Bound by Fate - SaneGiyuu

Chapter Three - Angels in Disguise

The college campus was buzzing with life, a stark contrast to the tranquil serenity of the celestial realm. Giyuu and Shinobu stood at the edge of the quad, blending seamlessly into the crowd of students rushing between classes.

Sanemi Shinazugawa was in his third year of college, but it was clear that he wasn't just dealing with the usual stresses of student life. The trauma of the past still clung to him like a shadow—his siblings taken away, his mother in a psychiatric ward, and his friends constantly questioning whether he was really okay. It was a lot for anyone to handle, let alone someone as tough and proud as Sanemi.

Giyuu spotted him almost immediately, sitting alone on a bench near the library, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His expression was a mix of exhaustion and defiance, like he was daring the world to push him any further.

"Great, he smokes," Shinobu said dryly. "I'm sure that's just what his lungs need after all the stress he's been through."

Giyuu ignored her, his focus entirely on Sanemi. He had watched over this man for so long, seen him at his lowest points, and now he was finally here—close enough to help in a way that felt more tangible than just observing from above.

"Don't get too attached," Shinobu warned, her voice softer now, almost concerned. "We're here to help him, yes. But you can't save him from himself, Giyuu. Remember that."

Giyuu nodded again, though his eyes never left Sanemi. "I know. But I won't let him fall, either."

Shinobu sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. Giyuu was stubborn, especially when it came to those he cared about—even if he wouldn't admit just how much he cared.

"Let's just get this over with," she said, adjusting her disguise as a fellow student. She had gone with a white button-up blouse, and a lime green sweater that her white blouse collar hung out the top of neatly. She wore a white skirt, white shoes, and a green scrunchie (to match the sweater) which held her hair up in a tidy bun. "The sooner we get through this, the sooner we can go back to doing what we're actually good at."

But as they approached Sanemi, Shinobu couldn't shake the feeling that this mission was going to be more complicated than either of them had anticipated. And as much as she hated to admit it, she was starting to care too—just a little. But not about Shinazugawa... she was starting to worry for, Giyuu.

"Here we go," she muttered under her breath, steeling herself for whatever was to come.

As they began to approach the man who sat on the bench, his elbows resting on his knees, as he stared off into the distance; Giyuu could feel his nerves kicking in.

Suddenly a frisbee whizzed past, nearly smacking them in the face. Shinobu caught it effortlessly, her reflexes quicker than most humans.

Before she could hand it back, a boy with light strawberry pink hair and violet eyes came rushing over, a bit out of breath. "Are you guys okay? I'm so sorry about that," he said, running a hand through his hair. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "I haven't seen you around before. I'm Sabito."

He extended his hand, and Shinobu, always confident, took it with a smile. "Shinobu," she replied, her tone warm but with a hint of authority.

Giyuu stepped forward, a little awkward, and shook Sabito's hand as well. "Giyuu," he said quietly, his voice almost getting lost in the background noise of the campus.

There was something about Sabito's name and that scar on his face that tugged at the back of Giyuu's mind, but he couldn't quite place it.

"Is it your first year here?" Sabito asked, genuinely curious.