Secrets of a Monster (Kuroshiro x Reader) [SIDE STORY] ||ON HIATUS||

Chapter 4: Real Talk

"Why does my chest hurt so much…"

Kuroshiro mentally asked himself. What's with his soul ? It felt like something was tearing a part of it. Even he himself can't see what's wrong, even through the mirror itself.

"Kuroshiro-kun ! You're awake !"

All of his worries were blown away by that voice. Your voice. He turned to her, and smiled brightly. "Hi, (y/n)-chan…"

"Are you okay ? You suddenly passed out—I was so worried !"

He made a mental frown at your last statement. He never liked it when you were worried—especially because of him.

"I'm fine…" He smiled brightly. "Thanks for bringing me here…"

"It's nothin' !" You smiled, going to him. "How are you feeling ?"

"Fine !"

"My chest fcking hurts."

Kuroshiro smiled, despite the truth behind it. You sighed, sitting on a chair. "Did I tire you out…? I'm sorry…" You looked down, feeling all guilty. Kuroshiro sighed, and pulled you close, kissing your forehead. "Don't be so guilty, (y/n)-chan.. It's never your fault."

You blinked, and blushed, looking up at him. He stared down at you, and a slight hint of pink grew from his cheeks, and he looked away, backing off and scratching his head. "U-uh… Yeah…"

You stared, then laughed. "Baaaaaaka. (Idiot)" You playfully pinched his nose, and stood. "Well, I'll go to the next class. I'll write down notes for you. Get well soon, okay ?"

Kuroshiro gave a nod, giggling. "Hai Hai (Yes yes), captain !" He laughed, and laid back down. You chuckled, and gave a salute, before walking out and closing the door.

When he heard your footsteps fade to nothing, he clutched his chest, panting as sweat ran down his brow. It's funny how he managed to stop all of these—and pretend everything was fine in front of you. It hurt everytime he spoke. What more of sitting up and laughing ?

"It's not nice to embrace your feelings and lie to your partner, Kuroshiro-kun." Stein suddenly went in, closing the door and locking it.

"N-never wanted her to worry…" Kuroshiro panted, and coughed, watching him close the window binds and untie curtains, before sighing.

"Since when did you have that snake inside you ?"

Kuroshiro looked surprised. "…Snake ?"

"A black one emitting a dark violet aura. I know a witch who controls it, but I wanna know from you about how you got black blood, Tarinai."

Kuroshiro glared. "Aside from you, who else knows ?"

"You." Stein said plainly, leaning against the wall. Kuroshiro sighed. "Good. It's both of us then.."

Noticing the pain in his voice, Stein took out a pain-killing pill and tossed it to him, Kuroshiro catching it and forcing himself to swallow it. "T-thanks…"

"Now, I want you to tell me how Medusa's snake got in you."

Kuroshiro gasped, startled. "M-medusa…?"

"It's Medusa Gorgon. The creator of black blood. The snak—"

"I was her old experiment. With Crona, but I think Crona's stuck 'till now..." Kuroshiro looked down. "I sealed it away with my wavelength. I swear, I can fire my wavelength like Blackstar before, but it was taken away when I sealed the black blood off."

The pain wore off temporarily as Kuroshiro sighed, sitting up. "And resonating with (y/n) can break the seal—and transfer itself to her veins. It's why I purposely pretended to be sick at that resonance lesson."

Stein sighed. "I knew it... Something's so strange about you." He leaned back, twisting the screw in his head. "It'll be your choice to tell this to (y/n)… But Kuroshiro…" Stein stood, looking serious.

"That snake's goal is to break the seal—let black blood flow and take over your mind. Make you go insane, in shorter terms." Kuroshiro looked startled at the news, but Stein just adjusted his glasses, going to the door.

"Getting yourself tired, and getting too overwhelemed by your emotions—sadness, guilt, anger.. Can remind the snake of it's business and bite a part of you again. Until the seal breaks."

He was about to leave, but then Kuroshiro…

"Wait." Kuroshiro sighed. "Is there… Something that can help me prevent it ?"

Stein turned to him, and smiled kindly. "You're my student, Kuroshiro. There's none, but I'm a scientist, remember ? I'll make one for you." He chuckled.

"After all, I can't let Medusa get another student again, can I ?"