Chapter 1
September 2008
Two weeks.
Two weeks is more than adequate.
She needed to make arrangements, introduce the girls to Himatsu Misa, show them their new home, let them decorate their rooms, choose toys and new clothes, change schools, expedite their guardianship through legal and illegal channels, arrange doctors' appointments, find child therapists, and finish selecting Megumi's tutors. Many of these plans are in motion, but it appears she has less than a week.
The floors are worn but kept as tidy as two children can clean. It smells of mildew and mold, the ceiling host a series of water stains, some old, others new. The furniture is cheap, chip and splintering, revealing the chipboard beneath.
The girl, Megumi-chan's step-sister, carefully pours water into three mismatched cups.
According to Nagi Yuki of Kiyooka, Nanase, and Nagi, social services are not involved. The utilities and rent were paid off for the year, but whatever funds their parents left for groceries and necessities have become scarce.
They're skinny little things, a combination of genetics and malnutrition. Their clothes are worn and threadbare, Megumi's backpack straps are carefully mended with small, imprecise stitches, and their shoes are worn nearly to the soles.
That will not do.
Megumi-chan is her acolyte; she deserves to be wrapped in splendor.
Satoru makes a note to text Mitsugu with a directive to purchase kitchen staples and several pre-made meals. Call Keinosuke for medical assistance, though she'd prefer Shoko. Her cousin is an actual doctor, but his ability is inferior to Shoko's. Call Muira Yasuhide to escort the girls to and from school, and-
"Satoru-san?"
"Hmmm?" she hums sweetly.
The girl, Tsumiki, she recalls, blushes and stutters. "Wow, you're pretty," she slaps a hand over her mouth, and Megumi sighs. "Er, I mean, how do you know our parents?"
Satoru grins, "Your dad's family and my family go way back," she says and makes no move to drink the preoffered water. "Centuries."
Megumi's hard stare bores into the side of her head, Satoru can't help but smile. She has grit, but then again, to survive in these circumstances, she has to be a resilient child.
A father dead, a step-mother on the run, maternal relations dead, step-maternal relations unwilling to recognize the connection, and paternal relations all too willing to prey on two omega girls.
Tsimiki's mouth opens into an O, "That's a long time. Are you like Megumi? Can you see the monsters and make, um, what's it called?" She turns to Megumi.
"Shikigami," she supplies.
"Yes! Shikigami! Megumi has two dogs, a rabbit, and I think she has a frog, or she's working on it. " Once again, she turns to Megumi for confirmation. Her sister nods, and Tsumiki continues, "So that's four, but Megumi says the dogs are twin souls. I don't know what that means, but it's important to Megumi!"
Satoru smiles indulgently.
Only six and her promise is infinite. At this age she should only have the demonic dogs, limited knowledge of her technique, and a scarce understanding of cursed energy. However, Megumi is extraordinary, and Satoru sees the parallels between herself and the girl.
"I am, but I'm also not. Megumi is unique; there's no one like her," Satoru drawls.
Megumi flushes, and Tsimiki giggles.
"What can you do?" Tsumiki asks innocently.
"Many things," Satoru answers, "I can teleport for one."
Tsimiki's eyes widen, "Like disappear from one place to another!?"
"Yup!"
"How far can go?" Megumi questions curiously.
"Across the country, across the oceans, show me a picture, and I'll be there." Of course, there are logistics, but it can be done. She just prefers flying first class on the government's dime.
"Woah," Megumi mumurs and then hesitantly asks, "Do you think I could do something like that?"
If there is one person that can match her, it is Zen'in Megumi.
"Where there's a will, there's a way," Satoru replies airily. "Ten Shadows is a powerful technique; I'm sure there are many ways to manipulate shadows."
Certainly, with this variation of the technique. Ten Shadows mutated, she can't wait to see what it manifest.
"What about jumping through shadows?" Megumi ponders.
Brilliant, what a brilliant child.
"Have you tried hiding in shadows?" She's curious, she's giddy, she can hardly wait.
Megumi hesitates, then thinks better of it, "Yes, it's my best skill. I've had a lot of practice."
And isn't that sad? Satoru can imagine what she used it for.
"Ano," Tsumiki shyly interjects, "I have a question."
"Ask away!" Satoru is benevolent; she'll answer any question she has... to a degree.
"Have you seen Dad?" There's something heartbreaking about the hope that shines in her eyes and rises tentatively in her voice.
"Tsimiki," Megumi softly chides and shakes her head.
"What? You don't know for sure, Megumi!" Tsumiki cries.
"He's dead, Tsumiki!" Megumi says harshly, "Why do you think he always smelled like blood? He lived as he died!"
Eyes shining with suppressed tears, she turns to Satoru and pleads, "Is D-dad alive? Please, please say he's alive.
"I think you know the answer to that," Satoru says simply.
Tsimiki burst into tears.
She's not great with kids. She has a niece and two nephews, but she hardly associates with her elder sisters; she doesn't know them.
She won't offer false platitudes. These kids have lived through sheer will and gumption; they'll need that to live. Satoru will provide all that they need and more. There will be expectations, but that is the nature of the beast. True altruism is a lie, and even at the tender age of six, nay, going on six, Megumi recognizes this.
She comforts her fellow omega, the child that plays an integral part to her happiness, a child Satoru will forge into a strength instead of a liability.
She places her elbows on the table and leans forward.
"He's dead," Satoru says bluntly, and Tsumiki cries harder, burying her face in Megumi's shoulder. Her precious acolyte glares with the might of a thousand suns. Satoru cares not; these words are for her and her sister by consequence. "But you both live. And the living continues on while the dead remain dead. And what do the living do? Thrive."