Jinko looks at Fia, resting comfortably after devouring animal meat. For the past days, she had been able to recover. He feels bad not being able to feed her any human meat though, since...it's hard to capture one, and take care of her at the same time.
He felt like zoning out, thinking about how it would not have happened if he simply just didn't keep pursuing...and while his glance became intense, Fia cannot help but notice it right away.
FIA: Hey, what's with that look?
Jinko snaps out of it, and looks at her. Apologetically, he shook his head, not wanting ti worry the Jorugumo any further.
JINKO: Just keep resting.
FIA: Sorry.
JINKO: For?
FIA: Well, for starters I...kinda made you stuck here with me...and well...thank you, as well.
Her kind words hit him like a truck. Jinko then suddenly remembers Jane, whose kindness he overlooked.
He felt guilty however, since he felt like he only helped her simply because he felt reminded of his lost friend whenever he looks at Fia. More so, was it possible that he only felt infantuated with her because of Jane?
He doesn't want it to be this way but...he can't forget Jane. And with those words and those...beautiful eyes...
He...he cant't help but be reminded of Jane.
Whose love for him he regretted dearly for not accepting.
FIA: Something...something wrong?
The guilt already felt unbearable. Is he doing this kindness half heartedly? He needed to figure it out.
JINKO: Nah. Forget it. Anyways I...I'd just...go for a walk. Don't leave your cave, alright? I'll come back soon.
FIA: Ah, well then, okay...take care.
JINKO: Pf, what was that?
FIA: I just wanted you to take care, you know? Stop acting like you didn't like it.
JINKO: Heh, fine. Whatever. I...I'm going.
FIA: Alright then. Guess I'd just wait for you.
Jinko gives her one last grin, then exits away.
...
He walks, the twigs cruching under his feet. He didn't even tried to avoid them. He does it intentively.
He...likes the sound of them breaking for some reason.
It feels...soothing?
It brings him nostalgia.
Then suddenly, his heart ached.
The wind blowing, the beautiful scenery of flowers now in full bloom...
The scent of pines.
The sky, the clouds.
It brought him back to a place he hoped to bury deep inside him.
He...never told anyone but...since he committed suicide years ago.
And was resurrected to be a jinx he...he actually hated Spring.
Spring reminded him of so many bad memories.
First...
He was born in Spring. April 9th.
Then...he met Sharon...his first great love in Spring...
And he...he hated the fact that Spring means rebirth, a new beginning.
It felt awful since he feels like no matter how hard he tries...
He'll never have a taste of happiness.
He can never grow.
He was...an empty vessel of loneliness.
The anger stirring up inside his chest, caused him to ignore the fact that there was a rock on his way.
Making him have his first tripping experience in his life as a jinx.
"F*ck," he said under his breath.
Now his white long hair sorta mixed with dirt.
It was hard to wash it! Every grain of soil is noticeable!
He stands up, brushing off the dust.
The fall slightly hurt, and now he have one more reason to hate spring.
He hesitates whether to go back or not.
But it seemed unsually chilly today, despite the fact that it was already Spring.
He turns around, casually walking towards the cave.
He began whistling, while looking on the ground, making sure there's no other rock near. He also tried his best trampling all the flowers he sees.
He just...hates Spring.
He kept walking and walking.
But...for some reason he seems to be walking on an endless loop.
He began to panic, eventually using his stolen abilities from fairies to cast portals, but...they weren't working and he wasted them for nothing.
He even tried to fly, but...his wings like his feet, were seemingly fooled over and over.
Just what should he do?
Are the reapers after him again?
"It was rare for those fools to make the first move,"
He muttered.
He knew he was wasting energy for nothing, so he chose to fly down. Making his wings disappear on his back, and tried to calm his chest down. Not wanting to look petrified.
When he came down, he felt shocked as to why a man suddenly appeared before him.
The man had a crimson eye, and seemingly sharp looking teeth.
He looked like a demon, given the fact he have horns as well, but at the same time...he looks a bit...like a fairy?
...
Silas looked at him sort of satisfied.
The snakes were truly wonderful at tracking scent.
Silas noticed the confusion in Jinko's eyes. So he threw him a book.
Jinko catches it, and knew instantly it was his.
SILAS: You left it at the Jinxi's Dimension. It seems like you're a mad man for not giving up after those many fails. But thanks to that book of yours, I finally found you.
JINKO: Get straight to the point. I don't like long conversations.
SILAS: Rude. You're not even going to ask my name?
JINKO: Just say it if you wanted me to know so badly.
SILAS: Well someone had a bad day.
JINKO: I told you to just get straight to the point.
SILAS: Tell me where Red is and I'll finish him for you.
Jinko's eyes widened in shock.
He felt...happy?
Is this happiness?
Or...something else?
JINKO: Why...are you willing to help me?
SILAS: I wanted his eye. You see...he-
Silas shows him his deepest secret. Moving his bangs with his fingers, Jinko saw a terrifying sight.
It was hollow and empty. The man is missing an eye.
Though confused of the cause, Jinko would be a fool himself is he refuses such an offer.
SILAS: Don't worry. We won't lose this time.
...
Silas sure was proud. Jinko looks so close to coming with him.
And he knew he won't resist him anyway.
After all, Deltha's additional flare now inside him truly boosted and enhanced his illusions. To the eye, and to the heart.
Silas would make him believe that he is to be trusted, but simply using them as his pawns to get his goal.
Red have strong allies with him, but not strong enough at heart to truly kill spirits and entities other than demons. The proof was Jinko.
The entities of heaven truly are fools for giving endless chances. Or maybe Jinko was that smart or lucky, ironically, to escape second death.
Either ways this gives him advantage.
Sooner, one of these days, he'd see that precious brat suffet and cry in his arms.
Perhaps then, he'd be free from the tight feeling in his chest.
...
Hanayo was above one of the trees, looking at the two exchange information.
Beside him was the two snakes. Curled around to a ball, sleeping peacefully.
HANAYO: They look like friends now, don't you think my-
But noticed that they we're fast asleep. Probably too tired from all the searching.
HANAYO: Flora-chan, Crysa-chan, thank you for your service.
He then hops down to greet the new member of what he thinks was simply a search team.
JINKO: Such a beautiful girl. He sure is lucky to have you on his side.
HANAYO: But I'm a boy?
JINKO: Wait..you are? Even your voice sounds soft and feminine.
SILAS: He's Hanayo.
HANAYO: Nice to meet you, uh...
JINKO: Jinko.
HANAYO: Jinko!
Hanayo reaches out a hand, to which Jinko accepts.
HANAYO: So...are you in with us? Silas here just wanted his eye back.
JINKO: Alright.
HANAYO: I'm so happy! But hey-wait! Where are you going?
JINKO: To my cave. Please break the illusion now, mister Silas.
SILAS: Hmph, alright. But for what?
JINKO: I need to tell her first.
HANAYO: Oww! You have a sweetie with you?
JINKO: A friend...
HANAYO: Your eyes says otherwise~~
SILAS: Stop teasing him, Hanayo. The lad may change his mind.
HANAYO: Oops, sorry Silas. I just got excited.
By the way, what does she look like?
SILAS: Hanayo?
HANAYO: Oh, come on! I was just asking!
JINKO: She have...amber eyes, black hair and...pale skin. But she...she looks beautiful. Though you might find quite scary since she don't blink at all.
HANAYO: Wow. Amazing!
JINKO: ...h-how old is he?
SILAS: A ten year old in a hundred year old body I guess.
HANAYO: Hmph.
Hanayo then raises his hand, making his two loyal allies, the snakes appear before them, now in a huge size.
HANAYO: I am strong too, you know! I can call more of them if I wanted. Don't treat me like a child.
SILAS: We..were just joking. We don't mean any disrespect.
JINKO: Hahahah! Silas...you looked so horrified!
Silas actually wasn't. He was just worried Hanayo would refuse to help anymore.
Hanayo however, was convinced that he somehow looks frightening enough. He smiles. Knowing that he has proved himself.
HANAYO: I may look like a girl, but I'm a man, okay?
JINKO: Whatever you say.
Jinko and Hanayo continued to tease each other, while Silas admires the fact that every thing he had planned was going smoothly.
SILAS: "Tag, you're it..." next time I'd sure use it when I see that brat...
...
Humility came back to Red, a sad expression on his face.
One of his sources told him that they saw a suspicious looking entity.
HUMILITY: You may have to leave her sooner than planned.