[That's right. Sano is supposed to protect Haruaki. It isn't just that promise he made to Ame anymore. Making sure Haruaki is safe has become Sano's purpose...
[ That horrified mask over Sano's features hasn't slipped. Something nags at the back of Haruaki's mind – it can't only be the circumstances they've found themselves in, strange as they are. There's something else going on... ]
You can't do it right away. You have to be here for a little while first. I'll take you to the crystal in a couple days so you can see how it works, okay?
[ A beat, and then– ]
Sano-kun... can I ask what you were doing at home before you woke up here?
[A little while - months, years. It doesn't make sense. Sano tries to remember who Haruaki named, but can't imagine that it would be so few of them - the Principal, Dr. Takahashi, Ebisu... What about the others? What about Mame?
[Sano tries to focus on the question. He looks Haruaki in the eye, expression hardening into something more serious, but he can't shake that...shakiness.]
We got turned around on the mountain. We followed a path to a shrine and ended up in that city for kitsune youkai. Then...
[He feels his teeth grit, pain tugging at the features of his face. He looks angry; confused, afraid.]
That youkai showed up. The last thing I remember...I...
I don't know. Something knocked me out, or...something.
Shrine...? Mountain? Wait– we had a field trip coming up!
[ Only a couple days after the last thing he remembers...
Ebisu was from just a few hours ahead of it, it seemed– crucial, critical hours that let him know Toubyou and Kurahashi would be okay. And now Sano is from even farther along than that? ]
Sano-kun, you're from the future for me!! Only a few days, but still...
[ Haruaki finally lets go of Sano so he can use his hands to speak, drawing out a timeline in the air before them. ]
The last thing I remember is finding out Toubyou-kun and Kashima-kun were in trouble! I was going to head to a circus to find them, but then... [ His hands move to the next point on the invisible timeline. ] Ebisu-sensei remembers us going there and rescuing them! [ And then a third point, farther down. ] And now you remember something that would happen a few days later! Isn't that weird?
[Sano wants to ask about the other two Haruaki mentioned as well, but it seems a moot point. He can't keep the confusion, the frustration off of his face. He glares at the ground, shaking his head.]
I'd wanted to blame that kitsune we met, but I guess I can't, considering you haven't met him yet. Damn it...
cries we can wrap this one up soon i think :whyyyyyyy:
I did think it was strange I never saw any kitsune around the island...!
[ That means kitsune are going to find them on their field trip? How scary!
But Haruaki won't ask about all that. It's probably not great to inquire about the future – and anyway, Sano's expression is so clouded, so miserable, the last thing he wants to do is interrogate him.
Haruaki moves to stand at his side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders with a comforting pat. ]
Come on, we shouldn't hang around the garden, right? Why don't you come get your bearings at my place? When you're ready, I can help you get settled in!
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no subject
Some degree of settling in is necessary, but...
Sano will learn that in time. For now, Haruaki shakes his head. ]
We've been trying to find ways to leave. It's harder than it seems, though. There are people who've been here for years...
[ And then he gasps, straightening all the way up until he starts to stand, still clinging to Sano. ]
Wait! I forgot to say the worst part! When you get here, you don't have any of your powers, Sano-kun!!!
no subject
[No. He does understand. When he fell asleep, or passed out, or lost himself, or whatever happened, he made a wish.
[Dread sinks in his stomach like a stone. Is he why they’re all stuck here?
[For years?
[He thinks the horror must be showing on his face, so he tries to swallow it. He has no idea what to say. It can’t be ”I’m sorry.”]
They’re…just gone?
no subject
He squeezes Sano's shoulders, shakes his head. ]
Only in the beginning! You can wish for them back. I already have mine again.
[ Another squeeze. Haruaki can't let him go. ]
It's okay, Sano-kun. I know it's scary, but I can be the one to protect you now!
no subject
[Isn't that why he wished his powers away...?
[Stupid. Selfish. What was he thinking?]
Wish for them back - I will. Tell me how.
no subject
You can't do it right away. You have to be here for a little while first. I'll take you to the crystal in a couple days so you can see how it works, okay?
[ A beat, and then– ]
Sano-kun... can I ask what you were doing at home before you woke up here?
no subject
[Sano tries to focus on the question. He looks Haruaki in the eye, expression hardening into something more serious, but he can't shake that...shakiness.]
We got turned around on the mountain. We followed a path to a shrine and ended up in that city for kitsune youkai. Then...
[He feels his teeth grit, pain tugging at the features of his face. He looks angry; confused, afraid.]
That youkai showed up. The last thing I remember...I...
I don't know. Something knocked me out, or...something.
no subject
[ Huh???? ]
Shrine...? Mountain? Wait– we had a field trip coming up!
[ Only a couple days after the last thing he remembers...
Ebisu was from just a few hours ahead of it, it seemed– crucial, critical hours that let him know Toubyou and Kurahashi would be okay. And now Sano is from even farther along than that? ]
Sano-kun, you're from the future for me!! Only a few days, but still...
no subject
How is that possible...?
What's the last thing you remember?
no subject
[ Haruaki finally lets go of Sano so he can use his hands to speak, drawing out a timeline in the air before them. ]
The last thing I remember is finding out Toubyou-kun and Kashima-kun were in trouble! I was going to head to a circus to find them, but then... [ His hands move to the next point on the invisible timeline. ] Ebisu-sensei remembers us going there and rescuing them! [ And then a third point, farther down. ] And now you remember something that would happen a few days later! Isn't that weird?
no subject
I'd wanted to blame that kitsune we met, but I guess I can't, considering you haven't met him yet. Damn it...
cries we can wrap this one up soon i think :whyyyyyyy:
[ Gasp! ]
I did think it was strange I never saw any kitsune around the island...!
[ That means kitsune are going to find them on their field trip? How scary!
But Haruaki won't ask about all that. It's probably not great to inquire about the future – and anyway, Sano's expression is so clouded, so miserable, the last thing he wants to do is interrogate him.
Haruaki moves to stand at his side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders with a comforting pat. ]
Come on, we shouldn't hang around the garden, right? Why don't you come get your bearings at my place? When you're ready, I can help you get settled in!
wrapped :c
[He wants to go home.
[So, he's stiff under Haruaki's arm, unable to relax, accept that comfort. He doesn't lean into his teacher's touch, grounding as it is.
[He looks miserable. He sounds it.]
Fine. Whatever...