Episode X - The Day the Crow Screamed

Nov 19th (Hanako POV)

Three days after my birthday, we went to watch a movie, called ‘Nevertheless, You’re Still my Sister!’ It was about two sisters named Asahi and Reiko Nanako, whose bond began in a broken family, only to be seen as strangers. I thought this would be a girls’ love movie, but it turned out to be so dramatic, it moved both me and Ruruka to tears! We cried so much at different emotional scenes—like a lot! It was heartwarming at the end.

When it ended, it made me realize that “love” could be in different forms, no matter how messy it is. It explored love through siblings, and it hit very deeply. I had a very dramatic heartache at one scene, it swayed everyone’s heart in the theatre. There was a disclaimer in the beginning of the movie which said, “this movie is not a replacement for professional help. Please contact your local crisis center if you are experiencing something similar.”

I didn’t expect it to be that dramatic—in a good way. So many twists and turns….!

“Ruruka, what did you think of the movie?” I asked her as she took my hand.

“The voice actors put every soul into that! It’s so good! It’s like they were the characters!” Ruruka’s face beamed with glee. The reason she took me out to watch the film was because it was adapted from one of her favorite Mangas.

“I know you’re a visual person, so you gotta read it!” she suggested, “now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve read the original book yet! I remember seeing a dedication page in the manga at the end saying that it was adapted from a novel…”

“It’s the same title, right?” I asked to confirm, and she nodded.

“Yeah! Do you want to read it too?” she asked me.

“Of course! I love both manga and literary novels~” I told her. We both laughed along walking together as we exited the theatre and into the busy malls.

“Hana~ you should teach me how to cook~” she said, “I want to eat your food again~”

“ii~yo~!” I smiled as I took her hand. As suggested, we went to a local supermarket within the mall and browsed around. There was apparently a sale today and we wanted to get our hands on some fresh cut meat! I wanted to make gyoza and bulgogi, but Ruruka wanted to make steamed pork buns. We settled for all three of them.

As we found the ingredients, we ran into Haruhi-senpai!

“Yossu!~” she came to greet us.

“Are you two shopping for dinner?”

“We’re having gyoza, steamed pork buns, and bulgogi!~” Ruruka high-fived her, “Hana-chan is gonna cook tonight~! (yatta!~)”

Aoi’s face lit up with glee and said, “mind if I tag along?”

I looked at Ruruka and she looked back and nodded.

“Sure!~” I invited her over to eat with us.

“Yatta~!” she smiled happily.

“The more the merrier~”

After we checked out the items, the three of us decided to walk back together, since we lived in the same direction. Haruhi had a big cooler bag with her so we decided to put our ingredients together so it would make it easier for travel. One by one, we packed them down effectively and I manifested really cold ice cubes to put them inside to give them that extra freshness.

“Wow~! Your abilities are so cool!!” Haruhi was stunned.

I smiled and said, “thanks,” shrugging it off. Showcasing my abilities is fun, but I hate boasting about it. There’s this icky feeling that being prideful about something is just wrong.

It was still light out and I looked down at my phone. It’s getting close to dinner, 5:30. The sky was beginning to dim, the kind of soft orange glow that made the clouds look like melting sherbert. We were thirty minutes away from home, walking along the main street just before the intersection. It was peaceful. No wind—just the warmth of the sun and the soft hum of cars passing by. The sounds of children filled my ears from the parks that surrounded us.

“Haruhi~” Ruruka says, tapping her shoulder, “can we take a group selfie?”

“Sure…!~” she responded happily. Ruruka took out her phone and pointed the camera at us, we smiled into the lens as she captures the photo. “One great memory saved!”

I heard something in the distance. Tires, screeching against the pavement. Is there a chase? What’s going on..? A loud, cracking bang echoed across the street—followed by frantic screams of pedestrians and police sirens. Chaos ensued as more bangs sounded off in the distance. The sounds became louder and louder, I covered my ears from the sensitive power of these shockwaves. My initial response was to flee but I couldn’t move.

“MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!!!” A black van tore around the corner, serving onto incoming traffic, weaving through the crowd like a predator in panic. Three or four men were dangling out of the van’s windows, waving their guns around shooting. Bullets ricochet around and I felt Haruhi grab my hand, but she too was startled by the screams and the sounds of guns.

We were both frozen in place, I closed my eyes to shield me, but then—“Hanako, H-Haruhi—!”

Σ(っ °Д °;)っI heard Ruruka’s voice cut through everything. She pushed us out of the way, the bag of frozen foods fell to the ground (safely). As sirens chased the van, the sounds of it died down as it reached out of our sight. But as I looked up, I saw her slump down to the ground, holding her stomach in pain. I was too busy focusing on myself, I forgot to stay aware of the bullets. Despite my awareness to perceive different sounds as a bird, this was something that caught me off guard.

I knelt down and she fell in my arms, blood, seeping out from her stomach. Where on earth did the bullet come from…?

She coughed out in pain as blood came from her mouth. It stained my hands as I tried to grasp her, my heartbeat rose. The light of my world, my girlfriend, was hurt. I tried to comprehend what had happened. Haze started to cloud my thoughts, as I could hear Haruhi trying to get my attention. Ruruka shouldn’t have done that. She shouldn’t have.

I can’t afford to lose her…!!

Not like this….!!!

“H…H-ana….,” her voice wheezed in front of me as she tried to get air into her system. The life in her eyes started to fade. She looks at me—then Haruhi, before she went blanked out—her head droops to the side of my chest.

I wanted to let L O O S E and track those idiots down. Kill them off, one by one. They hurt my girlfriend…!! I swear…!!

They. Will. Pay—!!

“Reina… Snap out of it…!!!” Haruhi snapped me out of becoming a tyrant.

“Get her to a hospital…now…! She’s bleeding too much…!!”

However, as soon as I heard that word, I scowled, “No..!” My anger and seriousness started to show, and my eyes started to glow a bright dark red color.

“R-Reina…please….!!” she begged me, tugging the hem of my sleeve. However, I didn’t listen to her. I picked up Ruruka in my arms and I held her tightly.

“F-Follow me…..!” I yelled at her with command and she did, grabbing the bag with her. My adrenaline was acting up so much, I looked around for a safe space so I could transform. The three of us ran into an empty deserted alleyway and it was of decent size.

“Geez…! What’s gotten into y-you—?!? AAHH—!!”

I transformed into my huge bird form with Ruruka in my back, safely strapped into my feathers.

“R-Reina..?!” she was shocked at my sudden transformation.

“T-There’s no time…! G-get on…!!” I ordered her. She was hesitant, but got on me as I knelt down. I jumped up and turned invisible with us three, securing Haruhi in place next to her friend. I was so distraught that my mind started to show fear even as I flew.

I don’t want my lover to die….!!!

I don’t want that loneliness to come back..!!

Circles. I flew around in circles lost, not knowing what to do. Not only my worries was piling up, rage started to form. It was slowly building like the calm ocean before the chaos.

“Reina…please…calm down..!!! Think bunnies..!!” Haruhi softly told me, “soft, cute, rabbits!”

Soft… calm… cute… bunnies…!

My heart started to slow down as pictures of the bunnies from the café came back. They’re so fuwa fuwa…

I calmed down and I straightened my mind, and flew back to Ruruka’s complex. We landed safely onto the roof of the apartment, and I had transformed back, we instantly went down and back into our home.

I depowered my invisible abilities and all three of us appeared normally, Ruruka groaned out as I gently placed her on the couch, with old blood staining the soft white texture.

“Do you have any med kits….?!” Haruhi asked me rushing to the bathroom.

“N-no…” I uttered.

“T-then how will we even treat her…?! I mean, I can get the bullet out, but we don’t have anything that can patch her up..!!” she became extra worried.

“I have an idea,” I thought of something crazy that might work. I said, “I’m going to freeze her wound..!”

“You dummy…that’s crazy!!! You’ll kill her..!!!” She grabbed my hands, begging me to stop.

“I know you’re powerful but that…! That crosses my line..!!”

I got agitated by that comment and I retaliated saying, “I know she’s your friend, but she is MY girlfriend now!!!”

“I get that it might feel wrong for you, but to me, that’s how I heal myself!! Please, trust me, Haruhi-senpai!”

“I-I’m sorry…for lashing out..,” she said, worried.

“Let me take the object out first…”

I let her go first, since had a little expertise in taking out foreign objects—like random choking hazards bunnies could eat without knowing. She told me to manifest a small icicle like-net that looked like pliers. I did and I let her handle the wound with care. In a few seconds, she got it out and placed it on a white napkin.

“Okay…your turn…,” she gestured for me.

I placed my hands against Ruruka’s wound and they emit a soft freezing cool, it crystalizes over it which momentarily stops the injury from spreading and the blood from flowing.

I watch her face twitch as she trembles under the coolness of my powers, and I applied a layer of healing ice onto the frozen area. After that was done, I stopped and applied a makeshift bandage to cover over the frozen ice.

Gently picking her up, I went to our room and placed her down on our bed to let her sleep off the pain. I closed the door softly and as I turned around, I slumped against the wall opposite of the room. My adrenaline had faded. I started to cry. Tears poured from my eye like a storm I couldn’t stop—this moment had carved itself into my soul.

Why is life is so…fragile..?

part.i of x – The Lust for Justice──⊰

Seeing Ruruka bleed in my arms from earlier, I was scared. I wouldn’t know what to do without her. The bullet. It was on the napkin the moment she took it out. I clenched my fists.

Even with my head not in the game, I got up with clouded thoughts and without hesitation, I went towards the window and opened it. But before I could jump out and transform, Haruhi took my hand and yanked me away, shutting the window in front of me.

“What’d you do that for?!” I glared at her.

“Don’t—even—think about being a savior!” she rebuked me.

“But those people….they hurt her!! And the other innocent people!!” I argued, raising my voice.

“They terrorized the streets…!! Pedestrians were hurt and no one did a thing…!!!”

“I know we were scared as a whole, but those bad people…? They were properly dealt with!” she argued back.

“Even the police were in on it!!”

“That’s not enough…! They deserve justice!” I bickered angrily, fists trembling tightly.

“Hanako Reina…!!” she asserted my name loudly and I flinched. I heard her tongue click.

“Even if you did go out of your way and stop them, what would happen to you if you really exploded?! Consumed by rage without limiting your powers?!”

“If you lost yourself like that, then who would stop you? Me? Ruruka? The police?! I know you’re capable, but without restraining yourself, you’d be consumed with regret for the rest of your life!!”

“And even if you did become that person, I don’t think Ruruka would like that!! Or me..!!!”

Her voice became softer and she took my hand. It was warm, grounding.

“Please, don’t become a hero for the sake of being a villain,” she said with worry.

“It’s okay to protect. But to exact revenge and never come back? That crosses the line and I don’t want that to happen to you.”

She took me to the couch and we both sat down. I put my hands on my face, crying out my anguish and feelings of doubt. Why does it have to be this way? Ruruka let me into her life because I was patient with her. I allowed her to change, along with me.

But to see her hurt in my arms..? I don’t think I’m worthy of her anymore. Haruhi’s scolding made me realize just how harshly she tried to talk me down—even if her heart was in the right place.

“I’m sorry for scolding you like that,” she apologized.

“No…what you did was right and I was out of line,” I looked at her with sincerity. After what had happened, I can’t believe this was my first time being humbled in place.

“It’s okay. You did everything you can,” Haruhi said with a calm voice.

“It’s not enough,” I held my head down in my arms, “I wanted to be more than that.”

I hiccuped under my tears as she consoled me.

“You did enough. To your upmost,” she said.

“You are already good enough for her even if you can’t see that.”

“H-how can you tell…?” I looked up at her with my tears still falling. She wiped them away for me with a handkerchief.

“Because not even once she thought of you as perfect,” she answered me.

“From the first day you started working with me, I saw you change. Your confidence is what makes you a great person~!”

She put her hand on my shoulder and said;

“Please listen to me when I say this. If you’re good enough for her, you’re good enough for me too! Ruruka is definitely your girlfriend, and I can validate that. But for me? You’re my friend, not just my co-worker!”

“If she had died, it would’ve been on me. I don’t think I can live with that, or if I lost control,” I uttered my worries.

“…She didn’t fall from pain, Reina. She fell because she trusted you’d catch her,” she said.

“Plus, even if you did lose control…I’d step in as your friend to calm you down.”

“Platonically~” Haruhi teased me.

She booped my nose out of banter and giggled. Her calming words made me realize something about Ruruka. She fell into my arms not because of pain, but because of trust.

Even after all this time living with her—after everything I’d shown her—she still trusted me to heal her. And I had…, back when I shattered her maternal shell on her birthday. That’s when I remembered: the scene at the onsen.

Ruruka did say: ““it’s enough, even for me.””

I wiped my tears way and said, “t-thanks…”

“You don’t know how much that means to me.”

She looked at me with an earnest smile.

“First things first though….,” she said, “you really f’in scared me back there!! I thought I was facing bad luck!!”

I nearly forgot!!! I was rude to her and yelled at her to come with me!! I clasped my hands together.

“I’m sorry..!!” I bowed my head.

“I didn’t mean to scare you that way, let alone finding out that I can transform into a giant bird….”

“Y-you are one….intriguing girl~!” she pulled on my cheek and I pouted, laughing.

“Let me remind you that in life endangering events, you need to take her to the hospital….,” she said out of worry. I flinched and stared at her sternly as she said that certain word.

“Is there a reason why you don’t want to…?”

I looked around and pondered for a bit, wanting to make an excuse, but considering I opened up about my abilities to her not long ago, I don’t want to lie to her. She’s my friend and I want to tell her about my childhood trauma. But before I did, I had to confess something.

part.ii of x - Childhood Trauma──⊰

“I…” I tried to find my words. She tilted her head out of curiosity.

“I have a….male genital, below me…”

She softly said, “are you saying that you’re a….futanari…?”

“Y-yeah…,” I looked away slightly, agreeing to it. It wasn’t out of shame…

It was out of embarrassment~ ( 〃▽〃)

I continued on with my story, and she held my hand to assure me that it was okay.

“At a young age…, my parents would often try and get surgery for me, stripping me of my own will,” I instantly hooked her in.

“For the final straw, we went to the hospital. They forced me into surgery. It was before the surgeons put me on the table. But since they didn’t know I embody the powers of The Quiet Crow— including my parents, I couldn’t contain my anxiety and I blew up the room—the doctors—along with my parents…..,”

“I didn’t understand what had happened. I was sent to a psychiatric ward and was put under test. I was also **put UNDER pressure. That moment was also another exploding point—to the level where my powers could implode an entire building with people inside! And I did——by accident!”

“I kept on being sent to different wards, secluded from urban life. But that still didn’t work. Destruction led after each wake—2,300 ward buildings. 20k people, obliterated. All because I was put under intensity. These ionic implosions would scale to sixty feet..!!!”

“And my powers….? They constantly develop behind my brain, even when I start to advance in age. My hair wasn’t like this current color. I was born to a dark-brunette family,”

“Those outbursts and destructions caused my hair to change into black with red undertones. It stopped when I hit sixteen. I became a victim of these absurd abilities—all because of this overwhelming strength. I had to learn how to hold back.”

I clung onto her hand tightly, my heart, calm. I stopped to take a breath. Her presence radiates softness and I want to pour every inch of energy into my story.

I continued, "when I became 18, I developed an ability where I could survive space. I went to the moon once, to trap myself for four years. Hunger was never an option. I can survive weeks without food,”

“I exiled myself to a neighboring solar system. I blew it up with a single tear drop. Destruction caused rebirth and many more chains of life. It was like the yin and yang,"

“I ran in fear because of my powers and abilities..!!” I kept on rambling.

“I isolated myself from people, from life…!”

“Oh… my..,” she put both hands over her mouth. Tears got the better of me, and before I could finish my story, I delivered a line that I was too afraid to admit.., but I did.

“It was on December 13th, 2082, somewhere in space,” **I trembled and finally said: “It was the day the crow screamed out of fear.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. There was still this longing to be understood. I hate having to feel stuff like this, yet it makes us human. It’s just that…even with all this power I have…

It felt….displeasing.

“What do you think about yourself now?” she asked. “What do you want now?”

part.iii of x – Grounded Wisdom──⊰

I thought about it. My life has changed now. All because of Haruhi’s grounding presence and the light Ruruka gave. They stayed with me and listened to me.

"I want love. I hunger for real food. Sustenance. I want to become human, even if I hide behind my abilities," I answered.

"Haruhi, you opened something up in me that I could've never asked for: courage.”

“The confidence to believe in myself. To have the patience for others. I got the chance to let those who care about me into my life—"

“Willingly, with care,” I smiled gently.

"I owe you so much, you don't even know how much you helped me be myself. Ruruka too.."

Haruhi instantly broke the mood and said:

“That's because I never once lied to make you dislike me, or forced myself to make you do something you don’t want to.”

“You deserve everything Reina~” she pats my head, "…and that includes Ruruka~"

I let out a huge sigh and oozed against the couch. As much I hate talking about this, I had to let her know. Haruhi was the only person I could confide in other than Ruruka. A moment of silence fell between us. The clock ticked. Birds chirped from the outside. The leaky faucet from the kitchen dripped.

She mustered up the strength and pulled me in for a hug, and I melted into her arms like snow. Her tender and platonic embrace made me feel safe.

part.iv of x – Haruhi’s Platonic Healing──⊰

“I’m so sorry you had to experience all of that,” she empathized with me, “but with us in your life? Let us suffer together, laugh together, and build that bond with each other.”

“You might be a goddess with an existential dread…,”

“But all I see is someone wanting to be normal.”

When she said that with sincerity, my heart swelled up with gratitude and thankfulness. Even though she wasn’t my actual lover, she was still my friend. All because I trust her. I cried in her arms because I had let out the biggest burden of my entire life.

The countless bloodshed I caused in my youth forced me to shrink down to silence, because that was my way of survival. It was always silence, crowless, soundless—they were different iterations of the myth itself.

“You know…,” her voice and tone became sweet. She held my hand to let me know that it was okay to admit these things.

“I’m glad you had the strength to admit that, Reina,” she proclaimed to me.

“Not only you had the guts to do that, it showed that you had to learn restraint, even if it means letting loose for justice.”

She acknowledged my story because she listened. She didn’t listen out of fear—she only did it to understand me more. The fact that she stayed showed that she cared.

“I will never, ever, look down on you! No matter what~! You’re special to me, but more precious to Ruruka,” she reaffirmed me.

Hearing her accept me, like Ruruka did, made my guilt of not being enough fade away from my mind. I was talked down by Haruhi, who felt nothing but empathy without judging too harshly.

Perhaps I was too harsh on myself after all these years. I looked at her sincerely, knowing that she still sees me as a friend, no matter how I see myself as.

Let’s say I never met Ruruka, but met Haruhi instead and became her partner. Would she still be the same person even if she said that right now? I want to believe in that, and I will.

“Promise me that if I get pulled into darkness like this again…” I had a daring request, “that’d you stop me. Or even….,”

“I won’t kill you, Rei-chan,” she said, “but I will stop you! So don’t you worry!

“Both me and Ruruka will have your back!”

“Thanks…for listening..,” I said with sincerity.

“You have no idea how much that means to me,” my heart ache hearing her give me a new nickname.

Different emotions and feelings, much like appreciation, respect, patience, and satisfaction boiled up in my heart, causing me to weep silently. She pulled me in for a hug to let me let those years of enduring out into tears. I got to let go, quietly.

I have wonderful friends who are willing to risk it for me. Haruhi, my best friend. She held the platonic love I thought I wouldn’t need.

And Ruruka, my girlfriend? She is the light of my world.

─────⊰ ✦ ⊱─────

After a while, it became seven in the evening. Although it was late, I didn’t mind a late dinner. I wanted to eat, and to enjoy my time with Ruruka and Haruhi.

“Do you want to make dinner together?” she asked me, breaking the mood again. She got up and held her hand out.

“Of course!” I replied happily as she helped me up. The both of us went to the kitchen. Before I unpacked the frozen food from the bag, I tied my hair up so it wouldn’t make a mess. I then started up the oven. Looking around for some utensils, the shape of her ears caught me off guard. They were green, fluffy, and pointy.

“Say, what kind of…,” I said, “how do I put this politely…?”

“Your ears….” I pointed at my own to mirror hers.

She laughed, “I’m a Bamboo Rabbit!”

My eyes sparkled with glee as I watched her put the stuff down and she transformed into her actual form. Her ears were actually made of bamboo—well, partly.

The base where they emerged from her head was sturdy yet flexible bamboo, while the tips were covered in soft green fur. It allowed her kind to detect vibrations through the ground. No wonder she’s so grounded!

“No way…!!” I picked her up and sat her on the counter as I moved the stuff away. I began to pet her like crazy. She didn’t mind at all, secretly liking it.

“I thought Bamboo Rabbits were extinct…!”

So cute…..!!!! ahdgjkdahgka!!!!

“There are only a few left! We’re just very hidden~” she explained.

“I don’t really use this form much since I don’t want people knowing I’m a super rare shifter.”

She jumped off the counter and popped back into her human form and patted her apron down. Her gazed fixed on me for a while and she said, “let me be your emotional support guard, Reina.”

“If you want to talk about something that is bothering you, just let me know. I just want you to live the best life with Ruruka~”

“I would be honored, senpai~” I thanked her.

After that very heavy conversation, I wanted to take my mind off of it. I felt lighter, like a swan gracefully flying off. So together, we started to make dinner for all of us to eat later.

part.v of x – Ruruka’s POV──⊰

I don’t remember what exactly happened. The last thing I knew was being in the arms of Hanako. She was the one who heard everything while I was being an ignorant bliss when we were walking home for dinner. But I heard it as soon as the sounds passed my ear.

Van tires screeching, sirens. People, screaming. My ninja reflexes were delayed but they kicked in the last moment I pushed Haruhi and Hanako away for safety. A bullet ricocheted from a weird angle and hit me in the stomach, causing me to fall to the ground. That was when I felt her grasp onto me until I passed out.

And then moments later….

I got up groggily, and I was found in my room. Our room.

“O-ouch…!!”

I touched near my stomach and a soft cool like texture was placed on me.

Is this….Reina’s powers…?

Did she….save me…? W-what about Haruhi…?

I was worried and I got up, but as soon as I headed to the door, I heard Reina’s voice, and Haruhi’s. I wanted to step outside and tell them I was okay, but, something told me stay and listen. Their voices were a little loud.

“What’d you do that for?!” I heard Reina’s voice get loud quickly.

“Don’t—even—think about being a savior!” Haruhi’s voice could be heard. Are they having a heated argument…? Should I step in…?

“But those people….they hurt her!! And the other innocent people!!” Reina talked back, “they terrorized the streets…!! Pedestrians were hurt and no one did a thing…!!!”

Oh. Was that what happened…? I looked at my patched wound, and her powers were helping me stay alive, healing me in the process. It felt very nice, as if her powers radiated with love. They continued talking back and forth.

“I know we were scared as a whole, but those bad people…? They were properly dealt with! Even the police were in on it!!” (Haruhi).

“That’s not enough…! They deserve justice!” (Reina).

“Hanako Reina…! Even if you did go out of your way and stop them, what would happen to you if you really exploded?! Consumed by rage without limiting your powers?!” (Haruhi, again,).

“If you lost yourself in that style, then who would stop you? Me? Ruruka? The police?! I know you’re capable, but without restraining yourself, you’d be consumed with regret for the rest of your life!! And even if you did become that person, I don’t think she would like that!! Or me..!!!”

Haruhi was right. If I had lost Reina like that, I wouldn’t be able to see her the same way she saw me. Even though this is their convo, they used me as their symbol of hope. I know Haruhi was my ex, but we became best friends. After all, we saw the light in each other differently. I treat her with the same respect she treats me and I want that for Reina too—no—My, flower….

“Please, don’t become a hero for the sake of being a villain. It’s okay to protect. But to exact revenge and never come back? That crosses the line and I don’t want that to happen to you,” (Haruhi).

THAT IS SUCH A RAW LINE, WHAT THE HELL?!?

Where did Haruhi gain so much wisdom? Is it because she’s a Bamboo Rabbit? These types of shifters are very rare, they’re close to extinction, but few remain. There are only 25 left. A little bit about these creature shifters is:

One: their ears are able to pick up vibrations and frequencies that can’t be percieved by human standards.

Two: they’re empaths. They’re able to to emotionally call out others on their mistakes and guide them through softness and validation. Non-judgmental creatures. Listening is their strengths.

Three: extremely versatile and creative solvers. Whenever they run into a problem, they solve it with ease. They find shortcuts to get to the result effectively.

Four: they are friendly and sociable. Extroverted.

And Five: they’re fkin cute and they show platonic love.

The reason why I fell for Haruhi was the last option. Platonic love and adorableness. But this judgmental view of me made me realize that my love for her was one-sided, which is why she broke up with me. However, she still sees me as a good person. I was just…blinded by my own maternal instinct as a protector. She didn’t need protecting, she was around my age too. Much like Reina.

Although crows in Japan signify guidance and rebirth, and in some places—death or omens—Reina was different. She was the embodiment of all of them, but chose to stay human and learn to love through patience. She was always patient with me, and stayed with me through my struggles. That’s why I love her.

Hana…, you are perfect the way you are. Don’t forget that.

Suddenly, I heard their conversation change. She’s opening up about her identity, without sexualizing it. Never have I heard Haruhi judge harshly. She just listened to her, peacefully, like a bamboo rabbit.

I’m proud of those two.

Then, I just felt the worst chills come down my spine. Hana’s story turned into a full blown trauma…..

Wait. She what..?!

Isolated herself for four years…?! On the moon?! At that age?! She killed thousands in her youth?! All because of her ever-growing powers?!

She even wiped out a solar system, with a tear, even causing the destruction to birth new ones?! Like the yin and the yang…!

AM I REALLY LIVING WITH A GODDESS?!?!

(o - o) !!

With my back against the door, I slumped downwards. Even with feelings of concern, I still love her. She was put through a lot of anxiety and pressure. Until her emotions could no longer be restrained, they exploded like a melting dwarf star. Silence came from me not because of shock—it was of amazement. Wow. Such unfathomable power…

I can’t bear that, even if I was in her shoes. My rage would’ve been off the charts, and I wouldn’t be able to heal myself after that. But for her—Hana..? She pulled through that silence and grew. It’s because of our influence and support.

Reina IS THE QUIET CROW….!

All those emotions, behind her bravado, she learns to restrain it to be human. A goddess trying to be human, trying to learn so that one can love.

I went back to bed to sleep my wound off. For it to heal. My heart felt renewed, not just being healed. I’m glad that I am here. And that speed time blitz thing she did when she was ten years of age? Only discovering she was the only one in the multiverse…? Now I understand. I spoke my thoughts out.

“You must’ve been lonely all this time.”

“Unable to be heard.”

“But don’t be sad.”

“Because I hear you.”

“Let me suffer with you, together.”

“Forever and always.”

part.vi of x – Hanako’s POV “Dinner time”──⊰

Dinner had already been prepared with the help of Haruhi. She helped a ton and contributed a lot for our late night spree of food and just being together. Gyoza was made and plated, along with bulgogi with a side of steamy white rice. Steamed pork buns came out from the steamers and were freshly made. Plated in a wooden casket that was a China-borrowed set. Everything was placed nicely.

“Uwaaaow~! It looks so good!” Haruhi was amazed.

“Thanks for teaching me how to cook, senpai!~” I thanked her.

“And another boop for you~” she booped my nose playfully.

(´▽`)❀~

“I’m gonna go wake her up,” I trotted off gracefully. When I got to my room, the door opened slightly from behind.

“Hhnng~” Ruruka yawned as she stepped out. As she saw me, she threw a hug onto me and said, “my savior~!”

I heard her stomach rumble.

“You hungry?” I asked her, and she nodded.

“Yeah. Let’s eat!~” She came with me to the kitchen. Despite being a heavy day, I made a poetic mantra inside my head to end today’s day to mirror my growth with her.

“Thank you for trusting me,”

“You are the light that sees my darkness.”

“I think I’ve found peace,”

“Because I’ve been heard.”

“Let’s suffer together and learn to love.”

“I won’t be here—without—you.”