𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗔𝗚𝗘

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗 - THINKING HARD

"I'm... not fully convinced that's the answer... but it's the only explanation I've been given." I mumbled with an unsure slouch. The woman — who's name is still yet to be discovered — had left, finding something more useful to do than spending time trying to elaborate on my situation.

"Still torn on what to believe?" His smiled faltered slightly and I nodded, my eyes averting back to the pale sheets covering my legs. "It's not like everyone around me is familiar with this... and with you telling me this strange information so suddenly, it just seems... a little bit of a far step." I shrugged leaning back into the bed with my hands fidgeting. "The conclusion is somewhat a stretch for someone like me — if you're really being honest, there's got to be some kind of proof. But even if that, I still don't think I'd be... so easily accepting of it."

"I won't lie to you and say I get what you mean because your statements are practically contradicting each other." He snapped his finger and I looked back up to see a grin wide and drunk in pride. "You say you don't think you can believe me but also state that there isn't anything else to explain what happened." He pointed at me once more, though I felt a little more judged by his point this time. "Claiming it's sudden isn't the best excuse, so whatcha holding back from, honestly, (Y/N)?"

I took a moment to actually speak up, taking a moment to contemplate my answer. "I... don't think there's much I can say for that." I let out a nervous chuckle, my head turning to look out the window with a soft gaze. I bit my lip trying to concentrate on a real reason to be so hesitant, my head turning back when I finally thought of something.

"Doesn't it sound just insane to you?" I had a small grin that spoke many more uneasy thoughts than I spoke of.  "You'd have to be crazy not to think so — I've barely touched on the topic, too." He snickered and ignored the faintly perturbed atmosphere. "Then there's no way I can be so compliant...! I've never seen what you say had attacked me — a cursed spirit — and most of humanity can't see them either." I placed a hand on my chin as if thinking, all while speaking with an accusing tone. "Who do you think I'd choose to side with? What sounds more logical to you?"

"I know what does to me — I know that for sure, at least..." I scratched the back of my head before cupping my face with my hands and laying back. "You want proof... how about that obnoxious pressure you've been feeling." I stiffened a little, and I knew he saw the tenseness in my shoulders. "That strange feeling comes to play when people are in dangerous situations — one more likely to cost their lives than anything."

"You were confronted by a cursed spirit, and that was your reaction... you've got a life you aren't able to turn away from now." He rose from his spot and slowly walked towards me with a nonchalant pace. "Besides running only gives the people wanting to kill you a chance to catch up." He thumped the IV bag with a grin the clear bag swung her toy letting the fluid inside float around. "I'll let you think on it." He started to distance himself from the bed, walking to the door slowly.

He slid the door back and stepped out, but stopped abruptly before he could get any further. "If you decide to turn away from this path," He began turning around quickly. I looked up to him and watched him chuckle softly. "I'll be honest I'm a little biased." He shrugged carelessly facing me only with a confident grin. "But I'm not so sure you're in the right if you do, (Y/N)."

————

The only other time I've thought this much was during school exams.

I didn't have much to convince me to join the white-haired man, but I also didn't know why I'd say no. He mentioned a bounty on my head and I wouldn't want anything more than to have safety and closure — but how do I know he or anyone that claims to be a 'sorcerer' is worth my trust?

I wanted to think this was just a prank. Etsuko, a (sometimes) kind person, doing a great job at making me insanely confused by her incredible pranks. I hope to god I wasn't surrounded by insane people, but I don't even know what I should deem insane after being confronted with something so... ridiculous. I needed to get my thoughts straight, that's an issue that needs to be sort out quickly. I knew the incident occurred at my school, while I was alone.

The mysterious man mentioned that the cause could have been something along the lines of worry/stress — school exams were coming up... that's logical... Then there's the pressure he mentioned. I didn't know what other evidence would support something else I'd be easier convinced on. I felt my thoughts were so disorganized — I wasn't even sure I could make a conclusion even with enough evidence to prove sorcerers right.

I let out a unhappy sigh for what felt like the trillionth time, my body sinking into the sheets as I stared up at the ceiling in deep and bothersome thoughts.

There was a soft knock on the door to the hospital room and I slowly turned my head to the sound. Had Etsuko decided to reveal this was a joke... or was it my mother coming to see me as I lie conflicted in the bed. "...Come in." With a gentle voice I spoke up anticipating someone familiar. The door opened and revealed someone of familiarity — just not what I was expecting. "I was... told you were doing alright." He sheepishly began, the gaunt boy sliding into the sickening room with hesitance. "But that's not why I'm here — sort of..." He hurried over and with a rather flushed expression held his hand out to me.

"I thought you'd probably want this..." His hand was occupied with my turned off phone that he kindly offered to me with his faintly shaky hands. "No one's touched it or gone through it at all! Your privacy is — "

"Thank you." I interrupted retrieving the phone. I didn't miss the way his fingers slightly curled up as I retracted my hand, his tepid fingertips slightly tracing along my skin. I slowly brought it back to my view and clicked the on button, turning it on to reveal a terribly low battery and millions of messages. I sucked in a anxious breath knowing I was going to be yelled at for the lack of response. He let his body relax and his hand fell to his side, I could tell he noticed my worry but didn't know what to do. He was just a stranger to me.

"You're welcome." He answered, scratching the back of his head. "And not just for this." I waved the device in my hand around to emphasize what I was speaking about. "But also for helping me here..." I muttered looking around the room. "I don't know exactly what's going on and everything I've been told has only given me very vague conclusions if not one at all... but you still helped me and I can at the very least thank you for that — you've got some of my trust, stranger." I smiled to him with the most generosity I could conjure up.

"I... thank you, stranger," He emphasized the name with a small grin of his own. "But for now..." He began with his eyes downwards.

"You can just call me Yuuta." He held his hand out for me to shake, something that maybe should have been done a while ago seeing as we ran into each other so many times. I was a little hesitant, but still placed my hand in his warm, callused palm and tightened my hand around his shaking it lightly. His heated hand enclosed around my own with a smooth and gentle grip, that he had also carried in his navy eyes.

"I'm (Y/N)."