This is our fight song

[le_mat]

[Akira wanted to collapse after all that. But... this was what Zombina usually did, and he'll do his best to pick up the slack.

Luckily he's not alone, as Roxy and Max lend hands. And he needs those extra hands, since there's a full pot of curry from the diner that needs to be reheated (day two curry is best curry anyways) and bowls brought down. Not to mention making sure certain people at least make it TO the cafeteria. He'll leave the coffee to Bolton. He leaves those tasks to his helpers while he goes and writes the notes, all tucked under doors like last time:]

There's food in the cafeteria. Please, don't do anything reckless.

[You're one to talk, boyo. Still, as it heats up in the kitchen the smells of curry and coffee at least is a small comfort against the cold empty space outside]

Comments

[le_mat]

It's not fair to make you carry it all. But you gotta survive Karamatsu-san. You have other brothers back home that gotta know how brave their big brother was, yeah?

[karappo]

[He laughs, but it comes out as a sob.]

I...I am not sure that is the word for it.

[le_mat]

[He suspected it was as much Oso not wanting to be alone as being heroic. But... it doesn't need to be said.]

It's a good enough word.

[karappo]

[...

Don't mind him as he goes ahead and picks up that plush, Akira. Just. Holding it to his chest.]

...

I...don't know what to do.

[He's a murderer. He...doesn't feel right, being here anymore.]

[le_mat]

For right now, you don't gotta.

[karappo]

[Karamatsu looks up at Akira, then, his eyes vacant. He's not the person he was earlier in the week, or even when they first met.]

But...this isn't right. You heard Petuu, she...she's acting like...

[le_mat]

She wants to hurt you. She's getting off in your suffering. Don't... don't give her that power.

[karappo]

...I know. But I have no energy left to fight.

If she considers this a victory, then she has won.

[le_mat]

Then we'll fight for you.

[karappo]

[Do I deserve that, though?, he wants to ask. But he doesn't. He just curls up a little with his knees to his chest, the little cat plush trapped between the space.]

...I don't know...what to say, Akira-san, I am sorry.

[le_mat]

It's okay. Just sleep for now.

[How can he ask Karamatsu to fight after all that's happened? How can he ask him to ever fight again?]

[karappo]

[If nothing else, he can appreciate his sympathy. His kindness. That's not something he felt like he should be afforded right now.

But even though he probably won't rest, Karamatsu lays down to sleep without any of his brothers for the first time.]