The sky is soaked in clouds...

Source: Leon*Xiao Pai [2] Artist: Satsuki [ERARUD] Reprinted and translated with permission Translation requested by toyherb

※ Tripped and fallen down.

Xiao Pai: Dwuaaah! I’m sorry! I dove into your unmentionables! Leon: You’re not a klutz, you’re a lucky pervert… X: How is this in any way “lucky”?! (It’s a disaster however you look at it!)

*trip* *strip*

Still bewildered  Kaiji tried spelling out his thoughts but in the end he didn’t get much out. The demure look wasn’t exactly bad way to bounce his panicky anger off, sending Kaiji even deeper into his confusion. He couldn’t just shout at someone talking softly like that… 

In that state he couldn’t do much but drop onto his knees his body going numb as the tears keep rolling down to his cheeks. 

“ Hm, I wonder, I wonder…. “

“ Perhaps you should try to pat his head? Must be a lot to take - this kind of thing, you should understand it as well hm? Or are you not feeling lost? “

     The man attempts articulation, eloquence slipping away like the sweat from his forehead. Naturally, Xiao Pai relies on the elderly woman once more for translation and advice.

     “Ah... I see.” She nods affirmatively. Such a simple answer -- this woman really was kind, she thought. Much kinder than the mess that was following her around.

     “It is much fine, I do feel lost, but feeling lost together gives a sense that we have been found, hm?” Answering the woman but also looking towards the man as if trying to comfort him as well, she steps forward.

     “My name is Xiao Pai. Things will be alright, so it seems there is no need to cry, yes?” 

     Boldly but with gentleness she reaches towards the lion’s wild mullet-mane with ease, administering a soft pat or three, or four. A smile to go with that pat -- totally free of charge.

“ Master, master… “

There was Lucifer poking at the pitiful creature curled into a ball. A moment ago the said creature had been walking around stupefied, trying to run from the weird voice speaking inside his head and the next thing he knew was the granny appearing out of nowhere. 

Kaiji wasn’t crying but he was certainly about to. Hands hugging his knees, chin resting over them he sat there staring at nothing. He thought nothing would feel worse than freeloading at Sakazaki’s by now… After meeting Miyoshi and Maeda again something had lit up inside him, finally he got out from the hell that was apathy he had lulled himself into… 

And then this happened. It’s a mess inside his head.

“ Master are you listening…. “

And what the hell was up with this hag?! She kept calling him master for one - that was totally creepy. With all the exhaustingly intense emotions getting better of him it was hard to be sitting about. He bounced up lashing out a loud exclamation against the old woman’s face.

“ ARE YOU THE ONE WHO GOT ME HERE?! “

“ No master, that’s negative…. You should listen to what others try tell you young man— “

“ THE HELL IS THIS ABOUT THEN?!!  “

Elderly woman sighed turning his head at other direction now with an apologetic look on her face. Explanation would have to be left for other time - or perhaps she could pass that baton for someone else. 

“ Master, I’ve been trying to tell you… We have company. Perhaps you’d listen to them better…. “

“ What do you think, stranger? Care to help me with this creature eh? “

     Reality -- it was a bitter taste to call this that, wasn’t it. Xiao Pai still was grasping at metaphorical straws to answer all of the questions of being here, why she was here, who was this sudden entity slinking around in her shadow. It seemed shy, not willing to talk immediately, so she’d been allowing it to skulk behind her as she walked.

     And as she walked she would encounter this scene that contrasted her situation quite strongly -- and yet, similarities could still be found. A confused a wild-haired man sprawled in his frustration next to a spiritual entity that seemed close to him, yet a stranger.

     She’s drawn to the scene inexplicably, welcomed by the old woman’s question and beckon for help.

     Well, Xiao Pai couldn’t refuse a cry for help -- even with a voice whispering she might just make it worse.

     “...Hello.” A bit weak, considering her uncertainty of the situation, but she smiles nonetheless.