Sympathetic View

The approach of dusk followed Getsurin and Kay soon after the battle ended, they found it in themselves to lead their assistance with the distraught younger sister of the combatant. Yuuichirou is held by both Getsurin and the sister, with her petite frame struggling to support her brother. The neighborhood they trekked thought was in a predictable silence, however, so were most of the streets, roads, and sidewalks to the neighborhood. A self isolation within Tokyo was growing fast, the number of horrific events continually rising. Many of the citizens had clear worries of leaving the safety of their homes.

“This is Yuuichirou, what’s yours?” Kay asked.

“Oh, Zuina… And thanks for helping me.” She softly mentioned, holding onto the responsibility of her brother and a hidden guilt of the surreal situation.

“It's the least we can do.” Kay remarked, her kind heart shown by her smile and helpful actions.

Zuina attempted the same, but her smile showed to be true, but her eyes expressed the opposite. “It's this house coming up right here.” She then mentioned.

Kay quickly opened the door to Zuina’s home, as Getsurin and Zuina shuffled with a balancing Yuuichirou between. Unable to hold a normal stance without buckling from his own weight, constantly apologizing: Sorry, sorry, sorry. As if he broke a promise, whispering like a broken, abandoned dog. He was eventually brought to Zuina’s guest room.

“Sor, sorry, I-I couldn’t help myself. I tried to stop but I-I just couldn’t. Please.” Frantically whispering before his little sister, while Zuina simply took his shoes off, covered his shaking body, providing several bottles of water for him.

“I know, I know, just rest now, okay? And drink plenty of water.” Zuina instructed with care as she handled her brother with a composure that invoked a routine. As her actions seemed almost habitual, quietly ignoring the pleading, the unspoken trauma, the stress of the future.

“I am. Ina, I’m so sorry, I-I-I…” His frantic whispers persisted, on the verge of tears, he could only beg for forgiveness as he was given water.

“It's okay, really, I’ll be in the other room if you need me.” She spoke softly as Yuuichirou nodded. As she closed the door to the room she provided one more comforting smile.

In Zuina’s living room, Kay and Getsurin sat on the surrounding furniture as she invited them to do, slightly on edge, but relatively at ease because of Zuina’s uniqueness with her home. The two haven't uttered a word, as they independently thought they should remain on guard for any more abnormalities that may occur. Not only that, they are somewhat drained from the altercation.

Despite being drained of energy herself, Zuina still elevated herself to a gentle almost heavenly aura. Which struck the Getsurin and Kay, the moment she entered the living room, now that it was much easier to focus on the person they’ve helped today.

“Hey, how’s your, uh, brother?” Kay was first to ask the question as both her and Getsurin stood up once she entered the room.

“He seems alright now. We’ll just have to wait and see.” Zuina mentioned, plopping down onto the nearest chair, as did the two.

The air felt dense enough to cut with a dull knife: Not only with Zuina, but with Getsurin and Kay, challenge after challenge, obstacle after obstacle, in just one day so much can drastically change everything without any notice. As obvious as it is, a rarity for extra energy to spare. The small group sat quietly for a moment, as this continually evolving situation forces everyone to think more than anyone should.

“I hope this isn't inconsiderate, but your place is hella nice!” Kay spoke up, lightning to mood with some positivity.

“Oh, uh, thank you.” Zuina, slow to respond, formed a small yet genuine beam. “I was able to land a decent job while I'm at Uni.” She added.

“Right, Tokyo University isn’t far from here, what are you going for?” Kay asked, with joyful curiosity, attempting to cheer Zuina.

“Architecture. I’m in my third year.” She smiled brighter, happy to discuss something that gives her joy, as was Kay.

“Awesome, maybe you can help design a house for me one day.” Kay encouraged Zuina, giving her a fun idea to ponder as she giggled.

“Does that explain the, uh, decor then?” Getsurin chimed in.

Not to the oppressive degree but certainly noticeable the moment the two entered: met with a classical like painting of playful squirrels as soon as you walked in, squirrel magnets all over the refrigerator, cute plushies of squirrels where couch pillows would be, with ceramic statues on the dinner table. Lastly, filling up in any empty space are more squirrel themed knick knacks.

“Hehe, yeah, I don't know, I just love squirrels.” The lighthearted smile soon shifted into a damp grin as she realized that she had questions that Getsurin and Kay may have. “I… I hate to ask this, but do you have any idea what’s going on?” Her voice quivered slightly.

Getsurin and Kay looked at one another.

“Not really, but we’re still learning some interesting aspects about whatever is going on.” Getsurin spoke up, weary to even discuss the topic to an already stressed soul. Regardless, Zuina insisted and He and Kay detailed their story and what they’ve learned so far in these 48 hours. Kay even demonstrated her new found strength.

Zuina placed both hands over her face in annoyed disbelief at the growing madness, exhaling frustration. “The whole plane incident, they’ve already been talking about lockdowns, then my brother called me in a panic about a thing he picked up, and now this craziness in the streets. I’ve never been so overwhelmed.” She vented as one should, to return to covering her face once more. Quivering breaths, fighting tears.

Kay was quick to comfort her, kneeling to her side as she held her hand. Which was enough for Zuina to show the first genuine smile of the evening. Zuina exhaled one more sigh.

“This is like a nightmare.” Zuina joked slightly.

“Yeah…” Kay agreed but then an idea sparked within her. “You know what though?” Showing optimism, Zuina wiped any lingering tears and gave her Kay’s attention. “We were all alone in this madness, but I found Getsurin, and we found you. I think this was meant to be.” Kay brightens the room with her unexpected optimism.

“You think so?”

“Absolutely, and if you need us, we’re just a call away!” Kay then glared at Getsurin to agree with her.

“Ah yeah, that’s right… Kay said to me that there is strength in numbers, so.”

“Thank you, truly… I don’t have many people to rely on, so knowing that lightens the burdens I already have to bear.”

With that warm embrace of compassion and understanding, a new friendship was formed. Zuina’s gratitude gave Kay and Getsurin a new reason to strengthen their new rekindled friendship.

“So, um, do you need someone to walk you home.” Getsurin asked, as the two left Zuina’s home.

“I can handle myself.” Kay remarked posing as would a bodybuilder. “I should walk you home.” She teased, poking Getsurin.

“Okay, well, see ya.”

“Hey, Getsurin…” Kay mumbled as he turned away, not realizing the shivered hesitation in her voice.

The moment Getsurin faced Kay, she threw her arms over him.

“Heh, what’s this?” Slightly surprised, he slowly matched the embrace.

“I just wanted to say… I'm so happy I ran into you today. I really needed a friend.” Holding tightly, now able to express herself in a way that has been deprived from her for years.

Getsurin, confused, but too tired to ask any questions or even joke, so he allowed the moment to continue. As he at least knew that this is an expression that she needed to be seen.

◉ ◉ ◉

“Ojii-chan, I’m home.” Kay announced, as she routinely took off her shoes at the door, the same pair she’s had since middle school.

“Oh… Welcome home, sweetheart.” By the small stovetop, was a similarly sized elderly man. Kay’s grandfather: Tight lipped, and proper, a man confined by a stressful era that demanded conformity and uniform strength. Almost a perfect militant stature if it wasn’t for the elderly hunch he naturally developed at his age. Patiently staring at a tea kettle with his hands behind his back. “I’m making some tea, but the water is taking a while to boil.”

“It’s an electric stove, Ojii-chan, you raise the heat like this, remember?” Kay smiled, then walked to him.

Her grandfather hovered his head around the stove to study what Kay was showing him, nodding in agreement. Squinting his frail eyes with interest at the technology. “I see, I see… I’ll remember that.” Now shuffling to his classical rocking chair. “How was your day then?” Asking as would an eager cadet to their superior.

“Hectic, but…” Kay stalled for a moment, unsure of how to describe the overwhelming day, as her eyes started to swell. She realized that she’s holding back her tears, but not of sadness, they were a warm, unexpected joy.

“Surprisingly good, Ojii-chan.”