Beneath a Different Sky

By the time things had settled, night had fallen upon the world. The flames had died, people had returned, and makeshift repairs and shelters had been erected, all as the heavens changed over.

Itsuki stared out as a breeze fluttered through their room's window, taking in the gas lampposts now illuminating the streets.

Things were quiet, the wounded avenues of the town lay barren aside from a few patrolling guards, and it truly felt like existence had finally taken a much-needed breather in spite of the devastation.

He leaned back in his chair, basking in the cool night air. It felt good against his skin, especially after taking a much-needed bath.

He briefly thought about the events leading here.

After he and Sayaka had found the vice-captain, there hadn't been too many words exchanged. Things were brief and to the point, and a few thanks were given. However, beyond a few cursory asks, it was clear that most of their talk would be for tomorrow—after people were given the time to regroup and recover.

That left them at the present moment: recovering and coming to terms with their situation, all while holed up in one of the few inn rooms that had avoided the fire's wrath.

Erm, mostly, at least.

He glanced at the bed closest to the window, nothing but a charred outline of it remaining. Most of it had been hastily swept away when they'd been given this place to stay.

Everything else in the room was fine though from what he could tell. Furniture like the dresser and table were sturdy outside a few scorch marks, and an untorched bed sat a meter away from the ashen one nestled close to the other corner. A few other fixtures existed too, though he wasn't completely sure what they were outside of a few guesses—maybe storage or some kind of appliances?

It was still taking time for him to get used to things being so… different.

The shock from being thrust into a world with magic, cults, and warriors in shining armor had lessened slightly, though in all honesty, it was probably more so exhaustion than actual acceptance.

He stretched out slightly, remembering his power as he eyed the mace on the table.

His left hand tentatively reached toward his chest, curiosity tugging him again as he gripped it.

Just like previously, the warmth came to him. Heat wrapped his heart, and a heightened sense of everything flooded him before he quickly released it again.

He exhaled as things returned to normal, albeit feeling a tad bit tired once the intensity faded.

This was—without a doubt—another world.

Itsuko leaned against the backrest as he thought.

In a matter of hours he'd been exposed to so many things, all of them different.

The people were interesting but different; the stars were sparkling but different; the moon was beautiful but different; even the ambience with its soothing tones was different.

He was just glad that indoor plumbing was one of the few things that wasn't different, because if it were, he wasn't sure if he'd be mentally intact given the pure insanity of the day.

The image of the inn's bathhouse popped into his mind for a moment, steam fogging the room and the hot water running from faucets. There were still a lot of questions he had about this world—especially with how certain amenities existed while others didn't—but like his other questions, it could wait until later.

Before the memory could completely dispel though, his mind caught on an aspect of it: plumbing.

Why was that nagging him so much?

"…Oh."

His mood dropped like a stone when he remembered.

How would his parents be without him?

Their faces popped into his head next with greying hair and worn faces. They weren't retired yet—his father still worked for a power utility company, and his mother was a government clerk—but they were getting to the age where they weren't as mobile as before.

They'd been there for him in his darkest moments after Kaede: supporting him, keeping him alive, telling him it was all going to be okay. But now that he was here…

His eyes began to water.

How would he ever repay them?

The creaking of floorboards grabbed his attention, footsteps slowly making their way down the hallway outside. They neared closer until right by the door, a light knock sounding before it opened.

"Kisaragi? You awake?"

He quickly shifted his chair around to see Sayaka, softly closing the door behind her.

"Y-yep, at least I think so." He wiped his face quickly, not wanting to weigh down the mood. "It's uh, still hard not to believe this isn't a dream of some sort."

She nodded slightly in response, plopping herself in one of the other chairs by the table. She had on a new change of clothes like him since their previous attires were hung to dry after a wash. Her black hair was wet, and dampness clung to her skin from her bath.

She didn't say much once she'd settled in though. Rather, she looked to be staring blankly ahead, almost as if she were lost in a trance.

An awkward silence clung over the room, surrealness of the situation still dominant despite the intensity of what they'd just experienced together.

Itsuki sighed to himself once a couple minutes had passed.

This wouldn’t do.

"So, how are you doing?" He broke the quiet with a smile, tired and a little forced but still warm. "A lot happened today. You doing better?"

"…That's an understatement," she muttered, directing her gaze out the window. "But no, not really. I'd still rather be dead than here."

His expression faltered at the statement, but he didn't push. Instead, he rested his arm on the windowsill, redirecting his concern to her instead of himself.

There was something in her presence, something heavy. It'd been noticeable ever since he'd laid eyes on her, but now that things had slowed down enough to see it better, it was nearly overwhelming.

"Want to talk about anything?" he blurted, almost surprised at his suddenness despite being the one to say it.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Uh, why do you ask?"

He nervously scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, it's uh, been a habit of mine for the past couple years. Figured I'd offer."

Quiet hung to the air for a minute more, but it seemed the answer was satisfactory enough. Her eyes cleared slightly, and she refocused on him instead of the night.

"Any reason why?"

He nodded, breathing in more of the night air.

"I learned it helps to communicate things. Talking and stuff," he slowly continued, shifting his head to rest on his arm. "Saves a lot of headaches and… other things from happening."

"…Is this related to me bringing you with me off the cliff?" Her lips quirked slightly to the side. "Look, I already know there's nothing I can do to make it up to you—just seeing your smile is a kick enough to the heart—but I promise I won't intentionally try to do it again. I have a feeling you'd just get caught up in it anyway trying to stop me."

He shook his head. "Nono, I wasn't trying to bring that up. I was just explaining how I came to value talking in general. Connecting with others can help."

"Ah…" she pattered out, shoulders slumping. "I… guess that makes some sense."

"Right? It can really help just saying what's on your mind. So, if you want, I'm all ears."

For a long while more, she just thought, lightly kicking her legs and fidgeting with her nightclothes. Occasionally she would attempt to say something, but she'd quickly withdraw once again before the words could come.

This continued for a while until eventually her expression shifted to resignation, then she looked him in the eyes.

"…Can I ask you something, Kisaragi?" she softly asked, hesitation still clear within her tone.

"Go ahead," he replied, ready for just about any question. "What would you like to talk about?"

She paused again for a moment before continuing, a rough breeze blowing in to rustle their clothes.

"Are you always like this? Throwing yourself at things for people? I was surprised enough that you did so for me—a complete stranger— but to do so readily for so many others after you've already died? Did something happen to you?"

Itsuki blinked.

Okay, he hadn't anticipated that question.

"I uh, haven't always been like this," he said back, trying to weave together a proper response. "But that's who I am now. I told you a bit about it before, right? I try to look out for others on my patrols. Do my best for them."

Sayaka stared at him for a moment, grey eyes meeting brown beneath the moonlight before he awkwardly looked away.

"Sorry if it's not the answer you wanted, but—"

She stopped him, scooting her chair closer until they were sitting right across from each other.

"No. It's fine. It's just… I think I realized something." She leaned in closer until their faces were mere centimeters apart.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, alright?"

"Uh, and what have you realized?" Sweat beaded from his forehead, quickly wiped away.

Why was she suddenly this close to him?

A somber chuckle, like she'd completely figured him out.

"…You're an isekai junkie, aren't you?"

The night paused.

"…Huh?"

"Am I wrong?" She pulled away slightly though still hovered within his space.

"I bet you're one of those soft-hearted people that gets walked over in normal life, but dreams of a place where he can shine and perhaps get a proper shot at life. So you live well trying to do good in the hope that when you die you can be reincarnated. Just like what happened here."

Another draft blew, tousling hair above a bewildered expression.

Itsuki picked his jaw back up.

"I'm sorry, but what?"

A flustered blink. "W-wait. Was I off?" Sayaka's posture dropped slightly, retreating a little bit back into her chair.

"Erm, just a little." His chest deflated, nervousness giving way to confusion. "I mean, I won't deny that I've read a lot of isekai, and I'm decently knowledgeable about the genre. But aside from that and just trying to do good in general, none of what you said hit the mark. I was never one to dream of… well, this."

"O-oh." Her face bloomed red, easily visible even beneath the dim light from outside. "Uh, sorry. In that case—"

Itsuki shook his head. "No, don't apologize. Rather, can I ask what made you think this?"

Her expression shifted downward, fingers clutched in her lap.

"It's nothing, really. For a moment, you reminded me of someone."

"You knew someone like that?"

"More than just knew—Erm, never mind." She clammed up, retreating again. "Sorry. Sometimes my imagination goes wild. Puts things together on impulse. That was out of line for me."

He raised a brow at the answer. Once again, he couldn't help but compare her to Kaede. Her imagination used to be just like that too, always running amok.

"It's fine, Usami. If anything, you got me a little curious. Maybe later you can tell me more about this person. They sound rather interesting."

She looked a little surprised by the request, but she nodded slightly.

"…Maybe later," she replied, voice timid from embarrassment. "A-anyway, we should probably call it a night. Sleep is important and all, right?"

He exhaled more forcefully than usual, almost chuckling at the obvious deflection.

Kaede used to do that too—

Wait. No.

He slapped himself lightly to reprimand himself; he had to stop doing that.

"Fair enough, we do need rest. And after going through as much as today? That might honestly be an understatement."

"E-exactly. So then, without further ado, let's get some rest before…"

She trailed off, blinking.

Intrigued by the reason, Itsuki followed her gaze across the room, landing on the lone bed in the corner.

It took a second for his brain to register what was wrong.

Oh.

Itsuki stood up, casually stretching his back and legs a bit.

"Uh, you take it. I'll just figure something out. Maybe there's another room or two not being used to tend to the wounded—"

Warmth clasped around his hand before he could escape to the door.

"U-Usami?" He blushed at the sudden contact. "What are you doing?"

"What I should be doing," she replied, motioned at him toward the bed. "Kisaragi, you take it. I would never be able to live with myself if someone gave up both their life and their sleep for me. Especially not on the same day."

He awkwardly chuckled. "Ah, um, it's no big deal. If anything, this is on me for not realizing things before. So, you just stay here while I—"

He was yanked hard before he could finish, momentum carrying him off-balance and toward the bed.

"I refuse!" Sayaka said, releasing and throwing a stern glare his way while the sheets swallowed him. "You go to sleep. I'll work things out."

He raised his hand to protest. But before he could, footsteps sounded across the floorboards.

Black hair streamed like a banner as she slammed the door behind her.

Once again, bewilderment took Itsuki, blinking several times as he tried registering what just happened.

"Really, Usami?"

He groaned, trying to force himself up off the dangerously relaxing mattress before it could claim him for good. There was no way he could let this stand. What kind of man would he be if he—

His moxie immediately evaporated once he realized his body wasn’t responding.

"…Oh come on, not now."

He channeled as much strength toward another attempt, refusing to be defeated by comfort. Unfortunately, the exhaustion of office work, getting reincarnated, fighting cultists, and dying bore down on him like concrete.

As everything began to shut down and his eyes closed in rebellion, Itsuki let out a single tear in acceptance.

Of all the things to get defeated by today, he hadn't expected furniture to be on the list.