Fujimoto felt a suction cup pop out of its place. Even anticipating the next one was giving him chills through his bones.
“Then tell me how we get up there.” Fujimoto was furious than ever.
There was another pop. Fujimoto could feel its grip face a significant decrease. The little mishap brought Fujimoto into state where he couldn’t find confidence on executing his plan.
Third pop came sooner than expected. And it was the final one.
During Fujimoto’s attempt to find something to cling on, he pushed himself as well as Fujimoto away from the walls.
Fujimoto went through weightlessness during the free fall. In the hole already dark enough, Fujimoto closed his eyes by hoping he would not see what was waiting for them at the bottom.
Few seconds later his arm muscle strained due to a sudden stretch. Shinji, who was under him, was now above him.
Most of all, they were hanging on something.
Fujimoto opened his eyes to see Shinji’s long tongue reaching all the way up to the door. Even though Shinji said nothing, Fujimoto knew what to expect.
He seized Shinji’s arm tight but he couldn’t keep his fingers to make grip on a fixed spot. In the end he hugged Shinji from the back with his hands over his shoulders.
Both of them shot up towards the door. But despite of being downside, Fujimoto hit the hard door by his face.
He landed on the hard ground and a second later, Shinji thudded beside him. It was hard to tell who had taken the worst impact.
First thing they saw was the blue sky. The grass under their back felt like most comfortable thing ever. Looking at those, none of them minded how rough their landing was.
Fujimoto lifted his head to look at Shinji.
“Forget that I had promised you a pond.” Fujimoto said.
Shinji realized his skin had turned white back again.
“I didn’t want it either.” Said Shinji, in his human voice.
With the support of his sword, he stood up. Both of them then headed for the forest, leaving the screaming Papa Monster behind.
Chosokabe’s House,
Nobukazu heard the house crying from distance.
“Makoto. You have failed me.” Nobukazu said, hoisting his sword on his back.
“Father!” Rikilda could see through Nobukazu’s intentions, “I will tell mother if you go out again.”
“No cut-throat will bother you in my absence.” Nobukazu tied his shoelace, “I have taken care of them all.”
“You told me you won’t use your sword till I –”
“I am sure you never considered me a man of words either.”
“You had promised me we will be able to walk free someday. Is it also something to be considered a lie?”
“So your mother has told you about the story?” Nobukazu scoffed.
“She believes in it too. And I know, you do too.”
“It is a myth.”
“What about Wernh’An?” she became loud, “Grandfather used to say he exis-“
“Shut up or I’ll cancel it.” Nobukazu gave her a dead stare.
Rikilda grinded her teeth with wet eyes.
Nobukazu stepped out of his house, following the cries of Papa Monster.
