島田 ╱ 𝙷𝙰𝙽𝚉𝙾 🏹

“ yeah , yeah . you / were / a coward , but not anymore . you can't change your past sins , shimada - san . you must learn to live with them . ” a pause . “ yet you are still in time to atone for them . stay here , in kanezaka . with me . help us . ”

“ we can help each other , no ? that's what friends are for . this — this wasn't entirely your fault . and even if it was , there's still time to atone for your past sins . ” a hand placed on his shoulder , trying to reassure .

a deep breath . explaining was complicated , reassuring even worse . “ because after all , i still care about you . i didn't know that was bad . you were my first friend —— alongside genji of course . why wouldn't i want you around ? i want to help you too . ”

as much as she wanted to take that cigarette from him — she simply couldn't . mainly out of respect , she wouldn't allow herself to do such thing . “ talk to me . ”

it seemed that none of them wished to elaborate further especially since / hers / did sound like excuses . although ( of course ) they were not . nothing but the truth . “ ... can't you cope in a more healthy way , huh ? ”

gaze focused somewhere else , just to avoid the * judging stare she could already feel from hanzo . maybe not . but that was exactly what the yamagami was used to anyways . “ not an excuse ! it's true . what is your excuse though ~ ? ”

but hanzo was there , trying his best to atone . whatever they were , it was a strong bond no one could break . and she had a strong sense of respect towards him . “ as good as i can considering the situation ... yeah . ”

oh — oh — ... not good . she's definitely trying to avoid it now . “ this was about you , not about me . besides the kitsune helps me with uh , the sugar & all that . do you got an excuse ? ”

happy to see the dragon back , once more . this was ... good news for sure . “ it's been a while , hanzo - san . i know it's too early but i didn't feel like sleeping . ”

come on shimada - san ... it's too early for this .