takumato | 🌙🌊

[ a little into the afternoon. that's when the invasion happened.

already used to unexpected twists in their revised timeline, takumi took this one with stride. he'd gathered his team, studied the monitor in the war room, and declared to everyone that it appeared that they would not be facing a commander today. each of his soldiers then promptly transformed and launched themselves out of the barrier to face the enemies, determined to protect shion to the best of their abilities.

however, just because takumi is ready for unexpected attacks does not mean he is impervious to the dangers of the battlefield, nor the sight of a teammate falling in action. they may be immortal out on the field, but death is still as painful as it'd be if it were permanent—agonizing, soul-crushing, and dreadful. the same can be said for gruesome injuries. their class armor can only do so much; protecting themselves from losing limbs or receiving gnashes is as important as guarding the barrier.

it's as a fresh wave of invaders stomp in that takumi realizes the area he assigned himself—eito and nozomi at his side—is thoroughly outnumbered. a healer and human can only do so much for the two boys, ultimately tiring quickly when overwhelmed. eito and takumi would never condemn nozomi for it, but her well-being is just another safety concern for them to be conscious of. it's an unfortunate and precarious balancing act.

...this is tough.

panting and tightening his grip on his sword, he glances to his left to check on eito. he stands as elegantly as ever, his long, intimidating scythe swirling through the air as he cuts down a nearby enemy. although working gracefully, takumi knows he has to be just as exhausted. ]

Aotsuki! Four grizzlei are coming your way!

[ that's one enemy too many. they'll fully surround him, too. shit.

can takumi make it in time? ]

[ Eito's scythe moves swiftly, slicing through two of the beasts' necks like butter. Unfortunately, that leaves the other two to deal with, and while Eito is one of the most gifted members of the SDU on the battlefield, he cannot perform miracles.

There's not enough time to stop and strategize about how to deal with this scenario. Eito has to move, so he homes in on the one grizzlei storming at him. Its wide, looming steps are at odds with its massive, hulking figure.

But it was a fake out. How the beasts pulled it off, Eito isn't sure. One moment, he's swinging his scythe through the air, and the next— ]

Augh—!

[ —the other grizzlei is cleaving him through the chest, a claw piercing the soul of his class armor. And then the other joins in.

The pain is unlike anything he has ever experienced. It's easily worse than dying and being revived again. It's worse than—any comparison he could conjure in his head doesn't do justice to how agonizing it is to be pierced through the soul. His entire life, from his parents' bodies on the ground to that nurse in the hospital and onward, must flash before his eyes as Eito cries out and crumples onto the ground in a heap, scythe landing on the ground beside him.

He must curse, but he has no idea what he says. He cannot comprehend anything around him. In what seems like the far distance, Eito can see Takumi and Nozomi heading his way. Nozomi's healing light must encompass him, though he doesn't feel any trace of its warmth.

All he can think about is how much it hurts, not only physically but emotionally, mentally, and everything in-between. ]

Edited 2026-01-18 15:22 (UTC)

Aotsuki!

[ everything—the curve of a massive claw, the sound of eito's cry, blood spattering onto the field beneath their feet—seems to happen in slow motion. takumi thinks his heart seizes the instant it's over, and he abandons his defensive position to dart towards eito's side. nozomi is hot on his heels and already firing a rescue bullet to make up for the distance. but when they both arrive... it's clear that any attempt at mending injury is far too late. takumi scarcely notices as nozomi drops to her knees by eito's side and presses her hands against his bloodied chest.

those ghastly claws had torn straight through eito's upper half and into the hole where his soul resides. now, that small, lovely wisp has wilted some, weakly burning from where it is nestled. takumi has never seen it do that before; what does it mean? judging from eito's difficult expression, the state of its assault must be contributing to his agony. ]

...A-Aotsuki— [ takumi's voice trembles. nozomi shoots him a worried glance but quickly resumes trying to close eito's wound. ] You're...

[ 'Sumino-kun, now isn't the time,' nozomi says sternly, a little breathless. 'You have to defend the barrier! We'll revive him; don't worry.'

that's right. if takumi can't protect the two of them, then it'll all be over. ]

[ his gloves creak as his fingers dig into the handle of his sword. then, takumi whirls around to face the two grizzlei that attacked eito and the slew of enemies behind them. there's a tubrilla approaching within their midst, but...

that won't be an issue. takumi is admittedly pissed. ]

You'll pay for this.

[ he takes a protective stance in front of eito's body and steadies his weapon. the heat of his rage spikes his hemoanima, charged, electrical energy flooding his body with an unfair advantage of voltage. with this unique power gained from having killed eito once before, takumi will now use it to protect his life.

no sooner than a second later does a tremendous explosion occur.

azur blitz.

if takumi wanted to obliterate all in his path, then this would be the way to do it. however, even as remnants of his enemy fall in pieces at his feet, takumi can't contain his animosity. he ends up piercing the body of the grizzlei that dealt eito's finishing blow and desecrating it with his blade.

such violence is befitting of a young man that risked it all for the future of his loved ones. ]

Edited 2026-01-18 16:59 (UTC)

[ Ever so distantly, Eito has the thought that it feels as though he's watching a movie. A slasher film, to get specific about it. There's so much blood. Through clouded, hazy vision, Eito can make out the horrified expression on Nozomi's face, can feel the weight of the concerned gazes of the other SDU members scattered around the battlefield.

If the circumstances weren't so grave, Eito might have scolded their Team Leader for abandoning his spot by Nozomi's side, all in order to protect him. It's not the most strategic of decisions, nor is it the slightest bit logical. It makes no sense. As it stands, though, he can't muster up the energy to speak, save for: ]

Takumi—ku...n.

[ His voice wrecked, Takumi's name comes out as little more than a weak, pathetic croak right before darkness envelops his vision. Though Takumi's figure is barely visible, somehow, it still manages to be striking. Captivating, even.

For some inexplicable reason, one limp, trembling arm stretches out in front of him, hand reaching toward Takumi's back... just before Eito finally falls unconscious. ]

[ fortunately for everyone on the field, takumi's finisher is what turned the tide of the battle that day.

the stragglers within the enemy's line of defense were quickly wiped out, allowing eito's body to be retrieved without incident and the team to secure the school itself. only after it'd been deemed safe did the SDU return inside to rest. takumi, however, refused to sit still. he'd ended up in the infirmary pestering sirei for answers regarding eito's condition. something about it just wasn't right, and he didn't understand why.

sirei had refused to elaborate, waving off takumi and saying everything was fine. he only revealed that eito would not be up to snuff after his organs were restored. it'd take time to fully heal, supposedly. that was all the information takumi was left with.

an unconscious eito was eventually brought to his room by takumi and takemaru. takumi had decided he'd be the one to look after eito during his recovery. no one disagreed.

a few days have passed since then. ]

Hey...

[ takumi's voice is hesitant when he speaks, and he sets aside the apple he'd been peeling onto a nearby plate. he then peers over at eito from where he sits by his bedside. ]

You're keeping something from me, aren't you?

Edited 2026-01-18 17:53 (UTC)

[ The days since the attack have been... taxing, to say the least.

Little by little, the physical chest pain where his wound is has been fading, but something about the soul area is off. Unfortunately, Eito hasn't had a chance to discern why, exactly, that is. It's a strange, aching feeling, a palpable emptiness that didn't exist before. There's what he can only describe as a yearning, even, for something to fill that hole.

On top of that, Eito has been spending too much time dwelling on the memories that flashed before his eyes when the soul was struck, which has put him in a more sour mood than usual. It shows. Takumi has been more patient with him than usual, which does not go unnoticed.

Eito doesn't really know what to do with that. ]

Hm.

[ He doesn't meet Takumi's eyes, fixating his gaze on the apple, instead. Takumi is deft with the knife, which dredges back the memory of him on the battlefield days ago. Eito has never seen Takumi spiral into such a rage over any other member of the SDU's wounds before, and the emotions stemming from that are complicated, if not irritating. Eito would have been perfectly fine dying and being revived. It would have been by no means a positive outcome, but it would have been preferable to being fussed over like this. ]

Why, I have no idea what you're talking about.

[ Eito doesn't even pretend to be honest. Honestly, he's just being difficult on purpose. ]

[ he should've expected a response like that. when has eito ever not given takumi a hard time? ]

Can you at least try to sound believable?

[ unamused, takumi huffs to himself and then scoots his chair a little closer to eito's bed. until then, he'd been sitting an appropriate distance away, idly cutting bunny-shaped apples for eito to nibble on. and, yes, before anyone asks, takumi put on transparent kitchen gloves before getting to work peeling them.

he decides to try again. be a bit more specific. ]

I can tell when you've got something on your mind.

[ takumi may be oblivious sometimes, but even this would be impossible for him not to notice. he's been staring at eito for days now. ]

Oh?

[ Eito clicks his tongue before his eyes crinkle into one of his familiar, fake smiles. ]

So not only is our dear Team Leader a time traveler, he's also a mind reader? How impressive! A man of many talents, I see.

[ Eito knows Takumi has been staring, those brilliant blue eyes near-constantly boring into him. All it serves to do is make the hole where his soul rests ache even more, that yearning, almost hungry feeling multiplying.

It doesn't make sense. As a distraction, Eito reaches out to pluck one of the bunny-shaped slices off the plate, then brings it to his mouth and bites the ears off. The fact that he would so readily eat something another person prepared, regardless of kitchen gloves... Takumi is the only one who could get away with it. ]

Look, you've got your jokes, but I'm being serious here.

[ takumi petulantly tugs off the gloves and tosses them into eito's trash bin without getting up. he absolutely knows it'll grate on the other's nerves—it's messy and unsanitary—but that's what eito gets for being annoying. ]

Whatever happened to you is weird. I can't imagine you'd just accept that.

[ continuing on without wondering why his body reacted the way it did—eito is too intelligent to ignore it. that's what takumi thinks. ]

[ He narrows his eyes before huffing out a resigned sigh. Ugh. Fine. You win, Takumi. ]

How astute of you to notice. Since you've been taking the time to watch over me, I suppose I can humor you for a little while.

[ Eito swallows the remainder of the apple slice before responding, keeping his tone careful and measured. At this point in their peculiar friendship, he trusts Takumi—he does. But this is a vulnerable topic, one that's far from easy to broach. ]

From the moment I was struck in the chest, something has felt... off. Wrong.

[ A pause as he weighs over his words. When he continues, he's staring at his lap. ]

All of a sudden, it's as though the soul area has a mind of its own. There's this craving there that cannot be satisfied. Or if it can be satiated, then I have no idea how to go about it.

Along with that, I experienced what I can only describe as flashbacks. Memories of the past I haven't thought about in years came flooding back to me, all at once. It was overwhelming, and deeply unpleasant, and—and since then, there's been this damn chasm in my chest that I can't begin to imagine how to address.

[ Tone becoming somewhat manic, Eito gnaws at his lower lip, his gloved hands flexing, grasping at nothing. There's more he has to say, but he'd rather not overload Takumi's brain with too much information at once. ]

[ craving—like it's alive? ...no, obviously it is, takumi corrects himself. the thing that glows in their chest cavities is certainly the manifestation of their souls; that much is evident. the way it appears delicate and spirit-like, burning directly where he'd assume a soul would be. nebulous, it quivers, as well. ]

The thing that's there... It's 'us', isn't it? Our consciousness or something. That's what I'd assume souls are. [ as usual, only eito articulated himself well. ] Wouldn't that mean it's craving what you want? Deep down, I guess.

[ but as for the flashbacks— ]

I wonder if you saw those memories because it's your consciousness, too. Maybe being touched directly caused them to come to the surface.

[ he doesn't quite get it, but... ]

Edited 2026-01-18 20:03 (UTC)

[ So eloquent, Takumi-kun! is what Eito could say in that teasing tone of his, but the atmosphere isn't appropriate. On the contrary, Takumi's words actually give him a lot to think about. ]

What I want?

[ Eito repeats the words aloud, testing them out. His thin brows are knit in confusion. What has he ever wanted, really, besides the total eradication of humanity? The (perhaps contradictory) goal of protecting his friends has joined that goal, but... besides that, does he even have anything he wants? Anything that could be attainable?

And then another memory surfaces, unbidden: his consciousness fading as he reaches out, extending his hand toward Takumi. Takumi, who saved him, who killed him and then killed for him. ]

... My turn to ask you a question, Takumi-kun. Why did you go that far to come to my rescue? Surely you could have let me die. The Revive-O-Matic is there for a reason.

[ almost nonplussed, takumi replies in an even tone, like eito asked a question with a clear answer already. ]

Because I knew something was different.

[ he doesn't elaborate immediately and settles more comfortably in his chair, tilting his head just a smidgen to the right as he gazes into eito's eyes. the gesture might remind someone of an inquisitive cat. ]

We've all been injured before—died before. [ the amendment causes his nose to briefly wrinkle in displeasure. ] But when that enemy injured you, I knew you were in real danger. It touched somewhere it shouldn't have.

[ takumi pauses. his nonchalance melts into slight bewilderment, but he continues speaking. ]

...I don't know why I knew, but... I couldn't let you go that way.

I see.

[ It is not the answer Eito expected. Far from it. Eito thought he'd be more annoyed, and the genuine gratitude that creeps up on him is surprising. In spite of everything, he's relieved to be alive. ]

That's unusually perceptive of you. This is the part where I should thank you for using that single brain cell rattling around in there—[ Eito points to Takumi's forehead with one slender finger. ]—to save my life, then. Correct?

[ A beat passes before Eito says what would have been unimaginable, once upon a time: ]

Thank you, Takumi-kun. Against all odds, I do mean that.

[ Despite his discomfort, he meets Takumi's gaze head-on, a tiny smile curving his lips. There's much more that could be said, but heartfelt sentiments such as this are not Eito's forte. It's somewhat ironic, given that emotional, mushy speeches and cheesy lines about friendship were how he once masked his utter disdain for the others in the group, with Takumi at the front and center.

When it comes to the real article, something as simple as a thank-you is still foreign on his tongue. But for Takumi, he can manage bearing that discomfort. ]

Um...

[ suddenly self-conscious and aware of what he's said, takumi instinctively flushes.

eito's heartfelt speeches may have been artificial, but they were very fluid. he didn't hesitate when he expressed them, uniting the friends he found repulsive with ease and lifting the mood. takumi, meanwhile, can only be affectionate like that in the heat of the moment. it is natural so long as he is distracted. otherwise...

...it really is embarrassing. ]

You're welcome.

[ said as lamely as possible. ]

[ The fact that Takumi goes a shade redder does not escape Eito's notice, but he refrains from commenting. ]

Now that that's over with... I have a somewhat selfish request. Will you hear me out?

[ The gears in his brain are turning, the vague shape of an idea beginning to form. ]

[ there had been a missing component to that conversation, a truth that takumi himself has not addressed or is aware of just yet. why, exactly, he had gotten so, so enraged. takumi had given an explanation for having saved eito's life, but he did not justify why he fled his position or brutalized the body of the alien that ultimately killed eito. this lack of understanding of his feelings could be a blessing or a curse; after all, it is eito that suffers from it the most.

blurred lines and ambiguous feelings... they'd need a miracle for a timely resolution. ]

Sure. What is it?

[ takumi's face is still pleasantly pink, and he has to resist the urge to avert his gaze. still, he tries his best to not look as though eito's earnest gratitude had shaken him up. ]

...As long as it isn't unreasonable.

[ he tacks that on as a precaution. ]

[ That noted missing component isn't something Eito has neglected to consider, but he has a feeling that it would be a fruitless endeavor to try to nudge the truth out of Takumi at this moment. It's something to be revisited and dissected, for sure.

And on some level... Eito might be avoiding the truth, himself. The fact that there is meaning behind most of Takumi's actions as their leader is undeniable, and this is no exception. That streak of violent rage was not just a random whim of his.

He'll drag the answers out of Takumi at some point, though, and sooner than later. That's for certain. ]

There's something I want to check, and it involves activating our Hemoanima.

[ Given how Eito is still recovering from his injury, Takumi might not be on board with that idea, but the straight line Eito's mouth makes demonstrates how serious he is about this. ]

Can we?

Here?

[ as in, in eito's bedroom? ]

Uh... you are bedridden and know that, right?

[ that's technically not true. eito's been able to meander around his room at least, meticulously throwing away or cleaning up miscellaneous trash and items takumi accidentally leaves behind at the end of the day. ]

If this will be dangerous...

[ takumi trails off, but the disapproving note in his voice lingers. ]

Obviously not here.

[ Not that Eito made that at all clear. Sorry, Takumi. ]

We've done this dozens of times by now, haven't we? It should be perfectly safe. With that being said, I didn't have an exact location in mind... Maybe somewhere private?

[ He hums, tossing the suggestion out there like it's the most normal and casual thing in the world. ]

...That'd work.

[ his agreement is reluctant. ]

Sirei didn't tell me what was wrong with you, but I don't want there to be another causality.

[ and thus takumi admits to having hounded sirei earlier regarding eito's condition. the little things always slip out when he isn't paying attention. ]

Is it fine if it's the infirmary? Can you make it there?

Of course I can. You don't need to treat me like I'm a fragile maiden in need of protection, you know.

[ Somehow, it's both annoying and endearing, much like the countless other complicated emotions Takumi tends to spark within him. ]

So. [ Eito drawls, slanting a knowing look at Takumi. ] You bothered Sirei about this, did you? I'm not surprised he was avoidant, given that he's scarcely told me anything, either.

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