Episode III - The Crow & The Ninja

Ruruka’s POV
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I got startled visibly, my eyes widening in shock at Hanako's revelation. How could she possibly know about my ninja heritage? That secret has been buried for years…!! It’s my family’s fault for disowning me for being lesbian!! Was I too easy to read…? Or was it because of the decorations I have in the living room? Don’t tell me…

“H-how do you know about that…?” I utter in disbelief.

“Sutōkā ka yo?!” (“What are you, a stalker?!”)

“Your whole living room screams ninja! It’s kind of obvious, you know!” she laughed at me, and I could only blush in response. I could tell she never bore hostility, which felt… nice. Relaxing even.

“A-are they real?” she asked me for an answer.

“Y-yeah…,” I lower my gaze from her, tucking strands of hair behind my ear, acting flustered.

“I love Ninjas! I think they’re cool!” She held her hand out and took us to the couch in the living space behind me and sat down. I took my drink with me.

“Plus, your ninja dialect slipped out when we had sex~!” She teased me out of nowhere. I accidentally blew on my drink, my face is red now.

Is she trying to kill me?!

“H-hey!” I gasp, “no fair!” I pout and laughed.

“You were kicked out of your clan.....weren't you? Simply because you were discovered to be a lesbian,” she looked at me, as if she was reading my vibe. I felt a pang in my heart at Hanako's exact assessment, looking away to hide the sadness in my eyes. She finished the food and said it was delicious, it made her full and I smiled wryly.

“....Yeah…. My family cast me out when they learned about my preferences. They couldn't accept that their heir loved women instead of men,” I scoff bitterly, in response to her fact about me.

“You might be a ninja, for having various skills....but I....have a certain skill that's far...better than yours,” she teased me again. Hearing her say that made my ears perk up.

“Is that so?” I said, “alright then, Hanako-chan, I'll bite.”

“You operate in the shadows, right?” She asked me and I nodded.

“I wouldn't say it's a skill....I know I'm a little quiet...and at times calm and cold.....but....have you ever heard of The Quiet Crow....? From that urban legend...?”

My brow furrows as I ponder her question, searching my memory banks for any recollection of an urban legend that involved crows. The name ‘Quiet Crow' rings a faint bell, but the details elude me. I remember reading the story, but where did I read it? I barely remember anymore.

“Vaguely, I think I've heard whispers of that tale somewhere before, but I can’t pin my tongue on it,” I try to recall the story.

“Wasn't it some kinda scary story about a silent crow that brings misfortune to anyone..? People claimed it appeared as a harbinger of tragedy or death.”

“What’s next?” the tone of her voice changed. I noticed her gaze became cold and lifeless, as if she was going to tell me a story. I felt the chills come down my spine. Taken aback by Hanako's unsettling transformation, feels an inexplicable sense of dread wash over me.

I gulped in fear, trying to shake off the uneasy crawling up my spine as Hanako's eerily composed gaze meets mine.

“You don’t remember, do you?” she asked me.

“O-of course. Isn’t it just a dumb superstition? You’re not actually trying to say….,” I try to brush it off. Her eyes became lit with red, recoiling instinctively at the abrupt shift in Hanako's cadence. The atmosphere in the room plummeted, heavy and oppressive, like the air before an approaching storm.

I swallowed thickly, mouth suddenly bone-dry. My ninja reflexes screamed at me to flee, to escape this palpable aura of menace radiating from the usually warm and harmless girl before me, but she grabbed me out of my shadows while her toned returned to normal.

“W-what the heck..?!” My voice pitched higher than usual. “Y-you can’t do that..! J-just who are you?!” I tried to escape her, but she caught me again, yanking me towards her. She stared at me again, her stare became serious and blank.

“You think I’m joking..?” she tilted her head at me.

“Hah….Hanako…,” I stutter beneath my breath.

“Can I interest you in…that story…?” she asks me, and I nodded.

“The Quiet Crow came from the Reinishi Family in 1855,” she starts off, and continued.

“It came from the 3rd generation from an evil demi-wizard by the name, Karasu Reinishi. When he disappeared, his spirit lingered through the world, in the form of a Crow that couldn't make sound.”

Bits of the story start to come back to me, and I remember that I had read it from a children’s book when I was younger. But hearing her reciting it from the top of her head, it made me tremble

“His spirit became too attached to this world, so as time passed, it wandered into the generation of the Reinishi Family, which was now known as The Reina Generation..”

"When the 5th generation of the Reina Family came, his spirit subsided and transformed into a skill that could only be used with red luscious eyes....." She stopped and stared at me with red eyes, it glowed under her command.

"The last heir of the 5th generation was a girl.....who was abandoned by her parents......" she leaned in to lift my chin, my eyes, locked at her gaze as her eyes glowed a bright color.

“D-don’t tell me….,” I utter, trying to understand what she was telling me.

“That you’re the LIVING LEGEND?!” I concluded, and she laughed at me. I became speechless, as her red eyes mimicked that of the legend. So, it was true….

“Do you still want to care for me…? Knowing that curse.... and the effects of it...? Like having a...dick...?” She asked me once again. The weight of that question made me shudder under it. I stared at those now familiar eyes, seeing the vulnerability and fear lurking beneath the bravado. She has the desperate need for acceptance and understanding.

“Hanako..,” I started softly, as my voice trembles with emotion, “none of that changes how I feel about you.”

“I want to be with you and protect you, nurture you and care for you. That will always be my priority,” I assure her. She had a happy smile, and I could tell she was comfortable with me.

“This curse... or skill... I don't use it heavily. I only use it in certain situations when I need to be aware of my situation, even if I get panic attacks,” she continued, “and when I cried in your arms, my eyes were closed. I had to use this skill to find out who you are, and if I could trust you.”

I listened closely as Hanako explained her unique ability, nodding slowly in understanding. Is that how she knew I was a ninja? All because of that ability? Impressive!

“I see now..,” I said with amazement.

“Well, your gift, as frightening as it may be, is also a part of what makes you extraordinary,” I pause, trying to find my next words but she cuts me off and said:

“Koa Ruruka… that's such a beautiful name~”

My heart skipped a beat hearing her say that with such an earnest smile, I duck my head shyly, stray locks of hair falling forward my red face. It's rare to see the usually poised and confident ninja so flustered.

I murmur, “Hana~ko~! You don't need to charm me, you know…”

“Look at me,” she says. I raised my head to meet her gaze.

“Please, lower your guard around me…”

How do I even do that? That’s the second time she said that already! How do I bring that down when I have a huge yearning to protect her…? This overwhelming instinct of maternal shielding…? I heard her yawn, and I looked at the clock on the wall. It was near midnight already.

“Why don’t we head to sleep? Let me treat you to new clothes tomorrow!~” I invited her to come with me. Her face becomes gleeful, looking forward for the next day.

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It became the first day in October, and we went out to the mall to buy new clothes for Hanako! I thought I should buy some of my own too. As we were walking around the malls, chatter filled within the busy paths.

“Hanako, hold my hand…” I held it out, but as she took my hand, I yelped at the instant touch of something cold and freezing.

“Eeek! Hey!” I pout, “just because you’re a living legend, doesn’t mean you get to do that!”

She laughs at me and grabs my hand, a warm familiar feeling comes back to sensation.

“It’s so cool you can do that, raising your body temperature to wherever you want.”

I was envious about her abilities.

“It’s one of the perks of being the myth itself!” Hanako teases me, “hey, let’s go there!” I see her point to a shop that had cute outfits, so we both head in. Inside, a lot of pretty dresses scream on their displays, waiting to be picked. I was immediately drawn to a pink and white knitted sweater that had flower patterns on it, simply because it was cute.

“This is so cute!” Hanako looked at the dress I had in my hands. It felt really comfortable.

“It suits you!~”

“R-really…?” I blush at her compliment, “I t-think it would look better on you…”

She looks at me with a smile and takes it, grabbing my hand, “put it on! I want to see you in it!~” Ever since she opened up to me, I’ve seen a new side to her, she’s quite open and energetic than before! She took me to a dressing room and asked me to put it on.

When I went inside, I undid my blouse I put on earlier. I then put on the one I picked out and I looked at the mirror.

“Oh my~ It does fit me!” I said gleefully, moving the curtains to show Hanako, however, she wasn’t there.

“Hanako-san~?”

She immediately came back with another shirt in her hands, this time, it was a purple dress with a corset near waist level. It looked maid like and I got embarrassed looking at it.

“Y-you’re s-stunning….,” she complimented me, lowering her hand, “c-can you try this on for me?”

“Oh my~ are you my stylist?” I tease her, giggling, taking the dress from her hands. It looked really small in my hands, so I set it down next to me and took off my current fit. I slid into it from behind where it was created. The tightness dug against my chest as I got my arms through and out through the sleeves. However, the real struggle was tightening the corset.

I should have no trouble doing this…right? I turned around with my back to the mirror to tie up the strings that dangled one by one. As I do, I could feel it tighten around me, my face turns red as I try to do the last one. But with my ample bosom, I reached up behind my back trying to pull the last string but couldn’t.

“Haanh~ It’s… so… tight…,” I squirm as it swung crazily, not letting me grab it. I tried again by putting my arms behind me, but it was no good. Looking in the mirror, it looked like my waist had shrunk, defining my curves. It was hard to breathe in this.

“Ruruka-san, are you done..?” I heard her voice from behind.

“Y-yeah…. Hold on…,” I tried to move slowly and turned around, unveiling my outfit to her.

“It’s too tight…on me…,” I panted heavily as the tightness around my stomach and waist dug into me. Even when it not completely done, Hanako said, “g-gorgeous.”

“C-can you take it off for me…?” I ask as she comes in with me into the room.

“Sure!” She says as she begins to undo the tying from behind. As she does it, I felt relief as the tightness fades away. I put back my original shirt on but as she puts the dress onto a hook, I looked at the price tag which said, “5,000¥!”

“That’s expensive!” I gasped as she cupped my breasts—caught completely off guard, “h-hey!~ Not in public…”

She giggled as I moved her hands away from me and put my shirt back on that I came in with.

“Why don’t you try it on?” I asked her.

“Me? In that dress?” She was hesitant.

I nodded, “I’ll help tie it from behind!” What was once my clothes she wore, she took them off. She then slid into the dress that she picked out for me, and I helped tie it up. Somehow, I got jealous, seeing that it fit perfectly on her, I pouted.

“Geez, show off…” I mumbled, “It looks good on you!~”

“Arigatou, Ruruka!~” She was happy when I complimented her. Looking at herself in the mirror, she spun around as the skirt flowed in the air, I giggled as if she was my daughter. After a while, she was back in her original apparel, and she found more clothes she liked. After a bit, we paid for them all.

“You really bought that dress after all, didn’t you?” I asked her, referring to the purple corset one. We both exited the mall and started to head back.

“Yeah! I like it…,” she held a smile, “I know I don’t have a job right now, but, I still have enough money!” As soon as I saw her set foot out, a car drove by past us so fast, I grabbed Reina and pulled her back in, “Reina, watch out..!”

“Aah-!!” she let out a yelp as I yanked her from behind.

I saw something shift in her eyes after I pulled her back in, stunned. I was worried that if she didn’t pay attention, the car would hit her, sending her to the hospital, and her secret would be exposed to the doctors. She held my hand tightly.

“T-thanks…,” she let go of me.

“Geez..it’s the car’s fault for not paying attention!” I turned around and looked at the car which escaped my view.

“Please, be more careful!”

“Kodomo janai-yo~…,” she pouted. (“I’m not a child…”)

Ah, her pouting face is so cute~

(〃＾▽＾〃)

I then remembered she told me she doesn’t have a job right now. Wait hold on, there might be a job she might like!

“Say, Hanako, how would you like to work in a Bunny Café?” I asked her.

“Bunnies…huh? I love them!~” Her face lit up with glee.

“That café is near my place and also my work, we could walk together if you want!” I suggested, “plus, you get to relax!~”

“Then why don’t we head on over there?” Hanako took my hand as we exited the plaza of the malls we were in. As we headed outside, the wind brushed past us, our hair, flying as the wind played with us. It was the season of autumn, and it’s currently October. Orange leaves fell and danced in the wind to the ground, and the warmth of the sun hit our skin.

“Ruruka,” Hanako said, “when’s your birthday?”

“Hmm? It’s on November 2nd!” I answered her.

“No way~! You’re two weeks older than me!” she got surprised. November 16th, huh? What a strange coincidence!

“Looks like we’re twins!”

I laughed before I asked, “can I ask why?”

“Well,” she twirled her fingers, “I have two tickets I got from a nice lady when I worked at the retail store.”

She unzipped her bag and took something out. She showed me it and it was a trip to the onsens in Kyoto. I’ve been wanting to go to one, but I haven’t had the time or the money.

“Can I treat you to it…?” She asked shyly.

“Of course!~” I was delighted to accept her invitation, patting her head. She smiled and as we walked back to our place, the bunny café showed up in front of us.

“Is this it?” Hanako took my hand and stepped in without hesitation as she opened the door. Her personality immediately changed when she saw the little bunnies around the café. The cute little ones

ecstatically jumped and waddled towards us, sniffing our feet.

“Koa-san?” one of the staff noticed me walk in.

“Aoi-san! It’s been a while!” I happily waved to her. Aoi-san, or Haruhi Aoi, became my friend back in high school because we dated each other, but we broke up due to different tastes in women. Even though we don’t talk as much, our bond as friends are still strong!

“I see you bought a friend!” she noticed Hanako next to me.

“We’re just looking around. Hanako, say hi!~” I told her.

“Hello!~” she happily greeted her and knelt down, petting the bunnies before her and picked one up to play with in her arms.

“I was hoping if you are still hiring…,” she asked her, “I was laid off from my other job not long ago…”

“Of course! We have one slot left!~” she told her, “we don’t have anyone to care for the bunnies and we’re a little short staffed. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course! I actually love bunnies!” Hanako responded happily.

“Aoi-san~” I gestured her towards me and she came over, while Hanako was enjoying the presence of the bunnies.

“Yeah?” She responded.

“I have a favor…,” I told her and she listened, “Hanako—no—Reina-san…, she’s a little shy and doesn’t like loud noises…y’know?”

“She’s been through a lot already, and I don’t want her to feel excluded. Can you be patient with her?”

We both looked at her playing with the bunnies and I had a smile on my face. Although I had slight worries for Hanako, I can tell that she loved this place as it is, as bunnies were her favorite animals. I think this new job for her can help build her confidence back!

“Of course! I’ll be extra careful with her~” Aoi-san accepted my favor, “Reina-san, why don’t you sit down with me? It will be quick and swift to get you back into a job here!”

She got up from playing with the bunnies and carefully placed them down, “I’ll be in your care, Aoi-san~” she thanked her. They both sat down at some tables, and I sat down distance away to give them space. I played with the bunnies myself until they finished applying Hanako as a care-taker for these delicate floofs.

They just look so fluffy~! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

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After some time, Hanako got accepted into her new job at the bunny café. The process was quick just like Aoi-san said, and Hanako was free to relax there before we left. Everything went well and I took her around the block to get her familiar to the stores and restaurants of the area. We went back to the park where I first found her and relived those memories. The fall of the autumn leaves fell before us, and the weather was warm with nice skies.

“Ru-chan,” she held my hand, and it was warm, my heart fluttered as she gave me a nickname.

“I’m glad that I get to live with you~”

“Thank you!”

The winds picked up pace, and the leaves flew around us with the sun’s rays shining onto her earnest smile as I looked at her. This beautiful scene before me etched into my mind. Her red glimmering eyes shone with life and my heart skipped a beat, my face, flushed pink.

“Yeah…,” I responded back happily as we went back to our place. My encounter with Hanako might’ve started out rough, but, I kind of saw her as my surrogate daughter, someone who I wanted to protect. Her warm tender smile etched into my mind, and I don’t want to see that disappear.

part.i of iii – Hanako’s POV──⊰

The second day of October came, and I was excited to go work with Aoi-san in the Bunny Café she owns. I gotta thank Ruruka for referring me to this place, because, I. LOVE. BUNNIES!!! She came with me to see me off to my job as she went to hers.

“Hanako, remember, don’t hesitate to ask questions…, okay?” she says to me as we both headed to the café first.

“Geez….no need to act so motherly…” I pout as I teased her, she pats my head as we made it to the café.

“Looks like we’re here!” I said, walking up to the entrance.

“Hanako, I’m proud you got a job back!” Ruruka congratulated me and gave me a high five.

“I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Okay!~” I happily responded to her as I saw her off, waving as she looked back and smiled. I turned around and when I went to open the door, Aoi-san had opened it and welcomed me in before opening time.

“Reina-san!” she welcomed me in.

“Hello~!” I greeted her as she showed me into the place.

“I saw Ruruka show you off,” she told me, “are you two walking together now?”

“Yeah! She did say her workplace is near here,” I responded as she showed me to the locker rooms where I could put my stuff, along with a new uniform that she will give me later!

“Thanks for letting me get a job here, Aoi-san. I hope you’ll treat me nicely~!”

“Anything for you!~ I’m glad I get to hire such a cute girl!~” she teased me and I blushed at her compliment, “okay, let’s get started, shall we?”

Aoi-san took the remaining minutes giving me a tour of the place, not just the café part of the area, but also where the bunnies stay. Seeing them up close again made me feel relaxed just by their laidback personalities. Next, she showed me how to clean and take care of them. Whenever they get dirty, I used a wet warm cloth to help wipe away stains where they can’t reach. She also showed me how to clean their litter boxes, food trays, and the play area. After a while, I got used to knowing where stuff was, along with the seating arrangements of the café.

“You’re a fast learner!” She praised me.

“Yeah…thanks. I’ve been a pretty quick learner when I was little..,” I thanked her, “if I can put my mind to it, I can do it!”

“Now that’s a great mindset!” she praised me again. It was time to open the café, so she showed me how to unlock the door. The café opens at 9 in the morning and when the sign was flipped, not that many people came. It closes at 3 in the afternoon. The schedule shows that the café is open from Monday to Friday.

Although I’m new to this job, she just told me to observe the other co-workers and ask questions when needed and help out when needed. I have done customer service before, but not in a café like this. I’m glad people were patient with me since I was a new face here. Out of all the jobs I’ve done, this new one made me feel at ease.

Before it became three in the afternoon, Aoi-san showed me how to properly close, just in case other co-workers aren’t doing that shift or have important issues come up. I listened to her obediently and asked me to try it. It seemed really easy and I got the hang of it.

“You did a great job today!” Aoi-san came up to me.

“Here, this is for you~”

In her hands was a uniform that was tailored to my size, a white and green pleated uniform that had a bunny logo on it. It was super cute.

“Oh wow! Thank you! It’s so cute!~” I looked at it with awe. I wasn’t given one earlier today because she handmakes the café uniforms herself instead of buying some. The white and the green contrasts well along with the frilliness to it, and the bunny logo showed up on the front and the back. It felt like I belonged here.

“I never knew you hand-made these! They look really good!” I complimented them.

“Aw, thank you!” she was happy when I said that.

“I’m more of a crafts person so I tend to make a lot of stuff.”

“You should keep at it! Maybe you could sell hats or plushies!” I suggested and she takes it as feedback.

“Reina-san,” she gestured towards me and I went up to her, “If you ever have problems, feel free to let me know! I might be the owner of this café, but I also want to become friends with you!”

“Is that alright?”

“Of course!~” I shook her hand with a happy smile. I just gained a new friend!

“Say, are you doing anything later today?” she asked me.

“Oh? I plan to go out with Ruruka later to get a new phone. The one I have doesn’t work anymore,” I explained to her.

“Ah, that’s a bummer. Can you add me later when you get it though?” She requested.

“Of course!” I responded happily.

“Wait, I should be getting ready!”

The clock had hit 3:15 already and I had promised to meet Ruruka back at home before we headed out later. So, I put the uniform safely in the new locker she showed me and locked it.

“Aoi-san, thank you for everything! I’ll see you tomorrow!” I waved bye to her as I left the café. I quickly went back home to meet up with Ruruka, and we went out to get me a new phone! It was great having a new device I could use to take photos for memories, play games, make videos, and stay in the present, with Ruruka.

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The week went by fast because of all the fun I had. Not only I got used to working at the café, I also have a new phone, where I quickly added Aoi-san and Ruruka to my contacts. I, however, starred Ruruka because we would often share our thoughts about our day together.

I think working at the café with Aoi-san changed me a little bit. The guests there were nice and they appreciate me of who I am. It helped me rediscover my confidence. And I still I remember Ruruka’s calm and reassuring words, her gentle head pats for me, and the hugs that she gives me.

I want to lean into that.

I want to see more of her affectionate side.

And it was nothing but great vibes, and I got to see myself change. Even as I notice my growth and patience for others, my emotions have also grown. My timidness might still show, but my openness rocketed, and it allowed me to show who I am as a person.

Living with Ruruka-san has been very fun, and ever since she took me in, I saw her as my friend, and also my equal.

I….want to be her girlfriend, because at this point, even if our friendship hasn’t solidified, I want to be there for her.

I want my emotions to reach out to her.

I want to make her mine.