One Shots

35. [Resonance's Echo]

Isao could barely feel the vibration of the girl landing softly next to him as he meditated on the roof of the building where he was supposed to be recovering in.

"Kocho-san, nice of you to drop by to see me," Isao said quietly, a smile gracing his face. "Although I am honored, may I ask why?"

He only heard Shinobu Kocho laugh and sit beside him lightly.

"Your rehabilitation seems to be going well, but I didn't expect any less from a Hinoe such as yourself," she replied coolly, sitting down next to him. "The demon's curse has faded away considerably, has it not?"

Isao only nodded.

"Can't say that it was my habits more than the wisteria, though," he said. "The Kakushi work hard, though I pray a little that they weren't so rough. A stern talking-to just because I was walking a little more than I was supposed to. "

"Are you still feeling tired?"

As if on cue, Isao yawned.

"The effects haven't completely worn off yet," Isao said, stretching his fingers in front of him. "There are lapses of time where I start to feel drowsy or fall asleep briefly."

He laughed softly.

"Miyako-chi still won't let me train because she's afraid I'll fall asleep on my sword."

"She is just looking out for you, Hiroaki-kun," she said. "Well, I pray that you can go back onto the field within the next week. Until then, I will take my leave now."

"Leaving so soon?"

She laughed, though it sounded somewhat bitter.

"A butterfly never stays at the same flower for too long. Goodbye, Isao Hiroaki-kun."

Before he can even say goodbye, he sensed her presence disappearing without a trace.

Not too long after she was gone, he felt the footsteps of someone else approaching. That familiar shape that the energy took around her, it didn't take much to put a smile on his face.

"Hello, Miyako-chi," he said. "How do you do?"

"Isao-kun, what are you doing up there?" She asked worriedly. "You should get down, it'll hurt if you fall."

"I won't fall, but you should come up here too, the breeze is nice," he called out. "Kocho-san was here earlier, she doesn't mind."

Was Miyako skeptical? No, he felt the vibrations of Miyako stepping onto the roof and sitting next to him, sighing.

"If the Kakushi find you here, they might actually try to tie you down to your bed this time," Miyako teased. "They already aren't happy."

"Oh well, I'm still in better shape than I was a couple of weeks ago," he replied. "Remember? I could barely keep my eyes open for the first couple of days, I was so tired."

"I remember, you would fall asleep in your lunch by accident," Miyako giggled. "The Kakushi were especially unhappy about all the food in your hair."

Isao brushed the back of his neck. His hair was shorter now, his ponytail gone. The bandana he would have used to tie his hair back was now around his neck.

"They already took their revenge by cutting my hair," he sighed. "Think it'll grow back?"

"I dunno, but you still look good with short hair," Miyako replied. "Though the purple parts are gone."

Miyako waited for a response, but she noticed how his head had dipped down, eyes closed hazily. He nearly fell forward before she managed to pull him back.