The entire ordeal left Marin feeling exhausted and hyper vigilant at the same time. She wanted nothing more than to sleep, but the events left her so disturbed, she was afraid to miss the bank opening. In fact she was so anxious she left before the bank opened to withdraw 5 grand from her friends joint account at the atm, leaving a half baked excuse in the group chat.

She put the 5 grand in an envelope and the envelope inside of another writing the name gyu hastily on it and placing a stone ontop as she dropped it at their doorstep. She spent the next few hours shaking in her car much like gyutaro had in the van waiting for the bank to open.

By late morning she was back home again the envelope at their door already taken as she shoved the second envelope into their door totalling 9200$.

She sent a last minute email to her job saying she fell ill and passed out after taking 2 sleeping pills for the entire day. If anyone had stopped by she certainly didn't hear them as she fell into a deep deep slumber, so deep in fact she couldnt dream about the ordeal or anything. just sleep.

—-

hours later, when it was well and truly dark, she felt her fatigue make way as she yawned and began stretching. She was Thankful she didn't accidentally kill herself by taking more than what was prescribed. She checked her phone, then she turned on her light and sat on her bed for a long time, groggy, still mulling over the events when she heard an odd sound in the quiet, it rang out rather sharply. Tnk. Tnk. Tnk.

the sound was coming from her window. She wrapped the blanket around herself like a robe and walked over. The red light from the lanterns shines through the window as she reaches forward to open it. She saw a new piece of gravel fly from a pale manicured hand, slamming into the glass. She pushes the window open and leans forward, arms resting on the sill. "Hey, Daki,".

"What took you so long?" She pouted, shaking a nearly empty bowl of gravel. She looks surprisingly disheveled, her face almost worse than marins, "I almost ran out of gravel again! How dare you keep me waiting?" Again? Guess she came earlier, Marin thought.

Sorry, she said simply " i fell asleep. i assume you know what happened."

She rolls her eyes, but there's no real bite to it. "yea he told me… I can't believe those fucking morons– nevermind– did you meet mukago, or Lori or Eli or whatever the fuck her name is these days? Does she still look like a shriveled hag ?

It's such a strange and nonchalant question that marin couldnt help a weak laugh. "absolutely. Although it was kinda cool how she was a kingpin, never heard of female kingpins" a partial lie. It wasn't cool at all.

She wrinkles her nose. "you know she took every skin care advice i gave and her face still looks fucking 50. her boytoys would get really mad whenever i said that, Shame on me for trying to help, right?"she waves her hand lazily

Marin was not quite sure why she's rambling, but the conversation is easy to flow into. "yea probably jealous of you daki." She laughs, high and wild, reminding her of her brother. "Ah, hell yea who wouldn't be, even you are!

Sure am! It took a lot of effort to smile but she still tried.

"You're friends with the ubuyashikis down the street. I know he's a gossip whore. Did you know Mr Muzan's his relative? Must be a real wrinkle in his bandages."

"uhm..oh yeah.." she remembered the uncle, kanata and kiriya refered to, That would…absolutely fucking suck, to be honest.

"yeah, I know he told you About what we used to do at the very least, right?." Marin didnt even argue, "sorta but even if he hadn't i kinda knew.

Daki frowns, a slight wrinkle forming between her perfectly waxed eyebrows. "And here I thought you'd be packing and trying to find a new place to move." She sounds surprised, as if she'd resigned herself to that fact, uh No... she replied flatly, Im not going anywhere, why would you think that?, she held onto the blanket tighter

"i mean the argument for one and… gyutaro told me, she turned to her side reluctant to finish, that you hit him for … trying to sell you" Marin lifted her head at that, blowing air out her closed mouth reminiscent of a baby elephant. Seems the siblings really do tell eachother everything she thought as she felt the embarrassment taking over. Ugh, yea I did hit him because that fucking asshole… just wouldn't apologize. She clenched her fist angrily, But Maybe I should apologize instead.

Dakis eyes widened, the surprise in her voice no longer hidden, "you wanna apologize? What's wrong with you? It was his fuck up, he should've never gotten involved with mukago, she glared to her side again.

Marin was raking her acrylic nails furiously through her scalp when daki asked her. Yeah but he did warn me, you both did… plenty of times … plus, its not like I mean much to him as a fake you.

Be honest. I mean you woke up the entire neighborhood with your screaming, do you hate my brother?

Ugh,! she covered her face

In truth she was super embarrassed to hear that the neighborhood was talking about her again. But the question took precedence over her embarrassment. Did she hate him? sure he brought out more than her fair share of negative emotions, he tested her in ways shes never been tested before, but she also felt…sorry for him. She knew pity was the worst thing she could feel, but she only felt it for him, she didn't feel it for his sister.

And she didnt know why, Sure the unfair circumstances of his birth was a reason, but daki was born the same way. He is deeply protective of her, but so is she for him. he flinches as if he were a beaten dog at times But daki was like that too. They're both very similar and yet why does she feel like he's the loneliest between the 2?

He's just a flawed person, doing the best he can with what he knows. he's not a monster. she settles with saying. Not like she was at full thinking capacity with her head hurting as much as it did. I mean hes rough and it's obvious he's super insecure. Hes crude... possessive … petty… greedy… intimidating and argh…hes a lot i mean seriously! " she Stopped when she saw Daki's face drop. "ahem" she clears her throat, she was really glad he wasn't listening right now.

"yes well he may be all of those things But…i dont know I just cant bring myself to hate him... its hard to explain because ive never felt this way about anyone before, but i just see so much potential.

Potential?

Yeah like he has so much potential to be a good person. hes strong, hardworking, and hes intelligent and very resilient too. hes not afraid to tell people what he thinks, unfiltered. Thats why every compliment he gives feels earned. yes hes rough but he is not irredeemable. Life can throw its worst at him, like tonight, and hed just deal, you know? I respect that.

in other words he hasa much bigger heart than he lets on, but only for the right people, but marin didnt voice this part to daki.

You know … when people talked about how you two were trouble, they'd always look at me and feel sorry. daki scoffed as if she knew that all along. So I understand how it feels to be pitied. Especially coming from people who don't understand you. she swallowed trying to keep her voice from shaking, but if I'm being honest seeing you two living together in that house, i dont understand how anyone could pity you. she wiped her face with the back of her hand. Sorry i'm rambling again-"

"no i think i got it" she put her hand up to shut marin down, He pinched the bridge of her nose eyes shut looking down like she didn't want marin to see. was she crying? But instead she chuckled lightly "... Seems you see him as i do." she said grinned but she still seemed like she wanted to cry.

I wish he didn't hate my guts

You think he hates you? she rubs her eyes

I know he does, its all he ever says: I'm selfish, stupid, naive, weak- oh and crazy. She lists the things off her fingers. Marin you are all those things, just like all the shit you said about him... but you have potential too, you know. a blank stare was her response.

daki facepalms, damn you're stupid. She put her hands on her hips annoyed. Marin, You actually keep promises. Youre like the most loyal person ive ever met, you actually care about people. I would know, I'm a social savant! She says it with an aire of haughtiness like she was proud she knew how to play lonely men online, but marin did admit dakin had a point, she never even considered it, she had potential?

She gave a dark chuckle. Its just, I've been called selfish for so long now. she fiddled with her fingers. Whatever were all selfish Daki rubs her face and shifts in place, so if my stupid brother were to apologize Would you forgive him? .She threw her hands up, Of course, i never hated him in the first place, i was just mad.

Daki's shoulders relaxed, marin wondered when they had been tense, finally she looks up and gives marin a huge grin. "god, You are so weird!" That should be an insult, but she makes it sound like the highest compliment, her smile bright and delighted, teeth on full display she bends her elbow, and thrusts a punch to her left It hits something—rather someone and he groans. "see i told you. You lucked out so apologize already, she chastised.

"Im S-Sorry... about everything" he mumbles, "louder brother she cant hear you!"

He grabs his sisters face squeezing her cheeks. I said I was sorry! He grits through his teeth Before shoving her away.

Marin wanted to faint. Oh FUCK YOU GUYS! She slammed the window shut and promptly went back to bed fuming Goddammit i cant believe he heard all that!She was so embarrassed she could die. Ughhhh... she threw a pillow over her head.

Next day she was back at the Shabana's house picking weeds out their front yard. Since daki was texting her again she figured gyutaro lifted the no-contact ban.

You know I wasnt actually serious about the gardener thing right? She hears from behind in his usual falsetto. She heard him roll in on his motorcycle presumably dropping off the money. She could feel him eyeing her peculiarly as if he didnt understand why she was there, and something else too. A big red print on his face... the only injury he sustained to her knowledge. Shut up, I know she pouted trying to be as mean as possible.

please Dont tell me youre still upset about that. 'That' being him eavesdropping last night and not the whole kidnapping ordeal. He laughed his signature, "How pathetic! Only you would be more concerned about some shit like that over getting kidnapped! Such a moron!

She mustered the most serious face she could, standing up from her squatted position and turned to him slowly, "It's not funny, my head still hurts" it came off lazy and meek but to her surprise he stopped laughing, he seemed a bit stunned actually, maybe she was more serious than she felt afterall? Or maybe he forgot the head damage she took.

this encounter had her spooked so bad she wonders if she'll need counseling again. Her life meeting them was nothing like this…nothing at all like this. And while she knew her friends would probably think she was a badass, "Wow Marin you're like an MC now" she could practically hear them say, she didnt feel like it.

Nope. She just felt anxious. She couldn't stop moving checking her window every hour or so or whenever a car went by She tried everything to keep herself occupied tidying up her place, watching anime, playing eroge, but none of those things occupied her mind well enough to make her feel safe…

…well there was one thing that did, she looked at him through the corner of her eyes through her bright hair. She meant what she said he does have a gift. He's extremely reliable, thinking about him around actually made her feel safer than anything. No wonder daki was hysterical that night. So she figured she might as well clean up their yard, on the off chance those drug dealers came back again atleast it would help with the alibi. Can I ask you something- a favor?

Depends on what." he said shifting his position to leaning against the door frame, arms crossed expectantly, "-that knife trick you do...could you teach it to me?"

He raised an eyebrow, is that all? as if he were expecting something far more cumbersome he uncrossed his arms and pulled a knife out his pocket flipping it so fast she briefly wondered if he had it out the entire time... basic opener he said like it was no big deal, he demonstrated again but it was still too fast for her eyes to follow. "before i get into all this, there's some basics you should know.."

He was quiet for a long time, thats when she realized he was waiting on her. Her shoulders squared, yes, yes go on.

Good then, save your questions for when im done

I understand, no questions till the end.

"most important thing you need to know is that this is the safe handle" gesturing the flat smooth side of the knife "and this is the bite handle" he gestured the cutting side of the blade itself. "the safe handle is the blades spine, so you can do tricks like this…" he twirled the knife around his fingers, like a baton in a highschool band. if you try this on the bite side youre gonna be in a world of hurt" he smirked his crooked teeth on full display.

She watched mesmerized, learning these tricks years ago would have definitely improved her battle shounen cosplays if only someone was there to teach her.

"So for an opener youre gonna start on the safe side and swing out the bite side so that it goes on your knuckles then from that point youre going to swing the knife in a 180, from knuckles to finger tips, see that…"he pointed as the handle glided off the back of his hand to his fingers tips

"...and when you do the turn youre gonna dip your hand down so the spine is over your knuckles" she watched the blade dangle facing the ground, "from that point youre gonna open up your hand gripping it with your thumb and just swing..." he swings upwards the handle clicking into place, blade drawn and ready.

Now i'll demonstrate a little faster, pay attention... but he paused. she didnt realize how close she was. She stood up straight when he took a step back. My bad.

He started again "out", he flipped the handle over his index finger..."swing', the handle slid from his knuckles to his finger tips, 'dip', ..the blade was dangling towards the ground again and swing it back up... with a click the blade was in open position again.

She was positively gushing, so cool, soooo cooool.

Theres the closer too, basically the same movements but in reverse he flung the blade back closed just as fast as he did the opener, but i think getting the blade out is plenty for a birdbrain like you he was smiling slightly. Was he teasing? . To the outside, it sounded like more mocking, but after so long of listening to his insults she was beginningnto hear the difference, still his behavior was hard to decifer one way or the other but he seemed nicer…

I wanna try! Let me try she said reaching out, but he pulled back, she tried jumped again reaching out but he held his hand out to keep her at bay "hang on" he scratched the back of his head "... if i give you this thing you'll just hurt yourself, i got something dummy proof morons can use... he said going into his home the screen door slamming behind him.

Whether she was supposed to follow him or not she had no clue, she peaked inside as he went to a room. so she just stood outside on his porch feeling a bit foolish, just as she was about to head inside, he came back out with what looked like a plastic version of the switchblade. The blade was wider, and looked like those plastic takeout knives restaurants would dump in your bag that people never used.

Here he said handing it to her, let me see you practice it, he leaned back against the door frame arms crossed again. "Uhm ok..." she tried to remember the steps, " ok first theres out...then swing...then dip... then swing again" she did it slowly fumbling a little bit but getting the overall movement. "not bad, again." he said not moving from his position.

Ok she repeated the motion again this time a little faster but when she did the 180 she flung it down the stoop onto the driveway... "oops..""

"And thats why you dont get a real blade." She went to pick it up but stopped when he said that pondering on it for a bit, she picked up the plastic switchblade and turned to him, "are you saying that if i master all your little moves that youll give me a real blade?"

I didnt say that, but if that's what you want youll have to give me something in exchange. That piqued her interest, but she tried not to show it, ooh yeah? What is it? a date? Or maybe a kiss? You dirty boy. she said waving her hand suggestively. He actually lost his composure, in fact it sounded like he snorted unintentionally... oooh embarrassed are we?" she laughed. but it looked oddly… cute? Maybe because such a vulnerable expression contrasts the harsh tough guy persona... but it was funny to see nonetheless. Reminded her of all the times she teased Gojo. Seems they both had this in common atleast despite being polar opposites in everything else.

"Just kidding." she said waving her hands nonchalantly, just let me know what you want once I've mastered it. Or you know... i could teach you some moves of my own... even if you are skin and bones," she said poking him in his navel, making him jerk back. She gave a hearty laugh, "Oh, my god, don't tell me you're ticklish too!". She bit the tip of her index finger in a teasing manner giving him her best seductive eye. He responded with a rough push of her shoulder and a 'get lost', but she was satisfied having seen him flustered.

Well I suppose after I'm done pulling your weeds I'll head home, thanks for this" she holding up the plastic knife. But I have another request. What is it?He was poised to enter his home but stopped,

If I help you with your finances, will you promise not to sell me out to rapists in the future? He shook his head rolling his eyes as the door closed with a slam.