Sanada Junko

[Yaoquizque]

It's always strange to get back home after a long absence. But what could truly be called home? Bretonia or Kusari?
The place and the people changed. Yet they were still the same. Perhaps that was not for the best.

Disorientation, unease. A stranger among strangers.
What was her place? What was her role? Was she even useful to anyone?
Striving for freedom, yet bound by her own inconsistencies. Who was it she hated the most? Her father or herself?

She would rather stay hidden in the shadows until she would come to a judgment.
How long would it take? Could she afford to wait this long?

A part of herself knew her father was probably done with her and would let her live the way she wanted. But a more vocal part was certain he would never give up, ready to do anything to have her back. Maybe all she needed was him to care about her this much.

Junko was afraid and undecided, something she hated. Weakness was pathetic. Wasn't she strong enough to decide?

She got up, leaving Ishikawa asleep in the bed, and heading to the bathroom to look at herself in the mirror. Staring without a blink at her image, she attempted to make peace with herself. A lost cause.
What was wrong? Why couldn't she simply lower her guard and express her feelings serenely? He deserved better than that.
Perhaps she needed help. Was she ready to accept to be helped? To accept something was wrong with her?

She returned to the bedroom and started to dress silently. The man moved in the bed.
"Junko. What are you doing?"
"Leaving." She said after a short while.
"Why...?" Asked the man calmly.

She pondered what to answer while zipping her pants.
"Well... I just feel like taking off and going for a stroll in Hokkaido system."
"Can't this wait?" he wondered, observing her in the darkness.
"No... I mean yes, it could. But I need to think."
"Oh..." he emitted.

He watched her getting dressed and eventually raised his hand, inviting her to come to him.
"Just lie back near me and put your head on my shoulder again." He suggested.
"Having some quietness and some rest will help you resolving anything troubling you, I'm sure."

Junko looked at the hand extended to her, thorn between the will to leave and the desire to stay. She eventually took his hand and caressed it with her thumb.
"I won't be long, I promise. Besides, there is something I want to do. A surprise."
"A surprise?" pondered the man, frowning slightly.
"Hai... You will probably like it... Or perhaps you will not?" she replied.

He thought he recognized that mischievous expression he remembered too well.
"Alright..." He said after a stealthy sigh. What was she preparing this time?

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