Yatogami Kuroh | Tsukikage Yuri | 062

[arbitrament]

[It's been a long journey to this city. Not that it's his destination--Kibougahana City, was it...?--but nonetheless, he can't deny that it might not hurt to take a short break. Ichigen-sama always did say that he needed to take it easy sometimes so he didn't overdo it, because that wouldn't help anyone.

Except...more poetic.

Because Ichigen-sama is the most poetic of all.

He's taken to the rooftops like batman the slightly anti-social soul he is, but at some point, he notices that there's this old lady who needs help crossing the street, and leaving her to do it on her own would just not be honorable at all, and then there's a cat in a tree and it reminds him of Neko a bit, and then--

He's walking along, passing by a school, and honestly feeling very satisfied with how the day went (even if he hasn't gotten any closer to the end of his journey, sometimes it's the journey itself that is really important, right?) when he steps on something.

Something that goes crunch.

He freezes. This was clearly the first meeting that was meant to be.]

[le list:
- fashion modeling
- dinner
- badass fights
- magical girl transformations
- flower meanings
- post movie thread]

Comments

[arbitrament]

[It's just a little blood, and he's just a little hunched over, it's fine, Yuri.........

Over the magical girl dashes, and he blinks and moves to sit up straighter and then winces and hunches down again. Nah... Nah, he definitely took a beating there, he's going to just...take a moment.]

Yuri. [...] My apologies...for making you come to me.

[socolognely]

[ He's too shoujo for his series-- ]

... Thank you, but you shouldn't worry. You've done more than enough for me.

[ More than she'd ever expected. ]

[socolognely]

And were you planning on tending to yourself otherwise? [ It's a bit of a snappy comment, to disguise worry as she reaches out to steady him. ]

I didn't bring a first-aid kit with me, so we'll have to get you home first. What happened?

[arbitrament]

If I have done anything of worth, then I'm glad--but I don't believe it is possible for me to have done "too much" when it comes to you.

[that's...that's really romantic, Kuroh, why do you say that--]

After all, you have made it possible for me to carry on my sworn duty. [ah.]

[arbitrament]

[...he wasn't planning on tending to it at all, really--he doesn't even know what "it" is. He hasn't looked, okay.]

... My senior-- Ichigen-sama's other student--

[... He drops his gaze, narrows his eyes at the ground, and his fingers tighten around his sheathed sword.]

... I am still not enough.

[socolognely]

... Not enough?

[ Enough of what? Except Yuri's asking while she's trying to pull him to his feet properly, c'mon, lean on her. ]

[socolognely]

... [ Could you not say such flustering things-- ] I believe that's a bit too much credit. Although I'm happy to help where I can.

[arbitrament]

...Not enough.

[Alright, alright, he's leaning. He covers a cough with his hand, and makes a face at the blood left on his hand. Honestly... he doesn't like the idea that his Fabulous Senpai could harm him to this extent.]

He was right. My sword is...empty.

[arbitrament]

[Well...it's true......]

It is not. [too much credit, that is.] I have been truly grateful for all that you have done. Truly, your heart flower is a fitting indicator of your personality.

[of course he knows flower language.]

[socolognely]

[ It's okay, Kuroh, she's got you. And supporting him slowly up the riverbank, yep. ]

Saying your sword is empty... doesn't sound like you, Kuroh.

[socolognely]

... I hadn't known you understood the language of flowers.

[ Unlike every other Precure-- or Tsubomi, at least. ]

[arbitrament]

[Thanks, precure girlfriend. Thank goodness for super strength.

Either way, he's quiet for a long moment as they do make their way up the riverbank. And finally--]

... It was something he said to unnerve me and cause me to waver, but even so--he was correct.

[arbitrament]

[And at that, he just looks pleased with himself. Cue RECORDING DEVICE--]

The more skills learned
Along the river of life
Will make your soul pure.

[two self-satisfied nods.

mmhm ichigen-sama says so, and so it is true.]

[socolognely]

In what way? As long as I've known you, you've never faltered in your convictions.

[arbitrament]

[...]

I have forgotten the purpose for which I draw my sword. I fought for Ichigen-sama's last request, but that has been fulfilled. My king--

[...A pause, and he shakes his head.]

The Silver King is not here. [and no matter how hard he tries to find him, he can't. He doesn't even know if he's still alive.]

[socolognely]

I see... so you're learned in various skills, then. That's very impressive.

[ Not flustered, nope!! ]

[socolognely]

[ There's a pause-- and then, facing ahead, Yuri speaks steadily. ]

Don't you think you wield it to keep moving?

[arbitrament]

[Don't be flustered, Yuri....

Either way, he tucks that recorder away and is right back to normal then.]

It is nothing less than what I should do as Ichigen-sama's vassal. For this reason, I have learned to cook, clean, sew, knit--

[color-match, embroider, become a housewife--]

[arbitrament]

[She asks him that question, but she speaks so firmly. He's left unnaturally hesitating though--seems murderous senpai really did a number on him.]

... I am no longer certain.

[socolognely]

... We'll talk more when I've treated your injuries.

[ This isn't over, mister. But for now, she'll focus on getting him home. ]

[socolognely]

Live sufficiently on your own. I understand.

[ And yet she's adopted him. ]

[arbitrament]

[...yeah, yeah, he gets it. He's a little too downtrodden right now to argue with her anyway--there's not much spirit left in him at the moment. It'll get better, but...

For now, he just leans against her, and allows her to help him home.

Of course, when they get there he blearily and vaguely moves towards the extra bedroom he's been using to clean up his own injuries.]

[arbitrament]

[yeah, he's... yeah.

He pauses for a moment, expression dropping a little--and then he shakes it off. He had always done it to help his master, but...lately to live sufficiently on his own, yes.

...]

I suppose for now that is a less necessary skill set.

[socolognely]

[ Nope, he's getting Yuri's hand grasping his wrist as she tugs him instead towards the bathroom. No licking your wounds on your own-- and the first aid kit's in here, anyway. Which she's pulling out and placing on the counter. ]

Let me see.

[socolognely]

It is. After all, you're not alone.

[ Even if he had been. Even if he'll leave eventually... ]