Daikon in Miso Soup

Fire erupted through my shoulder as my vision swam. The world tilted and blurred, but I could still see Inorin standing there. Except now a black appendage stretched from her shoulder, its tip buried in my shoulder.

Those eyes. The moment I'd spotted those black voids where warm brown should have been, my body had moved on instinct. A Rust. 

My dodge had been clumsy, but it saved my life. That appendage would have pierced straight through my heart if I hadn't moved at the last second.

The false Inorin's skin bubbled and warped, melting away to reveal blackness underneath. The human shape twisted and grew, bones cracking and reforming until a massive wolf-like creature loomed over me. More appendages burst from its back, whipping through the air like angry snakes.

My fingers tightened around Peng's arrow as the beast lunged. Without thinking, I thrust the arrow forward with all my strength.

The tip plunged deep into one of those void eyes, giving me a precious second to move.

I ran.

My legs burned as I vaulted over fallen beams and crumbling walls. Each impact sent fresh waves of pain through my shoulder, but I couldn't stop. Not with that thing that wore her face behind me.

Inorin.

The image of those void eyes carved itself into my mind. Had they pulled her face from my memories?

...Or had it seen her before?

My lungs screamed for air. I ducked behind a partially standing wall, pressing my back against the cold stone. Blood trickled down my arm where that appendage pierced me.

What if... what if Inorin ended up here? What if she'd encountered that Rust? Did they hurt her? Is she trapped somewhere, alone and scared? Or did they...did they...

The image of black appendages bursting from Inorin's body flashed through my mind. I doubled over, fighting the urge to retch.

No. No no no. She's fine. She has to be fine. Inorin's too strong for that. She wouldn't let them-

A scream ripped through the air, high and desperate.

I peered over the wall. The ruins stretched empty and silent before me.

Where did it-

Another scream pierced the air, closer this time.

Jiko.

The Rust had gone after him instead. Because I'd run. Because I'd left him behind while playing my stupid game of chase.

My fault. This is my fault.

The world spun as I pushed off from the wall. My shoulder blazed with each step, but I forced my legs to move.

I'm not letting anyone else disappear.

The screams led me through the maze of broken buildings. Past shattered windows and splintered doors. Until I spotted movement through gaps in the walls. Jiko crouched in what remained of a hut, one hand pressed against his side.

The Rust prowled in the distance. Those void eyes swept back and forth, searching.

I dropped low and crept forward, keeping to the shadows. My heart hammered so loud I was sure the monster would hear it. But I had to reach him.

I crept closer until I reached Jiko's side. His face was pale, sweat beading on his forehead as he clutched his wound.

"Sorry," he wheezed between labored breathes. "Got caught...like an idiot…"

"Shut up." I tore strips of fabric off the clothes Ten had given me and fashioned them into a crude sling, biting back a curse as I secured my throbbing shoulder. Peng squirmed as I tucked him into the makeshift carrier.

"Your shoulder..." Jiko coughed. "It's wrecked... Just go…"

"Like hell!" I grabbed his collar. "I've already got one person missing. One person I couldn't protect. I'm not adding another damn name to that list!"

His eyes widened slightly.

"Besides, you still owe Kanon that flower. Can't exactly give it to her if you're dead."

A weak laugh escaped his lips. "You care about that now?"

"Less talking, more walking!" I braced myself and tried to lift him, but pain shot through my shoulder. My legs buckled, sending us both stumbling.

Useless. Completely useless.

Just like always. Just like every other time someone needed me. All I ever did was cause problems - for my classmates, for my foster families, for Inorin. Sweet, patient Inorin who gave up so much of her life trying to help me.

The Rust's growl rumbled closer. My legs finally buckled, sending us both crashing to the ground.

Maybe...maybe it would be better to just...

The moment that thought crossed my mind, all strength fled my body. I slumped forward, defeated.

Behind my closed eyes, a memory surfaced, bright and warm…

***

"Tada!" Inorin spread her arms wide, gesturing at the pastel colored shop front. "What do you think?"

I stared at the cutesy displays. "What are we doing here?"

"I heard this place is super popular with the kids! Thought you might like it!"

"Seriously?"

Her grin widened as she nudged me toward a display of stuffed animal keychains. "Go on, pick something you like! My treat!"

I knew what she was doing. Trying to cheer me up after getting detention at school. But seeing her bouncing on her toes like an excited kid, I couldn't help playing along.

As I browsed the rows of plush faces, Inorin snatched up a lion keychain.

"Rawr! How about this guy?" She wiggled the keychain, making little growling noises.

"No."

"Aww, come on! Mr. Lion is fierce and cool, just like you!" She gave the plush another halfhearted wiggle.

I turned back to the rack, scanning past rows of bears, cats, and other cute creatures. Then I spotted it - tucked between a carrot and a turnip, of all things.

A daikon radish keychain. White and plump, with tiny green leaves sprouting from its top.

I plucked it from the display and held it up. "This one."

Inorin's head tilted. "Eh? A daikon? Are you sure?" She grabbed a penguin keychain from a nearby hook. "What about this little guy? Look at his adorable little face!"

"No. I want this."

"Mmm you sure sure?"

"It was the first warm meal you cooked for me. When you brought me home from the orphanage. Daikon in miso soup."

The memory was still clear - sitting at her tiny kitchen table, steam rising from the bowl, the savory warmth spreading through my chest. The first time in years someone had cooked specifically for me.

Inorin's grin returned full force. "Awww, Kuro-chan! You remembered!"

"Is that all? Can we go now?"

"Nope!" She snatched the daikon keychain from my hand. "See, the whole point of getting you something was to teach you a super special Inorin-approved anger management technique!"

"A what?"

"Keep this in your pocket." She pressed the keychain into my palm, closing my fingers around it. "And whenever you feel like decking someone, give it a squeeze first. Then really think: is this person worth my fist?"

"You told me creeps deserve it."

"Well yeah, obviously! And anyone who hurts you or your friends? They get the full Kuroha special!"

"That's a stupid name for it."

"Waaah, so mean!" Inorin flailed her arms. "Your big auntie is trying super hard to impart ancient wisdom here!"

"Whatever."

"Kuro-chan so cruel!" Inorin wailed, drawing concerned looks from other customers. But beneath her exaggerated pout, I caught a glimpse of that gentle warmth in her eyes. The same warmth I'd felt from that first bowl of soup.

That day, I smiled. Really smiled, for the first time since... I couldn't even remember when.

***

Something soft poked my cheek, dragging me back to the present. My eyes open to find Peng staring up at me.

And there, clutched in its flipper, was a familiar white shape. Its surface was worn, the green leaves faded but unmistakable.

The daikon keychain Inorin had bought me that day.