You Again? [Saiko/Hisana]

Saiko took another glance over at Hisana as she began to talk. Observing her for a few moments led the woman to believe that she was starting to become relaxed around based on her calm words and the way she had passing giggles at the words spoken. So, the hybrid couldn't help but smile as it was always lovely to see that there is still the potential to turn someone who was potentially an enemy at first into an ally or friend.

Opting to let Hisana finish speaking, Saiko was surprised that she wanted her to decide what they would eat. It caused her to briefly becoming silent, but not for long. Being that she was hungry and needed lots of fuel to feed the amount of energy her body burns, the simple choice was anything with meat in it. So, Gyūdon was a great idea.

"I hope you are a meat eater, Hisana."

There was a sly smile on the Mistress of Glum's face as she eyed a stand nearby. Making a motion with her hand for the Arrancar to follow, Saiko licked her lips in anticipation as her body craved a fat stack of protein. So, after getting the vendor's attention, she promptly ordered an average bowl of Gyūdon for Hisana; but ordered herself a meal fit for two or three with the large bowl that was being made for the hybrid.

It didn't take long to make it since most of the ingredients were already cooking, and they just needed to assemble it. It consisted of slices of beef cooked with onions in a sweet sauce and put on top of steamed white rice. This is why Saiko eagerly handed Hisana her bowl when the order was done before grabbing her massive bowl and taking a few bites as they started to find somewhere nice to sit down and talk.

And, with food still in her mouth and swallowing, Saiko sighed happily and spoke out.

"Let's sit and eat, Hisana. Tell me, how do you like it?"

Saiko paused for a moment to properly digest and enjoy the food. At that time, her gaze lingered on Hisana as she commented on the hybrid's body using so much energy. Finally, she blinked, giggled, and commented back:

"Yeah, I guess it's the curse of my demonic half. Your body is fighting against itself in some ways, so when you are fighting with the body I have, it uses up so many calories and energy that I need to make up for it. Especially when I opt not to feed as most demons do when it comes to their element."

Nodding, Saiko reflected a bit on her restraint. It would be easier to start sucking and devouring the despair, glumness, and misery of the world around her, but that only made her lose aspects of her psyche to the depths of that despair. It would be easier to go back to that, to become a proper demon and become akin to that a demon lord. Yet, she didn't desire that. So, she focused on her meditations and her humanity and fought against them for her own sake and happiness.

Hence, as Hisana started to comment about her lack of appetite, Saiko continued to look at the Arrancar before a realization hit her: did she need to push herself? Sure, Hisana needed enough strength to at least guide some of the people under her, but she seemed content, and Saiko would express that thought.

"You seem...happy. If there is a lack of desire for that, perhaps it is for the best. Is there any strong reason you need to really fight or train outside of being strong enough to guide the students in the academy, Hisana?"

Saiko would wave off the concerns with a gentle wave and laugh.

"Ah, there are worse things in life than eating like a pig. Honestly, there are more drawbacks to being a hybrid, but I wouldn't want to bring the mood going into them."

She'd snort, taking another giant bite out of her meal. The warm feeling of hot food going down her throat and into her gut just made the woman feel at home. So, she'd nod and continue the conversation, even if it was uncomfortable to bring up these unsavory aspects of her body.

"Hmmmmmm, well, there is a chance I could still exist without my demonic powers. However, since my body has been like this for decades, it's bounded to it, and I'm just scared of dying or becoming injured before I can truly redeem myself for what I've done."

A cup was on the table, so she took a sip of its cherry-flavored contents as she lost herself in thought for a moment while looking at Hisana's aura. It was alright to exist for the moment, and Saiko enjoyed times like these. There was no telling when terrible things might happen, so she was the type to try not to think too hard, as she's already spent much of her life doing that and tormenting herself. So, she'd press through and speak further.

"You are right. That is a good reason to want to keep training or getting stronger. However, if there are people you cherish and want to protect, sometimes you have to put in the work to want to keep them safe. That's why many people who form families do what they can to ensure they can provide a happy life for the people they care for."

There was a chuckle before she continued with her thoughts.

"I may be thinking too deeply about this, but people have had to fight since the dawn of life and man. That sense of fighting is even in humans. So, it matters more about why you fight than the fight itself. Even on the smallest level of just wanting to live a normal life, there is a battle to endure obstacles to learn a hobby or skill or even to connect with people. So, pursuing something that keeps life interesting and your why is more important than achieving the thing itself."

After a pause, she'd look at Hisana and blush a bit.

"Does that make sense?"

Saiko gushed for a moment as she never considered herself a profoundly philosophical person. However, it was hard to gauge how she came off at times since the woman felt so lost in her pursuits, emotions, and passions that it was refreshing to get another person's point of view on her words. So, with a ginger chuckle, she'd continue keeping the conversation rolling:

"Well, thank you for that! I suppose I've had a lot of time to contemplate things. There has been so much that has happened to me these past few years since I joined the Gotei that it changes your worldview with enough time."

Nodding, Saiko looked at Hisana for a few moments before remaining silent and prodding her a bit more.

"But tell me, do you have any general philosophy on life? Or are you the type to accept things as they are? You seem pretty wise and teach many people, so I'm curious to hear what you think is the key to a good life and what you tell your students."

"Hm, don't discount yourself so quickly. Those who lack intelligence speak when they shouldn't, and those who possess intelligence listen and speak when they understand the world and others better. You seem to understand that, and it's not as common as you would expect it to be."

Humility, observation, and the capacity to learn and evolve were worthwhile traits in the eyes of Saiko. Because of this, she perceived Hisana's reaction as downplaying her abilities. There is no doubt in her mind that the Arrancar has made mistakes, but no being is perfect, and she continued to have her eyes linger as this contemplation carried on.

"When you live to absurd ages as we do, you live entire lifetimes repeatedly. It's natural for things to become hazy as your old self dies and a new one begins to transform as experiences and the period we find ourselves in change us. It's better to accept that, draw the most important memories from our lifetimes, and adjust to the time we live in."

After speaking, Saiko paused for a moment, and then she snorted.

"Well, all that matters unless we are ready to die. But it seems you have much more to do before that happens."

Smiling for a few more moments after talking, Saiko's eyes drifted back to Hisana as she paid attention to the woman holding her throat. Then, figuring something was off, she decided to prod her gently and move on with the conversation.

"If there is something more you want to express, I'm not afraid to dwell on more sensitive things. I won't prod you, but you looked distressed there for a moment, and I figured something was wrong. Forgive me if I'm incorrect, however."