Bloodstained Memento (1)

"I want more action!"

A frustrated Mizuki complains out loud during her training. They're in an empty room with nothing but heaps of boxes and four desks that are arranged into one big table.

"I want to score on my own, I want to level up too, it's not fair that only you get all the kills!"

Her eyes lights up following her morbid desire.

"Don't be hasty, you still have more training to do before you can form a solid weapon. And besides..."

He breaks the weapon Mizuki's trying to form, proving it's fragility. Then gestures for her to redo it.

"Aside from Kirei's case, we haven't really kill anything yet so far. Not even last night's goblins. I just sell them to the Old Man"

"No way! But wait, what about the first ghost then?"

She questions, demanding explanation.

"Fled the scene"

"The Okubi?"

"Curse bound at school"

"The black thing at school?"

"Also sold to Old Man, you were there too remember?"

He answers, raising his brows questioning back. After stumping Mizuki on her train of thought, he comments further

"Just as much as we want to avoid death for humans, we also want to avoid death for ghosts. You don't go around killing everything just because they're causing some mischief. A life is still a life"

"Ughh I'm getting lectured..."

Mizuki regrets her earlier comment, but raises a dilemma of her own.

"Does that mean this weapon making training is useless then?"

"Not necessarily, a weapon is just a tool for physical confrontation when words failed. Most ghosts have primitive intelligence so negotiation wasn't possible, but you can still subdue them without taking their life. And you can prevent more trouble by just locking them up, that's where the Corps comes in"

He explains.

"I-I see.. I wasn't expecting it to be so complicated..."

She holds her head with both hands, trying to wrap her head around it.

But then her phone pings, receiving a text message. An errand from her mom.

"Ah I think I have to go home early today. I have to pick up a parcel from the Agency station and they're closing soon."

"Agency station?"

Daisuke curious.

"Ah you wouldn't know I guess, it's what people around here calls the TMC centres."

Mizuki explains.

"I see, TMC centres huh..."

He have an uncertain expression on him.

"Seriously? You don't even know what a TMC is? Trans Matter Converter? I thought every country have at least a few centres for them, even the poorer ones"

"No of course I've heard of them, I just don't know what they do! I'm not a nerd like you, Hmph!"

He pouts.

'what's with the tsundere act...'

Is what she's thinking right now, not sure how to respond to that.

"They uhh, helps you deliver stuff faster over countries I guess... but very expensive depending on what you're sending... But they have centres all around the world, I'm surprised you haven't seen one yet, Daisuke kun"

"Oh sounds interesting.. okay I'll come with you"

"Eh? ... I'm fine but.. why..?"

"Hmm can't I? Don't get the wrong idea, I'm just making sure you don't get lost or anything!"

"Seriously, why tsundere..."

Even Mizuki is not sure how to retort.

They arrive at what appears to be a building resembling a post office in some part, and a power plant in others. At least that's how it would seem if it were not for the few guards stationed nearby. The guards and general workers dons the same color scheme of black and red with only the army fashioned vests and normal shirts distinguishing them. Though, it is what's inside that really piqued Daisuke's curiosity.

'this machine... uses Reichi... Have they really-?'

He looks quite perplexed by the idea. Mizuki still clueless to his pondering after which he reconfirm what he heard from her.

"These station exists across the world huh?"

Mizuki answers gladly, while showing a code from her phone to the receptionist and get them to fetch her parcel.

"Hm hm, that's right. With this you can send all sort of stuff to your friends from all over the world or buy things from anywhere. Well? Are you impressed with modern technology, Daisuke kun?"

Which Daisuke paid no attention to, some other fact about the machine is bothering him. He looks deeply concerned.

"You should try them out sometimes, Daisuke kun. Who knows, maybe you can buy more of those yucky stuff from the other side of the world... uhhh on second thought, I'm glad you don't know how to use them..."

She backtracks on her idea.

The receptionist comes back with a wrapped package, one with a very conspicuous shape suggesting it's not a simple online purchase or a normal everyday item. Mizuki maintains a wide smile from the moment she get the first glance on the package until the moment she finishes signing the simple paperwork to confirm the delivery.

"You look happy, is it something expensive you bought online?"

Daisuke asks while they make their way home.

Clueless of the wide grin on her own face, she respond

"Ah no this is from my dad, he works for the Agency so he gets to use the TMC for free every couple of months. He uses that free pass to send me his research stuff from time to time."

"Your dad is a researcher?"

"Ah I haven't told you didn't I? Dad studies animals from all over the world. He often gets sent to a lot of countries to research the natural life there."

Finishing off with her head held high.

"Oh? They're a research organization too?"

He questions, getting more and more curious about this organization.

"Hmm I actually don't know... As far as I know they have a lot of company around Jousho. I thought they were like a banking company, but they also make cars and stuff... Even an idol agency at some point... which is probably what most kids know them by these days..."

It sounds so absurd that even she's doubting herself.

"Anyway, Dad gets special pass because he works for them. He's one of the top scientists, you know!"

"I see. You really admire your dad.."

Daisuke has a small outburst of laughter, half teasing, half entertained to see her so enthusiastic. Although maybe, with a tiny hint of melancholy behind his small chuckle.

"D-dont make fun of me! It's only natural to be proud of your parent!"

A little flustered, but still defending her stance.

Although the laughter stops there a bit after

"Hm? Do we have guests?"

Mizuki thinks out loud seeing a vehicle parked in front of her house.

At the door, a couple of the Agency officer seemingly about to leave and ending a conversation with Fuuka. They wear the same color scheme but noticeably sharper and have a more militarized design to it compared to the guards at the TMC centre. After spotting Mizuki at the gate, they make a swift farewell to both the mother and the daughter.

"Ah Mi chan, welcome back!"

Fuuka greets warmly after seeing them. Followed by a question.

"Oh my, is this a friend?"

Mizuki turns to her side and surprised to find Daisuke still there, showing himself properly unlike previous encounter.

"Aaahh yea yeah this here is Kishimoto san, a classmate"

'what's with him today? Suddenly not so shy'

"Ah you must be Kitahara san's big sister?"

Daisuke greets, going for the classic compliment in a question bit. To which Mizuki just laughs uncomfortably, very much aware of what he's trying.

"Oh my, what a good kid. I'm Mizuki chan's mother, nice to meet you!"

Daisuke notices Fuuka's mouth a bit shaky, like she was distressed before they arrived and is trying to hide it.

"Well I'm late for cram school, it was nice meeting you, Mizuki's mom. see you tomorrow Kitahara san!"

"Oh okay, tomorrow then..."

Mizuki slowly waves back at him while still puzzled by his action.

"Ah that's right, I left the stove on! Close the door on your way in Mii chan!"

Her mom frantically rushes inside. Mizuki heads to the kitchen to help but Fuuka who's cutting some vegetables and onions stop her.

"Ah it's okay! Go get changed first, I'll be done in a bit"

Fuuka's eyes looks like they catch a bit of the onion fumes that they're starting to get teary contrasting to her struggling to maintain a smile to her daughter. At least, that's what she wants Mizuki to see. Seeing her mom so adamant about it, Mizuki just complies. It's not too much different than the usual, some day her mom is just already done cooking by the time she return home. However, in the maiden's head at this moment, a different trouble is brewing.

'As I thought, I have no idea what's in that head of his'

She keeps the thought running in her mind while she pours more water on her head with a small bucket.

'I thought he didn't like showing himself with me in front of other people.. even back then he disappeared as soon as mom opened the door... so why...'

She turns to the other side of the bath tub, as if changing the view would let her see a different side to the problem in her head.

'why is he suddenly okay with showing himself in front of mom this time? But then just left soon after? What is he trying to do? What is he trying to say? What's the meaning of this?'

"Why did he even bother showing up in the first place then?!"

Her thoughts finally overflows outside and came flowing out her mouth. The warm bath water massaging her head gave her some clarity to relax and sort out her mind. Finally almost giving up, she sinks her head in the water.

'I really don't understand this guy...'

Though despite the somewhat frustrated tone, a faint smile carves itself on her lips.

On her way down, she sees her mom paying respect to their home shrine, a memorial.

"So it's that time of the year huh...?"

She mutters to herself. A sight not unfamiliar to her, an annual event on this date where mom would pay respect to a deceased family member of theirs, her late sister that apparently died before she was old enough to remember.

On the altar, a small piece from seemingly a larger ripped photograph of a young girl in military uniform stands still solemnly gazing into her mom.

Mizuki joins by her mom's side. Offering prayer.

Dead silence for a couple minutes.

That is until mom notices Mizuki next to her when she finally opens her eyes.

"Ah Mii chan, you're already here!"

Fuuka quickly wipe the little bit of tears left on her face. Immediately her sombre expression turns bright.

"Come, dinner's ready!"