Demise Game

27.penpal

The day with Hanami and Isora was a much-needed break, albeit exhausting by the end of it all.  Hanami insisted on playing every game and trying every food until you felt nauseous and had to beg her to stop trying to feed you.  Isora had taken Hanami's excitement as a challenge, the two arguing over who would buy you food.  You finally intervened when Hanami tried to buy all three of you an entire stall's worth of taiyaki just to show Isora up.

        It did make you laugh though at the ridiculousness of it all.  While you three didn't broach the topic of the game or Kokkuri-san or Enoru though, it seemed to loom over you all.  There was a slight tension reminding you that things were far from over.

        You weren't sure what you wanted to tell Hanami and Isora.  Did you admit what you knew about Kokkuri-san/Shuuen and tell them that he had been in your dreams?  Did you tell them you met Enoru?

        You didn't know what the right call was, but eventually, you decided to shelve it for a later conversation.  When Hanami also questioned the scratches on your face, you gave her the same flimsy excuse you gave Isora.

        By the time you were separating from Hanami and Isora, it was starting to grow dark out.  It was when they were out of eyesight and you were far enough from the festival that Shiki had appeared by your feet again, his tail flicking in agitation per usual.

        "What's got you upset now?" you asked him with a sigh.

        "Don't like that thing."

        "What?"  Perplexed, you glanced down at him only to see him staring at the stuffed animal you held close.  "Are you talking about the stuffed animal?"

        "Yeah."

        When he didn't elaborate, you shook your head.  "You'll always be number one in my heart, don't worry, Shiki," you told him drily.

        "That's not— ggh!  Somethin' 'bout it just seems off.  Almost...  Familiar."

        You glanced at the rabbit again.  It was so peculiar looking you couldn't help but wonder why it would bring that feeling in Shiki.  Was he just paranoid?  Or being an Isora hater like usual?  Who knew?  You weren't just going to throw the stuffed animal out, though.  It was a gift, and it was cute in its own creepy way.

        With a shake of your head, you continued walking, holding the stuffed animal close.  It was a bit heavy, like one of those weighted stuffed animals meant for anxiety.  It was really sweet of Isora to go out of his way to win you something like this.

        The walk home wasn't hurried.  Each step closer had your stomach back in knots as if you were waking from a good dream back to your nightmarish reality.  Today had been fun to forget about everything, but the fact remained that you still had your game to play.  So did Isora and Hanami (assuming, once again, none of you were the traitor).

        Finally making it back home, you stepped inside.  The lights were off; no doubt your mom was working another double.  After taking your shoes off, you made your way to the kitchen to see a note on the fridge confirming your thoughts. 

        Well, nothing to do now but catch up on some much-needed sleep — assuming Shuuen doesn't try to bother you.  Again.

        "I wouldn't go in there," Shiki warned you, his voice a low hiss as you tried to make it to your room.  A glance down told you all you needed to know; his back was arched, his fur standing on end.  You shuffled a few steps, clutching onto the stuffed bunny.

        ". . . It's in there, isn't it."  It wasn't a question.  Shiki didn't need to answer for you to know what to probably expect in your room.