wipingallout

"I imagined how much Ryoji would love Vi, and how flustered she'd get if he flirted with her," Hamuko giggled, covering her mouth a little. "Oh man... and imagining how everyone else would get along with him! And all of the fun adventures we go on together... I think if any of my loved ones showed up here, I hope it's him."

Edited 2025-08-23 19:38 (UTC)

"To give him another chance to exist again, hm?" He understood that sentiment quite well. "Is he...open like you then? You don't mind if he flirts with someone else?

"We could both flirt with her! Hehehe. But yeah - I know even if he flirts with anyone else, our bond is still strong. We'll always have that."

"So its a matter of trust," he nods- even if he personally can't imagine having more than one partner at a time. The prospect of two people flirting with him at once was an idea he wasn't sure he could survive with his idea of partners and the rickety slope of romance in general.

But it was nice to see young people be young. For one. He knew he had a lot of fascinating things to experiment with during his youth. As long as they are happy with that arrangement.

"I hope your wish comes true, Hamuko-san."

She smiled, passing the ema to the person standing there, who went about tying it up along with the other wishes.

"So? What did you put down for your wish?"

Maruki did the same, holding out his ema as well as he watched the person tie up their planks of woods on the strings.

"I wished for your peace," he admits- not really looking her way as he says those words. "Or your brother's. Whoever is the Seal in my world right now."

"...Thank you, Maruki," Hamuko replied, less teasing. Genuine, appreciative...

"It's people with compassion like yours that will get that for the Seal."

Maruki's gaze softened at her reply, looking down at the ground as his jaw tensed.

He remembered the two headstones standing next to each other at that cemetary, his flowers left at their step.

"...it feels like I was long due mourning someone anyway." Those words follow heavily through his throat, hand to his chest before he raises his head to glance back at her. "So thank you. For reminding me."

Ahh... yeah, she understood that, too. "Sometimes it takes a little bit before you're ready to mourn. But mourning is important... it's part of your love for that person. Whoever you're thinking of... I'm sure their souls are still out there, connected to you and remembering your bond."

And give them that pain in the process?

Maruki shakes his head, his smile becoming just melancholic as he closes his eyes. Crossing his arms to his chest.

"I hope they'll forgive me then, if that's the case."

Edited 2025-08-24 00:28 (UTC)

Forgive him...?

...Hmm. Hamuko's quiet for a beat, but she gently touched his elbow.

"Forgive you?"

Too much.

He said too much.

He recedes away from her touch, hands slipping away as he smiles still- pretending he didn't hear her as he walks up to the cognition and bows to him to thank him. Since technically he did this for them for free.

Raising his wrist up, his eyes comedically widen at the time on his watch. "Oh, look at the time! I still need to get groceries for dinner as well- I should get going."

Ah... he's not ready.

She can understand that, too.

More firmly, Hamuko took a few steps towards him and pulled on his shirt to get his attention.

"Whenever you're ready to talk about it, and you need someone to just listen... I'm here, okay? Reach out to me, and I'll come."

How often did Maruki get to be the recipient of that sentiment, she wondered? Since he was an adult, and a therapist... probably not nearly enough.

"I know how hard it is."

His jaw tightened still, teeth nearly gritting against each other as he felt her fingers pulling at his shirt. It's only through months of practise does he remember not to crumble from that.

"No no...its okay. I know where my feelings are about that whole ordeal. I wouldn't want to burden you with the details," he blatantly admits- politely so. "But thank you for the offer."

"Okay. If it ever changes, I can be your friend and listen," she promised, voice gentle and warm. "I've shared a lot about my pains. I have absolutely no qualms with hearing yours, too. I like to be there for my friends."

Friends.

He tosses that sentiment aside immediately, even if it leaves that gap in his heart that makes him gnaw at his insides. His eyelids droop halfway as he considers her words before nodding.

"I know you don't. You are one of the few who wouldn't."

She smiled at him, even if she wasn't sure if he was looking at her or not. Either way... she let go of his shirt and gently pat at him instead, almost patting it back in place. "Whenever you're ready. I promise," she reiterated, gently.

He did as he admitted the truth, reassured by her words with a little laugh. "I believe you."

"Actually...there might still be something you could help me out with. Right now."

"I might tease you if it's something corny like 'take care of yourself too', you know," Hamuko chuckled, harmlessly elbowing him in good humor. "What're we doing?"

Takuto actually chuckled at that, poking at her arm. "As an adult- it's my sacred duty to tell you to take care of yourself, Hamuko-san~"

"Kidding. It's something else actually. It's more...celebratory in nature."

"Oooh! Something celebratory!" She giggled, in good spirits - and glad to see that even when mourning, Maruki was able to laugh as well. The balance between was important.

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