Who are you?

Part 35

Shiori was in her room working on the seal. She barely left her room anymore besides for training and doing her duties. While she had the theory done, the seal's design was another matter that posed many challenges.

Everything from the number of layers to what it should do to what shape it had to be was a challenge. She was progressing but not as fast as she had liked. She crumbled the sheet she was working on and threw it to the side. Another failed experiment.

She sighed. Tired of working on the seal for so long, she knew she couldn't give up. A knock on her door brought her out of her thoughts. She didn't want anyone to see the seals, so she got up to open the door. It was Akira-sensei.

Shiori looked at him with the guilt eating her from the inside. The man looked sad. Did she make him miserable? His usually warm chakra that always wrapped around her was now dull and hesitant.

She was shocked and speechless, unsure of what to say or do. "Shiori-chan, follow me," Akira said as he felt her hesitance in inviting him to her room. Shiori mutely followed.

They silently walked to Akira's study room. She had been there before. When she needed to train with Akira, keeping a watch on her, but he also had to take care of his work.

They stood in the middle of the room. She didn't want to sit down. It would make her feel trapped, and Akira picked on it again with an easiness that scared her. Was she really that easy to read?

"Shiori-chan. I know this is going to be a hard conversation, but have I done something to upset you?" he asked. She could tell it was just as hard for him as it was for her. His voice held a note of despair.

But was that how it really came out? "NO!" She claimed in a shout, voice louder than she intended. She quickly composed herself. "No sensei. You have never done anything to upset me. In fact, it's the opposite." She couldn't bring herself to look the man in the eyes, so she opted to stare at the ground.

"I...I..." She hesitated. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to continue. "I've done something bad and..." she tried to gather her thoughts. "I.. I can't tell you what. But I'm afraid. I'm scared that if you find out, that it will.. That you will hate me for it." She finally managed to get out. Tears were gathering in her eyes, but she forced herself to be honest. She needed to have this conversation.

Her vision was blurry from trying to hold back tears. Her fists were clenched at her sides. Suddenly, she saw a blur of movement and was wrapped in strong arms.

"My dear child," Akira said as he hugged her even tighter to his chest from kneeling on the ground. She melted into the hug but didn't dare hug back. "I promise you, no matter what you have done, that I will forgive you." He said as he let his hands gently caress her back.

"But, sensei. You don't even know what I've done. How can you say that?" Shiori said with a shaky voice. Her tears were flowing freely now, and they began to wet Akira's clothing from where she was pressed.

Akira let out a small chuckle. "My child. I know our time together has been short, but I know you. There is nothing you can do that I will not forgive." Akira said with certainty. He brought a hand under her chin to make her look into his eyes.

"But how can you be so sure?" Shiori asked. She desperately wanted to believe but was afraid of letting herself do so.

"You may not understand it yet, but I'm sure you will," Akira said, and Shiori could see the honesty in his eyes. She finally let her hands move and hugged him back.

After the emotional conversation, Shiori was exhausted, but she felt much lighter. They had some tea together, and Shiori decided to tell him about the seal she was making.