𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜

06

YOUR HANDS BRUSHED together, wiping away nonexistent dust and debris. The last of your enemies were defeated, so you headed over to the other room, where Gojo had found Kuroi. The Star Religious Group turned out to be the ones who took her, but that was a good thing for you. It became quite the easy mission and well... now, you were somehow in Okinawa.

Okinawa! Okinawa! Okinawa! You had been wanting to come here for a while now, yet never had the time. This was your only opportunity and you had to seize it, if it was the last thing you'd do. While Amanai Riko tackled Kuroi Misato in a hug, tearfully reunited, your eyes shone of sparkles. They were aimed at Geto and Gojo.

"Let's go sightseeing!" you huffed out, waving your arms up in the air.

Geto shot you a pointed look immediately, one that said not the time and place. "Our mission is priority. We need to get Amanai to safety as soon as possible. We already got sidetracked enou--"

Amanai Riko overheard your conversation and shook her head. "I want to stay for a bit! Please!"

Gojo nodded thoughtfully. "I don't see why we can't spare some time looking around. We don't exactly have the means of getting back yet. Let's take our time."

You stuck your tongue out at Geto in triumphant, who rolled his eyes. "Okay! That's plan."

The group began filing out of the sterile room and leaving the building. The world was suddenly replaced by warm sunlight, with a slight breeze in the air. There was nothing more you'd like to do than stay here forever, ridden of your worries and responsibilities.

As you led the others toward the beach, you watched the mundane life of the residents here. An elderly woman was selling fish, a kid was riding his bicycle weaving through the lanes recklessly, a couple was enjoying their day off together. There it was again. A tug in your heart to the reminder that you were not the same. And that you would never be the same. For some reason, it was such a hard concept for you to accept. But you had to remember... this was what you protected. The beauty and livelihood of mundane realities.

Drive and purpose were interwoven. If this was what kept pushing you even for one more day, then that was enough.

Somebody elbowed at your torso lightly. You whisked your head to the side, to see it was Geto. "You're a bad influence," he stated, side-eyeing you.

"I know you're secretly enjoying this. Loosen up, loser. You're the one who got us into this predicament in the first place."

He closed his eyes and shrugged. "You got me there."

"Besides... wouldn't it be nice for Amanai to experience Okinawa before it all ends? Her last memories should be happy and beautiful."

"You care about her more than I would have expected."

Your cheeks warmed in embarrassment, and you shoved him away. "Wha-! I don't care about her! This is for my own benefit."

He simply smiled, the corners of his lips uplifting in a knowing way. So annoying. Geto was annoying and always read between the lines of your words a little too well. Ugh. But what did it matter? So what if you felt a little bad for the brat? Didn't you all?

"Amanai!" you called over your shoulder. "You want ice cream? My treat."

She lit up, the blues of her eyes brightening like the waves of the ocean. What was it like? To live a mundane life and have it taken away so soon? That was something only Amanai Riko could bear witness to.

"What about me?" Gojo said, frowning.

You scrunched your nose haughtily. "Get your own."

The three of you scrambled to the stall, where a young girl was selling ice cream. Amanai looked through the options thoroughly, weighing them in fair fight. Eventually, she made her decision. Just as you were slowly easing to the idea that you and this girl was getting along, she ordered three different ice creams for herself.