Chapter 25: Those two are going to give me cavities.
Let's respond to some comments, hell yeah:
AssassinSlayer101
Thanks again for your kind words, I'm pretty sure you'll love this chapter, and it's just the beginning of several similar scenarios, but it's just to warm up.
Guest 1
Thanks.
Gwynx
I told you it will be when
Guest 2 (Fuck it they're probably the same person)
And here is the new chapter.
Yonyon586
Yeah right?
Jxgod
I wonder if you read the other chapters, anyway, I send you a salutation, stranger.
godslayer is cool
More what? More Jujutsu Kaisen?
Notes: Did you miss me? Well, I missed you all. If I took a while to put this out, blame it on Honkai Star Rail... and once again, blame it on a lack of inspiration; it hit me pretty hard this time.
I'd like to remind you to check out my Twitter account AbusamadresSama. I often post interesting stuff, and for some reason, it's easier for me to keep up with than other social media platforms.
Funny, at first, I thought Facebook was a good choice for a social network, but I haven't touched it in a long time.
Yes, definitely, Twitter is the best social media platform I can recommend at the moment. Of course, there's also Instagram, but its conditions aren't the best either, which is quite ironic since I have more followers there than on Twitter.
Don't you think that's unfair? Well, do something about it.
Damn guys, 212 favorites and 259 followers and only like 10% of you leave a comment, if it's free ya know?
0O0O
Darkness.
Once again, a black void, as if it were an endless abyss from which there was no escape, as if there was nothing to allow him to get out of here. Yet, he also didn't feel like he could move beyond what his mind allowed, so he found himself in a loop where he was not allowed to go backward or forward.
It was as if something forced him to stay still, as if he were a doll being tested by a giant hand, except in this case, it was as if that supposed giant hand only took him and left him in its palm to admire or watch over him.
It was like feeling trapped.
The static had returned.
That sound, like a television trying to regain its signal, grew louder until there was a click as if something had connected with his subconscious.
The thread between reality and what wasn't real was getting weaker. Combined with the overwhelming drowsiness, this felt like a massive astral journey, as if it served to find oneself. But the most impressive thing was that he could think about these things so quickly and almost fleetingly even though he knew it was a dream.
"HAve ThEy eVEr TOld YoU ThAT yOu'RE TOO NAiVe?"
What a deep voice... and yet, so sharp, as if it were made to let others know it was only mocking them when speaking.
"More than once, yes"
Another voice... that of an older man, like that of a young adult who still has a long life ahead.
But sounds very tired.
"Oh, YoU FOUND IT, thaT wAs quick"
"Oh... How lucky"
It felt as if that kind of distortion was becoming less perceptible to the ear, everything became clearer as if someone were helping him hear better.
It felt like he was being manipulated in some way, as if someone had entered his mind at some point and only presented themselves now.
It was almost like being observed directly.
"Well... WhAt aRE YOu WAItINg FOr!? Say something!"
"Shut up, I don't know what to say"
"Oh, whatever... At leaSt thiS timE yoU have MORE TIME. How muCh time exactly dO We have Left?"
"Two days."
"Ah... DaMn."
For a few seconds, there was only silence.
The voice of the adult spoke again in such a calm manner that he was inclined to delve into each of his words.
"Everything will be fine... Everything will be fine... It can always be fixed. It has always been achieved, everything... It will get better, it always gets better, there is always light at the end of a tunnel, but what no one ever tells you is that throughout your life, you go through many dark tunnels, but they all always have an exit..."
"... There is always a way out."
What a warm feeling, it was like being embraced by the most comfortable of blankets on a cold night, as if someone were consoling him in a difficult moment or as if his body were enveloped in enormous peace that only he could enjoy.
"WoW, whaT a wAy To bE Ambiguous, it eveN soUndeD cheesy."
"... It doesn't matter, it made me feel good, and I'm pretty sure it did for him now too."
"You never make mistakes, do you?"
A laugh? Did it come from that man? He asked himself because that laughter didn't sound funny and calm at all. It was a dry, sarcastic laugh that he couldn't understand, as if what the deep voice said was a tasteless joke for him.
"Naaah, come on, I'm very smart, they know it, he knows it... She knows it, and you know it... Isn't that right..."
"... Takahashi Hi-?"
0O0O
"...ro"
"...iro"
"...Hiro"
"HIRO, WAKE UP ALREADY!"
The young man lifted his head from the desk as quickly as his body allowed, his eyes half-closed as he tried to scan the place where he was only to stupidly realize he was still in school.
"Wah! What—what's happening!?" he asked incredulously, feeling like his reality was somehow altered.
He slowly realized the teacher was standing in front of him, arms crossed, and ruler in hand.
"No sleeping in class!" she scolded with a look that made the young man freeze in place and sent a silent message saying 'Go back to sleep, and you'll suffer the consequences.'
Hiro scratched his head. "S-sorry, it won't happen again, I promise." Hiro could hear the rest of the class laughing at him.
How embarrassing.
His teacher rolled her eyes. "You've said that before," she touched the bridge of her nose. "Sometimes I feel like I'm not paid enough. Well, they never do."
Once the scolding and laughter stopped, Hiro had time to compose himself. He ran his fingers through his hair, moving it to his favorite side. It always happened that when he slept in this position at the desk, his hair flattened a bit and looked bad. He rubbed his eyes, banishing any trace of drowsiness and channeling all the reserves of energy to his body. It was time to wake up; it wasn't appropriate to fall asleep in school, especially in front of everyone.
"Feeling okay?" Hiro turned his head to see Kenji's confused look. He too had his head resting on his desk, but at least he wasn't asleep.
Hiro ran his hand down his face vertically, attempting to shake off all drowsiness. "Eh, who knows" he replied, still feeling somewhat tired.
Kenji raised an eyebrow, unsatisfied with the response. "Of course, you know. This is the fifth time this week you've fallen asleep in class. Are you watching late-night TV or something? I've heard that adult content starts airing after midnight, if you catch my drift" he teased with a raised eyebrow, laughing.
Confusion and mysteries were written all over Hiro's face. "Huh? What happens at that time? Do they show action movies?"
A bead of sweat rolled down his friend's forehead, and his face twisted in confusion and amazement. "Ah... Yeah... Action movies... A lot of action" he sighed, realizing that Hiro hadn't discovered that other part of life yet.
But they were already fourteen, either he was playing dumb or still too innocent. Kenji contemplated the idea of lending Hiro romance novels and manga; eventually, that would lead him into the dark territory from which no human has ever returned.
'Don't worry, my friend, I'll help you become a man' Kenji thought with determination, only realizing the poor choice of words at the end 'Damn, that sounded weird'
They might have continued talking more, but the teacher had something very important to say.
"All right, young ones, as you may already know, the field trip to Hiroshima is just around the corner. I assume all of you have everything ready for the week-long trip, or am I mistaken?" she squinted her eyes, looking at her students suspiciously.
"Yes, ma'am!" they all responded simultaneously.
The teacher seemed relieved. "Oh, that's good. None of us would want to hear complaints about someone forgetting something at home."
A boy raised his hand. "Ma'am! Can I bring my grandfather? He said he wanted to visit his hometown someday and end his life by committing Seppuku as a protest and conscience for what those disgusting Yankees did to us in the past!"
"No, no, and no, and tell your grandfather to get over the war already" the teacher calmly replied, making this part of her daily routine.
"Yes, teacher!"
"Any more questions?"
A girl raised her hand this time. "Do we really have to leave on Sunday?" she asked with regret, which resonated with the rest of the class. "That's supposed to be a day off."
The teacher also sighed, understanding the others' suffering. "I know, I know, but the school chose that specific day to leave. We just follow instructions. But look on the bright side, it'll be like a vacation... with homework to take home."
"WHAT!?" the entire class shouted in shock.
"Oops, it slipped out earlier, hehe," she said with clear insincerity in her apology.
None of the teachers would openly admit it, but this was the best part of their job, aside from the pay.
Hiro rubbed his forehead, imagining the mountain of homework he would have after the excursion. On one hand, it sounded somewhat fair, a whole week of vacation where he could visit interesting places with a rich history. On the other hand, any kind of schoolwork was tedious but necessary at the end of the day.
"I hope you all rest well tonight and on Saturday. No one would want to miss this trip by not waking up... on time" the teacher fixed her gaze on Hiro for a moment, and the young man felt embarrassed once again.
He had been having serious trouble sleeping lately. It wasn't due to strange nightmares like he had seven years ago when he started living with Kishibe; there was no trauma preventing him from closing his eyes and entering his dreams. He had overcome that over time, and by the time he turned ten, the nightmares were gone.
The situation here was different; it wasn't entirely concerning, but it was unreal.
He simply didn't sleep at all.
During the past few nights, Hiro had found himself staring at the ceiling for what could be considered endless hours of waiting, his brain struggling to shut down. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't fall asleep. It was as if his brain forced him to stay awake for unknown reasons.
Kishibe told him it was insomnia, but Hiro didn't fully believe it. Technically, insomnia could develop from various factors.
Stress: Stress? But he didn't feel stressed. Or was saying that he didn't feel stressed a sign that he actually did?
Hiro thought about it for a while, imagining all the reasons he might develop stress, but nothing concrete came to mind. He hadn't pushed himself beyond limits in any work to start feeling exhausted or have a headache. So, he dismissed it.
Health problems: he felt healthy. In the last medical check-up at school, which was recent, they told him he was a healthy young man with a lot of energy, so he doubted it was that.
Lifestyle: Hiro dismissed this instantly. He always tried to maintain a good balance in his diet. If they compared him to the hunter he lived with, damn, he would live many more years than him.
He just hoped not to develop a drinking habit like Kishibe when he grew up, or worse, Quanxi's smoking addiction. Either of those two things would kill him in some way.
Psychological factors: Hiro didn't know how to respond to that.
While he had gone through a traumatic experience when he was younger, he swore he had already overcome it and learned to live with it.
Or could it be something else that he didn't grasp?
In any case, the problem persisted; he couldn't sleep, and it was weighing on him.
Damn, maybe the fact that he had insomnia was stressing him out, and that, in turn, caused more insomnia, which, in turn, caused more stress.
'This is absurd'
He pondered the idea of seeking answers from a professional, but instantly, the first person that came to his mind was her.
'Maybe Makima has some answers.'
He didn't know why, but he had grown accustomed to Makima being a complete encyclopedia for him whenever he wanted specific information. Although he doubted she knew everything precisely, in terms of knowledge, she would always be vastly superior.
Well, she was superior to him in everything, to be more accurate.
The school bell chose that exact moment to ring, abruptly cutting off the young man's thoughts and signaling to all students that it was time to go home.
The teacher gave them all a final warning, "Don't forget, Sunday at 9 AM. If we're lucky, we can avoid midday traffic. Don't be late."
"...It will be a very special day, childrens"
0O0O
"That homework for home left a bad taste in my mouth."
"Tell me about it," Hiro replied with a sigh.
"Do you have any plans for the weekend?" Kenji asked as the two stopped for a moment.
"I'll be spending the entire weekend at the research center."
Kenji huffed, "Men, it's been several months since your 14th birthday. When are you going to start training for real!?"
"Soon, soon" Hiro smiled nervously. "I'm pretty sure Kishibe will give me the green light very soon. He might seem monotonous, but at least he keeps his promises."
"There are two months left in the year! Are you sure he didn't scam you?"
"No..." Hiro paused to think about it recalling how his mentor could be "I hope not"
"Well, in any case, don't forget to call me when you learn a new fighting move. I want to know all the details!"
"I will, although I doubt I'll learn it on the first try."
Kenji put a hand on Hiro's shoulder. "You will man. You have tremendous potential for many things, and you've been messing around saying you want to be a devil hunter for the past seven years. Your determination will help you."
"But isn't that just something that happens in manga?" his question wasn't going to be answered.
"That doesn't matter. What matters is that when you're a devil hunter, I'll call you myself to protect me, and for free!"
That last statement caught Hiro's attention. "Huh? But isn't everyone doing it for free?"
"Not everyone," Kenji shook his head. "There's a rumor going around lately that there are several private hunters who don't work under public safety regulations. For a certain amount of money, they'll try to kill anything that crosses their path."
That information certainly surprised Hiro. "Private hunters? But wouldn't that be... illegal?"
"You tell me. It's just a rumor, but if it turns out to be true, you might be out of a job in the future, haha."
Hiro didn't know how to feel about that. He had never heard in his life that one could work as a demon hunter without being somehow linked to public safety. He wasn't sure if it was possible to make a living that way without some kind of support. On the other hand, he couldn't comment much on it; he wasn't even a public or private hunter yet.
Hiro and Kenji said their goodbyes after that, going their separate ways, Kenji to the right and Hiro to the front...
... Because that's where Kishibe liked to park.
0O0O
Time felt so strange, sometimes like a second lasted an eternity, and other times like a single hour was just a fleeting moment.
No one had absolute control over their own passage of time; each person decided how to invest each second that passed in this world. But even if one chose the best things for oneself, it was impossible not to go through great difficulties to achieve good things.
Tranquility, that was all he sought. However, even when he managed to find it, they always did the impossible to snatch it away, and then he would have to fight to regain it. It was a vicious circle that neither he nor destiny would tire of repeating. After all, he couldn't aspire to more specific things.
Did no one realize that by achieving peace, one could achieve different things in the process?
It wasn't the time to think about that. No one would want to hear his little monologue, not even his own mind. But this thought came with the realization that it was surprising to see how much things had changed in just 7 years, so much so that if one tried to look back again, they would only smile with disbelief and admiration for how far they had come.
Much had changed, and yet, everything felt the same. It only proved once again how well accustomed they already were to each other.
How long would this feeling last?
Kishibe wondered that, knowing that nothing lasts forever in this world; everything is ephemeral. But every minute counts, and every scenario can be saved, just like the one he was in now, watching Hiro walk towards him after another day at school.
It was a scene he was already used to, yet the passage of time was very noticeable. The school uniform had changed from shorts to full-length pants with entirely black school dress shoes. The shirt was off-white, and now a dark jacket with some red embroidery had been added. All these elements were worn by middle school students aged 12 to 15.
Thinking about those numbers only made Kishibe wonder once again how everything had happened so quickly.
How the hell had he managed to take care of a child for 7 long years?
He didn't even know. He never imagined it would come this far.
Hiro had finally approached him close enough to notice something very noticeable again.
The boy had grown up.
Compared to the little brat he was four years ago, damn, the boy had really shot up.
Hiro had gone from reaching up to his legs to reaching up to the height of his abdomen, very close to the height of his chest.
Kishibe was 1.85 meters tall, so Hiro must be around 1.55 meters tall. For now, who knows how much he'll grow when he's a full adult.
It was a much-needed change; at least he and Quanxi wouldn't have to tilt their heads so much to look him in the face anymore.
Hiro crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow as he carefully observed Kishibe. "Tell me, do you ever plan on cutting your hair? Even just a bit, that way you wouldn't look like a vagabond... or a Beatle."
Lost in thoughts about how time had affected Hiro, Kishibe momentarily forgot that he, too, wasn't immune to the inevitable passage of time. His own hair had grown longer than usual due to neglect, with strands reaching below his ears and the rest trailing down to the lower part of his neck.
(N/A: Yes, essentially, Kishibe already has long hair here, as seen in those extra manga panels depicting the passage of time in Kishibe and Quanxi's relationship. I'll continue discussing this at the end.)
"I always postpone my visit to the barber. I say I'll do it when I have time, but... that's a lie I tell myself. I don't have time left."
Hiro snorted. "Don't exaggerate. You only work until the afternoon and spend the rest of the night drinking. Seriously, what's going on with you lately?"
Kishibe scratched his cheek, not particularly interested in this conversation and already planning out how his night of drinking would go "Nothing, just... living life my way."
"If living your way means being more depressed than before while drinking yourself to death, then I won't judge. Everyone destroys their life in their own way."
Kishibe almost wanted to laugh at that moment. "It's the same as you wanting to be a devil hunter or still being friends with that girl. Either way, I don't think you'll end up any better than me."
Hiro rolled his eyes. "If you keep forcing me to read in that library, then maybe I will" He preferred not to continue the conversation, knowing where it could lead. Kishibe didn't want to talk about Makima if he could avoid it; it would only bring back bad memories, in his opinion.
"Hey, I don't think I ever asked," Hiro had an inquisitive look as he adjusted his seatbelt in the car. "How did you get that scar?"
"Which one?" Kishibe had already started the car.
"The one on your cheek that's stitched up. I've seen it on you since the day I met you. How did you get it? Did Aunt Quanxi give it to you, or was it from a really tough battle?"
Hiro was intensely curious to know which human or demon had managed to wound Japan's strongest devil hunter in such a way. At first glance, the scar displayed considerable length, and the fact that cauterization was needed to heal it hinted at the profound damage.
Certainly, the skin on his cheek must have torn in an unpleasant manner, a thought Hiro couldn't shake from his mind.
Kishibe fell silent for a moment but glanced at the rearview mirror, giving himself a glimpse of his own scar.
Every scar on his body told the tale of each duel and battle he had undertaken over the years. However, this particular scar was special; it carried a bitter significance that, before meeting Hiro, he wouldn't have cared about. Yet, as things turned out, the scar became just another reminder of how naive Hiro remained.
It was a reminder of hell, a hell he had once again delved into in his quest to end those who disturbed his peace and to prove his greatness back when it still mattered.
If there was a way to symbolize the savagery of devils, the scar on his cheek would be a prime candidate.
"That brat you call a friend gave it to me fourteen years ago, though I returned the favor by sending her back to hell where she belongs. Although, as you've already noticed, that didn't last long. But I enjoyed every second of her agony" Kishibe replied, wanting to hit something at that moment to vent his frustration. He still couldn't understand why Hiro was so stubborn when it came to Makima.
Hiro hadn't even witnessed the horrors that the control devil was capable of, yet he treated her as if she were just another victim of this world.
Kishibe was too frustrated by Hiro's naivety, convinced it would be his downfall one day.
He was a fool, seemingly still a 10-year-old child in that aspect.
"Ah..." Hiro was at a loss for words, his eyes revealing the discomfort he felt. "I-I... I guess I shouldn't have asked."
"No, it's good that you did. That way, you can reconsider the idea of continuing to be her friend. I mean it, what's all this nonsense about the control devil and Makima being different personalities? What nonsense" Kishibe felt like he had woken up this morning with the urge to try to reason with Hiro again.
In other words, he was in the mood for an argument, but Hiro always managed to avoid them.
Hiro frowned and crossed his arms, a noticeable irritation running through his body. "I'm not going to try to convince you with my arguments again; it's just a waste of time" he said firmly. "I thought you agreed with this four years ago, but it seems you can't help ruining my day with your derogatory comments about her when you haven't seen the same things I have."
Kishibe clenched his hands on the steering wheel, feeling equally irritated. "You haven't seen the same things I have either" Regardless of whether he had agreed with Quanxi's plan, he was never going to like the idea of Hiro and Makima being together. It simply couldn't sit well with him.
And all because of her, because of her mere existence.
Makima was destined to ruin everything.
'Maybe someone like her should never have existed in the first place; it would have saved us a lot of trouble' he thought.
"Just shut up and drive" Hiro grumbled in response, deciding that the view from the window was much more entertaining than looking at Kishibe.
And that's how it always ended, which is why Hiro tried not to talk about Makima lately. It only made both of them tense, and it was best to avoid the subject as much as they could.
Did Kishibe think he was naive, perhaps?
...
...
...
Was helping a demon become a better person synonymous with naivety?
In his case, maybe fate could conveniently sway a bit in his favor. Or perhaps, he just wanted to hear what he wanted.
Hiro was determined to seek an answer, and he was sure the answer would be a resounding 'NO.'
He didn't want to accept it, and Kishibe was right...
He was too naive to survive happily in this world.
0O0O
The library doors swung open with a resounding creak, as was customary. The chilly air instantly touched Hiro's skin, carrying the literary "perfume" caused by the vast accumulation of ink and paper. He had long grown accustomed to the smell of books, and it somehow brought a mild calmness characteristic of a place like this.
Just to clarify, that didn't mean everything was any less boring.
Hiro was relieved to be able to distance himself from Kishibe's complaints, at least for a while. He left with the excuse that he had a lot of work for the rest of the afternoon, so he would pick him up at the usual time. But Hiro knew him well; the reality was that one of the city's many bars would profit greatly from his excessive alcohol consumption.
Hiro was genuinely impressed that, even to this day, they hadn't faced any financial problems of any kind. Public Security must truly pay well.
Or maybe Kishibe consumed cheap alcohol.
Irrelevant. This moment was supposed to be used to avoid dealing with him right now. Kishibe had become unbearable to him with his constant complaints. Hiro would be happy if he would at least keep them to himself, but he hadn't done so even once in these four years, and he doubted he would in the future.
It was too annoying.
If only he would deign to start training him already...
Hiro left his backpack and jacket on one of the chairs and headed towards the farthest part of the library, where he normally liked to seek information. In these four years, Hiro had been unable to completely finish the books this place had to offer, and it didn't help that some of these books tended to update in a way he was unaware of. Makima assured him it could be done with methods too irrelevant for him to understand.
Speaking of Makima, there were no signs of her yet, but something told him that she would appear behind him at some point. They could call it a kind of sixth sense he developed himself to predict where he would find her. Of course, it wasn't perfect; most of the time, it tended to fail, but over the years he had improved it. He always managed to find some sign that told him she was nearby... Or literally right beside him.
The change in atmosphere was the most noticeable of all. Hiro felt there was something different about Makima, something that changed in her with each passing year, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what. He had a hypothesis that it might be her mere presence. He had no concrete evidence, but if he compared the 10-year-old girl he met in this very place with the 14-year-old teenager now, then he could confirm to himself that indeed, the presence or aura Makima manifested had become much more noticeable.
Not to say strong or overwhelming. He had no idea why these sudden changes occurred, but something told him it had to do with her training. Probably, Makima had advanced further in her training and improved her powers as the control devil to the point that the aura she emanated matched her level of skill.
It was like a kind of warning telling him that this girl was not normal at all... And woe to anyone who crossed her.
Hiro had to clarify to himself that some of these things were just his superstitions. Maybe in the end, the changes in Makima were due to the supposed puberty they talked about in school, but he wasn't sure. In any case, exactly when does puberty start?
He had no idea.
But he was sure of two things: Makima continued to advance rapidly in her own studies at a much faster pace than him. Every day, she seemed to learn more than 100 things.
Hiro would lie if he said he didn't feel at least a little envy. At least Makima had the chance to progress in her training, but he remained confined in this stupid demonic library. Why couldn't he start training in the same way as her?
Why couldn't he do it alongside her?
Damn Kishibe.
Another thing he was sure of in the few times he had the chance to see her throughout the day was that, despite all the aforementioned, she remained the same when he was around. She was still the same affectionate girl seeking his affection in every hug she initiated on her own, acting and speaking in the same way he had always remembered, as direct and frank as she liked.
Hiro was happy about that, that despite everything, every time he looked into her eyes, he could still see the girl desperately looking for a friend and the happiness embedded each time she remembered that she could now have a real one.
She might be much more powerful now (well, she always was compared to him, but Hiro would bet his own savings that she could knock him out in the blink of an eye).
She might have an intimidating or, in the worst case, a terrifying presence.
But she was still Makima... To him, she was still a dear friend.
The atmosphere began to change, and Hiro noticed this as he moved his fingers along the shelves, trying to choose today's book. He knew very well what this meant and couldn't help but smile a little.
She was here.
Hiro remained immersed in his thoughts for a while longer, enough for someone to approach him very stealthily and try to do something mischievous. However, he was calm, knowing everything would be fine.
He was already used to this, and he was sure she couldn't surprise him in any wa—
He expected a tap on the shoulder or to be called by name to catch his attention, but the idea of a hug from behind never crossed his mind.
Hiro shivered as he felt Makima's slender and sinuous arms firmly and delicately wrap around his waist, preventing him from escaping without causing harm, aware of the unpredictability of her strength. Although he usually got used to her affection, this time it was completely unexpected and different.
Surprise mixed with embarrassment and a kind of unfamiliar feeling when, instead of just hugging, Makima spoke directly into his ear. He could almost sense her playful smile as her warm breath tickled him, "~Hi, Hiro" Her voice sounded strangely sweet, and for a moment, he wondered if the girl hugging him right now was truly Makima.
Hiro felt his face turn completely red as he tried to find words, "M-Makima!? W-what are you doing!?"
Her laughter was soft but full of amusement, "I'm hugging you, isn't it obvious? We've done it many times befor," she nestled her cheek on his shoulder, sighing in satisfaction.
With a trembling breath, Hiro had to remind himself that fate wasn't always on his side, especially when it came to Makima.
"I see, but—" he coughed a bit to calm himself and looked at this... peculiar situation in a civilized manner, "Why like this now?"
"Is there something wrong?" she asked, getting close to his ear again. "Last night, I watched a movie where two people hugged like this, and I wanted to try it with you."
Her response made Hiro break into a cold sweat. A million different scenarios flashed through his mind in less than a second, all centered around Makima's tendency to replicate what she saw in movies. What if one day she suddenly saw two people kissing and...?
Hiro felt his face turn as red as a tomato and shook his head quickly as a way to deny his own (and impure) thoughts. He didn't even realize that his head bumped into Makima's nose in the process.
".." She said nothing and made no sound because it didn't hurt in the first place, but there was a very important and worrying detail there that she noticed instantly.
Hiro was too weak.
'What the hell am I thinking?!' While Makima thought about her friend's poor strength, Hiro was taking his thoughts on a desperate race between scolding himself and finding an answer to why he imagined that in the first place.
'Bad Hiro! You shouldn't think that way about others! But we're talking about Makima. Is it really wrong? Of course, it's wrong; she's your best friend!'
Maybe nothing could explain the strange greeting of this day, but there was something Hiro had in the back of his mind ready to be analyzed.
But she didn't give him time to do it.
Makima let him go and, in a very fast and agile move, positioned herself in front of him to be face to face. Hiro barely had a moment to react when she held his chin with her thumb and index finger, her eyes almost scrutinizing him as if she wanted to see into his soul.
"Hmm."
The poor boy felt like his face was going to explode at that moment. The proximity they had now was very different from previous situations, like the time they first met or the time their friendship solidified like a rock. But now it was different... For some reason, it felt very, very different, and Hiro didn't know why.
Why was this happening to him right now? Why did he feel like his heart was beating much faster than before?
It was so strange. Makima had always gotten close to him when seeking a hug or trying to feel comfortable. But since she hugged him from behind and spoke directly into his ear, it was as if an unknown feeling awakened within him.
And it scared him... But it excited him on a level he couldn't understand.
That thought he had in the back of his mind could finally come to light.
'Since when has Makima become so bold!?'
Was that it? Was that why this situation now felt so different from the previous ones?
It was as if she sought something from him. Or was it something he didn't yet see?
But what kind of movies does Makima watch?
"W-what's happening?" Hiro asked, trying to stay calm, but it was very difficult when he had the beautiful yet cold eyes of the control devil staring at him so intensely, not saying a word, her face expressionless.
Only then did he notice her outfit: a black turtleneck sweater, tight silk pants, and white sneakers.
'She's beautiful' What Hiro thought wasn't something new, but now, with everything that was happening, it gave him a different perspective on things.
Her single braid could be seen from this angle, and the strands on both sides of her cheeks were much longer and more pronounced than before, making her face incredibly hard to ignore.
Makima was stirring something in him; he didn't know exactly what it was, but it made him very nervous with her right now. It was as if his entire world had a different taste.
After a few more seconds, Makima finally deigned to speak. "Hiro... When will you start training with that hunter you have as a mentor?" Her question didn't align at all with her previous actions.
Moreover, it felt very out of place with this proximity they were having. Why not ask that in a normal way, with both of them sitting at the table and at a healthy distance?
Makima thought in very strange ways.
"I... It would have to be very soon. I'm already fourteen, so I should start before the year ends. W-why do you ask?"
Makima would prefer to save her own concerns for later; it would be time to talk about that with her friend later. "Just curiosity."
They stayed like that for another moment, with silence as a third companion, until Makima finally noticed how Hiro's eyes looked away, appearing very embarrassed, his cheeks tinted with a deep red. It was then that she noticed how close she was to him...
Too close to his face, to be specific.
As quickly as she came, she moved away from him at a safe distance, taking a few steps to turn around and give him her back.
Hiro finally had the chance to calm his heart when she gave him some space. "Umm," he didn't know what to say, unsure if it was his place to say anything after what just happened.
What the hell was all that?
Just when he was thinking that she couldn't surprise him anymore, she pulled out a masterstroke that almost fried all the circuits in his brain.
From his position, he couldn't see Makima's face, so it was very difficult to try to guess what she was thinking or what she might try next.
"..."
"..."
Hiro sighed, trying to forget about that confusing and embarrassing situation. Maybe it was a good idea to act as if nothing had happened in the first place and go back to how everything was before those strange five minutes when many things happened...
"I'm glad to see you too, Makima" despite everything, he smiled, a smile she unfortunately couldn't see.
"Yeah... Me too" her voice now sounded much softer than usual and even trembling. Before Hiro could ask if everything was okay, she started walking towards the exit.
"I have to go. Today I have to spend the whole day with Dr. Nishimura."
That was a lie.
"But tomorrow, we can spend the whole day together before you leave for your school trip."
That wasn't.
"Oh, I see" despite everything, he hoped that Makima would stay by his side today as well, but it was enough for her to have a day off before leaving for a whole week.
"See you tomorrow, Hiro," she even quickened her pace.
"See you, Makima." She had already left the library, and Hiro found himself alone again. A kind of emptiness and disappointment arose in him now that Makima was gone; that happened a lot lately. Every time, he felt that the time spent in the library wasn't enough to be with Makima.
He... He wanted more.
He wanted much more from her; that's what his thoughts were telling him, but he didn't know how to express it openly or even try to be more specific with himself. But he knew one thing: he wanted to spend more time with her, much more.
After that, Hiro didn't see Makima for the rest of the day.
But if he had been more observant and less dense, he would have noticed the deep blush on Makima's face as she left.
And that blush didn't leave her until she went to bed that night.
0O0O
Chapter released on Wattpad on December 14, 2023.
Notes: Man, even I feel bad for cutting the chapter here, but I feel like if I keep writing, it's going to take longer than usual to release this.
So I'll just leave it here; besides, there are about three more scenes to see.
The next chapter might last as long as this one, and I could easily turn it into a 12k-word chapter, but again, it would take longer to get it out.
I apologize for the wait; I started this in October and couldn't write much in November. Besides, I had problems with my internet, and I was trying Honkai Star Rail for PS5, and it happened just like with Genshin Impact, I got hooked and realized it too late.
I really apologize.
Buuuuttttttt.
Since originally, this chapter was intended to be longer, maybe there, just maybe, it won't take me long to release it. I might even go as fast as when I wrote Chapter 23, finishing it in record time.
We'll see.
I also wanted to talk about apologizing if I confused you with the timeline of life between Kishibe and Quanxi. I've been very ambiguous in that part, and it's because I have big plans to tell the story of each one's life in this universe. It was definitely very different from canon, but sorry if I confuse you because I haven't taken the trouble to explain it in detail yet.
We'll get to that someday. You should just know that Kishibe and Quanxi have known each other since they were very young, so maybe you can get an idea of how their lives were from there.
I also have to say something very worrying.
Wattpad deleted two of my Evangelion stories that contained lemon; they deleted them for having sex.
WTF
This is very confusing. Those two stories were there for almost two years, but now the algorithm detected them or what?
THIS IS BS
Sons of bitches they went too far there.
It's hypocritical because 90% of what is written there is just senseless dirty stuff. Unless someone at Wattpad finally realized that there's a lot of shit in their application, so they started sweeping stories that contained lemon and, by the way, took two of mine.
That started to worry me; it panicked me because at first, they didn't even specify why they were deleting them. So without hesitation, I took the remaining drafts of this story from 13 to 24 and copied them to my Fanfiction account to back up what I already had.
Only the Spanish version, the English version is safer, this only affects the original version.
Many things happened while I was away, but the most noteworthy is that GTA 6 is now a reality and not a government invention, hell yeah.
In the next chapter, the gun demon will appear, and I can't wait for you to read what I have prepared, hehe.
But before that, we'll have to write some very funny and tension-filled romantic scenes between Hiro and Makima, of course.
See you, bitches.