(I will introduce some pictures for better immersion. I'll introduce two-three pictures in each chapter. I'll comment on the sentences.)
I dispelled all of my shikigamis, except for the rabbit army. They're both my pseudo-eyes and ears, I don't want to lose my situational awareness.
Anyways, I need some time alone to recalibrate my mental state and let my curse energy stabilize. I ordered my rabbits to scout ahead and bring anything relevant straight to me.
A blue plastic chair was near the edges of the pool for some reason. I ordered my rabbits to give them to me. I then sat on it and collapsed on it.
"Is there even any hope in here?" I let out a soft mutter, chewing on a chocolate bar while sipping a warm can of cola. I hate sugar, but I need to be active and energetic.
I let out a heavy sigh and lifelessly gazed at the tiled ceramic ceiling. I could hear the faint ringing coming from my ears, so I ordered several rabbits to make some noise in the pool in front of me.
I rested my right arm on the chair's handle and leaned on my fist, observing as the rabbits jumped around and playfully kicked each other. Anything to drown out the oppressive silence and looming dread is welcome at this point.
What was I doing before I came here again?
Oh yes, right. Shibuya.
I wonder if Itadori and Kugisaki are safe?
Splitting with Itadori was probably not a good choice, now that I think about it...
As for Gojo. I don't even want to think about him at this point. I have a lot on my mind, though, if he were to be unsealed. I wish he'd come straight for me. I can't get out of this place, but Gojo might be able to.
One of the rabbits kicked another rabbit too hard and was then flung straight at me. I slapped the flinging rabbit away; it glued itself to the wall on my right and slowly dragged down.
A heavy feeling persisted in my chest and in the back of my head. It felt like anxiety, fear, and hopelessness mashed together. I felt scared, but at the same time, quite somewhat accepting of my situation here.
My stomach grumbled. It was looking for something proper and decent, not just scavenged candy bars and lukewarm sugary beverages.
I just stared at the bunnies while resting my head on my hand and waiting for a miracle, waiting for a sign, waiting for something.
An hour passed. I've shifted my position several times and did some minor stretching to get my heart pumping.
A few hours have passed. A rabbit jumped up and down on my head, trying to provide some entertainment or maybe a massage? It's rather annoying.
Twelve hours have passed...? A rabbit was now napping in my lap, and I was mindlessly petting it.
I just sat there, watching my rabbits play in the pool, providing noise and entertainment like I am some idle monarch. I felt several internal tugging sensations; some of my rabbits have found something from afar.
However, I couldn't be bothered to stand and explore this place. My rabbits instead delivered these peculiarities directly to me throughout the day.
The first peculiarity was a floater. An orange floater like the ones from cruise or combat ships. It served zero purpose for me, but I tossed it to the playing rabbits.
They then reenacted that particular old movie scene about a high-class woman watching some labor man drown because their dumb captain hit and struck an easily maneuvered around iceberg.
I forgot the name.
The second peculiarity was a lifejacket. Again, zero purpose. I then told the rabbits to pile it on the corner beside me.
The third peculiarity was a volleyball for some reason. I don't know why it was here. We're not on a beach, but in a pool. I've never heard of pool volleyball. Quite difficult to dive for a ball when the ground is tiled.
The fourth peculiarity was an identification card. This one caught my attention, and I had to shift my sitting position. It was a student's ID card.
In the photo was a brightly orange-haired student with a joyful smile. The school's name was weird. I've never even heard of a school being named like that.
"Karasuno High School." What kind of school's name is that? It doesn't sound like sorcery schools or normal schools...
"Shoyo Hinata..." If he's here, then he's probably dead at this point. He came here before me, and it doesn't look like he's a sorcerer. I can only hope that he doesn't turn into some cursed spirit.
The fifth peculiarity was a crumpled piece of soda can. Interesting.
After some time of pointless mulling and staring, I finally gathered the energy to rise from the plastic chair and began walking. This time, to clear my head and get my heart pumping, I instead walked.
My pace was almost like a snail; each step took an enormous amount of effort. A part of me wanted to give up and lie down. However, a part of me doesn't want to die crying either.
So, I forced myself to walk and steadied my breathing. There's always a light at the end.
Anyways, in this room full of pools, there were no doors and windows. Just lights and pools. What was the use of this kind of place?
I walked into a chamber with a domed roof and a single thin column at the center of a round, shallow pool knee-deep. I approached the edge of the pool and washed the soles of my shoes with the clear, clean water.
For some reason, the waters here are sparklingly clean and oddly picturesque. The whole place seemed like an odd yet trance-inducing painting.
My rabbits have found something again — up ahead, a few minutes' walk or so. There was the faint presence of another person.
Well, one thing is for certain: they've spotted my rabbits, but they're not actively doing something about it.