Stitched Together

Chapter 18: Do or Die

We all solemnly sit in the meeting room, no one daring to speak. I quietly tap my pen on the table and Juuzou has his head on the desk, staring at the stitches on his arm. In a few short hours, we will all be fighting, unsure if we'll come out alive or not. Amon and Akira's expressions are blank and distant, not a big change from usual. Seidou looks downright terrified. My gaze remains cold, not bothering to show any emotion because it might get out of control. I have to fight Anteiku, and I cannot hesitate for a second or it may mean my life. I put my pen down and intertwine my fingers in front of me.

"Well... we will all do our best out there today, I believe that everyone of you can return home," Shinohara breaks the silence and says. He tries to appear strong, but his tone is heavily drenched in uncertainty. I hate to be like this, but I just have a feeling that we all won't walk away from this. Amon and Akira can handle themselves, Seidou I'm not so sure about. Despite not entirely getting along with him, I can't imagine things without him around. Shinohara is a veteran at these things, so I'm sure he'll be fine, but his willingness to protect and put everyone else before him might get him into trouble. That just leaves Juuzou and I... He is strong, that goes without saying, but his carelessness and numbness to pain makes it so he doesn't know his limits. I have to be there to support him, even if it means taking a few blows for him.

"Ah it's all so gloomy, I don't like it. How bout we just go and get it done already," Juuzou whines and leans his head on his hand. Everyone shoots him sharp glares, but he doesn't seem to care. What a surprise. He's been the exact opposite of everyone else. He's been excited for the mission, while we're all dreading it. There's not much you can expect though from someone who doesn't really value life. After all this I could die and I don't think he would even care. I swiftly slam my hands on the table and stand, startling nearly everyone in the room.

"What good is just sitting around going to do us. We have things to prepare for, and frankly I am not going to wallow in fear and self-pity one moment longer. The atmosphere is positively sickening, so get yourselves together and do what you have to do," I snap at the sad looking bunch before me. I hate this feeling, it's so pathetic. Everyone blinks at me, but I spin around, my hair swishing, and make my way to the door. I hear someone else get up, and the familiar sound of slippers shuffling against the ground follows me. As we exit I catch Shinohara's voice once more.

"You heard her, there's no use fretting over the inevitable actions we will take, but we must take great lengths to make sure we can control the outcome," he says to the other investigators and the corner of my mouth turns up. Good to see they've gotten it together.

"Wow, way to go Reina, you were like the boss," Juuzou giggles and walks next to me. "I'm sure one day you'll have your very own squad," he adds. Yeah, if I live that long.

"I don't know, I think you'll have a squad before I do, you're a natural at fighting," I try to keep the conversation up beat to distract myself.

"Yeah but people don't listen to me," he huffs and crosses his arms. "Oh, what if we both share a squad and you can help make em listen," he grabs my arm and says happily.

"That'd be nice. If you promise to make it out okay today, then I'll be on whatever crazy squad you make up," I chuckle lightly.

"Woah really! I totally promise then," he laughs, moving to lock his pinkie with mine, but he hesitates. "That means you gotta promise to make it too. If it's gonna be our squad then I can't run it by myself here. What's the point of the promise of you're not gonna be there," he points out. Oh, he got me. I put on my best smile and hook his pinkie.

"Of course... I promise," I say in the brightest tone I can muster.
He beams back at me, but he doesn't see my other hand, or the crossed fingers. I'm sorry Juuzou... but I can't promise that I'll be okay. I look at his smiling face a moment longer. This could be the last time we're like this.