Inori's earlier awe fractured. She blinked twice, as if trying to clear her eyes of something impossible.
Then the scream tore out of her, raw and involuntary.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!"
The sound echoed through the clearing, far louder than her small frame should have allowed. He ignored her completely, and continued eating from the Sinner's still-twitching corpse, his face forming a mix of satisfaction and intrigue. "This one is really bouncy, like rubber!" He spoke with some blood on his mouth.
Inori's horror redoubled. She screamed again, even louder, the words tumbling out in a frantic repetition as she shuffled backward across the grass, still bound by the thick rope.
The boy paused mid-bite, a faint flicker of realization crossing his features '"Shit!" He glanced at the disgusted Inori.
"S-sorry, forgot you were there." He scratched the back of his head, sheepish for half a second, " I just couldn't resist." He admitted then went back to eating.
Inori squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't watch anymore. She would have thrown up if her stomach wasn't empty.
The boy on the other hand devoured the last of the grotesque meal in silence, then stood, wiping his mouth with a clean red handkerchief from his pocket. Inori remained frozen in fear and utter confusion, her mind struggling to process the sight.
He burped softly, then spoke with casual detachment.
"Hey, uh… let's pretend you didn't see that, okay?" He didn't sound sorry. He sounded inconvenienced.
After a long second, Inori snapped back to reality, trembling as she spoke. "What is wrong with you...?Why would you.... P-priests don't eat Sinners....!"
"Huh? I'm not a Priest." He paused for a long moment, tilting his head as if considering something. "My name's Haruki." He took a slow step toward her. Inori instinctively backed away as far as the ropes allowed.
"I'm sixteen. My favorite color is red. I really enjoy American movies, but I prefer Japanese games. And don't let my face fool you, I'm a guy."
He chuckled quietly at the last part, the sound low and strangely melodic.
Inori stared, blinking slowly. The rapid cascade of events left her mind sluggish, struggling to keep up. "Eh? What is happening…?" Her brain rebooted, dumbfounded by such a casual introduction despite eating a Sinner alive.
Haruki sighed, the sound carrying a trace of impatience, and repeated himself more deliberately.
"W-wow, you're a boy?" Inori's voice pitched up, feigning surprise. She'd known from his voice, but playing dumb felt safer.
"It was… nice meeting you. But please, just let me go." Her hands trembled. Everything about him made her head hurt.
"I could show you my penis if you need proof," Haruki said, smiling like he'd offered her candy.
"Please, no!" Inori recoiled. "I-I don't care what you're gender is! Just stay away from me!" Her voice cracked. She looked like she'd cry if he took one more step.
Haruki laughed and walked some feet away then glanced back over his shoulder, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "If you think that's crazy, want to hear something wilder?"
Inori gulped. Her body was still bound. She couldn't cover her ears. She had to listen to him.
Haruki was suddenly beside her, leaning close to whisper in her left ear, his voice was low and seductive and a breath with the trace of blood.
"I'm actually… a Sin."
She shivered involuntarily. The words lingered in the cool morning air. Until it sunk in to Inori's brain.
What his said was not as disturbing as expected, rather confusing.
She gave him a doubting look.
"Really?" She raised a brow — an expression she rarely made. "You're… a Sin?"
Haruki nodded, still smiling.
Inori's thoughts turned inward. From everything she had learned at home, through articles and such. Sins were grotesque abominations, twisted beyond human form by the Curse. No matter which sin they embodied, they did not look like this. "You're lying."
Haruki's smile faltered into a frown. "I-I'm not lying! I'm a Sin! Ehm… the Sin of… uhhh, something!"
He sounded almost petulant, as if disappointed by her lack of fear.
Inori gave a tired sigh, the exhaustion of the past week weighing heavily. "Listen… I don't know if you see me as a fool, but just let me go already."
"Ugh, why won't you listen? I'm not lying, and I don't care if you believe me or not. I'm a Sin, okay?" Haruki's voice carried an insulted tone, he picked up his sword and walked back toward the damaged inn. Inori wiggled awkwardly, forcing herself to stand up straight. Her constrained movements caused by the ropes forced her to hop as she trailed behind him.
"C-could you please untie me now?" she asked with a small voice. "Please sir, I'm begging."
The thick fibers had become painfully uncomfortable.
He turned and stared blankly for some seconds."... hmmm ....okay, why not."
Haruki turned, suddenly raising the short katana toward her chest, the blade pointed at the ropes. Inori flinched, immediately regretting asking to be released. Expecting pain or worse.
Instead, he slashed once — a single, precise motion. The thick rope parted cleanly, falling to the ground. Alas she was free.
"Ah, Finally…!" Relief washed over her face as she rubbed her sore shoulders and wrists, her body was still wrapped in the bandages however, a little disappointed those weren't cut off as well.
Inori stared at him cautiously. She hesitated, then bowed slightly in appreciation. "T-thank you. I… I best be on my way now." She pointed vaguely toward a random path through the trees, already turning to leave.
"C'mon, don't go. Let's talk a bit," Haruki insisted. The phrase made her jaw clench.
Inori held both shoulders, stammering. "I-I'd rather not… please excuse me." She tried speaking back, every instinct screaming to flee.
"Should I tie you up again?" Haruki asked, smiling pleasantly.
Inori shuddered. Her shoulders slumped in defeat. 'This...this boy is never letting me go, is he…?' She turned slowly, avoiding his gaze.
He was still holding the short katana. The sight alone made her more terrified. He was too unpredictable. She didn't want any more trauma.
Inori straightened her posture as best she could, hands clasped tightly in front of her. As if awaiting orders.
"Good. Now first things first — what's your name, sweetie?" Haruki's tone suddenly shifted to something warm and comforting.
Inori didn't trust it. This person had almost murdered her the night before.
"Hellooo? Your name?" he asked again, noticing her furious stare. Inori was still processing the question. It felt like a trap.
'This is bad… I'm sure he's heard the news of my 'death'. I can't say I'm Tabata Inori...he might think I'm crazy. But it's my name…!'
She sulked then continued pondering.
'I don't want to risk it. I'll just give a fake name. We'll most likely never meet again.'
Her heart raced, Inori had never lied before. The new feeling stretched the silence.
"Uhhhhh...."
Inori dragged the sound out, buying time while her mind searched for a fake name.
"It's okay. Take your time," Haruki reassured her gently.
'Let me see… Hori? No, that doesn't feel right.... Hurry up — he's looking at you strangely!'
She hissed in frustration. It was only for today, she told herself.
"My name is Inori!.... Hori Inori!" she said, the words came out too loud.
Fake family name: Hori
Kanji - 堀 -
Furigana- ほり-
Meaning: moat, ditch.
Real given name: Inori
kanji - 祈り-
Furigana - いのり-
Meaning: prayer.
Haruki stared for a moment, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes, "Your name is "Inori"… as in prayer?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Huh? Yes it's an odd given name I know..." She admitted, that was the first time someone called it out. The adults she had spoken with so far must have avoided doing so to be polite.
Haruki couldn't help but snort, hiding it behind his fist.
It made her half embarrassed and annoyed. She hated the fact her fake family name wasn't as suspicious as her actual given one.
"Well, nice to meet you, Hori."
Haruki reached out his hand for salutations. She looked at his palm then blinked once. Quickly shaking her head in refusal.
Inori — now tentatively 'Hori' to strangers — felt a quiet sadness bloom in her chest. Denying her real identity, even for a moment, felt wrong. Painful. She had just cut her tie to the Tabata household. Her true family....
Her heart raced as she stood before him. Haruki crouched slightly to observe her more closely, like she was some curious specimen. Most likely interested in her strange clothes and hair. 'My heart is beating so fast…' Hori told herself.
The identity crisis felt more severe at that moment, she felt like running as quickly as possible.
She stole a glance at him, shocked at his intense gaze.
"P-please stop looking at me so much."
She asked timidly, pinching her fingers with uncomfortable movements.
Haruki was already walking back to the damaged inn, waving his hand as if dismissing her. He must have lost interest already.
"I won't report you to the police, so just go back to your parents okay?" He waved casually as she smiled in relief, she could finally leave unpunished.
Hori — still Inori in her heart — left the forest, heading toward wherever the path might lead.
Haruki remained behind, doing a few lazy morning stretches after clearing some debris from the damaged inn. He tapped his chin thoughtfully as he paced. "What a weird girl.... Hori Inori, like a rhyme." He giggled.
"I'm honestly not that depressed anymore. I guess they won't be a massacre."
The so called sin spoke to himself, then left the forest as well.