One Hundred And Twenty-Three
I had spent quite a bit of ti sorting out all of the details at Shirohebizumi shrine, but at least everything was about to start. Running into Kana-chan was a bit of a surprise, but at least she liked her present. Shaeula insisted we got gifts for pretty much everyone she knows, and not cheap ones at that. Still… considering that a good chunk of our winnings, plus most of our luck all ca from her, it really would have been churlish to refuse. Besides… It does feel good to make people smile, especially cute girls. Cute girls...
I let out a long sigh, thinking of Eri and the conversation I was going to have to have with my father later, about her. The train journey back to Nishimorioka from Tokyo was an annoying one, with changes and slow local trains through the mountains, so they shouldn’t be ho yet, but still… I looked at my watch and guessed I would have so ti. I do want to go to the Boundary and support Shaeula, but if I miss my father’s inevitable call… Yeah, that didn’t bear thinking about.
Might as well keep on with the gift-giving then. I rembered the couple of bottles of very expensive whiskey I had bought for Karen-chan, since she enjoyed the last bottle I had, and as I reached my apartnt, the run barely tiring at all, I opened my door. Shaeula was still lying there, motionless, and it made feel uncomfortable… sohow. After all, since I completed the Throne of Heroes weeks ago, we had always been in the Boundary together and returned together, so I had never seen her Material body… like this.
Moving closer, I placed my head very close to her face, ear turned to her mouth. I couldn’t feel or hear any breath. Taking her wrist I also couldn’t feel a pulse. It was like an empty shell, honestly creepy. Patting her head gently I made sure she was still covered with a blanket. Even empty, that’s still Shaeula’s precious body. My eyes were drawn to my posters and figurines, and a bad thought occurred to . Damn, I bet there’d be a real market for … perfect sex dolls… I felt nauseous, and obviously would never dean her so, but if another Astral Emperor-candidate could use a Throne to grant pretty spirits Material bodies, then sent them back to the Boundary… shit, that’s fucking sick, but the world is fucked up enough for soone to think of it, I bet that the owner of Casino El Diablo would go for it…
The laws of the world as they stood would not be able to keep up with the changes. Hopefully most candidates would be reasonable, but… the shrines have influence, but do they have enough to reach the lawmakers and politicians of the country, and convince them of the need for laws covering this new paradigm? I could certainly prove such powers existed now with ease, but I didn’t want to be the first man out of the trenches, so to speak. My position was still too weak, in terms of Territory, finances and potential weaknesses. If soone was to go after my family, or Eri, when I’m not about to protect them…
I would always put my loved ones above strangers, so the issue would have to be put on hold for now. Spotting the nice decorative bag containing the booze, I grabbed it. Since Hashimoto-san had told that Karen-chan had been off work, she was probably in need of cheering up, and should be in. I went out of my apartnt and over to her door, knocking politely. I waited, the still evening air crisp yet still warm. And waited. And waited…
Maybe she’s asleep? I probably shouldn’t wake her, but… I decided to try once more and if there was no response I’d co back another day. Rapping on her door a bit more forcefully I was greeted by the sound of sothing heavy hitting the door, which trembled under the impact, flecks of paint knocked free from the cheaply painted wood. It was followed by a snarling, muffled voice, full of anger and other heavy emotions. “Fuck off, fuck off, fuck off! I told you, I quit, I’m never coming back you fucker! If you don’t stop hassling …” I heard a choked sob, the thin door barely muffling it. “.. I’ll go to the police, I will! I’ll fucking sue you, scumbag!”
Uhh… what? I rapidly considered the situation, but all my pointlessly efficient stats could give was that Karen-chan sounded really bad, and the sobs were now full-on tears. Yeah, no way I can let this go, not after I set her off. Sothing terrible must have happened at work, since she says she quit…
Knocking on the door again I spoke loudly. “Karen-chan, it’s , Akio. Don’t worry, it isn’t your work. I ca to see if you needed so cheering up, but… I could co back later if you want? Though by the sounds of it you could really use my company and what I’m carrying.” I kept my voice kind, as if I was talking to a child, aware I was being patronising, as Karen-chan was probably a bit older than . Though I’m not a big enough fool to question a woman’s age.
For a long mont there was nothing I could do but listen to her crying. I was about to walk away, when I started to hear motion through the thin walls and door. I heard the drawing of a tal bolt, squealing shrilly, and then the door opened a crack, her face peeking out from behind it.
Gods, you look awful. I wasn’t stupid enough to air that thought out loud, but it wasn’t wrong. From what little I could see she was a ss, her face pale, her eyes red raw from crying, her hair unkempt and tangled. It was not her usual stylish appearance at all.
“Well, I brought you a gift… from Las Vegas.” I held up the bag laly. “It’s really good, and you look like you could use a stiff drink, and maybe soone to talk to?” I offered. “I can wait if you want to take a shower or sothing though. I might have caught you at a bad ti.”
She looked at for a while, and then, biting her lip, anxiety plain, she opened the door so more. “Akio-kun…” she managed, choking out so words. Furiously she rubbed at her face with her hands, as if to wipe away evidence of her tears, if that was possible. I noticed the clothes she was wearing were just an old t-shirt and sweatpants, and they were… well, sweaty. Just how long has she been sitting there? For days?
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