𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗔𝗚𝗘

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - TRUST

Our gazes were locked with a forgotten key, dark blue hues studying mine with assurance and anticipation; a dark sky speckled with white glints of beautiful emotion painted as a mural with delicate morals. Strung loosely in raven coloured hair, obsidian strands fell innocently above his eyes with no effort to part. Pale skin carelessly displayed but with complicated uniqueness that made his emotions hard to understand but easy to read.

My voice was gone and my heart was racing, an unanswered question hung between us like flickering lights — it wanted our attention more than a nostalgic memory. I wanted to speak, my dry lips parting to quiver out a small mumble but only he could fill the silence left between us.

"Don't think too hard on it." He looked away with a unfazed shrug. He didn't seem unease's but my lack of response, luckily we weren't close enough. He carelessly unsheathed a katana before me, I watching in an anxious silence as he pulled the tool from a black sheath that slung lifelessly over his shoulders. The weapon held familiarity and I looked away from it, I used to like memories.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you if you trust me or not," He began in a calm tone laced with strict determination. "The assignment was just something for you to watch and review — don't worry too much over this, or the question." He reminded kindly before walking forward, he didn't look back to me any more — focus carefully on the mission, now.

I remained still for a moment a uneasy feeing in my stomach that hadn't only been retrieved from this assignment. Before I had been able to hand him my trust — a time when I wasn't fully aware and completely skeptical. It was an unexpected spark that told me he was someone I could lean on for support. But the moment I learn, judgement retreats and spits venom at my thoughts, poisoning each one like devilish chemicals. I was reluctant to hand my trust to someone I knew — had it been fear? But what was I so afraid of? Was it him or was it my bendable trust — my own lenience.

Trust is laced with pleasant innocence, understanding is judgment I didn't want to accost. At least, not for a while.

I quickly sped up towards my dark haired classmate, a slightly more relieved pace in my steps. "And... watch your step..." He dragged out the words stepping over left over debris with a considerate hand held out to me. Accepting his kindness, I placed my soft hand in his callused one and stepped over the obnoxious pile of scaffolding and trash. "There you go..." He subconsciously mumbled out as both my shoes collided with the ground. He went to retract his hand, eyes averting to the dim hall before us, but I was quick to squeeze his palm — imploring on his attention. "Um,"

He looked to me a little shocked as I swallowed a little too harsh. "What exactly should I be doing?" I asked letting my hand fall and connect with the other to nervously rub my clammy hands together. "Well, whenever the cursed spirit shows..." He lifted the sword, a prideful glint in the majestic silver reflected the shine he had in his dark blue eyes, the stars in the deep night. "I'll be ready to exorcise it... so there's nothing you have to do except watch."

"And maybe take a few personal notes." He added calmly. I nodded in silence looking around the building we walked cautiously through.

————

He was incredibly skilled... I felt my awe creep up on me in shocked goosebumps that trickled across my skin and rush like water down my back. His movements were meticulous and majestic, his grace reminding me of Maki with every swing of her strong and mighty tool that reflected his own beautiful diligence.

I was amazed by the strategy, his exorcising procedure was astounding — I don't understand how Maki could describe him as an amateur. He was incredible, though, I could clearly see the resemblance in his swings to Maki's — but that hadn't suppressed my awe.

I watched him carefully, studying every movement and expression with narrowed eyes that's kept my focus intently on him — and his delicate motions.

He had exorcised the low-grade spirits quickly. Only a few stalking us in the depths of the dark building, preying on us with eyes that felt sinisterly content waiting for us to fill with fear. A few slashes of power filled swings had cut through the spirits very soul and completely dissipated their very existence. He was quick and smart, thinking ahead and better than the spirits that wandered through the building. I felt curious about his confidence wondering if maybe once I could borrow some.

"That's incredible!" I stared with wide eyes complimenting his neat composure and intriguing movements. "It was only a few low-grade fours... it would be a lot more complicated if they were special grades... I'm not that good." He smiled a little, a subtle and soft laugh echoing in the dark to create a lightness to the atmosphere. He seemed a little flushed by my sudden interest and compliments that I showered him with. "I wouldn't be able to do better... so it's admirable to me..." I mumbled out with a nervous grin tugging my lips back.

"I disagree!" He spoke a little louder than me taking a half step my way almost urgently. "I've watched you and Maki train a few times and have seen your improvement... even when she takes her leave you remain on the field to better yourself — your persistence is admirable." He rambled encouragingly to my face, a small shine of kindness welled in his eyes and filled his tone with a sweet sugar."Arguably more admirable than a few swings of a sword." I couldn't help the slight blush that grew from being called something so nice. He cherished my personality and I couldn't help the embarrassment that coloured my face in deep heat.

"That's really nice of you to say..."

He's really nice.