CELESTIAL FLOWERS ( s. gojo )

arc iv ━ chapter ii. lethargy

a r c iv.
❝ you hurt for them, you break for them,
and they break your heart in return. ❞
━━ chapter ii. lethargy

ERISU STARES AT MARIKA. She does it discreetly. It wouldn't be proper to do so afterall. Marika moves with a type of self-assuredness that Erisu wants to emulate. It's the movement of her limbs in fashion that shows anyone watching how Maruyama Marika is in total control of her life. One could tell her that Erisu has control of her life. She used to believe it to. She knows her place and what she has to do. All the lectures in her life had been leading up to many feats that she was destined to accomplish. And yet these days, doubt ensnares her limbs and tears the self-assuredness away. Screams at her that she'll never be enough and she's destined to fail.

"Your staring is obvious, princess," Marika tells her and Erisu turns away, crimson snaking around her neck.

"I didn't mean to," she says in a meek manner. A manner that is so unlike the Nakano heir, borne of the blood of the Queen of Heavens and a long line of warriors.

Marika raises a brow. She tends to do the action when she's questioning someone. "You didn't mean to stare for at least ten minutes," she says, sarcasm lacing her tone. "Yeah, sure, we all do that."

Erisu holds back a glare. She's nothing but a master of composure. It is easy to empty her mind especially during these times. Erisu has been in a constant state of hollowness after all. Marika, knowing that she failed to garner a reaction, lets it go. She stands up and picks up her sword. The blade glints underneath the artificial illumination.

"Pick up your weapon." Her tone is stern. "We'll resume practice."

When they're outside, basking under the warm sunlight, Erisu assumes a defensive position. Marika has a tendency to attack first, so she has to react accordingly. And just after she defends, Erisu will launch a counterattack.

"Begin."

Just as she predicted, Marika attacks first. Her movements are quick and agile; Erisu is having trouble blocking, but she breathes in and out, focuses and after a few collective blows, she manages to catch up.

Erisu goes on the offensive. The naginata's blade moves to cut her opponent. Her legs are agile, hands stable and dexterous with her weapon.

The blade manages to make a cut on Marika's sleeves, but before she can celebrate the small victory, Marika grabs the wooden handle of the naginata, shoves it aside and lunges at Erisu. The latter struggles to take control of her weapon, but she evades the blow just in time and mutters a quick incantation that shoves Marika into a nearby wall.

It's so different from when they were children.

"You're not her older sister, you fool." She remembers Marika telling Kazuko. Maruyama Marika, age thirteen, holding small Kazuko by the collar. The two have always been at each other's throats because of their clashing yet somehow similar personalities. Kazuko who is a calm stream of water and Marika who is more akin to bubbling lava flowing through rocks. "So why are you acting some protective sister?"

"I am Erisu-sama's attendant," Kazuko breathes. The anger is palpable in her usually blank face. And when it came to it, both had the danger underneath their skins. The promises of threats and sharp tongues. "Any offense done to her, I deliver judgment to."

Marika raises an eyebrow. A haughty smirk is perched upon her lips. Between the both of them, it is difficult to determine who the stronger one is and there's no guarantee that Kazuko is getting out unscathed and yet— "So?" Marika says. "What judgment have you come to deliver?"

"I've decided to beat your ass and have you apologize."

"What if I don't want to go?"