together in the framed ocean | g. tomioka

05 - Cloudburst

Gently pushing through the crowds of people, you are almost late to the afternoon train but manage to board on time. Unfortunately, all the compartments are filled, as you were one of the last people to get on. So you continue walking, not forgetting to pull your haori forward, for nothing good would come from civilians seeing you holding a sword.

"Hey!" You turn towards the familiar voice to see your red and golden-haired savior. ". . . Hi."

"Come sit!" He pats the seat.

You sit across from him, making yourself comfortable when a woman comes and places stacks of bento boxes on the table. "Would you- like to order anything?" she asks, panting.

"Oh no thank you, I'm fine."

He opens a bento box and finishes each one, one by one rather quickly. You sit quietly looking outside the window, watching as the blurry landscape moves swiftly.

"Where're you headed?!" he asks with his mouth full.

"Nowhere specific. I might go to a few towns and just look out around the area."

"I see. Would you like to join me on my mission?"

"Hmm, that doesn't sound too bad. Sure."

"By the way, forgive me for not introducing myself last time! Rengoku Kyojuro."

"(L/n) (Y/n)," you reply. As you thought, this man really was hard to miss. The two of you had crossed paths again.

"May I ask what breathing technique you use?"

"Blaze. Blaze Breathing."

As if his eyes weren't already huge, they widened even more with enthusiasm; his orbs basically sparkled from your response. "I'm a user of Flame Breathing!"

You were genuinely surprised. "Wow. It really doesn't sound like there's much difference," you say with a laugh.

He halts for a moment, and you can feel his eyes on you . . . as if he was staring at you with awe. Then, finally, you stop laughing, looking the other way.

It is peaceful to converse with someone after spending most days alone. You and Rengoku talked about past missions, yourselves, and many other things throughout the train ride. Also, you were often caught off guard around him, opening up to him about things you usually never thought to tell anyone.

The mission assigned to him was located around the mountain area. You ran through forests with taller trees than the ones you usually saw, and seeing the flowing colors from the faint scent of a demon allowed you to lead the way until it led you to the front of a shrine. As if the area wasn't eerie enough, the wind was blowing hard, basically howling. You walk under the giant red gate, examining how much of its red paint had faded. An abandoned shrine. Both you and Rengoku stop and get into a fighting stance. The scent of fresh blood rushes into your nose. The nose comes second to the strong survival instinct many possess after experiencing life-threatening battles. You both run, pushing open the doors, being met by the sight of the demon's back and . . .

a pile of humans next to him.

–

"Few others? Do I have siblings?"

"...A demon-"

"I see."

–

You recall a memory from meeting Rikona.

Why stack precious human lives on top of each other as if they're all mere trash? You felt guilt having lived such a tranquil life while your family was brutally killed and two barely managed to survive, pushing through their emotions to make it their strength.