Chapter 121: Arc 3, - 31: A Sound That Leaves A Mark
Jotou peered to the silent elf, sitting next to Hotaru as the carriage wheels bumped on every brick possible.
’Was I too harsh? No. She needed to hear it, one way or another. I can’t risk losing her either and if that means scolding her, then that’s fine by me; I can make it up to her later.’
Hotaru sat with both hands on her tail brought forward. Asobi played with her fingers while staring at the floor. The redhead then brought her elbow up to the window, eyes siding to the lieutenant keeping an eye on them all.
Jotou sat upright, shoulders tense. She looked out the window; any view was better than this depressing one. Though, the thought lingered as the blonde’s body rattled along.
Houses passing by, school children in brown and gold uniforms setting off for school from their homes. A shadow casted down, the Sun barely peeked through.
’Asobi asked if I was okay. Of course I am... I don’t know why the hell I’m getting sudden bursts of laughter, but that can’t be good... I haven’t felt this stressed or tense in a while...
The last time was... an episode with my parents... Even now you haunt me huh? Sigh... But even when every muscle in my body wanted to crush something to a pulp... the laughing’s new... Am I really losing it?’
"That little shit..." a mutter came from Jotou, watching out the window, eyes widening. A boy with a reptilian tail and emerald green scales that went under his school uniform.
He put on his backpack, saying bye to his parents as he left his house. As the door closed, the boy took a doubletake then scurried to the back of his house with shifty eyes before Jotou’s carriage went past the point of viewing him.
"What is it Jotou?" Hotaru turned, "And stop doing that, I thought I told you before."
Jotou glanced back; her elbow was on the windowsill and her fingers near her mouth. Jotou’s nails had bite marks, the last fingernail yet to be bitten.
"I," Jotou opened her palm, examining her nails again and again, "I didn’t even- Sorry," she shook her head.