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[He’s warm and solid, and when he wraps his arms around her it’s like a defensive wall goes up to shield her from the outside world. If she closes her eyes, she can pretend like the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

Akashi’s words are both, somehow, comforting and terrifying all at once. She quickly shakes her head.] No, it’s not that— [Or Maybe it sort of is. She wanted to see him but she didn’t want to see him.]

I’m glad you’re here. I’m really, really glad. [She sounds on the verge of tears and takes a breath] Can we go inside...?

Of course.

[ He lets go of her and tries to pry from her own hold so he can hold her hand. His soft smile doesn't disappear, very considerate of how she looks right now. She probably needs him to be the one to look like he has it all put-together, right? ]

Can I get you anything? A cup of tea, or something to eat? [ It's what he says as he gently leads her inside, not letting go of her at all. It's a polite offer just in case she does want anything, but he leads her to the couch nonetheless so she can sit down and try and get ahold of her bearings. ]

[She hesitates for just a moment before she lets him go enough so they can wander inside, letting him lead her to the couch.] No, thank you. Not right now. [She can remember her manners though, and give shis hand a light squeeze in gratitude. At least one of them has their life together.

How did she get this lucky, she wonders, looking at him like he’s some knight in shining armor, some mix of gratitude and love and awe. She didn’t want to lose this, and that thought has her faltering again, looking down and away. Akashi is waiting for her reasoning, she knows, but she’s not sure what to say to him.

At length she drops her gaze to their hands and swallows hard.] Ouma-kun... He’s— .... he’s gone.

[ Akashi's connection to Ouma isn't as strong as Miu's to the one who's left, but the news still gives him pause as he sits them both down. ]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[ He is, he really is. The lights around them becoming a bit dimmer shows proof of that. Ouma wasn't as kind to Akashi, though, but they did have some good times. It's tough to lose a friend, and Akashi knows this feeling all too well. Perhaps Miu's a bit more used to it, though... ]

Is that why you've been quiet?

[She glances at him and then away again, loooking a bit ashamed. “Quiet” was definitely one way to put it. She nods] I thought... I disappeared too for a couple days; I’d gone back home for a bit and I thought, maybe... [She shakes her head] Momota-san and Saihara-san are gone too. And Ouma-kun doesn’t have anything to return to—

[Her breath hitches a little at that and she squeezes his hands again. She swallows hard again] ...None of them have come back. So I... I think they’re really... [Really gone]

[ He knows about Ouma, at least, and that makes things all the more upsetting. Right now, it's probably best not to say anything, though, and let the silence linger for some time. Reality is biting both of them in the ass and trying to cheer each other up seems like a useless thing.

It's obvious that Miu went here both for comfort and relief. She wanted to check if Akashi disappeared too, didn't she? At least, Akashi's most certainly thinking that now.

He closes his eyes for a few seconds as he takes in a deep breath. ]

I'm sorry. I didn't even know that Ouma had disappeared. [ He repeats it, because what else is he going to say? Sweet words will amount to nothing. His tone is soft, at least, as well as regretful. ] Have you checked the Wall of Names?

[Miu nods and closes her eyes, bowing her head low.] Akashi-kun, I...

[She doesn't know what to say. Well, no, she knows what she wants to say, she just doesn't think it's the right thing to say. Probably. It's not a good decision, but what if it is? If she breaks up with him and leaves, when one of them inevitably disappears, wouldn't it be easier on the one left behind? But on the other hand... On the other hand, she wants to be selfish.]

...I'm... scared... Haha. [The laugh is humorless and her shoulders shake.] I don't want to lose you. I don't want to let you go, but I keep thinking it'd be better if I do. This hurts...

[ Wait, what? Akashi has to mentally rewind to make sure what he heard was right, but Akashi never makes mistakes anyway. It's right. He heard her correctly. And while he's not completely sure what it means to be let go of, fear strikes him and shakes his core. ]

What? [ There's panic in his voice but he still mostly looks calm. He lets go of her hand and he shifts in his seat to look at her properly. ] Hinasaki-san, I—

[ He doesn't know what this means and this is his first relationship so he has no idea what to do... is she really going to let him go???? ]

[She looks up quickly and it's really the look on his face, the feelings she could feel from him before he let her go, that firmly cements the plan in her mind. She smiles a little despite herself, huffing out a humorless laugh; she turns to face him better and sit up on her knees, taking his face in her hands and pressing a kiss to his mouth. It's brief and quick, but hopefully gets the point across as she rests their foreheads together afterwards.]

...I told you before, didn't I? I'm really selfish. It's much easier to deal with loss when you don't have anything to lose. But I... I couldn't let you go if I tried. I'm sorry for worrying you. I don't want to leave you.

My head's all over the place...

[ He's supposed to feel comforted but it doesn't make things better right away. Akashi's heart is racing, because he doesn't feel fear all that often, but when it does, it's there for some time. He may have recovered from his sickness, but it doesn't mean that he's fine from the trauma of seeing both his parents here even if it was just an illusion.

His mother telling him he's failure still hurts up to now, even if it's not true. When that happened, he thought that all he had was Miu, and for a moment just now, he felt that he really was going to lose her.

His shoulders are still tense when he looks at her as she holds him. ]

I'm not sure what to say. [ He really doesn't. His chest feels weird right now and his hands are shaking, so he balls them into fists. ]

... Please don't go, Hinasaki-san.

[ She already apologised but he can't help but ask this of her when the possibility of her leaving actually showed itself. He's never ever thought about it, but now, that it's brought itself on the table... well, it really can't be helped. ]

[Suddenly this closeness doesn't feel like it's nearly enough. She moves then, sliding into his lap, facing him an sliding her arms around his neck, and holds onto him, pressing a kiss to his forehead and then his hair. Comforting him to comfort herself.]

I won't. [She doesn't want to leave. Doesn't want him to leave. But she hadn't wanted Kokichi to leave either, and that lack of agency and voice shakes her.] I don't want to lose you.

[If he ever left... No, she doesn't want to think about it now. She doesn't want to face that possibility, even as she tells herself too that ignoring it won't do her any good either.

She closes her eyes.] Ouma-kun was... like family to me. When I realized he wasn't coming back, I... I thought, 'I'll be all alone again.' I completely panicked and wanted to isolate myself completely, so I wouldn't have to be hurt anymore...

[ One might call Miu's words or herself selfish, but Akashi doesn't even consider it. He thinks she's perfect even after hearing those words. What he also doesn't even consider is the fact that this kind of closeness and attachment isn't just for someone he likes. It's true that he's admitted his feelings for her that he likes her and wants to "cross over" with her, but it hasn't yet occurred to him that it's love. It still hasn't up to now, but it is.

It's basic instinct that makes his arms move and wrap themselves around Miu once again - both to balance her and both to hold her. He even pulls her close so he can feel her properly, and she'll notice how quick is pulses are. He's comforted, though, but that doesn't mean his fear's gone just yet. And it probably will be there for a while. Worry and anxiety don't exactly leave right away, after all. ]

I'm sorry. [ He says it again, this time with more meaning to it. He sympathises and empathises with the pain of losing someone, even if it's not death. Or perhaps it is, given that Ouma has nothing to go back to. And this time, it's he who kisses her. It's a reminder of what he told her at the Flower Festival. ] I'm sorry about Ouma, I truly am.

I promised you, though, that I wouldn't make you feel alone, didn't I? I swore to you... So if there's anything I can do. . .

Ah... [Miu pauses, remembering now. He had promised her such a thing, hadn't he?] That's right, you did. I remember now.

[Miu knows enough about tv shows and movies and common romance tropes to be aware that this is the kind of situation that usually leads to something a lot heavier than just cuddling on the couch. She breathes out slowly, tilting her head for another soft kiss]

This is enough. For right now... This is fine. I just need to know you're here. I want to-- I mean, can I... Can I stay here tonight? [He'd said he didn't want her to leave, but she just needs to make sure the extent of that]

Please stay for as long as you'd like.

[ Finally, some words that actually come naturally. These are the words that feel so easy to say, compared to "please don't leave" and "I'm sorry". ]

If it's more comfortable, you can borrow one of my shirts to sleep in.

[She laughs a little under her breath] That's a dangerous thing to say, Akashi-kun. What if I never want to leave again?

[One of his shirts would probably be big enough on her to practically be a nightgown...] That means having to get up though. [She doesn't wanna!! Her tone is light though, mostly joking in her attempts to lighten the situation some]

[ As if Miu wasn't close enough to him, he pulls her closer to squeeze her while she's still in his arms. Leaning forward to touch their foreheads together, he smiles at her. ]

Then don't. [ It's said softly, almost like a whisper. Part of it humouring her, part of it almost like a command, actually. ] Don't leave.

And we'll stay here for as long as you'd like.

Ever? [She laughs again, rubbing her nose playfully against his, smiling despite the circumstances.]

I knew coming here was a good idea. Akashi-kun-- [A pause. Her voice lowers to a whisper] Seijuro. [His first name now, no honorifics or anything and the intimacy of it makes her shiver.]

Seijuro... [Her heart pounds, but the threat of losing him without warning spurs her on and despite her nervousness she takes a breath and continues] I love you.

[ Akashi lets out a puff of amused laughter at the "Ever?" ]

We still have to cross over together, don't we?

[ He actually means every word, and he says it not just because they're beautiful words. This world is magical and he's learned some Dunamis. If he exerts more effort into learning magic, he can find a way--at least, that's what he believes.

One arm remains wrapped around her, but the other moves to cup her cheek so he can properly kiss her. Compared to the quick kiss that she gave him earlier, Akashi's kiss to her is deep and full of emotion, but it's not a lengthy kiss or anything.

When he pulls away, he can't help but kiss her again, a short and sweet one this time. The lights around them begin to change to warmer colours, even dimming more until it's just the light from Akashi's crystal (which he keeps hidden under his shirt) that's glowing a bright Piphron-y blue. ]

I love you, too. [ A beat. ] Miu-san.

[ He's never said those three words before. ]

Oh. [She breathes out, closing her eyes as she returns the kiss, more passionate than before as her happiness and love mixes with Akashi's. Little sparkles pop around the room like mini-fireworks.

Embarrassing. But she doesn't mind, smiling widely.] You called me by name too. I love you, I love you-- Haha. I could say it over and over again.

[Her hand reaches up to place over his hand, pulling it away so she can link their fingers together.] ...Do you mean it? About crossing over with me.

I never say things I don't mean, Hinasaki-san. [ A pause, then he laughs. Even this other self seems pleased. ] Sorry, I'm not used this yet...

Take your time. [she smiles lightly, rubbing her thumb over his hand where they're joined.]

...Where I'm from, there's a ritual called yuukon, or 'ghost marriage.' Originally it was used for a... slightly darker reason, but the main purpose still stands. It's about tying two souls together so they can be together in the afterlife.

That doesn't seem possible here.

[ Especially if it's something from her home? He's not sure, really. ]

Is it?

Probably not. [She admits a bit sheepishly.] And usually one partner has to be dead already anyhow, but... there’s versions of yuukon practiced in a lot of different cultures. Maybe they have something similar here.

[She shifts so she can rest her head against his shoulder, breath light against his neck. They probably shouldn’t be making these promises anyhow, but the two of them have always seemed to have a particular sort of intensity to this relationship.] Either way... A promise can hold just as much weight and power.

[A moment’s pause] Can I.... tell you a little more about where I’m from? It’s not exactly nice, but...

[ At the question, Akashi leans back to make himself more comfortable in his seat. He strokes Miu's hair softly to encourage her, too. ]

I'd like to hear it.

[ He likes it when she talks about stuff. It's not a good kind of rambling this time when he'll likely hear some bad stories, but it's still getting to know her better. ]

[Where does she begin? She goes quiet for a few moments, just enjoying Akashi's touch.]

There's a mountain where a certain religion revolving around water cropped up. The water on the mountain was considered 'pure' and deified. The belief was that the water is life, and in death the soul must return there. People came to the mountain to "return" their souls to the mother that gave it to them, to "die a proper death".

People would come from all over to the mountain and meet one of the many priestesses who lived there. They'd choose one and go with them up on the mountain to... [She takes a breath.] To kill themselves. The priestesses' job was to watch them and be with them so they wouldn't be alone. They'd, uh... glance into the souls of the dying and take on their pain, their memories, their sins, to cleanse the souls so they'd go off to the afterlife without baggage.

Once a priestess had used their powers on too many people, they were sacrificed to maintain the purity of the water and keep the yomi--the 'black water' from the underworld--from overflowing.

[Miu goes quiet again, closing her eyes.] ...That's the same power I have. Seeing memories and things like that? But when I use it on spirits, I... live through their deaths and experience it all so their souls can move on.

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