maidenofrelief | Labyrinthum IC Inbox

[It'll strike Chihaya later how Haru hears that fact about Akechi and barely bats an eye. Perhaps she is more aware of Akechi's temperment than she originally thought...

But for now, Haru is at least willing to hear her out. While it isn't quite as shocking as it used to be when she first came here, it still feels pleasantly new to be believed, even partially.]

Ah! Yes, back home we met because I read his fortune.

[And tricked him into buying a holy stone that was just a chunk of rock salt for a chunk of money. But no need to mention that.]

After that he helped me with my other clients to help change their fates whenever they were doomed to some kind of tragedy. In return, I continued to read his fortune to help him with different aspects of his life.

[Even now, as her faith in being able to change her own destiny has faded, she is still in awe of how quickly Akira was able to help other people move forward.]

I'm not surprised; Akira-kun would stare fate in its face and change it if he needed to. He's that kind of young man.

[ Chihaya should know, probably knows by now given they all live together under the same roof.

She's a bit surprised sometimes to think Akira's made so many friends outside school, but he really is such a special person to be able to form bonds with anyone he chooses.

Haru cups some water in her hands, lifting it so she can gently pour it down her shoulders. ]

Maruki-san's cards said he would return? Are you sure?

[A truer statement has never been said. Chihaya feels a warm smile creep up her face.]

He's truly remarkable. I owe him a lot. Though at this point I think I owe Maruki just as much.

[She sees Haru's movements and then swims over to where the soap is. She grabs it and a little bucket too and returns to the other girl.]

Here, let me help.

[She scoops up some of the warm water and then pours it carefully over Haru's shoulders. At first she nods but then realizes she is behind her and speaks up.]

They did. No matter what battles he is fighting back there, he'll return home.

[It strikes her, then, that it is rather selfish to be so happy at the thought he would return. Wouldn't it be better if he stayed home? Was freed of the twisting whims of this world? Chihaya chews her lip.]

I suppose until then we endure. Whatever that means.

Thank you. Do you want me to do your back?

[ She shifts her stance a little, gentle ripples of water floating outwards beneath her as she readies herself in case Chihaya obliges her. ]

Battles, hm?

[ Literal ones.

She's tried for months to quell any concerns she might have, the fear Maruki may come with anger in his heart toward her, or worse- Akira.

It may be unlikely given how calm he was when they encountered him before Akira's departure, but there's no way to know where he'll be plucked from until he returns.

... if he does. ]

Whatever happens, I hope he'll be alright.

Yes please!

[Despite the rather dreary subject matter and the heavy weight of grief lingering in the air, the baths are still very soothing.]

I hope so too. The idea of going back home and returning completely changed is kind of scary.

[Could this happen to her too? In what ways could she change? Would she be able to recognize herself at all after something like that?

She rinses Haru's shoulders one more time and then swims to be in front of the other girl.]

But I guess that sort of change is necessary sometimes, huh?

[ She rises out of the water briefly, shuddering against the cold air as water trails down her back and chest, back into the bath around her hips.

It's just women in here at least, so she doesn't worry much about other ladies taking a gander.

(Now if there's a man spying from somewhere, she'll bust out her trust axe.)

She makes her way around Chihaya, lowering herself back into the bath so she can start tending to the other's back gently, using the small towel from nearby against her skin. ]

It's something we all have to face. Change can be painful, but if it wasn't... how can we appreciate what we've gained?

[It's good that's the case because Chihaya does look. Respectfully! Overall. It's new, to look at another woman and be able to appreciate her beauty differently than she has in the past. It's a little worrying to think about overall but it also feels freeing.

If there were any men waiting in the wings, she'd be right there with Haru in getting them. Maybe not physically but certainly verbally.]

Honestly, for the longest time I thought change was kind of useless.

[What was the point if your entire fate was already pre-written in the stars?]

Being here though... it's been slowly convincing me otherwise.

[When she sees Haru's kind smile, hears Maruki's sweet laugh, witnesses the odd, small ways Akechi shows his affection for those he cares about or tastes the love in Akira's cooking it gives her a spark of hope. Maybe it's naive. But maybe one day she can change too.]

I believe we can all affect our fate if we try.

[ There was a point, like Chihaya, but not too long ago where she resigned herself to life in a gilded cage.

Even at the expense of the Okumura Foods' employees safety. ]

We just have to have hope.

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we can move to wrap this!

sounds good to me!

wrapped 💝