Mira Saromi's Story

Before the arrival of dawn, three small green stars were becoming one with Hibiki's ceiling. Their edges were rough and scraped at by the longest nail she possessed (on her right index finger, saved from her nibbling teeth by the unconscious desire to have something to scratch with), but they had been there too long to easily peel off the way they once might have. Her parody of a starry sky was as much of a spectacle as the true skies of Tokyo at midnight, a time Hibiki once thought was when the city went to sleep and the stars quietly arranged themselves into fantastic stories that you could read if you stayed in the dark. The slightest flicker of a light could send stars scattering. A light told them that children who should be sleeping were awake and watching.

But the city did not sleep then and the lights warded away the stars until the only ones that remained were the three she was glaring at on her ceiling. They weren't the brightest, having their own light pollution to battle with in the form of flashing monitors and screens, but she was too indifferent to properly remove them so they were OK by her. Now that Hibiki was older she knew when the city really slept. It slept in the earliest hours of the morning when the sun was not yet up and the stars had all gone away. This was the time that Hibiki always woke.

On that freakishly early morning, she found herself sprawled out on the floor in a position that was obvious to anyone she hadn't meant to fall asleep in, with her shirt flipped up and revealing her stomach and her legs tangled in electrical cords. Her one exposed eye looked dead, dragged down by the dark bags beneath it, and it stared lifelessly up at the stars which reflected in her brilliantly red iris. Hibiki peeled from the carpet as one would remove themselves from a cobweb: picking off things she didn't want to touch while making faces. Her long sheet of hair was the most reluctant piece of her to get off the ground before she wound it around her hand and yanked, breaking it free of its mango iced tea puddle prison. Several wispy green casualties were left behind but would not be missed. She crouched in her over sized shirt and boxers until something turned on in her brain and she stood up – or, as up as her spine allowed her to. She scanned the room once for anything on her security footage, her eyes lingering a little too long on her beckoning laptop, then navigated over the empty food packets, video games that focused on male bonding, a build-your-own-robot kit and lots and lots of unsorted laundry. She opened the door and stepped out to be swallowed by complete darkness, but the trip had been made so many times before that she didn't need the light to oh wait nevermind. As always she forgot how big she was ever since that sudden growth spurt and clipped her little toe on the dresser. A stack of letters slid sideways off the cupboard and something that was not her squeaked and buried itself in sawdust. Hibiki muttered an apology through her pain for disturbing her pet and dropped to the ground, felt around for the letters that fell, stacked them back up and carefully (or, as carefully as she could do anything) put them in the top draw of the dresser. She mentally flipped a switch as she hobbled through the corridor on her way to the kitchen and suddenly the apartment was lit up in harsh fluorescent lighting. Vision didn't make her any less of a lumbering zombie and now she could see how gross she looked by squinting at her disgruntled reflection in the kitchen window. A cup of cold water to the face and swirling around in her empty belly made her feel queasy but woke her to some extent and her first fully comprehensible thought of the day formed, Time?

4: 17

She moved quickly now. In the main room, she pulled out her exercise mat. Her long toes clasped the edge of it like a balancing act as she tied her hair up in the usual high ponytail with the lackey around her wrist. When done she couldn't help but deliver a swift and powerful roundhouse kick to the pink punching bag hanging beside her to just remind it of who was the boss. It left an indent and the bag swung back and forth and creaked in surrender. Satisfied, she curled down and touched the ground (just managing to, her knees could never seem to straighten) to begin her morning stretches.

4:38

Hibiki's purple hood hid her matted, mango-scented hair and headphones beneath it. Her shoulders and spirit sagged when she caught a glimpse at her sickly, boyish features in the mirror, which she zipped up her red turtleneck to hide. The next ten minutes were spent bustling around collecting yen like it was a scavenger hunt mini game. Before leaving the apartment she went to swipe an easy access packet of bubblegum from the top of a kitchen cabinet when she stopped. Her hand was caught in an invisible trap between the gum and a half empty packet of cigarettes. It was only for a second, a moment that she barely picked up on herself, that her hand swayed between the two options before snatching one up and stuffing it in her pocket with such vigor it was as though she never faltered. At the door she breathed. On the other side of the door she took out her keys and locked each padlock methodically. Outside the apartment complex, she pressed play on an upbeat track (I know I know I'm lame) of a band she favoured, yanked her hood down further and began to jog.

Her neck started cramping as she jogged through the inner city and it wasn't because she spent all that time craning over a computer screen, but good guess. The skyscrapers were too flashy in the way they reflected everything below and around them that it would be a crime to not look up at them as you ran by, a crime that Hibiki drew the line at. They would probably look better with the sun shining off of them but this was the only time that Hibiki could move through this area so leisurely. Any later and this place would be full of people and moving among them would not suit her... requirements. She jogged on the spot when she caught a glimpse of Mihashira Tower, the skyscraper that served as Timeless Palace HQ, staring at its top floor distractedly through her bangs until her own urgency spurred her forward. Even with the streets devoid of activity – well, apart from the lazy cars, pigeons, occasional person who looked like they didn't want to be seen just as she much as her and food businesses preparing for opening hours – the place still felt dangerous when lingered in for too long, almost as though someone was watching her. As she left Timeless Palace behind her, her long lost cat Suzu slunk away to say good morning to her true master.

Right around the corner from the HQ of Scepter 4, Hibiki inserted yen into a vending machine and crouched down to retrieve the breakfast it dropped for her. She poked the straw into the box and began slurping the weird liquid cereal stuff as she trotted backwards all the way to the tall black gates of the formal looking mansion. Finding humor in the thought that the Blue Clan were so desperately looking for her yet had no idea that she practically paid them a visit every day (buying from vending machines was so much less stressful than shops and shops weren't open when she was hungry this early, anyway), a smug, almost villainous smile formed around the straw between her lips. She turned her back on the building, wiggled her hips, stretched out her back and yawned then glanced over her shoulder with a look that said, “And what are you going to do about it?”, an expression hidden from security cameras by her hood. She swiftly finished her drink and disposed of her rubbish in the bin provided then did some proper stretching to warm up again before jogging away.

Her own territory felt the most comfortable for her yet was the most miserable. It was so pitiful and small and it was obvious why her members were yearning after HOMRA's territory, with it being so alive and spacious and not too uptown like Scepter 4 and Timeless Palace. The territory looked more appealing than her own because of how the Red King took care of it and cared for it... unlike her... but while she had no attachment to her territory as such (her true territory was the internet, after all), she felt a strong duty to her people... despite being happy to go her entire life without exchanging a single word with them... her personal issues had nothing to do with her loyalty, I'm sure.

<JUNGLE> had the highest number of members out of the clans. Their members weren't restricted to their shabby territory, they were scattered throughout Tokyo Metropolis with other jobs and lives apart from the clan. Members could choose to remain anonymous, with their true identities and residences documented by the king. They would be known to others in the clan by their online names only so they could support the group without having the pressure of Scepter 4 shaking disapproving fists at their backs. While that was once the norm, these people were now not so lovingly referred to by higher ranked members as “Shrubs”. You see, once upon a time, the entire group were completely anonymous and wore helmets to cover their identities when representing themselves publicly. It was during the fifty years of peace that the security focused on identity was lessened and the higher ranked, more involved members of the clan felt comfortable letting their faces and names be known. Ryuu claimed this more relaxed attitude was a good thing, as proper trust began forming amongst their ranks and with the other clans. Maybe it was good. But now Hibiki was king, and she was everything Ryuu was not, and while she had proven herself worthy of the title she had no means to prove a shrub like herself was worthy of their respect. The more she thought about the problems she had before all of these murders started made a hidden piece of her stress what the heck Ryuu was thinking, appointing someone with as much social awareness as her king. Ugh, Ryuu was so good at hyping them up to believe their bonds were more important than their brains (something that Hibiki definitely did not believe in but knew was a thing she had to fake). She wished he would hurry up and get back from the Bahamas or whatever place she'd rather be that was pictured on the last postcard he sent her.

And oh God, she still had to tell him about Naomi.

She took a quick break to check out the nightclub she "managed" while she was passing by. The Jungle looked so unimpressive in the grey light with its flashing neon signs turned off and she could tell that new graffiti had been added to its ink collection. It definitely didn't look like the ideal place to set up HQ, that was for sure, but Ryuu felt that they needed a physical hang out to regain that social interaction that kids these days were missing out on and hey, sex and alcohol are what they're into, right? The girl could even smell urine coming from the alley that led to the back entrance. Her face darkened upon remembering that's where she had to go in the evening to meet up with her new Right Hand, Hirai Nakazo. This would mark her second meeting with the man and she couldn't say that she didn't dread it.

Not passing through HOMRA's territory to the grocery store that opened at seven thirty sharp would be a disruption to routine.

At the end of her sprint she halted so suddenly that she buckled and had to clutch her knees for support. She was unused to pushing herself so hard in that last stretch. Her clothes trapped her body heat and made her more uncomfortable than she should have been after her run but she would never remove an item of clothing in public. Her heart was beating fast and there was an awful pressure against her temples, not from the exercise but from something else. Passing by the unassuming bed and breakfast that served as HOMRA HQ had become harder for her as of late. She looked up in time to see the sign switch from closed to open.


*


*


*


She wasn't planning to be here. She didn't owe the Grey King anything. Why did she come here instead of home? She approached the funeral home so hesitantly that anyone watching might have thought she was attending hers.

But she didn't attend. She ducked around the back and when she reached a bench she lurched. The wind took the long hair that protruded from her hood hostage and whipped her face with it like a spiteful poltergeist. It was quiet here, or, much quieter now that her music was no longer assaulting her poor eardrums. She could still hear the sounds of the city, which was now very much awake. This was the time that Hibiki would be sleeping, but at least there was nobody here - not near her, just... surrounding her... and through that wall. Walls weren't as solid to her as they were to others. How she was going to wade home through that ocean of noise and humanity was beyond her, but sitting here in the shadows made the problem seem almost OK.

Almost.

She took a lighter from one of the two plastic bags she held then dropped them on her bench to leave both hands free to light a cigarette. It took a dozen tries for her slightly too large hands to flip the fiddly switch but they did, eventually. Finally, she took a long draw of her cigarette only to double over and hack up her lungs. This continued until it became a worry. When she managed to stop she grit her teeth and straightened, bringing the poison back up to her lips. She coughed again, but quieter this time. She shut her eyes and breathed.

Name: Yamauchi Naomi. Age of death: 42 Time of death: Unknown. Information has been withheld from Scepter 4's systems, most likely because they know I'll be following the case. All that's determined is it happened two weeks ago, just three days after the death of the Grey King. Cause of death: Found floating in the river with damage to the skull. The “official” story the news covered was that she hit her head and drowned. That isn't true. Her power was summoning electrical projectiles. She was not immune to her own projectiles. Taking the fight underwater was an advantage against her abilities and her killer knew that.

That's all the information I have of her death. Now, I have to decide my next move.

Hibiki reopened her eyes and gazed at her sneakers gravely, the smoke of her cigarette spiraling away in the breeze.

They expect to go to war, she surmised with her chin in her palm, Worst of all, they expect me to lead them there.

She inhaled the smoke again, held in her protesting lungs, and leaned forward.

Naomi was floating downriver. Upriver is HOMRA territory. She could have floated down, but a body bobbing down Sumida river would not have made it far without being spotted. The way I see it, we have reasons to be suspicious but not enough of them. HOMRA deny our accusations and are not inviting conflict nor have anything to gain by initiating it, though, their hostile attitude towards us suggests they're not against it. So how much can we call solid proof and how much are we grasping at prejudiced straws? I know for a fact that some in particular would say anything to start a fight with our more powerful neighbors. It's moronic, that way of thinking.

Smoke left her mouth in a little puff and she paused.

But it isn't unjustified. This isn't the first murder in these past three weeks but this is only the second that they're aware of. Four Shrubs have been targeted. If they knew, there would be hysteria. My clan is already scared and with Yoshida-kun announced missing yesterday... I should be drawing connections between all of the murders by now. She grunted and ruffled her fringe in frustration. And yet the only connection is that they were killed in regular, unoriginal ways near or in their residences, none of them showing any sign that they had been murdered by a clansman apart from the fact that nobody BUT enemy clansmen would want us dead. Or... actually... That was a lie. <JUNGLE> were a notorious hacker group, of course they had made enemies with powerful people and anyway, the identities and residences of those who chose to remain anonymous were known by only her and her Right Hand. The other clans would not know who or where they were – nobody would. Hirai was not yet trusted enough to receive the list and Naomi... she was gone. Naomi was the victim of the second murder and the first was a Shrub. The assailant could not have taken the information from her, they already knew it. Besides, there was no mention of torture wounds. None that were disclosed to the public. With her dead, the only suspects would be me and Akiyama Ryuu. Obviously I'm not a murderer, and Ryuu... … …

“... Pfft.”

Don't laugh. Any lead is worth something at this point, no matter how unlikely. Who had gotten that information and how? Had their faces been sold out to the highest bidder? Having so many enemies didn't help her narrow down suspects at all. I have some information on the deaths of the Shrubs, which is virtually nothing apart from the fact that the police obviously must have made the shocking discovery that the corpses were <JUNGLE> members, because each investigation dropped from their records days after they were in their system. If Scepter 4 documented information useful to all of these cases on their hard drives instead of writing it down on paper I'd have already solved this crisis, unless... they've refused to take it as a case. A dozen hackers in the underground aren't worth anything to such honest citizens.

That prospect hurt more than the original thought that Scepter 4 wanted to keep the infamous J and the Green Clan out of the loop. After all of the leads and information she had leaked them that had assisted them in so many cases, how they still hunted for her stung, but it didn't insult her like considering her clan not worth their time did. She was so troubled by this she felt ill, or perhaps that was just the cigarette.

… That won't do. They have to take it. Homicide is homicide. They already know <JUNGLE>'s crimes and they've overlooked them... mostly. Will an investigation of the murders of online gang members turn into an investigation into the identity of J? They're persistent enough that I've had to change my name and move three times already, having them working with us will leave me hazardously vulnerable.

She hunched up and sucked in her breath, hardening her resolve once more.

So the decision stands as this – either go to war with HOMRA; the Red Clan that has always beaten us, and punch the truth out of the Red King at the cost of what little territory we have, or ask for the help of Scepter 4; the Blue Clan that have always hunted us and can see us behind bars, make me forfeit my place as king or perhaps execu... The thought was so horrible she couldn't finish it. She took a quick draw of her cigarette and glanced around in paranoia. The funeral home felt like it was craning over her back. Even the sky was coming too close. It has been practiced before.

Then a third option – remain stumbling in the dark as we are stripped away one by one and <JUNGLE> no longer remains. And I have to make the decision before facing my Right Hand tonight.

Yeah, like that was going to happen. She tapped the ash from the end of her cigarette when the tremors in her hand became too much to keep it steady and it dropped. Hibiki swore and took out the box and lighter but her already fumbling hands were so shaky it was even harder than lighting the first.

“What are the two most important factors of making a decision?”

“Facts and rationality,” Hibiki answered just as Naomi chuckled over the top of her, “A good view and a fag.” Hibiki stared at her blankly from her bed until Naomi felt nervous. "You know, like, a cigarette. I'm talking 'bout cigarettes." Hibiki just grunted and raised an eyebrow to signify she knew what the woman meant. Naomi nodded and lit one up, breathed it in and sighed blissfully. "It's the same way I've made every decision. Even the one to keep your sorry ass around."

There was comfortable silence, when

"Obviously, killing your lungs speeds up the thought process." Hibiki was concerned for her, but she had meant to insult her to hide it, but not loud enough for her to notice. She did take notice and her face brightened with pride.

"Did my lil' Mako-chan make a funny in the absence of a joke book? I'm actually so happy. We'll be having these things called conversations in no time." Makoto, the name Hibiki wore as her own at that time. Her cheeks burned as scarlet as Naomi's hair at her nearly sarcastic jesting and Hibiki hid behind her knees, waiting for the torment to be over. The carefree woman blew smoke from her nostrils and reassured her, "Don't worry 'bout it. When I die it'll be on my own terms. I won't end up a bloated body washed up on the shore three days after I was attacked and murdered on my way home from a date with that joke you think isn't worth the effort."

She hadn't really said that, but in that moment Hibiki was convinced that she did. The back of her throat hurt. She remembered that Naomi once attended the funeral for her aunt at this place and wondered if she was sitting at the same bench the woman sat while she smoked and reflected on her memories with her late loved one, the same Hibiki was now. The thought that her right hand could have been in the exact same place that Naomi's hand once clutched around made her palm feel strangely warm. It was a pleasant warmth, like the lingering ghost of someone's hand in hers, but she wouldn't know that. She never held anyone's hand. Giving up on lighting the cigarette, she brought her forearm over her face to shield it from the skies that were threatening to crush her. She shut her eyes and tried to breathe.

"Yo."

Hibiki had never stood up so fast in her entire life. She stood up so fast, a wave of nausea came over her and she sat back down. Her head twitched to her right to take in a small glance at he person sitting beside her to only get a glimpse of someone's torso dressed in funeral black. She returned her gaze to her unlit cigarette that was threatening to crumble in her fist she was clutching it so hard and slowly, painfully so, tilted up her head to look at the face of the man that towered over her.

That's Maeda Katsuo of Timeless Palace. She thought to herself as she stared in the opposite direction to him. That's Maeda Katsuo of Timeless Palace and I assumed his height was a typo. She thought as she licked her finger and tested the direction of the breeze. That's Maeda Katsuo of Timeless Palace and he is very tall and I'm on the grounds a funeral was held for a King and nobody knows who I am. There's only one person that might attend that people know that nobody knows. That is J. I'm the only person here on the premises nobody knows.

An endless stream of swears looped in her mind as she reached out and took the bags that separated herself from the enemy and placed them on her lap. The crinkling of plastic was the only sound to fill the awkward silence between them as Hibiki's mind ticked. She tried to light her cigarette again and again and again as she did the only thing she could do to save her identity in this situation.

"You -" her voice was so husky from not being used. She cleared her throat, keeping her chin tucked in tightly against her chest to hide her face. Damn, was there a childproof lock on this lighter or something? She could never get those things. "You were attending the funeral held here?" she asked, her voice kept down low. She then uttered a phrase she had memorised from these sorts of sad situations in films, "Sorry for your loss."

She had to make him believe that she was an outsider. In situations like these, it was lucky that lying came as naturally as breathing for her... but lately, she was having trouble with even that.

█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
██
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
「Alastair Payne」
Dialogue; b49b04
Thought; 6f1313
- - -
Papers lay all around him in a mess, his head was in his hands and he had a cigarette butt in his mouth. Thick smoke filled the room like a fog as many other scattered cigarette butts lay on his desk. He had stayed the night in his office, the top floor of Mihashira Tower, he had some work he had to complete however it had taken longer than usual and he had sent everyone else home leaving him alone with mountains of paperwork and books to balance before he could go home. Though he was argueably one of the wealthiest men in the city, he lived in a run down apartment building on the south side of town, however no one knew it was him living there, he used a different name for it and even rents a more expensive penthouse in his true name so it throws off even the hackers of <JUNGLE>. He did this on purpose for his own privacy, he really doesn't like the idea of anyone being able to find his house.

Sadly his modest home had remained empty the previous evening. As his work was more pressing, if he didn't get it done plenty of big-deal businesses would be on his back, ready to strike him down. His eyes snapped open, rimmed with red around his golden iris, dark bags clung underneath them as he groaned.
"Fuck me. . ." He grumbled rubbing his neck and slowly straightening up with several complaints from his back. He slowly stood, some papers sliding off his desk as he cursed and bent down to pick them up. I'll have Mira clean it up later. . . He thought as he dropped the papers back down. His eyes then snapped to the clock and he frowned. He was going to be late to the damned funeral! He let out a stream of angered profanity as he slid his shoes and vest on, buttoning his shirt as he sprinted down the stairwell.

He tripped over the last step and gasped slightly before scowling at it and swearing vengeance before running out. His chauffeur offered a ride but he was already far down the street lighting up a cigarette as he went. His chauffeur shook his head in awe of his hard-headed boss, but was relieved he didn't have to drive him when he was in this mood.

▬▬▬▬▬

He arrived at the funeral as most people were filtering out. He folded his arms and leaned against a wall smoking, trying to conceal his labored breaths for running all the way over here. A few patrons waved to him or bowed their heads as they left and he returned the favor. He had meant to make it on time to this, he really had but the day had gotten away from him and so he had missed the proceedings. Him and the prior Gray King had been rather close, he closed his eyes under his shades and silently asked for forgiveness for missing the funeral.

█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
██
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
「Naoko Ita」
Dialogue; 374D82
Thought; 5C92BF
- - -
Morning filtered into her small house, however Naoko was already up and at it, she was in the small kitchen making breakfast for her father before she was going head out to the funeral. She hummed softly to herself, a happy tune that helped her start her day. The warm tones of her house seemed a bit grayer to her today, funerals were always such a sad time, even though she didn't know the woman who died all that well, it was still a big loss. She sighed softly and then smiled again, being positive is key, she told herself as she carried the scrambled eggs, bacon and hashbrowns to her father who was sitting in the chair he always occupied. A shell of the lively man he once was, his head lolled to the side a bit, it broke Naoko's heart but she still loved him no matter how bad it got she'd never abandon her father.

"Here you go daddy," she chimed as she handed him the tray, he wasn't completed inept, he just wasn't himself. He took the tray with a far off stare and she kissed his cheek softly. He grunted softly and began eating, his eyes not blinking. She sighed a bit and turned away to go change out of her pajamas into more suitable clothing for the event she was to attend. She got dressed in simple clothes and headed back out toward the door, she went over to her father and hugged him tight. "I'm heading out, please try to rest up while I'm gone. I have my phone and I will check in okay?" nothing in response. Her smile turned into a soft look of concern as she headed out, getting into her car and heading down to the funeral. The King of her organization was there so she figured she was obligated to be there as well. She hoped everyone there was doing okay, she'd have to be there for those who were hurting.

▬▬▬▬▬

She arrived and sat through the funeral in the back, even tearing up a bit at some of the testimonies. She watched reverently and then as people began filtering out, she sniffled a bit and dabbed at her eyes. She rose slightly and went out, she spotted miss Ikeda and two people smoking together. She glanced around and spotted Mr. Payne off on his own, strange he hadn't been in the service? She supposed it wasn't any of her business. She wanted to find Miss Emi. She scanned the crowd and sighed softly not seeing her right away. So, she went over to a woman who was taking it rather hard and began to console her.

---

---

---

XXXXXi Theme: Crawl by Veltpunch
X Dialogue : #EE1D24 | Thought : #959595
XXX FC: Aizawa Kouichi | Nabari no OX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

---

---

She wouldn’t have said she was close to the dead man. Mira honestly had no reason to be at the ceremony, but she wasn’t there for herself, but instead her King and fellow clansmen. Alastair would be arriving shortly, if not quite soon. He must’ve been working late again silly man.’ she thought, lightly stroking one of her twisted ponytails. Just then there was a small crowd gathering as everyone left the area and began to head for the burial, and as her eyes trailed after a few, she quickly noticed the late arrival of her King at that moment. Although she didn’t approach him right away, casually noticing another man addressing him, but whatever he said escaped her due to the distance between them. ”Hm, quite a crowd turned up here it seems,” she told only herself, ”that dead guy must’ve had quite a social group.” Was she honestly getting jealous of a corpse? No way!’

There was a wave of familiar and not-so-familiar faces passing her. Evidently other clans had come to pay their respects, and Mira hadn’t overlooked the tearful girl who was being supported by her own fellow clansmen. Well, it was to be expected? The blonde girl furrowed her eyebrows only slightly in thought, before continuing on her way and weaving through the people that scattered over the area. ”Excuse me, yes thank-you,” the girl muttered, shooing whoever was near her to move out the way. ”Move along, uh-huh. Yes, you. Thank-you! Keep going. Ta-ta!” She could have sworn she’d stuck her heel into someone’s foot at least once, but oh well. Quickly hurrying along the girl gave a prompt salute to her King and grinned satisfyingly at him, if he noticed, before swooping over and barging in on a familiar duo.

”Oh lay off him, would you?” Mira said suddenly, squeezing through the pair that consisted of Cyneric and Emi. It was quite a squeeze indeed. ”It’s a funeral for crying out loud, can’t we just be sad and deal with it?” Yeah, because Mira was totally sad for the deceased. It was a wonder if she even knew his name, you know, beyond 'corpse' and 'stiff' and 'dead guy'. ”But whatever. Are you two going? Well, I guess someone’s gotta run this show when you go and I’m sure my King needs me at a terrible time like this.” she said, setting both hands to her hips and seeming as confident as ever towards the pair. ”This thing is just getting started!”

---

---

---

XXXXXi Theme: Wildifre by JubyPhonic
Xi Dialogue : #FF4500 | Thought : #FF8C00
XXXXii. FC: Hinata Shouyou | Haikyuu!!X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

YUKIMURA HISAKO

Hisako hated funerals. She had a deep rooted distaste for them, their sombre atmosphere and sadness emitting from every corner. But most of all she was afraid to face the undeniable fact of the sheer briefness of human existence. That and the fact that it reminded her too much of her mother's death. Alright, mostly because it reminded her of her mother's death.

She rarely chose to go to any funerals except for the scenarios in her books. Speaking of her books... "J!" Hisako let out a small gasp as she remembered why she was there in the first place. Of course, it was to pay her respects to the late Grey King, but she was mostly excited to see the real face of the mysterious green king. However, it doesn't seem like she's going to find out in time for school. Turquoise eyes flitting from place to place, Hisako tried to take in as much of the crowd as she possibly could, but none of them really struck her much as the person J was supposed to be. The elusive king of the JUNGLE clan must make quite an impact on others, but none of the attendants there gave her the right vibe. Then again, deductions are made by logic, and if the king was as smart as Hisako perceived them to be they would be hiding their identity perfectly from the public eye.

Which means... they won't go into the funeral home at all, and would likely stay outside it! Hisako stepped outside of the ceremony, relieved to catch a breath of fresh air as she prepared to search the near vicinity, only to be distracted by the sight of her classmates. Cyneric, Eli and Mira were all in the same year as her, and Hisako was eager to know them better. The mystery can wait, she had time. All her curiosity was toward her friends at the moment, and Hisako approached them eagerly. They seemed to be already having a conversation, and Hisako arrived just in time to hear the end of it.

"It's nice to see you, Mira, Emi, Cy!" She chirped cheerfully, her eyes studying each of them in turn. "Emi, you look as beautiful as ever." Her Friend had a sense of fashion that was so precise it made Hisako slightly envious. Both her and Mira were such fashionistas, Hisako can't help but wonder how they did it. Compared to her own shirt and black skirt, it was obvious who the more stylish one is. She offered Cyneric a bright smile, tapping her notebook lightly. She couldn't exactly ask where he was going to go today if he skips school with Emi around, she was always a stickler for rules.

"Thing? What event might you be referring to?" Hisako gazed at Mira inquisitively, tilting her head slightly in confusion. "Are you not going to school, Mira Hime?" It was a small nickname she had dubbed her with rather quickly once she found out about Mira's way of working and her attitude toward everyone. She was a fascinating individual in her own right, and despite it being a slightly teasing remark it wasn't one meant to offend her.

---

▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮

---

X
「Tanabata.Emi」
Dialogue ♛ #6495ED
Thoughts ♛ #FF7F50




It was apparent to the idol she had caught the subject of her questioning when he least expected it. Seemingly struggling to string together a sentence in his own defense. It would seem that the Scepter 4 leader had him backed into a corner, that is until a certain pigtail wearing nuisance shoved her way between the pair.

The appearance of others didn't come as a surprise to Emi, after all she had researched anyone attending her school with ties to a clan extensively. A challenge to her authority by Ashinaka's resident princess wannabe, was.

"I wasn't trying to come off as insensitive, and I apologize if I did." Shooting the two of them one of her winning smiles before continuing. "I'm sure if your King needs you so much, you'll have your out of school permission papers. It's Scepter 4 policy to do a check."

"Hisa, hey!" Emi welcomed her friend, leaning in for a hug. The addition to the group came as a relief to the idol who was beginning to become quite annoyed. At this rate it seemed like her whole school was going to show up. "Oh, stop it. You look much better." Turning a bright shade of red almost as vibrant as the color of her friends hair. Looking more like a lobster than an idol. Upon remembering how silly she appeared at the somber event, her face only flushed deeper. Taking on a hue that looked even more peculiar the more riled up she got herself. The question asked to her by the only male member of their group served as her saving grace, snapping her out of her self-induced daze.

"Right! Actually, it'd be a bit less than that by now. We'd better get a move on." givinga rough estimate of the time as to avoid stating the fact she had been eyeing her watch since the second she left the church and knew precisely how much time they had. Thirteen minutes and twenty-two seconds exactly. "Miu may be a bit odd, but she's tough. I'm sure she'll be able to pick herself back up soon enough."

"Oh! Hisa, can I look over your history notes? I missed class the other day, so I don't have them." The rather random thought served more of a purpose than one would expect. Killing two birds with one stone, it did the job of requesting her friend's notes, but also started off the conversation on their way to the station in the least controversial way as possible.

---

---

Mira could only offer a mere roll of her shoulders to the boy. ”Hm, fine. If you say so.” Giving a curious look to her fellow peer, the blonde young woman eyed the brown-and-white-haired lad carefully before ultimately shooting a look to the other girl who rolled up at that precise moment, Hisako. It was that oddly fascinating girl from school who she had met, with her noticeable red hair and overall strangeness. Yes, indeed. She was a curious one to watch. ”Why am I not surprised? Everyone seemed to come here today, what luck!”

Flipping her attention between the three figures, the girl spun on her heel and let out a stiff sigh. ”Don’t have a heart-attack, I’m just staying here is all. This funeral is the biggest thing to happen in weeks besides the killings, so I’m obviously going to hang around and make sure it all goes according to plan.” By the way she went on about it you’d almost think she had a part in it, while actually she did not. ”This burial is the event dummy, keep up would you?” The young woman quickly flicked two fingers hard against Hisako’s forehead for effect. ”And anyway, I have my papers or whatever. I even got my mother to contact the school personally on my behalf, so there.” Now, with that said all she would just have to do is hunt down her mother and get the woman to phone up the school as soon as possible. Ah, simple! She'd remember that for her next visit.

Just then she noticed Emi and how their face flushed crimson. ”Oh stop gushing already, this day isn’t about you.” Mira huffed, her twisted ponytails bobbing along with her quick movements. Time was pressing on she realized, and the girl had other things to be busying herself with. ”If anything big happens at school let me know, otherwise I’m sure you can survive without your Princess for a little while,” she said, sensing that the group were about to set off. It wasn’t like she detested school though. Mira was quite a good student in her own way, so long as the teachers could handle her. ”Oh, and behave Ick! I’ll catch you later. Emi, Hisa, ta-ta.”

It never hurt to be decently polite she supposed. Alastair would expect it of me today.’ Mira told herself, easing the tight knot in her throat. I should find him now actually.’ The man was only over the way at least; she could see Alastair still no matter where she stood. With that in mind the young woman took her leave of the group and dutifully headed over to the side of her King. Deep down she wondered how he was handling the whole thing; if it was weighing heavily on him or maybe Alastair was taking it better than imagined? Hope that white-haired fool wasn't giving him too much grief.’ She thought, eyeing that man.

”Oh! Hello Sir,” she kindly greeted when creeping up from the side of Alastair. ”Working late again? You missed the start of it but I can assure you it was a fitting tribute,” crossing both arms against her chest, Mira beamed a slight smile toward the taller figure before reporting, ”Maeda is being surprisingly… surprising, you know. What with his sister I guess I shouldn’t be too overawed by it. Although I have yet to see young Sora about, actually. Otherwise everything is going smoothly, Sir. Even those HOMRA sorts haven't shown their faces yet.”

█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
██
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
「Alastair Payne」
Dialogue; b49b04
Thought; 6f1313
- - -
A good amount of people began filtering out of the funeral. He tilted his head up toward the sky as he closed his eyes, today sucked. Funerals were never Alastair's cup of tea, then again who really enjoyed funerals anyway? Some sick necrophiliac bastard? It took too much trouble to try and sort it out right now, his head was pounding from lack of sleep. Dammit Al, what the fuck were you thinking... He thought shaking his head. He had stood up straight, leaving his small perch that he had adopted from leaning against the wall, it had been comfy enough but now he'd need to return to work as soon as possible. Hopefully enough people had caught a glimpse of his signature bright blonde locks to know he had paid respects. It was better for business that way. He nodded to a few grieving passersby and everything seemed to be going pretty well until.

The white haired twat arrived and Alastair groaned internally as the boy pointed to a no smoking sign. Al glanced over and shrugged.
"I'm sorry, I've just been shaken with grief over losing her. Plus I didn't sleep to well last night. Besides, if those two bullshit excuses aren't doing it for you, have you ever considered that I couldn't give a rats ass about what the damn sign says?" As he spoke his voice seemed to become more and more agitated with each word until he was standing over the boy with his arms folded. Then suddenly he got a dastardly idea that he figured he might as well attempt.
"Or. . . Were you just worried over a devilishly handsome guy like me rotting away? Little Snow White couldn't bear to see such a man wasting away on her watch." He cooed locking eyes with him, his hand shifting to his own hips to have a more cocky and relaxed stance. Now no matter what the kid did would be entertaining, a part of Alastair found the kid's defiance kinda cute. Plus those eyes of his were cool as shit.

Alastair had been too busy keeping his eyes locked with the white-haired kids to notice Mira's first salute however once she marched over and began her usual tirade he chuckled and backed off from Daisuke. He refolded his arms and looked down at the blonde spit-fire beside him, man alive was Mira something. He couldn't help but wonder why he chose someone like her in the first place, but her loyalty reminded him whenever he was in doubt.
"Working late again? You missed the start of it but I can assure you it was a fitting tribute.” Alastair rubbed the back of his neck and sighed low and long. She always cut right to the point, he looked down at her with a mock pout.

"Shit, do I look that bad?" He half-joked, he knew he looked like death warmed up in a microwave, but still as a man who used to fight for a meal he really wasn't one to worry about looks to much. Then she mentioned how Maeda was handling it, and his sister Miu. Now, he didn't really catch all of what Mira had said and in truth he usually tuned over half of what she said out. So, he thought a moment before replying to her.

"Maeda is a Gold, and Miu used to be and still is at heart I'm sure. So, of course they handled it well. Shit, those kids are tough as nails. I wouldn't have it any other way." He half shut one eye hoping his bullshit sounded believable. Damn did he need sleep.

---

---

---

XXXXXi Theme: Crawl by Veltpunch
X Dialogue : #EE1D24 | Thought : #959595
XXX FC: Aizawa Kouichi | Nabari no O



XXXXXi Theme: Wildifre by JubyPhonic
Xi Dialogue : #FF4500 | Thought : #FF8C00
XXXXii. FC: Hinata Shouyou | Haikyuu!!X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

YUKIMURA HISAKO

Hisako giggled softly as Emi's face turned bright red, patting her friend's shoulder lightly to calm her. "Nonsense, you looked great. I wouldn't expect anything less from an idol of your level of popularity." At Cyneric's words, her attention shifted to him, looking up for a second as she thought. "Miu... ah, right!" She hadn't talked to the girl a lot, but she was looking forward to. As things might turn out now, she might be one of the only hopes of solving the complications among clans. The Monochrome alliance, the three heroes that will fight against the clock as tensions rise and risk of conflict stays all too prominently between the clans. It was all very exciting to watch and record.

Well... excluding the fact that this wasn't a story at all. Part of Hisako knew that only too well. People in her clan were dropping left and right too, the most important loss being that of the right hand. Hisako remembered meeting the woman once, the time she managed to get initiated into the clan. She was a domineering and strong presence, but that that didn't stop Hisako from rambling on for fifteen minutes about how great a Detective Sherlock Holmes was. But she was digressing. The important fact was that people were dying, yet no one from HOMRA had died at all. The grey king had wounds that seemed to be dealt from fire, their right hand was found downstream near the HOMRA territory. There was definitely undeniable evidence to convict them, but it all seemed too convenient to her. A good criminal would never give themselves away this easily, not to leave any obvious clues about themselves. And if the culprit was really inexperienced as to do that, they wouldn't have been able to continue such acts without having being caught.

Unless... it was to stir up a full out war. Of course, everything points to framing HOMRA for everything. Killing two birds with one stone really, finding a scapegoat and stirring up the already present tensions between clans. But what does this criminal stand to gain from an all out war? Maybe it was to use the opportunity for the clans to fight each other and for them to swoop in and take all the benefits for themselves? So far, all the killings are random. The killer is likely just trying to stir things up, they probably chose HOMRA to single out because people are more likely to suspect street thugs compared to the strict Scepter 4 being the source of such acts. They didn't pick their victims because being a serial killer with no pattern or apparent motive was much harder to be caught, but this time...

The death of the peacekeeper was probably a sign that the culprit (or culprits, one can never be too sure) was ready to get serious. What's the best course of action then? To stand there and not give the culprit what he wanted? No, that wasn't possible. That would only mean her friends were in danger and the threat of the JUNGLE clan dying out altogether. Fighting isn't the solution either, despite many in their gang hungering for war already. It's hard to convince the people, especially with such a silent and mysterious king. So she needed J. At least, to get to them, ask them to talk things out. And she still had no leads on where they were except for the fact that Ketsu exchanged letters with them, and that they didn't like her much at all. If not, what else?

Just as Hisako's eyes were clouding over, completely lost herself in thought, she felt a pain hit her forehead, causing her to yelp instinctively and flinch.

"Oww..." Hisako whined a little as her forehead stung from the flick Mira gave her, a small pout forming as she looked at Mira with an exaggerated expression of offence, one that melted into a smile as she cheered up. "You planned something for the funeral?" Her eyes brightened with curiosity, tilting her head slightly to the side. However, before she could inquire any further Mira continued on, telling them to inform her if anything big happened in school before bidding them farewell. "I will! Goodbye!" Hisako would've liked to stay there and talk more, but there was Cyneric and Emi, both interesting individuals that she would like to find out more about. The world was just bursting with fascinating things to observe and solve!

Just then, Emi asked her about the history notes for the lesson she missed that day. Nodding, she quickly picked up on her friend's eagerness to change the subject to brighter tones. "Of course! Just..." Leaning toward her, Hisako whispered in her ear. "Do me a favour, please give me information about J? Your clan is hunting them down, right?" Pulling away, she gave Emi a bright smile, clasping her hands in front of her chest in an almost pleading fashion.

---

▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮
▮

---

---

---

Mira paused momentarily to think. ”Well... you don’t look that terrible. Nothing that a quick comb and pat-down couldn’t fix.” she said and eyed his attire carefully, unconsciously aware that she was lightly touching his arm and flattening out a few creases in his sleeve. ”Not exactly what I’d recommend though but I guess it matters more that you eventually turned up.” Better late than never, was she right? It would have been social-murder if her King had dared not arrive at the funeral. So deep down she was at the very least relieved for that much. Regardless of whatever state the man came in.

The girl let her lids fall halfway as she then shot an unimpressed look to the man. ”Oi! Are you even listening?” Mira made her hands into fists and sat them at either side of her hip. ”Don’t go falling asleep here old man, lest you want to fall into the big hole for the corpse.” she wasn’t born yesterday after all; the girl could tell when someone wasn’t paying her their full attention, even if it was Alastair. But just then after someone else caught her very own interest, if only for being weird as a red-headed boy stuttered at her, something about her loss and apologizing for it. Mira could only tilt her head sideways with raised eyebrows.

”What an odd child,” she said mainly to herself, dropping both hands and softly stroking one of her twisted ponytails. Did he look terrified or what?’ Great. Was she attracting all the children to her now? Wasn’t that what parents were for? Maybe his mother was around and told him to say something meaningful to her or whatever. That's what you did at funerals after all. You pretended to care and feign interest. ”Do I look like a babysitter? I really hope not.” Mira huffed, spying the strange boy retreating over to that white-haired man from earlier. Oh lovely. Another odd one to add to the bunch.’

Sighing, she glanced over her shoulder to Alastair. ”Can I trust you to not nod-off and actually look presentable? We are the Gold Clan after all, Goldilocks! We have a reputation to up-keep,” Mira grinned just a little with a knowing look in her eyes. ”Otherwise you know I’ll just hunt you down and I’ll find my way to your office an--” Hold on. It just struck her that the boy was in-fact that very orange-haired member from HOMRA. Of course! Why did she take so long to fall on that fact? But then why was even a HOMRA member there anyway, surely they're the likeliest ones behind the murder after all? Fine then.’ Mira couldn't just let one of their sorts wander about the place, heavens no! That would be just unjustifiable. Besides... he was only a kid. She could handle him easily.

”Oi! Little boy, come 'ere!” Mira called with a wave of her hand, eyebrows furrowed a little. ”I want to have a word with you, so get over here already!” By no means a patient girl, her voice couldn't have sounded more nagging if she tried. The boy was in for it now, however; she took a few paces away from her King and gave the man time to pull himself together, calmly making her way closer to the seemingly fright-stricken boy.

█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
██
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
「Alastair Payne」
Dialogue; b49b04
Thought; 6f1313
- - -
Mira was always such a pistol, man whenever she got that look in her eyes Alastair knew he was in for it big-time. She adopted her "lecture time" posture and began speaking, although the tall man was a bit absent in the mind. However he caught about every third word, she touched his arm and was flattening out some wrinkles. He smiled a bit, so thoughtful, even if she doesn't mean it. Part of him found Mira charming, he'd often on a lark thought of breaking that spirit of hers. Though she wouldn't be as entertaining then and life was already so damned boring he wouldn't be able to bear it being anymore so.

"Don’t go falling asleep here old man, lest you want to fall into the big hole for the corpse.” O-old. . . Man? Old man?? He felt a bit of anger bubbling up, he was in the prime of life! Definitely not an old man and-

"Can I trust you to not nod-off and actually look presentable? We are the Gold Clan after all, Goldilocks! We have a reputation to up-keep,” He watched her and with a huff he folded his arms almost like a spoiled child. He didn't really enjoy being called that, it just took him back to unpleasant times. As he was about to reply he was cut off by her wandering off and the white haired kid remarking snarkily toward him. He ran a hand through his hair. If this isn't the damnedest funeral I've ever visited!

He glanced around once those two had left and spotted a lost looking woman from Scepter four, consoling an elder couple. A few other odd-balls and then Miu. . . Talking to a bird? He sighed, putting his hands in his pockets he headed towards her. He straightened his clothes out quickly to look a little better. Once he caught up to her he cleared his throat a bit and slid on his shades to hide his bloodshot eyes.

"Hey there kiddo. You holdin' out alright? I noticed you were talkin' to a bird. . . So, I wanted to stop over and offer my apologies." He said kind of awkwardly placing a hand on her shoulder, he wasn't the best at this empathy, making people feel good shit. Though for little Miu he'd try.

---

█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█

「Naoko Ita」
Dialogue; 374D82
Thought; 5C92BF
- - -
Naoko finished up going around consoling people. It had taken a lot out of her, she wasn't sure what to do now though, she was a bit worried about her father but she knew her fellows might need her here. Although she wasn't sure who to approach everyone seemed to be in their own worlds and Naoko was just outside all of them. She smiled slightly and walked out to the edge of the property where they had held the funeral. So many lives were touched by this one soul, something like that was very inspiring indeed. She sat down on the curb and felt tears welling up in her eyes. It was beautiful to think this persons passing would warrant so many people to come to remember them. Kings and everything lesser to friends and family all were here in attendance. It was so amazing to think about.

Naoko always enjoyed seeing the effects people's lives have on others and this was the most impressive yet. Although she wished she wouldn't have to have these revelations at funerals, such a sorrowful time for such epiphany. She rested her head in the palm of her hand and wondered if in the end her life would have such profound repercussions. . .

---

---

---

XXXXXi Theme: Crawl by Veltpunch
X Dialogue : #EE1D24 | Thought : #959595
XXX FC: Aizawa Kouichi | Nabari no O



XXXXXi Theme: Wildifre by JubyPhonic
Xi Dialogue : #FF4500 | Thought : #FF8C00
XXXXii. FC: Hinata Shouyou | Haikyuu!!X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

---

---

Yes, you.’ Mira nodded at the dumbstruck boy as he pointed at himself. She couldn't help but wonder why he was being so weird over it, but eventually decided to drop the thought for now seeing as the orange-haired boy came bouncing back over upon her beckoning. At least he’s obedient.’ She pleasantly thought while gazing down at the him slightly – well they were more or less the same height, but Mira towered above Tooru only just thanks to her high-heels. ”I was just surprised to see someone from HOMRA here that was all,” she began to explain, both hands settling up and against her hips as if about ready to give him a good telling-off. ”Don’t flip out over it, ok? There are enough high-emotions around here already.”

She then tilted her head one way, as if inspecting Tooru as he stood before her presently. There was something about the boy that she just couldn’t seem to bring herself to ignore. ”Are you… feeling alright?” Quickly offering a hand up to his face and feeling their rosy cheek, Mira looked him over quietly before pulling away just as fast the next moment. ”Your face matches your hair almost,” she commented and raised an eyebrow, merely stating the obvious. Earlier the girl could've sworn he was redder than a tomato... but Mira also realized that she was perhaps straying off what she originally summoned him for.

”Anyway... just don’t go getting up to any funny business. I don’t want any trouble here, Small Giant.” Mira always found it weird to associate the young boy with such a name, but from what she had heard through rumours it was Tooru without doubt. Although that wasn’t to say Mira was fully persuaded yet to believe what she heard though. Not completely. ”Why'd you even come here anyway? – Hold on. Make yourself useful for a minute,” she grabbed his shoulder and leaned on him a little, raising her right ankle to fidget with the back quarter of her shoe. High-heels were killer after all, especially when you walked around in them a lot and more so as well when you had to look good for a funeral – Mira certainly was not the type to sacrifice fashion for the sake of comfort! ”Besides don't you have school to go to or something?” she questioned Tooru while trying to maintain some sense of balance on her other leg.

---

---

---

XXXii Theme: Zoetrope by Yanagi Nagi
Xi Dialogue : #30004A | Thought : #B49B04
XXXXii. FC: Tsukishima Kei | Haikyuu!!X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X