3 - Let’s Go Buy Some Clothes

All of Hayk’s disciples were consumed greatly by their mentor’s death. A man who sacrificed everything for their sake, and someone who was willing to take care of them and listen to them when everyone else acted blindly. Oskar was affected by the death in the most unique way, however. He sat on the comfy couch in the room, not even scrolling social media or reading comics.

“Why...”

He bit the nail off of his right thumb.

“He was so close to me, and he died...but why didn’t I care as much as the others? It’s like nothing even changed...”

“Why can’t I feel anything?”

“Would you believe me if I told you that I saw one of Heisei’s commanders?” Sakuto said, breaking the door open and entering their hotel room.

“Sakuto!” Oskar jumped up to greet him, running at him. “So? Did you get it done?!”

“Dude, you should’ve seen that whole spectacle.” Sakuto said, taking his damaged clothes off and chucking them on the couch. “And I kept my promise to you too, I didn’t punch the teeth off of that elemental guy.”

“Can you stop acting like an idiot and just answer my question?!” Oskar asked.

“I need something to drink first. Later I’ll need to go hunt for some new clothes too, my stuff is damaged.” He said, throwing himself onto the couch and stretching to his heart’s content. “I’d also love it if a nice pair of boobs was shoved into my face like, right now.”

After looking at Oskar, he finally confessed.

“He escaped.”

“What do you mean he escaped?” Oskar asked. “It was you and-”

“How’s Ichika? Is she better?”

“Sakuto, answer my questions.” Oskar said.

“Man, listen, I don’t care about all those details. I’m gonna go out and kill Jackal as soon as I can, I almost adapted to his shadows.” Sakuto said. “Tell me how Ichika is. Did you get any news from Ausra today while I was gone?”

“Ausra is a wreck herself, she’s known Hayk for the longest time. And Rin...I can’t even put it into words.”

“Is Ichika awake right now?”

“I don’t know, you can call her and see if she picks up.”

“If she couldn’t sleep at night, and I call her now, I’ll mess up her sleep. I don’t want to cause harm that way.”

“God...damn it, dude, stop overthinking. She’s alright, and you should probably call her if you’re this concerned. It’s like you can’t get her off of your mind.”

“Isn’t this...normal?” Sakuto asked, finally getting up and heading to the bathroom. “I thought you’re supposed to feel this concern if you like someone.”

“Well, no, it’s- listen, for you, maybe it’s normal, but in general...I don’t know, man.” Oskar replied, following him and standing by the door. He could hear the shower water streaming down and hitting the bright tiles.

“Well, it’s the first time ever in my life that I’ve found someone who I have actual feelings towards.” Sakuto replied, his voice barely making it through the steam and the shut door.

“Whatever makes you happy, I guess.” Oskar sighed. “When are you gonna-”

“Can you let me shower in peace, at least?” Sakuto said. “Watch out man, you might get a heart attack from jealousy if you accidentally walk in and see my massive pe-”

“Shut up.” Oskar sighed. As he walked back into the living room, he heard Sakuto’s muffled voice again.

“Ask Ausra if Ichika’s awake and if I can call her. We’re gonna head out to buy some clothes later today.”

...

[1:00PM]

“You had to take me to a shopping mall? Really?” Oskar asked, disappointed. “You could’ve just bought it from the thrift store. Or, you know, ordered it online.”

“You’re mad that we’re at a shopping mall? This is one of the few malls in the area that isn’t abandoned or set up for demolition. One day, this place will be a relic.” Sakuto said.

“I’m mad because you decided to order a premium cab. Those things are expensive as hell.”

“Who cares? The GSC is funding our operations, and getting clothes to wear during combat is also part of them.”

They walked by the numerous shops, taking their time to gaze at their bright signs and exotically similar interiors. The place felt full of life, but at the same time, kind of empty. Oskar’s sudden smile caught Sakuto’s attention.

“What’s wrong?” Sakuto asked.

“You see your friend smiling and your first reaction is that something bad happened?” Oskar chuckled. “I’m just thinking about life. And you.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have taken my shirt off in front of you...”

“You’ve changed a lot ever since you met Ichika.” Oskar said. “Also, fuck you.”

“Do you think she changed too?”

“Ausra told me she did. And it makes me happy. Seeing you happy is always nice.”

“Hah...I guess?” Sakuto said, confused.

“Right...I’m allowed to say that now.”

“I look back at the Sakuto that I almost lost touch with, the one that popped up at the gym after Hayk said there was a new guy on the team...and the one that’s right next to me. You’ve changed for the better.”

“You think so?”

“I’m allowed to say that I’m happy...”

“Remember when I told you that at some point everything would turn out just fine?” Oskar said, patting Sakuto on the back.

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“I don’t, and don’t you ever say that corny stuff again.” Sakuto laughed.

“And yet, I’m still scared.”

“What if my trust in these feelings...”

“Is destroyed?”

“Huh? My phone?!” Sakuto was surprised, quickly getting it out of his pocket. “It’s Ichika!”

“Go ahead and answer then, I’ll check if there’s any discounts on new smartphone models.” Oskar said, leaving his friend alone as if he went into the tech store next to them.

“Hello?” Sakuto picked up the call.

“Hey...”

“How are you feeling? Are you okay enough to talk?”

“I guess...haha, I wouldn’t be talking if that wasn’t the case.”

“Did you get any sleep?”

“A little bit...”

“Did you eat anything? Did Ausra make any food?”

“No, I’m not hungry.”

“You’re saying that, but you just feel that way. You should really get something to eat, you can’t sacrifice your health.”

“Sakuto...it’s like...you’re not even affected.”

“I am.” Sakuto said, sitting down on a wooden bench next to a large vase. The girl on the bench moved a little, making space for the soulful to sit down. “I’m just used to that feeling.”

“Hah...you could say you...adapted to it...”

“I guess.”

“I’m sorry...that was probably a bit out of place. I can’t really talk to you right now.”

“Hey, it’s fine. I know there’s a lot you’re going through and I’m just being a nuisance. Just take care of yourself, okay?”

“No, it’s not that, I just...I’m sorry...”

The call ended. Sakuto sighed, a little disappointed, he put his phone back into his pocket.

“Was that your girlfriend?” The girl on the bench asked him.

“Not exactly.” Sakuto said, confused. “Why’d you ask?”

“Well, my ex used to talk to me like that.” The girl replied. “He ended up leaving me once he started talking to a more popular girl, even though she’s a total slut.”

“Uhh...that’s...unfortunate. Bad people do exist...”

“Don’t call him that!” The girl said. “He was funny and took care of me. The new guy that I’m seeing is also nice, but...”

“Well, he treated you wrong, right?” Sakuto replied, leaning back on the bench. He didn’t even feel like talking.

“That’s...not how it works. My current boyfriend is really nice but he’s just...not enough.”

“That’s sad. Anyways-”

“Yeah...I don’t even know why I’m seeing him, to be honest.”

“Yeah...well, I need to-”

“I don’t know what I should do.”

“I can’t excuse myself out of this....” Sakuto thought, before giving some thought to his answer.

“Be honest with your boyfriend. Tell him that he’s not enough, make up some excuse, and dump him for someone who is enough. There’s your action plan. Can I go now-” Sakuto said before being interrupted again. The girl looked at him in awe.

“T-thank you, that’s probably what I’m going to do.” The girl said, before taking out her phone. “Here, let me give you my number.”

“Oh, no...I...uhh...my contact list is full, sorry.” Sakuto said, recoiling back as soon as he realized the situation.

“What...?”

“No, uhh...I mean, my phone died, like, right now...and there’s coincidentally nowhere you could write it on...hey, there’s plenty of fish in the sea!” Sakuto said with a smile. “There’s uhh...a lot of other guys in this mall...some of them are desperate enough to start talking to you as well...”

“You’re a jerk.” The girl stood up after a brief pause, hastily leaving. “How does the girl you talk to even tolerate you? Go die.”

“Cause she’s a jerk too.” Sakuto yawned. The girl had already stormed off. “Already died once too!” He yelled after her.

“I thought I was polite?!”

“If you plan on making your own harem, at least be good at it.” Oskar asked, walking out of the store. He had a small bag in his hand.

“I’ll punch you. I’m not trying to do anything, alright?” Sakuto said.

“I guess? She didn’t even look like your type.”

“It’s not about the type, idiot. Why would I ever allocate my time to picking up random girls at the mall? Especially ones that give their numbers to random guys at the mall.”

“Don’t say that. From her perspective, you were this decent looking guy who sat next to her.”

“And if her first instinct is to try and romance me, it gives me even more of a reason to avoid her.” Sakuto said before grabbing Oskar’s bag. “Gimme that.”

“Hey, that’s mine-”

“The latest model?” Sakuto said, surprised. “Since when do you move like that?”

“You just said it yourself, we’re not the ones paying for stuff. This will be a crucial tool for the operation.” Oskar said. “Also...”

“Hm?”

“Ausra called. She said Ichika was crying after talking to you.”

“What?! Did...did I do something wrong?!” Sakuto sounded shocked. “I mean, she was acting a little strange, but...”

“No, that’s not it. Ausra didn’t tell me what exactly was the reason.” Oskar said.

“Then what if she starts to be self-destructive again?” Sakuto said. “Damn it...I should’ve been right next to her. I can’t do anything while I’m so far away.”

“...”

“Hey, Oskar...”

“Yeah?”

“What if we fly back to Tokyo?”

“Wh-are you crazy? You know that disobeying direct orders is gonna throw everything out of the window, right?”

“And leave her alone?” Sakuto doubled down. “You’re the one that said we are good for each other. I’ll fly out, I’ll make sure that-”

“Just...stop.” Oskar interrupted. “Listen, we’re not on vacation here, we’re on a mission, and we’re employed by the strongest soulful in the world. Come on, if Ichika found out about these thoughts, she’d call you a dumbass.”

“I guess...”

“Ausra is with her, she knows her better than anyone.” Oskar said. “I trust that she’ll be able to keep her together.”

“Sure...”

“Come on, let’s get you some clothes.” Oskar said. “I’ll get some for myself as well.”

“Hah, yeah, sure...let’s grab a bite first.” Sakuto said.

“I hope I’m done with all of this as fast as possible.”

“I’ll return to her. I’ll be there by her side.”

“In a few days, we’re gonna have to be in D.C., by the way. How do you think we’re gonna manage getting there?”

“Uhh...I don’t know. You want burgers?” Sakuto asked. “It feels like we’re committing a crime by being in America and not trying fast food burgers.”

“Sure, I’m fine with whatever. Hmm...I doubt air travel is an option, especially if there’s Shellerists littered everywhere. We’d be putting civilians at risk.”

“Oh come on, who gives a shit? It’s not like we’re new to collateral damage.”

“See, normally I’d try agreeing with you, but you gotta remember the type of game we’re playing. Sea isn’t an option, air isn’t an option...” Oskar sighed. “I guess we’re gonna have to drive there.”

“You mean you are gonna have to drive there. I don’t have a license.”

“Sure, whatever...we’ll rent a car for ourselves once we get to the hotel, we’re gonna have to leave today. We’re going on a road trip.”