Almost Close

Chapter 13 – The Mission

No one's ever hugged me.

Not once.

And now… I don't know what to do.

"What?" I asked, caught completely off guard.

Yui's voice danced with her usual mischief.

"Aren't you going to congratulate me?"

Same old Yui. But this time… something was different.

Softer. Sadder.

I tried to smile—

That's what I always do when I don't know what to say.

"What kind of weird congratulations is that?

Where do you come up with this stuff?"

Her smile faded. Her gaze sharpened.

Just like that—my own smile disappeared too.

"Hayato… I'm still mad at you," she said quietly.

"Why do you always keep us at a distance?

Why are you so cold to us?"

I hesitated.

Because closeness makes you weak.

Because warmth fades.

Because if I let you in… I might not survive it.

I opened my mouth—

But nothing came out.

"Just… Yui—" I whispered.

But she cut me off.

"No. Don't say anything.

Just show me you're not as far away as you pretend to be."

I lowered my eyes.

Not out of shame.

But because I had no answer.

She was still hugging me.

And she smelled… like flowers.

My hand moved—

Slowly.

Unconsciously.

I wasn't thinking.

I was just feeling.

And so, my hand reached up—quiet, careful—toward her head.

Just before it touched—

Takumi appeared.

"Well, well. A burning pair beneath the cherry tree.

Or are my sharp eyes deceiving me?"

My hand froze in midair.

The moment shattered.

I slowly lowered it.

Not out of guilt.

But because it was already too late.

I let out a long breath.

"Your eyes are as twisted as your character, Takumi."

But I knew him.

He wouldn't stop.

"What would Kana say if she saw you like this?" he added, circling like a vulture.

"Ever thought about that, one-eyed demon?"

Kana…

I looked at Yui.

She didn't move.

Takumi grinned.

Like he'd just won something.

"This demon… is in love with Kana."

I didn't flinch.

I've grown used to silence.

But something inside me shifted.

Not because he was right.

Not because he was wrong.

But because… I didn't know anymore.

Kana… maybe I admired her.

Her stillness. Her strength.

But is that love?

Then I thought of Watari.

He loves Kana.

He told me so.

I told him…

He could take my place as sensei to twins.

Yui stepped forward, her voice sharp as a blade:

"Don't say her name.

What does Kana have to do with any of this?"

Takumi leaned closer, still smiling.

"Oh, everything.

This demon's clearly obsessed with her."

Yui snapped back:

"Is that why you're here?

What the hell are you even talking about?"

Takumi turned to me now, eyes locked.

"Second day I arrived… he attacked me.

Just because I went a little hard on Kana."

I stepped forward too.

Voice low, but steady.

"A little hard?

Then I guess I responded with medium force.

But if you don't want to see what I'm really capable of…

…stop stalling, and say why you're here."

I didn't raise my blade.

I didn't need to.

The tension in the air spoke for me.

Takumi smirked.

"We're both Level Three now, demon.

I'm taller… stronger… and—"

Before he could finish, Yui cut in:

"This dumb stick struggles to come up with compliments for himself,

and all he's got is 'taller.' Seriously?"

I nearly laughed.

Takumi's face twitched.

He tried to smirk—but failed.

He paused. Then, colder now:

"Why are you always so cruel to me, Yui?

Just because I once said I wanted you as my wife?"

Yui didn't blink.

"You were serious about that?

I thought you were just bored and couldn't stop talking."

Takumi opened his mouth—

But no words came.

His expression darkened. Voice turned flat.

"Suit yourself.

But I've got bad news."

A cold knot tightened in my gut.

"New mission orders just came in."

He smiled again—this time, not kindly.

"Two-person teams."

He looked at me.

"You and Watari.

Hayato… and Kana."