"What?"
"From my read."
"From what read?"
"Her pleasing mechanism for men. It's still in her brain even though she can't remember it."
"So... Is she doing it without thinking about it?"
"Seems so. Anytime she is pressured to do something when it comes to a man her first response is going in for a kiss or rubbing on them."
"That's horrible."
"It seemed to have happened when she lived in the land above us, some men in her life used her to cope with whatever traumas or troubles he went through, from what I can assume. All that abuse from an older man who she probably trusted went into her mind and now it's rooted in her brain. That's why it's a mechanism and not intended. Probably a father or an uncle."
"Doesn't this seem like a bit of a stretch? You just met her."
"It's not. Her behavior also supports it. She couldn't answer my question of why she did it and instead, she froze. She doesn't want to remember... but, it's still in her. The damage has been done. I asked you to not be sexually attracted to her. At least not yet. She also lost her sister, and her other one is super shady for letting her younger sister kiss a random man without saying anything."
"I get it. I saw her as my friend anyways. I don't think I'd ever like her like that."
"Good. Just wanted to put it out there."
"Okay, should we go back ins-"
"One more thing."
"Hm?"
"Have you ever thought of something you want down here?"
"No, I've been just trying to live. Why do you ask?"
"Well even though it sounds fucked up that kiss made me want something."
"Oh? What's that?"
"I want a kiss. A real kiss. From someone I love."
"You? You? You want a kiss from somebody you love? You want love?"
"Weird right but that kiss there... made me realize. I don't want to die alone. I know it sounds fucked up. However, I've been down here for so long. Death hasn't gotten me yet. I want to push my luck. Not too much where I'm going to go fight them, but just enough for me to be happy when I die."
"Well, I'll keep my eyes open for the hottest girls down here for you then."
"Thanks, Yuto. You've earned 3 answers because of this and adding to the ones you had stalked up before which was 1 since how much time has passed you have 4 questions. Use those wisely."
"I will."
"Shall we re-enter?"
"Yeah."
Tetsu then started to walk inside as Yuto looked behind him to make sure nothing was trying to get to them as he closed the door.
"What's the plan?" Mia said, walking up towards Tetsu.
"The plan is to wait for Yuto to heal a little more. So Yuto. Heal." Tetsu said as he pushed Yuto down on his butt in the corner he was standing in.
"Oww! My butt!"
"The rest of us. We need to value our resources and sleep. We leave once we awake."
"Okay. Okay."
The room was quiet. Tetsu snoring louder than everyone else and Emi snoring ever so quietly like a mouse. Yuto was still awake with his eyes feeling baggier than ever.
"Can't sleep?" Yuto heard from Mia who surprised him since he thought she was asleep as well.
"No. You?"
"No. What happened to you? You know, the injuries and all."
"Oh. Well, I got into a fight with a monster who wanted to kill me. However, since he started to play with his food, Tetsu saved me before he could take his final chomp."
"That guy?" Mia pointed to the loud snoring man who was spread out without a care for the world.
"That's him. He's someone I couldn't read at first. Still can't read. However, I know he's a good person. I owe him my life."
"Why? Cause he saved you?"
"Yeah."
"That's kind of stupid."
"How so?"
"The monster was focused on you?"
"Yeah."
"It didn't know Tetsu was there?"
"Yeah."
"See, anyone could save you. With a weapon and a will to fight."
"That doesn't mean I still don't owe him my life."
"How are you so sure?"
"What?"
"You really don't get what I'm putting down."
"I don't. Explain it to me."
"Look. I don't want to make any rifts in any relationships. It's best if you think of the rest on your own."
"Please, tell me! I won't be mad or anything at anybody! I will always lend my life to him. No matter what you say."
Mia looked into Yuto's eyes. She looked for a long time, so long her eyes started to hurt. She took a deep breath and started to talk.
"How do you know he'll save you next time?"
"I don't know..."
"How do you know you're not just a future shield? What if he saved you so he can use you for another situation? One more dire that he can't escape from so he uses you to buy time?"
"That's the risk I'll take. Aren't you doing the same?"
"I am. However, people like you and Emi get confused. There are no nice people down in The Darken Plain. There are no nice monsters in The Darken Plain. People kill, steal, and trick just for something for their favor."
That's when Yuto's eyes got bigger and shook in anger.
"You- Do you see me like that? Tetsu? Emi!? You're your own sister!? Do you see her as a bad person?"
"That's different!"
"Different how!? You joined a team! How can we be a team if you're going to think of us as murderers!? How is that different from anything!? How!?"
"It's just it!"
"What about yourself!?"
"What?"
"You think those things are bad. You pointed them out and said they were bad. Do you think you're one of those people?"
"I I-"
"Hey. You two. Keep it down. I'm trying to rest here. Also Yuto what are you doing up? Didn't I tell you to go to sleep?"
"Yeah but... my body hurts."
"Do I need to sing you a lullaby or something?"
"No!"
"Mm?"
"I mean... No. That will not be needed."
"Alright then. Sleep." Tetsu then rolled over and went straight back to sleep. Snoring as loud as ever.
"Things got carried away there."
"Yeah. So fast too." Yuto remarked before he sighed.
"I'm sorry." Yuto and Mia both said at the same time as they smiled and giggled.
"So... Do you like Tetsu for Tetsu or do you like him because he saved your life?"
"Mmm. I think it's a mix of both."
"How so?"
"I hated him at first, even though I was so appreciative of what he did for me. However, the more we hang out, the more I think I understand him. I think that's what makes me like him so much, the unpredictability of what he might do next. That's the fun of being on this team with him... I guess. I don't know. Maybe I do just like him for saving my life."
"Interesting."
"What about Emi? You could always leave her even if she is your sister. Why stay with her?"
"She's... the part of my humanity I feel I lost a long time ago."
"That's even more interesting."
"Is it now?"
"Yup."
That's when a blood-curdling scream was heard from the outside of their protective outpost.
"We should g-"
"Don't!" Mia screamed, reaching for Yuto's arm and pulling him down."
"Oww, my butt! Again!"
"You can't go out there," Mia said with tears going down her eyes.
"Woah. I'm sorry. Did I say something? Did my butt hurt your feelings?"
"What? What are you talking about!?"
"You're crying."
"No, I'm not!"
That's when Yuto reached for her face and scooped up one of the tears that were streaming down her face, ever so slowly.
"See."
She froze. Mia looked at Yuto yet, it didn't feel like she was looking at him. Like her gaze was somewhere else, yet her eyes fixated on Yuto's.
"I'm sorry. I didn't even know."
"It's okay. It happens to all of us."
"I just- I."
Mia froze again. Then she started to bite her lip and wipe the tears away from her face as she slowly turned away.
"There's nothing we could do. I don't want to see any more people get hurt."
That's when it dawned on Yuto.
"I'm sorry. I was being... Foolish. You're right. We can't save everyone. I can't save everyone. That's something that you have to accept down here, don't you?"
"I wish we didn't have to."
Mia then pulled her legs to her body, yet still was turned away from Yuto.
"Even though I call it stupid, and delusional. I wish... I really do wish deep down. The monsters would stop. That there is some way we could end this cycle of blood. That if there was a way... to make friends with them. But, I know. I know they're feeding off of us. We're food. They want to eat. What's wrong with that? We eat. Does that make us just as bad?"
"I..."
"You don't know. I know you don't."
"I wish there was a way too..."
The room went silent yet again. Before Yuto cleared his throat and started to talk.
"Why do you find it stupid? Or at least I think you do."
"I do. I find it obnoxious. It's a stupid dream that no one could achieve. Now that I'm saying it, I know what I really want! I want the pain to stop. That's all I want. Why... Why did she have to die!?"
"You're sister?"
"Yes! She was- was... what made us stick together and stay so strong. Now her words are starting to come back at me. Like they're haunting me."
"What did she say?"
"Mia. You're so scared of everything. You need to think more about living down here than anything."
"Living isn't just surviving. It's enjoying the process of surviving."
"She told me these words. At the time I didn't understand. However, when I talk to you. When I see Tetsu sleeping like he is right now. When I look at Emi's sleeping sound asleep. It does make me think that maybe I was wrong... I think I'm starting to enjoy the process."
"She sounds so wise. She really was amazing huh?"
"She was. Damn. I could never be like her."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"She was the type to want to die before she has to give up the freedom she has in her life."
"So... You hate that?"
"No! I... I think that's one of the stupidest things ever... However, I want to learn how to live my life in that way."
"Well. Maybe we can find that purpose together?"
"Yeah. Sure... I'm sorry. Here I go again. Making a bigger scene. What do you want to talk about?" Mia said, with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"You know we're friends right?"
"We... are?"
"Yeah. I know it hurts to talk about it now. But when you're ready to talk about it. You can talk about it to me."
"I... would really like that."
"Good. Guess that means I can't die."
"Just to keep a promise?"
"Yup."
"You're so odd!" Mia said, pushing Yuto's shoulder and laughing for the first time in a long time.
"I'm the odd one!?"
"Yes. Yes, you are!" Mia kept laughing as Yuto joined in.
"That's it! I'm singing you a lullaby!"
"Tetsu! Wait! I'll go to sleep now! I swear!"
"No! I can't trust you!"
"What's- What's going on?" Emi said, rubbing her eyes and slowly getting up.
"We're going to get a fantastic show from Mr.Singer right here."
"Indeed you are. Since Yuto doesn't like to listen then I'll force him to sleep. Since he'll be so embarrassed he'll naturally just fall asleep."
"This can't be happening."
"Hush, little boy. Time for sleep. Hush little boy, climb the trees. Hush little boy, it's time to dream. Stars will fly, the darkly lit sky."
"I'm not going to sleep," Yuto said with a yawn.
"Prayers will soar, tears will pour. This is the time. To go to sleep. Hush little boy, it's time for sleep. Hush little boy, climb the trees, Hush little boy, it's time to... dream."
That's when snores could be heard all around Tetsu as everyone fell asleep to his calming, soothing voice.
"Wow. That actually worked." Tetsu then cracked a smile before laying down himself. That's when time passed and Tetsu shot him awake and one thing came to his mind.
"I. I can't sleep."
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