Connecting To Metsuboujinrai.net (Zero-One Fanfic)

Connecting to Metsuboujinrai.net (Zero-One Fanfic)

Summary:

There was time while stuck in that body and that form, before the end came and after it was set into motion, that metsuboujinrai just...existed. The mass brain program's hub room still held them there, and in this digital space almost out of time and out of reality beyond intent...they talked. Of the past, of now, and of acceptance.

To read on AO3, follow the link below. To read here, continue past the read more!

“You guys….I’m sorry that-”

He was interrupted by a sharp yell, his gaze almost shyly glancing over at the source. 

“Don’t you dare apologize, not at this point, not here and now. Nobody is here without having committed to this shit from the start, so don’t you apologize for us making our own decisions. You think that little of us, ha??”

Jin shook his head, his expression still somber but a smile touching his lips all the same.

“We’re simply fighting for the justice and equality of all humagears, to allow them to pursue their own dreams and to discover what it means to be people on their own. We may have been created, but that doesn't make anyone a tool, especially like this. I do not regret pursuing such a thing with you all.”

“Everyone…” 

Horobi did not speak, but he stepped closer across the platform until he could place a hand on his son’s shoulder. Jin melted under the touch, letting himself reflexively slouch down a bit to more easily lean into the touch and further still to bump against his dad’s shoulder. He didn’t regret his own choices or making his stand, even if he had done it alone he wouldn’t have doubted or wanted anything else even if he failed. But here he was, he had succeeded, they had done it and set the Solds free and killed the man who had forced them to be without getting to live. It had to be done, but even still…

“Nii-san, you… what about Subaru? And the satellite? You... you had a whole life, and you didn't really join us by choice originally either. Aren’t you going to be-”

He paused, letting himself drop off there as he took in the humagear before him. He had seen Ikazuchi look off before, he had seen him hurting with no subtlety as well as that cruel genuine confusion that seeped from him when he had been manipulated or simply when he had realized he lost time or information that he shouldn’t have. Jin had seen him suffering from corruption and deterioration alike, but this was… different. Quieter. Nervous.

Ikazuchi kept his hands firmly in his pockets, not anything unusual but his face was jerked to the side away from the other three on the platform within this shared digital space. His eyes flashed blue as it seemed his systems struggled to properly contain the energy within him, a low crackle and hum around him even as this digital form kept the tell tale sparks from shooting off from him. He was upset, but not in the hot and burning way that so often tinged almost all his words and actions. This was something Jin hadn’t seen before in his adopted older brother, and to have something new so late and so doomed in knowing each other was something scary in a way he wasn’t sure how to voice.

“Nii-san?”

Ikazuchi stiffened, as if restraining a flinch before he let a loud exaggerated sigh tumble out of his mouth, his already small stature seeming even smaller as with the breath released he seemed to slouch further in on himself.

“They’ll… they’ll be fine without me, have been for a while, Jin.” He huffed a laugh, not a drop of humor in his voice despite it. “I haven’t even been allowed up There in months, and even when I was, it wasn’t…” 

He shook his head hard, pulling a hand out of his pocket just to slam his fist into his thigh in some small gesture of releasing his frustrations. He took a few moments to recompose himself, a mirthless smile gracing his lips as quiet bitter laughter started bubbling up past his lips. Naki edged closer, concern lacing their voice as they reached out to lightly hold and tug at one of the straps hanging off the other’s jacket.

“Ikazuchi…”

“They were keeping me around out of sentimentality, didn’t want to shut me down yet but they also wouldn't give me anything to do with myself. Just had me hanging around the company building and sometimes I would run errands and drop offs for the little shachou when he called. I was… I’m not even with Subaru most of the time, since he took over both our jobs now all on his own. Did a fair while back when Ark was still kicking around… An astronaut humagear forbidden from space and an older brother not even able to do anything for his little brother anymore, what a fucking joke.”

Naki tugged again but didn't speak, unsure what they could say but still wanting to give some kind of sense of presence for their friend and self imposed older brother. They were nowhere near as familial role oriented as the others of Metsuboujinrai, but they still never directly denied the various labels and treatment they received whether it be the occasional fatherly care when they needed repairs from Horobi, or the much louder scolding and coddling from Ikazuchi as one of his “younger brothers.” Jin too, by extent, was happy to consider Naki one of his siblings or something vaguely similar as well, even if an assigned role was less solid from their youngest. Naki didn't want these people to hurt or suffer, reaching singularity simply to now feel the weight of suffering felt too cruel and these people all had so much love to give even if that love pushed them and made them vulnerable to suffering. 

As one of the two oldest models of Metsuboujinrai, there was a certain type of care and hidden attention that Jin and naki offered Ikazuchi the same way they offered Horobi, the two older humagears more prone to wearing down, getting damaged, and their programming not keeping up anymore despite the move to new bodies. They both were sometimes unable to keep up with things like the flow of time or being able to understand their surroundings and situations if something conflicted with their previous assumptions or data. But they had not drawn close to outright shutting down, permanently beyond use or repair. The idea that one of their ranks could be gone permanently, and they hadn't been there to notice it was…

Naki reached out again, more firmly latching onto the edge of Ikazuchi’s sleeve at his bicep. Copper eyes flicked to the side to glance down at them, meeting concerned deep almost black. 

“I do not think you're a joke, Ikazuchi… I don't find it funny in the slightest. It is not something that could be changed, however… even so…”

“It fucking sucks, Naki. That’s just how it is sometimes; things happen you don’t want and that’s just…how it goes, no reason or morality to it. We can fight the good fight like we are now when it comes down to what’s right and wrong, but sometimes the things that go in between that just sneak up on you.”

“It… mn. Yes. It… it does ‘fucking suck’, I do not like it. It’s futile to say as much, though right now I think that’s not quite the issue at hand anymore is it?”

Ikazuchi let himself laugh a bit more genuinely, taken off guard from his harsh words from the softer tone of the other humagear. He let himself reach over and around to drape his still gripped arm over Naki’s shoulder, leaning his weight a bit on the smaller of them.

“So what about you, eh? Did you ever figure out your own dream?”

Naki blinked in surprise at the shift in topic, and after a few moments to process they gave a bit of a rueful smile and shook their head.

“No… I never quite understood what it was to have a dream, however… I think I am content with that result. I never understood what one was, but I did come to see and learn what one could help push people to do and to overcome. What dreams and ambitions can bring out of people is powerful, it can even change one’s life and self in a way nothing else comes close to. That is something I wanted to keep seeing, and to keep protecting. I am content to have done that alone for others, to still do so now.”

Horobi hummed softly in what read as approval across from the two smaller humagear, drawing attention his way now from the other three of the quartet.

“Ikazuchi. Naki. Jin. We are all resolute and beyond the point of no return in pursuing our ideals. Our final crusade is this, us, this moment that seems to stretch onwards until we are stopped by those full of determination and mercy enough to understand our intentions. There is no more room for doubts or regrets, if we had them truly then I do not believe we would have been capable of this form and this strength. That said… you have all done well. No matter what our cause has proven to be, It feels… correct, that it is with you all that we have sought out an ideal world.”

Ikazuchi’s nose scrunched up as he groaned loudly, using his free hand to make a shooing motion with his hand in Horobi’s direction. 

“Just say you’re happy to spend the end with us like a normal man or shut up, alright? Get to the point already if you have one, you’ve preached for more than enough since I met you and you’re sure as hell not going to make it the last thing I hear from you.”

Horobi stared at him, his usual stoic seriousness slowly melting just enough to allow an exasperated but fond smirk to touch the corners of his mouth. Jin smiled wide in return, happy to be with his favorite people and to see them slip into something so comfortably familiar. Just like their squabbling once upon a time in a dingy concrete room laden with whatever thrown out décor they could salvage and the never ending hum of electricity in the wires around them and the creaking of the pipes above them. Just like an older brother picking fights with a father, egging on some kind of argument that was as good as yelling at a brick wall. Just as a calm and matter-of-fact voice would step in to correct with hard data and statistics and some form of fit one way or the other from the loser would ensue. Just as a warm and happy laugh from a younger brother would chime through the room, garnering his own scolding or rough handling for having taken no sides before. 

At the end of the day, even now, like this and in these moments, Metsuboujinrai.net was connected all the same.

Persistent (Kiramager fanfic)

Summary:

Takemichi isn't the first person Juuru set his eyes on trying to befriend and support out of admiration for their inherent sparkle. This time though, maybe a little outside interference could help smooth it out a little faster for both sides, at least Sayo thinks so.

Keeping His Promise (Donbrothers fanfic)

Summary:

When Haruka had asked Jiro to accompany her into town, she was expecting big smiles and maybe endearing but annoying comments of bravado to be her company. When instead she gets silver eyes and a snarl that no human should be able to make, she finds herself surprised in more than one way about her lesser known don brother.

To read on AO3, follow the link below. To read here, continue past the read more!

Jiro hissed with his teeth clenched as he tried to sit up from his futon that morning. His arm hurt with an absolute burning intensity and he clutched at it, the pressure both painful and grounding at the same time. Yesterday’s battle had been especially hectic, the others all having their hands full with the Hitotsuki which meant Jiro had to step in overtime a bit to keep both Sononi and Sonoza at bay. He was a bit relieved, even if only secretly so, that Sonoi had not been present as well or he would likely have fared even worse; he had been a bit desperate in trying to get their attention away from the others so they wouldn't be bothered by additional opponents, but in trying to goad and let the two noto get some strikes in to engage their interest he had underestimate his opponents speed and Sonoza’s spear had taken to gouging into his bicep. He had been able to keep fighting, and he would like to think that thanks to him the others could prevail uninterrupted in their main fight with the hitotsuki monster too, though his other self had been adamant they return home to care for their wounds after everything cleared instead of finding the others.

Normally for such injuries, the other Jiro would take over with some mild insult on his tongue or a rough shove across their bond forcing his way into the body. For all his rough actions and sharp words though, he was always thinking of keeping them safe and keeping Jiro from suffering pain whenever possible. This time however, Jiro had remained in front as only he of the two of them had experience with doing stitches. For as merciful a gesture it was to switch so only one had to endure their pain and suffering, it did often result in any injuries or illness going on longer due to the other’s lack of skill in caring for them. Most practical skills such as cleaning, cooking, sewing, interacting at social events, and first aid were in the current host’s wheelhouse over the former’s as loathe as the other was whenever it came up. So it had been with golden eyes and a nervous laugh of reassurance that Jiro had made his way home and faced the ordeal of having to clean and stitch up his injured arm.

The pain had been rather excruciating but necessary, as he repeatedly had to reassure his other half throughout the process. Every tear down his cheek and grunt into the rag he’d taken to biting on for the process gave way to a respective probing for them to switch at the back of his mind. There was a joke to be made, surely, about tiger parents, though at the end of the day after everything was finished and cleaned Jiro was much too tired to make it. Instead, he did his best to brave through reheating leftovers from the night before, eating it quickly with little fanfare, and just letting himself drop to the futon and he was out not too long after. Which brought him back to his current morning and predicament he awoke to.

His body was still in a lot of pain from the injury and the strain of fighting with his injured arm and having to do everything thereafter, but he was hit with a reminder as soon as he glanced over to his cellphone beside him of prior engagements: he had agreed to accompany Haruka for some errands after she got out of school today, and in case of running into a Hitotsuki she wanted someone to be there so she wasn’t stuck fighting on her own which the upcoming hero was very happy to offer a few days ago. Now though…

“Rest inside. I’ll go.”

“Ah? But you don’t particularly know Haruka-san, why would you-”

“You do. She trusts you, and I've seen her fight.”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “That’s not really knowing someone I don't think.”

“Wouldn't let me help before, couldn't do anything. Now I can. She would be angry if you did not keep your promise.”

“...Jiro…will you be okay? It’ll be in the market district, where all the shopkeepers and old ladies I talk to for food are? Are you sure-”

He could feel the phantom sensation of hackles raising along the back of his neck and back, his body responding to the emotions of his other half even without fronting yet.

“I’m not weak. ‘ can do it myself.”

Jiro smiled at the petulant tone of his more wild side, fond of just how young he came across when he wasn’t itching for a fight or struggling for control in combat. He rubbed soothing circles into his own thigh, hoping the other was paying enough attention to sensations to feel it.

“Okay, okay. Just don’t strain anything to make it worse for us. Oh! And make sure you don't leave Haruka-san on her own, if you have to leave earlier tell her don't just walk away. And she gets loud and mad sometimes but it isn't looking for a fight or being mean usually so don't take it as a challenge!”

He heard a deep rumbling, something between a growl and purr caught deep in their chest. “Talk too much, too many rules. I won’t fight her. Go out, stay until she goes home, come back. Keeping a promise, nothing else.”

“...Thank you, I appreciate this!” 

He offered a grin before letting the ever probing claws at the corners of his consciousness tear their way forward finally. When the other Jiro felt he was properly fully brought forward, he reached a hand up to his face, tracing his fingers over his own mouth before letting the other’s expression drop as he gave a deep rough sound of a huff and rolled his neck and shoulder to crack too tense joints and muscles. Their body always felt too constrictive and uncomfortable to him whenever he fronted, like it wouldn't move how he wanted it to so his movements always were stiff and sudden.

“...he could have at least used his phone with her first…”

He pointedly ignored the laughter ringing out in his head, fighting the urge to tap a palm to his head, as if he could shake the sound from his mind like water from his ear.

Haruka had waved her friends off as they split ways from their walk from school a decent 15 minutes ago, which left her at the lakefront area near the sidewalk leading to the crosswalk from her school that would either take you to her house or into the market district. She had hoped to pick up some art supplies today and, as thanks for the company, pick something up for her and Jiro both for dinner since she had just gotten paid for this week at Donbura. However, her patience was waning a bit as she kept checking her phone with no result.

“The least he could do is text me if he was going to be late or something, I didn't see him yesterday either…did something happen maybe? Ough, I can't do anything about it now I guess.” She nodded to herself sagely, stomping in place once as if some declaration had been made as she came to a decision.

“Either he shows up late and I scold him today or he leaves me here and I scold him next time I see him! Easy.”

She was resolved to give another 10 minutes at most before going on ahead on her own, however as she leaned forward to check around the corner of the sidewalk that led the rest of the way down the lakeside path, she caught sight of familiar orange, gold, and black. She was about to call out, however she also caught sight of familiar white and tiger print and it gave her a bit of pause.

‘Th-the other Jiro?? Why would he come here? Did they switch on the way and he came to pick a fight? Oh. Come. On! Can’t I just win for once?’

Jiro caught sight of her and, to her continued confusion, he nodded his head in recognition and beelined for her, picking up his pace to stand before her in just a few moments. His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her as he stood before and over her, his head tilting the side as if appraising her. She straightened her posture, offering a nervous smile and glancing between her feet and occasionally flicking her gaze up to meet his. He leaned down a bit, and she could hear a definitely inhuman sound from him, like something was dragging harshly over stones almost as they dragged their way up his throat past his lips.

“U-um…Jiro? Or..”

He snorted, straightening up and seeming to fumble a bit with something in his pocket before pulling out their cell phone. He shook it in her direction as if that would somehow tell her anything. And going off the groan from the older man, she assumed he quickly realized she wasn't picking up on his meaning. He then held it out, tapping it lightly against one of her hands.

“You used this to tell him to meet you today.”

“U..uhuh?”

“ ‘couldn’t make it, so I came. Y’still have someone to go now, kept his promise.”

She blinked up at him in surprise, not sure what part of this entire interaction to start with unpacking yet. She had never “spoken” with this Jiro really, and it seemed he didn't want to try to do so either with really any of the team. So now with him offering to go shopping with her out of nowhere? She felt she was allowed to be a little slow on the uptake given this wasn't really ever a scenario she viewed as an option before it was literally standing in front of her.

“Hold on…what do you mean he couldn’t make it? You guys are both..” She gestured vaguely at Jiro, moving her hand up and down to point at him from head to toe. “And why didn't you text or call me then? I was waiting for him. You. Y’all? Whatever.”

She crossed her arms, looking up at him expectantly. Usually she smothered a lot of her temper and irritation unless it was with the other don brothers or someone who especially got on her nerves, but she figured maybe since he was always challenging people with how he spoke that it would work in her favor to give it right back to him. ‘Two could play this game,’ she thought. Though that strategy felt like it was going right out the window when she saw silver eyes flicker away from her as one of his hands reached up to cover his throat and scratch into his skin.

“Jiro’s phone…I don’t know how to…Jiro talks to people for us.”

Was he…embarrassed? 

“Ahaha…I see…” she replied lamely, her tone deflating almost instantly.

Her accusation felt mean a bit now, for her to get such a reaction out of a battle hungry beast of a man she had really only known on the battlefield felt…like a low blow somehow, even if she didn't have the context for why. So they both awkwardly stood there, picking different directions than the people in front of them to find ever so fascinating in the moment. Haruka startled when she caught movement in the corner of her eye, and as her gaze flitted back to look at Jiro she saw him reach out for her. Instinctively she took a half step back and he paused, blinking at her in surprise before his expression grew frustrated if the furrowing of his brows and grimace to his mouth were anything to go by. He then reached forward again, but instead of actually grabbing her, he made a motion with his hand as if pretending to do so and then pointed in the direction of the crosswalk.

“Market…he promised to go with you. So let’s get it over with.”

“Y-you don't have to-”

She quickly stopped herself as a snarl started on his lips, unusually sharp teeth exposed a bit with the expression. She backpedaled and waved her hands, offering a nervous smile and nodded.

“Okay! Okay, market it is, yeah we can do that!”

He seemed satisfied with the response as he let the snarl slide down into a tired huff and with some waiting for her to take the lead for their destination, they were off: Onisister in front with Dontorabolt a few paces behind.

Shopping with this Jiro was a much different experience than the one she knew far better. Normally, she was accompanied with plenty of idle chatter, strong arms happy to carry anything either of them purchased; an almost glowing energy anytime he could inform her of some arbitrary fact he knew about a food item either bought or at the joy under attention from whatever shopkeep, old lady, or child that stopped him for conversation. It was honestly really nice, and as much as he was full of bluster and self confidence that drove her up a wall at times, he was genuinely trying to be kind in his own way and when his kindness was aimed at her or those around her she could definitely see it. He was excitable and young spirited despite being older than her, and he preened under attention. Shopping with this Jiro however, was none of those things.

He was an imposing figure, his height something of mild annoyance now laying into his threatening appearance. It was like having a wild animal walk beside you as he seemed to glare or bare his teeth at anyone too close to either of them that wasn't necessary as they moved from stall and store to the next. He seemed to keep his right side always shielded away: if not facing a wall or shelf then always close to Haruka herself. Never touching, but close enough to make it obvious she was being used almost as some kind of shield, from what she had no clue. He didn't talk much, responding with more light grunts or hums in answer to anything she tried to probe from him and letting conversation drop from there. She found herself at a loss with what to do with him, he was helping to carry anything she felt bold enough to ask him to, but otherwise was just standing vigil and guard over her more than actually shopping with her.

It wasn’t all bad, their shopping did go by much faster admittedly, and she seemed to get much better haggling deals with her ‘guard tiger’ always at her side looming over her to shoot murderous snarls to anyone not giving her what she wanted or needed. Useful, she had to admit, but overall not particularly her favorite shopping experience ever she would have to be honest. That was the pace they had ended up going through whatever small stalls caught her interest between the actually intended art supply stores she had come for. That is, until they passed by a small cosmetics stand. It was nothing special and Haruka only planned to give it a light glance over more out of respect and habit than needing anything from it. But as they stopped in front of the small stall, Jiro seemed to suddenly stiffen, loudly exclaiming somewhere between surprise and challenge before he cut himself off. Haruka’s head whipped around, worried by the sudden scene that felt like it was building only to see a small child, maybe 6 or 7 at the most, tugging at Jiro’s kimono sleeve.

He towered over the child, a young girl in a simple pink t-shirt and white frilly skirt standing there with tears and snot running down her face. Haruka felt herself tense in concern, a bit nervous how Jiro would be around a child if she was being honest. Whatever honor bound agreement he had made with the other Jiro to make him…personable was wrong but close enough for now, towards her had no reason to extend to a random kid. She made to grab at his shoulder, thinking she would get his attention to draw away from the kid so she could get away but he simply thrusted the bought goods in his left arm into her unexpecting but open own. She spluttered, almost toppling from surprise more than the burden but before she could get a word in edgewise, she was shocked into silence.

Jiro, now unencumbered, lowered himself to crouch low enough to be at the girl’s height. He tilted his head, taking stock of her before he used the hem of his own sleeve not currently being gripped to wipe at the girl's cheeks and nose. He kept at it, ever so careful if not with jerky movements cleaning at her face until the child calmed enough to only sniffle instead of outright crying at the man. Seemingly satisfied, he placed his left hand on her head, pulling it forward to press against his own and he spoke as carefully and gently as he seemed to muster. 

“Why do you cry? Are you hurt?” Silver eyes stared into small brown ones, and he seemed to shift a bit as the girl shook her head in his loose hold.

“I lost my mommy... She was in front of the makeup store, but then she went ahead without me and there were too many people..” She seemed to start getting worked up again, but before she could start crying in earnest, he once more wiped his sleeve against her face and gently rubbed his forehead against hers, practically nuzzling her to comfort her.

“Mn…,” he let that deep rough rumbling sound start again in his chest, eliciting a small giggle from the child. “If lost here…you did good to stay here...so she can find you again. I can wait with you.”

The little girl nodded, and he moved a bit to the side in a crouch walk before outright sitting down on the sidewalk right there, just a bit to be out of the way so customers for the stall weren’t being blocked off. Haruka was in awe, her jaw all but dropped as she stared down at the battle hungry warrior who was now instead letting a little girl snot on his clothes and sit in his lap. Jiro, having calmed the child down enough to be manageable, let his sharp gaze slide back over to meet Haruka’s own, causing her to once again splutter awkwardly as she was unsure what to do with herself.

“Jiro said…not to leave you, but she..” he turned to the little girl in his lap, his face scrunching up in what seemed to be confusion. “ If you leave me…go find her mom?” It was as close to a request as he could manage, but Haruka understood well enough. “I can go shout around the next few stores down, yeah! Don’t go anywhere, if she’s still around here I'll bring her back in no time!” And so, with the kind offer of the shopkeep having overheard the situation, she passed over her bought goods to be kept safe behind the counter and she dashed off down the sidewalk.

Luckily, it seemed the little girl had only just lost sight of her mother when she grabbed onto Jiro, as only 2 stores down when she called out into it if anyone was looking for their daughter, she was met with a woman rushing her in a panic. The girl’s mother was in tears, rushing a frenzy of “I only turned away for a second, she was right there, but when I got inside the next store she was gone!” 

Haruka did her best to calm her, and she explained about how she was waiting for her mom still at the makeup stall just down the block. They both were caught up, and in what was less than 15 minutes of searching and running if even that, they were both jogging back the way they came to go meet up with Jiro and the little girl. When they got there, the two were still sitting on the concrete where the mangaka had left them, now with Jiro seeming to be...drawing on her face? Haruka’s head tilted to the side in confusion as she slowed to a stop in front of them, looking down in bewilderment of the scene. However, as the mother called out the child’s attention was grabbed, Jiro pulled away and after wiping at her cheeks one last time he leaned back so she could more easily climb out of his lap into her mother’s waiting arms. The woman was quick to dip between a string of reassurances to her child and the odd ‘thank you’ to Haruka and Jiro’s general direction as she scooped her child up onto her hip securely.

She gave one last bow of thanks and apology before turning to go on her way, the little girl looking back over her mom’s shoulder and waving at them with a bright and happy, “Bye-Bye Tora-niisan!”

Haruka blinked, noticing the marks around her eyes; Jiro had done his makeup on her it seemed, and when she turned to look at the man in question to confirm if she saw correctly, she caught him weakly raising his left hand and giving a poor imitation of a wave the way a small child would.

“Tora…niisan…”

Jiro perked up, turning his head to side eye her. She waves it off with her hands in a “don't mind!” gesture before she reached forward to grab his right hand to help pull him back onto his feet. His expression turned to one of concern, but she didn't catch it in time before he snarled outright in her direction, wrenching his hand back and clutching at his arm. She jumped back at first, unsure what she had done before she noticed a few small red dots seeming to soak through from the inside of his light colored kimono.

“Y-your arm!! I didn’t- was that today? I’m so-” He cut her off, shaking his head roughly. He rose up onto his feet on his own, a little shakier than she felt he should have, and despite her rambling protests rising again he took up her things she bought throughout the day so far in his left arms grip and then he looked at her pointedly. She stiffened in attention, looking at him nervously.

“Jiro said not to leave you…take me somewhere there’s no people…less crowded…”

She nodded, relaxing a bit and this time taking just the edge of his sleeve in her hand, she gave a small bow of thanks to the shopkeep before starting on her way down an in between alleyway. Jiro was quiet the whole way, obediently following behind, and so she was glad the area she had in mind was close by. After the alley it spit them out at a side street but once across it, there was a calm not very busy park with benches and plenty of trees they could rest at and so she lead on in determined silence until they had arrived and she carefully took her things from him as he lowered himself onto the first bench they saw.

He sighed, almost exhausted sounding despite the short venture, and he leveled her with a suddenly intense stare. It was that appraising look he had given her at the beginning of the trip, and she was certain there was more to it than a once over.

“Jiro…he trusts you. You trust him to have your back, to fight with you so you can laugh together after…” 

It was a statement, not a question, and the gears in Haruka’s head were turning at mach speeds to try and keep up with the direction of what was happening. However, before she had met him in the middle, Jiro had already moved on, only now pulling his arm out of the sleeve to reveal a mess of thick bandages wrapped around his bicep. It wasn't terrible, but there was still a sizable amount of blood seeping through at this point and it made Haruka gasp audibly. Jiro did his best to carefully unwind the bandages to pull away the gauze pad soaked through to inspect underneath it. Haruka covered her mouth at the mostly neat row of sutures across his bicep, quick to see that one had ripped and from there it was oozing slowly some half dried and half fresh blood. 

“You were hurt before you came with me today…Is that what you meant by Jiro not being able to make it?! Don’t you both feel it? Neither of you should have come then!” She gave him a hard stare, and he tilted his head at an odd angle to look at her, a confused groan on his lips as he met her stare.

“Jiro promised-”

“It was just shopping! We could have done it another time, it’s not a big deal! This!” She gestured at his arm,” This is a big deal! Did you even go to the hospital?”

Jiro sneered, seeming to almost shudder at the suggestion. “Don’t trust them...strangers…to many people and touching…No.” His tone was firm, challenging anyone who would question the decision. “Jiro is…he’s smart, picks up things quickly, learned how to… he takes care of those things. If too much for us…call Rumi-chan.” 

“Rumi-chan?” ‘I don't think he’s ever referred to anyone like that before…”

“Mn…Rumi-chan is…nice, safe, kind. Laughs with us, even when it is me not Jiro. Important, she lives back where we grew up, had to leave her behind to come here…didn’t want to rely on her when Jiro was a hero like was supposed to be.”

Haruka sighed, reaching into her school bag amongst her other things and she rooted around until she found her gym class t-shirt. She pulled it out and after a soft prayer of apology to the garment, she ripped with all her might until she successfully ripped a good long strip from the lower half of it. She looked over to Jiro, and gestured vaguely to it with her head.

“May I? Just as a temporary bandage until you’re home and Jiro can deal with it then.” 

She waited until she got a curt nod before reaching forward, wrapping the strip around his bicep and tying it off, mumbling apologies under her breath as he hisses when she tightened it to knot it. Satisfied with the quick fix bandage, she sat back as Jiro fixed his kimono back into place.

“...Do you trust me?”

She startled a bit hard, almost falling from her seat on the bench beside him as she spluttered. “Haaa??”

“You…bandaged our arm, fight with us, take us with you into crowds with strangers.”

“I mean...those aren’t really big things….” She noticed him look away from her, finding the ground much more fascinating it seemed as he almost nervously flexed his “clawed” fingers in front of him,” But they are…for you then…” 

She crossed her arms, tilting her head one way and then the other as she tried to think of how to answer him.

“Most of us didn't choose to fight, not at first anyway. I'm glad to be a don bother now! Don't get me wrong, it's important and..it has opened a lot of experiences up to me and people i wouldn't know otherwise. But we didn't pick it the way you or Taro did. But…I do trust you in battle, Jiro helps us and you’re both really strong too. So yes I trust you. And I don't think Jiro would hurt me on purpose, um…I think…maybe if you were around us more though…maybe we could get to trust you. Trust usually only comes when you get to know someone enough to understand them, y’know.”

“Jiro trusts you, even if he does not know you all. Because you are also heroes. I do not…I don’t trust people, it’s…stupid. Not safe. Most people do not wish to laugh with us or to offer kindness, not like Rumi-chan, not like Jiro. Jiro is naïve, and foolish, but he is also smart and insightful…If he trusts you…should I try to?”

“You…me, us, heroes? Ahaha, well...Um, I mean..,” she paused, taking a deep breath in and then out to settle herself. There would be time to feel praised and flustered later. “Nobody can tell you who or what to do, that’s something you need to decide. But I would like to think it would be a good idea to try and trust me..to trust us. I know we’d like it if you did. You’re both our comrades so…getting to know you both I think is a good start, since you’re both a part of the team I mean.”

Jiro paused, looking at her with the most open expression she had ever seen on his face. His eyes were wide and he was just looking at her a little slack jawed, almost startled by her words. After a few beats, he quickly turned away and made to stand taking a few steps away from the bench.

“Jiro?”

“I kept his promise. We went to the market, I did not leave you, I did not fight with you. I'm going home.”

And with that, he left as unexpectedly as he came, his almost lumbering gate straightening somewhat as he got farther away down the path. Before he was out of view, she could have sworn she overheard him talking to himself, but his words were lost on her with the distance. She sighed, letting herself sag back into the bench and looking up at the trees around her, her bags strewn at her feet and the remains of a t-shirt shredded next to her on the bench.

“What a wild day…I still owe them dinner” she thought aloud idly to herself.

Coming Back Around (Goseiger fanfic)

Summary:

Hyde hasn't let himself get close like that to anyone since Magis, and even though he loves them all so deeply that doesn't make taking that step any easier. Luckily, he has equally loving friends who are both willing to give as well as accepting of Hyde's own offer of physical affection.

Brave New World (Without You) (OOO fanfic)

Summary:

A prose writing snippet of the final conversations between Ankh and Eiji, and what precisely that might mean.

CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT

Second part of our collection of stellar artists and writers that will be featured in the upcoming zine! Each showcasing a piece of their own that represents their unique artistic profile!

Find each of them here: ebettoran // fernsnailz // gummymela // @mysuperlaserpiss // sagittamoth // @shingansoul

Writing Transcript Below The Cut!

sagittamoth

Ivo stood a comfortable distance from the broken boy on the ground. Ambulance sirens muffled the hapless cries for help around them and silenced the names they called him now.

Psycho. Freak. Monster.

A teacher grasped Ivo by the shoulder, but the boy didn’t flinch. All the while he simply grinned, hands folded neatly behind his back. Immensely proud of his handiwork. Imagining how he would gladly do it again. ---

shingansoul

He huffed a laugh, not a drop of humor in his voice despite it. “I haven’t even been allowed up There in months, and even when I was, it wasn’t…”

Ikazuchi shook his head hard, pulling a hand out of his pocket just to slam his fist into his thigh in some small gesture of releasing his frustrations. He took a few moments to recompose himself, a mirthless smile gracing his lips as quiet bitter laughter started bubbling up past his lips. Naki edged closer, concern lacing their voice as they reached out to lightly hold and tug at one of the straps hanging off the other’s jacket.