92 Seal the past, open the future

Two more days had passed before Orisa and Toatre both satisfied their thirst for knowledge and squeezed out everything even remotely useful from Todo's research facility. Their notepads were filled with mostly unusable but still fascinating knowledge. Even things related to the Dualcasting were there, though Orisa had failed to use even the most basic techniques.

"This is hardly surprising, my dear friend," Toatre said while they were packing things. "There are quite a few things in this world related to bloodlines. Why does it work like that I am yet to understand, but it is, indeed, quite fascinating, don't you think so?"

"Well, I could have shared your sentiment if not for the fact that we really need these skills to work, you know, right now," Orisa answered sourly. She glanced at Tiana and said: "Although it is an interesting topic for research, I suppose. Would be cool to know how or why some of these things are DNA-locked."

"Perhaps they aren't locked completely but simply require much more effort and skill to utilize? Well, or something like that," mused Kanai, trying to cheer up Orisa.

"But what is this dean-ay you are talking about?" asked Toatre, but she was ignored.

It took the group half a day more to pack things and rest. Before going up to the exit, everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the shower that was using magically cleansed and processed water. Refreshed physically but somewhat exhausted mentally, the group ascended the stairs.

"Are w-w-we going to leave the entrance open? It is going to end up sealed forever should w-w-we close it now, Orisa?" carefully asked Tiana.

"Yes, such a waste. But I don't think it's wise or safe to leave it open. And a hand-made rockfall is out of the question, too," Orisa said.

"Mhm, indeed. This is precisely why we should avoid it at all costs," casually noted Toatre.

"Your suggestions, dear?"

"I think it should be a relatively safe and reliable solution to close the door, mhm."

"Thank you, my charming Captain Obvious. That would be great, of course, but we don't know how to do that," Kanai rolled his eyes.

"Oh... we don't? It means I'm no longer a part of your group? I can't say I'm surprised, but it still makes me rather sad."

"Toatre, for god's sake, what are you babbling about?" even Orisa's patience and love for her friend began to wear thin.

"You see, I've been looking into the facilities controls and functions all night... But I guess you no longer need me..."

"You were? So you can close the door and then open it from the outside?" Orisa asked with glittering eyes.

"But of course, it happens to be rather trivial. You just need to-."

"Just do it already and let's move out," Iten said tiredly. "You can explain everything later."

---

---

Two days later, the squad safely entered a small town. It was late into the night, and Kanai used his superior acting skills and the Hounds' tag to brush past guards and smuggle Orisa inside the walls. Tiana's family name helped to rent a whole floor in the inn for an unspecified number of people. There now was no need to register each member individually, allowing Orisa to come without exposing her identity. However, there was a small question that Iten addressed, looking at Orisa and Kanai:

"I assume you'll be using the room together?"

"Wow, Iten, really?" snorted Orisa. "You are so eager to get together with Tiana?"

The girl in question turned bright-red as her eyes began to dash between Orisa and Iten in panic. She tried to say something but couldn't even squeeze out a single word. Orisa savored the picture, then chuckled and said:

"Okay, I guess we should stick to the usual - girls to girls and boys to boys. I'm going to have a great time with these girls."

After winking at Kanai and making him groan, she grabbed Tiana's elbow and pulled her into their room, waving Toatre to follow.

"I would very much prefer to avoid interruptions while I'm studying our notes," Toatre stated and marched towards another empty room.

A shower, late dinner, and gear inspection later, the girls were ready to call it a night. Orisa had gotten into her bed and was about to turn off the light when she noticed Tiana looking at her and shuffling hesitantly:

"Um, Orisa?" After changing into her nightdress, she was sitting on her bed and looking at Orisa shyly. "Do you, um, w-w-want to sleep now? I'm sure you are tired..."

Orisa chuckled from how adorable Tiana's behavior was. She couldn't help but remember their first encounters and how much of a jerk Tiana had been back then. This thought, in turn, led her to reflect on her past life as Orihara Satoru - she couldn't imagine her old self overcoming Tiana's issues since Satoru's tolerance towards arrogant people had been extremely low. For some unknown but welcome reason, she could handle these things way better now, after coming to this world and into this body. Her rather short temper had grown even thinner because of her work, but now she was mostly fine in terms of stomaching bad attitudes from other people. It was as if her soul had been cleansed from the black tar that had polluted it.

While going through an internal reflection, Orisa was also trying her hardest not to stare at Tiana's features that were visible through the thin cloth. A familiar voice was already nagging her internally about staring too much at young girls, threatening to call the FBI.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..." mumbled Tiana, confusing Orisa's silent glaring's meaning. Orisa snapped back to reality from her long reflection, raised her blanket, shifted to the side of the bed, and asked with a warm smile:

"Sorry, I was kinda lost in thoughts. Want to chat a bit?"

"Of course! Um, I mean..."

"Come on, don't make me wait. It's getting cold, you know?"

Tiana didn't need another invitation and was under Orisa's quilt in a blink of an eye. They shifted a bit to get into a comfortable position, getting used to the warmth of each other's bodies.

"So, how have you been? I imagine leaving your home behind had its toll on you. Keeping a strong and brave front for the sake of the image isn't good for your health, you'll get wrinkles." Orisa asked while slowly patting Tiana's head.

"It's... not that hard, I assure you. I just..."

"You are just a little lost? And maybe a tiny bit vulnerable after losing your footing? Perhaps, even slightly scared from all the unknown that is waiting for you from now on?"

"How do you always know these things?" Tiana's voice sounded half-surprised and half-upset.

"Well, I'm twice older than you," Orisa let out a laugh.

"Indeed, you people are not as young as you seem to be. It's easy to forget because talking to you is nothing like talking to suffocating adults here."

"I can imagine. So? How have you been?"

Tiana turned to Orisa with a strange expression, a mix of reservation, eagerness, and sorrow. She looked hesitant to act while still trying to keep her stoic front. Orisa shifted to face her, embraced the girl, and pulled her closer.

"Must have been really hard," Orisa said while patting her friend's back.

Tiana had struggled for a few seconds before breaking down completely. Her body begun to shudder, slowly at first, but getting more frequent with each passing second. She clutched a shirt around Orisa's chest and hid her face there. A husky cry got out of her throat, and she began to weep, immediately drenching Orisa's shirt. Her friend didn't mind all that and kept patting Tiana's back and head, slowly caressing the shivering girl.

"There-there, everything is alright now."

"W-w-what have I done," through her cry, Tiana barely squeezed out the words.

"You did well, dear. Everything is fine now, you are safe. You are with us, with people who love you, who treasure you. You will be okay, starting from now."

"I... My life... Everything... W-w-what should I..." she muttered sometime later, slowly calming her breath but still crying.

"You have discarded poisonous luggage and broken your rusty chains. Now you are free. Free of pain, doubts, regrets, free to live the way you consider right."

"But how... I've never... On my own..."

"You are not on your own, dummy. You have us. And I assure you, it's not that hard to decide for yourself instead of being led by greedy, heartless adults. You'll find your own way and follow it with ease. And I'll help you, of course. You have me, remember? I'm with you, forever and ever."

"Forever?" Tiana looked up at Orisa, and their faces ended up inches apart.

"Of course. What were you expecting? You won't get rid of me that easily."

"Promise?"

"One hundred million percent promise."

Tiana calmed down significantly but still was clinging to Orisa. In the silence that had become more comfortable after Tiana had cried out her tears, the two lay on the bed, looking at each other. Orisa gladly noted that Tiana's eyes regained their usual lively glint after some time. Suddenly, the girl frowned and asked Orisa:

"Are you sure it is alright for you to stay with me? I w-w-would rather not separate you and Kanai."

"Aren't you one cute cupid, huh?" Orisa let out a laugh and then got back at Tiana with full force: "Are you sure it's about myself and Kanai and not because you are just dying to stay with Iten?"

"W-w-what!? No, of course not! W-w-why do you say such things?"

"Oh, you can't fool me, you little rascal!" laughed Orisa while squashing Tiana's cheeks. "Come on, do you think I didn't notice your glances towards an almost married man?"

"Stop it! I don't even know w-w-what you are..." Tiana tried to protest but stumbled mid-sentence, discovering something within herself as her cheeks turned red.

"Uh-huh, there we are. Ready to confess your crimes?" Orisa pressed on with a huge grin.

Tiana was silent, pondering the situation and trying to explain her feelings. Confusion in her eyes grew bigger with each passing second. She looked at Orisa with a silent question but immediately started talking herself:

"I have merely been enjoying my conversations with Iten... But... I don't understand..."

"Don't worry, sweety, love happens. Nobody is safe."

"Love?! No-no-no, you surely must be mistaken. How could I..."

"Okay, I might be mistaken," Orisa said, instilling a false sense of hope in Tiana, proceeding to lay a trap: "So, tell me about Iten. I have a feeling you now know him better than I do."

"I don't think so, Orisa. There isn't much to share, honestly. I've found Iten's w-w-worldview rather interesting, it's true. Despite being an alien to this realm, he knows a lot about politics, laws, and g-g-government. His knowledge comes from frequenting a library, which is a rare and quite a w-w-welcome trait, at least among people I know. It felt refreshing to discuss with him several turning-point reforms of the past. His attention to detail and unique w-w-way of perceiving cause and effect of political and social decisions helped me to understand some points of these events that I found somewhat unclear.

If w-w-we are talking about his attention to detail, it spreads not only to books or politics, I assure you. That one time when I decided to wear a different pair of earrings, he w-w-was the one to point it out and compliment how well they go with the color of my eyes, which is true. That aside, erudition and attentiveness aren't the only redeeming traits I can point out for you, Orisa. On one of our days off, he v-v-volunteered to make dinner, and it w-w-would be a disservice to call the dishes he made tasty. Nothing less than delicious, and believe me w-w-when I say that I know a thing or two about food. It is true that you always have a skilled cook hired in your mansion, but isn't it a magnificent skill to have? Iten's stance that nothing should be w-w-wasted I clearly saw in a manner he handled the ingredients, too. And I respect and share this v-v-view completely.

Another unexpected and appealing side that I think should be mentioned is..."

Tiana's passionate speech went on for another fifteen minutes. With every new sentence, her eyes shone brighter, her voice became louder, and her heart beat faster. In short, the tale's focus revolved around how wonderful Iten was and how eager Tiana was to spend time with him. Orisa was having a hard time hiding a huge grin on her face, so she finally gave up and interrupted her friend:

"Tiana, dear, I don't want to ruin the mood but, I still need to remind you that you have been talking about how wonderful Iten is for almost twenty minutes straight."

"I w-w-what..? No, this can't be true," she tried to argue but was met with a confident grin. Her eyes dashed around the place, trying to avoid Orisa's gaze, and Tiana submerged into panic: "Oh no, this... But I have only... And he just..."

"Oh, this sweet young love, so pure and innocent yet so bright and firm."

"This isn't right, it can't be happening! Orisa, w-w-what should I do?!"

"Don't worry, sunshine, the situation will resolve itself, I'm sure. Either you'll get to enjoy your first love with Iten, or your heart will end up broken. Which is a valuable experience in its own way, I must say."

"You can't be serious!" Tiana proceeded to smack Orisa's shoulder, and their conversation went back and forth between Tiana squeaking in panic and Orisa laughing over her friend's hearty troubles.

Suddenly, a loud bang on the wall interrupted their brawl, and they heard Kanai's angry and irritated voice:

"Would you girls mind kindly shutting up? We are trying to sleep!"

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