Aqua Terrarium (Nagi No Asukara)

Chapter Five

The moment I had jumped into the sea, I winced when the salt water had touched my wounds. I could see Manaka and Hikari not too far from me, their backs swimming deftly to Shioshishio.

No one spoke that night. We were all thinking of the same thing after all. Until Hikari would calm down then starting any talk would only start unneeded conflicts.

"Ouch!" I yelped when we landed onto the ground, my leg nearly giving way since the water for once wasn't helping me with my wounds.

"Aoi-chan!" Manaka rushed to my side quickly, her own wounds forgotten when she saw mine. I really got to hand it to her, to be able to remain unflinching when I was sure that the salt water was painful for her as well.

My little yelp of course didn't go unnoticed by Hikari himself, his eyes softening for a bit at our wounded appearance before turning into an angry storm of blue again.

"This is all those surface people's fault. Making fun of us like that!" He spat causing me to sigh in exasperation as I tried to get up.

"But you should also know that it was a surface dweller who had saved us, Hikari. At least be more open-minded," I reminded him which gained me a weak glare and frown.

"Tsk. They're all the same anyways. That's why we shouldn't be associating ourselves with them," He defended himself before sighing, "But I'll try to be more bearing... After all, I owe you as well for saving Manaka." He added before the sound of footsteps echoed in the streets.

Chisaki and Kaname appeared from the corner of the street. Chisaki's eyes covered in tears as she lunged at both me and Manaka.

"Chii-chan!"

"Chisa-chan?!"

Both Manaka and I froze when we heard Chisaki's muffled sobs on our chest, me being the first to sigh as I hugged her back to reassure her we were fine. This was that rare moment I always thought about. The moment where for once Chisaki worried over me just as much as she did with Manaka.

"I-I was so worried! I'm sorry I couldn't do anything..." She cried causing me to pull her away for a bit and flicked her on the forehead.

"Ouch!"

"What are you crying about? I brought her back didn't I? And you brought the cavalry just as I told you to. Had you not told Hikari and Kaname then we would have been really in trouble now!" I reassured her, causing Manaka to nod next to me in agreement.

"Oi! Taking all the credit now are we? Last I checked that surface guy was the one who saved you both!" Hikari butted in angrily causing me stick my tongue out at him and pouted.

"Oh so now you admit he helped. Last I checked, you tried to punch him!" I pointed out causing him to turn red at the memory, the argument obviously in my favor.

"Surface guy?" Kaname spoke up next to Chisaki. I nodded to him and began explaining the events that transpired from my end, how I found Manaka and how Tsumugu had saved us. Of course, the fact that I had told the story as such made Tsumugu look like a hero and as such, the devil on my shoulder couldn't help but snicker.

Even though Tsumugu meant no harm, his presence was enough to crush all my despair of being alone. It was thanks to him that I begun to think I could have a chance... But wouldn't I be the only one happy with the outcome if such were the case? It was a terrible thought and it would make me nothing more but a monster.

"I see. Then we have to thank him as well then," Kaname nodded in agreement before Hikari butted in stating how late it was and we had to get home and assure everyone that we were all alright (Obviously he just didn't want to have to hear any more praises for Tsumugu...).