𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙥𝙚 | 𝘢𝘬𝘪 𝘩. ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

˚⊱ 11. | ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ ᴘᴛ. 2 ⊰˚

The moment between them was heavy with emotion, the air thick with unspoken words. Aki held Touko close, his arms wrapped tightly around her as if he never wanted to let go. They sat there in silence, the only sound the steady rhythm of their breathing. It was as if time had stopped, and all that mattered was the warmth of their embrace. For a brief moment, nothing else existed but the two of them, their bodies pressed together in the soft light of the moon.

Aki hesitated for a moment before clearing his throat and breaking the silence. "Touko.." he said softly, his voice almost a whisper. He took a deep breath, gathering his courage to continue. "I've also had nightmares about my past and the people I've lost. I know how difficult it is to move on from the pain and trauma, but I also know that clinging to the pain can be just as damaging." He paused, waiting for her response.

Touko remained silent, her eyes fixed on the horizon as Aki spoke. She could hear the pain and frustration in his voice and knew that he was struggling to find the right words. She listened to him intently, taking in every word and processing it carefully.

Aki took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before opening up about his own past. He spoke softly, his voice laced with emotion as he recounted his own trauma and the pain he had endured. He told Touko about how he had lost his family and how it had shaped him. He spoke about the nightmares that still haunted him and how he had struggled to move on from the trauma. He didn't share this information to compare his pain to Touko's, but rather to show her that he understood her struggles and was there to support her.

She listened to Aki's story intently, her heart filled with a mixture of empathy and admiration. She could sense the pain and trauma he had endured, and her heart went out to him. His strength and resilience in the face of such hardship were admirable, and she felt a deep respect for him. She was grateful that he had trusted her enough to share his story with her, and she made a silent promise to be there for him, just as he had been there for her.

Aki's hold on Touko's tightened slightly. "I know we can't change the past," he said, his voice soft and filled with compassion. "But we can still do something with our futures."

She listened to Aki's words, feeling his grip tightened around her. His words of comfort and support were like a refreshing rain on her weary soul. It was as if he had seen right through her and knew exactly what she needed to hear. Her heart felt lighter, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. For a moment, she felt a sense of hope and strength, knowing that even though they couldn't change the past, they could still work towards a better future.

Her thoughts were filled with a sense of determination and resilience. She had lost everything, and she knew she couldn't let that happen again. The pain of her past had only made her stronger, and now, as a devil hunter, she was determined to protect others and prevent anyone else from suffering the way she had. She knew that being a devil hunter meant putting her life on the line, but she was willing to make that sacrifice if it meant saving others from the same fate as her own.

Touko spoke, her voice soft and determined. "I became a devil hunter for a simple reason - to keep my promises. I promised my family that I would protect them, but I failed. I couldn't save them, and it's something I've carried with me like a heavy burden ever since." She paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on the ground in front of her. "Now, as a devil hunter, I have a chance to make a difference and do what I failed to do before. I won't let anyone else suffer the way my family did."

She hesitated for a moment before speaking again, her voice quiet but firm. "I know the risks of being a devil hunter," she said. "There's always the possibility of getting hurt or worse. But I'm willing to take those risks if it means being able to protect others and avoid any more tragedies like the one my family endured." She turned her head slightly to look at Aki, her eyes locking with his. "I won't let anything or anyone stop me from keeping my promises."