𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝘿𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨 [ON HOLD]

𝟎𝟐 | 𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐥

After a long walk, the three make it to Suzume's house. Souta closes the door behind the two girls who were taking off their shoes.

"You can go upstairs while I get the first aid kit," Suzume announces while heading to the kitchen.

Souta watches her before speaking up. "That's really not--"

"If you won't go to the hospital, at least let me bandage it." Suzume interrupts. "Don't be such a man-baby."

"Well, you heard what she said," Rain giggles at the teenager's remark before pushing Souta toward the stairs. Souta sighs in defeat while the two walk up the stairs, stopping at Suzume's door when reaching the top.

"Her room reminds me of yours." Souta teases while setting his bag down.

"I could say the same thing about you." Rain scoffs while crossing her arms. "Although I guess you're right–what are you doing?"

"Just straightening up a few things, wanna help?" Souta replies, giving the woman a small smile. Rain returns the smile before letting out a small sigh. "Alright."

Rain organized whatever pencils, pens, and markers she could find lying around the room while Souta grabbed a few books off the ground and placed them neatly on the bookshelf. He lets out a soft hum before turning to a chair that was lying in the corner of the room.

Rain stretches and yawns before turning to Souta. She quietly stands up and tiptoes behind the man before wrapping her arms around his neck, startling Souta in the process. He slightly turns his head and rolls his eyes.

"What's that?" Rain questions while turning her attention to the chair in Souta's hands.

"A child's chair," Souta replies while turning the chair over. Rain gives Souta an affirming hum while removing her arms from around Souta. She looks around the room for a bit before noticing a red bucket in the corner of the room.

"Perfect!" Rain whispers.

Souta glances at her. "What's perfect?"

"This," Rain replies, walking up to Souta with the bucket in hand.

A short silence passes before Souta smiles at the woman, gently taking the bucket from her grasp and setting it under the chair. He checks it to make sure it's sturdy before gesturing for Rain to sit.

"Absolutely not, you have an injured arm," Rain argues.

"And you passed out before we got here, you need to rest." Souta insists.

"So do you," Rain claims while crossing her arms.

Souta gazes at Rain before letting out a small chuckle. "God, you're more assertive than ever."

"Alright enough about what I am, sit down." Rain sighs while guiding Souta to the chair. Once comfortable Souta lets out a small grunt while holding his bruised arm. Rain sits on the floor in front of him, keeping an eye on his arm.

"I got the aid kit!" Suzume shouts while jogging up the stairs to her room. She comes to a stop upon seeing Souta and Rain sitting in the middle of her floor. Rain smiles at the girl before waving at her to come near the two. Suzume gives the woman a small nod, walking up to the adults while setting up her phone.

A new report plays in the background while Rain watches Suzume bandage Souta's arm. "Wow Suzume, you know your stuff."

"Uh, well yeah. My mom was sort of a nurse." Suzume hums as she finishes the bandage. "Now, both of you, talk. I've got about a million questions."

Souta chuckles and sighs. "Fair enough."

"Good," Suzume huffs. "That worm, what exactly is it?"

"A tremendous force that dwells deep beneath the Japanese islands. It has no rhyme or reason, but will rage and shake if the land is disturbed." Souta says.