girlybruiser | 𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

[ Ding! It's a message from your ex-counselor! Welcome to what Akira's life was like. And is currently like. And what everyone's life is currently like, frankly. This man do be texting. ]

Hi there, Okumura-san! This is Dr. Maruki.

I wanted to check to see how you're settling in. Have you decided on a place to live? If you have, and you're comfortable telling me where it is, I'd love to be able to drop off some things for you!

[ The man do be everywhere. Is this what unemployed life is like? ~~Jk jk.~~ ]

Hello, Dr. Maruki!
Yes, I think I am feeling somewhat more situated now. Thank you again for your help a few days ago.

[ She looks around at her cramped space. Beggars can't be choosers. ]

I'm staying in an apartment in Lumindeas. I wasn't quite sure where to go, but I heard we can rest here until we find something more suitable?

Edited (typo... shhh) 2025-03-12 01:17 (UTC)

That's right. Basic housing being free here still astounds me to this day. It's such a stark difference from life in Tokyo...

I have an office in the Stellari town center, so I'm there all the time! If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to say so. Even coming from Somnius is a breeze.

I've never asked - do you enjoy cooking for yourself?

Thank you. I truly appreciate the generosity.

[ It's still a bit to take in, as Maruki disappeared once more after dropping Akira safely off at the station. She wonders how he might be faring in Tokyo nowadays, or if he's found himself elsewhere. ]

Yes, I do! I've been a bit spoiled by Akira-kun's cooking for us this summer, but generally I love trying new recipes.

Oh, good! You wouldn't believe how many people here around your age have never cooked for themselves in their lives...

[ Akechi. He's talking about Akechi. ♥ ]

I'm sure you won't need to make use of it as much as many others do, but a friend of mine runs a meal delivery service called Thermo. I've been helping with their cooking for quite a while now, so I can vouch for the quality! They provide free meals to new dreamers for their first month, and then are available upon request afterwards.

I can always cook something special for you, if you'd like!

Wait, really? That's wonderful.

[ She will absolutely be looking into that. ]

Thank you for sharing! It sounds like the people brought here are quite efficient. I'm a little envious, honestly... I'm now a college student and needing a lot more help than expected to settle in here.
And are you sure? You must be incredibly busy.

[ But the snacks he had in his office were always delicious. He has to have an eye for food, she hopes. ]

I enjoy keeping busy. Besides, I'm glad to look after those of you here from our reality! It's not an imposition, it's a joy.

You're of course welcome to come by my home any time you'd like, but it's a bit difficult to get to, and there's... ah... quite a motley crew that lives there...

Is it difficult without transportation of some sort? I don't mind walking. We've been sitting in a camper in between long drives, so getting to stretch my legs has been nice.

[ Unless he means something else... ]

Do you have a lot of housemates? That sounds nice, to be honest.

I did get a bicycle a little while ago, but honestly, most of the time I still walk. I don't mind it either. Us city dwellers are well-suited for it!

Ah, I do...

Actually, it's a funny story. When I first arrived here, there was only one other person from our reality. Can you guess who?

And I had finally gotten my driver's license. I was hoping to try and put it to good use.

[ Maruki should be praising the lord Haru cannot drive him anywhere. ]

One other person?

[ There's a noticeable delay in her response. ]

Akechi-kun.

Oh... I was looking forward to telling the tale of the Detective Prince saving me from violent goblins...

[ There's another delay.

This reality keeps smacking her in the face with figures from her past who, for some reason, can't stay there. She had thought she was moving forward in her life and now things that were once left behind were a part of her present journey. ]

No, please share! I don't recall hearing anything like that from him.
What are these goblins?

[ She's hoping Maruki won't pick up the tension on her end. And she is genuinely curious as to what happened. Goblins?? ]

[ Perhaps he's carefully prodding at the edges of that tension and choosing what information to eke out.

And above all else – he wants to make it clear up front where his loyalties lie, and why. ]

I'm sure he would only bring it up to tease me for being so helpless back then, so that doesn't surprise me.

Goblins are native to Somnius, but you'll rarely see them now - the locals here don't interact kindly with the dreamers anymore. When I first arrived, we were on good terms with them, but they would occasionally fall under some sort of spell and begin acting aggressively. Akechi-kun happened to see me caught in an altercation with one and came to my aid. You can imagine how shocked I was to see a celebrity from home here, of all places...

We ended up living together with a group in another dreamer's castle, and when they disappeared, we decided to move into our own place together. Then Kurusu-kun showed up, and I wound up taking in a few more people over time...

And now we have a full house again, to say the least. It's a bit chaotic.

[ She's surprised to hear Akechi didn't full on taunt Maruki for it. She hasn't forgotten the abrasive and violent personality he displayed when he had no need for the detective persona.

The celebrity persona would be laughable, if Haru were the type. Instead, she feels pity for Akechi in spite of everything. His true persona might be far from what she expected, even when they had all known he was the traitor among them, but he was further gone in his vengeance than maybe anyone had expected. ]

I'm relieved to hear you were saved. I suppose a Detective Prince would come to someone's aid, wouldn't he? Sometimes I'd see him on the news and think it was wonderful someone my age was dedicated to the pursuit of justice.

[ A carefully curated image. ]

So you're all living together? My, that sounds like a lot for sure! It must be a lot of cleaning and cooking.

I consider myself their live-in personal chef, although Kurusu-kun has been a huge help since he arrived.

Ah... There's no good way to say it, but...

Kurusu-kun did let me know what happened with you all and Akechi-kun, so I understand if being around him is difficult. That's why I wanted you to know we live together, so you wouldn't be surprised if you did drop by. You're still welcome to, of course! But I'll understand if it's... not exactly an appealing idea.

[ Ah.

He knows.

Yet it doesn't lift the tension from her back. ]

I appreciate the gesture and I would like to come by. If it's a place Akira-kun feels safe in, then I'm sure I would like it as well.
It's certainly... a bit overwhelming to see Akechi-kun after so long. I'm not unhappy to see him.

[ She's just... confused. ]

I can only imagine just how overwhelming it is. Don't rush yourself, Okumura-san.

I'll be okay. I've faced him before.

[ She's not scared of Akechi Goro. She just has to sit in her feelings for a while, then she'll be fine. ]

Can I ask you something, Dr. Maruki?

Of course. You can ask me anything.

It seems you trust him, right?
He's living with you and Akira-kun and he came to your rescue before.
So... you must trust him.

[ Haru might as well ask a bird if it flies. ]

Akechi-kun and I have been through more here than I could ever begin to explain.

There are a handful of people who I trust without question. He tops that list.

I'll understand if you find that difficult to believe.

I'm not sure if I fully comprehend, but I cannot deny he has been a valuable ally.

[ Maybe this world is his second chance? He was pleasant enough with her, barring some passive aggressive behaviour she clocked. ]

If he is getting along with Akira-kun and hasn't tried anything, then I can try to accept that answer as well.

[ NOBODY TELL HER ABOUT ANY STABBINGS OR SHOOTINGS. ]

[ Hasn't tried anything. Well, that's not Maruki's story to tell. ]

Like I said, there's no need to rush through your own feelings. Take your time. We certainly aren't going anywhere any time soon!

text; un: doc0203

thanks for christening the inbox it will only get worse from here

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