Watched as Hamuko curled her fingers around the petals, pressing them to her chest like something sacred. Watched as she stood there, quiet but steadfast, offering him that small, heavyhearted smile.
And once again, he was reminded.
Of everything she must have gone through.
To throw herself at Death itself.
His fingers curled against the clipboard at his side, gripping it just a little too tightly.
This girl—no, this young woman—had undoubtedly seen more than her fair share of loss. And Maruki was almost completely certain now. She had either nearly died or… properly died.
He wouldn’t even be surprised if Igor had pulled her back from the brink.
Still, she smiled.
And she stood here now, grounded in the present.
Maruki exhaled, his hold on the clipboard loosening slightly. He wouldn’t push. He knew what it was like to have others pry too much. But he could at least reassure her.
“You are here,” he said softly, firmly. “And I’ll—” He stopped, then gave a small chuckle- offering a sincere smile. “Well. I’ll try to do my best to make sure we both come out of this unscathed. With some answers too."
Still.
If he knew she would react this strongly to a place like this, he shouldn't have suggested it. Sure, he didn't know the full context but that didn't mean it wasn't a mistake. And now he can only wonder how much pain she must be in- having to recollect the tragedy of her own life through the lens of these manifested grounds.
As they stepped further into the Hollow Forest, Maruki let his clipboard rest at his side for a moment, just taking in the atmosphere.
The white petals, cascading like slow, patient snowfall, whispered something ancient and undecipherable.
For a brief, fleeting moment… Maruki almost felt like it was speaking to him.
He exhaled, shaking the feeling off as he pulled himself back to the present. This wasn’t the time to get too lost in thought.
“I do have a gun on me,” he admitted, lifting his free hand from the tucked in arsenal on the back. “So I should be able to help—”
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Watched as Hamuko curled her fingers around the petals, pressing them to her chest like something sacred. Watched as she stood there, quiet but steadfast, offering him that small, heavyhearted smile.
And once again, he was reminded.
Of everything she must have gone through.
To throw herself at Death itself.
His fingers curled against the clipboard at his side, gripping it just a little too tightly.
This girl—no, this young woman—had undoubtedly seen more than her fair share of loss. And Maruki was almost completely certain now. She had either nearly died or… properly died.
He wouldn’t even be surprised if Igor had pulled her back from the brink.
Still, she smiled.
And she stood here now, grounded in the present.
Maruki exhaled, his hold on the clipboard loosening slightly. He wouldn’t push. He knew what it was like to have others pry too much. But he could at least reassure her.
“You are here,” he said softly, firmly. “And I’ll—” He stopped, then gave a small chuckle- offering a sincere smile. “Well. I’ll try to do my best to make sure we both come out of this unscathed. With some answers too."
Still.
If he knew she would react this strongly to a place like this, he shouldn't have suggested it. Sure, he didn't know the full context but that didn't mean it wasn't a mistake.
And now he can only wonder how much pain she must be in- having to recollect the tragedy of her own life through the lens of these manifested grounds.
As they stepped further into the Hollow Forest, Maruki let his clipboard rest at his side for a moment, just taking in the atmosphere.
The white petals, cascading like slow, patient snowfall, whispered something ancient and undecipherable.
For a brief, fleeting moment… Maruki almost felt like it was speaking to him.
He exhaled, shaking the feeling off as he pulled himself back to the present. This wasn’t the time to get too lost in thought.
“I do have a gun on me,” he admitted, lifting his free hand from the tucked in arsenal on the back. “So I should be able to help—”
He stopped.
Stared.
Because what he pulled out was not a proper gun.
It was a pathetic, tiny peashooter.