Chapter 15 – Repair

Rei turns to his partner, ready to make a sarcastic remark, when he looks down and notices the huge wound on his chest.

Even though part of his shirt covers the injury, it's clear that the wound is deep, judging by the massive amount of dried blood that stains his chest and runs down to his legs.

— Kazuki... Can you take off your shirt? I have to check something.

— S-Sure — he answers hesitantly and takes it off.

As soon as he takes off his clothes, a massive wound on his chest becomes visible. The Demogorgon's claw had torn off a good part of his skin. The wound is already showing signs of infection.

The boy shifts his gaze to the wound and then looks at Kazuki with pure frustration.

— Dude, seriously...

— Why the hell didn't you say before that your wound was so bad?

— Do you have any idea that you could fucking die if it stays like this for a few days? How long did you want to hide it if I hadn't asked you to take off your shirt? — he asks irritated, staring directly into his eyes.

A little embarrassed, Kazuki answers calmly, not fully aware of the tension that is creeping into his body.

— Compared to what Takayo had to go through... I didn't think it was necessary to worry you even more about me — he says, lowering his eyes.

— ...

— Anyway, let me have a look at this.

Leaning to the side, he gently places both hands on Kazuki's chest, handling him with careful and gentle touches.

The moment his hand touches the man's chest, a small jolt runs through him. When their skin touches, a strange, stimulating shiver runs down his spine.

He quickly withdraws his hand, but puts it back a few seconds later. Must have been static, he thinks.

Kazuki, who feels all the warm, soft touches and the boy's accelerated breathing next to him, blushes.

Completely serious and unaware of the situation, the student glides his hands over his muscles and toned abdomen, gently stroking the injured area.

Instinctively, without thinking about it, his hands glide up to Kazuki's nipples and he lightly pinches the pink bud.

For a split second, a tiny part of his subconscious whispers: Do it again! What are you waiting for? No! He stops immediately.

The thought is ridiculous and he pushes it out of his mind. He shakes his head, disturbed by the direction his mind has just taken.

Realizing that he's acting on impulse, he plucks up the courage to look at the man, intending to ask something about his condition and distract himself from what just happened.

However, he notices that Kazuki is staring at him with an extremely embarrassed expression, completely confused.

His blue eyes are shining with curiosity and annoyance.

— Cough, cough.

— I-I'm just checking, stop looking at me like that. I'm just trying to see how bad it is — he specifies, rolling his eyes away to hide the deepening blush on his face. His heart is pounding erratically.

"I'm so embarrassed. Fucking hell, why am I so embarrassed? Fuck, he's so handsome."

Rei thinks.

Still looking down, he quickly changes the subject and explains:

— I have a healing ability. I've never used it before, but I'll test it on you.

Hearing this, the man blinks in surprise before asking:

— You have a healing ability? How is that possible?

— There's only one person in the whole continent who can use healing abilities... The princess of the Taskar Kingdom — he answers his own question in astonishment.

"Healing abilities aren't normal in this world? What do you mean by that? Shouldn't that be common?"

Rei wonders and lets out a sigh. But it's not one of frustration or shock. It's one of relief and excitement.

— Well, I didn't know it was such a rare ability. This is my first time using it, so if anything goes wrong, don't come crying to me... I warned you.

[Super Healing]

The moment Rei activates the ability, the wound on Kazuki's chest is enveloped in a blinding glow and the injury disappears as if it was never there. His wound heals instantly.

The boy, stunned by what just happened, lets out a small chuckle.

— How is that possible? Unbelievable! How can there be such an overwhelming healing ability? — Kazuki asks, his eyes widening in shock.

— I didn't think it would be that effective... Hehe. Can I be called a saint with this? — he says smugly with a grin.

The man looks at him with a reassuring expression and murmurs softly, so softly that the boy doesn't hear it, still caught up in his own amusement.

— You could see much more than that.

Noticing that Rei is still lost in thought and wearing an expression of self-satisfaction, Kazuki seizes the moment and teases him.

— You can take your hand off my breast now. Or do you still want to "analyze" something?

Slightly irritated, the boy answers as seriously as he can:

— You idiot. How can you joke at a time like this? — he asks, the growing blush covering his entire face.

He notices the slight smile on Kazuki's lips and the amused gleam in his eyes, as if he's enjoying his private joke.

Rei tries to hit him, but his attempt is easily dodged as Kazuki easily catches his hands.

Just as the man slowly leans closer to him, a sudden explosion echoes from the street.