[ somehow, it's been four weeks and kogitsunemaru hasn't had a thing to report to hanako this entire time. it, perhaps also helps that he's been pretty content to just let what idle days pass by without much effort in between the bloodshed and minor cases of Horrific Murder. sometimes you really are just an old fox who's far too lax for his own good. or just vibing so hard, that most things have just whooshed right between those foxy ears of his.
but it's fine! it seems like Hanako has done well otherwise, outside a bit of a knife issue and inability to keep his nose in one piece. thus, when kogi spots him wherever they are, he raises a hand in greeting. hewwo small stabby child.
however since nothing can ever go smoothly, oh no! is it action comic book sequence time?! it just may be. look! it's a sword fight*!
[ we are in fact beating up dana. the follow up memory is just dana beating up dana while kogi watches which is even better.
but kogi blinks out of the memory, just in time to watch hanako flop over and hms in contemplation. that certainly was a choice to recall now of all times ]
I would think you have quite a few more years before you are on Mikazuki-dono's level, little Hana-kun.
One would enjoy watching that spar. [ but the smile does turn wry ] Mikazuki-dono is one who prefers to do things his way, with or without informing the rest of the team. Whilst his intentions are well, his execution leads much to be desired.
[ WELL THIS CERTAINLY IS A MEMORY ISN'T IT? Luckily for Hanako this is like, sword level of severe damage so honestly while painful it is in fact survivable on a good day. Kogi however, just looks like he wants to pvp someone for Hanako's sake despite the sudden ouchies. ]
[ ouch... ow... reexperiencing this memory doesn't get easier no matter how many times he runs across it. Hanako's just going to lie here on the ground for a second. ]
Ugh... Against anybody else, maybe. That guy's an exorcist, with a spirit blade that can destroy souls. That really was a close one...
[ hanako, at least make it to chapter 20!!!!! anyway, kogi's rubbing his hand like it hurts actually. his metaphysical ouchies :( ]
One even someone like myself would have to take precautions with, hm? [ for all the holy and smiting of x swords around, there sure isn't any that can destroy souls when he thinks of it. that's probably for the better, tbh ]
Humans truly do come out with things far more dangerous than you can imagine...
Indeed. But certainly more defeatable in the right circumstances.
[ stop telling me that's not a word, grammerly. anyway, he has absolute confidence that were it a 100% depowered fight, hanako would find a way to shank him without a problem. ]
Though, I must confess I am rather unsurprised to know you and your knife are long partners far beyond this game.
[ even a heart as aged, and scarred, and truly no one's business but their own can still speak words without thinking too hard on it. but he understands ]
Aye. I am prepared for whatever is to come.
[ watch it be nico and he just stares into the void about it ]
Mm. One cannot have a proper duel without both parties understanding the rules. Whilst Lillium-dono understood the cause, he was in the right to give it his all.
[ he nyehs just the slightest ]
Though I suppose nothing of the night made it particularly fair.
w4, mon
but it's fine! it seems like Hanako has done well otherwise, outside a bit of a knife issue and inability to keep his nose in one piece. thus, when kogi spots him wherever they are, he raises a hand in greeting. hewwo small stabby child.
however since nothing can ever go smoothly, oh no! is it action comic book sequence time?! it just may be. look! it's a sword fight*!
*pun absolutely intended. ]
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The memory ends and Hanako nearly falls flat on his face following through with one last slash, frustration giving way all too easily to confusion. ]
Wha—
[ Where did he go?? let him stab ]
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but kogi blinks out of the memory, just in time to watch hanako flop over and hms in contemplation. that certainly was a choice to recall now of all times ]
I would think you have quite a few more years before you are on Mikazuki-dono's level, little Hana-kun.
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I bet I could've beaten him... What was that about? You were hunting down a traitor?
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One would enjoy watching that spar. [ but the smile does turn wry ] Mikazuki-dono is one who prefers to do things his way, with or without informing the rest of the team. Whilst his intentions are well, his execution leads much to be desired.
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[ Hanako's the same way, just sort of charges ahead fully believing he's got all the answers ]
Did you beat him up?
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Hahaha, one might say we "beat each other up". We are quite evenly matched at the end of the day even if he claims otherwise.
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Too bad I wasn't there with you. I would've—-
[ done. something. perhaps, if a comic panel hadn't dropped in between them in this very moment. Hope Kogitsunemaru has a high pain tolerance. ]
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Would have done the same thing this one would?
[ he says so dryly ]
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Ugh... Against anybody else, maybe. That guy's an exorcist, with a spirit blade that can destroy souls. That really was a close one...
[ he almost died!!! on like chapter 10 ]
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One even someone like myself would have to take precautions with, hm? [ for all the holy and smiting of x swords around, there sure isn't any that can destroy souls when he thinks of it. that's probably for the better, tbh ]
Humans truly do come out with things far more dangerous than you can imagine...
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[ If it were just a plain sword, he think he'd be fine. He's got a knife, he's like a fighty little tanto who excels in close combat. ]
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[ stop telling me that's not a word, grammerly. anyway, he has absolute confidence that were it a 100% depowered fight, hanako would find a way to shank him without a problem. ]
Though, I must confess I am rather unsurprised to know you and your knife are long partners far beyond this game.
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[ He pats his chest like that's supposed to do something. And it would have, usually, but of course nothing comes out. ]
I can't summon my knife in this place, so I'm just using what they have here. It works well enough, I guess.
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[ is he saying 'hanako is still a properly murderous tantou even without his special knife?' yea ]
I would be beside myself had my body not arrived with me.
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[ Hanako too, but like. the overjoyed sort of "beside themselves". why does he have his body? this weak mortal coil ]
w5, saturday
Has enough time passed...?
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I suppose so.
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[ rattles Kogi's jail cell bars ]
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Alas, it would be far too easy to slip out if given the chance, hm?
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[ multiple times, with multiple murderers ]
Did they confiscate your... body? sword?
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.......They did.
[ he's been perfectly happy to vibe here but he's incredibly unhappy to be separated from his body ]
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Are you leaving it to one of your teammates to look after?
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I suppose wherever the others are, my body will join them as well.
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[ or all those other swords involved in this case, why were there so many swords, how come hanako doesn't get a cool sword ]
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That is possible as well, I suppose. But mostly where the players others are.
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[ the rest of the dead, who Nico believes is coming back tomorrow(?) or sometime soon, at least ]
...As long as you're remembered, you won't disappear. Will you give Mika and Chiemi a hug for me when you see them?
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[ that's a very tired smile ]
If there are other messages to pass on, I will be glad to take them.
[ he says but it'd be really funny if he gets executed and nothing happens ]
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Thanks.
[ he mirrors that small, tired smile ]
I don't really know what to say to them... If you still have your hero powers over there, I bet they'd love your Kon Kon.
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Whatever is spoken from the heart, I'm certain they would love to hear.
[ he makes konkon hands at hanako ]
And if anything, I'm certain this old fox can distract them.
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... he pulls his hand back, and makes konkon hands in return ]
I'll be counting on you. Will you be okay tomorrow? It'll be another fight to the death.
[ pleading, just a little. Kogi doesn't have to lose. ]
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Aye. I am prepared for whatever is to come.
[ watch it be nico and he just stares into the void about it ]
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You could turn into a fox... nobody would dare attack you then.
[ or is Kogi going to insist on the honorable route and have another swordfight ]
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I believe there is a tale about a fox playing tricks like that.
[ that's a hare not a fox, dummy ]
But I suppose even if I do so, something would demand it to take place.
[ also, there's that small problem of him not actually having his body rn so he really is just gonna have to roll with it ]
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If time ran out, you mean? We never did test what would happen then... In the end, everybody followed through to save their own skins.
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I doubt it would be so easy.
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[ probably not, but. still...
... ]
What was that symbol carved into the table? It'll drive Ryuki insane if he never figures it out.
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That...... hm, to be quite honest I'm not certain. I imagine Lillium carved it while we were speaking, but otherwise....
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Under the table? ...You weren't having tea, were you?
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We decided against that. There were simply matters to discuss and an agreement to be made beforehand.
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The duel, you mean. Last man standing wins.
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Mm. One cannot have a proper duel without both parties understanding the rules. Whilst Lillium-dono understood the cause, he was in the right to give it his all.
[ he nyehs just the slightest ]
Though I suppose nothing of the night made it particularly fair.
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How's that? It's not like you had to duel to the death, right? You could've just hung out at the zoo. Eat some ice cream. Wait for the night to pass.