week 5, post trial.

[robitussin]

[Another week draws to a close, but as more culprits are led away, something is different all the same. After this particular trial, perhaps it's not a surprise that there's no note or offer to meet in a specific place tonight. Can any of them say they have any energy or desire to do something like that at a time like this? The place they regrouped last Saturday evening stands there, burned nearly beyond recognition, and the townspeople look at them with the distrust that's been steadily building. Not to mention... Those are the least of the losses they've faced in the last few days.

Of course, even as so much changes day by day, the town remains, with plenty of places for people to go if they don't want to stay inside the motel. Where can you be found tonight?]

Comments

child death tw

[odasaku]

I helped take care of five children back where I was from. Their names were Kousuke, Katsumi, Yuu, Shinji, and...Sakura. She was the youngest, only four years old. But she was a little demon, just like all the other children. Very unlike you. She had a bright smile, though, and an innocence that was so warm, despite being an orphan like all of the other children.

[ it doesn't look like he's talking to her anymore. instead, he's staring off into the distance of millium's room. ]

She's dead now. Killed with all the children in an explosion. [ he shrugs, tiredly. ] But when I saw you...I thought of her. And even if it hurt to just hear your name or even if I was just fooling myself--I'm glad to have met you. Thank you for the time we've spent together, even if it might not be worth much for you.

[clearities]

[ Sakura listens to Oda's words carefully. And even though it hurts to hear that he's had to deal with all of this. Her head ducks low for a moment but then he finishes what he has to say and pauses. Her mouth opens and she lifts her head in what seems to be utter shock. While there might be times when she might be naive and sometimes not see or understand things, this is not one of those times. ] Oda-san...? [ Confusion sets in her voice, her eyes growing wide. ] Why are you saying that? It sounds like you're going to...

suicide tw

[odasaku]

I don't know if I'll be here tomorrow.

[ he says it plainly, but softly. it's as if trying to lay the news down on sakura with gentleness. ]

To be frank, I should have never been here. Like Nine, Wayne, and Clarisse, I'm dead. But, unlike them, I chose to die. So it's only right that I return to that state.

[ he pushes himself up, standing ]

If I do come back tomorrow, then...none of this conversation has happened. But if I don't, then please do something for me. [ there's a small smile. it's weary and distant, but it's the most he can give her. ] Please keep that innocence of yours. Do that for me.

[clearities]

That's-- [ She doesn't know what to say. What can she say, really? Her eyes water with tears again, for a completely different reason than before. ] That's not true! [ Her words are loud and frustrated and she feels like her heart's going to shatter. She then finds her hands towards her chest before it's finally a mere whisper. ] It's not... If I could, then I'd... [ I'd bring you back myself. And the others, too. ] But... I can't stop you, can I? From doing what you're about to do.

[odasaku]

It's alright.

[ he doesn't pat her head this time. when oda sighs, he himself feels as if he's a thousand kilometers away from sakura, the distance growing by the second.

but it's fine. he doesn't mind. ]

Maybe you guys will be able to find a way to bring us back without doing what the Sergeant says. [ though oda won't be angry if they don't. ] All I believe is that you'll be able to do what I asked you, even if it'll be tough.

[ he sighs, turning around to leave. ] Thank you. And goodbye, Sakura.

[clearities]

[ She has so much to say, so many words that she wants to, but she can't find it in her to actually be able to say them. Because she knows that the goodbye he's saying is a heartwrenching one that hurts almost as much -- if not more than when the others had died. Even though Sakura knows that she can't do anything to stop him, it just eats at her all the same. The guilt that she feels about all of this. But... if he believes in her, then maybe she can try a little harder. And more importantly, she'll figure out a way to bring everyone back. Without doing what the Sergeant says. Everything will surely be alright. She'll believe in that invincible spell of hers, one more time as she just watches him leave, eyes wet with tears that are far too aware of what's to come. ]