A coin from the ground, its surface shining in contrast to the gray concrete.
He picks it up, staring at it intently with his crimson eyes.
Walking towards the edge, he takes in the view of the raging ocean, with waves crashing below the wall.
A few splashes hit him.
[It's cold today.]
A girl, standing next to him. Her red hair flows freely in the wind.
[Even the Sun's hiding behind its blanket of clouds.]
[Cringe.]
[I'd argue it's poetic.]
She chuckles, earning a smile from him. Sitting down on the edge, he leans back.
And he stays seated as the humid breeze brushes his face.
[Ayumu.]
[Hm?]
Ayumu's gaze wanders to the sea.
The calming sounds it makes.
[Do we start, now?]
[Right... Yeah.]
He stands up, stomach fluttering.
Standing several meters apart.
The wind seems to pick up.
Kanna: [I'll do it this time! Watch and see!]
She shouts from afar.
[Alri...]
Stammering.
He takes a deep breath.
[Alright! Let's go!]
Grabbing his notebook, he scribbles.
Day 19.
Tapping his pen.
Staring at the page.
Uncertain.
A flicker of light catches his attention.
[Look, Ayumu!]
A small flame dances on Kanna's palm.
His eyes widen, gripping the pen with force.
[What did you do? How?]
He says. Not loud enough.
[What?!]
[I said what did you do!]
Stepping forward, he approaches a little.
Cautiously.
[It's done! You can stop now!]
She nods. A flicker of uncertainty passes through her features as she stays still, staring at the flame.
[What's the matter?]
Kanna's gaze falls on him. Fear grows in her eyes.
[I-I don't know how to dissipate it.]
Oh. Right.
It isn't as simple.
[T-try to... remove oxygen. Fire needs oxygen.]
[Right. Um...]
Closing her eyes, she concentrates.
Lowering his pen, he writes.
And after a few minutes, it dissipates.
Ayumu sighs in relief.
Kanna: [...Made it. I really made it.]
Setting his notebook down, he starts clapping.
In awe.
[Amazing! Great! I knew you could do it!]
Excitement rushes through Ayumu's veins.
A few thin drops fall, leaving dark spots on the ground.
Some fall on his face.
[Alright, we should head home now. Come on.]
[Give me a minute. I just... Can't believe I've made it. I can feel my insides burning with passion!]
Rolling his eyes, Ayumu turns to leave. He glances at Kanna over his shoulder.
A few strands of hair blacken.
Hers.
[Kanna...?]
[What? Was it that cringe?]
Light.
A guttural scream pierces his ears.
Flames engulf her, eating at her tightening skin.
He turns. Towards her.
She turns. Towards the sea.
[It hurts!]
Ayumu's teeth rattle.
He steps back. Grabbing his hair.
She steps forward. Struggling to move.
He stumbles.
She stumbles.
Thud.
Black spots cover her cracking skin as she drags herself slowly.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Towards the waves.
[Kan...]
He says.
Pulling on his hair.
Staring at his pen.
I want to help.
I want to see.
I want to unsee.
I want to understand.
The sickening smell makes his eyes water.
Her mouth opens and closes, as if saying something.
No sound comes out.
What could've caused this?
An oily, yellow liquid drips out.
Ayumu shuts his eyes.
And finally, she rolls.
Dropping into the sea below.
[Kanna...]
[W-wait...]
A look around.
Stairs.
Too slow.
Kicking off from the ground, he runs towards the edge. She floats, drifting on the water.
Dive.
The cold stings his skin.
Waves crash against him as he swims, struggling to breathe.
[Kanna!]
His heart skips a beat.
And another.
Fear.
[Kanna! U-use... Heal yourself!]
Desperation leaks from Ayumu's voice.
Time seems to slow down. Painfully.
A tear runs down her charred face.
And slowly, she sheds her skin, growing a new layer beneath.
Sewing flesh with flesh.
He watches.
In horror.
And awe.
And soon, it's like it didn't happen.
30 minutes.
45.
Ayumu stands.
Using an umbrella to take cover from the rain.
Lights flash around.
Red, blue.
An officer stands nearby.
Asking questions to the old woman.
[I was suspicious when they didn't arrive on time...]
[I'm glad they're okay.]
The other comforts Kanna. A warm blanket is placed over her.
A third approaches him.
Talking. About something.
Though he can't hear.
As his ears ring.
[What happened?]
[Where did you go?]
[Why won't you tell me?]
A breath.
[I'm... Not the one who should tell you about that.]
The ceiling fan rattles a little as it spins.
He sits at the desk.
And he, lying on bed.
[And who should?]
He asks.
[Kanna. She's the one.]
[What's so special that you can't say it, Ayumu?]
Ayumu: [Well, I don't know, Hinozu. Something personal. For example.]
Irritation.
Hinozu: [Alright.]
Standing up from his desk, Ayumu grabs his wraps, disappearing into the bathroom.
Shortly after, he comes back.
Dressed in black shorts and a shirt of the same color.
[Have you done your daily exercise, Hinozu?]
He asks, curious.
[I always do.]
[I see.]
[If it ever counts as exercise.]
Hinozu whispers.
Ayumu: [Well, I'll be right back, in two hours. Just gonna train a bit.]
He chuckles, heading for the door.
[Don't get bored, eh?]
[Not possible. Plus, I'll be asleep by the time you return.]
[Whatever.]
He shrugs, leaving the room.
Hinozu stays still.
Lying on bed.
Staring at the ceiling above.
And with an unexplainable feeling in his chest, he closes his eyes.
Trying to sleep.
To the sound of thuds and grunts.
[76... 77... 78... Ah!]
He stumbles down, grass blades brushing his skin.
Breathing raggedly.
Yet deeply.
[Alright... Third set done.]
Standing up again, he brushes some dirt off, taking off the backpack.
[Still have an hour left... I'm going to die today.]
A glass of water, offered to him. Ayumu takes it.
He takes small gulps.
Ayumu: [Thanks, Kanna.]
Kanna: [No problem.]
Hesitation.
[Ayumu.]
[Have you told him about...?]
A sigh.
[Not yet. I mean, I said... You should... tell him.]
[I guess... I'll tell him. Tomorrow.]
She takes the glass, turning to leave.
Crickets chirp.
Wind blows.
Fireflies roam around.
[Ayumu?]
[Hm?]
[I... Trust you. Thank you for being... I mean, supporting me.]
[...Yeah. No problem.]
She leaves, and Ayumu resumes his training.
And the session ended.
One of many.
He takes off his wraps.
He feels lightheaded.
Leaning on the log for support.
Or rather, what's left of it.
...
6 AM.
Hinozu wakes up to the sound of susurration, shifting in bed.
Fluttering his eyes open, he rubs them.
[Sorry. I was just making my bed.]
The room is still dark.
[Oh, okay. Where are you going?]
[Running, of course.]
Of course.
Hinozu: [Alright.]
Ayumu: [Hey, Hinozu!]
Hinozu: [What? Don't... Raise your voice this early...]
[Don't I look amazing?]
He takes off his shirt, a proud grin on his face.
Hinozu smiles.
[Yeah, you look great.]
His voice threatens to crack.
[Yes! Oops, sorry... Alright, see you later.]
He whispers, grabbing his shirt as he leaves the room, closing the door.
Hinozu stands up slowly, grabbing the sheets.
He starts making his bed.
Trying to fold.
It hurts.
Brushing a hand through the bedsheets.
It hurts.
Arranging the pillow.
Grabbing his wrist.
Clenching his jaw.
He raises his hand and clenches it into a fist.
A hysterical expression courses through his face.
And as he stays still, trembling...
Hinozu decides to lower it.
[Just heal already.]
His throat tightens.
[It'll happen. Soon enough.]
Crouching down, he retrieves a stress ball and some rubber bands.
Doing his best.
After, he goes into the bathroom, taking a shower and brushing his teeth.
His gaze falls on his reflection as he dresses up.
On the ugly scar on his side.
On his thinner arms.
His longer, unkempt hair.
And the eyes.
Each day that passes, they seem more tired.
Still hopeful.
Why wouldn't they?
After putting on his clothes, he steps out of the room.
Descending the stairs, he heads to the kitchen.
Sliding the door open, he walks over to the fridge.
[Good morning, Hinozu.]
He stays silent for a short while.
[Good morning, Kanna.]
Opening the fridge, Hinozu takes out an apple, offering it to her.
She takes it.
[Thank you.]
She smiles, biting into the fruit eagerly.
Hinozu grabs another, making way to the sink to wash it.
After, he bites it.
Kanna sets her apple on the counter.
[Hinozu... There was something I wanted to tell you.]
[What is it?]
He says, still eating the fruit.
[It's about me and Ayumu. I mean, where we went yesterday.]
[He told me you wanted to know.]
Hinozu pauses for a second.
He forgot to close the faucet.
[I guess.]
Turning around, he meets Kanna's gaze.
She's smiling faintly.
[Well, We... I, uhm...]
She clears her throat.
[We and- I mean me and Ayumu, we're investigating something, for his thesis.]
[What is it about?]
Hinozu chews.
[You remember when we learned about... Ruddii?]
She asks hesitantly.
[...Yeah. That force that... Controls things, or something. Magic.]
[Yeah, that's about it. So... I wanted to tell you that...]
A faint hope forms in Hinozu's heart.
Or rather, a plea.
[I can...]
Kanna's words catch in her throat.
[I can use... That Ruddii.]
[I can use magic.]
She says.
[I swear I wasn't keeping it a secret from you, I just—]
[That... Must be great, I mean that's great. It's amazing.]
He smiles widely.
As if two ropes were pulled from each side.
Tied to him.
Kanna smiles, sighing in relief.
[T-thank you, Hinozu. I honestly didn't know how to tell you, but I'm glad.]
Hinozu's apple rolls, falling on the ground. He picks it up.
Nervously.
[I-I, uh, I'm going to the living room.]
He says, already heading out of the kitchen.
He walks, hurriedly. Walking down the corridor, he rests at the entrance, leaning against the wall.
He breathes raggedly.
As the pain in his side subsides, he walks again, at a slower pace.
The entrance door opens abruptly, hitting Hinozu.
He falls to the ground, wincing in pain.
Ayumu spots him as he enters, quickly offering a hand.
Ayumu: [Sorry, Hinozu! I didn't know you were...]
[It's... Alright.]
He gets up with Ayumu's help.
Ayumu: [Did you get hurt?]
He asks, brushing some dust off him.
[No.]
[I'm glad.]
[What happened?]
Kanna appears behind them, asking curiously.
Ayumu: [I... Accidentally hit him with the door...]
He chuckles awkwardly.
Kanna: [He could've got hurt!]
Hinozu clenches his jaw, heart feeling heavy.
I could've.
Because I'm...
[Kanna.]
[Hm?]
Hinozu stares at her.
Desperately.
[Can you... Heal me?]
