Kibishi's POV

  The Next Day

  The following day, after returning to my room since I didn't feel like joining David and Riley on their trip, I decided to linger on my bed for the rest of the day and fall asleep afterwards.

  Tao checked up on me every here and there.

  I told her that I was fine and needed to figure out a way to apologize to Mato without it sounding forced or half-assed.

  I was ying down on my soft bed at the moment in my red pjs.

  But no matter how much time had passed, I couldn't think of a way to do that.

  To make matters worse, instead of Mato coming to my room as pnned, The Founder came to me instead with a list of things to do around the building. From sweeping the floor to cleaning the toilets to evening cooking for a whole month. Cooking aside, the others sounded so awful.

  The only benefit about the list was that I could do my hobby, which was cooking.

  The others seemed like unfair punishment.

  But to be fair, I supposed I deserved it after doing those awful things to Mato.

  So, instead of compining, I figured I could get started on the list that The Founder had provided.

  Slowly sitting up, I did a stretch and took the list from on top of my dressing table that was right next to me. I took a good look and saw that I'd have to do these things weekly.

  The good news was that it was only the morning routine, so I could at least have a good schedule instead of worrying about my health and whatnot.

  I suppose this means I can figure a way to add this to my every day life until the month is up....

  Scratching my head, I turned towards the mirror and could see the bags under my eyes.

  Whoa.

  I looked like a hot mess. I shouldn't have stayed up all night trying to figure out a way to apologize. I wouldn't be any good if I suddenly fell asleep while apologizing.

  "Anyway, I better get started." I whispered to myself.

  Right.

  I needed to get started with my day-

  "...Wait." I looked at myself in the mirror and remembered something very important.

  Yup.

  I hadn't showered or even brushed my teeth yet. Why in the world would I do anything if I didn't take care of myself first?

  With a firm nod, I gently pced the list on the table and started heading to the bathroom to take a cold shower. If I wanted to start the day right then I better start fresh.

  ***

  After putting on some clothes, I started to put on my golden neckce around my neck.

  I was wearing a white jacket with a zipper, a bck shirt, bck jeans, and finally, white shoes.

  I grabbed back the list and started to head out the door-

  Beep! Beep!

  "Hmm?" I raised my brows when I heard some strange sound.

  Beep! Beep!

  There it was again. What was it?

  Beep! Beep!

  Oh.

  I thought I knew what that was. I looked at my right side and dug inside of my jeans. I took out my phone and it showed the caller ID. It revealed to be Kuma. I wondered what she wanted.

  I clicked the green phone icon and pced the phone on my ear.

  "Hello?"

  "Hey, Kibi. How are you feeling?" Kuma asked on the phone.

  "I'm doing better now. Thanks for asking."

  "Good. That's good..." Kuma whispered as I could hear a sigh of relief from the other side.

  Not long after, it was silence.

  It wasn't too long, just five seconds, but it felt like eternity.

  "... Hello? Are you there, Kuma?"

  "Y-yes! I am!" Kuma stuttered.

  Strange. Kuma doesn't seem like herself...

  Did she feel bad for what happened to me? Or was she too scared to approach me in person? That could expin the sudden phone call.

  "U-um, I would like to thank you guys for bringing me back here, Kuma."

  "O-oh. No problem! You're like family to us now, you know!" Kuma tried to sound cheery, but I could tell that there was fear in her voice.

  Did she think I was holding a grudge or something?

  ... I hoped not.

  I slowly sat down near my bed and looked at the list.

  I knew I couldn't fix everything in one day. But I could make atonement and do the right thing. After all, as a human, I must do what's right and not always wrong.

  "Say, Kuma?"

  "Hmm?"

  "...I'm sorry." I whispered.

  I heard a small gasp from the phone.

  I could hear some moving as well. Probably walking back and forth, trying to figure the next word to say. But I simply chuckled and narrowed my eyes in shame.

  "... You don't have to respond to me. I know the truth. I know what happened to me after our battle with the monster."

  ".... You do?" Kuma asked hesitantly.

  "I do," I nodded.

  "...." It seemed like Kuma had found somepce to sit since I heard some chairs moving.

  "... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being able to help in any way, Kibi. I'm the veteran here yet I froze in pce when you didn't move a-and...-"

  "... I forgive you." I replied before letting Kuma finish her apology.

  "W-what?" Kuma whispered.

  "It was my idea and I'm the one who paid for it. Of course, I would've been gone for good if my connection to the reaper wasn't there, but still... I should've done it another way than using my life." I whispered back and looked at my white shoes in shame.

  "..."

  "..."

  ".... Are you pnning on doing that again if we face off a monster that's beyond our strength, Kibi?" Kuma asked me honestly.

  "..."

  I slowly closed my eyes and thought.

  Would I?

  Would I really do it? Would I risk my life for the sake of others that I deeply cared for?

  .

  ..

  ....

  ...... I already knew the answer to that question. I had to answer Kuma honestly.

  "... Yes. Yes, I will."

  "..."

  "..."

  "... Okay. Fair enough." Kuma sounded sadder than before.

  Yup.

  That should be expected.

  Answering honestly like that might've hurt her emotionally. Chances of me being dead would be higher from now on. So, of course, everyone around me would worry. But still, what I was saying was the truth. I couldn't lie to them. I just couldn't.

  "... Hey. Kibi?"

  "Yeah?"

  "W-why... why would you... be... that... you know?"

  "... Reckless?" I smiled.

  "Y-yeah..."

  "Mm, most likely, I'm simply broken." I bluntly stated.

  "..."

  "Don't forget, I was raised in prison so my mind doesn't work like yours, Kuma. Sure, I know basic knowledge like you. But I can't really see my actions as 'wrong'. No, it's more like... I know that it's wrong, but I simply don't care about it. Kuma... I know I'm not normal. What I'm saying to you isn't good to hear. But still, this is who I am. And I can't fix it. I'll be like this for the rest of my life. I'm sorry."

  More importantly, I knew that I felt guilty doing it and having people around me suffer.

  But I couldn't stop it.

  I couldn't stop this mindset of mine.

  I was a bit too stubborn to change my ways. And I didn't think the prison made it any better.

  It made me the person I was today. All of those hardships and suffering from those creatures made me... well, me.

  "....Kibi. I'm sorry. I wish that... I wish that I could help the way you think."

  "No one can fix it. It's a mark that won't leave my brain." I stated.

  "... Right," Kuma agreed.

  "That said, I've got you guys now. So if you ever see me being stupid, you can stop me. Feel free to stop me if I end up doing something dangerous."

  "Ha. You make it sound easy!" Kuma ughed on the phone.

  I smiled brightly.

  That was the Kuma I knew. I could still hear some hesitation, but she seemed to be a bit loosened up.

  I looked at the list once more.

  "... Say, Kuma. I vaguely remember you helping in the kitchen a few weeks ago."

  "Hmm? Oh, yeah. Cooking is a hobby of mine."

  Same as me, huh?

  I mentally noted.

  "Is it? Well, in that case, how about you and the other girls help me cook for our victory party that's coming up?"

  "Victory party? Oh, yeah! It's by the end of the week, right?"

  "Yup!" I nodded.

  "Sure, I can help with that!" Kuma giggled on the phone.

  "Cool. So, I suppose you want your space until you're comfortable around me again since you called over the phone and not in person?"

  "A-ack! It's not that I'm not comfortable. I-it's just that..."

  "... S-sorry. That was a joke. Either way, I hope you have a good day. Feel free to come see me or even call if you want. I won't force you if you don't want to do any of that, though."

  "Yeah, sure. I'll visit you a bit ter after Yosei, Jir, and I finish up with our daily stuff for today! We all can hang out then!"

  "Nice! Talk to you ter then!"

  "Mm-hmm! Bye-bye!"

  Beep!

  I clicked the end button and sighed in relief.

  I knew it would still be awkward, but I was gd we were starting on the right foot again. Chances were that they would keep their distance, but I didn't mind that if it would make them comfortable enough to at least talk to me.

  I looked back at the list and turned serious.

  "Right! Time to get started!"

  I got up and headed straight to the door.

  I didn't want to let anyone down any longer. I may not be able to change right away, but I could at least try to make things comfortable. I'd figure out a way to make things right with Mato at some point. Until then, I had to get things ready for the party in a few days!