[ He learned how to taunt from...well, he's not sure which of his parts he got the taunting thing from, so let's just say he learned it from the very best. It's probably true.
Hototogisu fights back just enough to be a nuisance. It's almost as if he knows that even though he's not trying his hardest, Mikazuki can't go all out. Maybe it's not a surprise he knows that, considering the echo of "Mikazuki" that probably rattles through the real Mikazuki with every strike that makes contact. But he does very little attacking, mostly defending himself. Even if he were trying his hardest to survive, he wouldn't be able to last forever that way, and eventually there's a chink in his defenses for Mikazuki to take advantage of. And another chance when the first cracks form, and Hototogisu is briefly distracted by looking for Hana.
She's still there. She hasn't gone back. It's...comforting in an odd way. To have her here to witness him breaking. Maybe because it's not something she'll forget any time soon. ]
This is...as far as I can go this time.
[ This time. Just this time. He drops his arm, his sword falling to his side, and musters up the barest hint of a smile. ]
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Hototogisu fights back just enough to be a nuisance. It's almost as if he knows that even though he's not trying his hardest, Mikazuki can't go all out. Maybe it's not a surprise he knows that, considering the echo of "Mikazuki" that probably rattles through the real Mikazuki with every strike that makes contact. But he does very little attacking, mostly defending himself. Even if he were trying his hardest to survive, he wouldn't be able to last forever that way, and eventually there's a chink in his defenses for Mikazuki to take advantage of. And another chance when the first cracks form, and Hototogisu is briefly distracted by looking for Hana.
She's still there. She hasn't gone back. It's...comforting in an odd way. To have her here to witness him breaking. Maybe because it's not something she'll forget any time soon. ]
This is...as far as I can go this time.
[ This time. Just this time. He drops his arm, his sword falling to his side, and musters up the barest hint of a smile. ]
...But at least it's you.
[ Better Mikazuki than...most other swords. ]