Understanding - Hiroshi's Humanity Arc

Hiroshi continued to look at Bibi. She sighed to herself and stared out at the horizon.

“I lost someone too. My father. I understand what it means to lose someone, and try as you might, you can never replace who you have lost,” Bibi said, looking down at Hiroshi. She moved over on the rock slightly and patted its surface. “Please, sit here. There’s enough room.”

Hiroshi agreed, and although the surface was jagged and sharp, he much preferred sitting closer to his new friend. It made him feel warm.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself, you know,” Bibi said abruptly. Hiroshi didn’t need to ask. He knew exactly what she was talking about.

“Bibi, don’t even try. I have tried long enough to forgive myself. Nothing will change my mind. She died that day, and it was my fault.”

The two sat in silence for a brief moment. Both of them didn’t know how to comfort one another.

“I tried to go to the funeral,” Hiroshi eventually spoke up.

“Huh? That wasn’t in the video.”

“I know it wasn’t. It wasn’t traumatic. Just put the final nail in mine and Blossom’s coffin,” he sighed, remembering the day of Blossom’s funeral. “It was a week after the accident. I say accident, but as my foster mother said, it was an attack against the company. Jealousy. Greed. Corruption. I hated that my girlfriend died for such selfish reasons. Before and after Blossom, I never had any emotion.”

“I understand that, but-”

“Please, let me finish,” Hiroshi asked, to which Bibi nodded her head. “I thought I had every right to say goodbye. Until the day before the funeral. Her mother and father came to my house. They told me not to come. They told me it was my fault. They used their grief and took it out on me. They saw my reaction. Emotionless. They called me a monster.”

Bibi held Hiroshi’s hand. She wanted to make him feel better, but it was nearly impossible. Hiroshi’s cleared his throat. He knew he had said enough, maybe even overshared some information. He switched up the conversation.

“So, what’s with you and Tomo?”

“Huh?! Oh, nothing! You know, I’m still awkward because he tried to kill me and all, but…but…,” Bibi stuttered, her cheeks flushing bright red. Hiroshi chuckled to himself slightly. “Hey! What’s so funny?”

“I just wanted to ask why do you like him?”

“I don’t like him!”

“Heh, liar.”

“Stop ittttttt!”

“Talk to me, Bibi. What’s your deal with him?” Hiroshi asked out of concern for her.

“You are going to tell everyone!” she yelped, covering her mouth. Hiroshi shook his head.

“I won’t. I swear.”

Bibi took a big breath.

“After my father was killed, I knew I had to get to Zetsubo somehow. Beating Tomokazu at the Tournament had a slight chance of having me come face to face with him. I even wanted to kill him. My father was everything to me. All I had.”

“Like me with Blossom…”

“Yeah, exactly. Tomokazu beat me, of course, and tried to kill me by making an example of what happens to traitors. In reality, I think he just wanted to impress his father by looking all proud on a screen, or in the crowd,” Bibi explained, looking down at her hands. It was the first time she had stopped looking at the horizon.

“Just like us, he’s broken. And he was really grateful for me saving him. I don’t think he’s that bad. And my father wouldn’t want me killing him just to get to Zetsubo,” Bibi continued. “That’s all I have to say.”

“Well, I saved you too. If only you were that grateful,” Hiroshi smirked, getting off the rock.

“Hey! I was!”

“I’m messing. I know. Thanks. Just be careful, yeah?” Hiroshi warned Bibi, who looked back at him with a big smile.

“I will do my very best.”

“I know you will,” Hiroshi said, looking out at the horizon. “It’s…a beautiful view.”

Beautiful…

“Yeah, my father always took me out to places like this. Remote areas. Just us and nature. It’s…peaceful, you know?”

Hiroshi knew what she was talking about. Nature never had any wars. Nature never blamed one another for mistakes. Nature was at peace with one another. He liked that.

“Well, I will leave you be now, with your father. Take care!” Hiroshi waved as he walked over to his new house.

“But...!”

“He’s with you in spirit!”

Bibi smiled at that reaction. She could almost see her father’s figure, sitting beside her. Maybe he wasn’t truly gone.

Hiroshi walked into his new house. He was really impressed at how quickly it was built. He stamped the floor with his feet. Solid foundations too. The house matched the cottages in the village, with polished oak walls so shiny that they almost blinded him. He took off his shoes and smelt his clothes. He needed to go shopping at some point. He was still in his uniform from his old world. He explored the house. Sitting room. Small kitchen with stove. Bedroom. Tomokazu in the bed. Bathroom…

Huh?

Hiroshi went back to the bedroom. His eyes did not deceive him. Tomokazu was indeed lying in his bed. Cozy under the covers. He seemed to be reading a magazine, all articles relating to the recent Tournament. Hiroshi never realized how fast the word got around.

“Oh yeah, make yourself at home, why don’t you?” Hiroshi said, rolling his eyes in sarcasm.

“Hey, there’s another bedroom upstairs. Kage has offered to take the couch for the whole year. Be thankful that you get a bed,” Tomokazu grunted, getting back to his magazine.

Hiroshi went upstairs and laid down on the bed, and covered his eyes with his arm. He sighed. Tomorrow, training was going to start. Kage was going to teach him how to Carte Blanche, and become a God killer. It was exciting.

So, why was Wisteria the only thing on his mind?