Certified Comrade

"Yang, what do you mean by that?"

I asked, feeling my head getting hotter and hotter.

"What? What do you mean?"

"You saw me struggling to survive, but you were just casually swaying on that damn tree branch, not a care in the world. You keep saying we need to believe in ourselves, but before I can do that, I'm already dead!" I raised my voice, my vision blurring.

"Takehito. Try to calm down. Something's not right," Yang tightened the grip on the hilt of the sword hanging on his left side.

"I am VERY calm right now! You're the one overreacting!"

Saying that, I stepped closer to Yang as he slowly stepped back, still staring intensely at me with a strange expression. He drew his sword towards me.

But then I fell silent, approached Yang, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Enough, I'm too tired for a fight now. If the mission is over, let's quickly head back to the mansion or find food to fill our stomachs. Swimming in freezing water has made me famished."

With that, I walked towards the forest under Yang's puzzled face.

Upon returning to the limo, I encountered Jack and Violet, our two escorts. They looked at me with concern in their eyes, quickly handing me a clean cloth to wipe the blood off my face and neck, along with a shawl to wrap around my body to keep warm. They performed first aid on my left arm, which was bleeding profusely, with antiseptic medication and bandages.

During the journey back, Yang sat in silence. It seemed like he was contemplating something.

When we returned to the mansion, it was just in time for lunch. After being treated by the private doctor who performed minor surgery to stitch up the wound, I hurried to the dining room with a growling stomach. Unlike the morning, I devoured everything laid out on the table. A mouthful of mashed potatoes, and I served myself a plate full of honey-glazed roast duck.

After eating, I went to take a bath. The mansion had a communal bathhouse that all members could use. I asked the head butler, Hao, and was told that I could also bathe there, but I should be careful with my wound, as it could get infected.

Before stepping into the communal bath, I had to clean my body first with a shower nozzle. Stepping into the private bath area, I stripped off my hoodie and blood-stained jeans.

"Such a shame, I really liked this hoodie. How can I possibly get it clean now? Probably have to toss it in the trash."

I closed my eyes, allowing the cold water to cascade over my long hair. The water flowed over the top of my head, covering my face, then down my shoulders, chest, and legs.

What exactly happened after I defeated that demon?

At that moment, my mind seemed to be out of control. I was furious and vengeful. But I also didn't really know what I was angry about. It felt like I had turned into a different person.

Even someone as normally calm as Yang had to be cautious when seeing me in that state. I chuckled at myself.

"What's wrong with you, Takehito?"

After scrubbing off the dried blood from my body and face, I entered the steam room. This communal bath area was incredibly spacious. It resembled a Japanese onsen but was built indoors, with walls made of bamboo and reeds.

There was no one here at the moment.

I slowly immersed myself in the hot water. Steam rose from the water's surface, blowing onto my face as the water rose to my chest. It had been a long time since I enjoyed an onsen like this. 3, no, probably more than 4 years ago.

Back then, I went with Kyou. But she was held back outside because she had tattoos on her chest and neck. In the end, she had to cover up the tattoos with countless bandages before being allowed in.

I smiled at the memory of her angry face when held back outside. "This damn place! I have tattoos, not a murder scene, do I? Yeah, let me in and I'll eat all the guests inside for you to watch!" she cursed straight to the receptionist's face.

When I was lost in the beautiful memories, a voice pulled me back to reality.

"Mind if I join you?"

It was Yang, walking towards me with a towel wrapped around his waist. The muscles bulging on his stomach, chest, and both arms made me feel envious.

"Yang, how old are you?"

Yang hesitated, looking at me.

"15. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing," I said as I touched my own skinny and frail stomach, and sighed.

Yang dropped his towel and slipped into the hot water beside me. He took a deep breath and fell silent again.

The atmosphere was strangely quiet. No one said a word, and Yang just sat there gazing into nothingness.

"Takehito."

"Hmm?"

"...I'm sorry about earlier."

Yang was referring to him standing by and watching me struggle with the ferocious demon.

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just a bit annoyed back then. It's over now."

Yang remained silent, staring intently at the water emitting wisps of white smoke.

"You're right. If I keep relying on your help, I'll never become stronger. That way, I won't be able to confront the Entity of Chaos, right?"

I shrugged my shoulders at Yang, then winced as I forgot about my recently stitched shoulder.

"So, thank you for believing in me."

Yang tousled his wet hair. His long right earring swayed with the motion.

"But you're mistaken. When you were dragged underwater, though I may have appeared indifferent, I was worried about you. After all, I have long considered you my comrade."

Yang's words touched me deeply.

"Two men bathing together naked and showing affection. Too gay."

I joked. Yang laughed too. The look of concern and caution on his face had also vanished.