Chapter 08 My Wish

Koji's voice trembled as he spoke, his heart heavy with sorrow. "I can't help but feel responsible for what happened. If only I hadn't shown myself to you, you wouldn't have stayed so long. It's all my fault, and I'm so sorry."

Ayumi's eyes were filled with sorrow as she spoke to Koji, her voice heavy with emotion. "If you hadn't shown yourself to me, I wouldn't even be here anymore," she said with a quivering voice. "You gave me hope to cling to life once more. Don't blame yourself, little one. You did the right thing." Her words were like a knife to Koji's heart, as he realized the gravity of the situation and the weight of his actions.

 He couldn't bear to see her suffer, so he used his magical powers to enchant a soda can with a healing spell. With a heavy heart, he rolled the can down the chute for Ayumi to find. "Drink this," he whispered softly, "it will help with your bruises and it will warm you up."

Ayumi opened the can and took a sip of the soda. As the liquid flowed down her throat, she felt a soothing warmth spread throughout her body. The pain that had been bothering her began to fade away, and the swelling in her cheek and her eye started to go down.

Ayumi expressed her gratitude to Koji, "Thank you, Koji. This helps a lot."

Koji continue to talk, and he offered to help her, "If you want your boyfriend to leave you alone, I can help you with that but I will need the payment for that. Drop a coin inside the vending machine and I will grant you that wish." Koji said.

Ayumi paused for a moment, then rose from her seat and placed the same coin Koji had given her the day before on the vending machine. Koji carefully picked up the coin and transformed it into a letter. He then placed the letter into the slot where the soda cans are normally dispensed, instructing Ayumi, "Please, make sure to give this letter to your boyfriend, but to his eyes only. It is for his eyes to read and his eyes only. Do not read it yourself."

   Ayumi reluctantly took the letter, her hand trembling with hesitation. However, she mustered up the courage to take it and thanked Koji. "I appreciate you doing this for me," she said. Her previously sad and numb expression started to show a slight shift for the better. 

As the clock struck past midnight, the rain intensified, and Koji felt a sense of urgency to ensure Ayumi's safety. He urged her to return home and deliver the letter, concerned that the harsh weather might cause her to fall ill. She bowed down politely and walked away.