incentive;;

[derepressed]

Osaka Castle.
Osaka, Japan, Post-Craven Castle.

[It's almost as if the castle was some terrible dream. But it - it wasn't. Chizuru knows it wasn't, knows she lived every minute of it. The danger was incredibly real. Not just to herself - but to Souji, as well. She still isn't sure whether or not she can ever forgive them for putting him in even more danger, especially when he had been in danger because of Kaoru already...

Kaoru.

He was there. He is here, too. Chizuru's door back home and his door back home were one and the same, but she hadn't been able to bring herself to look at him as they approached it, and now that they've stepped through it, she recognizes exactly where they are; it's Osaka Castle, where Souji had been receiving treatment for the silver bullets he'd been shot with -

The bullets he'd been shot with because of Kaoru...

But she'd only survived as long as she had in the castle because of Kaoru, too. It's confusing and disorienting and she isn't sure where to begin with that, but when she sees the familiar halls of Osaka castle she immediately bolts for Souji's room, because, well, she knows Kaoru is alive.

Now she has to check on Souji.]

Okita-san! [Her feet know the way to his room, and she slides the door open without even waiting for him to answer.] Okita-san..!