I. The Missing Token and Suo's Arrival
The line clicked off, leaving Himari staring at the phone as if it still carried her aunt's voice. Relief pressed against her ribs, but her mind refused to settle. Was Suo even at university today? She had spoken to Aunt directly, yet the thought lingered—had he stayed home, waiting, knowing she would need him?
She shook herself back into motion, scanning her room with sudden urgency. Her bracelet—the one Aunt had given her when she first returned from Cyprus, a fragile token after surviving hell—was missing. She needed it. That small circle of silver was more than jewelry; it was proof of belonging, of being loved. She searched drawers, bags, the desk, even beneath the bed. Nothing.
The absence gnawed at her, but she forced herself to stop. Later, she promised silently. When I see Aunt, I'll ask… The memory of that gift would have to wait for its revelation.
Her phone buzzed again, Suo's name flashing across the screen. She answered quickly.
Suo: "I'm downstairs. Come down when you're ready."
Himari: "Okay," she replied, already pulling on her coat and wrapping her muffler tight. She checked the bandage at her temple, adjusting it so it wouldn't show too much. No one needed to see weakness.
Downstairs, she stopped at the office to submit her application—a formal note that she would be staying at her aunt's house. The staff accepted it without question, and she stepped outside, expecting to see a car waiting. But the street was empty. Her stomach tightened. Had he not come yet? She dialed his number again, worry rising.
II. Suo's Gentle Teasing and Sudden Concern 🏍️
For a heartbeat, Himari's chest tightened. The helmeted figure behind her had felt like a stranger, and she had turned too sharply, eyes wide, breath caught. Then Suo lifted the visor, his grin breaking through. Relief washed over her, but embarrassment followed just as quickly.
He chuckled, not cruelly, but with the warmth of someone who found her reaction endearing. "Oh… you get scared so easily, little cat," he said, voice light, teasing but polite.
Himari pressed her lips together, muffler tugged higher to hide the flush creeping across her cheeks. "I didn't recognize you with the helmet," she muttered, defensive but quiet.
"That's the point of helmets," Suo replied, still smiling.
Himari spun around, startled. "Oh my god… you literally scared me!" she exclaimed, her voice sharper than she intended.
Suo laughed at first, helmet still in his hand. "You're such a scared cat," he teased lightly. But the laugh died quickly. His eyes caught the bandage wrapped around her hand, the faint marks of an IV still visible, and then the strip of gauze at her temple. His smile faded, replaced by sudden seriousness.
"Sorry… I didn't mean to scare you," he said quietly. His gaze lingered on her injuries. "But what happened to your head, Himari?"
She adjusted her muffler, pulling it higher, and straightened her shoulders. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
Suo frowned, clearly unconvinced. "That doesn't look like nothing."
Himari's tone shifted, firm and older, as if reminding him of their roles. "Enough, Suo. I'm elder to you. Don't question me like that. It's not a big deal. Let's go."
He hesitated, wanting to press further, but her authority left no space. With a small nod, he handed her the spare helmet. "Alright," he said softly. "Let's go."
III. The Ride Home
Himari fastened the helmet Suo handed her, tugging her muffler higher as if to shield herself from more than just the cold. Suo adjusted the straps quickly, checking twice before stepping back. "Ready?" he asked. She gave a small nod.
The bike roared to life, steady and low. Himari climbed on behind him, her hands hesitating before resting lightly at his sides. The street stretched ahead, empty and waiting.
They pulled away from the dorm, the wind rushing past. The silence between them was thick, but not uncomfortable. Himari kept her gaze fixed on the road, the blur of streetlights and trees easing the tightness in her chest. No pills, no nausea—only the cool air and the steady rhythm of the ride.
Suo didn't speak. His focus was on the road, his movements careful, each turn taken smoothly, each stop gentle. He slowed at corners, checked mirrors often, as if every detail mattered. Himari felt the care in his silence. She didn't need words to know he was watching out for her. The rest of the ride passed in silence.
IV. Aunt's Immediate Concern and Confrontation
Suo stepped inside first, removing his shoes at the door. Himari followed quietly behind him. From the kitchen, Aunt appeared, apron tied neatly around her waist, a spoon still in her hand.
Aunt's face lit up with a warm, polite smile. She handed the spoon to Suo without a word and opened her arms to Himari. "My child, how have you been? How much you've grown… the last time I saw you, you were still little."
Himari returned the greeting with a soft smile, letting herself be pulled into the embrace. Aunt held her hand afterward, turning it gently to examine the bandage wrapped around it. "Are you alright?" she asked, but didn't wait for an answer. Her other hand came up to Himari's forehead, checking for fever.
Aunt's gentle smile shifted the moment her eyes caught the bandages. Her warmth turned quickly into worry. "Himari, you got injured… oh my poor child, how? And you also have a fever—are you okay? What happened?"
She pulled her inside, shutting the door against the cold. "I thought maybe you were feeling homesick, that's why you called," she said, voice rushing with concern. "But look what you've done to yourself, oh my…"
Aunt pressed her palm gently against Himari's forehead again, confirming the warmth there. "You should have told me sooner. Come, sit down. You need rest." Himari managed a small smile, trying to ease her aunt's worry, but the weight of her concern filled the room.
V. The Bracelet, Illusion Magic, and Haru's Voice
Himari quickly tried to calm her aunt. "I'm totally okay, Aunt. It just happened, it's nothing to be worried about."
Aunt: "Did you tell Sash? Your mother?"
Himari: "No… not yet. Mama must be busy. But I'm really okay."
Aunt: "So, Himari… tell me. What did you want to ask me?"
Himari froze, puzzled. She forced a small smile. "No, no… nothing, Aunt. I was just missing you."
Aunt: "Oh really? Did you think I don't read your face, huh?"
Himari lowered her gaze. Aunt turned to Suo. "Go bring water for her."
"Yeah, yeah, going," Suo replied, heading toward the kitchen.
Aunt: "Now tell me, what happened?"
Himari: (Quietly) "Aunty… I actually lost the bracelet you gave me."
Aunt: "Oh… that's why. I thought today you seemed more like your real self."
Himari: (Firmly) "No, Aunt. You know that bracelet was important. Because of that, I can't even belt or use my illusion magic."
Aunt looked at her in confusion. "But Himari… you didn't need that to summon illusion. Didn't I tell you?"
Himari's eyes widened as she realized the mistake. She quickly tried to cover it. "Yeah, yeah, you're right, Aunt. But still… you know I'm more comfortable with it."
Aunt: "Child, it was only one piece. I had it customized from one of my colleagues. I don't think it's possible to get another... But how did that get lost? You've kept it safe all these years."
Before Aunt could ask more, a voice echoed from upstairs. "Mom! Where are you?"
Himari stiffened instantly. She knew the voice—Haru's voice—familiar, but not one she wanted to hear right now. Aunt sighed. "Coming!" she called back, then glanced at Himari before slipping back toward the kitchen.
Moments later, Suo entered, balancing water and fruit. "Here," he said simply. Himari accepted it with a soft "thank you."
Suo: "So… how did you get injured, Hima?"
Himari: "It's nothing. Tell me, did you take a day off from uni today?"
Suo: "Yeah. Because Haru's home after a year. Mom didn't let me go today. So now tell me… how did you get this?" He pointed at her temple.
Himari: "Listen, if I tell you, you're going to tell Aunt. Then Aunt will tell Mama, and Mama will tell Father. And you know what's going to happen after that… So first, you promise not to tell anyone."
Suo grinned, raising three fingers dramatically. "I swear," he said, smiling as if it were a game.
Himari: (Shaking her head at his antics) "Alright then. It's just… I got a little injury from the archives. You know, that old one."
Suo: (Leaning in, serious) "No, Hima. Stop teasing. Now tell me exactly how you got hurt, and why you had to stay at a boy's house. What really happened at the Archives?"
Himari sighed, about to finally tell him the truth—when a new, firmer voice cut through the moment.
VI. Haru's Interruption and Authority
Haru's Voice: (From the doorway) "Himari? What in the—?"
Both Himari and Suo spun around. Haru stood framed in the living room archway. Himari froze, the blood draining from her face, from the profound shame that Haru, the embodiment of the life she ran from, was standing right there.
Himari: (Whispering) "H-Haru."
Haru took two quick steps into the room.
Haru: (Voice low, laced with protective fury, switching to the elite school language) "Mi-a, what are you doing here, and why are you not at the Akademia?"
Suo recognized the implicit command to step aside. He stood up immediately, quietly and swiftly letting himself out of the room, heading toward the kitchen, giving the two cousins the space Haru had wordlessly demanded.
Haru Takes the Seat
Suo walked into the kitchen and sat down, pretending to look busy, but close enough to listen.
Meanwhile, back in the living room, Haru sat down in Suo's vacated spot, turning his full attention to Himari.
Haru: (Sighing, exhausted familiarity) "So. Tell me, what are you doing?"
Himari: (Low, strained) "I told you. I'm fine. Just a fall."
Haru: "A fall? You look like you just finished a Cleaners Sweep. Don't lie to me. This is about the Wind and Illusion, isn't it? Did The Agnès Pact find you?"
Ignoring her protests, he reached out and gently took her hand, examining the IV puncture mark.
Haru: (Voice low, confirmation heavy) "You were at the hospital. You didn't just 'take a day off'." He then placed the back of his hand against her forehead. "You have a fever, Himari. Oh, my, you're running warm."
He leaned back, signaling weary acceptance.
Haru: "Fine. Tell me first how this happened. And don't use the word 'fall' again."
VII. Himari's Full Confession and True Motive
Himari sighed, accepting her fate. She glanced toward the kitchen where Suo was sitting.
Himari: (In a low, resigned voice) "Fine. If I didn't tell you, you're going to know anyway. But don't tell Auntie, okay? First of all, a day before yesterday, I went to the Archives at Arthford. I needed some material. While I was there, I found like a forbidden book." (Defensive) "Don't look at me like that! It was safe... So I took it and read it. When I finished reading, it was already dark, and I realized people were gone. Even the woman who was sitting there, she was also gone. So I also tried to go out normally, using my card, but my card was denied. That's all."
Haru: "Then what? Tell me the main thing."
Himari: "I don't know if it was real or my hallucination. I just felt that there was like someone grab me from my back neck and literally throw me." (Quickly) "No, no, calm down. I am not that injured." "I don't remember. When I woke up, I was at a strange place with strange people. They were my classmates—one was the Class Representative, one was my dorm friend, and one was the Rep's friend, whose home that was. I was there because his father was a doctor, and I later got to know his father was my dad's father..." She trailed off. "So, that's all. Now I'm here."
The Non-Negotiable Lie
Haru: "I'm going to call Uncle and tell him you're injured and have a fever. This is non-negotiable, Himari."
Himari: (Sharply, frantic) "No! Stop! Don't call Uncle! I told you, I'm fine, and besides... I already called him."
Haru: "You called him? When?"
Himari: (Taking a steadying breath) "Before you arrived. I told him I was feeling very sick and that Aunt was going to pick me up. I just said I needed a day off from the dorm. He knows I'm here. If you call him now, he'll know I was trying to hide something, and you know how he gets."
Haru: (Sighing heavily) "Himari. So tell me why you took that forbidden book or I call Uncle right now."
Himari: "Ugh, bro. I just said, for curiosity. That's all."
Haru stared at her, unwavering. Himari broke first, her shoulders slumped.
Himari: (Quietly, the admission heavy) "Okay, okay. I took it to check if there was somewhere, maybe, written about why my eyes and hair get changed."
VIII. Suo's Exposure and Haru's Demand
Suo, sitting in the kitchen, had heard the entire, devastating exchange. When Haru hesitated, Suo strode out of the kitchen and back into the living room, his face a mask of furious protectiveness.
Suo: (Voice sharp, abandoning all deference) "Hey, Haru, that's enough! Why are you talking to her like that? She already faced such danger, and she is sick! Look at you, asking questions to her like you're interrogating her!"
Haru, however, was not listening. His eyes immediately focused on the small, black smartphone that had been left on the coffee table—Suo's phone. The screen showed an active call connection to his mother's number. Haru lunged, snatching the phone.
Haru: (Voice dangerously low) "When you were leaving... why didn't you take your phone with you?"
Suo froze. Haru hit the End Call button. Himari stared at Suo, then at the phone in Haru's hand, her face white.
Himari's Unexpected Reaction
Suo was unable to meet the cold fury in his older brother's eyes. Himari stared at Suo's panicked face and the phone in Haru's hand.
A small sound escaped her—a real, soft chuckle. It grew into a genuine, hearty laugh. She laughed at Suo's sheer stupidity for getting caught.
Himari: (Wiping a tear of genuine amusement) "Oh my god! You idiot! You called your mom's phone, but you left this one here on the table? And you thought he wouldn't notice?"
Haru: (Bewildered) "Himari! This isn't funny! He was eavesdropping on your entire confession about the Archives and the attack!"
Himari: (Shaking her head) "I know, I know. But he's so stupidly obvious!" She then turned to Suo. "And you, Suo! You swore on three fingers! You're a terrible spy!"
Suo managed a weak smile, relieved.
The Dual Magic Demand
Haru watched Himari's laughter fade, his severity returning. He tossed Suo's phone onto the sofa cushion.
Haru: (Voice low and hard) "Enough. I don't care if he was listening... He heard everything." (Turning to Suo) "You heard her mention the forbidden book, the violent attack at the Archives, the hospital visit, and the lie she told Uncle about a fever. Is that correct?"
Suo: "Yes. I heard it all."
Haru: (Turning back to Himari, urgent hiss) "You risked everything you were taught to protect, just to find out why your eyes are red. Now, you will stop laughing, you will stop lying, and you will tell me exactly what happened to your magic. Tell me about the dual magic—Wind and Illusion. Why couldn't you stop the attack?"
IX. Himari's Refusal and Suo's Defiance
The severity of Haru's demand wiped the last trace of amusement from Himari's face.
Himari: (Her voice regaining its firm authority) "Hey, listen. That's enough. Okay? I told you what you asked, and we will talk about this later. Another time." She gestured to her hand. "I only came here for asking Aunt to like, use healing magic and about the bracelet... And for you, Suo, that was a wrong thing you have done. And I am going to remember it. Other's secrets are like very important. Treasure them. Don't be giving them away."
She got up, wrapped her muffler, and strode toward the kitchen archway.
Himari: (Calling out firmly) "Auntie!"
Suo Demands the Truth
Himari disappeared into the kitchen. Haru watched the archway, then turned to Suo.
Haru: (Voice low and dangerous) "Upstairs. Now."
In the room, Haru shut the door.
Haru: "Start talking. You heard her mention she woke up at a 'stranger's place' with classmates. How did you know she was at someone's house, and what exactly did you hear about that night?"
Suo: "I knew because the person who messaged me was the Class Representative, Kiro. He's a friend of mine... He informed me that Himari had safely arrived at the dorm, and he also mentioned she got injured at the Academy. That's all he told."
Haru: (Pressing hard) "Who is that classmate? What is the doctor's name? And more importantly, what did Himari tell Kiro and the others happened? Did she mention a forbidden book or a fight?"
Suo: "I don't know the house owner's name. Kiro only said she was injured and fine. Why? Why are you asking about a forbidden book? What is The Agnès Pact?"
Haru sighed, adopting a deceptively calm tone. "Look, Suo. Forget the forbidden book. Forget The Agnès Pact. That's... that's old Academy business. It has nothing to do with Arthford or you. Your job is done... You need to stay out of it."
Suo felt a surge of indignation. He was protective of Himari and had just risked his mother's trust.
Suo: (Stepping forward, firm and unwavering) "No. I won't 'stay out of it.' She woke up injured at a stranger's house... You think I'm going to let my cousin face some kind of danger alone just because you decide it's 'old Academy business'? I heard everything, Haru. You can't un-hear the truth. If I'm supposed to 'stay out of it,' you need to give me a reason—the full truth. Tell me about The Agnès Pact and what they want with Himari's Wind and Illusion magic. Now."
X. Haru's Revelation: The Agnès Pact
Haru stared at Suo, recognizing the unwavering determination. He let out a long, heavy sigh.
Haru: (Voice low and serious) "Alright. You want the truth, I'll give you the truth. But first, you promise me one thing: even if I tell you, you are not going to intervene in her life. And you are not going to tell anyone—especially not Mother or Uncle. You stay out of this. Do you understand the terms?"
Suo walked to Haru's bed, sat down, and looked up at his brother, his posture conveying silent, resolute commitment.