malereader x hells paradise

Chapter 21: The Rose With Thorns

Y/N’s POV

The morning sun filtered through the dense foliage, casting a soft golden light over the clearing. It was one of those rare moments of peace, the kind that felt fragile yet profoundly calming. The group had decided to rest for a while, recuperating after the recent battles. I stood on the edge of the camp, watching as everyone went about their morning routines—mending wounds, gathering food, or practicing their techniques.

Sagiri had wandered off alone, her usual composed demeanor masking the weight she carried as the group's de facto leader alongside me. I could sense her internal struggle, the burden of our mission and her past weighing heavily on her shoulders.

I decided to follow her, my feet moving quietly through the underbrush until I found her near a stream, kneeling by the water, washing the bloodstains from her sword. Her movements were slow, deliberate, as if each stroke across the blade was a ritual to cleanse not just the weapon but her soul.

I approached her quietly, standing a few feet behind. "You’re pushing yourself too hard, Sagiri."

She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes reflecting the quiet strength she always carried. "It’s necessary. We can’t afford to be unprepared."

I crouched beside her, watching as the last of the blood swirled away in the stream. "True, but even you need time to breathe. The burden of leadership doesn’t mean you have to carry it alone."

Her hands stilled over the blade, and for a moment, silence hung between us. I could feel her reluctance to open up, to let anyone see the vulnerability she kept hidden behind her fierce dedication.

"I don’t have the luxury of rest," she finally murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve made too many mistakes in the past. I have to make sure that we all survive this... no matter the cost."

Her words stirred something within me, the same sense of duty I’d been struggling with since we first set foot on this island. But more than that, I could see the cracks in her armor—the doubts, the guilt, the fear that she couldn’t save everyone.

I reached out, gently covering her hand with mine. "We’re all in this together, Sagiri. You don’t have to bear this alone. We trust you, and I trust you. But you need to trust yourself too."

She looked down at our hands, the faintest hint of surprise crossing her features before her expression softened. "You always know what to say, don’t you?" she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I wonder if that's one of the reasons everyone is so drawn to you."

I chuckled softly, squeezing her hand gently. "Maybe. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been through enough to know when someone needs a reminder that they’re not alone."

She sighed, setting her sword down beside her. "You’re right... I just—this island, the things we’ve seen, the people we’ve lost—it feels like too much sometimes. And then there’s you. You’ve become such a pillar of strength for all of us, but especially for me."

Her words hung in the air, and I felt my heart skip a beat. There was something unspoken between us, something that had been growing over time. I had always admired her strength, her sense of duty, but now, in this quiet moment, I realized just how much I cared for her—how much I wanted to ease the burdens she carried.

"Sagiri," I said softly, my thumb gently brushing against the back of her hand, "you’re not just someone I fight alongside. I care about you. More than you might realize."

She looked up at me then, her eyes searching mine for something—answers, reassurance, or maybe just the same emotions that had been simmering between us.