Our stare lasted as we dared each other to look away.
This was me telling her, 'This is how I roll.' And along with that, it was a way of showing that I was not just a kid.
A live demonstration was more effective than reading it from a report.
Though I liked her, this was something necessary to do in order to send a message in my opinion.
In the end, she was the first to break the staredown as her gaze shifted to the ground. Her bangs covered her eyes, a sigh emerging from her figure.
"Gojo… you…"
She raised her head, meeting mine once more.
Then…
She just shifted her gaze to the man in my hands.
"Nevermind."
Her soft voice fluttered lightly in the room. If one wasn't listening closely, it would have been easy to miss it.
Hearing that made an eyebrow raise.
This gave me a sense of deja vu.
What did she want to say?
Man… I really hate it when people just say their things halfway. Now I'm curious.
But thinking about it more…
And looking at the slightly morose look on her face, it might have been something she wanted to say, but not something she could do without causing a rift?
Soon, some people who I assumed to be Valkryies under Theresa's command, came in and took the people away.
They were handcuffed and placed into police cars. The police were probably in cooperation with Schicksal in regards to this.
As soon as those people were lugged away though, Theresa and Himeko bid farewell to us for the night.
"We will be leaving now."
Theresa said as I alone sent her and Himeko off.
"Yup. When will we be going to St. Freya?." I asked.
She placed a hand on her mouth, her face scrunching a bit. It took a few moments of thought from her before she gave her reply.
"Anytime would be fine to be honest. We could even get you there tomorrow if you want to."
"Hmm." I scratched the back of my head. "I think we still have a few things we need to settle before going though."
She nodded in understanding. "That's fine. Why don't you just contact Himeko or I when you want to go? We'll be here for a while anyway."
Surprise showed on my face.
"Don't you guys have more important things to do?"
Another sigh came from her as she looked at me with a bit of blame.
"There is a certain area near ME Corp that is completely destroyed and has very high Honkai concentration. Now small Honkai beasts are starting to spawn soon."
"Oh wow. I wonder who did that." I shrugged carelessly with a grin. "That's so irresponsible."
"Yeah." She sneered. "I wonder who?"
Silence returned between us again before a small chuckle came from the both of us.
As they left, just before I closed the door, I seemed to have heard Himeko complaining to Theresa.
"Man… I feel so sidelined in all of that…"
"Heh. You should get started with the paperwork instead of worrying about that."
And thus, the night ended.
—------------------------------------
In the middle of the woods, a hand was placed on my chin as I sat down on a log.
As for the other hand?
It was holding a large broadsword with a white hilt and bright orange-yellow blade. And that same was currently perched on my shoulder.
"This thing's pretty strong…"
I said out loud to myself.
I don't really care whether people think I'm schizo or not anymore.
Just gonna do it, I am.
And yes, that was a Yoda-ish speaking style. Though in this world, you might know him as…
Yoda still.
…
What? Did you think he was called something stupid like Homuda or something? There are limits to this madness y'know?
But back on topic.
The sword form of Shamash, which Kiana had told me was called the Cleaver of Shamash when I asked, was frigging fun to use.
In the beginning, it was very uncontrollable. Flames would burst out impossibly when I used it, burning me, along with everything in the surroundings.
While that was a great way to grind my fire resistance adaptations, it wasn't the best weapon in the world to use in normal fights.
I'm not looking to reenact the Fuyuki Fire or something.
Now however…
I swung the blade, a small amount of flames burst out, causing my skin to turn slightly ruddier.
But other than that?
Nothing.
My great control over Honkai energy, had allowed me to somewhat tame the flames from Shamash.
"Now… let's go onto the next step then." A smile formed on my face.
I placed the blade on my body and then the blade began to burn bright red.
*Clunk*
A laugh erupted from my throat.
"I wonder what happens when I blow myself up with Shamash!!"
—------------------------------------
"Phew. Good thing I didn't blow myself up at full power."
Collapsing onto the sofa of the living room, I snagged a piece of chocolate from the living room table and threw it into my mouth.
"Gojo. You're back?"
The voice in the room made me snap up in surprise.
"Mei? You're still awake?" I glanced at the clock whose short hand pointed slightly past two. "It's late."
Mei didn't answer my question at first. She walked over, clad in her silk pajamas and went over to the sofa that I was on. After taking a seat on it as well, she finally said something.
"You smell… smokey…" A frown came on her face. "Are you smoking?"
"Nah. Just doing some training outside." I chose not to hide it. "Shamash is pretty fun."
She nodded in understanding.
"I'm just…" Her words seem to be caught in her throat as she didn't really know how to say it fully. "Worried?"
"Worried about me?" I teased her, placing my hands behind my head. "Geez. Have I been that bad recently?"
She raised an eyebrow at that but she didn't push.
"You just seem like you don't sleep much daily." Mei admitted. "When I wake up to get water sometimes, I can hear you just coming home…"
"I get enough sleep." I placated her.
"You wake up at 6, Gojo."
Ah crap… caught.
"I don't want to nag at you. Just…" Mei placed her hand on my shoulder. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Alright. Alright." I said with a laugh. "I'll try to be better."
A smile crept onto her face as well.
I patted her shoulder as I got up. "C'mon. You should get to bed as well."
She nodded. "Alright. Don't forget to shower though." She laughed teasingly as well. "You don't want your bed to smell like a barbeque tomorrow."
I snorted.
"Goodnight, Mei."
"Goodnight."
As I turned around to head to my room, I suddenly stopped.
"By the way."
"Hmm?" Mei suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Thanks for the concern. I appreciate it."
I couldn't see her reaction, but I heard the slight hitch of her breathing.
"It's fine. You're my… friend."
As we returned to our rooms, the smile on my face remained on my face.
For some reason, I felt really good now.
That thanks that I gave…
I really meant it.
But…
I'm sorry as well, Mei.
I'm a liar.
(A/N: Getting back into the groove of writing at the moment. Plz give powerstones, comments and reviews if possible guys.
https://discord.gg/cqQG4rmhXN
)