The perfect | TBATE X COTE

Chapter 23: Ru...

Arthur's firm grip showed no signs of loosening, his fingers tightening around my arm like steel vices. Ellie, her delicate frame trembling, mirrored his determination.

I extended my hand filled with little bags. I didn't want Ellie to continue crying like that, so perhaps the food would cheer her up.

With a gentle voice, I offered reassurance to her tear-streaked face. "Don't cry," I whispered, hoping to bring solace to her troubled heart. As her gaze shifted towards my hands, burdened with a collection of bags, her sadness was replaced with confusion. I met her bewildered expression with a faint smile, trying to lighten the mood. "I brought candy," I revealed.

She gave me a puzzled look, then snorted and frowned before embracing me once again. I had thought the candy would cheer her up, but it seemed I was wrong. I had no choice but to endure as my siblings clung to me tightly, as if afraid I would disappear.

And while I was trying to console my brothers, I didn't lose sight of the woman standing by the door, tears glistening in her eyes. She looked at me, observing my somewhat battered condition, with a mix of terror and guilt etched on her face.

So Ruri is alive. That was good to know.

She was slightly hurt. Her posture showed some pain in one of her legs, and her head was bandaged, but she seemed fine. Ruri also looked like she wanted to hug me, but the scene of a family reunion in the making seemed to deter her for the moment.

Finally, Arthur took a step back, his face etched with worry like an unfinished puzzle yearning for answers. His voice quivered with genuine concern as he posed his bewildering questions. "What the hell happened to you?" he inquired, his tone tinged with a blend of worry and confusion. His gaze flickered towards my eyes. "And why are your eyes golden now?"

"Things happened," I said simply, and he gave me a blank look. So, I proceeded to explain a bit further. "We had a small accident in the woods. But everything's fine now."

Arthur looked me up and down again, his eyes resorting my torn clothes. "You don't look fine."

Just as I was about to gather the right words to explain, a sudden and jarring sound shattered the delicate calmness of the moment. The unmistakable crash of dishes colliding with the floor reverberated through the air, causing Arthur, Ellie, and me to snap our heads around in confusion. We witnessed our mother, standing there with her mouth agape, tears streaming down her face, her expression a mixture of shock.

The fragments of shattered porcelain remained disregarded at her feet, her attention solely fixated on us. Time appeared to freeze as she sprinted towards us, her movements infused with an otherworldly swiftness that defied comprehension. In that instant, nothing else held importance to her — not the abandoned and scattered food, nor the pandemonium that had ensued as a result. The only thing that possessed significance was the overpowering need to reach us.

"Arthur! Kiyo!" our mother exclaimed, her voice laced with equal parts relief and concern. Overflowing with emotions, she pulled Arthur into a tight embrace before shifting her attention to Ellie and me. With outstretched arms, she enveloped us and instantly her eyes widening like saucers as she took in the sight before her.

"I'm not-" I tried to explain, only to be abruptly cut off.

Her voice trembled with alarm as she gasped, "Is that blood?!" She extended her arm, and a soft, greenish glow emitted from her fingertips. The air seemed to vibrate with a soothing energy as she commanded, "Don't move!" Her voice carried authority, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Ellie, who seemed to haven't noticed my disheveled state so far, started crying again. "I-is he gonna be alright, Mommy?"

Dismiss their concerns quickly. "I'm not wounded." I told them.