Another Stray God [Noragami x Reader]

Chapter 18: Blight

"Yukine-kun, don't cry anymore. It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself." Hiyori rubs Yukine's back while uttering those words.

The blonde haired boy covered his body with his futon's blanket as he sobs. "I-It's my fault that Suzuha died if I didn't befriended him then maybe... maybe... he's still alive and K-Kazuma-san even got banished by Bishamon-sama because of me."

You stared at the crying boy for a while before sighing. "If anyone's at fault here, Yukine-kun, it should be me. Stop blaming yourself anymore. Yato also feels your pain so calm down, okay? I knew something bad will happen relating to Bishamon but I didn't even tried to stop you. I'm sorry."

"(y/n)-san..." Hiyori muttered your name and looked at you with a worried expression plastered on her face. "Are you alright? You seem pale."

You forced a smile to keep her from worrying about your wellbeing. "I'm fine, Hiyori-chan. I just need a little rest. Keep Yukine-kun in company, okay?" You left her alone and went downstairs to check on Kazuma. You were worried that he might have told the others about your blight and you also wanted to check his condition.

"Yato, about (y/n), can you please tell her to take care of herself? She's too reckless." You heard Kazuma's voice spoke from the other room.

"Huh~? But she's too stubborn~ She wouldn't even listen to what you'll say." Yato whined as he drank his can of beer.

Kazuma sighed before agreeing with his statement. "Well, you're right about that. She's the same as Veena or maybe just a bit worse. Also I think her shinki-"

"Yato, are you alright? Yukine-kun is still crying. You're also in pain, aren't you?" You decided to enter before Kazuma could continue his next words.

"I don't blame him but it makes me feeling weak now." The dark haired man said in reply while he stared at the wooden ceiling with his hands on his forehead. "By the way, I haven't seen Riku around. Aren't you worried?"

You sat beside Kazuma letting out a deep breath of exhaustion. "He said he'll be wandering around for a bit. There's no need to worry. He's a really responsible shinki if you ask me. Serving a god like me for months..." You said your last statement in a low voice and a solemn smile which made the two glance at you in both worry and surprise.

"M-Mah~ That was a long time ago, (y/n). There's no need to compare the things that are happening now and the past, right?" Kofuku tried to cheer you up although it doesn't really helped your troubled mind.

"Yeah. You're right." You just agreed so that they'll stop worrying about you. You realized you made a mistake out of the words that just suddenly split from your mouth and you still feel guilty for being ignorant to your own shinki which then lead to the problem you are actually trying to halt. You knew this is also partly Kazuma's fault but you just can't blame him for the situation he is previously in.

The auburn haired man eyed you as you stood up from your seat and went towards the door worried about your condition. "Where are you going, (y/n)?"

"I'll be searching for my troublesome shinki. It's too dangerous to wander around at this time. The number of ayakashis are also increasing recently." You answered after wearing your (f/c) sneakers and shoving your hands on your ppcket to protect it from the cold wind. "I can't let such a great shinki to be eaten by some mere ayakashis."

They all watched you leave until Yato let out a sigh while laying again on the floor. "Tch. Both master and shinki are stubborn. She should better clear things up with Riku before things get ugly."

"You knew?" Kazuma asked him and raised his eyebrows.

"It's kind of obvious. Riku was always curious in (y/n)'s past. He even had the courage to ask me about her before although he knew that I treat them as an enemy. Knowing (y/n), she just can't simply abandon Sorata even if it caused her many troubles. It must have hurt Riku to feel like his master trusts her former shinki, who betrayed her several times, more than him." Yato stared and slowly shaked his can of beer as he muttered those words.