Crimson Phoenix Guardian- Aspiration to the Heavens: Becoming the Supreme Mage 4

Episode 108: Feelings and Manipulation

*Koichi*

The jade moon was big and full tonight, lighting up the usually dark forest around this dorm. If only the interior of the dorm would go back to being its usual rowdy, festive self. Burai was still not speaking with Koharu.

"Sightseeing, Koi?" a voice asked.

I looked at my feet. My face reddened.

Hisui was smiling at me. "Sorry, did I scare you?"

I turned my face back outside. Her smile was cuter than usual.

"Not really," I said, scoffing.

She sat down in front of me. "It's sure pretty, isn't it? Watching the full moon like this sure brings me back to when I was a kid."

Hisui. I closed my eyes. She must've meant when her mom was still around.

"Dad once told me that Mom named me 'Hisui' as I was born under the full jade moon," she said in almost a whisper. She was smiling slightly, but her eyes were not.

"Your birth sounds auspicious," I said, resting my right elbow against my right knee. The jade moon was a symbol of wealth.

"My family thinks so too, but I wonder if I'll be able to fulfill those expectations."

I furrowed my brow at her. "How so? You're are a class representative for the second year in a row and an honor student. If you ask me, you're doing well for yourself."

She pressed her fingertips together and lowered her head to the wooden floor of the balcony. "True, but it's a lot."

My eyes widened. She was trying to tell me she was exhausted, wasn't she?

I shrugged. "If it is, then drop something."

"Eh?"

I gave her a faint grin. "I mean, look at Burai. He doesn't even show up to class everyday, yet he's still an honors student." I leaned back against the wooden rail. "Although, I guess you could make the argument that it's because of his grandfather. But if you ask me, I don't think you can give Mr. Obi all the credit. The teachers can see that Burai is a diamond in the rough."

"I'm not Burai, though. I can't skip class nor representative activities without regretting it later. Not just consciously, but workload."

"True, but remember what I told you the other day. You can count on me," I said, leaning forward slightly.

Her porcelain cheeks turned as pink as cherry blossoms. "Right! Thank you, Koichi!"

I raised a hand to my lips and averted my gaze. "I-it's nothing. Uh, can I ask you to help me with something?"

She gasped. "Oh?"

I lowered my hand and scowled. "Hey, what's with that face?"

Hisui beamed. "I think this is the first time you ask me for a favor!"

I bit my thumb. Maybe I should've asked Shiroma. But he was still working on that silk robe of his.

"Forget it," I said, rubbing the back of my head.

"Hey! I didn't say no! What is it? You've helped me a lot, let me help you too," she said, leaning forward and taking a hold of my right hand.

I pulled my hand away from her grip. "It's Burai and Koharu. I want to make them reconcile."

She hummed. "I saw Burai trying talk her earlier today, but she acted as if she didn't hear a thing and walked away as fast as she could."

So, Burai must've moved on. Koharu on the other hand hadn't. The guilt must've been eating away at her.