𝙻𝚘𝚌𝚔 𝙻𝚞𝚌𝚔 || Hyakkimaru

•|| twinge ||•

Guilt -- a bad feeling caused by knowing or thinking that you have done something bad or wrong; that is according to the infamous Merriam-Webster Dictionary. I believe  I can state with utmost confidence that every single person reading this had encountered the emotion at least once before -- that is unless you are one heartless prat, which I hope you aren't.

Now as unsettling the feeling can be, guilt can be quite intriguing with how it can change a person's actions. I mean, once your feet gets caught up the churning rope of remorse, it wouldn't take long for you to search ways to compensate for any wrong you have done. Even the most prideful may throw away their ego for once, just to get rid of the asphyxia guilt that can crash upon us. Well, who wouldn't want to receive freedom from the chains of remorse?

"Onee-san," Coffee pools dulling at the sight of my prescence, Dororo mumbles the words blandly, staring at me with an look one I would receive from my mother everytime I had done something completely irresponsible and stupid. "When was the last time you actually slept?"

I don't know. Maybe around thirty hours ago -- when I was said to have gone loco and  attacked the fictional character who just became my first love. I left my thoughts unvoiced out, knowing how rude it was. After finding out I have been attacking almost any living creature in my sleep, I didn't have the guts to further cause anymore trouble. And, in result, I had been forcing my body to not dare get a wink of sleep and kill anyone -- especially those who had grown dear to me.

Choosing not to reply, I grumbled incoherent gibberish under my breath as I dragged my feet behind me towards the humble Japanese-standard table. Dropping down to take a seat beside Dororo, I immediately rested an elbow on the hard surface of the wooden furniture, leaning forward to rest my chin on my palm.

"You look horrible." The raven-haired girl commented without a trace of hesitation. As I switched to spare her a glance from my peripheral vision, I saw a teasing grin dancing across her soft lips, earning her a scoff.

"Well, don't I always." I groaned, dropping my face on smooth wood with a soft thud out of the exhaustion of being sleep deprived.

"(Y/N)." With Mizukai's stern voice meeting my auditory, I groggily lifted my head up to spare the familiar a very tired look. Breathing out a sigh upon getting a closer study on my current appearance, he proceeded to reprimand me. "Just what is wrong with you? I believe you have enough common sense to be aware depriving yourself of rest is extremely unhealthy."

"Yeah, and attacking innocent people is healthier." I remarked, bluntly averting my eye contact with the russet-haired boy. As I had whirled my head to the side, I met the always placid stare of Hyakkimaru -- who was seated on Dororo's right whilst I was on her left. Too tired to exert anymore energy, I chose to be stuck in an awkward staring contest with the boy -- the uncomfortable ambiance slowly dissipating to a much more comfortable one as I stared longer at his almond shaped hazel-hues. I took the moment as an opportunity to admire his features, never growing tired no matter how much I feast on his handsome features and chiselled face.

"You shouldn't be pushing yourself that way, (Y/N)." The shrine's deity spoke up in a gentle manner, tone I had found similar to my warm grandmother's -- one I always sought comfort from. Yonokawa's form enters the scene with a tray of breakfast in his grip, setting the food quietly on the table before taking a seat beside his loyal server.

"But, I..." My voice trailed off as I slowly straightened myself up to cast my eyes downwards on the meal the divinity had prepared. Biting the inside of my cheek, I was once again overcome with guilt of hurting people.

"Oh, right. I had almost forgotten." The thickening suffocation of the atmosphere had been subtly lifted up the water god's tone, earning him the attention of every occupant of the room. With hands clasped together, he continued with an always gentle smile dancing on his pale visage. "A festival would be held tonight, in the village." The platinum-haired man chimes in. "The cherry blossoms in town are already in full bloom. Why don't you three go?"