░『Zephyr』░(KNY OC STORY/ KNY OC X KNY-OLD/DISCONTINUED)

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟶: 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝙷𝚊𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚊

The sunset's orange glow shines through the windows. Thankfully, Fukurō had been able to keep up with Sanemi's pace, and they were able to arrive at Sanemi's mansion before nightfall.

"Come on. I'll show you where you'll be sleeping." He says, not looking at Fukurō as he speaks. As they walk inside the mansion, the faint sound of scuttling could be heard, making the two's heads turn. It sounded like some sort of insect, from what Fukurō could recognize.

"Ah, Shit. It escaped again." Sanemi curses, looking around the floor for 'it'. Fukurō looks at Sanemi curiously, ".. What escaped?" She asks, watching Sanemi's eyes search the hallway.

"Nothing. Just a.." His eyes narrow, ".. Just a thing. Make yourself useful by looking around will you? Unless you're scared by bugs. Then stay still."

Damn it. What if it scares her away? What if he fails as a teacher before he even starts?

"..."

"... huh."

"What?" Sanemi asks, turning his head from the ground."... Are you looking for a beetle?" Fukurō holds a rhinoceros beetle in the palms of her hands. "It's pretty cool. I wish I could have a pet. Is it hard to take care of? How long have you had it for? Does your crow try to eat it sometimes?" Her eyes shimmer in curiosity.

Sanemi looks at her silently. She looks like she had found jewels, all amazed like that. "... You've never had an animal to take care of before?" He takes the beetle back in his hands, letting it crawl along his arm.

Fukurō shakes her head, watching the insect move. "No. My family could never afford one, and we were too busy to take care of... other things." Her heart aches at the reminder, but she suppresses the feeling. She knows they're in the a better place, where she wouldn't anger them anymore.

Sanemi nods, turning away. "Hm." He goes back to walking through the halls. ".. Your room is just around the corner. You can put your stuff there. We begin training tomorrow morning, so don't stay up late." He says as he gestures to a door, continuing to walk towards his own room. Fukurō nods, making her way to her room. ".. Alright. Arigatō, Shinazugawa-sama."

Sanemi grunts in assent, still walking away.

* * *

Fukurō opens the door to her supposed room, taken aback by the sight. The room was extremely spacious. There was a desk in one corner, half-filled shelves in another, and a bed that would allow her to stretch all her limbs out with there still being room.

On the bed was a samue*-styled robe and black pants, most likely given by Sanemi. Fukurō settles the clothing on the desk, gently placing her bag on the bed instead. She stacks the sheets of paper on top of one another, and sets them down on the lowest shelf, wishing there was some kind of picture frame she could use. She leaves the scarf and blade in the cloth bag, unsure when she would need them.

Her hand takes a brush from the desk, thumb from her other hand holding down the first and blank page of the journal. She begins writing.

'.. What was that quote Sekiei often said? Oh, right.'

The tip of the brush strokes along the page until it is completely filled. It takes a few moments as she tries to recall each word. She sets the journal down on the nightstand before lifting the covers of her bed, rolling under them and settling her head down onto the pillow.

"A snake sheds its skin after a while, and new fresh scales are revealed. A small snake could have just as much venom as a larger snake, if not more, even if it doesn't seem so.