𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙥𝙚 | 𝘢𝘬𝘪 𝘩. ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

˚⊱ 18. | ɪᴍᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇꜱ ⊰˚

The next morning dawned bright and early, the sky a beautiful shade of blue with a few wisps of clouds in the distance. Birds sang cheerful songs, their melodies filling the air with a peaceful tranquility. The sun's shining rays cast a warm and golden glow over everything it touched, bathing the landscape in its light and warmth. As people started to stir from their sleep, the morning was a testament to the beauty and peace that could be found in the world, despite the traumas and challenges that often pervade it.

The world seemed to come to life as people went about their daily routines, the sound of chatter and laughter filling the air. Children played in the streets, their joy and innocence a reminder of what they were fighting to protect. It was a normal morning in many ways, but the weight of the night's events was still palpable, hanging in the air like a silent presence.

Power and Denji stood waiting near the front door of their apartment, their uniforms neatly pressed and their faces expectant. Power's fingers fidgeted nervously with her tie, as if she were eager to begin the day's activities. Denji looked equally as eager, his gaze drifting frequently between his watch and the door.

Touko walked out of her room dressed in her Public Safety uniform, her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. The weight of the previous night's events was visible in her eyes, the dark circles underneath them evidence of how little she had slept. She met Denji and Power's gaze with a solemn expression.

"Where's Aki?" Touko asked, her voice strained and tense. "Shouldn't he be out here waiting too?"

Power and Denji exchanged glances, their faces dropping slightly at the mention of Aki.

Denji cleared his throat, a look of concern on his face. "He's... he's still sleeping," he said quietly.

Power teetered back and forth on her toes, almost nonchalantly, looking away from Touko's gaze. "Yeah, he didn't wake up yet this morning," she added, her voice low.

Touko's heart sank at their response, a sense of worry and dread settling in her chest. She couldn't understand why Aki hadn't woken up yet, and the fact that he wasn't there with them only added to her sense of unease. "What do you mean he didn't wake up yet?" she asked, her voice sharp and fraught with worry.

Denji fidgeted nervously, his eyes downcast as he spoke. "We tried waking him up, but.. but he didn't look so good. He looked really tired and weak, so he fell back asleep."

Touko's face fell at their words, her worry increasing tenfold. She knew that Aki had used his cursed nail sword again the night before, but she hadn't anticipated that the toll it had taken on his body would be so great.

Touko's face softened with determination. "Wait here," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "I'm going to go check on him myself."

Power and Denji both nodded in agreement. They knew that if anyone could rouse Aki from his slumber, it was Touko.

Touko briskly walked away towards Aki's room, her heart pounding in her chest. She hoped that Aki was just exhausted and needed more rest, but the possibility of something more serious loomed in the back of her mind.

As she reached his room, she hesitated for a moment before gently turning the doorknob and stepping inside. The room was dark, the curtains still drawn to block out the morning light. She stepped further into the room, her eyes scanning the bed where Aki lay.

Aki's body lay still and unmoving under the blankets, his chest rising and falling steadily but slowly. His face lookeddrawn and pale, his breathing so shallow that it was barely perceptible.

Touko's heart clenched at the sight of him. She had never seen him look so weak and vulnerable, and the realisation that he had paid a heavy price for the battle the night before hit her like a punch to the gut.