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Nanoka was different.
There was no question about it, considering she came from a time in the near, yet distant future where everything Otoya knew would be changed irrevocably. However, she was fundamentally different than anyone he ever crossed paths with. Enough that even his master’s limited attention span remained captivated. At her core, Otoya was certain Nanoka was someone special. Humans claimed their goodness came from their hearts as well as their souls which is what made them who they are.
As a Shikigami, Otoya knew he had no heart to speak of.
A consciousness, true, but to argue that he had a soul would take far more energy than he cared to. However, Nanoka worried for him all the same. Whether she was swayed by his appearance or the short time they spent with one another, the destruction of his body seemed to pain her as much as it inconvenienced him. There was no question of real or fake, she cared indiscrimanently and lashed out with all of her being — soul, heart, and mind. Some could claim they were good but Nanoka showed she was. Her concern for his master was founded in a genuine care for a friend, rather than someone who shared an abhorrent malice within their blood. She worried for him out of a concern for his wellness over what he could provide to ease her plight against Byoki.
Such an existence was rare.
Selflessness, and chosen kindness, traits he thought only to be found in his master’s presence and his chosen profession. This desire to care for others over oneself, even to the point of endangering their own life. Perhaps, they were more alike than the blood they shared.
“Otoya-kun!”
The sharp cry pushed Otoya out of his thoughts as he lifted his eyes to Nanoka. Or, more accurately, what little he could see of Nanoka as she ran across the wet grass and mud to where he was. Dropping to her hands and knees to be at eye level with him, as her frantic gaze swept over him. “What are you doing like this? Who buried you!?”
Otoya blinked slowly, then as if remembering himself, opened his mouth with a soft ah.
Nanoka’s face crumpled, as she slapped a hand beside the neatly packed earth wringing his neck. “Ah?! Is that really all you have to say? No, that doesn’t matter. We have to get you out of here..!” She turned, calling over her shoulder, “Mao! Otoya-kun’s buried!”
From somewhere behind Nanoka, Otoya could hear his master’s sigh as he replied in a soft and even tone. “He’s fine, Nanoka. But she is right, Otoya. You’ve been down there long enough, it’s time to go.”
Otoya nodded, then turned his face up to Nanoka when she looked back at him helplessly. “You may want to step back, dirt is difficult to wash out of white clothing…”
Nanoka frowned, but did as he asked, backing away and then he was able to see her as well as his master standing not far away. They must have come in search of him together. To what end, he wasn’t sure, but it wouldn’t do to keep them waiting.
The earth trembled around him as he pulled himself free, brushing off the dirt on his shoulders then his shorts before he reached up to pat his head. Oh, his cap was missing.
“Here.”
He startled at the touch to his head, a familiar weight as well as someone gently adjusting it before giving the top of his head a light pat. A soft pomf floating in his ears along with Nanoka’s cheery giggle.
“You just don’t look like you without it, Otoya-kun.”
Otoya blinked up at her, then reached up to touch the bill of his cap when she walked away to join his master. He watched her admonish his master for not knowing about his whereabouts and allowing him to bury himself in any mound of dirt.
“What if he got lost?!” She argued, as if he wasn’t the one who was often looking for her when she was lost.
Though, a small smile touched his lips at the flicker of guilt on his master’s face. They were both too kind.
“I’m right here,” Otoya said, and he never felt such relief as he did when they both acknowledged him. Plodding along after them with a smile on his face as Nanoka rallied on his behalf while his master assured his safety, Otoya thought to himself, I’ll always be here.