Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 26

Chapter 26: Apple and Valkyrie
February 25, 2029
"Mama. What are we doing today, Mama?" Shizuka tugged on Rin's sleeve.
"Well, lovebug, we're going to be spending the day with Aunt Tenko and her little one in Karakura Town." Rin answered.
"I'm scared of Karakura Town. That's where the hospital is."
"That's right, you haven't been back there since you ran away. I know it's not fun to think about, but most of the town is pretty nice and quiet. There's a park there that I really want to take you to. I promise it'll be fun."
"Are we gonna have to go on the train?"
"Yes, lovebug. Don't worry, you have your headphones if there's too many people for you."
A knock at the door. "The hills are alive with the smell of BESTIEEEEEE~!" the person at the door sang.
"Oh boy. She's in that kind of mood today." Rin went to open the door.
"Good morning, beautiful~!" Tenko chimed, holding a baby carrier.
"Good morning, gorgeous." Rin answered. "And good morning to this tiny little thing! I love your little jammies, Rina."
"Ain't they the cutest? That Natalia girl of yours? Mmm, she's a doll. Human equivalent of a cinnamon roll. I'm never buying clothes from a store again."
"Hi, Aunt Tenko." Shizuka peeped out.
"Hi there, little sprout! C'mon, gimme what I need." Tenko handed Rin the carrier, knelt down and extended her arms for a hug. Shizuka came in for it. "Ugh, I just wanna eat her up."
"I'm pretty sure that would violate several standards of the Geneva Conventions." Rin quipped.
"Okay, Ms. Educator." Tenko took back the carrier. "So, ready for adventure?"
"Hopefully it's nothing overly exciting, but yeah."
"Can you believe this is the first time we've just had a day to ourselves in, I dunno, months? I mean, along with the Plus Two."
"That's adult life for you. Not like the Academy days when we could spend hours chatting it up at Yūji's café."
"Woof, there's a name I haven't heard in years. Wonder what he's up to these days...well, anyway. Let's get moving. Time for a long overdue Bestie Daaaay...but G-rated, of course. Ahehehe~."
"Dare I ask what your plans would be if we didn't have the kids..." The two women departed with their children.
A short while later, the women were seated on the train. "I dunno, you think she looks more like me or Jin?" Tenko asked.
"Hmmm. I think she's got your eyes. Other than that I think it's too early to tell."
"Probably right. She's barely even two months--two months! I hauled her around in my gut for nine!"
"That's how childbearing works. Substituting weird food for alcohol...that's an entirely 'you' thing."
"You say that like I have a problem."
"I'd never insinuate that."
"As for this one..." Tenko peered at Shizuka. "Heh. She really does look like a miniature Miko. Even has a butterfly shirt. Guess the bug love is hereditary?"
"Seems like it. She likes the more harmless ones, though. Butterflies and ladybugs, things like that. Not like her sister's penchant for the more dangerous variety."
"Don't need to remind me. Remember Haley the Stink Bug? Fuba sure does."
"I remember that Mimi had to give him the mother of all scrubbings."
"That was when he was just a puppy. He's never liked Mimi giving him a bath since, ahehehe. Never a dull moment with that Miko."
"Truer words have never been spoken." Rin grew quiet. "I still think about her a lot."
"Yeah, I do too. Just remembering those last few months..." Tenko shivered. "It broke my heart watching her. The worst things always happen to the people that deserve it the least. Brought back memories of watching Jin's father go the same way...ugh, sorry, sorry! First Bestie Day in a while and we're starting off gloomy."
"No, that's alright. We're just airing out what's on our brains. It's what best friends do."
"True that. When it's you, I can just go on for hours..."
The train arrived at Karakura Station not long after.
---
"So, how's the bride-to-be doing? Figure out more details about the big day?" Tenko asked. The two women were seated on a park bench, while Shizuka looked at some nearby flowers.
"Um...well, we already decided where to have it. Near our cabin on Mt. Shirayuki. As for the when and a whole mess of other stuff...I'm at a loss. I've been so busy I haven't found the time." Rin replied. "Is your mom's offer still on the table?"
"Of course! It wouldn't be a burden to have her plan out your special day. I mean she does this stuff for a living. You've got a thousand other things to worry about, let your web of connections help you out this once."
"I really underestimated how much planning goes into a wedding. If you wouldn't mind giving her a call when we get home..."
"Honey, 'mind' nothing. You know I'd bend over backwards to make you happy. My mom's been planning weddings since before I was in her tummy. Even worked mine to perfection. You won't regret it."
The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by a knocking sound. "Bah, sliced it."
"The heck is that?" Tenko asked.
"Oh. Here comes our answer." Rin replied.
Walking past the women, holding a bag of golf clubs and garbed in a polo shirt and golf shorts, was a whistling Kaido. "Oh, g'day, ladies. Didn't expect to see a familiar face today."
"Hello, Kaido. Are you...golfing?" Rin asked.
"I didn't think there was a golf course around here." Tenko said.
"Oh, there isn't. But since the Boss and the Missus don't want me practicing my game at the mansion, I have to find an alternative. One where I'm less likely to break something expensive."
"Y'know, that reminds me...Hiyoko was telling me that one of the windows in her greenhouse got shattered the other day..." Tenko pondered.
"Ah, erm, anyway, what brings you ladies here? A quiet outing with the kids?" Kaido said nervously.
"That's right. We haven't had a lot of time to ourselves lately, so we're having a day to enjoy each other's company." Rin replied.
"Good, good. Nice to have a day to just relax and talk about the good old days."
"Yep, the good old days. Like that time you broke into the school and held my future husband at gunpoint. Fun times." Tenko quipped.
"Er, that's all water under the bridge now. No one got hurt in the end, right? And I've kept myself out of trouble since then..." Kaido replied.
"That's him, officer!" Nearby, a woman pointed at Kaido. Standing next to her was a policeman. "That's the moron that broke my shop window with his crappy swing!"
"'Crappy'?!" Kaido piped up.
"Sir, I'm going to need you to drop the clubs." the officer ordered.
Kaido turned nervously to the women. "You ladies have a nice rest of the day, now." He ran in the opposite direction, and the officer gave chase.
Tenko sighed. "JoJo really needs to bump up his hiring requirements."
"Since you brought him up..." Rin began. "I've been meaning to ask, how's Jin been holding up?"
"Good days and bad days." Tenko replied. "Thankfully since he went back to work there've been more good than bad. And whenever he's with this munchkin, he goes back to being the teddy bear he was before you-know-what happened. You have no idea how happy I am knowing that the goofball I fell in love with is still in there."
"I'm glad to hear that. He's lucky to have you around, bottomless barrel of positivity that you are."
"Flattering, but it's not 100% good. You can still tell that he's dealing with...something. Something I can't see or help with. If I could, you would bet your rear end I would've cut it to pieces a long time ago. All I can do is help deal with it when it comes."
"Unfortunately that's all you can do in cases like his. Take it as it comes and hope that you can ease the pain. It's all about managing it. I wish we could do more for him."
"You and Rosie have done plenty. I honestly don't know where I'd be if I didn't have you as my roommate back then. Actually...did I ever tell you how that almost didn't happen?"
"You know...I don't think you have."
"I was originally supposed to room with another girl. A few weeks before the semester started, she decided she wanted to room with a friend of hers. So she switched to be with her friend, while the other girl's first roommate ended up with me. You might know who that was. Cute little redhead, would always dress up in either red clothes or something with apples on 'em, not a bad singing voice either..."
"Did you want to explain that just so you'd have an excuse to flatter me some more?"
"I never need an excuse to flatter you, 'Professor'~."
"Don't I know it."
"Mama." Shizuka suddenly appeared in front of Rin.
"Yes, lovebug--oh!"
On top of Shizuka's head was a butterfly, black and blue in coloration. "He's been on my head for a few minutes. I dunno why." The butterfly then flew off. "Awww..."
"If I remember Miko's random bug facts correctly, I believe that was a bluebottle." Rin said.
"A blue...bottle? Can you drink from it?"
Tenko opened her mouth to say something. "Don't." Rin interjected, holding up a finger to silence her.
"You're lucky that butterfly stayed on you for that long. Your sister told me how hard they are to catch since their wings are always fluttering." 
"Hey, Rin-Rin, on the topic of a certain bug fanatic...do you want to take her to that thing?" Tenko asked.
"Yeah. That's why I wanted to bring her here, after all. Come on, lovebug, we're going somewhere special..."
The women made their way to a plaque, surrounded by flowers. "They look fresh. Plaque looks all nice and shiny, too. Guess Hiyoko must've come by recently." Tenko said.
"Bless her. It's in as good a condition as it was the day it was put in. I'll have to thank her later." Rin replied. She knelt down in front of it. "You see what's on it, Shizuka?"
"A big, scary bug?"
"Ahehe, yeah, you can say that. It's a giant hornet. It was your big sister's favorite bug. Usually it is pretty scary but your sister loved the scary bugs. And she never got bitten or stung by any of them."
"That was usually reserved for our pets." Tenko chimed in.
"But we had this plaque put here for her. This park was her second-favorite place to come looking for bugs, after our mountain cabin. It's a reminder for people to just be their unique selves."
"Miko was a unique one, no doubt about that." Tenko caught the scent of something. "Uh-oh. Um, Rin-Rin? Could you wait here for a sec? Somebody's doing their best Haley the Stink Bug impression..."
"Oh, yeah, I can smell it now. Go on, I'm not in a hurry."
Tenko walked away. Rin stayed on her knees, closed her eyes and put her hands together.
"Mama? Are you sleeping?" Shizuka asked after a moment.
"No, lovebug, I was just pra--" Rin opened her eyes, and when she saw Shizuka, her eyes widened.
"Mama?" Perched on top of Shizuka's head was a single, giant hornet.
Rin took care not to make any sudden movements. "Shizuka...I need you to stay perfectly still..." A number of outcomes flew through her head. If she herself was stung, it would be painful. If a four year old with a history of neglect was stung, it would be catastrophic.
A few seconds later, the hornet flew off without incident.
Rin let out a sigh of relief. "Are you alright, Shizuka?"
"I'm okay, Mama."
"That was scary. You don't usually see hornets around this time of year..."
"Rin-Rin!" Tenko reappeared. "This big ol' hornet just flew by when I was walking back! Did you see that thing?"
"It just flew off of Shizuka's head."
"Flew off her--and she didn't get stung?"
"No. It was almost like..." It clicked. Rin turned back to the plaque. She gave up a light smile. "You tricky little...that was you, wasn't it?"
"Heh. She would come back as a bug. Guess she's letting us know she's still buzzing around."
"I can believe it. You have anything you want to say to your sister, lovebug?"
"Thanks for not stinging me." Shizuka said.
Rin giggled. "I think that about covers it. Let's go." She turned back to the plaque. "Keep looking out for her, okay? I'll bring fresh flowers for you next time. Bye, Miko."
The women walked away. The hornet flew by the plaque towards a nearby tree. Sitting on one of the branches was the ephemeral figure of a girl wearing explorer-type clothes. The hornet landed on her shoulder. The girl smiled and giggled, as she and the hornet faded away.
---
"Gotta say, I'm envious, Rin-Rin. Getting to spend a whole week in Spain." Tenko said. The women and their children were seated at a table outside of an eatery.
"Eh?!" Shizuka exclaimed.
"I'm just going with my class for a week. Rose'll still be here, and I'll call every day." Rin patted Shizuka on the head. "It'll be fine. I'll bring you back a souvenir."
"Y'know her attachment to you never stops being adorable." Tenko smirked. "Seriously, though, I'd love a week in Europe."
"I'm guessing Paris 2024 doesn't count?"
"I mean strictly for a vacation. Paris was technically a business trip. I mean..." Tenko flashed an image on her phone of her standing atop a podium, a gold medal around her neck. "Business was booming, but it was still business. Plus that was around when Miko got sick. My memories from that year aren't exactly good."
"No, I'd imagine they wouldn't be. So have you ever thought about getting back into fencing internationally? I'm sure you'd still clean up."
"Heck yeah I've thought about it. I was training for Los Angeles last year, but, well..." Tenko looked over at her baby. "Plans kinda changed. 2032 is still on the table, though. We'll market it as the 'Flying Valkyrie's Comeback Tour'."
"Oh, we can do better than that. How about...'Fimbulvetr'?"
"Fimbulwhater?"
"Fimbulvetr. It's the great winter of Norse myths that wipes out humanity before the great war of Ragnarök. It fits into the Valkyrie motif."
"Y'know it doesn't sound that bad, Rin-Rin, but you do remember that the Olympics are in the summer, right?"
"Ah. Good point." Rin blushed.
"Ahahaha! It's so easy to forget that you're actually a huge dork."
"Ugh. Forget I said anything."
"Don't be like that, I appreciate the thought. We've got three years to work something out. By the by, I happen to love your dorkyness."
"Is there any part of me you don't love?"
"Nope. I've told you a million times that I adore every little thing about you. Ten years ago I swore I'd be your sword and shield for life. That hasn't changed. So when I say that your butt is the exact size to be considered cute, I mean it."
"Alright, alright, I get the point, don't say that kind of thing so openly." Rin began blushing again.
"Mama, why's that dog holding a bag?" Shizuka pointed to the other side of the street.
There was a person in a dog costume, holding a golf bag.
"Oh. My God." Tenko uttered.
The dog man tried walking away, when a patrol car pulled up next to him.
"Oh, he's gonna run, isn't he?" Rin asked.
Sure enough, as soon as the officer stepped out of the car, Kaido sprinted away, his mask falling off as he ran.
"RUN, FORREST, RUN!" Tenko yelled out.
Rin let out a sigh. "This would've been easier if he just paid the fine."
"You think JoJo's that big of a cheapskate?" Tenko asked. "Oh God, he's coming this way!"
Kaido ran past their table. "JESUS SHIT, I JUST CRACKED A LADY'S WINDOW BY ACCIDENT! DON'T YOU PEOPLE HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO DO?!" 
The officer followed close behind.
"You can do it, Fido! SERPENTINE!" Tenko yelled out, before breaking into a laughing fit.
"Good grief." Rin uttered.
---
"OK, all tucked in. Soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out like a light." Rin said, now back at home.
"Poor tuckered little cutie. Doesn't take much to make her sleepy, huh?" Tenko replied.
"No. And that worries me. She doesn't have the energy most kids her age have. I'm afraid that it might be an effect of being neglected for her entire life. Doctors haven't found anything wrong with her, and she's finally at the weight she should be at, but..."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure she'll grow out of it. She's gotten more attention and love in the last three months than she had in four years beforehand. Just has to get used to living differently."
"I hope so. I'm just paranoid, I guess."
Tenko gave Rin a concerned look. "Rin-Rin, I've known you long enough to know when you're bottling up your feelings. Part of the Bestie Manual is that you can tell me whatever's ailing you. So spill it."
"You and your Bestie Manual..." Rin sat beside Tenko. Her baby was asleep in a crib nearby. "Okay. So not everything's going great. On top of the 'spiritual cult hunting us down' thing. Everything else is trivial compared to that."
"If it's a problem then it's still worth talking about."
"You're right. I haven't told anyone this, but...I'm feeling a little isolated at school. The headmaster and the staff that were there when we were students treat me well enough. But there's a group of instructors that look at me rather coldly. They think that I received favorable treatment during the hiring process since I'm a former student. 'How does someone so young get professorship at one of the country's top academies'? It leads to some pretty heated staff meetings."
"Seriously? What a dumb thing to hold a grudge about. Don't they know how much work you put in?"
"It's not the only reason. My students all got high marks during the last exam period, and several of them have already taken pretty high positions amongst the student body. Barbara gets leading roles in the school plays, Kenji's overseeing the design and construction of the Academy's parade float for Kanda Matsuri, Sahir's in line to be named captain of the football team next season...they've all been model students."
"That's awesome, Rin-Rin! But why would other teachers hold it against you?"
"Well, in their warped conspiracy against me, they think that I've pulled strings to get them to where they are. They see how close I am with them, and try to insinuate to staff I am on good terms with that they're doing favors for me and you all in exchange for altered grades or better opportunities. 'She's more of a friend than a professor', they say. 'That's what happens when you have a 24-year old instructing 16-year olds'. In their eyes, I'm extorting my students."
"Bullshit! What a bunch of crap! Don't tell me the higher-ups actually buy this garbage?"
"Thankfully, no. Doesn't make the gossip and rumors any less hurtful. I'd never undermine them or my own honor by doing something like that. They get their standing and the grades they do because they're smart, wonderful students. I wouldn't trust them to look after Shizuka if they weren't. After me and Rose, she adores Kitty and Barbara more than anyone else. To suggest that I'm doing anything to compromise their futures is...excuse me, it's bullshit."
"I'm gonna tell you flat-out, you've done nothing wrong by those kids. Those are the eight best kids you could've gotten to look after. Hell, Kenny's volunteering to do my groceries now since Jin and me are working and Mimi's busy with school and looking after Rina. I give him the cash and he does it without complaint. Natalia, bless her heart, she gave me a discount on the munchkin's jammies. Never let anyone tell you that you're taking advantage of those kids. Actually, why don't you tell me who the bitter old bastards are that think you're dirty? I'll bash 'em over the head myself!"
"Tenko, I appreciate the thought, but violence won't fix anything. And as much as I've thought about it, I can't ask my class to change their hearts, either. I'd just prove everything they say about me. All I can do is be the best I can be for my students, and maybe silence the noise that way. As if the rumors weren't enough..."
"Wait, there's more? Is someone else bullying you?! Why I oughta..."
"Tenko, please! Nobody else is harassing me. It's about..." Rin sighed. "It's about Rose."
"Rosie? What's the matter with her?"
"She's been...really distant lately. Ever since we found out that Death's Hand are focused on her, and why, she's tried avoiding me."
"Is she doing the 'I'm not really human' thing again?"
"Yeah. And I don't know how to snap her out of it. I try to tell her that it isn't her fault this is happening, but she won't listen."
"Ha. Now doesn't that sound strikingly familiar...you two really are birds of a feather. Only one solution for your kind of self-loathing."
Tenko put her arms up on the sofa, and took a relaxed position. 
"Um...what are you doing?" Rin asked.
"Rosie gets home in, what, a couple of hours? I'm making myself comfortable."
"Oh, no no no no, I can't get you involved in this--"
"Too late, beautiful. What's my number one rule? 'Never let your Bestie deal with shit alone'. Rosie just needs a little talking to. I don't mind being the one to do it. 'Specially if it means I get to stare at your lovely mug for a little while." Tenko winked.
Rin groaned. "What am I gonna do with you?"
Two hours passed. Rose came in, a dull expression on her face. She looked over to see Tenko lying on the couch. "Spasiba, Rosie. How was work today?"
"Still here, Tenko? Where is Rin?"
"Blunt and few words, huh? Rin-Rin's with Shizuka in her room. As for why I'm still here, I've got two reasons. One is that I can't get enough of your fiancé's face."
"Typical."
"But the other is that I really wanted to talk with you. Much as I've missed one-on-one time with Rin-Rin, I haven't had much time to chat with you, either."
"I would spare your breath the trouble. An automaton has no insights to give."
Tenko walked over to Rose. "What's that on your arm?" On Rose's arm, there was a small cut. 
"I mishandled a rose. It's nothing." Rose put her hand over the cut, and a blue light glowed out of it. The cut had vanished.
"You're usually pretty good with flowers. And I didn't see any oil coming out..."
"Oil or no, a lifeless doll I still am. One whose very existence endangers all she holds dear."
Tenko shook her head. "Rosie...you just contradicted yourself big-time. How can you hold anything dear if you're 'lifeless'?"
"....."
"Rosie. I know you. I've seen you laugh. I've seen you cry. And I've seen your eyes light up whenever you catch sight of Rin-Rin. There's nothing artificial about that look. It's one of the deepest looks of love I've ever seen. That can't be built in a lab. Don't let some freaks in sheets convince you otherwise."
"Rose..." Rin emerged. 
"Rin...I..." Rose muttered.
"You and me are the same. Just taking a monster's actions and blaming yourself for it. What's happening now isn't your fault, Rose. Don't let what a coward in a mask said get to you. The way you were brought into the world doesn't matter to me. And it doesn't preclude you from feeling. You're the most beautiful person I know. I love you, and I know you love me. Can we please just go back to being stupidly happy together?"
"PLEASE. Your beautiful energy is what keeps me going!" Tenko exclaimed.
"...I'm so sorry, Rin. I'm just so confused...I don't know what I could've done to provoke someone's hatred. I don't know how someone like me can keep making you happy..." Rose mused.
"Oh, Rose...you exist. That alone makes my heart flutter."
"SQUEEEEEE~!" Tenko yelped.
"You're about ready to fly out of here, aren't you?" Rin sighed.
Tenko put her arms around Rin and Rose. "I think this calls for a celebration! Y'all are in for one of Delightful Tenko-chan's signature fish din-dins! Now lemme at that oven~!"
"N-no, Tenko, that's not necessary..." Rin pleaded.
"Mistakes have been made." Rose deadpanned.
"You see my dilemma, now?" a voice grumbled from behind.
"Gah! Jin, what are you doing here?!" Rin exclaimed.
"You left the door wide open and I saw Tenko headed for the kitchen. Neither of which are good signs." Jin replied.
"There's my man~! Just in time, take the load off while your beautiful wife works culinary magic~!" Tenko chimed.
"Babe, please, I just got off the 26th re-release of Skyrim. I only have room in my day for one war crime." Jin quipped.
"Too late. She's in her zone now." Rose said.
"Welp. That's our Tenko." Jin said.
"Wouldn't have her any other way." Rin added.
"Damn straight. Only the absolute best, my loves. Nothing less~." Tenko chimed.
---
"Ugggh...I don't wanna leave..." Tenko groaned. "I need to be around you 24/7."
"You live next-door, though. It's not like I'm across the sea." Rin replied.
"Stillllluhhh, I've seen more of you today than I have in months, and I need mooooore!"
"I know, I know. We'll set up another date after I get back from Spain. I don't intend to be a stranger. Please don't look at me like that."
Tenko pouted.
"...I can make a reservation for a karaoke room next Saturday." Rin conceded.
"YAY~!" Tenko gave Rin a big hug. "Shoot me the deets when you get 'em. Let's get the rest of the crew in on it, too! Can't have you all to myself...meh." 
Rose, sipping a cup of tea, raised an eyebrow.
Tenko cheerily waved goodbye as she walked back to her house with the baby.
"I appreciate this, you know." Jin appeared suddenly behind Rin.
"Gah! Dammit, Jin, stop doing that! I didn't even know you were still here."
"I was using the bathroom, sheesh. Anyway, like I was saying. Thanks for spending the day with her. Sitting around for nine months without being able to do everything she used to wasn't exactly easy. She's wanted a day like this for a very long time."
"Jin, you don't have to thank me for spending time with my best friend."
"I know that. I don't know if you can tell, since she's real subtle about it, but she worships the ground you walk on. I don't think you really understand how much your friendship means to her. Being around you does wonders for her mood. I'm a little envious, to be honest."
"Oh, don't be silly. There's nothing to be envious about. You've known her for twice as long as I have. Your relationship with her goes way deeper than mine." Rin giggled. "I'm not gonna steal her away from you, if that's what you're worried about."
"I should hope not." Jin and Rose said simultaneously.
"Anyway, I should be heading ba--huh?" 
Across the street, a figure slowly lurched along, dressed in a dog costume up to his neck, and holding an empty golf bag. 
"Is that Kaido?" Rose questioned.
"Don't tell me...he ran all the way here?" Rin rubbed her eyes.
With shadows under his eyes, Kaido looked the the confused group. "I had to sell my clubs...to pay off the fine...didn't have enough to...buy a train ticket..." He panted.
"Rin, bring him over, he looks exhausted..." Rose requested.
"I'll call JoJo..." Jin muttered.
"What on Earth happened to him?" Rose asked.
"It's a long story..." Rin replied.