
If you didn't get in then…..your wings pop out creating a strong gust of air, shaking the ground and currents in the pond. Masamichi sat unfazed, he glanced up at the sky and saw the clouds passing over dispersed. He kept them for another second and returned them to you.
If not for his shades he'd surely be blinded, by the bright light emitting off you, from the golden markings noticeably across your body.
He used a hand to shield his eyes a bit further.
You give him a crossed look, you didn't have time to debate this, leave Ijichi's gift with him, and take off. The force left from your departure almost knocked him from his spot, it did affect the surroundings.
Masamichi paid minor attention to it and took out his cell phone. It was on with the caller on the other end having heard everything.