Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

八十二

7 hours later

As I made my way toward the front of the building, I could already see Benimaru standing there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, an expression of mild irritation mixed with amusement on his face.

The evening sun cast long shadows across the courtyard, but he barely noticed, too wrapped up in his thoughts. Konro leaned against the wooden railing nearby, his arms crossed and a thoughtful expression on his face as he listened to Benimaru's frustrated mutterings.

"I can't stop thinking about it, Konro," Benimaru admitted, his voice tense and raw with emotion. "Every time I'm around her, I'm terrified I'm going to make the same mistakes I did two years ago. I thought I was doing the right thing back then, trying to protect her, trying to keep her safe by pushing her away. But all I did was hurt her, push her right out of my life. What if I do it again? What if I screw everything up and lose her for good this time?"

He ran a hand through his unruly hair, the gesture more agitated than usual. His movements were restless, lacking the usual grace that marked his every step. It was as if the weight of his fears had taken root deep within him, pulling him down and making every breath, every thought, a struggle.

Konro's gaze was steady, compassionate as he watched his friend unravel. "Benimaru," he began, his voice calm and reassuring, "you're not the same person you were two years ago. You've grown, and so has she. But you need to trust yourself—and trust her. She's not fragile, and neither is what you two have. You're both stronger than that."

Benimaru stopped pacing, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he turned to face Konro. "But what if I'm not?" he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper, filled with a vulnerability that he rarely showed. "What if I'm still that same idiot who let his fear control him? I can't— I don't want to lose her again. I don't want to see that look of betrayal in her eyes."

Konro finally repeated , his voice gentle but firm. "You're not the same man you were two years ago, Benimaru. You've grown, you've learned from your mistakes. And Inori... she's strong, but she's also forgiving. She wouldn't be here if she didn't believe in you, in what the two of you could have."

Benimaru shook his head, his fists clenching at his sides. "But what if it's not enough? What if I can't give her what she deserves? What if I let her down again?"

The rawness in his voice struck me like a physical blow, and I felt an overwhelming urge to step out from the shadows, to show him that I was here, that I heard him. But I hesitated, watching as Konro placed a reassuring hand on Benimaru's shoulder.

"You won't let her down," Konro said quietly, his tone filled with conviction. "Because this time, you're not just thinking about what's best for her—you're thinking about what's best for both of you. That's a big difference."

His gaze locked onto me as soon as I appeared, and for a moment, I could see the confusion in his eyes as he took in my bizarre attire.

Benimaru's eyes lingered on mine, the tension between us finally easing into something softer, something more hopeful. But then he tilted his head slightly, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You know you're late, right?" he said, his tone carrying a teasing edge that only Benimaru could pull off.

I shrugged nonchalantly, a small smile playing on my lips as I met his gaze. "I had to make sure my team is on the path to a successful recovery," I replied, my voice light but firm. "Just like I used to make sure you and Konro did back when I was a medic here."

Benimaru sighed, the sound somewhere between acceptance and mild exasperation. He knew I wasn't one to shirk my responsibilities, especially when it came to the people I cared about. "I guess that's a good enough excuse," he muttered, though the corners of his mouth twitched, betraying his amusement.