[01] a dream is a wish your heart makes

[judicialassistant]

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. ]

Comments

[judicialassistant]

. . . He was afraid. You're right.

[ She could sense that, however subtle. She understood, at the time--the things she confirmed that night should have been impossible for her to accept. Yet she did, despite everything, despite even him trying to convince her not to. ]

Even so, I thought I made things clear.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[It's not hard to imagine her and Jude in a similar situation- namely, him trying to protect her. It's relatable. Frustrating, but relatable. People have their reasons for sometimes hiding something, or not being forthcoming with every detail.

Fortunately, there's a workaround.]

Yeah, I get it. If my best friend hid something from me, I'd be pretty pissed, not gonna lie. I'd give him a sound beating so that the next time he tries that again, he'd strongly reconsider.

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato has to laugh. She definitely needs just a fraction of Leia's spirit in her life. ]

He offered, you know, when he came over last night. I regret that I did not toss him now.

[ She's just joking. Mostly. ]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[... Is he into that? Wow. She's learning a whole new side of Kazuma that she never knew existed.

What if he's secretly a huge softie?]

You can't think like that. Trust me! It's never too late to toss someone.

[Seriously, what else can she find out? Getting some dirt on your boss is never a bad thing.]

[judicialassistant]

[ He is a huge softie. But also... it just hits different when you know the person is asking for it. (It was satisfying to see him flinch though, she has to admit.) ]

I will get another chance.

[ Even if she has to create that chance herself. ]

It looked like he was going to stay at the Wild Harvest for a while longer though, and father is probably still with Dr Mathis. If you're not busy, why don't you come over for awhile?

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Never let go of that satisfaction, she'd say. If she knew what Susato was thinking, anyway.

Instead, it's Leia's turn to pause when she hears her say a very familiar name.]

Did... did you just say Dr. Mathis? As in Jude Mathis?

[Sure, it's not really all that shocking. She knows Jude is opening a clinic and doing tons of research. And the population here isn't exactly huge, so that they are connected by mutual friends isn't surprising at all. Not totally. But it still manages to catch her off guard considering just how closely connected they both have turned out to be to each other.]

[judicialassistant]

[ . . . Leia gets a long stare in return. Susato is not certain whether she's actually said something wrong. ]

Yes, I believe that was his name. Father has been working with him quite closely, and they should be just about ready to open that clinic.

Wh...Why?

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Her knowing Kazuma and Susato knowing Jude is one heck of a coincidence. Leia smiles at her, amused by this new little development.]

Jude's my friend from back home. We grew up together! He told me about the clinic, but I didn't know your dad was involved. Small world, huh? [pause.] Although, I guess technically it is, but, still it's pretty neat.

[judicialassistant]

[ She at least knows of Jude! This little development, combined with the clinic opening soon, definitely gives her the feeling that she needs to introduce herself sooner rather than later. Susato grins. ]

That's incredible! Back home, father was a professor in forensic pathology. He did not have his own practice as a doctor, but he has plenty of experience and has worked overseas with some of the most impressive minds in the field. Why, he has already helped many people right here in Reverein, so opening a clinic is only natural as a next step.

I haven't met Jude, but father speaks rather highly of him. It sounds like they work well together.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Sounds like Susato has almost her entire family here! That's fortunate, although... Leia's not sure she'd want her parents here. Her mom especially. She loves her parents a whole lot, but her mom is super scary and then there's the whole boyfriend situation and potential lecturing.

Well, Susato seems to absolutely adore her dad, and she can relate. Seems like she gets on well with her family.]

Yeah! He's a hard worker and is used to working with a lot of adults, so I'm sure they're gonna get along great!

Jude was studying to be a doctor and in medical school not that long ago. Circumstances back home made him reconsider his career choice, though. He's a renowned scientist now, but his medical knowledge is still extensive.

[Of course, she never misses an opportunity to gush about Jude. She's always had a way easier time saying things like that to others than being honest with how she really feels- or, rather, felt about him.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Renowned? Susato's seems to react to this, her eyes flashing in subtle surprise. Father had never mentioned Jude being famous or anything, but she finds it easy enough to believe how they'd found each other. ]

I see. From what I understand, he seems more familiar with magical healing, whereas father is more versed in more traditional techniques in diagnosis and treatment. They will make a great team, I'm sure!

[ At the very least, it sounds like they'll be learning quite a lot from each other. Susato will ask her again, though, gently, since she seems to have gotten distracted: ]

Maybe you can tell me more about why he decided to change his career, if you'd like to come over.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Oh, right! She totally spaced and forgot that invite! This will be fun. Susato's the first girl her age that she's interacted with in a long time. And she's way overdue for some quality girl time.]

Heck yeah! Let's make it a girls' night! I know I'd like to hear more about you and Kazuma.

[She'll just send a quick message shortly to Marui, so he knows not to wait up or anything.]

1/2

[judicialassistant]

You would?

[ Of course she would... Haaaaaaah. The more she thinks about it, the more she is afraid that Leia's gotten the wrong idea about all this. But what if it isn't. ]

[judicialassistant]

[ Before she can wallow for too long on this, though, suddenly she sees Leia's got her journal out. ]

Hold on now. Who's this? [ Her tone is teasing as she playfully tries to peer over her shoulder, though it could've been her grandma for all she knew. Pay back. ]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[The sudden question catches her off guard and she blushes.]

Huh? Oh, uh--

[For a second, she doesn't know how to respond. Saying it's her boyfriend, for some reason, doesn't come as easily as one might think.]

It's Marui. I'm just letting him know I won't be home tonight.

[But it's not that she's being secretive about it, or doesn't want to tell anyone. It's just not really the first thing that comes to mind. Plus the concept of being in a relationship is still pretty new to her.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Marui is definitely not her grandma's name. As a matter of fact, hasn't Susato heard that name before? It takes her a moment to remember where, but it's tough to forget the anguished cry of that motherly fire owl. ]

I think I've met a Marui. Does he have red hair?

[ Stupid boy energy off the charts? ]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[There can't be many redheads here named Marui- as a last or first name. To her it's a unique enough name that she's positive Susato is talking about the same guy, but she'll toss out a few other descriptions just in case.]

Yep! Plays tennis, talks about how much of a genius he is, kinda obnoxious? He's actually a sweet guy underneath all that, though.

[It's clear she doesn't mean that obnoxious thing cruelly, in fact she says it all with a gentle smile and mildly apologetic tone. Because, well, guy's got an ego a mile wide and she knows it. It's usually one of the first things that becomes apparent when he speaks. And, usually, most guys with a huge ego are pretty insufferable. But, sometimes that isn't the case. Alvin's the same way.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato's face seems to light up at Leia'a confirmations. She's only met him once, of course, and somehow, tennis didn't come up, but they're definitely talking about the same person. ]

We both carried some owl eggs back to its mother last month. I thought there must be a reason why they seemed so drawn to him.

I didn't know you lived together.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[That's what she gets for being so nosey about Kazuma. Looks like they're even now. Though she really doesn't think much about them living together- or what that might imply, if anything.]

That just sorta happened. He wanted a more conventional treehouse, and I offered him a room in mine till he could find one. But it just kinda stayed that way.

[Yet if she's to be completely honest, she didn't mind at all from the start, nor did she ask him how his search had been going. She just got used to him being there.]

[judicialassistant]

[ ......And to think. Kazuma had rejected her offer to live with her and her father, before she could even get the offer out. That stung, it did, though after being independent for so long, she could hardly blame him for not uprooting his life just because they just happened to show up.

He ended up spending a fair amount of nights there anyway, so it worked out, she supposed. ]

That... sounds nice. He must enjoy your company.

[ She's going to make you say it!! ]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[It's not that she's avoiding it intentionally, it simply doesn't come to mind that's what Susato might be getting at.]

We're dating, so he'd better, else I'll have to knock some sense into him. What about Kazuma, is he staying with you?

[judicialassistant]

[ Ha! She knew it... or something? Somehow that doesn't seem to have quite the same oompth when Leia follows it up so closely with a question back, so she kind of deflates a little. ]

. . . He is happy with his own place, I think. But he spends the night with us sometimes, and that's all father and I can really ask of him.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Oh... She can just see Susato wither a little right before her. Was it insensitive to ask? But she's quick to follow up with a little pep talk, her voice low and gentle.]

Hey... Don't worry too much about it. He's probably just doing that to keep you both safe. I mean, if he hasn't told you about Hyde, then it's pretty obvious that's what he's doing, right? Besides, guys are dumb, it doesn't matter how clear you make things, they somehow end up convincing themselves of the exact opposite. So, yeah, maybe a good toss will knock some sense into him.

[As she said before- it's never too late to toss someone.]

[judicialassistant]

[ For someone who claims not to know Kazuma well, Susato thinks that was a pretty sharp observation to make. She doesn't think Kazuma is dumb, but maybe he is, just a little bit... when it comes to certain things. Either way, Susato finds herself chuckling, not realizing how much she needed a little laugh at Kazuma's expense. ]

Do you often find yourself knocking sense into Marui, then?

[ragingscoopaholic]

[She's not a reporter for nothing! Sharp observations are part of the job, and she's certainly honed her skills a little. Hearing her friend laugh makes her feel better, and she smiles wide in response.]

Totally! It's kinda like when you're in the middle of writing and have to stop to shake the pen a little because the ink gets stuck. Just like pens, boys need a good shake sometimes.