CHAPTER LII
~Don’t Touch the Fragile~
Hours slipped by in the quiet stillness of the infirmary before the heavy door creaked open. Saito, the janitor from the third floor, stepped inside carrying his cleaning supplies—a bucket, mop, and cloths—wearing his usual faded uniform and a tired but steady expression. He set down the bucket carefully by the door, the faint clank echoing softly against the tiled floor.
Without hesitation, Saito moved to the sink and washed his hands thoroughly, scrubbing away the residue of the day’s work. The water ran cold, the sound sharp in the peace of the room.
Turning, he noticed Yuzuki lying motionless on the bed, her ruined face peaceful beneath the soft glow of the overhead light. As his eyes scanned the area, something caught his attention—a simple plastic cup resting tipped on its side, spilled water pooling quietly on the floor beside her.
He bent down slowly, kneeling on one knee by the bedside, curiosity creasing his brow. “What’s this doing here?” he murmured softly, picking up the cup delicately between thumb and forefinger. The plastic was smooth but cold, a faint scent of hospital water lingering.
His gaze drifted back to Yuzuki’s sleeping form. Breathing steady. Calm. Still fighting, though the peace showed no hint of the battle endured.
At that moment, a sudden shimmer filled the room—a gentle rustle of incense and the faint scent of sandalwood. Okitsune appeared just within the doorway, his aura glowing faintly purple, swirls of ancient magic floating like mist above his head. His presence filled the infirmary with a warm, ancient light, his voice soft but rich as he spoke.
“I have brought with me the blessings of the old ways,” Okitsune said, his words floating as if carried on a breeze. “Japanese food prepared with care, infused with enchantments for swift healing. May these spells knit her wounds faster, and soothe the venom’s sting.”
Saito nodded appreciatively, wiping his hands on a cloth. “Thank you,” he replied quietly.
Without wasting a moment, Okitsune glided toward the bed. With utmost gentleness, he took a piece of the enchanted food and lifted it toward Yuzuki’s lips, feeding her as if coaxing life back into her fragile body. The magical aura shimmered softly as the food vanished into her sleeping mouth, a blessing of strength and recovery.
Meanwhile, Saito moved with purpose to the tall cabinets and drawers lining the walls, opening each with care and rifling through countless medicines, ointments, and salves. His hands searched thoroughly for anything—any smallest thing—that might bring relief to Yuzuki’s battered skin. Bottles rattled softly as he prepared what he could.
Okitsune’s gaze shifted to Saito, curiosity in his eyes. “And how is Rin? I heard he too suffered from the battle, was he badly hurt?”
Saito chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Rin’s always suffering. When wasn’t he?” He smiled wryly, then added, “They’re all out in the library. Water seems to have crept in, and most of the books got soaked. They’re helping Shingure sort and rearrange the mess.”
Okitsune pressed gently, “I asked about Rin himself.”
Saito’s expression softened. “Rin’s okay. I gave him first aid right after Yuzuki. Besides, supernaturals are cold-blooded spirits—he won’t die from an attack like that. He’s stronger than you can even imagine.”
“Of course,” Okitsune said, his voice filled with acknowledgment and pride. “He’s God’s chosen, after all.”
“Surely,” Saito agreed, folding his hands respectfully. Neither needed to say more; the weight of their words hung in the quiet room—hope, resilience, and the unyielding bonds of their strange, weary family.
Ayaka hummed happily as she returned the last of the dried books to their empty spots on the shelves, the soft thud of the pages the only sound in the quiet library. “Sooo~ what’s tonight’s plan?” she chirped brightly, her voice lilting like sunlight dancing on water.
Kagami smirked, leaning casually against a stack of books, his eyes gleaming with mischievous possessiveness. “Just hide,” he drawled, voice dripping with cocky amusement.
Shingure echoed solemnly beside him, his words like a gentle rain falling over the shelves. “Just hide?” he murmured, his eyes misty and distant, “True. For the night’s shadows stretch long, and peace is but a fragile bloom upon the darkest storm.”
From the ladder above, Himari gracefully descended to the second-to-last rung. She stretched out her hand to Shingure, who stood steadily below, handing her another weathered book to place atop the shelves. “What’re you guys talking about?” she asked simply, her tone calm and neutral.
“Oh! Right,” Ayaka said, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger with a sparkling smile. “You’re new, so you might not know. Here’s the scoop—exorcist families come sneaking in at midnight, especially on nights like these. They know the halls will be empty, and the supernaturals will be stirring—causing chaos left and right.” Her grin faltered slightly, eyes flickering with cunning beneath that bright, sunny façade.
“According to them,” Kagami cut in smoothly, flashing a devilish grin, his gaze sharp and teasing, “all we do is babysit this crumbling school, keep it from falling apart while they run around thinking it’s total anarchy. But in their eyes? We’re the chaos incarnate.” He flexed a possessive smile toward the shelves, as if daring the spirits to challenge him.
“Well, I disagree,” Shingure’s voice wove like a poetic song into the quiet air, his expression tender yet somber. “Not every supernatural spirit dances with harmony. There are those who bring storms so fierce, even the calmest heart trembles. They are a tempest we cannot quell alone.”
Kagami and Ayaka exchanged a sharp glance, voices raising in shocked harmony. “Who’s side are you on?” they demanded.
Himari laughed softly, the sound clear and natural, like a gentle breeze. “Hahaha…I see. But what exactly are these...exorcists?”
Ayaka’s bright eyes sparkled as she answered, “Exorcists? Oh! They’re the ones who come to kill supernaturals,” her voice sugary-sweet but with a shadow of sharpness lurking beneath.
Himari froze, the words hanging heavy in the air. “What?!”
“Hoho, don’t fret,” Ayaka said with a cheerful chirp, waving a delicate hand. “They’re only hunting supernaturals, not humans like us.”
“Besides…” Shingure’s gaze softened, turning to Himari with eyes full of watery devotion, “I would brave the fiercest tempest to shield you from harm, darling.” His words lingered like a bittersweet drizzle.
Himari’s cheeks flushed a gentle pink, her voice barely above a whisper, “Th-thank you…”
Ayaka’s eyes narrowed in quiet disdain, watching Shingure’s tender display. What a jerk, she thought, lips pursed. Always twisting hearts like he’s a puppet master. She turned toward Kagami, who still pretended to sort the books but clearly took his time, grinning smugly.
Leaning close, Ayaka whispered with clever cunning, “They haven’t tethered yet... have they?”
Kagami glanced sideways with a sly smile, eyes glittering with twisted amusement. “Nah, I don’t think so,” he answered low, voice smooth as silk. “And if they try, well… we’ll be ready to remind ’em who really owns this place.”
Himari climbed back onto the ladder, lifting another battered book. “Where’s Rin?” she asked casually, voice steady and curious.
“Rin?” Shingure repeated softly, his mind drifting to distant storms and chaotic dances. “The King of Chaos...where does his wild heart wander now?”
Kagami’s smirk deepened, cocky and possessive. “Probably wreaking havoc somewhere—making sure everyone remembers who sets the rules around here.”
Ayaka giggled lightly, though her smile quickly faded as a shadow crossed her thoughts. I hope Yuzuki recovers soon, she prayed inwardly, the brightness behind her eyes dimming just for a moment.
A while later, Himari stepped carefully down from the ladder, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she finished arranging the last of the books on that shelf. “I’ll take on the other one!” she exclaimed softly before turning and slipping quietly toward a different aisle, a box of books balanced in her arms.
“Alright, take your time,”Shingure said with a soft smile, his voice flowing like the gentle murmuring of a rainy stream. “Let the storm outside sing its mournful lullaby, while we cradle these fragile words like precious petals caught in a breeze.”
Nearby, Kagami and Ayaka took a brief respite from sorting. The two sat closely in a cozy corner with their backs leaning against the bookshelf. Ayaka rested her head softly on Kagami’s shoulder while he idly played with her hand, their fingers entwining with relaxed ease as Kagami read aloud from a worn storybook. The atmosphere hummed with a rare warmth amidst the quiet rustling of pages and the gentle patter of rain outside.
As Himari approached the shelf she was meant to arrange, footsteps echoed softly on the tiled floor. She suddenly saw a small figure up ahead—Rin, skirting awkwardly and bumping into the bookshelf with a startled stumble.
“Amane-kun!” Himari called out with concern, dropping her box as she hurried to him. Rin had fallen backward onto the floor from his collision but pushed himself up quickly, brushing off an imaginary speck.
“Ah....Hahaha! My bad! Should’ve watched where I was going,” Rin chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
A sudden crack of thunder shattered the brief moment, roaring over them as the rain slammed hard against the windows. The storm had intensified fiercely; torrents lashed the glass with relentless fury, seasick winds twisting and howling through the trees like wild beasts in torment. The sky was a swirling chaos of dark clouds, veins of lightning illuminating the tempest’s rage.
Himari exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting toward the windows, worried for the danger brewing outside. Rin, however, stood stiffly and silently, staring emotionlessly out at the rain-slicked world beyond the glass.
Abruptly, Rin sprang to his feet, abandoning the reverie. With a blitz of chaotic energy, he swiped the books from the box, scattering them in a wild mess across the floor. Without a word, he plucked the most enticing volumes and shoved them into the shelves—not gently, but like a tornado rushing by.
The books clattered and bounced off the metal shelf rails, tumbling back to the floor. Rin barely blinked. He crouched down, muttering a quick, sly “Oops,” then hurriedly stuffed the misplaced books back in, pressing them forcefully into place with no regard for order or neatness. Each one bumped and shifted as if locking themselves in a haphazard fortress.
Himari stepped closer cautiously, watching the scene unfold with growing worry. Why is he doing this? she thought silently, eyeing his frustrated, almost reckless manner.
“Amane-kun…” she began tentatively. “You were supposed to arrange the encyclopedias in the middle rows.”
Rin glanced up as he scratched the back of his head, an awkward laughter escaping him as beads of sweat rolled down his temple. “Ahahaa... right, right, encyclopedias! Totally forgot. Somewhere under this tornado of books...” He began scrambling through the heap of books he’d just dropped, tossing a few aside and rifling through the mess in search of the encyclopedias. His fingers flipped through books until finally a tome slipped open, revealing glossy images, cool illustrations shimmering vividly that caught his attention.
“Amane-kun?” Himari called again quietly, curious if he had found what he sought.
“Huh?” Rin exclaimed, spinning around quickly. “Oh! Himari-san, hello! What’re you doing here?” His smile was forced, his stance uneasy.
“You… were looking for the encyclopedias,” Himari replied calmly.
“Oh? I was? OH! I was!” Rin said, turning back immediately to rummage through the disarrayed pile once more.
Himari’s eyes narrowed subtly, concern deepening. Why is he acting this way? I was right here the whole time… Could it be because of what Saito-sama said earlier? she wondered. Her heart tightened at the thought.
Summoning her courage, she edged closer and asked hesitantly, “Amane-kun, I’m not trying to be rude or anything, but…what did Saito-sama say to you? I mean…why did he want you to stay away from Yuzuki-san?”
Rin froze mid-motion, hands hovering above his head moments before he was about to toss a book onto the floor. The book slipped, hitting his head with a soft thud as it dropped, and a goofy, sheepish grin spread across his face.
“Whoa, okay, okay...” he muttered with a wink, playful yet a little awkward, “You caught me. Guess Saito’s got some serious big-brother vibes going on or something. Told me to keep my chaos away from Yuzuki ’cause she’s kinda… fragile right now. But hey—chaos is my middle name, ya know? Can’t just switch it off, even if I want to.” He grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief and an unshakable lightness even beneath the weight of it all.
Himari’s eyes dimmed, her usual calm softened into a heavy concern that weighed on the space between them. Rin’s gaze flicked up, catching her quiet worry and sadness like a sudden shadow.
This weird dull feeling creeping through me… What even is this? What am I feeling?His mind buzzed as he hugged himself, arms wrapping tight around his chest, a tense coil of nerves and unspoken thoughts.
Himari took a breath and gently said, “Amane-kun, you don’t need to hide your true self from me. I know you’re hurting—”
Rin burst out laughing, a goofy, exaggerated chuckle that bounced off the walls. “What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t hurt nor feel hurt. I’m a supernatural afterall.” He flashed a sly wink, grinning like the troublemaker he was—a little kid in a world too heavy.
Himari clenched her fists silently, a flicker of frustration mingling with worry. This boy… he won’t open up, no matter what. She thought to herself, her voice barely a whisper when she spoke again.
After a weighted pause, she spoke with gentle clarity: “Amane-kun, if you think Yuzuki-san would hate you because of whatever you think happened, you’re wrong. She’s a good person—she wouldn’t wish harm on anyone, not for even the tiniest reason. She can’t stay mad at someone for more than two days. Trust me. She and Sayaka-san always fight, but the next day it’s like nothing happened. She loves everyone, especially kids. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you she visits the orphanage every Sunday, handing out gifts to the little ones. She’s a lover of humanity. Very smart and understanding. I’ve tried getting her into trouble, even, and she still treats me like family.”
Rin’s grin shifted into something almost statue-like, a goofy, half-serious smirk. “So... she is dumb.”
“Uh, no! Not at all! She’s really smart—” Himari started, eyes widening in protest.
Rin cut her off with a sudden bounce on his toes and a bright sparkle in his gaze, “Ah! Gotta bounce! I’ve got some business to attend to!” And in the blink of an eye, he vanished into a swirl of black mist, his playful laughter echoing behind him.
Himari sighed softly.
To be Continued...
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