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7: acquiescing

7: acquiescing

The sound of glass shattering reverberated in the bamboo forest. Standing near at the center were Yua Shihori and Okkotsu Yuuta.

After three minutes of continuously attacking the enchantment with pure cursed energy, it had finally been destroyed. After it disappeared, the giant pit leading underground came into view.

Shihori sighed in relief, dispersing the concentrated cursed energy at his palms. "Yuuta-kun--" but before he could turn around, someone clung onto his arm tightly. Blinking in surprise, Shihori tilted his chin down to glance at the youth hugging his arm.

"It's dark, Shihori-san."

For a short moment, Shihori felt like he was looking after a toddler. Then again, as his gaze eyed the pit which appeared like an endless fall, being swallowed by the darkness, being scared of such a thing appeared normal in Shihori's opinion. So, he just let Yuuta cling onto him.

"Don't worry; the darkness is on our side, Yuuta-kun." The nurse pulled Yuuta close to his side, so close that they could feel each other's body heat. "Whenever it's dark, remember that it's when I'm strongest. Not even Satoru can be my match."

Shihori did everything to comfort Yuuta, who he treated like the child he was three years ago.

But for Okkotsu Yuuta, this type of comforting meant different. "I will, Shihori-san." Yuuta muttered under his breath, the smile lingering on his lips went unnoticed under Shihori's gaze. One of his hands moved down until he clasped it around Shihori's.

Sure enough, the nurse didn't even comment on it and Yuuta beamed in triumph.

They approached the edge of the pit. Shihori extended his free arm, palm facing downward. From above, the darkness seemed to come alive, emitting a soft purple glow. The shadows moved in a circular path and Yuuta couldn't help but wonder what exactly was Shihori's cursed technique.

A few seconds later, the shadows appeared inanimate once more.

"There's a tunnel at the bottom, leading to an underground cave. And..." hesitation painted his features, as well a smudge of disgust. "It seems like we're dealing with a special grade curse... that resembles an arachnid."

"..." Yuuta's skin crawled just imagining it.

When Shihori sensed the minute tremble of the youth's hands, he tightened his hold to reassure Yuuta. "It's just one arachnid, no need to get scared of it. Fortunately, it's dark down there so you won't be disgusted with it."

Dark... does that mean I get to hug Shihori-san?

This time, Shihori recalled when Yuuta said that he was scared of the dark and this threw him into a dilemma. Should he take Yuuta down with him or let him stay up here? But it was also dark, though not as dark as underground.

Maybe he should accompany Yuuta to an inn? Or maybe back to the Tenryuji Temple where there would be light. Choosing an option was difficult, especially when Shihori was reluctant to leave Yuuta on his own. In his eyes, Yuuta was still the same kid he looked after three years ago.

Even if the youth had grown up a little, he couldn't help but fuss over him. The memory of little Yuuta holding a pair of scissors engraved itself deep into his mind and Shihori worried that Yuuta would fall back into such a suicidal state.

When they first met again after three years, seeing Yuuta alive relieved Shihori. Although the youth suffered and was malnourished, just seeing him still breathing and walking around made Shihori happy.

That was the reason why Shihori hesitated whether or not he should leave Yuuta behind.

After making a decision, the determined Shihori glanced at Yuuta, who looked up at him in confusion. "Yuuta-kun, when we go down, don't let go of my hand. The tunnel and cave are pretty big and it's easy to get lost. I won't be able to keep my attention on you when I start fighting the curse and saving the victims. So, no matter what, keep holding my hand, okay?"