A short detour with Maki and Mukuro

Meanwhile, back at Kokai Park, Maki and Mukuro were both still sparring, though they were finally starting to reach the limits of what they could do. They were both panting and dripping with sweat as they stood across from each other on the grass, each scanning the other for any potential weaknesses. What few visitors the park had at this time of night had long been scared off by their intense combat, so they were left completely alone and in silence as they each waited for the other to make the next move.

After sparring for over an hour with Mukuro, Maki was starting to become familiar with Mukuro’s body. The sprinkle of freckles on her clear white face, her tall toned figure, her muscled core… she studied it all intensely as she tried desperately to get the upper hand. She couldn’t help but admit to herself that Mukuro’s body was both impressive and easy to look at, but she did her best to ignore the subtle warmth in her chest when she stared for too long; after all, she had a fight to win.

Finally, Maki thought she saw her chance and dashed forward, aiming to deliver a kick directly to Mukuro’s side. The blow hit harder than the soldier expected, but she still managed to fight through the pain and grab onto the assassin’s leg, at which point she pulled the smaller girl forward and locked her into a painful submission lock.

“Hnngh!” Maki grunted in discomfort as she felt her spine crushed.

“Well? Do you surrender?” Mukuro asked, her face so close to Maki’s that she could smell her hot breath, which Mukuro did her best to ignore “Do you?”

“Gngh! Alright, I give up! You win!” Maki relented, to which Mukuro let the smaller girl fall to the ground. “Aah… even after all those tries, I still can’t beat you. I really have lost my touch.”

“Nonsense - you fought very admirably today.” Mukuro helped Maki to her feet and made sure she wasn’t really hurt. “If we keep doing this every night, I’m sure you’ll be able to hold your own in no time.”

“If you say so…” Maki said dismissively as Mukuro went to gather her things. “Say… Mukuro? Is it okay if I ask you a personal question?”

“I suppose that it would be ‘friendly’ if I said ‘yes’, wouldn’t it?” Mukuro replied, taking a drink of water. “Go right ahead.”

“Back when you were a soldier… you… killed a lot of people, right?” Maki asked after a moment’s hesitation.

“Yes, I did,” Mukuro replied simply.

“And… how many people did you kill?” Maki asked.

“Too many to count,” Mukuro replied, her affect still flat.

“Then… how do you do it?” Maki turned towards Mukuro to look her in the eye. “How do you keep going? Knowing that you’re responsible for so much pain, suffering, and ****?” Maki had this question in her mind for years, but now that it was finally coming out she couldn’t help but start to tear up. “I know I did what I had to… I tell myself that everyday. But that doesn’t make me feel any better about it.”

“...” Mukuro put a hand in front of her mouth as she thought about how to best answer that question. “I wish I had an easy answer for that, but… I don’t. Moving on from a past like that is as hard as it is individual. I still feel guilty about some of the things I’ve done, but… I find it’s best to get through each day one at a time.” Mukuro walked up to Maki and put a hand on her shoulder. “Those people may be gone, but you’re still here, and the best you can do is keep going for you. Live life enthusiastically, and without regrets, and never focus on the past when you can focus on what’s tomorrow instead.”

“Live life without regrets, huh?” Maki wiped the tears out of her eyes. “... is that why you chose to start working out with Shuichi?”

“Yes, it is.” Mukuro replied, picking up Maki’s bag for her. “Now, let’s get going, shall we? I think we’ve both earned some rest.”

“Thanks,” Maki said, taking her bag. “So… what are some of the ways that you ‘focus on tomorrow’?”

“Setting a goal for yourself is usually good for that, but hobbies work too,” Mukuro said, walking beside Maki as they headed to the park exit. “For example… my sister, Pandora, doesn’t know about this, but I’ve been taking care of some plants in my room…”