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Nope ~ it's the guy who made the first horse betting arena. He gave me so many tips...
I should go visit his grave. Can you believe he didn't want to become a karasu tengu? I was gonna give him a fancy title and everything.
I should go visit his grave. Can you believe he didn't want to become a karasu tengu? I was gonna give him a fancy title and everything.
Edited 2026-04-10 22:12 (UTC)
[ He thinks of Ashiya Douman.
He thinks of Ashiya Douman who lived as he died - furious, bright and chasing a specter. There was too much honesty between him and Seimei. Maybe that's what started this. Maybe that's what ended it. Maybe Seimei cultivated it to fulfil a goal no one could fathom, that goes beyond a god's grasp.
He thinks of Ashiya Douman and the principal who fell into old habits when a ghost brought him back into life.
Ranmaru hadn't known. Maybe he should have paid more attention during those years he was playing around. He promised to look after Douman because he was compelled by an ever tightening leash.
He promised to look after Douman because he couldn't stand how either of them had been played.
But Haruaki isn't Seimei, Douman isn't Ashiya. Douman is honest, furious, and bright still. Haruaki is-
Honest. Too honest. Too honest. Seimei was never honest and was. Couldn't be. Tried and failed and Haruaki succeeds where he never could and maybe that's why-
For a second, Ranmaru almost says how much he hates Seimei. For a second, Ranmaru almost falls victim to that bright, unyielding honesty and says he can't stand it. For a second, he thinks it would be comforting to utter out thousands of years of grief to a man that might hear him.
For a second, Ranmaru believes him - believes in him as much as he believed in Seiemei. ]
He thinks of Ashiya Douman who lived as he died - furious, bright and chasing a specter. There was too much honesty between him and Seimei. Maybe that's what started this. Maybe that's what ended it. Maybe Seimei cultivated it to fulfil a goal no one could fathom, that goes beyond a god's grasp.
He thinks of Ashiya Douman and the principal who fell into old habits when a ghost brought him back into life.
Ranmaru hadn't known. Maybe he should have paid more attention during those years he was playing around. He promised to look after Douman because he was compelled by an ever tightening leash.
He promised to look after Douman because he couldn't stand how either of them had been played.
But Haruaki isn't Seimei, Douman isn't Ashiya. Douman is honest, furious, and bright still. Haruaki is-
Honest. Too honest. Too honest. Seimei was never honest and was. Couldn't be. Tried and failed and Haruaki succeeds where he never could and maybe that's why-
For a second, Ranmaru almost says how much he hates Seimei. For a second, Ranmaru almost falls victim to that bright, unyielding honesty and says he can't stand it. For a second, he thinks it would be comforting to utter out thousands of years of grief to a man that might hear him.
For a second, Ranmaru believes him - believes in him as much as he believed in Seiemei. ]
[What time is it?
[There's only ever been one answer. It's a lonely thing, understanding that. He recalls a conversation when he was still quite young, before he truly knew who Haruaki was instead of "what".
[How long has it been since they had that conversation?
[What time is it?
[Gentle Haruaki. He's fallen asleep far past a good boy's bedtime, some terrible nonsense keeping him awake. His back is turned, but Seimei intuits Haruaki will turn and see him at least three seconds before he actually speaks.
[What time is it?]
You're tired even as you sleep, Haruaki-kun.
[There's only ever been one answer. It's a lonely thing, understanding that. He recalls a conversation when he was still quite young, before he truly knew who Haruaki was instead of "what".
[How long has it been since they had that conversation?
[What time is it?
[Gentle Haruaki. He's fallen asleep far past a good boy's bedtime, some terrible nonsense keeping him awake. His back is turned, but Seimei intuits Haruaki will turn and see him at least three seconds before he actually speaks.
[What time is it?]
You're tired even as you sleep, Haruaki-kun.
[ His eyes don't want to open, leaden pressure just behind his lids that begs him to rest– but he can feel himself in that once familiar place, all the stars and planets so close he could reach up and touch them, bellflowers and pinwheels, a bridge over the river of life and death.
Did he die again? Did his soul shatter again, is he on the verge of meeting yet another untimely end?
No. He just fell asleep, didn't he? Later than usual, yes, but...
Haruaki turns over his shoulder, every movement feeling like it must be done through waist-deep mud, and blinks blearily at– ]
Seimei-kun...?
[ Another blink. He is tired. When was the last time he was at rest? ]
Why are we here again?
Did he die again? Did his soul shatter again, is he on the verge of meeting yet another untimely end?
No. He just fell asleep, didn't he? Later than usual, yes, but...
Haruaki turns over his shoulder, every movement feeling like it must be done through waist-deep mud, and blinks blearily at– ]
Seimei-kun...?
[ Another blink. He is tired. When was the last time he was at rest? ]
Why are we here again?
[ The last time they met, his memories were far from him. He had nothing on his mind but his desires to be with Sano again, and his ancestor ensured they were fulfilled. Aside from that, everything was blank, a head full of fog and a wandering heart.
Here and now, with all parts of his soul intact– ]
What if I just wanted to see you?
Here and now, with all parts of his soul intact– ]
What if I just wanted to see you?
Edited 2026-05-22 03:36 (UTC)
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