Blossoms of the Dark

CXCV Selene: Blade

Just for fun, find the Spy x Family reference. 

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Trigger Warning:

- mention of rape

- implied alcohol abuse

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It has been exactly thirty days.

Thirty days since I legally became heiress.

Thirty days since I announced an end to the prostitution.

Thirty days since I have been celibate.

It is a new record. For so many years, I had deluded myself into believing that if I had been a good girl, followed what Hanada-sama ordered me to do, I would get a reprieve. I had been so stupid to think that Hanada-sama would spare me from the rapes for not even a few weeks but months on end. Had I realized much sooner that my efforts were fruitless, perhaps I would have not strived so hard to gain his mercy.

But the past cannot be changed. The best I can do is accept it, learn from it, and prevent it from repeating.

With that resolve, I video call Aunt Ahearn in secret for the last time.

As the dial tone rings, I press my thumb to the fangs of the dragon cane, feeling beads of blood coagulate, listening to the unlocking mechanism whir. Spinner told me to practice wielding the katana more frequently now. The first thing he told me to do was in fact the last step of sword training: oil the weapon. After every session, every battle, clean the blade to prevent rusting and corrosion. If I had more time, then clean the dojo, too.

So I might as well use this time to multitask.

During this late-night rendezvous, I intend to update Aunt Ahearn with my plan and polish my weapon, too. God knows when I'll get another opportunity as excellent as this.

I have just begun rubbing a piece of rice paper along the length of the blade when she receives the call.

"Good day, or perhaps, good evening, Aunt Ahearn," I greet slyly. When she frowns and stares at me with unimpressed eyes, I cannot contain the chortles of delight. "Even just once I wanted to do that."

"Very amusing, Selene," she mutters, her tone belaying the utter opposite of amused. "It's been a while since we last spoke. I was wondering when you would contact me after the New Year's deaths."

Straight to the point, hmm? Then again, the sooner I inform her, the better. Having finished with the rice paper, I dab some lacquer thinner onto a cotton ball. As I rub that on the metal, I smile, "You were right to anticipate my call. There is something I must discuss with you. A favor."

"Before that, care to tell me why you are wearing a mask?"

I pause at her words. To test whether her observations are correct, I touch my hand to my face. Indeed, there is a face mask covering my nose and mouth. I had completely forgotten about it. Lifting the can of thinner to the camera, I explain, "This contains benzene in a small amount. Cannot risk cancer on top of all the other problems in my life."

Of course, the following question is, "Why are you handling it then?"

Ah, that's right. I never showed you. I raise my sword to the camera level now. Now her irritated mood improves considerably. Fascination gleams in her eyes as I display the katana from all angles slowly. When she realizes it is attached to the cane handle, she lets out a sound of approval.