I AM THE TROUBLE

  “     it's  not  bad,     ”   his  expression  bespoke  appreciation  more  so  than  words,  as  he  observed  the  rooftop  gardens.  it  was  like  it's  own  little  world  tucked  away  from  the  cityscape,  the  greenery  a  refreshing  break  from  the  concrete  buildings  that  surrounded  them.  gojō  glances  at  ryo.  this  was  more  than  a  casual  stroll  through  the  gardens.  he  knows  better.

“     — but,  appreciating  the  flora  isn't  the  reason  you  brought  me  up  here,  is  it,  ryo-kun?     ”   there's  something  troubling  her,  he  thinks.  he's  known  her  long  enough  now  to  discern  when  she  was  keeping  something  from  him.    

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎RYO turned her attention towards Satoru, letting out a deep sigh as she approached towards a resting komainu and petted its head gently. "It's about Geto-san." She told him, olive green eyes kept their gaze at the sorcerer. Given her affiliation with the supernatural, it was no surprise she could feel something might happen in the human world any time -- and how the mentioned person could be part of whatever may come.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎will the whole world know your name, when we DANCE with DESTINY?

How many times had he tried to stop these nightmares ? To escape them ? Countless. & he failed every time. What's worse was that they always felt so real to him. Maybe this was real ? No, no - the Devil couldn't take on a separate form. This had to be within their head. But maybe his strength has grown ? No, no, no. Yet, maybe...

Ryo's words did nothing to soothe him. His dark eyes bounced around his skull - he acknowledged the Devil's presence; despite their hatred for each other, they were also so very close. The two could sense each other, their presence, & their feelings. This was both a good & a bad thing. As they both can use it as an advantage toward each other.

❝ He's close, ❞ Jin whispered to her. ❝ He's close. We have to - no... you have to get away. I can't risk him finding you. ❞

❝ She's holding you back, Jin. ❞

The voice immediately caused him to freeze. It was just like his own, but had that sinister distortion to it. Again, he passed frantic glances - but saw nothing. That flying bastard.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎THAT sinister voice was a sure sign the Devil was nearby, which made Ryo approach Jin closer. When her friend spoke, she turned towards him and decided to take his hand to pull him away from their spot. "I'm not leaving you here, Jin-san." Ryo shook her head and continued to drag him away, although there seemed to be something heavy around them.

❝ If you think this is bad, you wouldn't want to see what that evil would do to this world if it had the chance, ❞ he claimed.

Again, she was right. This went against anything Jin wanted. It infuriated him how well she knew him. Other people, he was able to fool. Almost easily. Yet she's not falling for it. She's a bold woman for inching closer, because every time she does, Jin was taken by this overwhelming urge to grab her by the throat, & pummel her face until it's unrecognizable

❝ Sometimes a handful of innocents must be lost to save an abundance, ❞ he said, trying to sound logical. But that mask of his was slipping, his body couldn't stop shaking. How does he contain all this rage ? How can he contain all this rage ? ❝ Sometimes the right choice isn't the easy one, I am the only one brave enough to make it despite its consequences. The world will be a better place once it's over. ❞

His hands raise, & rest on her shoulders - no, no, they only rest for a second before turning into iron grasps. The anger was bubbling, & threatening to erupt like a volcano. This body couldn't hold it any longer.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎THE tightened grasp on her shoulders caused her to look up at him, with olive green eyes looking straight at his in all seriousness. "With whatever you're doing, I doubt the world would be better, Jin-san." Ryo told him. "Creating a war will never make things better for humanity, especially when there are those who would oppose you. You'll only escalate things for the worse." She added and shook her head faintly.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎THERE was a faint hum that came from her lips, which was followed with a curt nod. With a few turns and checks, the vinyl seemed clean and free from defects, which Suzume carefully placed it near her belongings in the counter cabinet after she kept it back in its packaging. She dusted her hands and looked at her friend. “A phonograph, yeah.” Suzume said, kind enough to briefly explain to them about the item she got. “In layman terms, a record player is needed to play them.” A pause.

‎ ‎ ‎“While I do have turtables at my place, I’m not gonna use it to play them.” Suzume told Jirou, taking another sip of her coffee . “They’re for collection since they’re rare ones to get.” She added on and huffed from her nose, before she passed a tumbler - filled with coffee - to him.

‎ ‎ ‎“That’s for the favor, Jirou-san.”

//  He thought about all those fancy food erasers that people avoided using, and sat untouched in their pencil cases until they got dirty. He figured that sort of thing was pretty similar. 

  The coffee was accepted with full gratefulness, considering the fact he really needed it. “ By the way… the earthquakes at night have been pretty frequent, I’m hardly getting any sleep. How are you holding up? ”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎SHE took a sip of her own coffee and lowered her tumbler down. "Maybe they're too terrified to get out for the news." Suzume shrugged. "Been holding up pretty well, if you ask me. You just gotta get used to it, I guess." She finally gave an answer to his concern, taking another gulp of her warm beverage. She raised her brows at Jirou and crossed her arms on her chest.

Jin wasn't coming back. & her inching closer only irritated him further.

His teeth clenched, are you stupid ? He wanted to ask, but bit his tongue. He had to remember that expressing too much ruthlessness may come off as suspicious. Which, she seemed to already be as it was. ❝ What do you think I'm trying to do ? I've found the source already, I just need to awaken it now & put an end to this all. ❞ His head shook, ❝ things aren't as easy as you suspect. Especially when it's regarding ancient beasts & curses. ❞

Every sentence her mouth was correct. Jin wouldn't, which was something that always infuriated the Devil. How good he insisted on being - instead of making it easier for both of them, & simply giving in. Finally, he stepped back. Not because he was intimidated, but only to act as though he's offended.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎OLIVE green eyes looked right through Jin's eyes and flicked her hand to dismiss the bull-headed demon summon she had. "If I knew you, I wouldn't be talking to you like this, Jin-san." Ryo told him, the tone in her voice revealed signs she was not backing down to her point made. "I know you would never resort to taking innocent lives and destroying the world just for something. In fact, you're someone who would find the answers and not be swayed by the evil that speaks to you. You would always find a way to fight and suppress it, Jin-san." She added on and took another step closer.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎RYO decided to take a hold of his hand in hers and raised it to the level of her chin. "All the more reason to find her together, ne?" She gave a reassuring smile before letting go of his hand. "It doesn't have to be the two of us either. We could ask for help from Lars-san and his men, as well." She told him and tilted her head.