𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 | 𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘺𝘢 𝘵. ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

029. | ᴄʀᴜᴍʙʟɪɴɢ

Takemichi rushed over to Kana's side, his eyes filled with concern as he noticed the slight bruising on her cheek. He gently touched her face, turning her head to get a better look. "Kana, what happened?" he asked, his tone laced with worry. "Your cheek is bruised."

Kana shrugged, trying to hide her discomfort at her brother's touch. "It's just a small bruise," she said, forcing a casual tone. "I tripped and fell, that's all." she gently pushed his hands away from her face, her eyes avoiding his worried gaze.

Takemichi didn't seem convinced, his concern deepening. "Are you sure?" he asked, studying her face intently. "It looks like more than just a little trip..."

She forced a wry smile, trying to reassure him. "i'm fine, really," she insisted, her tone a little more firm this time. "It's just a minor injury, it will heal." she took a step back from him, trying to distance herself from his worried scrutiny.

His expression remained skeptical, but he reluctantly backed off. "Okay, if you say so," he said, his voice hesitant.

Kana felt a wave of relief wash over her as Takemichi backed off, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She had feared he would push further, that he would see through her excuses and pry deeper into her bruised cheek. But for now, he seemed to be letting it go, and Kana was grateful. She didn't know how long she could keep up the act, pretending everything was fine when in reality she felt like she was drowning in guilt and shame.

He looked at her, his expression becoming more serious now. "Are you ready for all of this?" he asked, his tone low and serious. "The meeting, the fight... everything."

She nodded, trying to hide her anxiety. "Yeah," she said, her voice coming out a little shaky. "I'm ready."

He heard the shakiness in Kana's voice, but he knew her stubborn nature all too well. He could tell she was nervous about something, but he also knew she hated admitting it. He decided not to press her on it, knowing she would only get defensive and shut him out.

Instead, Takemichi simply nodded silently, giving her a comforting pat on the shoulder. "You got this," he said, his voice gentle.

Kana couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as her brother patted her shoulder. She knew that he was trying to reassure her, but she also knew that she was keeping a secret from him.

He looked at Kana, his expression serious but concerned. "I'm still a bit on edge about you fighting," he admitted. "But I'm going to make sure I keep a close eye on you. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. We're going to save you."

Kana felt a pang of guilt at his words, knowing that she didn't deserve his protectiveness. She had lied to him, abandoned her friends, and was planning to continue that path. And yet, he still wanted to protect her, still cared about her. She felt like a fraud, unworthy of his devotion.

She forced a smile, trying to mask her guilt with words of reassurance and appreciation. "Thanks, Takemichi," she said, her voice soft. she paused, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. "It'll be easier than what you expect." she added, her tone firm.

Takemichi raised an eyebrow at her words, sensing the determination in her tone. "Easier than what I expect?" he repeated, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kana waved a hand, attempting to brush off her own words. "Oh, nothing," she said, her tone light. "I just mean that I won't be doing anything too dangerous, that's all." she forced another smile, hoping to ward off any further questions or suspicion from her brother.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with anxiety as she tried to keep her secret hidden. She knew Takemichi was smart, and she feared he would see through her lies and figure out what she was really up to. But she also knew that he trusted her, and that he would believe her if she convinced him that everything was fine. She just had to keep up the act, for now at least. Her mind was filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions, her heart heavy with guilt and shame.