The thought of an upcoming fight between Bansai and Michiru made the latter's heart race, and her running hadn't helped.
While making numerous stomps in the dirt, Michiru cried internally, I'm gonna have a duel with Kawakami Bansai, of all people! How many times do I need to call myself stupid for doing what I did before I'm satisfied?!
She knew there was no point in asking herself that. What was done had been done. All Michiru had to do was go home, rest, and then look around Edo for him the next day. But…
No way am I telling Mika this!
Her mind returned to the mentioned man.
Speaking of Bansai, he's probably the strangest criminal I've ever met. Then again, I usually try to keep my interactions with criminals limited, so I guess that isn't saying much.
By the time Michiru finally returned to her house, she couldn't be bothered to check her phone for the time. She was aware she'd been gone for a little while, as she mentioned to Mika before leaving, but Michiru told herself, I don't think it's worth checking time right now.
She rushed in her doorway, and half of her expected Mika to be there, asking if she was all right. Instead, the twin wasn't there.
I guess Mika went to bed. I should, too, now that I think about it.
Sighing, Michiru shut the door, locking it. She wordlessly ambled through the hallway until reaching one of the bedroom's.
Barely sliding the fusuma door open, the woman spotted her sister, soundly snoozing in her futon.
Michiru furrowed her eyebrows, silently pulling the door back closed before going to her own room.
She entered it, turning the light on and instantly reaching for her closet. In the span of a few minutes, Michiru already placed the futon down and stripped out of her clothing, with the exception of her underwear. Her stockings and short cream-colored spandex were folded, next to where her futon was. Her yukata, on the other hand, remained in Michiru's grip.
A few visible blood spots were on it, mainly on the bottom of it.
This is definitely from that fight earlier. I would try cleaning it now, but I'm too tired, so I'll try doing that tomorrow.
After pulling the string on the ceiling, shutting the light off, Michiru slid most of her body under the blanket. The yukata was left next to her other pieces of clothing, unfolded.
I can't help wondering how my fight with Bansai is going to go. I mean, I have fought with criminals before, but that was for protecting whoever was in danger. This is just me and some weirdo, going one-on-one!
Michiru's eyes blinked twice.
I think I'm getting redundant at this point; I need some sleep.
Hours later…
The sunlight bled through her window, shining on Michiru's face. Scrunching her features from the brightness, she pulled the blanket over her face.
"Go away, sun...it's my day off," She groused, shifting to the other side.
Suddenly, her fusuma door audibly slipped to the side.
"Michiru, it's time to wake up!" The short-haired twin chirped, holding the frame of the aforementioned door. "It's almost eleven!"
Michiru told her, barely conscious, "Just give me five more minutes...I don't work today."
Rolling her eyes, Mika stepped towards the sleepy woman. The second she stood in front of her futon, she crouched down, digging her fingers into the cover. There, Mika yanked it, forcing it off of Michiru's body. Her reaction came immediately; Michiru's eyes went as wide as saucers and a gasp tore from her lips.
"Having a day off doesn't mean you can sleep in late," Mika pointed out, having her hands on her own hips. "By the way, you never told me you were home last night."
"You were sleeping," Michiru groaned, sitting up and then lifting her legs up to her chest.
"Actually, I was awake. I only pretended to sleep, because I didn't want you scolding me for being such a worrywart."
She frowned, then ran her fingers through her somewhat messy hair. "I wouldn't go as far as saying you're a worrywart."
Mika announced, ignoring her reply, "Anyway, I need to get to work soon. I'll see you tonight, Michiru!" She almost turned her figure around, but halted her action.
"Where did you get that cut? And why are there blood spots on your yukata?"
Michiru froze. Crap. Somehow, I completely forgot about it.
Pointing at the small cut on her wrist, she lied, "I accidentally ran into a house while running, hence the blood spots on my clothing."
"I see," Mika said. "Why were you running, though?"
"I…" Michiru shifted her gaze, soon finishing, "...I nearly had a breakdown then."
It was Mika's turn to widen her eyes. The awkward quietness blanketed the room as the woman pressed her nails into her palms.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Waving her hand up and down, Michiru suggested with a forced smile, "Why don't you head to work? The baths won't clean themselves!"
"Right…" Mika trailed off while heading for the bedroom door. "...as I said, I'll see you tonight."
With that being said, the sibling stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind her. The reverberation of Mika's footsteps quickened, and when Michiru couldn't hear them anymore, she heaved a sigh.
Perhaps it's a good thing Mika's going to work today; otherwise she would've asked me where I was going.
The scenario of that caused a shiver to go up her spine. I know that would've gone south fast.
An hour later…
Although Michiru was required to see Bansai today, she took her time by doing her morning routine and making the attempt to get the blood stains off. Though the spots were still there when she finished, they were faint to the point of being barely noticeable. The last thing she did before exiting her home was eat a small breakfast.
The outside weather wasn't as hot as Michiru expected, but she assumed, I bet it'll be sweltering by the time I'm home.
As much as she dreaded it, she decided not to think about it right now. Dwelling on the heat was trivial compared to what would happen later.
For who knew how long, Michiru searched through every alleyway in her sight.
I know Bansai won't be out in the open, but where could he be?
Part of her wished Bansai told her where to specifically meet her rather than saying she had to look for him on her own. Probably would've made her search vastly easier that way.
Michiru went to a different street when she ran out of narrow paths in the first one. However, not a minute went by before a familiar voice entered her ears.
"Michiru."
She stopped her walk the second she heard her name. After turning her head to the side, the woman spotted a figure in the first alleyway she virtually passed. Upon further inspection by dawdling to it, it became evident who it was.
"I finally found you," Michiru said, her stomach churning at the sight of the criminal.
Feels like I'm nervous. Guess I shouldn't be surprised, since I have to fight him.
Without a word, Bansai sauntered in the opposite direction, with Michiru following suit.
Moments later, they arrived at the same place they met last night. She didn't spot any of the bodies she and Bansai fought with the night prior; she assumed they were taken care of.
Bewildered at the choice of location, Michiru questioned with knitted brows, "Why didn't you just tell me to meet you at the dock again? Maybe then I wouldn't have spent a while looking for you."
No answer. He only walked with his back facing her.
Don't tell me he's listening to music again…
At last, they reached their destination. Or at least, that was what Michiru believed, since their walk came to a complete stop.
Before she could ask why he decided to stop here, a motorcycle beside a building caught Michiru's attention.
Sitting at last, he spoke, "Make sure you hold onto me so you don't fall, I daresay."
"Er...yeah," Michiru replied, stepping towards the bike. As soon as she sat down, her arms went over his instrument and around his torso.
As the sound of upbeat music blared in his headphones, making Michiru be able to hear it now that she was right behind him, Bansai turned the keys in the ignition. The engine in the motorbike roared clearly, and in an instant, Bansai placed his feet on the pedals before shifting the vehicle away.
As he drove, Michiru remained still, her hair being blown by the forced wind.
When I think of an upcoming fight, the last thing on my mind is him driving us to where he wants us to fight.
Shifting her gaze to the ground, Michiru added in thought, Speaking of which, I wonder where we'll go one-on-one. Guess I'll have to wait and find out.
Throughout the ride to wherever they headed, neither person said a word. Considering Bansai insisted on having the volume on his headphones to near max, it would've been pointless to say anything anyway. But even with none of the two making conversation, Michiru couldn't stop the twist forming in her gut.
She told herself in a light scold, Try to calm down, Michiru. It's only a fight. What could go wrong?
After what seemed to be an aeon, the motorbike slowed before eventually concluding.
"We're here," Bansai said, shutting the vehicle off.
Letting go of his abdomen area, Michiru spared a glance at what was in front of them. Tons of trees, bushes, and a trail.
"We're having a fight in the forest?" Michiru asked.
"That's correct," He answered, sliding off the motorcycle. "I decided to choose a place where there's plenty of obstacles, I daresay."
Her lips pursed. "So you're trying to make this way more difficult than necessary?"
"I simply want to see if you're able to keep up with me despite the surroundings."
"I see…" Michiru mused, but quickly discovering Bansai already went ahead of her, she gasped, "Hey! Wait for me, at least!" She dashed after him.
More minutes of them not speaking to one another flew. Even though Michiru knew the reason, she grunted with her mouth closed as her brows twitched.
Somehow, no talking in the forest makes this feel ten times awkward.
"I hope you're prepared, because by the time I stop, our fight will start," Bansai informed the woman.
"Oh, I'm prepared. I have my weapons with me." She patted the sleeve containing the shuriken. "By the way, how long will it last?"
"Until one of us receives a cut on the skin."
Michiru suppressed a sigh. Then I'll have to be exceptionally alert.
Bansai's feet stopped, making Michiru's head perk up.
Just as she inserted a hand into the same sleeve, Bansai pulled his sword out from behind before charging towards her.
Michiru gasped. "Wait, at least let me get my weapons out!" It became apparent he didn't hear her again, because when Bansai got close enough, he lifted his blade up.
The woman hopped back a few times as the weapon swung down, slamming into the ground.
Michiru guessed, Is this what he means by preparation? Beginning this duel immediately after he ends his walk?
Finally pulling her small weapons out from her sleeve, Michiru instantly threw one towards his leg. Bansai sprinted to the side, bringing the shuriken to pierce into a nearby tree trunk. Clicking her tongue, she thrusted her hand with another sharp weapon, this time heading towards his arm. Unlike the first time, he used his blade to block the potential attack.
The shuriken making contact with the sword created a strident noise, making Michiru flinch slightly.
While attempting to figure out where to throw another one of her shuriken without missing or him blocking, Michiru dodged a few swings from Bansai's sword. On the fourth swing, she wrapped her hands around a branch, soon using her feet to run up the tree. After carefully stepping onto the branch she held, she gaped down.
"Don't think being in a tree will be a complete advantage for you," Bansai said, gripping onto the handle of his weapon. Without warning, he swung it, having the blade slice through the base of the tree Michiru stood in.
Michiru's jaw dropped. How'd he manage to cut through the tree with just his sword?!
The tree tilted away from the man. Another gasp tore from Michiru's lips, only she rapidly glanced back. Noticing the tree would end up hitting the ground any second, Michiru crouched before pushing her feet off the branch.
Spotting Bansai below her, Michiru's teeth clenched while clasping her hands together. She raised them until they were above her head.
Peering at the woman, Bansai held onto the handle of his instrument.
Michiru yelped. I forgot about his shamisen!
Within a few seconds, it was Bansai's turn to hop back as Michiru planted her feet in the grass. She grunted at the aching jolt, but quickly disregarded it. There, the strings from his instrument wrapped around her wrists.
Fuck!
"You had the chance to use one of your shuriken," He indicated.
She shot him a glare. "Well, sorry for trying to be considerate of my weapons!"
"Well, it matters not anyhow."
"What?"
Again, with no warning whatsoever, he jumped back a few times, essentially pulling Michiru along.
"Hey, what the—?!" She shouted, tripping on her feet a few times, but somehow managing to not fall.
Bansai spun his weapon with one hand, catching Michiru's attention.
There was no need for questioning, as the criminal darted directly to her. the criminal darted directly to her. With hardly any time for a proper reaction, Bansai shoved the butt of his blade in the middle of her sash. Automatically, she sucked in as much air as her lungs could tolerate while ripples of pain coursed through her torso area.
She coughed out a bit of saliva as Bansai used his fingers to spin the sword a second time.
He's gonna try cutting me, I know so! Well, I'm not giving up!
Gritting her teeth together, Michiru swung her leg up, hitting the hand clasping onto the blade. The sudden thwack caused him to accidentally release the handle. Even when it was only a second since Bansai let go of it, Michiru used her toes to lift the side of it, thereafter pushing it away from the duo as far as possible.
A ghost of a smirk crept up her features.
Bansai barely turned his body around to spare a glance at his weapon. He took one step towards it, but Michiru interrupted by banging her head onto his'. Though she received a grunt, he hardly showed any reaction in his body language.
Wait…
Returning eye contact with her, he rubbed his temple.
Michiru's eyelid twitched as she stated the obvious in her head, My headbutt attack didn't work!
Sensing the strings loosening a tad, she sharply inhaled once more before hastily bringing her hands to herself, getting out of the thin strings of steel. Identical lines of dark pink were visible, but it became clear it didn't cut enough to get blood to escape.
In a split second, Michiru whirled around to sprint to her two shuriken.
After trying to soothe the spot Michiru headbutted and subsequently picking up his blade, Bansai charged after her. Though she heard his stomps, she paid little to no mind to the sounds. Instead, Michiru reached for her weapons, then spun her body around to view him again.
It didn't take five seconds to make a decision. She flung one of her shuriken towards his shoulder. Though he dodged for the umpteenth time, the most the weapon did was scratch part of his coat.
Michiru thought, Well, I guess it's something, but that unfortunately doesn't count.
The shuriken eventually stabbed into the ground. Michiru chose to ignore it for now, turning to what was in front of her. Part of her ended up regretting doing so in an instant, as the side of her face slammed into the base of another tree.
She would've screamed, both from being startled and from the sensation of dead wood scraping on her skin. However, her teeth dug into her lip, putting in enough pressure to draw a bit of blood.
Michiru couldn't think clearly, for her head spun and her vision growing hazy, lasting a moment. Her body wobbled to the point where gravity pulled her, causing the woman to land in a nearby bush on her stomach. The most Michiru could comprehend was her mentally cursing incessantly.
Regaining more consciousness on her surroundings, she spotted Bansai out of the corner of her eye.
Shit. He stood there, right in front of her feet.
Michiru didn't need to think what to do next. Just when Bansai brought his sword up again, she rolled to the side, a split second before the weapon sliced through the small branches and leaves.
After hurrying herself to stand, Michiru flung another one of her curved shuriken. She paid little, if any, attention as to where she threw, but the man slightly tilted his blade as it headed for him.
Is he gonna try blocking it again?
That ended up being accurate, only he pushed the shuriken, bouncing it back to her. Releasing a loud gasp, Michiru crouched, mere inches away from her own hand blade. Straightening her legs again, she jumped back like earlier.
Michiru stared out of the corner of her eye, watching out for any sign of her shuriken.
Another consequence occurred. This time, her shoulder blade smacked against a large branch. Only a sharp grunt escaped her before she tripped on her own feet, heading back to the solid ground.
A bright flash caught Michiru's attention. Turning to the left, she witnessed the shuriken.
Her lips formed into a grin. There it is!
Michiru lifted an arm up, but before she had the chance to reach over for her weapon, she perceived something dragging diagonally on her right upper thigh. It took her around five seconds for a massive sting to be sensed.
With widened eyes and sucking in air once more, Michiru glanced down, only to notice red fluid oozing out of a slit in the aforementioned thigh.
Wait, don't tell me…
"It appears you've lost the duel, I daresay," Bansai pointed out, sheathing his sword.
As he started away from her, Michiru gawked at the fresh cut.
WHAT?!
Pushing herself to stand up after getting her last shuriken, Michiru held a stiff smile in spite of the sting.
"I'm surprised you didn't do more than that."
Why would I be surprised?! He clearly stated the duel would be over after one of us received a cut!
Bansai replied without glancing back, "One's song is over once their life has ceased to exist. Wouldn't that have defeated the purpose of what we just did?"
Michiru let out a laugh, which couldn't have been more forced if she tried. "You're probably right." A sting smacked in her open wound, bringing her to grit her teeth together.
It feels as though a million needles are poking at my thigh all at once!
Continuing to stroll to the motorcycle, Bansai warned, "If you don't want to walk a long way home with an open wound, I advise you follow."
Michiru puffed her cheeks, scarcely able to ignore the tingling feeling in her thigh.
He's saying all this so casually! I mean, I guess it makes a bit of sense since he's wanted, but he's acting as though he didn't do anything!
Releasing a deep sigh, she followed suit in no hurry. She wouldn't bring herself to go quicker than her current speed anyway.
Michiru spared another look at the area Bansai cut. At the top of her stocking, an inch of it was torn. Blood leaked out, downwards, bleeding into the piece of clothing. The sight she witnessed brought her to frown, but it didn't surprise her.
The two returned to the vehicle within minutes. While Bansai sat down for the second time, Michiru spoke, "Say, Ba—I mean, Kawakami-san."
I almost said his first name. It would've been weird if I did say it out loud.
He turned to the woman. "Hm?"
Michiru deeply inhaled, soon inquiring, "Since you mentioned you wanted to fight me mainly to hear more of my 'song', I want you to answer this. What was my 'song' like?"
Bansai responded, putting the key back in the ignition, "Well, it sounded akin to classical music with intense drumming."
"Is...is that so?"
Should I take it as a compliment or would that be too arrogant for me to do such a thing?
She made another mental kick.
Why am I so focused on my "song"? It's just his peculiar choice of words. Yeah, that's probably it.
Later…
Michiru returned home with no worry. Well, almost no worry. On the way back, she made a plethora of hisses from the wind blowing into her cut. She was aware she couldn't have done anything about it, however. Being on a motorcycle with another person for some time would guarantee some discomfort whilst having part of the skin sliced.
When finally having the opportunity to relax while Mika was at work, Michiru examined her new cut. Resting her fingers next to each side of it with great care, she squinted her eyes.
Doesn't look like it's very deep, but it appears it'll develop into a scar.
Her mind went to her twin.
For now, I should hide my cut, but if I'm gonna do that, I'll need to get clothes which'll cover it.
Michiru's phone dinged once. "Heh?"
Pulling her phone from her sleeve, she flipped it open. Instantly after, a pixelated envelope appeared in the middle of the phone screen. The name on it said Mika.
"Huh, I wonder what she messaged me about. She usually doesn't text me while she's at work, so this must be important," Michiru said, opening the envelope.
Titled, 'Worried', the message read, 'Michiru, how're you feeling? You doing all right?'
Michiru guessed, Is she asking this because I told her about my near breakdown this morning?
With a small smile and furrowed brows, she typed, 'I'm better than I was earlier, I can tell you that much.'
"Except for the fact that I got cut by a sword…" Trailing off in a grumble, Michiru pressed the 'send' button.
Mika made a reply back in less than a minute. 'That's good. I know how much you need me whenever you're having one of those breakdowns.'
'Right, but I'm doing good emotionally.'
Mika typed a smiley face, then responded, 'My lunch break will be over soon, but I'm glad I can stop worrying for the time being.'
"Sounds apt," Michiru uttered, lowering her head. "'For the time being…'"
'I'll see you when I'm home!'
Figuring her sister turned off her phone for now, Michiru smacked her own closed.
Returning her focus to the red slit, she contemplated, Maybe I can get a robe; that'll easily cover the cut. But...I would still have to go outside for work and other things, plus Mika would ask why I have it.
Her mind went temporarily blank, bringing herself to groan and place a palm over her forehead.
"Why is this more complicated than it needs to be?"
Meanwhile, inside the Kiheitai ship…
Bansai and Matako sat in a room, the former using his bachi to create sounds from the shamisen while the latter sat across from him. Her arms were over her chest, loosely folded, additionally with her legs crossed.
The only sounds filling the room were the musical ones. That was, until Bansai's temple throbbed.
"Ngh…" Producing a sharp noise, he abruptly ended whatever song the man played.
Slightly frowning, Matako spoke, "Bansai-senpai?"
"I seem to have a mild headache," Bansai replied.
"A headache?" Matako repeated with a raised brow. She appeared to have a hard time believing it. "You listen to music at the loudest volume possible, and now your head hurts?"
"It's something different. I had to take care of something earlier today."
The woman shrugged. "Still, it's rare for you to get a headache at all."
Humming in agreement, Bansai repositioned his instrument, soon brushing the bachi on the strings again.
I daresay, Michiru gave me a rather good headbutt.
To be continued...