Update 25
Mortifer
Embrace your inner lunatic. Fun times guaranteed.
- Location
- Under a rock.
[X] Arisawa Tatsuki was waiting in front of the store, alone, when Fujino arrived.
It was raining again, as Fujino walked towards Urahara's store. She had a train to catch soon, which meant she had to stay dry, so she wasn't enjoying the rainfall as much as she would have liked. Though that would require her to have her psychic abilities activated so that she could feel the rain on her skin, and Fujino didn't exactly have a justifiable reason to have her ESP active right now.
It was nice, though, just listening to the rain. Soothing. A large part of it was admittedly due to Fujino's own enjoyment of the rain, but she couldn't help but feel pleased. She had done everything she could to resolve this situation, and she had saved Misaya from her own self-destructive behaviour. Intellectually, Fujino knew that the rain would have come regardless of her success, but it still made her smile.
It felt like she was being rewarded for her efforts. As she stood underneath her umbrella, listening to the pleasant sound of the raindrops around her, Fujino couldn't help but feel like the world was letting her know she had done well.
Asagami Fujino's punishment for her sins was to eternally seek atonement, by helping people when she could help. In this situation, she had done so. And now, the rain that reminded her so much of those nostalgic moments had come. She couldn't help but feel as if the world was telling her that, with how much she had done, it was okay for her to be here.
It was okay for her to live in this moment, even if her existence was a sin.
She was here, and that was fine.
With that thought in her mind, Asagami smiled, as she approached Urahara's store.
She had been along this path enough times that she could remember most of it, so it was an easy path to walk. All she had to do was make sure she didn't run into anyone by tapping her cane in front of her, and she could let herself think about that sort of thing.
Before long, she reached the entrance of the store, and knocked. She waited a moment for people inside the store to hear her, before she opened up.
"Hey, Fujino." Tatsuki was the first voice that Asagami heard. "You're here."
"Tatsuki." Fujino nodded. "How have you been?"
"Alright." Tatsuki replied. "Raining a lot, so that's annoying. For me, I mean, I know you like it."
"That's okay." Fujino replied. That was right, wasn't it. Tatsuki had said that she felt powerless when it rains.
Perhaps, Fujino mused, Tatsuki talking to Misaya and helping Misaya with her guilt would help with that, at least a bit. It wasn't as if Tatsuki needed to stop thinking of the rain as a negative thing, but perhaps it would be better for her if she was able to make at least a bit of a difference and separate the idea of the rain from feeling useless.
"So, what times your train, anyway?" Tatsuki asked.
"It's some time." Fujino replied. "I'll be able to walk there and catch the train in time as long as I'm not here longer than half an hour."
"I see." Tatsuki mused. "I suppose you'll want to talk to Misaya first, then?"
"I think I should wait until Urahara or Tsukabishi comes up to let us know if we can." Fujino replied.
"I see…" Tatsuki replied.
A moment passed awkwardly.
"I'm going to miss you, you know." Fujino said. "This entire experience was strange, but it was nice, knowing you. Even if I didn't have much say in it, someone willing to accept what I've done was nice. And even outside of that, you were fun to be with."
"...Heh." Tatsuki chuckled. "Thanks, Fujino. I'm gonna miss you too. Until next time we meet up, at least."
"I'll look forward to it." Fujino replied. "Though, I'm not sure when that will be. I'll have to look into when the Reien semesters end while lining up to your school break."
"Or you could just come by when you can." Tatsuki replied. "We can just hang out after school."
"I wouldn't want to distract from your studies." Fujino frowned.
"It's fine." Tatsuki brushed off her concern. "I'm doing good enough in school, a few days off to hang out wouldn't make too much of a difference."
"If you say so." Fujino was doubtful that Tatsuki was giving an accurate description of how that would work out, but it didn't really matter.
"Who knows." Tatsuki sounded like she would be shrugging, if Fujino had to guess. "Maybe I'll drop by when I've got a semester off and you do."
"I doubt Reien would let you on the academy grounds." Fujino replied.
"Oh, right, super strict place, huh."
Fujino took a moment to think. "I suppose I could try to schedule periodic check-ups over here."
"Oh right, you had that medical thing, didn't you?" Tatsuki asked. "I kinda forgot about that."
"Yes, I did have an appointment when I came here." Fujino mused. "The school board should accept it if I said I want to have multiple doctors check me more frequently."
"We'll see how that goes, I guess." Tatsuki shrugged. "Any way we can keep in touch beyond that? I guess I could send letters to your school with your name on it, but, well, I dunno how to send a letter in braille…"
Suddenly, Urahara's voice spoke up.
"We've got books and the stuff you need here." The shopkeeper explained. "You can work out how to pay for it."
"Thanks." Tatsuki replied. "But anyway, Fujino, would your school pass on a letter to you if I sent one?"
"They would." Fujino replied. "And I might be able to stay in touch in return, if I can get people to write your address for me."
"Cool." Tatsuki replied.
Fujino shifted her attention. "Hello, Urahara."
"Hey, Fujinon." Urahara replied. "Here for Ouji, then?"
"Please don't call me that." Fujino replied. "We don't know each other that well. It's too familiar."
"Ah, that's a frosty tone." Urahara mused, not sounding that bothered at all. "Sorry, sorry. Still, want to see Ouji?"
"Is she well?" Fujino asked.
"She seems like she's improving." Urahara replied. "She's still a bit, uh, out there, I guess? But she's willing to talk. Wants to talk to you, actually. Not too sure on the details, but there's something she wanted to talk to you about before you go."
Oh?
"I should go and talk to her, then." Fujino noted. "Tatsuki, could you come with me?"
"Alright." Tatsuki replied. "You wanted me to say something to her anyway, so may as well."
"You two have fun." Urahara replied. "If she gets violent, try to keep the noise down, so we don't bother any customers, alright?"
"I'm sure it won't come to that." Fujino replied, ignoring the attempt at humour.
"Well, head on down, then." Urahara suggested. "She's in the same room as last time. Don't get the wrong room, the kids are asleep and Tsukabishi's doing some reading."
"Understood." Fujino nodded.
"Here, take my hand." Tatsuki said. "We'll get there faster if you let me guide you."
"Thank you." Fujino replied, making sure she put her umbrella down before keeping the hand extended. Tatsuki took it after a moment, and the two of them made their way towards, and then down, the stairs.
As they reached the door leading to Misaya, Fujino noticed Tatsuki hesitate. The other girl had stopped moving momentarily, before the door.
"Should you go in first?" Tatsuki asked. "I mean, if she's feeling a bit guilty about nearly hurting me, might be better to have you take the lead so she notices you first."
"That might be the case." Fujino mused. "Very well then."
Quickly using her cane to confirm the layout before her, and specifically where the door was, Fujino stepped forward and opened it.
It was quiet for a moment, as Fujino stepped in.
"Misaya?" She asked. "Are you there?"
It took another moment for the reply to come. "I'm here."
"How are you?" Fujino asked, as she heard Tatsuki slip into the room behind her.
"Fine, I guess." Misaya's voice sounded stronger than yesterday, though not as strong as Fujino remembered it being, back when Misaya was at Reien. "...Sleeping again was nice. Feel better now. More rested."
"That's good to hear." Fujino replied. "I hear you wanted to talk to me about something?"
"...That can wait." Misaya muttered. "Why is Arisawa here?"
"I asked her to be here." Fujino replied.
"I can leave if you don't want me here." Tatsuki interjected.
"..Let me guess." Misaya sighed. "This is the part where she tells me I shouldn't feel guilty for hurting her earlier, because you told her I did, and you want to make me feel better?"
Fujino shifted, feeling guilty that Misaya had seen through her intentions so easily. Even if it was the right thing to do, that tired tone in her voice sounded like Misaya didn't appreciate the effort.
Tatsuki spoke before Fujino could confirm it herself. "I mean, it's not like I blame you for that. I forgot it even happened, to be honest. A lot has happened, it kinda slipped my mind."
"...What?" Misaya's dumbfounded reply took a moment to come out. "How do you just… Forget, almost dying?"
"It wasn't that bad." Tatsuki replied. "I just would have been hospitalised if I hadn't been healed, and I was healed, so no harm done."
Misaya didn't reply.
"Like, I dunno if this is what you want to hear or if this is another situation where you want to be considered the bad guy." Tatsuki continued. "But really. I don't care, I don't mind. You were in a bad place, no lasting damage was done, nothing to worry about."
"...Liar." Misaya muttered.
"Really not lying." Tatsuki defended herself. "But it's not like I have any way to prove that. I can go now if you want, I've said everything I came to say."
Once again, Misaya was quiet for some time. Fujino reflected briefly on how much more comprehension of what was happening she would have if she could look at, and try to interpret, Misaya's facial expressions at times like this.
"...I want to talk to Asagami." Misaya concluded, eventually. "Alone."
"Alright." Tatsuki replied. "Understood. Leaving."
She moved briefly, and Fujino heard the door open and then shut behind her.
"Was she telling the truth?" Misaya's question came the instant the door shut. "Does she really…"
Misaya didn't finish her sentence, but Fujino could make a guess at what she meant.
"She had honestly forgotten when I raised the subject." Fujino said. "That's the truth. She doesn't hold anything against you."
Misaya fell into silence again, which Fujino was going to guess was a result of her being lost in thought. Eventually, Fujino tried raising another subject to discuss.
"You have decided to stay here, then?" Fujino asked.
"...Yeah." Ouji replied. "I… Need some time. There's some things I want to confirm, some things I want to do, and I don't want to go back to Reien. Not like this."
"I understand." Fujino replied. "I hope you are comfortable here. There should be people you can talk to if you need help."
"I know." Misaya replied. "I… Thank you."
"What was it you wanted to speak to me about, earlier?" Fujino asked.
"I… Just wanted to let you know something." Misaya said. "I don't know if this will help, but I think you should know."
Fujino waited, and Misaya took her cue eventually.
"...The fifth victim." Misaya explained. "The one you… Took your time with. He wasn't a good person either."
Fujino's pause was less intentional, this time. "I don't need t-"
"Let me finish." Misaya interrupted. "I don't know the full context of your guilt, but listen. He wasn't any better than the first four. He'd never done… That, to anyone, but he'd heard about you from the others. I saw his memories with the fairy Kurogiri had prepared. Just before you began killing him, he was getting ready to… Have his way with you."
While Fujino took a moment to process that, Misaya came to a conclusion. "I don't know if that helps or if you don't care, but… I thought you should know, either way. That most people would say he deserved to die anyway."
Misaya's aim was clear enough, here. She must have wanted to make it up to Fujino for doing so much to help her. This, then, was her way of doing that. Imparting information which only she had, which might come as some comfort to the person who had decided to help her regardless of what it would take.
As far as Fujino was concerned, the information didn't make a difference. She hadn't known that when she had tortured and killed that man. She had enjoyed it, and her other murders. She had still killed one person who was truly innocent. If the driver of that truck wasn't, then surely Misaya would have spoken of him as well.
But at the same time, Fujino couldn't help but feel happy.
Even if Misaya's words didn't change anything, she had still made sure to tell Fujino. She could have just not spoken, she could have kept the information to herself. Instead, she considered it important enough that she had asked Urahara to let Fujino speak with her.
Even if Fujino didn't think she deserved it, the fact that Misaya had tried to console her like that brought a smile to her face.
"I appreciate the intent, Misaya." Fujino explained. "Thank you."
"...The intent." Ouji replied. "Not the message."
"It doesn't matter who the victims were." Fujino explained. "The sin was what I did, not who I did it too. The fact that one more person I killed was a sinner as well doesn't change that I did it. Or that I enjoyed it."
"I suppose." Misaya replied. "I don't really get it, but I really wouldn't think poorly about it. If you think about it, a guy like that dying is probably a good thing."
Fujino didn't reply. She didn't agree with Misaya's attempts to ease Fujino's guilt, but she didn't want to start an argument over this. She wanted to leave Karakura Town in a good mood, knowing that Misaya would be improving in her absence. Fujino thought it would be important not to have an argument before she left.
It likely wouldn't help if Fujino insisted on carrying her guilt with her while trying to convince Misaya to move past hers. With that in case, it would be important to let the topic drop for now.
"In any case." Fujino shifted the topic to avoid having to discuss it further. "Are you going to be okay here, Misaya?"
"I should be." Misaya replied. "Urahara said as long as I tell him anything about Kurogiri I remember and help with the store, I can stay for as long as I need."
"That's good to hear." Fujino stated.
"I…" Misaya began, but not going anywhere. After a moment, she tried again. "Urahara hasn't let me look at his books yet. He told me to wait a few days to make sure I'm properly in the right mind."
"I see." Fujino replied. "I'm sure that, whatever answers you find, it'll be okay."
"...I still want to see her again." Misaya admitted. "I want to hold on to that hope. Even if everyone says I can't, I…"
She floundered for words for a moment.
"...I don't want this to have been for nothing." Misaya completed.
"It won't have been." Fujino consoled her. "In the end, as long as you come out of this okay, then it wasn't for nothing. If this all helps you move past what happened in Reien, then it wasn't for nothing."
"...Thanks, I guess." Misaya sighed.
Fujino couldn't help but feel like Ouji was getting depressed, again.
"Do you need me to do anything?" Fujino asked. "If you need me to do anything, just let me know."
"...You've done enough." Misaya replied again. "I… Don't deserve any more than this anyway."
"Perhaps." Fujino continued. "But I want to help you regardless."
Misaya hummed, a sound that seemed to portray a somewhat pleasant reaction, but didn't reply for some time. The two girls waited in silence for some time, once again, before Misaya spoke once again.
"This has all been a mess." Misaya said. "And… I still don't fully get why you helped me. Or how you even knew where to look for me. But thank you. You were right, earlier. I'd probably be dead if it wasn't for you."
"I'm glad I could help you." Fujino stated. "I'm glad that you're okay."
"You were going back to Reien soon, weren't you?" Misaya asked.
"I'm taking the next train." Fujino explained. "I'll have to make my way to the station as soon as I leave here."
"I should stop keeping you, then." Misaya said. "I'm sure you have other people you want to talk to before you leave."
"Have you said everything you wanted to say?" Fujino asked. "Don't let me go too early because you want to be polite."
"I can't think of anything else to say anyway." Misaya admitted. "We'd just end up talking about the same thing over and over."
"If you say so." Fujino gave a polite bow. "I'll speak with you again, one day."
"I'll look forward to it."
Smiling, Fujino turned around. "Farewell, Misaya."
"Farewell, Asa… Fujino."
And with that, Fujino left the room.
The moment the door shut behind her, Fujino felt a surge of worry. Would Misaya be okay? Would she be safe, here?
She didn't think those feelings were going to change, anytime soon. So instead, she should just get used to them.
"How'd it go?" Tatsuki's voice suddenly spoke up, from Fujino's left.
"It went well." Fujino replied, beckoning Tatsuki in the direction towards the stairs. "Shall we go up?"
"Sure." Tatsuki replied. The two girls walked, and as they did, Fujino kept talking.
"So, what were you planning to do once I leave?" Fujino asked. "Your vacation is still on, isn't it?"
"For a bit more, yeah." Tatsuki replied. "Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe I'll dig a bit more into this supernatural stuff. Talking with ghosts."
"Are you sure?" Fujino asked. "From my experience, the supernatural world isn't something that brings joy."
"Maybe. But you said you're not interested in it much, so you'd probably only know of it when its forced upon you, right?"
"I suppose." Fujino mused.
"And besides." Tatsuki continued, as the girls started to make their ways up the stairs. "Maybe if I get some experience with this stuff, I can force Ichigo and Orihime to at least tell me the next time they go off to do something. Or get involved as well. Hold on, let me get the door."
Fujino paused for a moment, as she heard the door ahead of her open, and then felt Tatsuki take her hand again.
"Anyway, don't have much to do other than that." Tatsuki finished. "So I guess I'm just doing whatever until school starts again."
Suddenly, Urahara's voice spoke up.
"Is that so?" He asked. "Could I ask a favour then, Arisawa?"
"Depends." Tatsuki replied. "What is it?"
"I just need some things dealt with tomorrow, an extra pair of hands'll help out." Urahara explained. "I'll pass on some of the stuff you need to write a letter in braille as payment for your services, if you do."
"...Sure, I guess." Fujino felt Tatsuki's hand move as if she was shrugging. "Don't have anything better to do."
"Good, good." Urahara mused. "I'll see you tomorrow. August 13th, don't forget."
"I know what day it is tomorrow." Tatsuki sighed.
"My bad." Urahara apologised. "I'm used to kids like half your age, and they usually need it repeated a few times."
"Whatever." Tatsuki replied. "I'll drop by."
"My thanks." Urahara replied in a slight sing-song. "Now, I suppose the two of you will be on your way now?"
"I will be." Fujino stated. "Where did I leave my umbrella?"
"Here." Tatsuki said, letting go of Fujino's hand and putting the handle of the umbrella in its place.
"My thanks." Fujino nodded towards Tatsuki. "I suppose I should be on my way, now."
"On your way out, then?" Tatsuki asked.
"I should make my way towards the train station now, I think." Fujino replied. "Being there early in case of any delays might be smart."
"I see." Tatsuki mused. "I guess this is goodbye, then."
"You want to part ways here?" Fujino asked. "You could walk with me for a bit, if you want."
"I mean, tempting." Tatsuki replied. "But we're going to part ways anyway, and I'd prefer a goodbye somewhere quiet like here, rather than have to talk over whatever crowd or noise is at the station. Feels more meaningful if we aren't surrounded by people right?"
"I should probably give you two room, then." Urahara noted. Footsteps creaked against the floor, and then a door opened and closed.
"I'm going to miss you, Tatsuki." Fujino said. "I said it earlier, but I'm going to say it again. It was nice to know you."
"Same." Tatsuki replied. "It was fun talking with you. Teasing you about not being a perfect model student."
"I won't miss that." Fujino lied, smiling softly.
"Whatever, miss truant." Tatsuki teased. Fujino's eye twitched at the comment. "But seriously. I'll keep in contact when I can."
"I look forward to it." Fujino replied.
Silence hung in the air for a moment, before Fujino decided the conversation was done. She waited another moment, hesitating, to push off the moment of separation.
But eventually, she turned.
"Farewell, then. Tatsuki." Fujino stated. "I'll see you again, when I can."
"Goodbye, Fujino." Tatsuki said in reply. "I'll look forward to that day."
Smiling, Fujino began to walk away. Leaving Urahara's store behind, she stepped outside, holding the umbrella above her head as she stepped into the rain.
As she walked on her way, Fujino considered something for a moment. She couldn't just let herself feel the rain, not when she needed to catch a train, but being wet would only be an issue if her clothes were soaked. Perhaps, if she just stuck her hand out, she could enjoy the rain slightly.
There wasn't any lingering sensation without her ESP, no remaining sense of pain to feel the rain in detail. She could tell that the rain was landing on her hand, but nothing beyond that. Waiting for a moment, Fujino returned her hand to her umbrella again, and lightly touched her hand against her cheek.
It was like she was a child again. Back then, it had been a drop of rain. Now, it was the joy she felt in her heart, thinking about what had happened here. In this moment, Fujino could just ignore her concern, over whether it was right for her to exist or not.
Thinking about how she had been able to help Misaya, thinking about the friendship she had forged with Tatsuki, it made it easier to forget the guilt of her sins.
Asagami Fujino was happy.
A brief epilogue remains. From whose eyes shall it be seen?
[X] Arisawa Tatsuki
[X] Kurosaki Ichigo
It was raining again, as Fujino walked towards Urahara's store. She had a train to catch soon, which meant she had to stay dry, so she wasn't enjoying the rainfall as much as she would have liked. Though that would require her to have her psychic abilities activated so that she could feel the rain on her skin, and Fujino didn't exactly have a justifiable reason to have her ESP active right now.
It was nice, though, just listening to the rain. Soothing. A large part of it was admittedly due to Fujino's own enjoyment of the rain, but she couldn't help but feel pleased. She had done everything she could to resolve this situation, and she had saved Misaya from her own self-destructive behaviour. Intellectually, Fujino knew that the rain would have come regardless of her success, but it still made her smile.
It felt like she was being rewarded for her efforts. As she stood underneath her umbrella, listening to the pleasant sound of the raindrops around her, Fujino couldn't help but feel like the world was letting her know she had done well.
Asagami Fujino's punishment for her sins was to eternally seek atonement, by helping people when she could help. In this situation, she had done so. And now, the rain that reminded her so much of those nostalgic moments had come. She couldn't help but feel as if the world was telling her that, with how much she had done, it was okay for her to be here.
It was okay for her to live in this moment, even if her existence was a sin.
She was here, and that was fine.
With that thought in her mind, Asagami smiled, as she approached Urahara's store.
She had been along this path enough times that she could remember most of it, so it was an easy path to walk. All she had to do was make sure she didn't run into anyone by tapping her cane in front of her, and she could let herself think about that sort of thing.
Before long, she reached the entrance of the store, and knocked. She waited a moment for people inside the store to hear her, before she opened up.
"Hey, Fujino." Tatsuki was the first voice that Asagami heard. "You're here."
"Tatsuki." Fujino nodded. "How have you been?"
"Alright." Tatsuki replied. "Raining a lot, so that's annoying. For me, I mean, I know you like it."
"That's okay." Fujino replied. That was right, wasn't it. Tatsuki had said that she felt powerless when it rains.
Perhaps, Fujino mused, Tatsuki talking to Misaya and helping Misaya with her guilt would help with that, at least a bit. It wasn't as if Tatsuki needed to stop thinking of the rain as a negative thing, but perhaps it would be better for her if she was able to make at least a bit of a difference and separate the idea of the rain from feeling useless.
"So, what times your train, anyway?" Tatsuki asked.
"It's some time." Fujino replied. "I'll be able to walk there and catch the train in time as long as I'm not here longer than half an hour."
"I see." Tatsuki mused. "I suppose you'll want to talk to Misaya first, then?"
"I think I should wait until Urahara or Tsukabishi comes up to let us know if we can." Fujino replied.
"I see…" Tatsuki replied.
A moment passed awkwardly.
"I'm going to miss you, you know." Fujino said. "This entire experience was strange, but it was nice, knowing you. Even if I didn't have much say in it, someone willing to accept what I've done was nice. And even outside of that, you were fun to be with."
"...Heh." Tatsuki chuckled. "Thanks, Fujino. I'm gonna miss you too. Until next time we meet up, at least."
"I'll look forward to it." Fujino replied. "Though, I'm not sure when that will be. I'll have to look into when the Reien semesters end while lining up to your school break."
"Or you could just come by when you can." Tatsuki replied. "We can just hang out after school."
"I wouldn't want to distract from your studies." Fujino frowned.
"It's fine." Tatsuki brushed off her concern. "I'm doing good enough in school, a few days off to hang out wouldn't make too much of a difference."
"If you say so." Fujino was doubtful that Tatsuki was giving an accurate description of how that would work out, but it didn't really matter.
"Who knows." Tatsuki sounded like she would be shrugging, if Fujino had to guess. "Maybe I'll drop by when I've got a semester off and you do."
"I doubt Reien would let you on the academy grounds." Fujino replied.
"Oh, right, super strict place, huh."
Fujino took a moment to think. "I suppose I could try to schedule periodic check-ups over here."
"Oh right, you had that medical thing, didn't you?" Tatsuki asked. "I kinda forgot about that."
"Yes, I did have an appointment when I came here." Fujino mused. "The school board should accept it if I said I want to have multiple doctors check me more frequently."
"We'll see how that goes, I guess." Tatsuki shrugged. "Any way we can keep in touch beyond that? I guess I could send letters to your school with your name on it, but, well, I dunno how to send a letter in braille…"
Suddenly, Urahara's voice spoke up.
"We've got books and the stuff you need here." The shopkeeper explained. "You can work out how to pay for it."
"Thanks." Tatsuki replied. "But anyway, Fujino, would your school pass on a letter to you if I sent one?"
"They would." Fujino replied. "And I might be able to stay in touch in return, if I can get people to write your address for me."
"Cool." Tatsuki replied.
Fujino shifted her attention. "Hello, Urahara."
"Hey, Fujinon." Urahara replied. "Here for Ouji, then?"
"Please don't call me that." Fujino replied. "We don't know each other that well. It's too familiar."
"Ah, that's a frosty tone." Urahara mused, not sounding that bothered at all. "Sorry, sorry. Still, want to see Ouji?"
"Is she well?" Fujino asked.
"She seems like she's improving." Urahara replied. "She's still a bit, uh, out there, I guess? But she's willing to talk. Wants to talk to you, actually. Not too sure on the details, but there's something she wanted to talk to you about before you go."
Oh?
"I should go and talk to her, then." Fujino noted. "Tatsuki, could you come with me?"
"Alright." Tatsuki replied. "You wanted me to say something to her anyway, so may as well."
"You two have fun." Urahara replied. "If she gets violent, try to keep the noise down, so we don't bother any customers, alright?"
"I'm sure it won't come to that." Fujino replied, ignoring the attempt at humour.
"Well, head on down, then." Urahara suggested. "She's in the same room as last time. Don't get the wrong room, the kids are asleep and Tsukabishi's doing some reading."
"Understood." Fujino nodded.
"Here, take my hand." Tatsuki said. "We'll get there faster if you let me guide you."
"Thank you." Fujino replied, making sure she put her umbrella down before keeping the hand extended. Tatsuki took it after a moment, and the two of them made their way towards, and then down, the stairs.
As they reached the door leading to Misaya, Fujino noticed Tatsuki hesitate. The other girl had stopped moving momentarily, before the door.
"Should you go in first?" Tatsuki asked. "I mean, if she's feeling a bit guilty about nearly hurting me, might be better to have you take the lead so she notices you first."
"That might be the case." Fujino mused. "Very well then."
Quickly using her cane to confirm the layout before her, and specifically where the door was, Fujino stepped forward and opened it.
It was quiet for a moment, as Fujino stepped in.
"Misaya?" She asked. "Are you there?"
It took another moment for the reply to come. "I'm here."
"How are you?" Fujino asked, as she heard Tatsuki slip into the room behind her.
"Fine, I guess." Misaya's voice sounded stronger than yesterday, though not as strong as Fujino remembered it being, back when Misaya was at Reien. "...Sleeping again was nice. Feel better now. More rested."
"That's good to hear." Fujino replied. "I hear you wanted to talk to me about something?"
"...That can wait." Misaya muttered. "Why is Arisawa here?"
"I asked her to be here." Fujino replied.
"I can leave if you don't want me here." Tatsuki interjected.
"..Let me guess." Misaya sighed. "This is the part where she tells me I shouldn't feel guilty for hurting her earlier, because you told her I did, and you want to make me feel better?"
Fujino shifted, feeling guilty that Misaya had seen through her intentions so easily. Even if it was the right thing to do, that tired tone in her voice sounded like Misaya didn't appreciate the effort.
Tatsuki spoke before Fujino could confirm it herself. "I mean, it's not like I blame you for that. I forgot it even happened, to be honest. A lot has happened, it kinda slipped my mind."
"...What?" Misaya's dumbfounded reply took a moment to come out. "How do you just… Forget, almost dying?"
"It wasn't that bad." Tatsuki replied. "I just would have been hospitalised if I hadn't been healed, and I was healed, so no harm done."
Misaya didn't reply.
"Like, I dunno if this is what you want to hear or if this is another situation where you want to be considered the bad guy." Tatsuki continued. "But really. I don't care, I don't mind. You were in a bad place, no lasting damage was done, nothing to worry about."
"...Liar." Misaya muttered.
"Really not lying." Tatsuki defended herself. "But it's not like I have any way to prove that. I can go now if you want, I've said everything I came to say."
Once again, Misaya was quiet for some time. Fujino reflected briefly on how much more comprehension of what was happening she would have if she could look at, and try to interpret, Misaya's facial expressions at times like this.
"...I want to talk to Asagami." Misaya concluded, eventually. "Alone."
"Alright." Tatsuki replied. "Understood. Leaving."
She moved briefly, and Fujino heard the door open and then shut behind her.
"Was she telling the truth?" Misaya's question came the instant the door shut. "Does she really…"
Misaya didn't finish her sentence, but Fujino could make a guess at what she meant.
"She had honestly forgotten when I raised the subject." Fujino said. "That's the truth. She doesn't hold anything against you."
Misaya fell into silence again, which Fujino was going to guess was a result of her being lost in thought. Eventually, Fujino tried raising another subject to discuss.
"You have decided to stay here, then?" Fujino asked.
"...Yeah." Ouji replied. "I… Need some time. There's some things I want to confirm, some things I want to do, and I don't want to go back to Reien. Not like this."
"I understand." Fujino replied. "I hope you are comfortable here. There should be people you can talk to if you need help."
"I know." Misaya replied. "I… Thank you."
"What was it you wanted to speak to me about, earlier?" Fujino asked.
"I… Just wanted to let you know something." Misaya said. "I don't know if this will help, but I think you should know."
Fujino waited, and Misaya took her cue eventually.
"...The fifth victim." Misaya explained. "The one you… Took your time with. He wasn't a good person either."
Fujino's pause was less intentional, this time. "I don't need t-"
"Let me finish." Misaya interrupted. "I don't know the full context of your guilt, but listen. He wasn't any better than the first four. He'd never done… That, to anyone, but he'd heard about you from the others. I saw his memories with the fairy Kurogiri had prepared. Just before you began killing him, he was getting ready to… Have his way with you."
While Fujino took a moment to process that, Misaya came to a conclusion. "I don't know if that helps or if you don't care, but… I thought you should know, either way. That most people would say he deserved to die anyway."
Misaya's aim was clear enough, here. She must have wanted to make it up to Fujino for doing so much to help her. This, then, was her way of doing that. Imparting information which only she had, which might come as some comfort to the person who had decided to help her regardless of what it would take.
As far as Fujino was concerned, the information didn't make a difference. She hadn't known that when she had tortured and killed that man. She had enjoyed it, and her other murders. She had still killed one person who was truly innocent. If the driver of that truck wasn't, then surely Misaya would have spoken of him as well.
But at the same time, Fujino couldn't help but feel happy.
Even if Misaya's words didn't change anything, she had still made sure to tell Fujino. She could have just not spoken, she could have kept the information to herself. Instead, she considered it important enough that she had asked Urahara to let Fujino speak with her.
Even if Fujino didn't think she deserved it, the fact that Misaya had tried to console her like that brought a smile to her face.
"I appreciate the intent, Misaya." Fujino explained. "Thank you."
"...The intent." Ouji replied. "Not the message."
"It doesn't matter who the victims were." Fujino explained. "The sin was what I did, not who I did it too. The fact that one more person I killed was a sinner as well doesn't change that I did it. Or that I enjoyed it."
"I suppose." Misaya replied. "I don't really get it, but I really wouldn't think poorly about it. If you think about it, a guy like that dying is probably a good thing."
Fujino didn't reply. She didn't agree with Misaya's attempts to ease Fujino's guilt, but she didn't want to start an argument over this. She wanted to leave Karakura Town in a good mood, knowing that Misaya would be improving in her absence. Fujino thought it would be important not to have an argument before she left.
It likely wouldn't help if Fujino insisted on carrying her guilt with her while trying to convince Misaya to move past hers. With that in case, it would be important to let the topic drop for now.
"In any case." Fujino shifted the topic to avoid having to discuss it further. "Are you going to be okay here, Misaya?"
"I should be." Misaya replied. "Urahara said as long as I tell him anything about Kurogiri I remember and help with the store, I can stay for as long as I need."
"That's good to hear." Fujino stated.
"I…" Misaya began, but not going anywhere. After a moment, she tried again. "Urahara hasn't let me look at his books yet. He told me to wait a few days to make sure I'm properly in the right mind."
"I see." Fujino replied. "I'm sure that, whatever answers you find, it'll be okay."
"...I still want to see her again." Misaya admitted. "I want to hold on to that hope. Even if everyone says I can't, I…"
She floundered for words for a moment.
"...I don't want this to have been for nothing." Misaya completed.
"It won't have been." Fujino consoled her. "In the end, as long as you come out of this okay, then it wasn't for nothing. If this all helps you move past what happened in Reien, then it wasn't for nothing."
"...Thanks, I guess." Misaya sighed.
Fujino couldn't help but feel like Ouji was getting depressed, again.
"Do you need me to do anything?" Fujino asked. "If you need me to do anything, just let me know."
"...You've done enough." Misaya replied again. "I… Don't deserve any more than this anyway."
"Perhaps." Fujino continued. "But I want to help you regardless."
Misaya hummed, a sound that seemed to portray a somewhat pleasant reaction, but didn't reply for some time. The two girls waited in silence for some time, once again, before Misaya spoke once again.
"This has all been a mess." Misaya said. "And… I still don't fully get why you helped me. Or how you even knew where to look for me. But thank you. You were right, earlier. I'd probably be dead if it wasn't for you."
"I'm glad I could help you." Fujino stated. "I'm glad that you're okay."
"You were going back to Reien soon, weren't you?" Misaya asked.
"I'm taking the next train." Fujino explained. "I'll have to make my way to the station as soon as I leave here."
"I should stop keeping you, then." Misaya said. "I'm sure you have other people you want to talk to before you leave."
"Have you said everything you wanted to say?" Fujino asked. "Don't let me go too early because you want to be polite."
"I can't think of anything else to say anyway." Misaya admitted. "We'd just end up talking about the same thing over and over."
"If you say so." Fujino gave a polite bow. "I'll speak with you again, one day."
"I'll look forward to it."
Smiling, Fujino turned around. "Farewell, Misaya."
"Farewell, Asa… Fujino."
And with that, Fujino left the room.
The moment the door shut behind her, Fujino felt a surge of worry. Would Misaya be okay? Would she be safe, here?
She didn't think those feelings were going to change, anytime soon. So instead, she should just get used to them.
"How'd it go?" Tatsuki's voice suddenly spoke up, from Fujino's left.
"It went well." Fujino replied, beckoning Tatsuki in the direction towards the stairs. "Shall we go up?"
"Sure." Tatsuki replied. The two girls walked, and as they did, Fujino kept talking.
"So, what were you planning to do once I leave?" Fujino asked. "Your vacation is still on, isn't it?"
"For a bit more, yeah." Tatsuki replied. "Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe I'll dig a bit more into this supernatural stuff. Talking with ghosts."
"Are you sure?" Fujino asked. "From my experience, the supernatural world isn't something that brings joy."
"Maybe. But you said you're not interested in it much, so you'd probably only know of it when its forced upon you, right?"
"I suppose." Fujino mused.
"And besides." Tatsuki continued, as the girls started to make their ways up the stairs. "Maybe if I get some experience with this stuff, I can force Ichigo and Orihime to at least tell me the next time they go off to do something. Or get involved as well. Hold on, let me get the door."
Fujino paused for a moment, as she heard the door ahead of her open, and then felt Tatsuki take her hand again.
"Anyway, don't have much to do other than that." Tatsuki finished. "So I guess I'm just doing whatever until school starts again."
Suddenly, Urahara's voice spoke up.
"Is that so?" He asked. "Could I ask a favour then, Arisawa?"
"Depends." Tatsuki replied. "What is it?"
"I just need some things dealt with tomorrow, an extra pair of hands'll help out." Urahara explained. "I'll pass on some of the stuff you need to write a letter in braille as payment for your services, if you do."
"...Sure, I guess." Fujino felt Tatsuki's hand move as if she was shrugging. "Don't have anything better to do."
"Good, good." Urahara mused. "I'll see you tomorrow. August 13th, don't forget."
"I know what day it is tomorrow." Tatsuki sighed.
"My bad." Urahara apologised. "I'm used to kids like half your age, and they usually need it repeated a few times."
"Whatever." Tatsuki replied. "I'll drop by."
"My thanks." Urahara replied in a slight sing-song. "Now, I suppose the two of you will be on your way now?"
"I will be." Fujino stated. "Where did I leave my umbrella?"
"Here." Tatsuki said, letting go of Fujino's hand and putting the handle of the umbrella in its place.
"My thanks." Fujino nodded towards Tatsuki. "I suppose I should be on my way, now."
"On your way out, then?" Tatsuki asked.
"I should make my way towards the train station now, I think." Fujino replied. "Being there early in case of any delays might be smart."
"I see." Tatsuki mused. "I guess this is goodbye, then."
"You want to part ways here?" Fujino asked. "You could walk with me for a bit, if you want."
"I mean, tempting." Tatsuki replied. "But we're going to part ways anyway, and I'd prefer a goodbye somewhere quiet like here, rather than have to talk over whatever crowd or noise is at the station. Feels more meaningful if we aren't surrounded by people right?"
"I should probably give you two room, then." Urahara noted. Footsteps creaked against the floor, and then a door opened and closed.
"I'm going to miss you, Tatsuki." Fujino said. "I said it earlier, but I'm going to say it again. It was nice to know you."
"Same." Tatsuki replied. "It was fun talking with you. Teasing you about not being a perfect model student."
"I won't miss that." Fujino lied, smiling softly.
"Whatever, miss truant." Tatsuki teased. Fujino's eye twitched at the comment. "But seriously. I'll keep in contact when I can."
"I look forward to it." Fujino replied.
Silence hung in the air for a moment, before Fujino decided the conversation was done. She waited another moment, hesitating, to push off the moment of separation.
But eventually, she turned.
"Farewell, then. Tatsuki." Fujino stated. "I'll see you again, when I can."
"Goodbye, Fujino." Tatsuki said in reply. "I'll look forward to that day."
Smiling, Fujino began to walk away. Leaving Urahara's store behind, she stepped outside, holding the umbrella above her head as she stepped into the rain.
As she walked on her way, Fujino considered something for a moment. She couldn't just let herself feel the rain, not when she needed to catch a train, but being wet would only be an issue if her clothes were soaked. Perhaps, if she just stuck her hand out, she could enjoy the rain slightly.
There wasn't any lingering sensation without her ESP, no remaining sense of pain to feel the rain in detail. She could tell that the rain was landing on her hand, but nothing beyond that. Waiting for a moment, Fujino returned her hand to her umbrella again, and lightly touched her hand against her cheek.
It was like she was a child again. Back then, it had been a drop of rain. Now, it was the joy she felt in her heart, thinking about what had happened here. In this moment, Fujino could just ignore her concern, over whether it was right for her to exist or not.
Thinking about how she had been able to help Misaya, thinking about the friendship she had forged with Tatsuki, it made it easier to forget the guilt of her sins.
Asagami Fujino was happy.
A brief epilogue remains. From whose eyes shall it be seen?
[X] Arisawa Tatsuki
[X] Kurosaki Ichigo
