Aoi's scream echoed through the training hall.
"RAIZEN—!"
She dropped to her knees beside him, hands shaking violently as she grabbed his shoulders. Blood had dried beneath his eyes, dark streaks cutting across his pale skin. Her chest tightened as panic surged through her.
"No—no—no—no—no—!" she cried, tears spilling freely. "Wake up! Please—Raizen—don't joke like this—!"
Her hands hovered helplessly over him, afraid to shake him too hard, afraid to touch him at all.
Behind her, Senji sighed.
Loud. Flat. Almost irritated.
"Stop already," he said.
Aoi whipped around, eyes blazing. "What did you just say?!"
"You're getting annoying," Senji replied calmly, crouching beside Raizen and pressing two fingers to his neck. His expression didn't change. Not even slightly. "As you can clearly see, he's not dead."
Aoi froze.
"…What?"
"Pulse is steady. Breathing is normal." Senji stood up, brushing dust off his pants. "He overused Ryōgetsu. Neural overload. Sensory backlash."
Her lips trembled. "S-so… he's—?"
"Unconscious," Senji finished. "Instead of sobbing, take him to a room. Give him a bath. Let him rest."
He adjusted his glasses.
"It'll take him two days to recover."
Aoi stared at him, tears still clinging to her lashes. "You… you're sure?"
Senji nodded once. "Trust me. Raizen's my best bud. I know him."
Lu scoffed, arms crossed. "You retard. Did you really have to be that mean?"
"Shut up, you virgin punk, and help already," Senji snapped. "Let's carry Gabimaru to the infirmary."
Lu blinked. "…Huh?"
Her brows slowly knitted together.
Wait… don't you—
"Hey," Senji said sharply, eyes narrowing. "Don't finish that thought."
"…I wasn't saying anything."
"I was kidding," Senji muttered as he hoisted Gabimaru's arm over his shoulder. "I'm not interested in romance. I'm eighteen. I've got way too many things I haven't learned in this world."
Lu stared at him in disbelief. "…That was the lamest thing you've ever said."
"Help. Now."
They lifted Gabimaru together. Despite his injuries, his breathing was steady, chest rising and falling slowly.
"Hey," Senji said under his breath. "Gabimachu. You still there?"
"…Yeah," Gabimaru groaned faintly. "Senku… thanks."
Senji grimaced. "My name is Senji."
"Oh yeah," Gabimaru muttered. "And mine isn't Gabimachu, you bastard."
Lu snorted.
Meanwhile, Aoi remained kneeling beside Raizen, staring down at him in disbelief.
How can they be so calm…?
Both of them looked like they were on the verge of death.
She gently brushed a strand of hair from Raizen's forehead, her fingers trembling.
"It's good you didn't sustain any permanent injuries," she whispered shakily. "You meanie."
Her voice cracked.
"You scared me."
Raizen didn't respond.
He was completely out.
⸻
They carried him back to their room.
The corridor felt unnaturally quiet, lantern light flickering against the walls as if mimicking Aoi's unsteady breathing. She refused to let go of Raizen, even when Senji offered to help.
"I've got him," she said firmly.
Her arms shook, but she didn't slow down.
Once inside, she carefully laid him onto the futon, kneeling beside him as if afraid he'd disappear the moment she stood up.
"Let's clean him up," she said quietly.
Lu raised an eyebrow. "You sure you can handle that?"
Aoi shot her a sharp look. "Don't make it weird."
She prepared warm water and cloths, moving slowly, carefully wiping the dried blood from Raizen's face. Each touch was gentle, almost protective.
"You always do this," she murmured. "Pushing yourself too far."
She paused, biting her lip.
"…Idiot."
Senji watched silently from the doorway.
Ryōgetsu finally awakened, he thought.
Five seconds into the future is already dangerous.
He exhaled quietly.
If he doesn't learn restraint, those eyes will kill him before any enemy does.
Aoi pulled the blanket over Raizen and remained seated beside him, hands resting on her knees.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said softly. "So you better wake up."
Lu leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "For someone who pretends not to care, you're pretty obvious."
Aoi didn't look at her. "Shut up."
Lu smirked faintly. "Didn't say it was a bad thing."
Senji turned away. "I'll check on Gabimaru."
Before leaving, he paused.
"Aoi."
She looked up.
"He'll be fine."
She nodded, swallowing hard.
Her gaze returned to Raizen, who lay motionless but breathing—alive.
And for now, that was enough.