9. Promise

Kōji has had enough, he could not comprehend it anymore, his breathing accelerated, his cheeks twitched, his eyes narrowed in a baleful glare, a reek of death washed upon him.

What has he?

What has he?!

What does he have that I don't?!

Am I that insignificant to her?!

"Kōji…"

I've had enough of this…I'll show you…just you wait…

"Kōji…?"

For what's coming…you filth…you're just a pathetic leech, sucking up all the attention. But not for long.…

A boy taps Kōji's shoulder to get his attention, "Kōji-kun?"

"…!" Kōji snaps out of it. He turns and sees his friends Suke and Ryūju, both worried about him…and his 1000-yard stare.

"You good? You seem…pissed."

"Don't worry…I'm cool as snow." He turns away from them and gives one last look at Seiito, finalizing his determination.

Seiito finished healing Saka and helped her to her feet. She was weak, her heart burdened by the weight of having ended a life. The toll it had taken on her was painfully evident.

Takemi, noticing the mood, ordered everyone to return to the quarters. It was getting late, and a somber atmosphere hung over the group like a dark cloud. The goblin settlement had been wiped out, their quest technically accomplished, but the victory felt hollow.

W-wow...Seeing Saka like this...really soured everyone's spirits. When an angel weeps, it seems like the whole world weeps with her.

Takemi was surprised by the depth of Saka's despair, though he understood it on some level. A kind person forced to take a life…it's truly devastating.

Saka's face was ashen, her usual cheerfulness drained away. Her eyes, once bright and full of life, now looked empty, haunted.

"H-here…let me help you." Seiito saw her stumble and quickly moved to support her, holding her close.

The walk back to the quarters was short, yet it felt like an eternity. The heavy silence was palpable; everyone wanted to say something, but they all seemed to agree that silence was the best choice for now.

Some even suggested Seiito should leave her alone, give her space, but he wasn't having it.

He was determined to be there for her, just as he would be there for anyone in their darkest hours.

Back in the knights' quarters, Reivain watched Saka with a heavy heart. Her once-vibrant spirit now seemed hollow, her eyes devoid of life. He felt a pang of remorse, knowing he was partly to blame. He had tried to cheer her up, but his words fell on deaf ears. Saka was traumatized, trapped in a void of her own making.

The entire afternoon and evening passed with Saka retreating to her room, shutting herself off from the world. The rest of the group was tense, their concern for her well-being palpable. Yet, no one dared to approach her—no one except Seiito and Takemi.

Takemi had tried earlier but failed to get through to her. He urged the others to give her space, reasoning that she needed time to process everything. But Seiito wasn't convinced.

He knew he might get scolded or even berated, but he couldn't stand by and watch someone sink into despair, no matter who they were.

When night fell, Seiito made his way to Saka's room. He knocked gently on the door. "Saka-san? Can I come in?"

Silence.

He had expected this, but he was determined. As he reached for the door, he noticed it was slightly ajar. Saka must have forgotten to close it properly.

"I'm coming in..." he whispered, stepping into the room. He knew it was intrusive, but leaving her alone with her thoughts was the worst thing anyone could do.

He found her sitting on her bed, hugging her knees with a blank expression. The sight made his heart ache. He walked over and sat down beside her, the tension thick in the air. Saka didn't seem to notice his presence until he gently tapped her shoulder.

"...!"

Saka turned her gaze to Seiito for a brief moment before staring back at the wall, her expression unchanged.

A long, awkward silence followed. Seiito's nerves were getting the better of him, but he forced himself to speak.

"Cheer up, Saka-san. It hurts me to see you like this." He fidgeted with his fingers, struggling to break the silence.

"…"

The quiet was unbearable. His low charisma wasn't helping, and he began to sweat profusely.

This is so awkward! Come on, say something me!

"Everyone's worried about you, Saka-san," he added, hoping to get a response.

But Saka remained mute, her gaze distant as if staring beyond the wall.

He had to do something bold. She wasn't responding, and it was like talking to a wall.

What can I do? I don't want to make her uncomfortable…

His expression softened as an idea came to him—bold, but necessary. He summoned his healing magic, his hands glowing with a soothing golden light, and gently placed them on Saka's cheeks, turning her face toward him.

"Saka-san, I'm sorry you had to go through that. No one should be forced to kill. But what you did…it was for the greater good."

For the first time, Saka's expression shifted, a glimmer of emotion crossing her face. "For the greater good...? Killing was for the greater good…?"

The words felt harsh, even to Seiito, and he cursed his lack of eloquence. Someone like Takemi could probably find the right words…

"You're kind, Saka-san…too kind. Wouldn't you want to protect your friends from danger? I would kill if it meant saving you."

Her eyes began to well up. It wasn't fair—it just wasn't.

How cruel is it for high schoolers to have to kill?

"I don't know…I don't know, Seiito-kun…"

"Remember what I said. Killing isn't a sin… not if it's to protect your friends. What you did doesn't make you a monster, and it doesn't change who you are."

Saka's lips quivered as she looked at Seiito. She had always admired him, and now, just like before, he was saving her—this time from her own guilt and inner turmoil.

The healing magic flowing from Seiito's hands comforted her. It was warm and soothing, and as she gazed at his chubby but endearing face, she felt a sense of safety. Being with Seiito made her fears—the fear of killing and of dying—fade away.

"Seiito-kun…" she whispered, locking eyes with him.

"Yes, Saka-san?" Seiito replied, his voice soft.

"Just call me Saka…you don't need to use any prefixes, okay?"

Seiito flinched, taken aback. "R-right…Saka."

Saka smiled softly, a small but genuine expression. "Can you…promise me something?"

Seiito, realizing he was still holding her cheeks, quickly pulled his hands back, his face flushing. "Y-yes, Saka?"

"Why did you stop? It…feels nice…"

What's happening?! She wants me to keep holding her cheeks??

"Sorry, I thought you were uncomfortable…"

"Not at all. I don't mind…in fact, I like it…"

Thank you, healing magic!!!

Seiito gently cupped her cheeks again, continuing to channel his healing magic.

Saka sighed in relief, leaning into his touch. "Seiito-kun…can you promise me something?"

She brought it up again, and Seiito grew curious. What did she want him to promise?

"Yeah?"

"Promise me that…you'll always stay with me…"

"Huh?" Seiito was taken aback. What did she mean by that? Was she really asking someone like him—the fat, disliked Seiito—to stay by the side of someone as angelic as her?

"That you'll heal me when I get hurt, that you'll heal me when my mind isn't in the right place…that you'll heal my pain and loneliness…"

So that's what she meant. She wanted him to stay with her, to be her personal healer…

Seiito, you dense idiot.

"I promise," he said, smiling softly. "I'll heal you whenever you need me. Just say the word, and I'll come running."

"Thank you…" Saka's voice was fragile, almost like a whisper. She leaned further into his hands, resting her head on his shoulder.

Seiito's mind raced. This was uncharted territory for him. His low charisma and solitary life made moments like this utterly overwhelming, but he did his best to stay calm.

W-well, at least she's calmed down…

He glanced down at Saka and noticed she had already fallen asleep.

Did my magic help her sleep? It's like giving a really good massage…

Seiito carefully laid her down on her bed, pulling the covers up to her neck. He took one last look at her, feeling a warmth in his chest as he saw her peaceful expression.

With a contented smile, he left her room and headed to his own. It was late, and tomorrow would bring another grueling day of training. He needed to rest.

As Seiito walked down the hallway, a sudden sense of unease washed over him. He felt as if someone was watching him. He spun around, but the corridor was empty.

He scanned the dimly lit hall, his heart pounding. "It must've been my imagination…"

Shaking off the feeling, he entered his room.

But the hallway wasn't empty.

From the shadows emerged Kōji. He stood in the dim light, his entire body trembling with an intensity that radiated pure, unadulterated rage. His face was twisted in a snarl, muscles taut and veins bulging, as if they might burst from the sheer pressure of his fury.

His lips curled back, exposing clenched teeth in a feral expression more beast than human. But it was his eyes—those burning eyes—that truly revealed the storm raging inside him.

They were wide, pupils dilated, as if the darkness within him had swallowed any light. A seething, hateful energy flickered in those eyes, twin infernos barely contained.

The air around him seemed to warp under the weight of his killing intent. The atmosphere crackled with a deadly, suffocating energy, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate the wrath he carried.

Anyone nearby would have felt it—a suffocating sense of impending doom, as if they were standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into a chasm filled with fire and blood.

"Seiito…" he hissed, his breath ragged, each exhale a venomous hiss of barely restrained fury. His fists were clenched so tightly that blood began to seep from where his nails dug into his palms.

Kōji was on the brink of explosion, the force of his hatred coiling around him like a living, hateful thing, ready to strike and consume everything in its path.

At that moment, Kōji was no longer just a kid; he was the embodiment of vengeance, a force of nature that nothing could withstand. And as his gaze locked onto Seiito's departing form, one thing was clear—nothing would survive the storm he was about to unleash.