[A/N] Trigger warning: c*r c**sh for the third part.

Monterio

I feel so stupid. All of this stuff was going on right under my nose, and I didn't even notice. I like thinking I'm so freaking observant. But I was so focused on trying to watch people who could be either allies or potential dangers that I didn't even notice Fujiko's hints. I just took for granted that she was an ally from the start. She loved Kana, after all. But she... she loved Kana.

Sure, I knew she fumbled around me a lot, but I figured she just wasn't as used to guys. And people have always thought of me as intimidating, so that makes it even worse. But to think. This whole time, she was feeling guilty because of my relationship with Kana.

Priority number one is talking to her, honestly. And that's not great, because I am not good with potentially awkward situations, and this is about as bad as it gets.

Right now, we're in the kitchen, eating chicken zucchini alfredo and similarly healthy comfort dishes. Despite how dour the tone of the day has been, Gou seems insistent on keeping the mood light, and Wakumi being Wakumi means that there's at least a bit of a laugh going on. She and Joanie are riffing off each other and bantering as if nothing's changed at all. Except, things HAVE changed for Joanie, and it's evident in the ways that she slips into and out of Aika like she's a perfectly-fitting glove. Good for her, honestly.

"Hey. Little buddy, you doing alright?" I ask Chimon, who's looked deep in thought since this morning.

He snaps out of it. "Oh! I'm fine, don't worry. Just a long day, you know. Kind of a confusing one, too. I just need time to process, y'know?" He gives me a smile.

"If you ever need anything..."

"Of course! Thanks for offering, dude. It means a lot to me," he expresses.

We continue to eat, some of us clearly in higher spirits than others. I heard that Kana was gonna watch movies with Tozen and Azumi tonight. I... maybe it's for the best that we take some time away from each other. This time voluntarily. There's just way too much to think about right now, and I can't let her decide what my opinions are for me this time. I used to have more of a bite to me, but I guess as I learned to trust her, I became a bit too passive. I can't do that anymore.

When the meal is all done, everyone gets up and starts to leave. Fujiko, having been carrying a ton of stuff, drops a fancy compact mirror. Perfect. I swipe it off the ground and gently tap her shoulder. She flinches and gives a light squeal, turning around to face me. I wordlessly hand her mirror. "O-Oh! Th-Thanks, Monterio!" She turns to leave, and I quickly but gently clasp her wrist; I'm desperate here and I really don't know how to handle this. She looks into my eyes and gives me a deer-in-the-headlights expression. "Oh, okay... we can talk about it. But can we at least do it in the beautician's? It's comfier and privater... u-um, more private." I nod, and she leads me back there, where she looks idly at accessories in an attempt to avoid any further eye contact.

"Fujiko, it's okay," I state simply.

"But I tore you guys apart! AND Kana hates me! Those are the two things I specifically wanted to avoid when I made this choice in the first place! I just wanted it to be over so I could stay friends with you two forever and ever!" she explains with anguish.

"She doesn't hate you. She's just... a very aggressive problem solver. She doesn't really like getting too emotional, so she gets angry because it feels better to her than sadness. And as for us... we'll be okay."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm... also angry. And it'll take a bit of time for both of us to forgive each other, and it'll also take a bit of time for Kana to forgive you— though I don't think any of this was your fault, hence why I'm here in the first place. Trust me, though. Eventually, it'll all be okay again."

"Gosh, I should've just told you guys. I was so sure that you two would be absolutely furious that I liked her. I always felt so guilty whenever you were around. It felt like I was betraying you... Cause you're so sweet and gentle and like, available. Like, you're the type of person who would be there for a friend no matter what time of day or no matter the weather, and you deserve the literal world, you king!" she starts to rant fervently.

"I was worried that I scared you," I admit.

"What? You?! Anyone who's scared of you just hasn't realized how much of an actual puppy you are," she dismisses. I can't help but give a brief laugh of astonishment as she affectionately pinches my cheek. "I just felt so squirmy! I felt like a bad person cause you're so cool and you two friggin deserve each other, so like, who would I be to waltz right in and start pining after her?" Despite the seriousness of what she's talking about, we're both laughing.

"Look, if anyone in the world would understand somebody having feelings for Kana Omori, it'd be me," I smile.

She squeals. "Agh, see, this is what I'm talking about! You're way too amazing! Why couldn't you have just been a jerk so I could take her?!" She's obviously kidding, because she's swiftly begun to noogie me. "If I were straight, it'd be you I fell for, I swear, cause you deserve like a legion of fan girls!"

"That might be a bit too much attention for my taste," I smirk.

"Nonsense!"

"Hey, Fujiko?"

"Yep yep?"

"I'm sorry for not noticing. This could've been solved so much less messily if I'd have just paid more attention."

"I don't blame you. Your attention can't be everywhere in the world all at once, especially not when so much of it is lavished on her!" I scratch at my head, trying to stop faulting myself. "Hey, can I give you a manicure? I won't do nail polish, I promise! But I feel like we all need some grooming and self-care right about now," she offers. I prop up my hands on the table, silently giving her permission. She shrieks with joy and rushes off to grab tools.

God. The world would be so much brighter if we had more people like Fujiko Teruya.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wakumi

"Ginny, I told ye before, if you're gonna make a film about me exploits, ye gotta know about ships! Argh, what about this is so hard fer ye ta get into yer skull, ye lily-livered moron?!"

"The movie isn't gonna be about you, you bitch, it's gonna be about pirates in general," she snarks.

"Ye better not make it any PG bullshit 'bout usin' a treasure map ta hunt fer some buried treasure somewhere. Pirates are ruthless, pillagin' and takin' hostages fer money n' shit. And attackin' other ships ta protect their loot."

"Hostages?" Her face is concerned.

"Ehhh... pirates in history did that, at least. Me crew doesn't really do hostages n' bloody shit like that. Just lots o' thievery, fer the most part. The worst I've done is threaten people not ta tell the pigs, so stop hangin' the jib like that. Well... we did sneak our way onto a cargo ship once. Ah, that was a riot!" I prop me legs onto the table. "Some o' us snuck aboard while on it was still docked, and a few o' us jumped ship and crawled onboard after we'd all started sailin'. Fully clothed, we plunged into the briney deep n' still managed ta claw our way up! Course, we still had a couple managin' the ship; can't all abandon deck. But durn, that's a fond memory."

"How many people were even in your crew?" she asks, olive eyes lookin' dazed.

I try not ta look like I'm silently calculatin' in me head. I'm not good at mathematics, but I ain't about ta make that any clearer than it already is. "Roughly thirty. I think... twenty-eight, bein' exact. But really, we're pretty open ta recruitin' more. Ugh, ye got me jibber jabberin'. We need ta get back ta ship parts."

She groans. Ye can't run a rig like that on me, lassie! "Look, you spitting out all of these terms isn't very helpful when I don't have any point of reference. I haven't even seen a pirate ship."

Ren, who'd come in just long enough ta grab 'is guitar outta the "stuff corner" as Haruto christened it, quietly pipes up. "You could just look for something like that in the library."

"Thought ye turned traitor, ye scurvy dog," I grunt in anger. It's been about a week o' this malarkey.

"Just cause I mildly disapprove of what happened doesn't mean I'm gonna antagonize you. Let's just stay out of each other's way," he offers. But 'is tone is a lot less cheery than typical.

"Whatever, ye knave. You're a real picaroon."

"Wakumi, pipe down. I appreciate you defending me, but you don't need to do it so aggressively." Then she smiles widely. "As for the Mystic Pied Piper, your contributions to our cause are ever so appreciated!"

He shudders a wee bit. "Ugh, you willingly shifting in and out of your persona is simultaneously so offputting and so attractive. If we're roleplaying here, can I play the role of your partner?"

"I'm gonna dropkick ye off the plank, ye scallywag!" I yell, standin' up. Ginny takes the opportunity ta elbow me straight in me side. UGH! It's times like these where I wish she had real hair so I could yank it.

"Ren, just come to the library with us. There's really no need for this to have become as big of a deal as it did," she points out.

He hugs 'is guitar close ta 'is chest and seems ta consider it. He gently plucks out a couple o' notes. "I don't know how good of an idea that is. I don't think anyone in this entire place feels very safe right now."

"We'll keep the door open, so if anything happens, people can hear you call for help. You can also pat us down, in case you're extra worried."

"Ginny, why're ye so insistent he come with? It's startin' ta border on stubbornness." I fold me arms across me chest.

"Cause you'd know stubborn," she quips back. I push down me hand on 'er head.

"...I'll come as long as you leave your staff by the door."

"Your wishes shall be granted!"

We make our way o'er ta the library. "How is this place so dusty? Do the Monoinu just never clean in here?" Ren asks. He sneezes.

"I don't know, but y'all had better not make me run or anything. I might start to wheeze."

"Less idle chatter, more searchin' fer books about ships!" I insist.

"Ah! Let us peruse for the holy tomes! Perhaps I might unlock some new magic from deep within my soul!"

"Say what you want about Aika," Ren comments, "but she says some really interesting shit. I might have to start writing a song."

We look head ta' toe, seekin' out schematics fer a typical pirate ship. Not quite sure where exactly ta look, though. History? Blueprints? There're multiple ladders all 'round the place, so I climb up. Reminds me a wee bit o' the crow's nest, which is exactly what I hope I can spot in any o' these books.

I look down and notice 'im standin' under me. I get a wee bit o' an idea. "Don't you dare," Ginny threatens, "I'll seriously beat the shit out of you if you do what I know you're thinking of doing."

"Even better! I get a scrap outta it!" I let meself fall backwards, straight onto the rapscallion.

"OW! Wakumi, what the fuck?!" he yells.

Wordlessly, Ginny grabs 'er staff from the other side o' the room. Ren squeaks in fear, but obviously, she ain't really gonna harm 'IM. She's going after me! So o' course I scuffle back. I like when I get 'er riled up enough ta take me on. "Justice shall be delivered by the hand of Aika!" she cries out, smacking the hell outta me as I start ta wrestle 'er, rollin' off o' 'im.

"I know you aren't fighting me, but y'all might knock me out with this display." But then 'e gets serious. "I— Do I need to be warning people right now?"

"No," Ginny grunts, inhalin' deeply, "we're just playing. Mostly. But if you could grab an inhaler from the infirmary, that'd be fantastic." As soon as 'e leaves the room, she starts ta wheeze e'er so slightly, but she yappers on anyway. "Why are you being so hostile?!"

"That whole group is treatin' ye like some kind o' criminal! Fuck 'em!"

"I'm trying to make it better! Don't get in my way!" she cries out. But then she claws at me and pants. "S-Stop. Can't breathe."

I immediately get off 'er. "Shit. You gonna be alright, lassie?"

"J-Just fine."

Ren comes back in, and Ginny swipes the inhaler at the speed o' light, usin' it on 'erself. From then on, we find the book, n' I inform 'er about ship parts n' their functions, n' Ren starts writin' music, n' I don't bother 'im anymore. It's almost kinda pleasant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Azumi

It's rather early in the morning. I could hardly sleep last night. I rise from bed, starting on my morning stretches— it is imperative that I stay flexible and limber in order to perform at my best, and I absolutely refuse to get rusty. After this, I decide that perhaps I might take yet another outing to the garden to visit our little gravesite. Though everyone's doors are soundproof, I still attempt to walk close to silently, perhaps merely out of habit.

As soon as I enter the room, however, I hear a noise, and instinctively yelp in fear.

"Azumi! Azumi, it's just me, I won't hurt you!" Gou vows, having apparently been seated right outside the door.

"That is a rather unfortunate location for you to be resting. It really does appear as if you are doing something suspicious. Why are you awake at this hour?" I ask, reflexively turning askance a smidge.

"U-Um, well, honestly... you remember how you lost your No-Go Code because of a traumatic anniversary?"

"Indeed," I remark.

"Today is... one of those for me."

I should just leave him be. He is on the other side of this conflict, and he likely does not desire contact with us. Especially given that the two of us are alone whilst everyone else is still deep in slumber. Despite myself, I ask, "May I touch you?" He nods weakly. I set my hand on his shoulder and give it a small squeeze of reassurance, despite a decent height difference. He almost seems to melt into the comfort, and it takes me completely by surprise. Gou is almost always in a good mood. Somewhere along the line, I suppose I began to assume it would always be like that. "Is there any way I might assist you?"

He shudders a little bit. "Well, actually, I was trying to meditate, but I don't know how you can do this. I can't quiet the voices in my head. They're so rampant."

"Truly? You were trying to meditate?"

"Don't look so skeptical. Just because I think they're free to make their own choices doesn't mean I totally oppose your entire way of life, Azumi. This schism... it's not nearly as personal as you're letting it be."

I gulp, feeling more than a slight twinge of regret. "Come with me. I will gladly do my best to advise you." I walk him more toward the center of the garden. "Perhaps a wider place is better for you."

"Yeah, probably, but the wall helps my back."

I chuckle nostalgically. "You know that you needn't strictly adhere to that, 'Cross-legged, hands up,' Buddha position, correct? You may meditate in whichever position you mind most comfortable. The fewer distractions, the better, and that includes back pain."

He also gives a light chuckle. "So, I could lay down?"

"Of course. It might even enhance the experience for you!" He lays down, and I stand on one foot with my other foot to my knees, hands in a prayer position. I wouldn't recommend this position for other people, but, as a balance-dedicated acrobat, it is simply what works best for me. I soak in the comforting familiarity of the grass between my bare toes. "We will begin with deep breaths. Take a deep breath in for a count of four, out for a count of four. We'll do this six times." I can hear his breaths as well as mine. "Now, you may let your breathing return to normal, but do not shift your attention. Focus your thoughts on the feeling of your natural cadence. You mustn't reprimand yourself if your mind wanders. That is as natural as the winds blowing where they will across the sky. If you notice yourself fall into a different train of thought, you may merely take notice and redirect it back to your breaths."

I let myself fall into a trance, as well, and we remain like that for some time. But then I'm drawn back outside of my own mind when I hear sniffles. My eyes fly open. Gou has curled himself up and is quietly weeping. I kneel down beside him. "May I touch you?"

"Mhm," he confirms in between sniffs.

I stroke his hair— this is one of those rare occasions where he is not wearing his helmet— and gently shush him, attempting to be as soothing as possible. "If you feel comfortable sharing, I will gladly be a listening ear for you."

In a voice so tiny and helpless that I can barely hear it, he murmurs, "H-Hit and run."

I gasp lightly. "Oh my."

"It was a long time ago. I even had to deal with t-temporary paraplegia. It's a miracle I can even walk at all," he cries.

"And yet you are a race car driver? What remarkable courage!"

"Yeah. I was scared of being in cars for like a year. But I felt like... the only way to move on was to overcome. And it helped, but I still see it every time today rolls around."

"Wow. I cannot believe your fortitude. This whole time, you have been soldiering on and sharing your smile with us, all the while hiding a trauma like that?"

"I just want my friends. If I had just said no to this enrichment program, I'd be at home right now, but we're all fearing for our lives. That's why I've GOT to be strong. I put myself in this position, so I have to try and keep everyone's spirits up."

"You know what I have learned?"

"What?"

"It is more than alright to not be alright. Vulnerability does not make you weak. I know we are all in a... tricky spot, socially. There are many rifts in our friendships. Yet, just because we may not be fine does not mean that you have to be fine for our sake. Does that make sense?"

"Kind of. I know that, mentally, but..."

"It is a matter of the heart, of course. Your heart does not want to accept what your brain understands. Well... unfortunately, we are all stuck here, so the upside of that is that we'll all be around if you ever need us. All you need do is ask."

"Thanks. Can we just... stay here for a bit?"

"Of course."