Interlude: Shirone: Hwei-ru

Interlude: Shirone: Hwei-ru

Wordcount: 1000

Commisioned by Althero

…

I would have been thoroughly displeased with the individual who implied that I would break under pressure. I have trained for an innumerable amount of time in order to attain my goals. Among those goals is the ability to never falter, no matter the pressure, in regards to any situation. I shall always have a calm mind, for a calm mind is competent in all things, while panic is a great and fearsome foe.

However, here I am, incapable of restraining myself.

“You are adorable.”

“I was created to be the best, so it’s natural that I am!” The girl is at the height of my chest. Hwei-ru has messy, short hair the color of raven’s wings. Her features are fair, but smiling with arms crossed, she has transcended beyond that. She fights through a blush, though it has appeared on her face, and both her tail and ears wiggle. Against a stampede of Chimera, I felt nothing but tranquil peace. Before this almighty attack, I find myself patting her head without thinking. My body has betrayed me, yet I find myself fine with it. “Hmmm! This feels quite good, so I shall allow it for this time. However, you must remember to ask, if you wish to ever pat my head, Miss Shirone!”

“My god, she’s a little bundle of confidence and pride, but adorable.” Kuroka’s whispered assessment is apt. My sister has always been good at putting things to words, while I find action to be my main means of communication. I can only surmise that my body is telling me that resistance is futile. No matter how much training I do, I shall never be capable of resting the urge to spoil this child. Or, for that matter, any child that shall come from my union with Li Song. Though my dreams of a family of warriors has been shattered, I find myself at peace… and wanting to bring this girl before me to every fine restaurant I’ve been to, no matter the cost. “This girl really is what you and Satan would make, sister.”

“Take that back! I demand that you call Li-sama by his name and only his name! No other title shall suffice, assassin!” My body invokes ancient secrets passed down through millennia to keep patting her head, despite her sudden charge at my sister. I cannot find in myself to reign my body in. My senses are entirely engrossed by her actions. Hwei-run led her charge with a waggling, dainty finger and features filled with completely assuredness. Adorable does not suffice as a word. She is above it. Beyond it. A whole new word is required. “Shirone-sama treats Li-sama with the proper respect, so you pull down upon her efforts by speaking of him in such a manner. Actions have consequences, especially amongst those with familial ties to one another!”

Ah, for my sake, she was reprimanding my sister. 

When was the last time my parents reprimanded my sister for my sake.

As I tried to find the answer, my body reacted, and bodily picked up the creature created by Li Song for the purpose of saving the lives of those he loves and cares for. 

“Shirone-san!?”

“Uhhh, sis, what are you doin—oh.”

I was hugging this creature. I will hug her and protect her. She is mine.

“Your affection is noted and appreciated, but you must control yourself, Shirone-san!” Hwei-ru huffs in my arms, but does not resist. I set her upon my lap, before crossing my arms upon her, and laying my chin upon her fluffy, soft hair. I set her between my legs, as I cross my ankles, thus finishing the almighty cage of protection that I wished for her to stay in forever. “You are respectable, warm, and diligence! Worthy of Li-sama! However, you cannot treat me as you please!”

I looked to my sister to explain. 

My time is better spent watching out for any threats to this creature in my grasp.

“Kid, it looks like you’ve activated Shirone’s battle instincts with a sledgehammer. She’s not letting you go until she’s content with your situation i.e. never. She’s a perfectionist.” Passive insult aside, my sister was correct. However, at this moment, I did not care that she was curvaceous, beautiful, and capable of seducing every man she came across. It only mattered that she delivered the correct words to my newfound favorite person to ever exist, so that I needn’t spend a single moment not taking care of her. “Either get comfortable, get smelly, or wait for me to nab a whole tuna from the oceans. Hang tight, I’ll manage to get it done in half-an-hour, okay?”

My sister did not await a response, berely choosing to meld into shadows, and disappear to leave me alone with the most adorable creature to ever exist.

“Shirone-san, I will not repeat myself! Release me this instant, or I shall free myself with my own power, regardless whether it shall harm you!” Yes, that is the correct way forward. Even with a promise in play, with reinforcements incoming, one should never hesitate to keep fighting. Kuroka might have promised you freedom, but you need to fight, to wage battle, and be the perfect warrior. I shall accept nothing else. “H-however, that’s only if you do not say the correct words1 Shirone-san, I demand that you think properly, instead of succumbing to your instincts!”

Looking upon me with deep, amber eyes, I could not help but find myself nearly incapable of breathing, as I sound too much like a squeak left my lips.

This fearsome cuteness is too much.

It has nearly killed me by robbing me of air.

However, I am no fool, thus I am more than capable of discerning what the girl I’ve encapsulated wishes. 

Politely, I ask her if I may hug her and hold her, because she is the cutest creature I’ve ever seen and want a child just like her with Li Song.

With a smile that can melt any heart, Hwei-ru gave her response.

“Of course!”