#c. susato.

[aletheialed]

"Kazuma-sama... you must feel so relieved."

Though she doesn't know Ryunosuke Naruhodo personally, Susato is well aware that he's someone Kazuma considers a close friend. A best friend, even - perhaps something like what Rei is to her. He'd been beside himself with anger when Naruhodo had first been arrested, and he'd put everything on the line to fight for him - even willing to risk the study tour that meant so much to him.

Now, Naruhodo is a free man, and the study tour is free to go forward as planned. ...The devotion that Kazuma showed to his friend, though, isn't something Susato will forget anytime soon. One day, Susato hopes that she'll be able to stand by his side in the courtroom and help him, just like she's always believed she'll do.

"I was surprised that Naruhodo-san was so determined to represent himself, though. I suppose he is just as stubborn as you've always said."

@amusingvenue ( starter for kazuma! )

[aletheialed]

It's funny as she stands here, with her hands held clutching each other a little too tightly, next to the man who had been raised by her side. Because Susato, normally so precise and eloquent with her words, finds... she doesn't know what to say to Kazuma now.

It's been a source of great pain for her, because she predicted this would happen long before she managed to find the courage to speak with him. Unfortunately, all the courage in the world hasn't been enough to sort out her feelings, to put them in words that she can understand or that she can communicate, even to the man she cares about so dearly - the one she dedicated her life to, once upon a time.

She's wondered many times if she feels betrayed, and it's anger that has her lost for words. But... she could never be truly angry with Kazuma. Even if he wasn't the same person she thought he was, even if he's been keeping so many secrets that it feels like she never really knew him... hasn't he been fighting on his own for so long? He shouldn't have to deal with the pain he'd feel from her anger now, on top of everything else.

If anything, it's her fault for not being enough to earn his trust. ...No, that doesn't feel right either... but Susato still can't help but wonder, as she always does, if there's more she could've done. Either way, it feels like her feelings are buried so deep that she can't even identify them for what they are... but she doesn't want to stay silent any longer.

There has been silence between them for far too long.

"Kazuma-sama..." to her own horror, Susato feels herself nearly tearing up as she's hit with a sudden wave of emotion. "...I'm so glad. That I'm able to speak with you again, I mean."

@howthesleeplesswander ( starter for kazuma! )