The wind and rain buffeted her, but it did not stop her. No one could ever stop her.
Cold air rushed around the heavy parka Pekora wore, sending shivers up her exposed ankles and thighs. Rain battered the broad-rimmed hat, water trailing down the fur of her ears and through the holes cut for them. She ignored the barrage of elements, her feet pattering along the pavement as she approached the bridge.
No one else was coming. No one else would come, she knew. Pekora had always known that people couldn't be relied upon, and that you could only trust yourself. But from her time spent under the Cover corporation banner, she had formed bonds, and while the others would sit idly by and hope for things to get better, she knew she needed to act.
Ongoing streamers were unaware, but Rushia's other co-workers heard about the twitcast, the crying voice and roaring wind, and had done nothing but comfort one another with their words. As soon as Pekora had heard the first whine from her phone's microphone, she had grabbed her coat and ran out the door.
Rushia wasn't close, but she was a rabbit, her feet carrying her quickly through familiar streets and towards where she knew Rushia would be. They had visited the bridge several times in the past; Rushia had loved the view, brought it up many times.
Now, Pekora watched her friend teetering on the railing, looking down at the waters below.
"YAMEROO!" Pekora cried out. Surprise ran through her friends body, causing her body to lurch, twisting so that she fell backwards and on the pavement. Pekora ran forward, taking advantage of the good fortune. "What are you doing, bakayaro!?"
"I can't take it," Rushia whined. "Everyone is so mean. Mafumafu is ignoring me. Everyone at Cover is pretending to care, but I can tell they don't want to get too involved with me. I don't have any other choice nanodesu."
"Shaddup peko!" Pekora smacked her friend. "You don't need anyone else. You only need to believe in yourself, peko!"
"That's easy for you! You're stronger than I am..." Rushia tried stepping away, tried reaching a hand towards the railing, but Pekora kept a firm grasp on her soaked friend.
"HANASANAI PEKO. If you jump over the railing, I'm coming with you peko."
Rushia shook her off and made a sharp motion with her arm. "No you aren't! You're just saying that. None of you really care about me, I know that. You don't get to decide what I do with my life."
"But what about the others? If you jump, you will hurt all of the fandead. And all of us at Cover. And your family. The choice you are making is not just about you, it's about everyone you care for."
"I can't take this anymore. I don't care who I hurt, I don't want to deal with everyone's horrible words any more." Rushia pushed towards the railing, getting one leg up before Pekora pulled her back.
"BELIEVE IN PEKORA, PEKO. Pekora is a loner, but I still want everyone else to be happy. Has there ever been a time where things haven't gotten better? Everything always turns out. This is just a bad spot, peko. Things will get better! I promise, peko! Believe in Pekora!"
Rushia stared at her friend in disbelief, the rain mixing with her tears. "Why did you come? Why you of all people? You never leave your house or talk to anyone unless you have to."
"Because it's true that others may be scared to be involved with you right now, for the sake of their careers, they still care about you, just like I do. But Pekora has never had anything to lose, peko. Except her friends." Pekora rubbed at her eyes and then stomped her foot, water splashing in a small puddle. "Mou, just go home! Don't make me beg, peko!"
Rushia let out a cry, falling to her knees. Pekora knelt to cradle her head.
"I'm just so lonely," Rushia sobbed "I can't take this anymore."
"Things will get better. Just take things one day at a time, peko. If there is no one else, pekora is always here for you. Sankisei need to stick together, peko!"