higcki-blog

[higcki-blog]

          -- ‘ What was that sound? ’

Words of warning from Hanao who had a much better hearing than him made Seto take a look around, and soon his attention got caught by a figure, a girl, laying face down on the ground. Immediately rushing up from his seated position, he went to her side.

          -- “ Hey! Are ya okay?! ”

Worry was present in his voice as he crouched down to attend to her, and soon a voice filled his mind -- only then did Seto realise that he had forgot to switch off his eye ability. If this was the girl’s thoughts then she had to be conscious somewhere inside there, right?

          -- “ Got what under control? Don’t worry, I’ve got ya. I dunno if ya can hear me, but I’ll call for an ambulance. Just hold on. ”

She had rarely taken the time to fully explore the island– between school and a part time job, Hiyori found her days rather exhausting. But now that she’s got the day off, Hiyori found herself in the lush town of Pumalao. Though she really should be taking this free time to catch up on some sleep.

Taking in the scenery, Hiyori walked along the dusty path. The town wasn’t at all that busy, it was peaceful.  She considered sitting down and relaxing to when-

Thud.

She doesn’t even need to turn around to know what happened. But she does anyway, and sure enough her body laid behind her, snoozing away. At least no one else saw! Hiyori crossed her arms, her pink tail swaying behind her.

“I really thought I had this under control.”

[higcki-blog]

So he was lost then, huh? This might get a whole lot more difficult then. Even though the guy stubbornly declared himself not to be a kid, there was no way Seto could leave him alone if he didn’t know where he came from and where he was going. Quickly glancing at his phone to get a good sense of the time, Seto crouched down a bit to get to the same level as Ren and a smile appeared on his face, replacing the worry that had presented itself for a moment.

         -- “ Where are ya goin’? My shift’s over soon so I don’t think they’ll mind me leavin’ a bit early. ”

He shook his head and pointed to the water.

❝I followed the stream from my home and ended up here.❞ He looked back. He was too far to call for the wolves to come and lead him back home. He should have told them to come with, but he wanted them to report back to the treehouse so Misaki wouldn’t worry as much. He even had them return the lunchbox that had fresh fish in there too.

[higcki-blog]

A job hunter, was she? Then she’d certainly come to the best. Seto had lived his teenage years ever since becoming eligible to work, jumping from one job to the other, often working multiple at a time. It only became worse after they all moved away from the Tateyamas -- Mary was the only one beside him who was “working”, but her flower making barely earned anything.

Not that he was going to tell her that though. She believed she was making a difference, and he was going to let her keep believing that. In the end however, balancing finances was most definitely on Seto’s shoulders. But honestly he didn’t mind -- he liked getting out and about and there was a huge amount of satisfaction in a job well done.

          -- “ Have ya tried checkin’ the newspapers? Ya’ll probably have more luck in their job announcement sections than in a magazine. Then again it depends on ya competences, most jobs there are for people with an education. If ya’re still a student, ya best hope might be part-timin’. We’re even lookin’ for more workers here. ”

ruby rummaged the magazines on display, her         lips set in a determined scowl as she looked         through the different deceptive covers and         their actual entries. she just wanted to find a         magazine that had job offers in it, and when a         male came up behind her, she jumped, flinging         the magazine into the air. what the heckie, ruby         rose?! she berated herself, moving to catch it         within her own grasp again.

        she looked to the male who had explained about         what they had, a sigh escaping her lips as she         wondered if her job search would ever be ending         soon. she needed the money desperately.

                 ‘ do you… have a magazine that talks about                  jobs and where is currently hiring? ‘

[higcki-blog]

That was much better. Although he didn’t speak much, at least Seto now knew the basic information -- his name was Ren, he was older than he looked andhe had to be approached with caution. It was a bit surprising to know that he was walking about without even knowing his destination or even his whereabouts though.

          “ Ya don’t even know that much? This place’s the A’tuli docks. I’m amazed ya’ve got this far without bein’ aware of that. Ya do know ya’re not allowed to be here, right? ”

❝..Ren.❞ He stared up at the stranger who calls himself ‘Seto’. He looked at his clothes at how green it was, almost like a tree frog. He wasn’t going to point out if the other wasn’t sure why they call him ‘frog’. He looks away again, now looking at his surroundings.

❝..Where am I?❞

[higcki-blog]

It seemed like his words hit the spot, because in complete silence the boy obediently jumped down. Seto would have chuckled to himself if he wasn’t afraid that was going to send the boy into another fit of rebellion. For now he had to communicate on the other’s terms. 

          “ That’s much better. I can’t keep callin’ ya “you”. What’s ya name? Mine’s Seto. Seto Kousuke; but everyone just goes with ‘Seto’ or sometimes ‘frog’. Can’t see why. ”

Was that too much chatter? He wasn’t sure, but he had to probe and see.

Ren stared at him, he knows who would. There were two people in his life that wouldn’t want him hurt: Haru and Misaki. He knew how worried Haru got when he was attacked by a woman once, but that’s what caused him to leave.

Haru’s words won’t mean anything the next day..

All he had was Misaki, but even then he wasn’t sure if he’d get truly worried. He was his guardian, but it was upon the request of Haruko.

He jumped down from the roof of the boat, landing on the dock.

He stood there, looking down at his feet.

[higcki-blog]

Realising only too late that his words were more harm than an actual guidance, Seto’s smile stiffened a bit, but it still never left his face. At a time like this his ability had been a good use, but he didn’t want to use it if it could be helped. He wanted to communicate with others and figure them out on his own, not just steal their thoughts and learn about them that way. 

          “ So ya haven’t got any either, huh? Still, I’m sure there’s at least one person who’d be sad if ya got hurt, so come down from there okay? There’s no need to do reckless stuff. ”

He stood there, frowning at the mention of parents. He never had one to begin with. He didn’t remember his real parents, his adoptive ones had passed away before he can even call them parents, Haruko never counted as one, nor did Rob and Fumie. He never really had anyone to call ‘parents’, he’s not sure if he was envious of those or not.

❝I don’t have parents.❞

[higcki-blog]

That certainly did sound weird, but Seto was not going to judge her. Everyone to their own habits and quirks as they said. Some might even call him the more crazy one of the two given how ready he was to put himself in danger for the sake of a stranger. But that was too late to think about now.

          “ Hahaha! I see! So in the end I was just disturbin’ ya rather than bein’ a help huh?! Sorry ‘bout that! ”

Despite feeling the chill of the water cling to him, Seto was surprisingly cheerful. His laughter did however subdue when an unfamiliar word popped up, and he tilted his head.

          “ Ena? No clue what ya’re talkin’ about. But now ya ask it’d be nice to get to the shore sometimes soon yeah... me and water don’t really do that well, hahaha... ”

It was definitely confusing, but Miuna followed him to the surface, blinking as her vision adjusted to the sunlight above water once more. It had definitely given her quite a start, but she did feel a little guilty for making him think she was in trouble. “O-oh, no, sorry. I was just swimming because it helps me relax after school..” she smiled apologetically. 

“I mean, before, there might have been a problem but I have ena, so I can breathe and swim no problem.” Really, the only drawback was probably the need to stay hydrated, but she figured it was a small price to pay for the gift. 

“A-are you okay though? That was quite the dive..” She’d really feel bad if anything got ruined.

[higcki-blog]

          “ Ah--! What’re ya doin’? ”

This was getting beyond troublesome -- rather than just being rebellious, did the kid have a death wish or something? The boat was swaying dangerously from side to side from the sudden force of being boarded, and Seto could easily imagine the boy slipping and falling any moment. Did he really think this through first or was he just acting on the spur of the moment? Reaching forth a hand for the other to grab, Seto urged him to come back ashore.

          “ Come now, it’s dangerous over there. I really don’t want to do it, but we’re gonna have to call ya parents if ya don’t behave. ”

Ren looked around, ignoring the other’s comment, trying to figure out where to escape to. He turned, jumping onto one of the boats and he climbed up to the top to keep him from getting caught. He looked around again, standing on the roof of the boat’s captain’s cabin.

He stared down at the man who was persistent in chasing him and putting shoes on him. He saw some people staring up at him since he did just suddenly jumped onto a boat and climbed up to the roof of it.

[higcki-blog]

I tried so hard and got so far but in the end it doesn’t even matter.

   Slow claps. “Yes keep callin’ Ren a kid, and poke fun at his height. Well people have to learn the hard way I suppose.”

[higcki-blog]

          “ Ouwff-- ”

Staggering at the sudden kick, Seto groaned and rubbed his stomach where the other’s foot had connected. Although dangerously close to the edge of the quay, a kick from such a small figure wasn’t going to sway his own robust frame much. He recouvered in a matter of moments and was yet again at the boy’s tail.

          “ Hey hey, I’m gonna overlook what happened just now, but if ya keep runnin’ around like that I’m gonna have to report ya to my superior. ”

Why was he even so persistent? Well, for one he would hate to see the guy get injured when it could so easily be prevented. But maybe it was because his fierce violent self reminded him of Kido. He couldn’t just leave the other like that with such sentiment.

If there was another thing that Ren hated, it was the fact that someone will comment about his height. Sure he was only thirteen years of age, but that doesn’t mean he won’t grow. He still has lots of years a head of him. Hell, he managed to grow this tall from the last time he’s met Haru, which was seven years ago.

He swung a kick at the male to shove him into the waters before making his escape once again.

[higcki-blog]

Of all the things the other could have commented on, that was it? Honestly Seto had no idea what to expect from this boy -- guy? -- by now. With a rough estimate, he guessed there to be a good 20 centimetres between himself and the fellow, so it was only natural to have expected him to be a good few years younger as well... right?

          “ Eh? Really? But ya’re so small. ”

Heck, even kano was taller than this guy.

He was surprised to suddenly get caught to fast. He looked up at the stranger, glaring up at him and getting defensive. He yanked his wrist away from the other’s grip and stepped back from him. He watched him with careful eyes.

❝I’m not a kid.❞

[higcki-blog]

In no way was Seto a professional runner, but his speed was not to be underestimated. The explosive force in his legs had been trained through long working hours with very few daily breaks, and it was only a matter of moments before he caught up to the boy, grabbing him around the wrist to stop him. With as friendly a smile as he could muster -- which wasn’t very hard for a guy with a natural talent for such -- he addressed the other.

          “ Look, kid, I’m not tryin’ to get ya to do somethin’ scary. But it can be dangerous to walk around without ya shoes on here. Don’t want ya to get injured or somethin’. ”

Ren followed the stream from the west side all the way to the south. He didn’t wear his shoes because he’s been walking in the water. He looked around, wondering where exactly he has gotten himself to and when he heard someone call out to him, he looked back. He stared at the stranger and looked down at his bare feet. He looked back up and ran off.

There was no way he’s going to let some stranger tell him to wear shoes.

[higcki-blog]

Although it wasn’t befitting the situation, a smile was present on Seto’s face despite the furrowed eyebrows. He was already crouching to pick up the biggest chunks of scattered glass he could find, little worry of getting cut himself. His fingers were already roughened from a life of physical work, so a few cuts here and there weren’t going to do much of a difference.

          “ Nah, it’s okay. Ya’re a customer, I couldn’t possibly ask ya to do the dirty work when it was my mistake. ”

All it took was a moment of drawing attention away from his work, and soon a pricking feeling erupted from the tip of his index finger, and a small yelp left him. He hadn’t been all too worried about the thought as he believed himself careful enough, but no amount of care was enough once the damage had already been dealt. Dumping the chunks in the box that was by now half soaked with sauce and already containing the rest of the shattered glass that wasn’t spread across the floor, Seto ascertained the damage on his finger. Nothing but a small cut. This wasn’t going to be something that got in the way of his work. That was all the attention he allowed to be spent on himself before yet again diverting his gaze towards the woman.

          “ That must’ve been a shock. Sorry ‘bout that. ”

                            —juvia had to buy groceries. it wasn’t often she ever really did,                                 as she was still subconsciously buying for two people. she                                 didn’t want to forget the fact she’d spent a year living with the                                 person she loved, even if he started coming home less and less                                 until he finally stopped coming at all. she was sure he’d never                                 leave her, and that he’d be back one day. positively.

                                “—ah!”

                                “i’m so sorry!” she cries, hoping backwards when the jars                                 smash across the ground. “—i’ll- i’ll help you clean up!”

[higcki-blog]

Although the sound was fuzzy as the masses of water were pressing against his eardrums, Seto’s eyes widened at hearing something that was unmistakeably a voice -- her voice? But how? He was fighting to merely hold his breath, it wasn’t possible for a human being to speak under water. Anyone who attempted to would get a good mouthful of salt water into their lungs, that much was common logic.

Feeling his breath run short, Seto had to break the surface and take a deep inhale to refill the air his lungs were craving. The surface too far below his feet to reach, he was left with little choice to tread water, but even in this situation where he was soaking wet and his phone was probably ruined as he naturally had no time to discard himself of such valuables he let out a heartfelt laughter that didn’t match the confusion he felt.

          “ Hahaha! I thought ya were in need of help so I jumped in without thinkin’ about it! How great, there’s nothin’ wrong after all! ”

The water was a sanctuary to her–and a necessity these days. After awakening her ena by some sort of miracle, it was important to keep it hydrated. And what better place than the ocean? Surrounded by ocean life..it was definitely the best way to relax after a day at school. Heck, she was always daydreaming of the ocean in school anyway.

But she was surprised when the surface rippled and she was confronted with someone suddenly diving in, coming straight…for her? Her eyes widened and her lips parted. “W-what are you–” Of course, common sense kicked in a moment later. Unless this stranger had ena, he wouldn’t be able to respond underwater. “I-it’s dangerous to just jump in like that..!”

[higcki-blog]

@mivnas

Water. It has always held a root of fear within Seto. The painful memories of being unable to fight the masses, of slowly losing consciousness as breath escapes him. Of being unable to save the one most dear to him. Although in no way crippling, the fear exists.

It is hesitation and anxiety that fills him seeing a figure underneath the surface -- knowledge prescribes that the water here is deep, not suited for a leisurely swim, and thus the mind can only jump to one conclusion: someone has fallen in. He doesn’t remain idle for long though, jumping headfirst into the cold surface below, surrounded by the chilling wet prison. A few brisk strokes is all it takes to reach the girl.

[higcki-blog]

@yaseiko

Was that guy seriously...?

Common knowledge dictated that when one found oneself wandering about at the docks, one had to beware of lose items on the ground. Nails, glass, there could be all kinds of sharp items laying around that you didn’t want to get stuck in the soles of your feet. Yet this outsider was leisurely taking a stroll around the area with his feet bare, seemingly no consideration to the danger he was exposing himself to.

          “ Hey you! Ya can’t just walk around like that! Ya need to wear shoes here! ”

[higcki-blog]

@aquarisu

          “ Whoa! ”

Lifting heavy boxes was Seto’s speciality, his physical strength trained to a level above the average for boys his age through countless of part time jobs -- avoiding people whilst lifting said boxes was, however, not as easy. All it took was a moment of unawareness, a step around a corner, an awkward twist of the body to avoid collision, and now there was pasta sauce all over the aisle.

          “ Geh-- the manager ain’t gonna be happy about this... Are ya okay? ”