Keep Fighting

𓊈卍 𝟏𝟏 卍𓊉

Nakano arrives at the Musashi shrine. The place is rather quiet. She doesn't see a motorcycle in the parking lot, so she assumes that Manjiro and Mitsuya haven't arrived yet.

She's planning to ask him where the fight with Moebius is taking place so she and her brother can be a step ahead. They know it's going to be at a parking lot, but there are hundreds of parking lots in the area.

As she climbs the steps of the shrine, she formulates a script for herself. She doesn't know if she should be formal, or straight up ask Manjiro where the fight is going to be. She ends up thinking of other things to say in case he fires back with other questions. The more she thinks, predicts and formulates, the more anxious she finds herself being.

'For the love of god, Nakano, you're just going to meet up with Manjiro. Ask him where the fight is going to take place and leave it at that.'

When she reaches the top, she stops in her tracks. On the next flight of steps, where he stood before his gang the night before, sits Manjiro. He has his legs spread and forearms on his knees with his head hanging towards the ground. She finds herself at a loss for words. She thought he wasn't even here yet.

He then looks up, a smile gracing his lips. "Hey, Kano-chin."

Nakano just stares at him for a moment, that smile of his unsettling her like it has been since the first day she saw it. But she pushes forward, and starts walking towards him.

"Manjiro, I've come to ask..." She falters when he sees his smile drop. "Uhm... Where is the battle taking place."

She feels herself growing more awkward with every passing second. Of course, her social skills aren't the best, but she can stand up to pretty much anyone when it comes down to it.

But why is she losing her composure in his presence? She was just fine before...

"The battle? With Moebius?" His questions sound forced, as if he's playing dumb.

She lets out her awkwardness and frustration with a sharp exhale. "Yes, the battle with Moebius. I want to know where it's going to be."

Manjiro walks down the steps slowly, eyes never leaving her. She stands tall, forcing herself to look him in the eyes. His dark, seemingly empty eyes.

"Why do you want to know that?"

His voice is low, as if he's hiding some other intentions. Is there something specific he wants her to say?

"I want to fight them." Her answer is clear and to the point.

It should be enough of an explanation, but for Manjiro, this isn't the case. "Why do you want to fight them?"

"Why do you keep asking me questions?"

A little smile reappears on his face. "Just curious."

"Answer the first damn question, Manjiro."

The blonde boy's face returns to a solemn look as he finally gives an answer. "We're not sure yet. Our plans are going to be made later today."

Nakano furrows her brows in thought. 'That wasn't helpful at all... Fuck, this was a terrible idea. Maybe I can still get some information from him.'

"Now answer this, Kano-chin." He forces her to look at him by standing right in front of her. "Why do you want to fight them?"

"The same reason you do. I want to end Moebius for their inhumane acts." She backs away from him, as he's too close for her comfort. "Not to mention, I have a bone to pick with them."