Chapter 85: NEMU

Chapter 85: NEMU

Standing in front of a mirror, Nemu looked at her reflection with a dazed expression on her face.

The seamstresses of the Seireitei were extremely skilled, as such, making clothes that fitted her had been a breeze.

That was why she was in this situation now, facing an image of herself she did not recognize.

Rather than the usual black kimono, she was wearing a colorful blue and gold one, though as short as her usual clothes.

Her usual ponytail had been untied, letting her long and beautiful black hair flow freely behind her.

Even though her face was still devoid of smile, the overall gloomy impression she always gave off had greatly dissipated.

For Nemu, this image of her was something so foreign and alien that for a short moment she had a hard time believing it was really her.

All her life she had always been mistreated and ignored. The greatest amount of warmth she received was being bestowed a name.

Initially, her name was not Nemu Kurotsuchi, but rather, Nanago Nemuri which could be translated as 'Sleeping #7'

The seventh and only success from the experiment known as the Nemuri project. A project which had only one goal, the creation of new souls outside of the cycle of reincarnation.

For her, Mayuri was both her creator and father, and her loyalty for him was unquestionable.

Despite this, the only time she felt really happy was when she was given his name.

At least, that was until now.

The time she had spent with Gojo had been the strangest days of her life.

It was like she was walking in a foggy dream she could not wrap her head around with.

Not only did Gojo not mistreat her, but in fact, he was always very considerate towards her.

At first, she had thought that he must have been a naturally kind person. That she was not particularly special or anything.

But the little time she spent with him made her forget such thoughts.

Even though he was not evil, Gojo could not exactly be called a kind and virtuous man either.

She then wondered if he was interested in her body. But, even though she could see some appreciation in his eyes, she never really saw any great form of lust either.

When she asked him why he was helping her, he answered that it was simply because he wished to study her origin.

But...if it was really the truth, he did not have to treat her so kindly.

The difference in power between the two of them was like a gulf she could not see the end of. Even though his eyes could see many things, simply killing her and studying her body would be far easier.

She could not understand.

Kindness was a concept unknown to her.

The streets were filled with sounds of laughter and music. Stalls could be seen in everything, proposing games and food of all kinds.

After stopping at his favorite Dango shop and buying some for him and Nemu, they continued to walk around for a short while.

'Hum?'

Tilting his head, Gojo stopped and looked behind him.

Nemu, who usually walked no farther than a few steps behind him, was still standing in front of a stall.

It was rather surprising since he knew that few things ever interested her.

"Heh, what caught your attention?"

He asked, tracing his steps back and catching up to her, and looked at what the old man was selling.

"Oh!? I didn't think you were interested in jewelry."

"It's the same color as your eyes."

Nemu answered with a small voice as her gaze remained fixated on a particular jewel.

At first glance, it looked like a Lapis-lazuli, but the blue was far more clearer. It was as if looking at the vast sky itself.

Smiling, he asked,

"Do you want it?"

Nemu did not know how to answer. In all her life, she had never once asked anything for herself. The simple reason was that she never had anything she wished for.

It was the first time the first time that she really desired something.

"I"

She opened her mouth with difficulty. Her throat felt dry as if a lump was stopping her from voicing her thoughts.

She was afraid, afraid that the first thing she ever wished for would be refused.

Still, she gripped the hem of her skirt and murmured in a voice so small it was barely audible,

"I really want it."

She immediately closed her eyes in reflex. As if expecting to receive a hit. But all she felt was a warm hand at the top of her head,

"See, it wasn't that hard, was it?"

The gentle but mischievous smile on his face under the moonlight was something she would never forget.

(AN: *Ahem* Any correlations or similarities to one scene of one of the most beautiful anime either made is nothing more than a coincidence. I certainly did not copy the first scene of Violet ever *Cough* Don't mind me. But seriously though, Violet and Nemu share many similarities. I really want to make Gojo the Major Gilbert of Nemu. By the way, big spoilers. Major Gilbert isn't dead and he married Violet. Which is honestly quite disturbing when you remember how old she really was. Then again we had a whole episode with a teen princess sharing love letters with a middle aged prince. So well...*Ahem*)