The Witch and the Zodiac | Kyo

Chapter 16- Defiance

Aki let out a heavy breath and hugged her arms in close as she stepped back into the house.

Well, that didn't seem to go well at all.

She shut her eyes tightly and pressed her nails into the meat of her arms.

And I said that out loud... I've never said that to anyone before... Not even to Stone.

She loosened the grip on her arms and instead bit her lip.

I'm the Witch. I was born to protect people. I can't hate anyone for how they expect me to fulfill my purpose.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and stared down at her feet.

I can't...

Aki let out a hot breath, then weaved her fingers into her hair and gripped it tightly.

No one else but him heard me, but having said it out loud makes me feel disgusting.

She sat heavily down into the corner of the dining room and pulled her bag toward her and dug inside for a moment before taking out her phone and earbuds. She frowned slightly at the low battery symbol, then focused her magic and sent a surge into the device. The battery life was restored, and she bitterly stuck the jack into the plug and stuffed the earbuds into her ears.

I can't handle the silence right now. Need music.

She scrolled down her music and then tapped the side of the phone.

Can't decide which album. Antihero is the darkest and edgiest, but Weather the Storm calms me down, and Agony Road is just classic.

She tapped the screen and she closed her eyes as the music started to play. She tapped her foot in time with the beat and exhaled slowly.

Agony Road it is.

Track eleven ended and during the transition, a tap on the shoulder made her quickly sit up from where she had been leaning against the wall and pull out the earbuds and open her eyes.

"Eep!" Tohru blinked quickly at Aki's reaction and Aki out a sigh.

"Sorry, Tohru! You startled me." She turned off the music and set her phone down to look at her. "What's wrong? Do you need something?"

"W-Well..." Tohru paused, and then smiled and held up a pair of shoes. "Do you think these would fit?"

"Fit?" Aki blinked. "You're... giving me shoes?"

Tohru's smiled broadened and she nodded. "It'd be difficult to go shopping without any."

Aki blinked slowly. "Shopping...?"

Tohru nodded again and the dining room door opened and two other girls stood there. Aki's eyes widened slightly.

What are they doing here?

She looked at Tohru. "W-Wait... you want me to go with you?" She shook her head. "But I can't intrude on your time with your friends like that."

"You're not intruding if you've been invited." Tohru smiled.

"B-But..." Aki glanced towards the girls.

But this was supposed to be their time all together.

"Tohru took the time out to call us and ask if it was alright to invite you, so just shut your mouth, take the shoes, and come with us." Arisa crossed her arms and looked down at her with a slight smirk.

"Heh." Aki blinked, then gulped slightly.

Her stare is a lot more intense in person than I ever imagined.