I Wish You Love // Sugimoto x Reader

Ch 3: Hunter's soul

The deer had been successfully evading the trio for about two days, and Kinjo was really starting to reconsider his life choices. He wasn't much of a hunter even in his youth so you could say he was bored beyond belief.

It wasn't until around noon they had finally caught up to the deer and with the aid of Retar, they were able to harvest its organs/meat. Sugimoto had been stand-offish ever since the encounter only worrying the other two. Though neither brought it up later on once they had made it back to the hunting tent. Shiraishi greeted them with more ingredients and saki. Kinjo was actually starting to warm up to the escape king (mostly because he brings the good stuff). Soon the food was made and served.

Kinjo threw back the warm liquid, letting a pleased sigh escape his lips. Despite the freezing weather, everyone enjoyed the well deserved meal as laughter filled the air.

"Hey Sugimoto, there's still some chitatap. Finish it off. Asirpa ordered, sharing her inebriated state, Sugimoto shook his head, "Can't eat another bite." This only irritated the teen, "What?!"
Suddenly she climbed over Kinjo and punched Shiraishi with such force he flew back. Kinjo spat out his shot of saki in a fit of laughter. The doctor had to admit, it was the most fun he's had in a while.

"WE WILL HONOR THE DEER WHO DIED TODAY!THE HEAT OF ITS ORGANS AND THE TASTE OF ITS MEAT! ITS ALL PROOF THAT THE DEER LIVED!! Eat it, remember it all. That is how we take responsibility for our prey!" Asirpa drunkenly shouted sending Kinjo wheezing, "I'll drink to that!"  He then poured Shiraishi and himself another shot

"Ya know doc you'rrre alright!" Shiraishi slurred, one hand on his now bruised cheek and the other holding out his cup towards the hunched  physician. "I could say the same for you s-skat king!" They clinked their cups in a toast, the hard liquid splashing out. Though neither seemed to notice, Sugimoto giggled as he sat back.

"If I were to die, would you forget me? Or would you be the one who didn't?" Everyones laughter stilled looking at the soldier quizzically. Kinjo furrowed his brow at this but before he could say anything Asirpa spoke up.

"Huh? Why would you say that? Don't die SUGIMOTO!!" She flung herself on Kinjo for the hundredth time that night crying her eyes out. The doctor awkwardly patted her head making a disgusted face, "A-Asirpa not on the kimono." He whined before taking another sip of his drink.

"I AM IMMORTAL!!" Sugimoto shouted out of nowhere startling Kinjo. Shiraishi leaned over with a bow of chitatap, "See he won't die, here Chitatap makes everything better." Asirpa removed her snotty face from Kinjo's lap and ate like a toddler being spoon fed by the escape king. Once she swallowed her mood quickly changed and she screamed, "Chitatap's the BEST!!!" Her whole body flew up and pierced right through the thin roof. Her legs dangling over Kinjo's head.

The man's soul left his body as he scooched over laughing his ass off with Sugimoto. When they settled down Shiraishi cleared his throat and looked at the other seated men, "Oh I forgot to tell you that I heard something in town, information about those tattooed prisoners you guys have been looking for. Kinjo seemed to sober up slightly at hearing this and sat up straight. "I heard it from a pelt trader. A man who'd been arrested for three murders several years ago apparently showed back up in Otaru. He was a famously talented hunter, feared and respected enough by the pelt traders that they gave him a second name. The Hunter Who Gives Hibernating Bears Bad Dreams. Otherwise known as Tetsuzou Nihei."

"I know where I've heard that name." Asirpa said while her upper body still poked outside of the tent. The three men popped their heads out the door to look up at her in surprise, both at her comment and current position. Sugimoto went out to help the girl as she continued, " there used to be this group of men who'd kill hunters and steal their prey. But then one time it was pretty clear they picked the wrong guy to go after."

They all sat in the tent once she finished her tale. "So he's an old man with an ainu dog." Kinjo surmised as he gazed into the flickering fire. " Oh there's one more thing, he asked the pelt trader something interesting. He said, "if I had a white wolf pelt, what would you pay for it?"" Shiraishi said.

Asirpa was shocked, "Why didn't you tell us that first?!" Everyone put two and two together realizing that the Hunter was after Retar. The teen broke out into a cold sweat, this could prove to be quite troublesome.

"Asirpa, we'll go tomorrow. We have to get some sleep." Sugimoto spoke reassuringly, she agreed and soon they all slipped away into a deep slumber. Neither one of them knew what to expect in the morning. 

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The next morning the group saw smoke arise from the area where they had killed the deer. They swiftly made their way past the trees towards it. Once close enough Kinjo spotted a figure past the foliage, the others joining him as they hid. "How am I supposed to see their faces if they won't look this way?" Shiraishi groaned.

"Asirpa have your bow ready for backup."  Sugimoto said as he readied his rifle and moved forward, Shiraishi following. Kinjo clutched his brown hat on top of his head. "Here we go..." The doctor defeatedly sighed while flinging his own gun into his hands. He ran in another direction, since he was a better shot than the soldier. Soon he disappeared, leaving Asirpa to go after Retar. Tetsuzou had his sights on the wolf waiting for him to come out. Right as he shot, a stray arrow spooked the wolf making him flee.

"Throw the gun over here." Sugimoto ordered making the Hunter smirk and face him. "Guess my kibake's pretty lousy considering you obviously found me so easily." Sugimoto pointed his gun towards Tetsuzou while Shiraishi stood behind him. " This is him right?"

"Yeah, no doubt. This is Tetsuzou Nihei."

Said man narrowed his eyes at the both of them, "Shiraishi. I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you're after my tattoo."

Sugimoto and Tetsuzou began to fight, with the help of the hunter's ainu dog, the three drew blood from one another. Sugimoto dodged the hunters attacks, slicing off his fingers. Tetsuzous dog took a hold of Sugimotos gun making it kick back and collide with his scarred face. Both men made eye contact ready to kill.

Kinjo clutched his rifle while sitting up in a tree a little ways across. His brow began to sweat as he witnessed the fight.

" I hope your ready for your new existence as animal shit, poor bastard!" Tetsuzou roared

Kinjo loaded his rifle as he readied his aim

'Oh shit...man I just wanted to go back to my hut😩'