This is Oriban, a town almost indifferentiable to Mercini, for Kichirou anyways. And with no major landmarks in sight, if someone told him he had been taken back to Mercini, before it was destroyed, he would believe them.
“Alright, we’re gonna make a quick stop here for the night and resupply.”
Furuya sighed in relief.
“Thank god, I don't think I could’ve taken this much longer.”
It was already getting dark, yet the streets still had plenty of pedestrians about. With no sign of any fear meddling in the hearts of the people living here, the news of Mercini must have not reached the area yet.
It was just as Zakin had said, the events that unfolded in Mercini aren't the norm for the Kingdom of Reinocha. A normal life exists for all those who choose to walk away from that fateful event.
How long could that last? Hmph, perhaps it could just last.
War will envelop this nation before they even know it, however with Zakin’s description of the state of Reinocha’s military, Kichirou could see how the people wouldn’t have a thing to worry over. After all, the people only get a true taste of war if the fighting reaches their doorsteps. With so much trust in their military might they would go on the offensive, striking back at their offenders and achieving a decisive victory.
As if things would be that easy.
Only an absolute buffoon would pick a fight with no hope for victory, and it truly takes an even bigger balloon to believe that their might is absolute. Nothing in the world deals in the absolute—even a Goliath could fall.
Everything fades with time, even this peace that surrounds them.
The carriage came to a slow stop as the sign The Ivory Line came overhead.
“Well, well, well, if it isn't my good friend Zakin, what brings you to this neck of the woods at this hour of the night?”
“Henrick! It's good to see you, my friend,” Zakin replied, as the two exchanged pleasantries.
Henrick was tall—very tall by japanese standards, he stood easily over 200cm and was at the very least half a head taller than Zakin. He was probably around the same age as Zakin in terms of physical appearance, however the same could not be said about that receding hairline of his. If judged by that alone he would probably be closer to a man in his 50s. The man gave off very strong vibes of an american gangster that Kichirou had long envisioned, with his bulging biceps barely held back by his shirt, only to be ruined by that ridiculously golden hair—or what remained of it on his head anyways.
Why does it seem like every innkeeper hits the gym like every bloody day of their lives?
“Henrick, it's happening again.”
In that single frame, the air seemed to have changed around them.
“Seems like we got a lot to talk about, comeon inside everyone. And you,” Henrick pointed at a man standing at the door of the inn. “Take care of the carriage for my good friend here. Are you lot hungry?”
“Oh god, yes sir we haven't had anything to eat or drink since leaving Mercini.”
“Well it's a good thing we got plenty of that for everyone, come on inside.”
“Hey, bring our guests some grub before they keel over. Zakin, I’ll get everything you need ready first thing in the morn, we’ll discuss things after dinner.”
The tension they carried all the way from Mercini was spreading like a plague, and to that Kichirou could only sigh internally, as he followed everyone else inside.
He grabbed a serving of food and sat at the table closest to the door, away from everyone else. He felt a familiar pain shoot up his right arm as he leaned against the wall, luckily no one seemed to notice him wince in pain.
To go to the ends of the earth to avenge Ryuta, and to revive him.
Hahahahaha, ambitions like that will certainly bring an end to my life. I'm better off sticking to a normal job and live out the rest of my mundane existence.
Such is the life of mediocrity.
It’s funny, even after an entire day without any food or water, with just two bites into this mutton roast or whatever the meat is and just one sip of water was enough to sate his physiological needs.
“Hey Shiro.”
He looked up and saw Karin’s usual smile.
The strength a simple smile carries, to be able to carry a smile on, no matter the circumstance.
“What’s up?”
“Your arm, the bandage is dirty, we need to take a look and clean it, or it's gonna end up infected.”
“I’ll do it myself later, it's fine.”
“No you can’t, I’ll ask Henrick for some fresh bandages and something to clean that wound with, so you finish eating first.”
“But.”
“No buts.”
“Yea you better listen to her Shiro!” or something else stupid along those lines is what would have been expected out of Calbi or Ryuta. But instead only gloomy faces were in supply—much like the physical manifestation of a great depression.
Zakin and Schnee were the only ones exchanging words at the dinner table.
Yet there was comfort to be found in the darkness that surrounded his heart, a feeling, a place to which the soul belongs. It was almost as if he had returned home, basking in those emotions, the only thing missing was his bed.
“Are you finished eating yet?”
“Yea…”
“Well then let's go.”
“Where?”
“To a room, duh. We’re not gonna be washing your blood off here where everyone's eating, comeon.”
*************************************************************************************************************
She checked her phone, it was already 10:34PM. The dark clouds that gathered in the night sky combined with a light fog actually blocked out most of the light pollution, causing the streets to dim just enough to titter on the edge of unearthliness.
The day couldnt be more humid, and the weather app showed the forthcoming rain in a few minutes.
Hopefully he gets home soon.
Speaking of the devil, the man she was waiting for was turning the corner.
“Hey Hiro!” she called, waving. It must have surprised him, even at a distance it was easy to tell that he flinched slightly, but he quickly jogged over realizing who it was calling to him.
“Karin? What are you doing in front of my house at this hour?”
“Is that how you greet a friend that you haven't bothered to visit in awhile?”
“Well I told you guys didn't I? I’ve been that busy at work.”
“Yea sure, too busy to hang out with us for like three months.” Karin shook her head.
“Well I mean, it's true.” Furuya shrugged: “Anyway, what's up? Did you come at this hour to bring me, uhh… a bento box it looks like?”
“Well it is a bento box, but it's not for you, I need you to lend me your key to Shiro’s place.”
“Shiro’s? Why?”
“He‘s sick so I thought I would bring some food and check up on him.”
“Shiro’s sick? Just give me a minute to put my things away and I'll go with you.”
“No, you can’t.”
Furuya furrowed his brows and appeared to be contemplating the context to it all.
“Why shouldn’t I visit him if he's not feeling well?”
“Hiro, do you trust me?”
“Well of course I do but...” The look on his face spoke much louder than his words, he wasn’t convinced.
“Then trust me when I say that you shouldn’t visit him right now.”
“What happened to Shiro?”
It's only a matter of time before everyone finds out what happened anyways, but nevertheless it's better left for another day.
“It’s not my place to say. So can I get that key or not?”
“Fine, give me a second, let me go get it. Do you wanna come in?”
“No, I'll wait here.”
With a sigh Furuya disappeared into his house.
Now this will be the big thing that will shake up our group now isn't it. Actually, no it wouldn't, those two idiots will never say a word of this to anyone.
Sigh.
Furuya emerged from the house wearing an expression that she had never seen on him before. He must have noticed it as well, they were the best of friends after all, and after hearing it from her now, it doesn't take much to put two and two together.
“Here.” He held out a silver key.
“Thanks.” She reached out for the key but it wouldn’t budge, Furuya held it tightly in his grasp.
“But tell me this, did something happen between them when he visited the states.”
“What!?”
She quickly covered her mouth and tried to hold back the look of surprise.
“So that must be it then.” He sighed before letting go. “Just make sure he’s ok alright?”
“Yea…”
He visited the states last week? Did she even know about it? He must’ve tried to surprise her in that case, and then to be hit by… did he find out first or did he see that message first…
Oh no...
“Karin?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Yea sorry, I gotta run, it’s getting late.”
The weak smile she managed wasn't going to convince anyone, and the worried look on his face was enough to know that they shared the same sentiment.
…
Thankfully Kichirou’s apartment wasn’t too far from where Furuya lived, only about 20 minutes away. He would likely still be awake, but if not she could always just come back tomorrow, since she had the key.
Wait, what would he think of this, if I just showed up at his place unannounced at this hour. No no no you’re just checking on him to make sure that he’s ok, nothing more.
She turned the key and with a click the door opened, unveiling the darkness that overflowed from within.
“Shiro?”
…
He’s probably sleeping, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure he’s ok though.
With one light switch the oppressing darkness was banished in an instant. Nothing seemed out of place, like a normal apartment. She walked over to a desk and placed the home made bento down before walking over to Kichirou’s room. The light in his room wasn't on either.
He should be ok then, I'll just take a quick look and I’ll be on my way.
“Shiro?” she called out soft pushing in the door.
“Go away…”
His voice was not just soft but weak like an old man on his deathbed, whispering his final goodbyes to his loved ones.
“Shiro, you’re awake, I know its kind of late but I brought some food, do you wanna try it?”
“No, go away.”
“I can’t do that, I need to make sure you’re ok, So if you want me to leave then get up and grab a bite to eat.”
“No, I'm not getting up, just leave me alone…”
“Well then, we’ve reached an impasse, cause I’m not going anywhere.”
“Why do you even care?”
“Well, Miku told me what happened and she wanted me to check on you to make sure…” Before she could even finish Kichirou bursted out in wild laughter.
“HaHAHAHAHAHa AHAHAHaahHAAHHAHa, is that supposed to be some kind of sick joke that I'm not familiar with?”
“What do you mean, we care about you, that's why I—”
“NO!” He shouted as he sat up from his bed.
“Enough of those lies. She doesn’t give a fucking damn about me, leave me alone.” Kichirou deflated back onto his bed as if expelling those words had taken the life right out of him.
“Ok yea, now I’m definitely not going anywhere till you eat something. When was the last time you ate, you look like you’ve lost at least twenty kilos, or something crazy.”
“Does it even matter? Leave me alone…”
“No I’m not gonna leave you alone and let you starve to death here, now get out of bed and eat.”
“Hmph, what's the point in any of that, everyone leaves sooner or later,” Kichirou grunted and laid back down.
What happened between them two? Miku said she let him down as softly as she could and that he sounded fine afterwards… Could it be? He visited the states… could it be that he visited last week? She must’ve thought he was still here in Japan, only Furuya knew that he was visiting… that means he must have seen it. If that’s true then…
“Shiro, I…” she drew closer to his bed and hugged him from behind, but rather than a person it was more like hugging bones than anything else.
“I will never leave you.”
...
Karin laid by his side and held him for what almost seemed like an hour, before he finally seemed to relax somewhat.
“Wanna go eat yet?”
“No…”
“Even if you don't feel like eating, you need to eat something. I made you a bento myself, you know, so you have to try it.”
“Fine…”
Only after he got out of bed did she realize the true extent of his deterioration, Kichirou had always been thin but it was nothing like this, he truly was skin and bones and this point.
He couldn't even walk properly, it was more like a slow limp out of his room and to the table. His listless eyes were glazed over, much akin to the rest of his expression.
To see him in a state like this...
She opened her bento revealing three neatly packed onigiri, a small salad and one soft boiled egg on the side.
"Here, I know how you really prefer the simple things like onigiri, I hope they're not too bad.”
His frail hands that were even thinner than her’s reached out and picked up the seaweed flavored onigiri and took a small bite.
As he chewed she saw a light flicker in his eyes. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
“It's—It’s delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Well I’ll uh, let you eat in peace, it's already late I should really get going.”
“Wait, let me walk you to the station.”
“No it's fine, I’ll be fine on my own, you’re to finish eating and rest up ok? Promise me you will eat normally now, I'll check up on you again on Friday ok?”
“... Alright, I promise.”
*************************************************************************************************************
“There, all done.”
“Thanks.”
“That's a really deep wound you know, it's not gonna heal just like that, you need to stop using that arm completely so it can heal properly.”
“Yea, yea, I know, I know.”
“Don't be too hard on yourself, it wasn't your fault.”
Kichirou couldn't bear to look up into her eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’m not.”
“That look on your face says otherwise.”
Kichirou brought a hand to his face and sighed deeply.
“He wouldn't have been out there, if I had done my job properly.”
It was all my fault.
“He went out there on his own accord, he knew the risks.”
“He went out there for my sake, and all I could do was hold him as he died in my arms.”
A worthless fool like me killed a new father. His blood is on my hands, and my only sin is that of a dud.
“Even more of a reason not to sulk right? You have to live life to the fullest, for all the lives that carried you so far.”
All those lives given to a worthless oaf, a thousand apologies are in order… But—
“I'll try my best.”
“Good, so what are you gonna do?”
“I’m gonna wait and see once we reach the capital, of course maybe I’ll join the army with Hiro, I’m not sure.”
“What about the other thing?”
“What other thing?” Kichirou raised an eyebrow.
Did I miss something? Did I make a mess of something else without knowing?
“What are you gonna do with that… you know.”
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I really gotta spell it out everytime don't I? As in, are you gonna reconcile with Miku?”
“What!?”
Kichirou tried in vain to keep a cool composer but the tension in his tone gave it all away.
“Well you always complained that things shouldn't have ended the way they did, and how you wanted to be back with her again. Well now she's here with you, and like I told you she’s single now, so there's your chance isn't it!?”
“I… I don’t know…”
“What do you mean you don't know?”
“I don't know… Seeing her again like this, I don't even know what to feel anymore.” Shiro faced away.
“Why do you lie to yourself?”
“What are you saying?”
“What am I saying indeed.”
“... Whatever it is, just spit it out already.”
“Fine you overly dense cabbage, I’ll put it as plainly as possible. There's only two options here, either you try to get back with her now while you still can, or just move on and stop sulking all the damn time and…”
“There’s no way in hell that we’re getting back together, but… I can't move on either, I just…”
“You are living in the past, alone with your memories while everyone else has been living their own lives for the past few years, everyone moves on eventually.”
“I can't, I can't do it,” he replied as his eyes darted across the floor, anything was better than making eye contact.
“Well if you choose to do nothing, she’s gonna end up with someone else again and you will be living in the past all by yourself. In the end, regret is all you will end up with.”
“I need some fresh air.” He got up and ran out towards the emptying streets as fast as his legs could carry him.
“Shiro you can't run forever you know," Karin called out.
Her voice—her words, even when he stepped outside, he couldn't run from it, he could still hear the echoes.
I…
Kichirou sat down leaning against the inn as Karin’s voice once again bursted through the door. There shall be no rest for the weary mind.
“You have to make the choice sooner or later, or it will be made for you. Either move on or go back. You can't keep dwelling in between, and since you can't move on I’d say go back to her and make amends.”
“I can't do that, can't you see? She crossed that bridge and burned it too, we can't go back, we just can't.”
“Well then you’ve got to move on then.”
…
It's not like I haven't tried that out already, but no matter what I find myself in the same old spot again and again.
“You can take me upstairs and I’ll help you move on away from it all.”
Kichirou couldn’t cover up the surprise in voice as he shouted: “What?”
“Hah, the two of you really are the dumbest people I’ve ever met.” Karin sighed and threw her hands up in the air.
“Just what do you mean by that?”
“Figure it out yourself.”
Karin got up and walked down the street.
“Wait, where are you going?”
“I’m going for a short walk, just need to clear my head.”
“You can't go walking alone at this hour.”
“Well if you are so worried about me then take a walk with me, you probably need it too.”
Kirirou could feel the blood rising to his face.
The pair walked down the nearly empty streets at this point in awkward silence.
Just what did she mean by that? And getting back together with Miku, how can anyone even fathom such a thing? None of it makes any sense, why would she even want to get back together? Yea, that's right, it can't be true, it's just another lie…
It should have been me who died out there, not Ryuta…
The night that surrounded them, and the cool summer breeze, there was something about it that brought comfort to his mind, if only he could vanish in that very darkness and be free.
Everyone has their troubles and faces the world alone on their own, Miku is no exception, neither is Karin. Everyone has their own problems they must face, the world isn’t a kind place, not to anyone.
Neither of them spoke a word as they crossed street after street, only to be carried by a soft humming from Karin.
Eventually—as if through osmosis, the swirling darkness in his mind had dissolved into the night around him. Walks like these were necessary from time to time, to help ease one's soul.
“Say Shiro.” Karin stopped and appeared to be in thought.
“Yea?”
“It's nothing, let's go back.”
She turned and faced him with a smile, but it wasn't the same smile as before, it too was tinged with sadness.
Seeing that kind of a smile brought him back to reality. Yes, that was the reality that faced them, an uncertain future, a departed friend, and the distant past.
“Hey old man, what did we tell you last time?”
“Your research was strictly forbidden by the church, and yet you dare to defy his holiness?”
“No that’s not true, I haven't done anything I swear.”
It was two younger men harassing some older man up ahead, Kichirou couldn't hear exactly what was exchanged, but judging by the tone of their voice alone it was clear that they were hostile.
“Shiro, you have to do something.”
“It's not our business, we should go back.”
“Shiro, just what the hell happened to you? Have you lost your spine in the last few years as well?”
Of course, there's always the right thing to do, but it does not necessarily mean that it’s always the smarter choice, sometimes it's simply better just to pretend.
“Karin, what do you expect me to do? Go up there and try to fend off those two guys with a useless arm? Not to mention the last time I got tangled in something he... paid with his life…”
“The Shiro I knew, he was a lot of things, but a coward wasn't one of them.” She shook her head and ran towards them.
“Wait…”
When the rain stops the rain hat is forgotten. An array of bullets flew before him, yet only one could pierce the cold, unfeeling light.
He could only stand and watch as she ran away.
********************************************************************************************************
“What do you think you two are doing harassing an old man in the middle of the night like this?”
One of them raised an eyebrow at the intruding busybody before continuing: “I don’t know who you are, but stay out of this, it's none of your business.”
“What, do you expect me to turn a blind eye to the two of you bullying the elderly here?”
“Look, you better leave before an accident occurs, my hand tends to slip from time to time.” The man flipped his left hand exposing a small dagger.
So this is the kind of scum that roams the streets of this town, it's no different than back home.
Karin laughed internally.
There's no need to hold back then.
After having multiple experiences with it already, she was confident in her abilities to activate the scroll that was in her pocket. It was still her last resort however, as the explosion of flame would cause too much commotion in a place like this.
She just needed to bluff him a little, like the saying goes, the threat of a nuclear strike is far more powerful than the impact of the actual weapon.
“Look, I don’t wanna do this, but you're gonna be eating fireballs if you don't back off right now.”
“What the hell, you want me to teach you a lesson?” the one with the knife shouted, but behind him his colleague had a different look on his face.
“Hold on a second, look at her outfit. I've never seen anything like it.”
“What, you think she's a spellcaster because of those weird clothes? Don't make me laugh.”
“We’re only here to threaten him, not to cause a large commotion, he’s not gonna like it when he hears about this.”
But the man's colleague reasoned in vain.
“I’m not his damned lap dog!” The man shouted, with his veins bulging on his forehead. Something was clearly wrong with his mental state, much like a maddened dog barely being held back by its owner.
He was a man with too much to prove and not much to show for it, one could easily categorize him as an overinflated balloon, all show and no substance—the type of man that she hated the most.
She gripped the scroll in her pocket tightly and stared into his eyes with a wide smile. It was at that moment that the man had lost it, much akin to a raging bull that charged past the gate towards the matador.
You've sealed your own fate, don't blame me for the consequences.
But as she was able to unleash the full might of her spell, something, or rather someone blocked her line of sight.
“Shiro?”
“This has gone far enough, don't you think?” Kichirou said with a smile, he had tightly gripped the man's hand that held out the dagger.
“This is far enough, we’re leaving now.” The other man had caught up and put a hand on his companion's shoulder.
But nothing was getting to this enraged bull, if anything it would appear that every word spoken to him was like fanning an open flame. Even under the dimly lit streets it was easy to tell that the man’s face was as bloodshot as a blistering tomato.
In one swift motion he shifted the dagger from one hand to the other and thrusted it forward. For Kichirou, it wasn’t an unexpected move, he raised his free arm to intercept once more.
The blade pierced Kichirou’s stomach with little resistance.
The man smiled with absolute delight as Kichirou crumbled, only to be followed by a crimson trail.
“SHIRO!”
“What the hell have you done!? We need to get the fuck out of here, NOW!”
And as the two men ran off into the darkness, Karin paid them no heed, rushing to Kichirou’s side.
She lifted his shirt to get a better look. He was bleeding profusely, combining that with his prior injury just a day before, the amount of blood loss could very well be fatal.
“You need to help me! We need to get him to a doctor or hospital right away.” She looked up only to see a disappearing shadow of a figure.
She couldn't believe her eyes, the older man ran at the first chance he got.
That bastard… how could he just run away like that. Shiro’s hurt because of you, and yet...
Anger burned like a raging wildfire within her, but this was no time for self loathing, if no one else was gonna help, then so be it.
“We need to get you help back at the inn, Shiro, come on, let me help you up.”
“You won't be able to carry me back like this.”
His eyes were listless, sharing the look of those who had already given in. His skin grew pale in a matter of seconds.
It all happened way too quickly, he was already dying. The blood loss was too much for him in his current state.
Why did you step in the way, you… idiot. It's all my fault, I just…
There was a strange dampening warmth in her chest as her vision grew blurry with moisture.
“I’m gonna go get help, I’ll be back as quickly as I can. Don't you dare die on me.”
“Wait.”
“Whatever it is, tell me after I come back with help.”
As she got up to run back to the inn, Kichirou’s soft whisper stopped her in her tracks: “Don't go.”
Despite the screaming voice of reason in her head, she sat down next to him placing him gently on her lap.
The two sat in silence looking up at the stars. It felt like a serene eternity, only to be broken after Kichirou finally spoke up: “I never... got to tell you how sorry I was, you have to know that… I didn't mean it.” His words were slow and labored.
“It’s ok, I know, I always knew,” she replied behind a forced smile.
His palling face seemed to relax somewhat, as Kichirou somehow found a smile on his own face.
“Isn’t it funny how regret works, only when things come to an end do you truly grasp the full extent of its essence.”
He paused for a second before continuing: “Hah, on second thought some things are still better off carried to the grave.”
“No Shiro, words unspoken leaves nothing but more pain for oneself.”
“I think it's more along the lines of harsh words bring pain and suffering while a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
“Well then, why don't you answer a question of mine with a truthful tongue.”
“Well… what is it?” He was clearly struggling to speak now.
There was only one thing she wanted to know, she needed to know, yet her tongue hesitated to ask.
“I…”
“Did…”
Shiro was in her lap fading away yet she was here acting like a shy school girl, for a second her mind wavered on the idea of it completely.
No, I need to know, or I… I’ll regret it. She closed her eyes and finally summoned the courage to ask: “That night, If I said… I loved you, would you have let me stay the night?”
“Would you have forgotten all about her?” is what she wanted to say in her heart, yet that was something she could not manage.
She opened her eyes to glance at his face, for his response and all she saw was a look of fading surprise that slowly changed back to his normal look with a tinge of trouble in his eyes.
“I…”
Karin stared at him intently, waiting for the response.
He looked like there was something he wanted to say, but “I don't know…” was all he managed to whisper into the summer breeze.
Karin smiled with tears streaming down her face as she held the dimming Kichirou: “You're still lying, Shiro.”