Chapter 28: Anxiety After Breakfast
A new day had begun at the Western Kuiri Headquarters. Everyone had finished breakfast and started heading to their new assignments.
While Taro was drying the dishes in the kitchen, Daichi leaned against the wall beside him, arms folded, speaking cheerfully.
Daichi: Those twins are picking on you too. They want the so-called muscle tea you promised Kaito.
Taro smiled and placed the plate away.
Taro: Yeah… seriously.
(He rubs his chin.)
Hmm… honestly, if I slipped a sleeping pill into their tea one day, we'd finally get some peace.
Daichi bursts out laughing.
Daichi: HAHAHA! That would be so comfortable!
He looks down with a soft smile.
Daichi: At least they add color to the headquarters, right? I mean, it takes more than roses and sakura trees in the garden to brighten this place.
Taro nods, washing the last dirty plate under the faucet.
Taro: Hehe… yeah, that's true, but—
Suddenly, his face twists into a doctor-like, unhinged grin.
Taro: Still, it's good that Kaito is turning Yuki into someone like himself.
Daichi completely loses it.
Daichi: PUAHAHAHA!
(Taro laughs as well.)
Both: HIHIHAHAHAHA!
Yuki is in the garden with Dr. Mitsuni, Kaito, and Haruto.
The doctor calls out to Yuki from about five meters away.
Dr. Mitsuni: Hey! Yuki, try to stay calm, okay?
Yuki nods. The doctor smiles gently, but his expression soon turns serious and sad.
Dr. Mitsuni (thinking):
"Come on, Yuki…"
He turns to Haruto.
Dr. Mitsuni: Haru, go ahead.
Haruto swallows and looks at Yuki.
Haruto: Come on, Yuki…
He arranges his Kuiri cards into specific shapes and brings four of them close to his mouth.
Haruto: Hear me. I am Haruto Akatsuki, the sixth Kuiri Card Master of the Akatsuki Family. Obey my words!
Pink, yellow, and orange lights radiate outward.
The doctor watches both Yuki and Haruto closely.
Dr. Mitsuni (thinking):
"Alright, Haruto… show me."
(Yuki's breathing quickens.)
"It could happen any second."
Haruto suddenly shouts.
Haruto: Illusion Spirit Genmyu, emerge!
Multiple Kuiri suddenly appear around Yuki.
Yuki: No—no! STOP!
Black veins surface across his face.
Yuki clutches his head, then his shoulder.
Yuki: Ahh… no…
He presses his hands to his chest and slashes downward diagonally with his left hand. A purple light flashes. One Kuiri illusion instantly evaporates—but the energy is absorbed into Yuki's body.
Both the doctor and Haruto freeze in shock.
Dr. Mitsuni: HARU, STOP!
Haruto immediately halts.
Haruto: Doctor—what do we do?!
A loud thud echoes. Yuki collapses to his knees, gasping.
Yuki: Ohh… no… that can't be… HAHAHA… ahh…
Haruto and the doctor rush to him.
Haruto (panicked): Hey—hey, it's okay, little guy…
The doctor says nothing, only gently rubs Yuki's back.
Kaito remains silent, watching with sharp, unreadable eyes.
Kaito: Haruto.
Haruto looks at him. Kaito nods slightly. Haruto nods back.
Kaito steps forward, kneels, and lifts Yuki into his arms.
Yuki: Haru… please… don't leave me…
One hand reaches toward Haruto, the other grips Kaito's wrist.
Dr. Mitsuni (softly): Don't worry, Yuki… it's over. That was the last time, okay?
Yuki nods weakly.
Haruto: Rest for a bit now, okay?
Inside Kaito's room, Yuki sleeps. The black veins are still visible.
The doctor speaks thoughtfully.
Dr. Mitsuni: He's absorbing the energy of the Kuiri… It's a very strange ability.
Kaito and Haruto speak at the same time.
Both: WHAT?!
Dr. Mitsuni: Those black veins…
(Yuki whimpers softly in his sleep.)
Every time he absorbs that energy, it burns his body. Because he can't control it, it causes him intense pain.
Kaito (coldly): Does it hurt?
The doctor nods.
Haruto exhales heavily.
Haruto: Damn…
Kaito: Hmph. I'm not surprised. It was obvious.
A knock sounds at the door.
Haruto: I'll get it.
He opens the door—and freezes.
Haruto: You…?
Standing outside are Yue, Kati, Daichi, Luna, Taro, Noeh, and Sora.
Sora (worried): Ren and San…
The others clench their teeth.
Yue: Someone is baiting us…