Chapter 11: Mana Death

It’s been a week since Izumi broke free.

She doesn’t move. Just lies there on my bed under wraps. Every now and then she’ll whisper something under her breath—something about how she can’t feel things anymore because her mana is nearly depleted; about how she has to concentrate very hard and try to heal herself; about how she feels like she has no choice but to sleep.

I haven’t been to school and ghosted pretty much everyone.

My phone used to buzz.

Until I turned it off to shift the crosshairs of my focus on her.

Because you can't just pretend like everything's normal go to class and leave a catatonic interdimensional magical girl on the brink of what she calls mana death—is upstairs in your room.

That’d be… a dick move.

I'd prefer not to be one.

The tons of band-aids on my fingers the pain in my back the huge ass blisters on both of my palms—all of them are persistent daily reminders that things are undoubtedly not okay.

I shake my head as I peel open a cup of instant ramen.

Beef flavour.

Izumi's favourite so far.

I used to say that it boosted my manhood but now it's boosting her magical girlhood.

She doesn't eat much of it usually goes for the broth only and leaves the wet noodles for me.

It's not much but it's the best I can offer especially when I can hardly afford anything else.

It's enough to fill me up gives me a boost when I'm down. That's better than nothing.

I'm just thankful it's there.

As it once helped me so it helps her.

She said she’d get better.

She looked me in the eyes—right before her body gave out—and she said it.

But a week… a week’s not enough to make that kind of promise.

She'll pull through somehow.

Izumi always had that look to her.

I opened my phone another sea of notifications waited for me.

I felt hollowed out. Even though it took me a few tries to type.

My fingers shook slightly as they moved across the keys.

I answered Eiji and Mika telling them how much of an idiot their friend is. I made up a believable excuse as to why I left school.

I may or may not eat those words later.

I set the phone down slouching in my chair at my desk.

Peering over at Izumi whose face is completely obscured by the blankets.

I don’t know if I can handle much more of this.

I don’t want to see her like this.

So weak. So broken.

Just the sight makes me want to throw up.

Something in me flickered though.

It was brief yet very deeply resonant in that weird space under your ribs.

Instinctively I placed my hand over it.

I heard Izumi muffle something under the covers.

“Don’t ” I told her.

“Kei ” she whispered.

She sounded so tired.

I peeled back the comforter a bit to see her better.

Need... your... mana...""

Izumi. Don't worry I'm taking care of you.""

I watched as her face scrunched up with confusion. Then realization dawned. A flash of guilt crossed it.

Your... hand..."" She forced a hand up.

I immediately helped her arm up.

inter...twine... kindly..."" She breathed out.

Even in this state she's still her old self.

I locked fingers with her and as soon as I did I felt a cold rush of pulsing energy like windblown snowflakes brushing past my fingertips.

just... a little...""

It felt comforting.

Then it hit me. She was taking some mana from me to keep maintaining her regen cycle.

She briefly mentioned it over broth one night.

I looked at my hands.

The scars were almost invisible.

The spellburn had nearly faded away along with the cuts.
Almost gone.
Sorry she murmured reaching to stroke my cheek gently. I leaned my face into her palm.

You've done way more than you need to I insisted. ""Besides your body needs this. Your core needs to recover.""

She smiled lightly and squeezed my hand softly.

Good night... Kei...""

Then she regressed back into the covers closing her eyes.

I felt guilty whenever I left her to go make food do laundry or scroll on my phone downstairs.

It didn't matter. I was worried about her and I knew she felt the same. It was stupid but it seemed to ease the burden a little.

And I was happy to help her.

If she ever woke up again I would take care of her.

For the rest of her life.

The first time Izumi tried to eat she ended up puking up everything.

She apologized profusely and wouldn't eat at all after. I could tell.

I felt bad about it.

She felt bad about it.

I felt bad about her feeling bad about it.

It comes with the territory unfortunately given my situation.

It was getting late.

Padding my way into the bathroom I was careful not to step on any glass shards that might be still there post-sweep.

I took a long look at where my mirror used to be.

An outline of black soot charred edges and scorch marks.

I ran my fingers through my hair at a reflection that wasn't there brushed my teeth and climbed into the sleeping bag I got accustomed to.

Sleeping next to her in the same bed felt like a violation.

She saw no problem with it but still.

I drifted away to sleep wondering if my mother would be proud.

Of us.