[01] a dream is a wish your heart makes

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[01] a dream is a wish your heart makes

Sender: Susato Mikotoba
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive dream recording
Notes: Based on an AU idea and thus deviates from canon. Susato "inherits" Kazuma's resolve upon his mysterious death and faces some opposition in trying to take his place in Great Britain.

* * * * *
"Preposterous." The words were practically spat as the scene hazily came into view. An older male voice spoke, voice nasaly and unpleasant, though his features were obscured.

"Why?" A second man, recognizable to those in Reverein as Yujin Mikotoba, responded. His tone was more polite than was deserved.

"You know our laws."

"I know that women are subject to the same laws as we men," Yujin argued, "and yet none are afforded the same right to even set foot inside the courtroom to aid in their own defense. Why do you suppose that is?"

"It matters not, professor." The first man, now with a pair of glasses and other recognizable features, shook his head grimly. "A boy is dead. Now is simply not the time for her childish fantasies."

"That boy was like her brother," Yujin said, unable to mask the offense and growing irritation in his voice. "Susato has studied all the same texts, the same laws. She learned a second language in order to be able to assist him. Who better to take his place in the exchange and finish what he started?"

"We have plenty students of law at Yumei who would qualify. Male students."

"None with his resolve." Yujin spoke immediately with confidence, as he looked to his daughter with pride. "Nor hers."

Susato didn't react, remaining stoic as she accepted judgement. She was angry. First at her loss, and then that her hard work would be reduced to this, a petty argument to prove her worth. The more she showed that anger, though, the worse it would be, so outwardly, she only clenches her fist, tugging the edge of her kimono.

"...That is okay, father. I understand." Susato spoke calmly, as someone who has already made her decision. "I understand that they do not wish for me to practice law in Japan--but the way I see it, I am leaving anyway, so this argument is irrelevant. I do not expect to be back until I find the truth he sought."

The voice. Follow the voice, to Great Britain. Susato turned to leave, with Yujin reaching for her moments after, but both stopped at the same nasaly voice.

"Our agreement for the exchange still requires that you have an assistant!"
.
Yujin sighed, sensing the older man's desperation at bringing up such a trivial matter.

"Ah... as it so happens, I know just the young man," Yujin said. "Kazuma's best friend, in fact. I believe he was caught trying to board the steamship already..."

His voice seems to trail off, vibrating as the scene flickers. In the final moment, an image of boy in a black student's uniform appears with his signature wide eyes; but the image statics as Susato stirs in the real world.

Then it fades away abruptly as she awakens with a start.

* * * * *

[ Susato's eyes spring open to the familiar darkness in her room. Even as memories of the dream start to fracture and fade, she tries to make sense of everything she just saw. None of that actually happened, right? Yet somehow, it didn't feel too far off the mark, and she can't seem to decide whether she is thankful for that, or woefully disappointed.

She's never had her dream recorded before, but rather than act embarrassed or ashamed, she just shuts her journal with an apologetic sigh to no one in particular.

Instead, she grabs another journal--a normal one--along with a quill, and starts writing down anything she can remember. ]

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Yes, I suppose they can. [He takes a moment to pop some rice into his mouth. Mmh, not his best, today. He may have left it to boil just a bit too long.]

... Did you gain any insight from last night's dream, then?

[ If Susato has any criticisms about breakfast, she doesn't say it. It's her own fault for waking up late anyway. She eats quietly, chewing as she buys herself time to answer the question. ]

...Kazuma-sama came over to check on me when he saw it.

[ Safe Handholding^tm -- no, actually she actually looks rather sheepish, like she's wondering whether Yujin would judge her for having Kazuma over in her room. ]

He asked me whether it was something I wanted. To pick up where he left off.

[No judgment here. It isn't at all strange or improper for Kazuma to check on the wellbeing of someone he'd consider family. Besides, the topic of conversation is distracting enough as it is. Susato is an amazing legal aide, it's true, but Yujin also knows that she can be so much more. 'Ryutaro Naruhodo' was a force to be reckoned with.]

...And was it?

[ She already knows the answer this time around, so it's a little easier for her. She still hesitates, though, considering what picking up where Kazuma left off would actually entail. ]

Well, there would be problems, wouldn't there? I am no assassin.

[ There's a bitter taste in her mouth as she says it. She hates that such an innocent event meant to facilitate knowledge and understanding would be utterly twisted so--but c'est la vie. ]

I told him yes, though. I would've loved to give them a piece of my mind. The whole country of Japan.

[ ... ]

Is that strange of me? [ Just a childish fantasy? ]

[Yujin was happily ignoring that whole... assassin aspect of the exchange. Though once Susato mentions it, his hold on the chopsticks tightens a bit and he almost drops some of his rice. He'd already been somewhat relieved that Jigoku hadn't been a part of Susato's dream, but now that man's betrayal is lingering in the back of Yujin's mind anyway.

He takes a bite of his rice, if only to wash away the bitter taste, before responding.]

That isn't strange at all. The study tour is entirely what you make of it, just as Naruhodo-kun has already proven. I'm certain, had things been different, you would have done the same and found your resolve to protect innocent lives.

[ Prosecutor Auchi had been more than enough without Jigoku ruining her sleep, too. She still can't believe she once thought that man was honest; kind-hearted enough to look the other way in her obvious disguise.

Still, Susato seems to let out a relieved sigh, breathing easier at the reassurance. ]

Well... maybe not on a study tour, but perhaps I will still make a difference in someone's life yet.

You still plan on addressing everyone about the possibility of a council, aren't you?

[We don't talk about Jigoku- no no no! Not a word about Jigokuuu!

He reaches across the table with his chopsticks to take some of the pickled vegetables, though even as he does so, he nods his head a bit.]

Of course. Very soon, I should think. Why do you ask?

[ But! He was on Fresno St (he was on Fresno St), Lord van Zieks was there too, and he needed a scapegoat to blaaame--

Susato shakes her head. ]

I was only curious. A lot has happened this month, but I think it is important.

[ They've been rather distracted since Christmas. ]

. . . Would you like me to help you write it?

[Never a dull day in the Mikotoba household, it's true. Yujin would long for the simple life they lived back in Japan before the exchange project which sent Susato abroad, but then... That was perhaps a bit too dull.]

Oh, no, thank you. You must be quite busy with other matters as well. I'm certain I'll manage. [With that, he pops some of the vegetables into his mouth.]

[ Susato pauses, looking almost disappointed but still puffy-cheeked with food. In the moments to follow, however, she finishes shewing and swallows. It's not that she didn't think he could manage. ]

I'm certain you will.

...Perhaps just a sneak peak then, whenever you have a draft ready.

[C'mon Susato, you complimented him on his writing in another thread. You can't get too involved now, that would create a paradox.]

Mmm... A very small peek, then. Though I must warn you, I don't have Iris here to transform my writing into something more engaging.

[ Shhhh. Time is nothing more than a ball of wibbly wobbly, timey wimey... stuff. She chuckles. ]

Her style is definitely appropriate for detective stories in magazines. I think for something like this that is more political and serious, however, you will find that yours is more than adequate.

I hope so. I would hate to put people to sleep with my little tale.

[Sure, it's said in a joking tone of voice, but he's had students doze off in class before. It might have been caused by late night studying for all he knows, but he'll always consider the possibility that his lectures were responsible for it.]

[ Susato chuckles, shaking her head. The worst they could do is simply ignore the message; it's not quite like a lecture at all, though he'll be happy to know she would sit in on his lectures any day.

After a while of chatting, Susato finishes breakfast. She will grab any empty bowls she can find from the table, glancing towards the room where Kazuma is sleeping as she puts everything in the sink for her to wash later. ]

I suppose I should go on ahead of him. The spice and garnish dragons get restless if we're late, and sometimes they get into fights.

[ It results in a huge mess outside Kazuma's home and place of business where they tend to wait, and she can't have that! ]

[Yujin rises from the table as well, though even as he does so, he's asking himself whether he should have another cup of tea or go straight to work. He's got a lot to tend to, political message aside. Though, with Kazuma still asleep, he supposes it's best to stick around in the house for a bit longer and greet him when he wakes.

Yep, he's headed over to the tea kettle as he speaks.]

Oh? Those sorts of tussles won't be too severe, I hope?

[The dragons are tiny, but they're also very energetic, so it's hard for Yujin to judge.]

Oh, no. [ She shakes her head, already watching as Yujin approaches the tea kettle. ] It's easy enough to separate them. I think they can be just a little overeager. Kazuma-sama says they are attracted to places where food and drink are being made.

[ Naturally, the Wild Harvest fits the bill quite nicely. ]

. . . Did you want tea? I can put on a kettle before I go.

[ Susato, he's literally closer to the kettle than you. ]

[The concept of overeager food dragons is... oddly endearing. The Wild Harvest does indeed sound like the perfect place for them to be, right now. But only so long as the doors are actually open to them.]

No, thank you. I can manage. [His hand is already reaching for that kettle and you can't stop him!!!] Please, don't worry about me. The dragons likely need your attention more than I do.

[ Well, since his hand is already on the kettle, she won't fight him on it...this time. She bows respectfully instead, letting out a sigh, as if she's bracing herself for the day. ]

In that case, please let Kazuma-sama know not to rush after me. I think he could use the extra sleep, too.

[Please, Susato has enough work ahead of her already. He's a grown man, he can handle the tea kettle.]

I will pass the message on to him, should I see him up and about any time soon. Have a good day, all right?

You, too.

[ Lifting her had back up, she flashes him a final smile before turning towards the door. She takes the extra time to put on her boots, which have become very handy for the rain and snow, before venturing out into the dreary weather. ]

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[01] a dream is a wish your heart makes

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