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]

[That sure was direct and to the point!!! But he's curious.]

I see. In that case, what is yours?

[socolognely]

... A lily.

[ AHAHAHAHAHA... HAAAA. ]

[arbitrament]

[...naturally.

To his credit, his face doesn't even twitch.]

I see. That is fitting.

[socolognely]

... There was a time when it had wilted entirely.

[ Softly. ]

[arbitrament]

[He didn't know that--the surprise is evident on his face for a moment, even as his eyes widen.]

You--

[...]

Why?

[socolognely]

I've told you, how the Precure tend to transform and fight alongside their fairy partners, correct?

[ Or at least mentioned it. ]

[arbitrament]

...Yes, I do.

[And now that she mentions it, he's never seen her with a fairy companion like the others.

... ... ... He's really not sure he likes where this is going, but he'll let her tell her story, properly.]

[socolognely]

... My partner was killed, protecting me. As a result, and because I was no longer able to become a Precure-- my Heart Flower withered completely.

[arbitrament]

[... Ah. That's... definitely harsh. He can remember how hopeless he felt when he lost his master, and again when he lost Shiro--]

To lose the people who are close to you is... difficult. But it would appear that you have overcome it.

[socolognely]

I had help. [ With a faint smile. ] Tsubomi and the others helped me regain my will to fight, and I was able to speak with my partner one last time. Still, though... that memory will never truly go away. Sometimes, the hopelessness comes with it.

[arbitrament]

[... Help.

He's been a lone wolf for so long, but then she brings that up and he considers Shiro, and Neko, and he thinks that in a way, he understands.

Sometimes, the hopelessness never goes away.

But even so--]

Even in moments of hardship, your flowers will not wilt again.

[socolognely]

... You seem so sure. [ She's faintly surprised. ]

[arbitrament]

Naturally.

[He doesn't even hesitate at that.]

You are that sort of person. You have grown from the person you once was. I am not concerned.

[socolognely]

Kuroh...

[ She's touched, honestly. Him having that much faith in her is... a little overwhelming, but appreciated. ]

[arbitrament]

[It's a Moment.

But after a moment, he simply carries on as if that's entirely and completely normal to do. Because. Naturally it is.]

And should you require any further assistance, I will give it to you. [carte blanche, really. He'll give her anything she needs.]

[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. ]

[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.]

[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]

[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]

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

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

[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]

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

[ Not flustered, nope!! ]

[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--]

[socolognely]

Live sufficiently on your own. I understand.

[ And yet she's adopted him. ]

[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.