𝓓𝓮𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓓𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽. | 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰.

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐭𝐡

【𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐮'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯】

The sound of rain intensifying as it hit the ground grew heavier by the moment.

The chilly breeze brought on by the rain was piercing.

And the silence within the cave was unsettling.

I felt myself gradually becoming unconscious as time slowly passed.

Only him who still by side.

No matter how cold it is, how hard it is. 

He still there.

His warm haori covered me as I lay on the freezing floor.

He looked paler, paler by the time.

Before I realize, I was already shivering by the cold.

He sat there, focusing on his breathing. While I lay on the floor, slowly faded into unconsciousness.

Why am I so useless?

Why am I so weak?

Why was I born with such a small body?

I muttered these lines over and over again. Perhaps if I had been stronger, we could have overcome this situation.

Why do I have to appear weak in front of a man I'm trying to impress?

Why do I have to let him protect me over and over again?

Why am I always a burden to him?

" Kocho. "

The wounds that had been bleeding have now dried from the cold.

I wonder... how long we've been here?

" Kocho.? "

Are we going to made it out alive?

" Kocho. " I could feel fingers gentle tap my shoulder.

" Ahh! I'm... sorry.. I was lost in thought. " I spoke unconsciously as I tried to turn and meet his gaze.

" Are you okay? " 

" Ara~ Ara~ The mighty water pillar is asking about my condition. I'm flattered, Tomioka-san! " Even though at this moment I try my best to force a smile, a pained smile. 

He glared at me before changing into a concern look like moment ago.

" I'm fine.. "

" You were shaking. " He spoke up after I finished my sentence.

" Because the air is freezing, silly.. " The air was freezing, and the sound of rain echoed inside the cave, making it all the more unbearable.

Then he remained silent like usual. We didn't dare to say a single word. Soon the silent became awkward.

The poison in my veins was staring to kick in once again.. 

It seems we've been here for about two and a half hours.

I feel like everything happened because of me. 

If I was stronger, things will never happen this way, we wouldn't stuck in a cave to escape the rain like this.

If I wasn't careless and bring more supplies than this, things will be easier.

Tomioka-san struggled to maintain consciousness while grappling with his bleeding wounds. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was the cause of this situation.

" I'm sorry... "

Perhaps if the Master had chosen another Hashira instead of me, Tomioka-san wouldn't have faced this situation.