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Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Wed Jun 17, 2020 12:27 am
[Set June 9th, 1935]
Aside from the last hour, it had really been the perfect day. Nao Aoki, a third year student at the Shinigami Academy with promising marks in Kido and a passable performance in other areas, had gotten to tour some of the facilities at Third Division with some of her other talented classmates. The shelves upon shelves of books in the library had tickled the bookbinder’s apprentice pink.
Absentmindedly, she wandered the shelves, tracing her fingers over the backs of the various texts, admiring them both for the knowledge and the quality of their craftsmanship. She was sure her bookbinding skills would come in handy starting off in Third, but Nao had higher aspirations than that. She’d come to Seireitei because she had potential, and she was going to make damn sure she used that potential to its fullest. She’d settle for something within her means, of course. Lieutenant Aoki certainly had a nice ring to it.
It would allow her to avoid stepping on the toes of her companion, too. Akimoto Tetsuya had been her best friend since shortly after they started Academy together. She didn’t know he was a noble until much further on into their friendship, otherwise she’d have been far more reserved with dropping her honorifics. What was done was done, though, and the two of them had been more or less inseparable as the years went on.
She’d heard the rumors, of course. That she was just trying to hitch herself to him for social mobility or that the carefree girl who liked her books more than her sword was going to drive a promising Shinigami astray. In truth, she found his companionship beyond refreshing. Her entire life, she’d been treated as someone less than everyone around her, but Tetsuya was the first person to really treat her like an equal. Hell, some days she felt like he might actually see her as his superior, at least in skill.
She’d realized last year that there was some truth to the rumors, at least the ones about her being sweet on him. She was still too nervous to make her feelings open. He was her only friend, after all, and she couldn’t bear to face the trials of becoming a Shinigami without him by her side. Maybe, when the time came for their graduation, when their hearts were already soaring and they were making plans for their futures, she could tell him.
It was in these daydreams that her lips would always to curl in the trademark way they subconsciously did whenever she was scheming. He’d picked up and commented on it about a week after they’d gotten their Zanpakuto, though she suspected she’d been doing it for far longer than that, she just never really had cause to plot anything before then.
One such meandering thought had caused her to blush and turn her head to the side, spotting a book slightly out of alignment. Sparing a quick look over her shoulder to see if they were being watched, she reached in and grabbed the book. She’d thought to just straighten it out, but her curiosity got the best of her and soon the two of them were looking over a Hado that was likely years ahead of what an Academy student’s ability should be.
They were no normal Academy students, though. There were members of Third who had a worse grasp on the mystic arts than she and Tetsuya did, and Nao soon held the complex incantation opened for the two of them to study. They spent the bulk of their field trip that day tucked away in that back bookshelf, pouring over the new Hado and committing every bit of it to memory. They’d nearly been left behind, had it not been for Nao’s wandering eyes catching their instructor looking around.
It was such that, after they’d returned to their quarters and rounded up a few supplies, the pair set out for the field they’d claimed as their own private study area. It was isolated from the watchful eyes of their instructors and the gossips and, though she suspected that might only help to further the gossip, she didn’t really mind those rumors all that much.
Looking over at the package in his hands as she met up with him outside his quarters, Nao smiled to her partner in crime. ”Do you have everything?” she asked in a quiet yet still bright and cheerful whisper.
Aside from the last hour, it had really been the perfect day. Nao Aoki, a third year student at the Shinigami Academy with promising marks in Kido and a passable performance in other areas, had gotten to tour some of the facilities at Third Division with some of her other talented classmates. The shelves upon shelves of books in the library had tickled the bookbinder’s apprentice pink.
Absentmindedly, she wandered the shelves, tracing her fingers over the backs of the various texts, admiring them both for the knowledge and the quality of their craftsmanship. She was sure her bookbinding skills would come in handy starting off in Third, but Nao had higher aspirations than that. She’d come to Seireitei because she had potential, and she was going to make damn sure she used that potential to its fullest. She’d settle for something within her means, of course. Lieutenant Aoki certainly had a nice ring to it.
It would allow her to avoid stepping on the toes of her companion, too. Akimoto Tetsuya had been her best friend since shortly after they started Academy together. She didn’t know he was a noble until much further on into their friendship, otherwise she’d have been far more reserved with dropping her honorifics. What was done was done, though, and the two of them had been more or less inseparable as the years went on.
She’d heard the rumors, of course. That she was just trying to hitch herself to him for social mobility or that the carefree girl who liked her books more than her sword was going to drive a promising Shinigami astray. In truth, she found his companionship beyond refreshing. Her entire life, she’d been treated as someone less than everyone around her, but Tetsuya was the first person to really treat her like an equal. Hell, some days she felt like he might actually see her as his superior, at least in skill.
She’d realized last year that there was some truth to the rumors, at least the ones about her being sweet on him. She was still too nervous to make her feelings open. He was her only friend, after all, and she couldn’t bear to face the trials of becoming a Shinigami without him by her side. Maybe, when the time came for their graduation, when their hearts were already soaring and they were making plans for their futures, she could tell him.
It was in these daydreams that her lips would always to curl in the trademark way they subconsciously did whenever she was scheming. He’d picked up and commented on it about a week after they’d gotten their Zanpakuto, though she suspected she’d been doing it for far longer than that, she just never really had cause to plot anything before then.
One such meandering thought had caused her to blush and turn her head to the side, spotting a book slightly out of alignment. Sparing a quick look over her shoulder to see if they were being watched, she reached in and grabbed the book. She’d thought to just straighten it out, but her curiosity got the best of her and soon the two of them were looking over a Hado that was likely years ahead of what an Academy student’s ability should be.
They were no normal Academy students, though. There were members of Third who had a worse grasp on the mystic arts than she and Tetsuya did, and Nao soon held the complex incantation opened for the two of them to study. They spent the bulk of their field trip that day tucked away in that back bookshelf, pouring over the new Hado and committing every bit of it to memory. They’d nearly been left behind, had it not been for Nao’s wandering eyes catching their instructor looking around.
It was such that, after they’d returned to their quarters and rounded up a few supplies, the pair set out for the field they’d claimed as their own private study area. It was isolated from the watchful eyes of their instructors and the gossips and, though she suspected that might only help to further the gossip, she didn’t really mind those rumors all that much.
Looking over at the package in his hands as she met up with him outside his quarters, Nao smiled to her partner in crime. ”Do you have everything?” she asked in a quiet yet still bright and cheerful whisper.
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Join date : 2020-05-27
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Wed Jun 17, 2020 9:47 am
“Yes, I triple checked the list,” Akimoto Tetsuya responded in a mirrored baritone whisper. Nerves fluttered in his belly as he held the wooden box of specialty ingredients. Apprehension and excitement fought within him, as well. He was the son of nobility, not used to clandestine affairs, but the woman in front of him had a way about her. Ever since they both joined the Academy three years ago, Nao Aoki seemed to be able to draw the young lord out of his shell. Not to mention she seemed to be the only other student of Kido who could keep up with him.
The three years Tetsuya spent at the Academy were the best of his life. Not only because of Nao Aoki, but also because it was the first time the man felt true freedom. Before he stepped foot in the halls of the Academy, he had left his family’s estates only a handful of times and even then it was under heavy supervision. His parents were overbearing and hypercritical of young Tetsuya. To be relieved of that burden helped him flourish and blossom into a confident and driven young man.
It was in no small part due to Nao Aoki’s own tenacity and drive. Her skills in the mystic arts inspired Tetsuya and he often found himself pushing to keep up with the woman. During his youth, he socialized with cousins on the estate, but the Academy showed him the true diversity of souls. Something about Nao’s shined brightest at orientation and the two of them had been friends ever since. Romance was beyond Tetsuya, but the man was aware of himself enough to realize something was going on.
So, here he was, with confused butterflies dancing in his stomach, holding a pilfered box of ingredients in front of his best friend in the whole universe. Tetsuya had thought their auspicious trip to the Third Division would be the highlight of the month. The mystic arts ran in Akimoto blood, after all, and to tour the facilities he hoped to be assigned to in the coming years titillated him. But Nao’s sharp eyes and devious smile were starting to convince him otherwise. The two of them set off down the halls to the secret spot they liked to practice and in the same whisper Tetsuya asked, “What else do we need?”
The three years Tetsuya spent at the Academy were the best of his life. Not only because of Nao Aoki, but also because it was the first time the man felt true freedom. Before he stepped foot in the halls of the Academy, he had left his family’s estates only a handful of times and even then it was under heavy supervision. His parents were overbearing and hypercritical of young Tetsuya. To be relieved of that burden helped him flourish and blossom into a confident and driven young man.
It was in no small part due to Nao Aoki’s own tenacity and drive. Her skills in the mystic arts inspired Tetsuya and he often found himself pushing to keep up with the woman. During his youth, he socialized with cousins on the estate, but the Academy showed him the true diversity of souls. Something about Nao’s shined brightest at orientation and the two of them had been friends ever since. Romance was beyond Tetsuya, but the man was aware of himself enough to realize something was going on.
So, here he was, with confused butterflies dancing in his stomach, holding a pilfered box of ingredients in front of his best friend in the whole universe. Tetsuya had thought their auspicious trip to the Third Division would be the highlight of the month. The mystic arts ran in Akimoto blood, after all, and to tour the facilities he hoped to be assigned to in the coming years titillated him. But Nao’s sharp eyes and devious smile were starting to convince him otherwise. The two of them set off down the halls to the secret spot they liked to practice and in the same whisper Tetsuya asked, “What else do we need?”
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:39 am
”I’ve got the rest,” she said, adjusting the small pack she had with her so he could look inside. Nao didn’t fancy herself a fantastic cook, but she had learned her way around a kitchen in her time living alone in the Rukongai. While Tetsuya addressed the more serious needs of their clandestine operation, she had managed to busy herself in the kitchen, quickly preparing them two bento boxes featuring heavily glazed grilled chicken, a bowl of white rice, some fresh fruit, and a few sweets to cap the meal off. She’d also, after much internal deliberation, swiped a large bottle of sake and two cups. She didn’t intend to get drunk with him, especially before they tried the kido they’d found, but a little celebratory drink wouldn’t hurt anyone.
”You know what Mito-sensei always says about trying new incantations on an empty stomach,” she mock-scolded him before letting out a little laugh. The instructions were right, of course, as it was important to always have that reserve of energy, but it wasn’t an interest in pragmatic functionality that had driven the normally chaotic Nao to focus so heavily on getting the glaze just right. You don’t find such a perfect cover for a date every day, and a part of Nao knew that, had she been with anyone else at that time, she’d be trying the incantation all on her own.
She didn’t have to do things on her own, though, and that fact made her smile and take in the artificial sun as they crossed the threshold and made their way outside. Whoever had handled the weather today in Fourth Division today was on top of their game. Just enough cloud cover to keep things from being too bright, but not so much as to prevent the day from having a pleasant warmth. When she and Tetsuya were in charge of Third, they’d have to be sure to put some pressure on the maintenance team to make more days like this. Nothing too severe, but it would be nice to have a few days out of the year that they would know would be perfect ones for relaxing outdoor study like this.
”You know what Mito-sensei always says about trying new incantations on an empty stomach,” she mock-scolded him before letting out a little laugh. The instructions were right, of course, as it was important to always have that reserve of energy, but it wasn’t an interest in pragmatic functionality that had driven the normally chaotic Nao to focus so heavily on getting the glaze just right. You don’t find such a perfect cover for a date every day, and a part of Nao knew that, had she been with anyone else at that time, she’d be trying the incantation all on her own.
She didn’t have to do things on her own, though, and that fact made her smile and take in the artificial sun as they crossed the threshold and made their way outside. Whoever had handled the weather today in Fourth Division today was on top of their game. Just enough cloud cover to keep things from being too bright, but not so much as to prevent the day from having a pleasant warmth. When she and Tetsuya were in charge of Third, they’d have to be sure to put some pressure on the maintenance team to make more days like this. Nothing too severe, but it would be nice to have a few days out of the year that they would know would be perfect ones for relaxing outdoor study like this.
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:24 am
Nao’s shy laugh was crisp and shot clear through Tetsuya’s heart. He smiled back if only because of that. The smell of food distracted him from the rumbling nerves, and he was grateful she came prepared. As the sun warmed the two of them, they walked across the fresh-cut grass of the fourteenth practice field. The field was special because it followed the building around a corner and then ended, creating an alcove away from prying eyes. The shade of the high walls was the perfect place for the two of them to lay down a blanket and practice an archaic spell.
Tetsuya stretched out the cloth in silence as Nao unpacked the food she prepared for the two of them. He enjoyed the peace of the simple work. If he had been at home, there would be a servant doing this for them. If he had been at home, his parents would be looking over his shoulder and Nao wouldn’t be a cute young woman but a wrinkled old soul. It was nice to have an equal. It was nice not to be hovered over by overbearing parents and guards and tutors and everyone else in the Akimoto Estate that wanted to know about his every single move.
Tetsuya chuckled once, light and free.
The two of them sat down and he took the box of food offered to him. It was a simple meal, nothing as extravagant as he was used to back home, but he was fine with it. The Academy was a simpler place. There were whole aspects of existing that he missed by being locked up in the family castle. A quiet moment in the shade of afternoon with no one but them around seemed as if it couldn’t be more perfect. Tetsuya had a thought and, before digging into his meal, he asked, “What was your favorite thing we saw today?”
Tetsuya stretched out the cloth in silence as Nao unpacked the food she prepared for the two of them. He enjoyed the peace of the simple work. If he had been at home, there would be a servant doing this for them. If he had been at home, his parents would be looking over his shoulder and Nao wouldn’t be a cute young woman but a wrinkled old soul. It was nice to have an equal. It was nice not to be hovered over by overbearing parents and guards and tutors and everyone else in the Akimoto Estate that wanted to know about his every single move.
Tetsuya chuckled once, light and free.
The two of them sat down and he took the box of food offered to him. It was a simple meal, nothing as extravagant as he was used to back home, but he was fine with it. The Academy was a simpler place. There were whole aspects of existing that he missed by being locked up in the family castle. A quiet moment in the shade of afternoon with no one but them around seemed as if it couldn’t be more perfect. Tetsuya had a thought and, before digging into his meal, he asked, “What was your favorite thing we saw today?”
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Thu Jun 18, 2020 12:53 pm
Tetsuya had successfully picked the box she’d hoped he would. Nao, after seeing the glazed chicken sitting there all piping hot and ready couldn’t resist and had taken a piece for herself to test. It was, as she’d expected, every bit as delicious as she had hoped. Adding a little citrus to the sauce had really done wonders to bring out the flavor, though it had left her craving more and unable to indulge herself at the moment. Still, she couldn’t give him a box with a piece clearly missing. She’d tried arranging the chicken differently to cover up her theft, but that didn’t fully do the trick. Setting the full box on top and hoping he would take that first had worked wonders, though.
She took her seat next to him, picking her own container and contentedly skipping straight to the biggest piece of the glazed chicken. Nao gave a contented sigh as the itch she’d had since first trying it in the kitchen was scratched before setting her chopsticks down in thought to his question.
They had seen a lot that day, though there were several restricted sections they were not allowed into. She had, of course, tried to peek into them without attracting attention, but anything worth seeing had been hidden around corners or tucked away somewhere so that all she could see were the beginnings of secret hallways. She had really enjoyed seeing him there, and the thought of saying that made her cheeks flush, but she decided not to be so wildly inappropriate.
”I liked it all, but the second floor of the library was really something else. I could really feel the power in the place from there. Plus,” she said with a smirk as she remembered a little room off to the side they’d discovered that looked completely unused, ”I enjoyed seeing our future study quarters up there.”
The room had been a little cramped, but the two of them could make do with it. She imagined, if they could clear out some of the furniture that was being stored in there, they could turn it into their own semi-secret hideaway within Third while they improved their Kido and studied from the vast collection of books kept just a short distance outside its door. Her mind had drifted occasionally toward other activities they could get up to in such a secret and confined place, but Nao was able to keep such improper thoughts pushed to the side at the moment.
”How about you?” she asked before giving a playful wag of her finger, ”And don’t say the Captain’s quarters, that’s cheating because they didn’t even let us into them. The artwork outside was really pretty, though.”
She took her seat next to him, picking her own container and contentedly skipping straight to the biggest piece of the glazed chicken. Nao gave a contented sigh as the itch she’d had since first trying it in the kitchen was scratched before setting her chopsticks down in thought to his question.
They had seen a lot that day, though there were several restricted sections they were not allowed into. She had, of course, tried to peek into them without attracting attention, but anything worth seeing had been hidden around corners or tucked away somewhere so that all she could see were the beginnings of secret hallways. She had really enjoyed seeing him there, and the thought of saying that made her cheeks flush, but she decided not to be so wildly inappropriate.
”I liked it all, but the second floor of the library was really something else. I could really feel the power in the place from there. Plus,” she said with a smirk as she remembered a little room off to the side they’d discovered that looked completely unused, ”I enjoyed seeing our future study quarters up there.”
The room had been a little cramped, but the two of them could make do with it. She imagined, if they could clear out some of the furniture that was being stored in there, they could turn it into their own semi-secret hideaway within Third while they improved their Kido and studied from the vast collection of books kept just a short distance outside its door. Her mind had drifted occasionally toward other activities they could get up to in such a secret and confined place, but Nao was able to keep such improper thoughts pushed to the side at the moment.
”How about you?” she asked before giving a playful wag of her finger, ”And don’t say the Captain’s quarters, that’s cheating because they didn’t even let us into them. The artwork outside was really pretty, though.”
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Thu Jun 18, 2020 3:23 pm
“I wasn’t thinking about that, but now that you say something...” Tetsuya grinned and then popped one of the sweet glazed pieces of chicken into his mouth. While he was chewing, he thought about his answer.
If he was being honest with himself, Tetsuya wanted nothing more than to join Third right after graduation. Part of him—a larger part than he was willing to admit—believed he could seamlessly transition from graduation to working within the Gotei. Touring the facilities had only added more fuel to that fire burning inside of him, and nothing excited him more than seeing Nao’s smile every time he turned to show her something else he found.
But he wouldn’t tell her that.
Instead, he snatched another piece of chicken with his chopsticks and looked at it thoughtfully. He said, “Hmm, I liked our future study room too, but walking through the gardens near the hospital was so peaceful. And when Mito-sensei had us all be quiet... It reminded me of the one thing I miss about home.”
He ate the chicken, not wanting to linger on the family estate too long. It was true that he missed the gardens within the Akimoto Estate, but what he was given while at the Academy was nigh irreplaceable. The thought that he could have it again after he graduated helped ease the small knot in his heart. With a sigh, he chewed and looked over to Nao, returning to the present moment. A vice released his heart as his mind wandered away from his home.
If he was being honest with himself, Tetsuya wanted nothing more than to join Third right after graduation. Part of him—a larger part than he was willing to admit—believed he could seamlessly transition from graduation to working within the Gotei. Touring the facilities had only added more fuel to that fire burning inside of him, and nothing excited him more than seeing Nao’s smile every time he turned to show her something else he found.
But he wouldn’t tell her that.
Instead, he snatched another piece of chicken with his chopsticks and looked at it thoughtfully. He said, “Hmm, I liked our future study room too, but walking through the gardens near the hospital was so peaceful. And when Mito-sensei had us all be quiet... It reminded me of the one thing I miss about home.”
He ate the chicken, not wanting to linger on the family estate too long. It was true that he missed the gardens within the Akimoto Estate, but what he was given while at the Academy was nigh irreplaceable. The thought that he could have it again after he graduated helped ease the small knot in his heart. With a sigh, he chewed and looked over to Nao, returning to the present moment. A vice released his heart as his mind wandered away from his home.
Last edited by Akimoto Tetsuya on Sun Jun 21, 2020 5:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Thu Jun 18, 2020 4:49 pm
”They were nice and peaceful. On a nice day, I could totally see us moving the study room outside. With books we could actually remove from the library, of course. I wouldn’t dream of sneaking off with secret knowledge to try it outside,” she said jokingly, flashing a mischievous grin at him with the thought of what they are going to do later.
She’d often wondered what his home was like. He’d talked of it plenty, especially early on in their friendship, but she’d never been able to see the place. She suspected she never would, given her birth, but that was okay. She had the most important thing that came from that house by her side and that’s all that really mattered. Still, it didn’t stop her from wondering.
”I imagine that, once I’m your Lieutenant, they’ll pretty much have to be okay with us going back from time to time. Nobody is going to keep the Captain of the Third Division out of a garden if he wants a little meditation time, now are they?” she asked him with a big smile. She couldn’t fully hide her apprehensive sadness at that situation that prevented her from being seen next to him outside of the Academy, not from him. Knowing this and anticipating a sad reaction, she winked to her companion to play it all off in good humor before rounding up some of the sauce-drenched rice underneath the chicken piece she’d taken and gobbling it down.
”And if not,” she said as she paused a moment to swallow down her rice, ”we’ll have plenty of other places. We could even sneak back here, I’d imagine. It’s really peaceful here after everything has died down for the day and it’s not like they’d keep two Shinigami from visiting the Academy, now would they?”
She’d often wondered what his home was like. He’d talked of it plenty, especially early on in their friendship, but she’d never been able to see the place. She suspected she never would, given her birth, but that was okay. She had the most important thing that came from that house by her side and that’s all that really mattered. Still, it didn’t stop her from wondering.
”I imagine that, once I’m your Lieutenant, they’ll pretty much have to be okay with us going back from time to time. Nobody is going to keep the Captain of the Third Division out of a garden if he wants a little meditation time, now are they?” she asked him with a big smile. She couldn’t fully hide her apprehensive sadness at that situation that prevented her from being seen next to him outside of the Academy, not from him. Knowing this and anticipating a sad reaction, she winked to her companion to play it all off in good humor before rounding up some of the sauce-drenched rice underneath the chicken piece she’d taken and gobbling it down.
”And if not,” she said as she paused a moment to swallow down her rice, ”we’ll have plenty of other places. We could even sneak back here, I’d imagine. It’s really peaceful here after everything has died down for the day and it’s not like they’d keep two Shinigami from visiting the Academy, now would they?”
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Sun Jun 21, 2020 6:28 pm
Nao’s dreams were like clouds shaped into what you wanted to see. A rabbit, a hawk, a captain’s robe. Her dreams filled the Third Division and a future in the Gotei, but Tetsuya’s were of a life outside of the family estate at all. It was normally difficult for the man to play into the fantasies, but something about the woman drew him into the dreamworld of a false future. While he finished his rice and chicken, he thought about what could be.
Captain of the Third Division, a Kido Master, and Person Who Can Go Where They Please. It was a strange shape in his mind, so foreign and new. The robe didn’t quite fit, and he felt quite small for the role. In the future, he might be stronger, wiser, and more than just a noble man locked away from the world by his parents. The illusion wasn’t well made in his mind, but he could see the merit in it.
His eyes wandered the rest of the field in front of them, and said, “There would be no stopping us at that point. I could show you the library there, or the pond... There’s a place by the water that’s perfect for reading. I used to sit under the cherry tree and lose track of the hours. It was... my favorite spot. Would you want to see it?”
It was hidden from the house. Hidden behind the leaning tree, Tetsuya could be anywhere on the estate. Some hope filled his heart, though thoughts of Nao meeting his family made him clear his throat and turn to the woman to see her answer. Something instinctual kicked him out of a thought that might be unwise to think. His face turned a shade of red, and he could only hope she didn't see.
Captain of the Third Division, a Kido Master, and Person Who Can Go Where They Please. It was a strange shape in his mind, so foreign and new. The robe didn’t quite fit, and he felt quite small for the role. In the future, he might be stronger, wiser, and more than just a noble man locked away from the world by his parents. The illusion wasn’t well made in his mind, but he could see the merit in it.
His eyes wandered the rest of the field in front of them, and said, “There would be no stopping us at that point. I could show you the library there, or the pond... There’s a place by the water that’s perfect for reading. I used to sit under the cherry tree and lose track of the hours. It was... my favorite spot. Would you want to see it?”
It was hidden from the house. Hidden behind the leaning tree, Tetsuya could be anywhere on the estate. Some hope filled his heart, though thoughts of Nao meeting his family made him clear his throat and turn to the woman to see her answer. Something instinctual kicked him out of a thought that might be unwise to think. His face turned a shade of red, and he could only hope she didn't see.
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Sun Jun 21, 2020 11:37 pm
Nao quietly ate some of her own meal as Testuya thought on what she said. It really was a good day for this. Even without the secret ancient knowledge in their heads, she suspected she would have found an excuse to spend the afternoon here with him. Watching the sky and grounds between bites, stealing the occasional look over at him when he thought she wasn’t looking, having some time away from the rigors of their studies and training to just relax and enjoy each others’ company, it was really what she needed. She smiled to herself as she set a few bites of chicken aside and got to work on the fruit she’d included in their bento.
He voiced his thoughts right as she was about to launch her precision chicken strike, allowing Nao to stop stealing side-eyed glances at him and turn to watch him full on. She’d always liked catching him when he didn’t know she was watching, but she didn’t want him to know that. He looked more than agreeable when they were talking and had their respective guards up, but she could really see his keen intellect at play on his face when he thought nobody was looking.
”I’d love to see it,” she said, blushing slightly at the accidental use of the dreaded ‘L’ word and turning her own head at just the right time to miss his own reddening. Even if it hadn’t been in that sense, it was still a more dangerous word for her to use around him than anything they’d read in that book earlier in the day. One screwed up incantation and they’d have to explain to an angry instructor why she’d started a tree on fire, whereas one screwed up confession could make her best friend retreat from her forever. ”It really sounds like a wonderful place. I know there’s no way I could go there as I am now, but it’s at the top of my list for things to do once we become seated officers.”
Nao popped one of the remaining pieces of chicken into her mouth and chewed it in thought. There were so many things she had planned for them after graduation. They’d obviously volunteer for an early patrol assignment to get that knocked out of the way and free up their time in Third. Once that was done, they’d find a good subdivision to study in. Nothing too demanding, but something where they could both make a name for themselves while continuing to improve their understanding of the demon arts on the side. Of course, they’d need to find ways to improve themselves beyond what the Academy had to offer. With a close-lipped chuckle, she swallowed the bite of chicken and gave an innocent shrug, ”Okay, it’s tied with getting to sneak into the more restricted sections of the library, but it’s a really close tie.”
He voiced his thoughts right as she was about to launch her precision chicken strike, allowing Nao to stop stealing side-eyed glances at him and turn to watch him full on. She’d always liked catching him when he didn’t know she was watching, but she didn’t want him to know that. He looked more than agreeable when they were talking and had their respective guards up, but she could really see his keen intellect at play on his face when he thought nobody was looking.
”I’d love to see it,” she said, blushing slightly at the accidental use of the dreaded ‘L’ word and turning her own head at just the right time to miss his own reddening. Even if it hadn’t been in that sense, it was still a more dangerous word for her to use around him than anything they’d read in that book earlier in the day. One screwed up incantation and they’d have to explain to an angry instructor why she’d started a tree on fire, whereas one screwed up confession could make her best friend retreat from her forever. ”It really sounds like a wonderful place. I know there’s no way I could go there as I am now, but it’s at the top of my list for things to do once we become seated officers.”
Nao popped one of the remaining pieces of chicken into her mouth and chewed it in thought. There were so many things she had planned for them after graduation. They’d obviously volunteer for an early patrol assignment to get that knocked out of the way and free up their time in Third. Once that was done, they’d find a good subdivision to study in. Nothing too demanding, but something where they could both make a name for themselves while continuing to improve their understanding of the demon arts on the side. Of course, they’d need to find ways to improve themselves beyond what the Academy had to offer. With a close-lipped chuckle, she swallowed the bite of chicken and gave an innocent shrug, ”Okay, it’s tied with getting to sneak into the more restricted sections of the library, but it’s a really close tie.”
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Mon Jun 22, 2020 9:35 am
Tetsuya smiled despite the lingering embarrassment and said, “I was about to say... my family’s home is nothing compared to the Third Division. Don’t take my poetic waxing the wrong way, I’d prefer to be here with you over there any day of the week. My home is all I know and—”
Realization whiplashed Tetsuya as his words registered their deeper meaning and his smile turned into a blushing mess. There was a tension that he didn’t consciously understand. Something between the two young shinigami thickened the air between them. For a moment he caught himself on his word and stumbled, looking away and taking a bite out of the apple from his bento box. He should think more before he speaks.
As naive as Tetsuya was at times, in this moment he could feel the web of emotions between the two of them. His heart was raw and open and beating to the drums of Nao Aoki. The fantasies in his head twisted into a love-ridden dream of the two of them together. The thoughts he shied away from before washed over him, turning him a darker shade of red in the shadow of the wall, nearly matching the fruit in his hand.
He cleared his throat, though it didn’t help much.
“You know, we should start preparing.” he said in an attempt to divert the conversation to a more appropriate topic. After another bite, he put the half-eaten apple back into the box, opting not to take the sweets just yet. He stood and busied himself, distracting his thoughtful mind as best he could by sorting through the ingredients he swiped for their secret Kido party.
Realization whiplashed Tetsuya as his words registered their deeper meaning and his smile turned into a blushing mess. There was a tension that he didn’t consciously understand. Something between the two young shinigami thickened the air between them. For a moment he caught himself on his word and stumbled, looking away and taking a bite out of the apple from his bento box. He should think more before he speaks.
As naive as Tetsuya was at times, in this moment he could feel the web of emotions between the two of them. His heart was raw and open and beating to the drums of Nao Aoki. The fantasies in his head twisted into a love-ridden dream of the two of them together. The thoughts he shied away from before washed over him, turning him a darker shade of red in the shadow of the wall, nearly matching the fruit in his hand.
He cleared his throat, though it didn’t help much.
“You know, we should start preparing.” he said in an attempt to divert the conversation to a more appropriate topic. After another bite, he put the half-eaten apple back into the box, opting not to take the sweets just yet. He stood and busied himself, distracting his thoughtful mind as best he could by sorting through the ingredients he swiped for their secret Kido party.
Last edited by Akimoto Tetsuya on Tue Jun 23, 2020 9:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:39 pm
She almost told him to put his pack of ingredients away. What he said had been so sweet, so innocent, so perfect that she very nearly grabbed him then and there. Of course Nao felt the same way, and if she felt the same way about this, he almost certainly felt the same way about her. It wasn’t like the kido they found would be going anywhere if they took the day for themselves. With her heart beating a mile a minute, she slowly moved a shaking hand over toward his, her eyes fixed on his rapidly reddening face.
With a broad smile, she set her palm down and squeezed, finding that she’d managed to only grab a handful of grass. She’d been so affixed to his face that her peripheral vision had failed to notice him using his free palm to move the bento box to the side.
Awkwardly leaning over to her side, Nao’s reddening moved to match what Tetsuya was going through as she nodded to him and righted herself. ”Yes, I believe we should,” she said as she adjusted back and quickly polished off the remaining pieces of chicken in an effort to distract her from how foolish she must have just looked to him.
As he stood, she took their bentos and placed the lids on them, packing them safely away so they could both enjoy their sweets afterward. Maybe then she’d be able to muster the courage to do what she’d just tried again after they finished. She saw friends who held hands all the time, and it didn’t have to be a romantic gesture unless he wanted it to be one.
”Do you want to go first, Tetsu? I always like to follow yours up. It helps me get my form right.” It was true, as Tetsuya had far more training than she did in these matters due to his upbringing. Nao’s kido were always more erratic and haphazard if she didn’t get to study his approach first. She also just liked watching him in action, but that was something she liked to keep to herself.
With a broad smile, she set her palm down and squeezed, finding that she’d managed to only grab a handful of grass. She’d been so affixed to his face that her peripheral vision had failed to notice him using his free palm to move the bento box to the side.
Awkwardly leaning over to her side, Nao’s reddening moved to match what Tetsuya was going through as she nodded to him and righted herself. ”Yes, I believe we should,” she said as she adjusted back and quickly polished off the remaining pieces of chicken in an effort to distract her from how foolish she must have just looked to him.
As he stood, she took their bentos and placed the lids on them, packing them safely away so they could both enjoy their sweets afterward. Maybe then she’d be able to muster the courage to do what she’d just tried again after they finished. She saw friends who held hands all the time, and it didn’t have to be a romantic gesture unless he wanted it to be one.
”Do you want to go first, Tetsu? I always like to follow yours up. It helps me get my form right.” It was true, as Tetsuya had far more training than she did in these matters due to his upbringing. Nao’s kido were always more erratic and haphazard if she didn’t get to study his approach first. She also just liked watching him in action, but that was something she liked to keep to herself.
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Mon Jun 22, 2020 10:00 pm
Tetsuya was too worried about his own composure to notice Nao’s failed advance. They were both dancers; but neither had a partner, and they both boogied to different tunes. The simple labor of setting up for their spell helped distract his mind from the music. He pulled a folded square white cloth out of the wooden box. Laying it out on the soft grass revealed an inked circle ‘O’ and kanji in each corner of the square: a ward for amplification. The students both knew how to perform the high numbered Hado, but even between them they didn’t have enough spiritual energy to fuel the spell.
“That’s okay with me. I have the incantation memorized already anyway,” he said as he pulled four different incense holders out from the box and placed them on the kanji. They both had used the ward in the past for class, but they weren’t allowed to be checked out by students. Tetsuya stepped into the middle of the circle and faced away from the wall, towards the empty field.
In his mind’s eye, he went over the incantation, clearing his thoughts. Air filled his lungs as he took a long breath in and a long breath out. From a young age, Tetsuya was tutored in the classical mystic art of Kido. The Akimoto House was an ancient one; their founder invented the sekaimon for the shinigami using Kido ages past, and Tetsuya was expected to continue the tradition. He didn’t mind, the art fascinated him to no end.
He let out another breath and took the proper stance by bending his knees. A burn blossomed in his muscles as he lowered himself into the stance and pushed his hands forward. Another breath and he centered himself as he had been taught. Sharp as a knife, his focus was honed in on the target at the far end of the field. Without glancing back, he said, “Okay, light the incense when you’re ready.”
“That’s okay with me. I have the incantation memorized already anyway,” he said as he pulled four different incense holders out from the box and placed them on the kanji. They both had used the ward in the past for class, but they weren’t allowed to be checked out by students. Tetsuya stepped into the middle of the circle and faced away from the wall, towards the empty field.
In his mind’s eye, he went over the incantation, clearing his thoughts. Air filled his lungs as he took a long breath in and a long breath out. From a young age, Tetsuya was tutored in the classical mystic art of Kido. The Akimoto House was an ancient one; their founder invented the sekaimon for the shinigami using Kido ages past, and Tetsuya was expected to continue the tradition. He didn’t mind, the art fascinated him to no end.
He let out another breath and took the proper stance by bending his knees. A burn blossomed in his muscles as he lowered himself into the stance and pushed his hands forward. Another breath and he centered himself as he had been taught. Sharp as a knife, his focus was honed in on the target at the far end of the field. Without glancing back, he said, “Okay, light the incense when you’re ready.”
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Tue Jun 23, 2020 1:35 am
Nao hurried along and helped with the setup, lighting a candle with a quick flicker of one of the boring administrative Kido that her teachers had forced them to start with. At the time she learned it, Nao had been fascinated by working her will in such a way, but she quickly grew bored of those exercises. She was training to be a Shinigami who would one day stand side by side with the leader of Third Division, not a secretary. Sure, the building blocks were important and essential for keeping things running, but that kind of stuff belonged in First or the boring parts of Fourth Division, not with the people who actually worked to advance the demon arts.
As Testuya went over the incantation in his imagination, Nao busied herself with the incense, making sure that each one was lined up perfectly in relation to his stance. She’d watched him work various Hado thousands of times by now, and could easily mimic the certainty he showed when he held his hands. She’d learned more from him about form than she ever had from their instructors. Of course, she’d incorporated some of her own style, but at its root she was still aware of how much what she did mirrored things he’d shown her or that they’d discovered together.
”Okay, just a second,” she said, hurrying around the circle and using the candle to ignite the incense in the boxes, being careful to go over the right chant overtop each box as she closed it. At each stop, she looked up at him after she made sure they were lit and properly set in place, taking in his stance and focus in equal parts admiration and academic study. She finally completed her circuit in front of him, blowing out the candle and setting it onto the ground outside of the circle.
”It’s done, Tetsu. Are you ready?” she asked, looking up at him from one knee. From down here, he looked even more impressive than he did normally, like a beautiful statue. She marveled at him so deep in concentration, so strong of will, so precise down to the millimeter. Every movement, every fiber of his being was so deliberate and focused. She wished she had an artist on hand to capture him in this moment.
As Testuya went over the incantation in his imagination, Nao busied herself with the incense, making sure that each one was lined up perfectly in relation to his stance. She’d watched him work various Hado thousands of times by now, and could easily mimic the certainty he showed when he held his hands. She’d learned more from him about form than she ever had from their instructors. Of course, she’d incorporated some of her own style, but at its root she was still aware of how much what she did mirrored things he’d shown her or that they’d discovered together.
”Okay, just a second,” she said, hurrying around the circle and using the candle to ignite the incense in the boxes, being careful to go over the right chant overtop each box as she closed it. At each stop, she looked up at him after she made sure they were lit and properly set in place, taking in his stance and focus in equal parts admiration and academic study. She finally completed her circuit in front of him, blowing out the candle and setting it onto the ground outside of the circle.
”It’s done, Tetsu. Are you ready?” she asked, looking up at him from one knee. From down here, he looked even more impressive than he did normally, like a beautiful statue. She marveled at him so deep in concentration, so strong of will, so precise down to the millimeter. Every movement, every fiber of his being was so deliberate and focused. She wished she had an artist on hand to capture him in this moment.
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Tue Jun 23, 2020 10:28 pm
”Stand back!” he said with a kick to his voice. A rush of energy swelled within him from the ward, and he willed his heart to keep up. All thoughts of Nao left his mind as she stepped behind him. It took his entire focus to bring forth the energy from where he needed it. At the pit of his stomach, where it always sat, the mystical art drew from his inner pool of reiryoku as he spoke the first words of the incantation:
The instant the words left his mouth, he felt the power surge up from between his bent legs and into his chest. It was as if he was wrestling an animal within him. All of his will was focused on staying in the stance as he continued to shout the words of the incantation.
The energy moved out from his chest and he felt his reiryoku stretch down into the earth in front of him. Like lifting a weight, Tetsuya grit his teeth and pulled with muscles unseen. He summoned forth the depths with borrowed power. In burnt calligraphy across the fresh grass:
The charred ground cracked around the edges of the kanji; magma, soot, and ash spilled from between the pieces. The power Tetsuya bargained for was the energy of the planet itself. From deep within the recesses of the molten core, a beast clawed its way up to meet the one who dared summon it. The raw power coursed through the shinigami student and they felt the hot breath of a predator on the back of their neck.
The pieces of dirt and rock fell apart as the beast burst forth from the field in front of the duo. It was made of pure reishi. The wings were held tight against its body as it flew up into the air; Tetsuya’s hands followed the creature into the sky. The energy within him sloshed out into the spell as it formed, it was draining him fast. As it reached it’s epoch, it sparked and the final chunks of magma and rock fell off of it.
His chest burned and he could feel the sweat drip down his forehead as he held the woven mystic threads together. He took in a final deep breath of hot air. Like a puppeteer, he moved his hands away from his body, and i’s wings burst open as he finished the final words of the incantation!
“Rivers. Of Blood. Brimming beneath the earth.”
The instant the words left his mouth, he felt the power surge up from between his bent legs and into his chest. It was as if he was wrestling an animal within him. All of his will was focused on staying in the stance as he continued to shout the words of the incantation.
“Secretions of. The once living. Melted into vicious magma.”
“Boil away. The skin!”
The energy moved out from his chest and he felt his reiryoku stretch down into the earth in front of him. Like lifting a weight, Tetsuya grit his teeth and pulled with muscles unseen. He summoned forth the depths with borrowed power. In burnt calligraphy across the fresh grass:
竜
“Form into the beast,”
“The Master. Of Flame!”
“The Lord. Of Cinder!”
The charred ground cracked around the edges of the kanji; magma, soot, and ash spilled from between the pieces. The power Tetsuya bargained for was the energy of the planet itself. From deep within the recesses of the molten core, a beast clawed its way up to meet the one who dared summon it. The raw power coursed through the shinigami student and they felt the hot breath of a predator on the back of their neck.
“Rise!”
“Rise now,”
“And burn away the vile”
“Indolence before you!”
The pieces of dirt and rock fell apart as the beast burst forth from the field in front of the duo. It was made of pure reishi. The wings were held tight against its body as it flew up into the air; Tetsuya’s hands followed the creature into the sky. The energy within him sloshed out into the spell as it formed, it was draining him fast. As it reached it’s epoch, it sparked and the final chunks of magma and rock fell off of it.
“Descend! Upon the land. And scorch away all. That is unholy!”
“Use their own spent ash. To erect a funeral pyre and teach them reverence!”
His chest burned and he could feel the sweat drip down his forehead as he held the woven mystic threads together. He took in a final deep breath of hot air. Like a puppeteer, he moved his hands away from his body, and i’s wings burst open as he finished the final words of the incantation!
"Hado #89, Ichiryūtenmetsu!”
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Wed Jun 24, 2020 12:54 am
Nao obeyed his request, hastening away and watching in wonder as the very earth quaked at Tetsuya’s command. She could sense him manipulating his reiryoku and her jaw dropped when she saw the beautiful calligraphy etch itself into the ground. Her marvel quickly turned to caution, as the churning expulsions of earth coming from the ground led her to adopt a defensive stance, preparing to throw up a shielding Bakudo in case something went wrong.
Nothing went wrong, though, and Nao soon found herself clapping with excitement as the beautiful magical dragon burst from the ground. She looked at Tetsuya and then back to the dragon. They were so alike. Amazingly powerful, full of what she knew to be a secret grace and beauty. Awestruck, she looked back at him in time to witness him throwing his arms wide, the little sweat drops on his forehead sparkling in the radiance of the creature he’d caused to manifest.
She felt it then, and it was undeniable. She loved him, everything about him. Every quirky mannerism that came from a lifetime of privilege spent the right way was just so perfect. His studious nature, his shyness, his ability to rise to the occasion. Tetsuya Akimoto, in that moment, won Nao’s heart. She couldn’t deny it any more, not after seeing a display of that magnificence.
From what they’d read, the caster was in complete control of the dragon once it was summoned. His testing flex of his spiritual muscles showed just how true that was. ”It’s amazing,” she said, looking up to the dragon and then back down to him. ”Your Kido and,” she hesitated, blushing deeply as she crossed the threshold of the empowering barrier to take his hand in hers.
She realized, as she reached for it, that it was liable to send it into a tailspin if she wrenched his hand down suddenly. The wings were very much responding to his hand gestures. Still, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him for long, even with the giant magical display in the sky to distract her. There was something more magical right in front of her. ”Your Kido and you, Tetsu. You’re really the best,” Nao said, leaning in and giving him an incredibly anxious but sincerely overdue kiss on the cheek.
Nothing went wrong, though, and Nao soon found herself clapping with excitement as the beautiful magical dragon burst from the ground. She looked at Tetsuya and then back to the dragon. They were so alike. Amazingly powerful, full of what she knew to be a secret grace and beauty. Awestruck, she looked back at him in time to witness him throwing his arms wide, the little sweat drops on his forehead sparkling in the radiance of the creature he’d caused to manifest.
She felt it then, and it was undeniable. She loved him, everything about him. Every quirky mannerism that came from a lifetime of privilege spent the right way was just so perfect. His studious nature, his shyness, his ability to rise to the occasion. Tetsuya Akimoto, in that moment, won Nao’s heart. She couldn’t deny it any more, not after seeing a display of that magnificence.
From what they’d read, the caster was in complete control of the dragon once it was summoned. His testing flex of his spiritual muscles showed just how true that was. ”It’s amazing,” she said, looking up to the dragon and then back down to him. ”Your Kido and,” she hesitated, blushing deeply as she crossed the threshold of the empowering barrier to take his hand in hers.
She realized, as she reached for it, that it was liable to send it into a tailspin if she wrenched his hand down suddenly. The wings were very much responding to his hand gestures. Still, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him for long, even with the giant magical display in the sky to distract her. There was something more magical right in front of her. ”Your Kido and you, Tetsu. You’re really the best,” Nao said, leaning in and giving him an incredibly anxious but sincerely overdue kiss on the cheek.
Last edited by Nao Aoki on Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:11 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:59 pm
The tingle that spread across the nerves of his cheek electrified his heart and soul. It was as if they were the only two in the entire universe for a flash of a moment. But that moment was long enough for Tetsuya’s tenuous hold on the intricate web of reiryoku to falter and crack. He was already sweating through his small pool of energy, but he felt his stomach tighten as the power within him was drained to near empty.
The threads broke and the beast, flying and curving down towards the two of them, started to lose its own composure. It squirmed and wiggled in the air in unnatural ways as cracks of shining spiritual energy pushed through the shell of the beast. Ten meters above them, the amateur Hado unraveled without the power of a shinigami to hold it together.
The cascade of blue fire lit up the sky above the fourteenth training field. Heat preceded the destructive force of the fallen dragon. They were at a safe distance, or so they thought. The energy crossed the air and threatened to overwhelm the both of them. With nearly nothing else left in him, he spun around, knocking incense and ash onto the grass. His motion pushed Nao to the ground and he held himself over her in a futile attempt to block the electric blue plasma from scorching both of them. In a shaking voice, he spoke and drew the little reiryoku he had left up his spine and out from the base of his neck, “Shimmer wall of light, disc of steel, spirits of shelter. Defend the rear!”
“Bakudo, Riagādo!”
It was just enough; the wall of divine essence formed from the last power within him. The hastily woven barrier shimmered with an orange radiance for a few short moments before the plasma crashed against it. It lasted long enough to save Nao, but—as the blast overwhelmed and cracked the bakudo—hot tendrils of energy broke through and lashed across Tetsuya. The blaze pushed him on top of Nao as the smell of burnt hair and flesh filled the air. She was safe, but he lost himself to the darkness of shock and pain.
The threads broke and the beast, flying and curving down towards the two of them, started to lose its own composure. It squirmed and wiggled in the air in unnatural ways as cracks of shining spiritual energy pushed through the shell of the beast. Ten meters above them, the amateur Hado unraveled without the power of a shinigami to hold it together.
The cascade of blue fire lit up the sky above the fourteenth training field. Heat preceded the destructive force of the fallen dragon. They were at a safe distance, or so they thought. The energy crossed the air and threatened to overwhelm the both of them. With nearly nothing else left in him, he spun around, knocking incense and ash onto the grass. His motion pushed Nao to the ground and he held himself over her in a futile attempt to block the electric blue plasma from scorching both of them. In a shaking voice, he spoke and drew the little reiryoku he had left up his spine and out from the base of his neck, “Shimmer wall of light, disc of steel, spirits of shelter. Defend the rear!”
“Bakudo, Riagādo!”
It was just enough; the wall of divine essence formed from the last power within him. The hastily woven barrier shimmered with an orange radiance for a few short moments before the plasma crashed against it. It lasted long enough to save Nao, but—as the blast overwhelmed and cracked the bakudo—hot tendrils of energy broke through and lashed across Tetsuya. The blaze pushed him on top of Nao as the smell of burnt hair and flesh filled the air. She was safe, but he lost himself to the darkness of shock and pain.
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Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Thu Jun 25, 2020 11:15 pm
Nao barely had the time to process what had happened. She’d opened her eyes hoping to see Tetsuya’s smiling face, but instead all could see was terror. The majestic dragon tore in on itself as it careened toward the ground and, before she could ready her hand to shield them or grab Tetsuya and try a risky flash step away, he had thrown her to the ground.
She tried to free her hands to direct her own reiryoku. She had more than enough energy in reserve. She could have shielded them. She should have shielded them. She should have been the one bearing the full force of the errant Hado.
It was her fault, not Tetsuya’s. The man who had called that massive dragon forth, who had commanded it with the sheer force of his will, there was no way this was his doing. She must have been responsible for this. No other explanation made sense to her. She must have tripped over one of the incense burners or interfered with the cast by kissing him. Why had she been so stupid? They were supposed to be the best students in their class. They were supposed to be better than this.
Nao clutched at Tetsuya as he shielded her from injury, screaming into his chest in panic. Her whole body was hot, and her extremities were burning, but she knew that he had to be taking so much more. The burning agony only started to recede as she felt Tetsuya collapse on top of her limply.
”Tetsu?”
No response.
”Tetsuya?”
Still nothing.
In a panic, she pushed him up. His face lay limp, with little boils on the edges and his once beautiful flowing locks of hair had been singed away in all but the front of his head. It took a monumental exertion to press him up, and Nao soon realized why. Her hands and legs looked worse than his face, completely covered in their own burns and blisters. If she looked this bad despite his protection, what must Tetsuya’s back look like?
She forced herself out from underneath her best friend and would-be lover, getting an immediate answer to her question. With tears streaming down her face, she blubbered out a repeated, panicked ”no” unable to put any other words in her mouth as she gazed transfixed at the exposed muscle and bone her stupid childish feelings had wrought onto her partner.
She knelt by his side, the blisters on her knees popping under the pressure from contact with the ground, but she paid them no mind. Whatever she felt physically, it was nothing compared to the tortured agony taking place inside of Nao. She had to fix this. Somehow, Nao had to set this right.
Her hands began to glow with a greenish light as she began employing a restorative Kaido to fix the damage, one hand placed at the back of his head and the other at his chest, intertwining her spiritual energy with Tetsuya’s in a desperate attempt to bring him back around.
Though she was making progress and seeing him start to recover, Nao was perceptive enough to notice how much energy was flowing out as well. The spell had drained him of the very resource she was trying to restore and, if she kept going at her current rate, she was going to bleed herself dry trying to recover him in a traditional way.
A part of her mind drifted back to when they were practicing their shielding spells. In order to build stamina, they had been given a bucket that the instructor had removed the bottoms on. If, by the end of the class, they still had water in their buckets, then they would be given a passing grade. Failure would mean another month spent practicing the most boring spells she’d ever seen.
Barriers were fun enough at higher levels, but using them to hold water was so boring. Tetsuya, of course, had his completely squared away, but it was so boring to just stand around for an entire class period. They were supposed to be challenging themselves, not wasting time on bland impractical demonstrations. It started with a light sloshing around, testing just how far she could make it look like it was going to topple over, but soon Nao was spinning her bucket around in the air for her and Tetsuya’s amusement.
If she had been more focused, she would have kept her grip on the bucket, but focus was always hard for Nao. She looked on in horror as the failing grade spun out of her fingers, launching itself across the training yard after a particularly inattentive spin. It landed with a thud, empty as it had been at the start of class. In a frantic panic, she’d rushed over and grabbed the bucket, slamming it back into the trough, but finding binds slapped on her wrists as she prepared to pull it back out.
Tetsuya threatened to drop his bucket if the instructor didn’t pass Nao, and she could see the conflict on her teacher’s face. Holding back a Rukongai commoner was one thing, but a noble from Clan Akimoto was another. As Nao watched the turmoil spin in their trainer’s head, she had smiled. Her bucket was still filled, and the class was about to end. Sure, there was no barrier protecting the bottom, but it had water in it, and that was all that the assignment required.
There is only one way to refill a bucket that had had its bottom ripped out.
Taking her tanto in her hands, Nao sliced through the blisters on her wrists to speed up the outpouring of her own spiritual energy. She would have to act quickly, and that necessitated draining herself in just the right way. Someone must have seen the dragon soaring above the Academy or heard the impact. Their secret area was secret, but they’d never tried anything half as flashy.
Wasting no time, she pressed her palms back on a small piece of skin that had regrown on Tetsuya’s back, reciting words from a poem she had read long ago in her time as a bookbinder’s apprentice. Most Kaido was meant to be free of incantation, but incantations were what truly gave Kido its voice, and if she was going to risk so much on saving him, it seemed only fitting to go all out.
Love of my life,
Power behind my being,
Depart me, but do not leave.
The blood dripping from her fingers took on a greenish hue as her reiryoku intermingled with it, passing through Tetsuya’s back and spreading out beneath him.
Remain by my side,
Even when you are gone,
So that I do not have to walk the streets alone.
The shimmering green energy continued to swell under Tetsuya, spreading out and forming a wide-lipped bowl that made it up to Nao’s chest. She could feel her own reserves fading quickly as her energy flooded out. Just a little longer and he would be protected. What happened to her after this meant nothing so long as he was safe.
As you sleep,
Dream of me with you as I do you,
And we will forever be together.
As she faded, the bowl filled, coating Tetsuya’s body in a dense concentration of Nao’s healing energies. The relief at seeing him covered was all she needed. Reaching down, she clasped his hand in hers as the skin regrew and organs reformed.
Kaido, Tarai Chiyu
”Tetsu, I-“ she started, but it was too much to ask for her to finish. Nao’s eyes slipped closed and she collapsed on top of her partner, her vision fading to black as she looked on at the smoldering remnants of their picnic.
No, the smoldering remnants of their time together.
She tried to free her hands to direct her own reiryoku. She had more than enough energy in reserve. She could have shielded them. She should have shielded them. She should have been the one bearing the full force of the errant Hado.
It was her fault, not Tetsuya’s. The man who had called that massive dragon forth, who had commanded it with the sheer force of his will, there was no way this was his doing. She must have been responsible for this. No other explanation made sense to her. She must have tripped over one of the incense burners or interfered with the cast by kissing him. Why had she been so stupid? They were supposed to be the best students in their class. They were supposed to be better than this.
Nao clutched at Tetsuya as he shielded her from injury, screaming into his chest in panic. Her whole body was hot, and her extremities were burning, but she knew that he had to be taking so much more. The burning agony only started to recede as she felt Tetsuya collapse on top of her limply.
”Tetsu?”
No response.
”Tetsuya?”
Still nothing.
In a panic, she pushed him up. His face lay limp, with little boils on the edges and his once beautiful flowing locks of hair had been singed away in all but the front of his head. It took a monumental exertion to press him up, and Nao soon realized why. Her hands and legs looked worse than his face, completely covered in their own burns and blisters. If she looked this bad despite his protection, what must Tetsuya’s back look like?
She forced herself out from underneath her best friend and would-be lover, getting an immediate answer to her question. With tears streaming down her face, she blubbered out a repeated, panicked ”no” unable to put any other words in her mouth as she gazed transfixed at the exposed muscle and bone her stupid childish feelings had wrought onto her partner.
She knelt by his side, the blisters on her knees popping under the pressure from contact with the ground, but she paid them no mind. Whatever she felt physically, it was nothing compared to the tortured agony taking place inside of Nao. She had to fix this. Somehow, Nao had to set this right.
Her hands began to glow with a greenish light as she began employing a restorative Kaido to fix the damage, one hand placed at the back of his head and the other at his chest, intertwining her spiritual energy with Tetsuya’s in a desperate attempt to bring him back around.
Though she was making progress and seeing him start to recover, Nao was perceptive enough to notice how much energy was flowing out as well. The spell had drained him of the very resource she was trying to restore and, if she kept going at her current rate, she was going to bleed herself dry trying to recover him in a traditional way.
A part of her mind drifted back to when they were practicing their shielding spells. In order to build stamina, they had been given a bucket that the instructor had removed the bottoms on. If, by the end of the class, they still had water in their buckets, then they would be given a passing grade. Failure would mean another month spent practicing the most boring spells she’d ever seen.
Barriers were fun enough at higher levels, but using them to hold water was so boring. Tetsuya, of course, had his completely squared away, but it was so boring to just stand around for an entire class period. They were supposed to be challenging themselves, not wasting time on bland impractical demonstrations. It started with a light sloshing around, testing just how far she could make it look like it was going to topple over, but soon Nao was spinning her bucket around in the air for her and Tetsuya’s amusement.
If she had been more focused, she would have kept her grip on the bucket, but focus was always hard for Nao. She looked on in horror as the failing grade spun out of her fingers, launching itself across the training yard after a particularly inattentive spin. It landed with a thud, empty as it had been at the start of class. In a frantic panic, she’d rushed over and grabbed the bucket, slamming it back into the trough, but finding binds slapped on her wrists as she prepared to pull it back out.
Tetsuya threatened to drop his bucket if the instructor didn’t pass Nao, and she could see the conflict on her teacher’s face. Holding back a Rukongai commoner was one thing, but a noble from Clan Akimoto was another. As Nao watched the turmoil spin in their trainer’s head, she had smiled. Her bucket was still filled, and the class was about to end. Sure, there was no barrier protecting the bottom, but it had water in it, and that was all that the assignment required.
There is only one way to refill a bucket that had had its bottom ripped out.
Taking her tanto in her hands, Nao sliced through the blisters on her wrists to speed up the outpouring of her own spiritual energy. She would have to act quickly, and that necessitated draining herself in just the right way. Someone must have seen the dragon soaring above the Academy or heard the impact. Their secret area was secret, but they’d never tried anything half as flashy.
Wasting no time, she pressed her palms back on a small piece of skin that had regrown on Tetsuya’s back, reciting words from a poem she had read long ago in her time as a bookbinder’s apprentice. Most Kaido was meant to be free of incantation, but incantations were what truly gave Kido its voice, and if she was going to risk so much on saving him, it seemed only fitting to go all out.
Love of my life,
Power behind my being,
Depart me, but do not leave.
The blood dripping from her fingers took on a greenish hue as her reiryoku intermingled with it, passing through Tetsuya’s back and spreading out beneath him.
Remain by my side,
Even when you are gone,
So that I do not have to walk the streets alone.
The shimmering green energy continued to swell under Tetsuya, spreading out and forming a wide-lipped bowl that made it up to Nao’s chest. She could feel her own reserves fading quickly as her energy flooded out. Just a little longer and he would be protected. What happened to her after this meant nothing so long as he was safe.
As you sleep,
Dream of me with you as I do you,
And we will forever be together.
As she faded, the bowl filled, coating Tetsuya’s body in a dense concentration of Nao’s healing energies. The relief at seeing him covered was all she needed. Reaching down, she clasped his hand in hers as the skin regrew and organs reformed.
Kaido, Tarai Chiyu
”Tetsu, I-“ she started, but it was too much to ask for her to finish. Nao’s eyes slipped closed and she collapsed on top of her partner, her vision fading to black as she looked on at the smoldering remnants of their picnic.
No, the smoldering remnants of their time together.
Nao Aoki- Posts : 136
Join date : 2020-05-27
Akimoto Tetsuya likes this post
Re: Prodigal Summer
by Akimoto Tetsuya Fri Jun 26, 2020 6:42 pm
Dark gaps perforated the rest of Tetsuya’s memory. There was a green afterglow and the soft touch of a healing kaido. There were faces floating in the nether above him, a student and a teacher. Shock and horror reflected off of both of them. There was the sensation of being carried to some unknown destination. Haze and fog shrouded the glimpses, but eventually he was lost to unconsciousness again.
He woke from what seemed like a dream. Half-baked memories of dragons, love, and the smell of burnt skin dissolved as he sat up in his futon. There was something missing. The air was stale in his room, and there was a sadness to everything around him. It felt empty. He threw off the covers and stood; agitation itched at the edge of his hearing. There was something missing. He called out from his room, as he slid open the door, “Mother?”
“Father?”
His normal baritone felt hollow as he spoke, his words not traveling far. From his door, he could see much of the inner estate. The color was gone from the world. A manicured garden sat in the middle of a ring of houses all occupied by other members of the Akimoto family. Flowers and shrubs were dying or dead. The cherry tree near the pond was nearly bald. Tetsuya stepped out onto the porch and smelt cinder on the air. Falling from the sky was ash.
By now, his feet moved on their own by instinct or panic. There was a fire somewhere kicking up ash and smoke into the air. His family must have evacuated. He walked off the porch, through the grass, and towards the tree. Not wanting to risk being burnt, he intended to hide in the pond. The soot in the air was thick and Tetsuya stopped to cough. With one hand on the tree, he hacked into the sleeve of his other hand. The stark white cloth came away with stipples of blood.
He didn’t wait any longer. Pushing off from the tree, he stumbled towards the pond. Before he could crash into the life-giving liquid, he saw the reflection of the sky above mirrored on the still surface of the pond: With wings of reishi, a dragon twisted and flew through the sky. It coiled and cracked as the failed Kido forgot itself and released a torrent of energy into the air. Tetsuya looks up in shock.
Above was not a dragon, but the eclipse of a burning moon. Intricate designs too small to see were carved into the celestial body above the young shinigami. Sheer awe froze him in place as the eclipse completed and the world burned.
He woke, again in his bed, from what seemed like a dream. Sweat covered his brow and his sheets were soaked through. A mosquito buzzed around the dark room. There were bandages around his chest and down the rest of his body. There wasn’t much pain, a drug or kaido helping with that, he’d guess. Before long, he laid back down and got more rest.
In the morning, his parents told him what happened. The Academy was still investigating the incident, but it looked as if a student by the name of Nao Aoki was practicing ancient and powerful Kido without the supervision of a teacher. Thankfully, Tetsuya was there to save her from the resulting explosion. She would be punished appropriately and Tetsuya would be allowed to graduate with honors due to his service and exemplary performance in the heat of the moment.
As much as Tetsuya begged, his parents wouldn’t see it any other way and he wouldn't see the outside world ever again.
=====
He woke from what seemed like a dream. Half-baked memories of dragons, love, and the smell of burnt skin dissolved as he sat up in his futon. There was something missing. The air was stale in his room, and there was a sadness to everything around him. It felt empty. He threw off the covers and stood; agitation itched at the edge of his hearing. There was something missing. He called out from his room, as he slid open the door, “Mother?”
“Father?”
“Anyone?”
His normal baritone felt hollow as he spoke, his words not traveling far. From his door, he could see much of the inner estate. The color was gone from the world. A manicured garden sat in the middle of a ring of houses all occupied by other members of the Akimoto family. Flowers and shrubs were dying or dead. The cherry tree near the pond was nearly bald. Tetsuya stepped out onto the porch and smelt cinder on the air. Falling from the sky was ash.
By now, his feet moved on their own by instinct or panic. There was a fire somewhere kicking up ash and smoke into the air. His family must have evacuated. He walked off the porch, through the grass, and towards the tree. Not wanting to risk being burnt, he intended to hide in the pond. The soot in the air was thick and Tetsuya stopped to cough. With one hand on the tree, he hacked into the sleeve of his other hand. The stark white cloth came away with stipples of blood.
He didn’t wait any longer. Pushing off from the tree, he stumbled towards the pond. Before he could crash into the life-giving liquid, he saw the reflection of the sky above mirrored on the still surface of the pond: With wings of reishi, a dragon twisted and flew through the sky. It coiled and cracked as the failed Kido forgot itself and released a torrent of energy into the air. Tetsuya looks up in shock.
Above was not a dragon, but the eclipse of a burning moon. Intricate designs too small to see were carved into the celestial body above the young shinigami. Sheer awe froze him in place as the eclipse completed and the world burned.
=====
He woke, again in his bed, from what seemed like a dream. Sweat covered his brow and his sheets were soaked through. A mosquito buzzed around the dark room. There were bandages around his chest and down the rest of his body. There wasn’t much pain, a drug or kaido helping with that, he’d guess. Before long, he laid back down and got more rest.
In the morning, his parents told him what happened. The Academy was still investigating the incident, but it looked as if a student by the name of Nao Aoki was practicing ancient and powerful Kido without the supervision of a teacher. Thankfully, Tetsuya was there to save her from the resulting explosion. She would be punished appropriately and Tetsuya would be allowed to graduate with honors due to his service and exemplary performance in the heat of the moment.
As much as Tetsuya begged, his parents wouldn’t see it any other way and he wouldn't see the outside world ever again.
Akimoto Tetsuya- Posts : 20
Join date : 2020-06-16
Nao Aoki likes this post
Re: Prodigal Summer
by Nao Aoki Sat Jun 27, 2020 1:36 am
Nao first awoke the next morning in a hospital bed, mumbling Tetsuya’s name. The bed was curtained off and, after she tried to get up, she found that she couldn’t. Her arms, still weak from the self-inflicted injury and loss of energy, bumped into some basic bindings. Muttering out another apology, she drifted back to a dreamless sleep, the simple exertion from moving her arms too much for her.
The Kaido she had worked had truly sapped everything in her being. When she came about a few hours later, she still found the bindings in place, but this time there was a small crowd gathered around her bed. Her eyes failed her as she tried to focus on them, but she thought she recognized the voice of Mito-sensei as one of the people questioning her on what happened.
Nao learned enough from the rapid fire questions to learn what she needed to know most of all. Tetsuya was alive. Her Kaido had been enough to pull him back from the brink of death. If it had been hard to look first, the quick onset of tears of relief in her eyes upon hearing that he’d lived made it damn near impossible.
She couldn’t tell them the truth, not after what she’d done. Tetsuya could get expelled for attempting an unsupervised Kido. His promising future, his amazing skill, it all stood to be lost to the Seireitei all because she couldn’t keep her stupid emotions in check. The warm liquid that had been building up in her eyes began to stream down her face as she remembered everything that had happened.
They’d gotten so close with the Kido, with their burgeoning relationship, with everything, and yet, because she couldn’t keep her lips to herself like she had been doing for the last three years, Tetsuya stood to lose all of that. She didn’t think of what she stood to lose for a second. If she had, she wouldn’t have been willing to sacrifice her life to save him in the first place.
So Nao lied. She lied about the whole thing. Of course it was her who had done the Kido. She’d lost control of it and Tetsuya, being a brave and noble Shinigami in training, had jumped in and protected her. He’d used his prodigious skill with Kido to preserve her, giving up his own wellbeing in the process. She told in extensive detail how he’d saved her, insisting that he hadn’t done anything wrong.
The story was questioned up and down, with Nao coming up with a new excuse or justification each time one of the facts didn’t match up. The stolen goods from the men’s trainee barracks had been her trying to cover what she was doing from the women. The remnants of the bento boxes were a double meal she’d tried in order to fuel the powerful incantation. Tetsuya didn’t know what she was trying until he saw her losing control of the dragon as it was flying overhead. No, he hadn’t been with her in the library in Third Division earlier in the day. He had merely come to find her and bring her back to the rest of the group.
Lie after lie after lie fell from her lips like butter, and the teachers and healers were all too eager to eat them up. Of course the noble Akimoto would have stood in to defend a stupid girl like her. Of course someone with Nao’s terrible focus would be unable to control a Kido of that level. She took every berating with a sincere regret and apologies, swearing up and down that it would never happen again.
She was right that it wouldn’t happen again, Nao soon found out. Her abilities, though used to terrible effect, had managed to impress the right instructors. That was the only reason she wasn’t expelled or worse on the spot. Still, she’d have to repeat the first three years of her Kido courses so they could guarantee she’d established a firm understanding of the basics that she so clearly lacked.
It was more than she deserved, Nao knew. It was the second punishment that stung the most. She’d hoped for a brief moment that, once she got out, she’d be able to talk to Tetsuya, but she soon discovered that he was being transferred to the Akimoto estate. She tried to write him a letter, but her instructors intercepted it and punished her heavily.
She was not to talk to him under any circumstances. The Lord and Lady Akimoto had forbidden her from coming anywhere near their estate. If they caught her on their property, she would be executed as a trespasser, and the Seireitei would do nothing about it.
She should consider herself lucky, she was told, but Nao felt like the most cursed woman in the world. She lost the only person who made her days brighter, the only one she could be comfortable with, and it was all her fault.
She would have to live with the consequences of her actions for the rest of her life. She almost wished that she had died on the field trying to heal him. That would have been the easy way out, though. She needed to be punished by the universe for what she'd done. She'd flown too high and too fast, just like the beautiful dragon Tetsuya had drawn forth. If it hadn't been for her lack of obedience, she and that dragon would have continued to fly high alongside the greatest man she ever knew.
That would never happen again, at least not as long as his family commanded their position.
She deserved this.
The Kaido she had worked had truly sapped everything in her being. When she came about a few hours later, she still found the bindings in place, but this time there was a small crowd gathered around her bed. Her eyes failed her as she tried to focus on them, but she thought she recognized the voice of Mito-sensei as one of the people questioning her on what happened.
Nao learned enough from the rapid fire questions to learn what she needed to know most of all. Tetsuya was alive. Her Kaido had been enough to pull him back from the brink of death. If it had been hard to look first, the quick onset of tears of relief in her eyes upon hearing that he’d lived made it damn near impossible.
She couldn’t tell them the truth, not after what she’d done. Tetsuya could get expelled for attempting an unsupervised Kido. His promising future, his amazing skill, it all stood to be lost to the Seireitei all because she couldn’t keep her stupid emotions in check. The warm liquid that had been building up in her eyes began to stream down her face as she remembered everything that had happened.
They’d gotten so close with the Kido, with their burgeoning relationship, with everything, and yet, because she couldn’t keep her lips to herself like she had been doing for the last three years, Tetsuya stood to lose all of that. She didn’t think of what she stood to lose for a second. If she had, she wouldn’t have been willing to sacrifice her life to save him in the first place.
So Nao lied. She lied about the whole thing. Of course it was her who had done the Kido. She’d lost control of it and Tetsuya, being a brave and noble Shinigami in training, had jumped in and protected her. He’d used his prodigious skill with Kido to preserve her, giving up his own wellbeing in the process. She told in extensive detail how he’d saved her, insisting that he hadn’t done anything wrong.
The story was questioned up and down, with Nao coming up with a new excuse or justification each time one of the facts didn’t match up. The stolen goods from the men’s trainee barracks had been her trying to cover what she was doing from the women. The remnants of the bento boxes were a double meal she’d tried in order to fuel the powerful incantation. Tetsuya didn’t know what she was trying until he saw her losing control of the dragon as it was flying overhead. No, he hadn’t been with her in the library in Third Division earlier in the day. He had merely come to find her and bring her back to the rest of the group.
Lie after lie after lie fell from her lips like butter, and the teachers and healers were all too eager to eat them up. Of course the noble Akimoto would have stood in to defend a stupid girl like her. Of course someone with Nao’s terrible focus would be unable to control a Kido of that level. She took every berating with a sincere regret and apologies, swearing up and down that it would never happen again.
She was right that it wouldn’t happen again, Nao soon found out. Her abilities, though used to terrible effect, had managed to impress the right instructors. That was the only reason she wasn’t expelled or worse on the spot. Still, she’d have to repeat the first three years of her Kido courses so they could guarantee she’d established a firm understanding of the basics that she so clearly lacked.
It was more than she deserved, Nao knew. It was the second punishment that stung the most. She’d hoped for a brief moment that, once she got out, she’d be able to talk to Tetsuya, but she soon discovered that he was being transferred to the Akimoto estate. She tried to write him a letter, but her instructors intercepted it and punished her heavily.
She was not to talk to him under any circumstances. The Lord and Lady Akimoto had forbidden her from coming anywhere near their estate. If they caught her on their property, she would be executed as a trespasser, and the Seireitei would do nothing about it.
She should consider herself lucky, she was told, but Nao felt like the most cursed woman in the world. She lost the only person who made her days brighter, the only one she could be comfortable with, and it was all her fault.
She would have to live with the consequences of her actions for the rest of her life. She almost wished that she had died on the field trying to heal him. That would have been the easy way out, though. She needed to be punished by the universe for what she'd done. She'd flown too high and too fast, just like the beautiful dragon Tetsuya had drawn forth. If it hadn't been for her lack of obedience, she and that dragon would have continued to fly high alongside the greatest man she ever knew.
That would never happen again, at least not as long as his family commanded their position.
She deserved this.
Nao Aoki- Posts : 136
Join date : 2020-05-27
Akimoto Tetsuya likes this post
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