Blossoms of the Dark

XII Shouto: Motives

" ... Thank you," she said.

She might rethink her feelings of thankfulness if she knew my true motives.

I was stunned that she fainted. She seemed to be in control. So how?

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After I called for help and she was taken into the infirmary, I had to take my interview. I don't remember much. I couldn't stir my hatred toward Endeavor because my thoughts were filled with Hanada-san and her condition.

Is she alright? She seems to have an elemental quirk. A powerful one at that, too. She didn't seem to be in that much pain or stress, despite her brows furrowing. So why did she faint? She fell into my arms, and I felt something under her sleeves. Something that felt like ribbons of cloth. Something that felt like bandages. Is she injured?

Who exactly are you Hanada Selene?

Thoughts like these continued to spiral in my mind, and I only paid half attention to my interviewer. But whatever responses I must have given must have satisfied him because he had a pleased look on his face as he dismissed me.

As soon as I left the interview room, though, I charged straight toward the infirmary. And there she was. Her body was affixed to an IV, heart monitor, breathing monitor, and other medical equipment. The numbers on the equipment showed that her condition was stable. My interview lasted for about an hour.

She's been unconscious for about an hour...

Feeling curious and concerned, I approached her resting figure and held her hand. I felt those ribbons under her shirt sleeve. I lifted the sleeve and to my astonishment, I saw that those ribbons were none other than bandages. Bandages wrapped over and over again. I reached for her other hand and felt the same bandages there.

As I set her hands down, I debated between staying and leaving. I was expected to return home after the exam, but my folks didn't know that I had finished. If I stayed, I might have gotten to know something more about her.

The bandages on her arm. The walking with a cane. The weeping girl from my dream. Are all of these connected? And what is my role in all of this? Is she seeking help from me? If so, why me of all people? Why not a therapist or a doctor? Why me? Why me? Why me?

Once she woke she panicked. Even after I told her what happened, the tension did not release from her body. She was still agitated. And then to my utter surprise, she thanked me.

"Thank you," she had said. "Thank you." Don't thank me Hanada-san. You shouldn't be thanking me. Not when my reasons for approaching you are entirely self-motivated. Not when I chose to talk to you purely out of selfishness.

I had to leave the room then and there. Her silver eyes conveyed the full depth of her gratitude, and it made me feel a little guilty.

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Sitting on a train now on my way home, I contemplate today's events and I realize something. Yes, I initially approached Hanada-san just to gain a logical explanation of the coincidence-not-coincidence between her and the weeping dream girl. But, in a matter of a few hours, I want more from her. More than just an explanation. Something about her resonates with me. Resonates with my very being. I want to know about the bandages. I want to know about the cane. I want to know about gloves. I want her to be less cautious of me. If anything, her mysterious aura has grown in these short hours and as much as I would like to deny it, I am drawn further and further in by it.

She's in pain and so am I.

I want to know her story.

I want her to know mine.

I want to be her friend. 

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