CHAPTER XLI
~The Promise of a Tether~
Rin paused, standing small in the country path, biting his lip in thought as he looked up at the servant with rain-bright eyes. Then, with earnest conviction and a child’s clarity mixed with unfiltered honesty beyond his years, he answered softly:
“’Cause nobody should go hungry or scared if I can help it, mister. Doesn’t matter if you’re rich or have magic or are just normal—everyone’s got something they’re carrying, right? If you can make it lighter, why wouldn’t you? If you can stand up when someone’s crying, what’s the point of looking away?”
His steel-blue eyes sparkled, free from even a hint of pride—just simple, stubborn kindness poured straight from a child’s heart.
“And I dunno, maybe I’m just a little kid or whatever, but if it means I get hurt instead—if I gotta, like, give up my snack, or get scolded, or jump in the way, even… It’s worth it. I’d rather get in trouble than let someone else break. If I could, I’d take someone’s place if it meant they could smile. I dunno any other way to live, y’know?”
He scuffed his toe in the dust, defiant and trembling.
“Even if nobody thanks you and even if you gotta stand alone sometimes… If you stop caring just because it’s hard, what’s the point of being alive, right?”
A hush hung over the field. The grown servant—his eyes shining with both awe and sadness—could only bow low as he walked Rin home.
Suddenly, the memory faded, and Yuzuki’s consciousness slowly came back as she lay in the quiet nurse’s room, the sterile scent mingling with faint traces of rain on the window glass. Her eyes fluttered open, trying to adjust to the soft light. Above her face, she saw a familiar worried gaze—Rin’s pale, concerned face studying her intently.
“Dude, you’re awake! Are you okay? Like, seriously, you scared the heck out of me!” Rin exclaimed, his voice trembling with relief and a frantic edge.
As Yuzuki blinked and pushed herself up carefully on the bed, Rin slid up on the edge next to her, close enough to feel the warmth of his presence. He glanced back toward the door and then back to her, eyes wide. “Someone found you lying behind the standee in the hall. They brought you here super fast. You had us all freaking out.”
The words sank in slowly, and Yuzuki’s body stiffened with the weight of it all. Suddenly, without warning, tears spilled down her cheeks, uncontrolled and raw. She felt her throat tighten, sobs trembling as they escaped her lips.
Rin’s eyes went wide with alarm, his usual sly grin replaced with pure, raw panic. “Whoa, wait—why are you crying? What’s wrong? Talk to me, please, BRO!”
Yuzuki pressed her hands to her face, wiping tears furiously, gasping to catch her breath, trying to quiet the sobs that rattled her chest. “I’m… I’m sorry. I’m just…”
Rin’s hand moved instinctively, ready to pull away to grab something — ice, water, anything — to help her calm down. But before he could, Yuzuki suddenly reached out with trembling arms and pulled him tightly toward her. The hug was fierce and desperate, her head burying against his little shoulder.
“I don’t want to be alone,” she whispered, voice breaking, “Please don’t leave me. Please…”
Rin’s panic melted into something softer, more tender. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her with a quiet determination.
“Yo, I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere, okay?” he murmured, voice thick with feeling.
They stayed like that for a long moment, the chaos and fear outside fading behind the closed door. In that hug, rough and shaky but real, Yuzuki found a fragile safety — an anchor in the storm.
And Rin, with all his youthful mischief and surprising depth, vowed silently to protect her no matter what came next.
Yuzuki’s mother’s words echoed relentlessly in her mind like a somber refrain she couldn’t shake off. The warnings, the threats, the cold certainty in Ayame’s voice—they all carved deep into her heart. But underneath that weight, something inside Yuzuki stirred—a fierce, quiet rebellion fueled by a truth only she could grasp.
He’s not good for me. That’s what Mom said. But what does “good” even mean in all this tangled mess of spirits, tethers, and unseen battles none of them really understand? Rin isn’t just some ordinary boy. No one I’ve ever met—not at school, not in family, not in fleeting friendships that faded into the background—has carried what he does. That stubborn hope, that kindness, that rare, unwavering humanity shining through all the chaos.
I barely know him by normal standards, but he’s unlike anyone else. Honestly… I’ve never met anyone better. Not perfect, no—but real. Someone who stood between me and unimaginable danger. Someone who sacrificed his own safety for me. He carried all that pain and erased those memories—memories that could have shattered me. If he hadn’t taken that burden, I might have died that day. He’s not just a friend. Not just a protector. He’s my savior.
We’re tethered now. Not just by choice, but by a binding responsibility heavier than any promise normal friends make. Becoming his tether means holding part of his world—the broken, beautiful pieces of his fight against forces way bigger than me. It’s a weight I accept willingly, stubbornly, because I believe in what lies ahead. I believe in him.
Sure, my mother wants me safe. Normal. Free of “nonsense.” But I can’t unsee the light Rin carries—even in the darkest moments. Maybe our connection is dangerous, tangled with pain and shadows. But without it… what else am I? Just a scared girl too afraid to live fully, too afraid to face the unknown?
No. I have to defy her. I must.
Because Rin, for all his youthful mischief, has shown me something genuine and rare—the courage to care deeply, to stand up when it counts, even if it means heartbreak or danger. That’s what makes him human. And if staying tethered to him means walking the harder path, then that’s the path I’ll brave, step by step.
This tether isn’t simply a bond—it’s my lifeline.
Now, more than ever, I’m ready to take responsibility. For him. For what we’re becoming. I won’t let fear, threats, or even my mother’s tears drive us apart. I’ll hold on tightly—even if the whole world wants to pull me away.
Because no promise, no warning, no desperate mother’s voice can cancel this truth Rin has shown me: he is my protector, my anchor—and now, my responsibility. For better or worse.
She nestled her head gently against his small shoulder. “Baby boy…what is it—what do you like about me?” she murmured softly.
As she lifted her eyes, their gazes locked.
Rin blinked, momentarily stunned by the question, a sudden blush flushing across his cheeks—a soft pink as Yuzuki’s question sank in—Baby boy…what do you like about me? The words bounced around his head like a glitchy meme, catching him off guard in the best way.. The warmth crept up like a slow sunrise, making him look away for a second, before he flashed a sly grin.
He swallowed, voice dipping into that classic Gen Z playfulness, a sly grin tugging his lips as he leaned into the moment.
“Okay, but real talk—if I say ‘your epic snack game’ or ‘how you can stare me down like a boss,’ you’ll roast me, right?” He giggled, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Then she hit him again with, “You’re—you’re that tall boy I met during the storm, right? You’re the one I made eye contact with that night. You’re that tall guy, aren’t you?”
Rin’s grin flickered for a split second before he smoothly sidestepped, voice dropping into goofy-casual mode:
“Ayo, you sure you’re not mixing me up with some tall, mysterious cloud or something? ‘Cause, sis, I’m more like your personal pocket-sized chaos dealer, not some skywalkin’ giant. Also, lowkey, don’t stare so hard—might melt this face! Cause, I’m officially ‘fun-sized,’ 100% certified pocket-sized legend.” He tapped his nose like a sly secret agent. “But hey, lowkey, I might look taller if you squint hard enough or tilt your head. Vision’s tricky like that.”
He poked a finger cheekily at his own jaw and winked with exaggerated coolness, flashing a goofy thumbs-up.“Real talk? I’m just vibin’, keeping it 100 on the low, running circles in this wild story like your favorite glitch in the matrix. Tall guy? Nah, just your quirky lil’ shadow. But between you and me, I think you’re just trying to flex your memory skills. Gotta keep me on my toes, huh?”
Yuzuki couldn’t help but smile at his carefree deflection, the charming mix of cool and childlike that made Rin unmistakably himself.
Rin nudged her playfully with his elbow, mischievous sparkle fully activated. “So, what else you got for me, boss lady? Hit me with your best shot.”
Rin’s grin stretched wider, his elbow gently bumping Yuzuki’s side like a kid who just scored the winning point in a game. “Alright, alright, I’m all ears, boss lady. What kinda juicy deets you holding back? Spill the tea!” His eyes glittered with playful curiosity, a perfect mix of mischief and genuine interest.
Yuzuki laughed softly, her gaze warm as she relaxed into the moment. “Hmm…I guess I like how you’re always full of surprises. Like, you never just play it safe—you turn chaos into your own kinda fun.”
Rin nodded, puffing out his chest dramatically. “Oooh, chaos king energy, huh? Lowkey, I vibe with that title. Makes me sound like a superhero… or a supervillain. Depending on the day.” He winked, clearly loving the thought.
She smiled, reaching out to gently poke his nose. “And I like that even when things get crazy, you don’t lose that goofy spark. It’s like you keep everyone guessing but never lose your heart.”
Rin’s eyes softened for a quick second, the goofy mask melting just enough. “Awww, that’s real sweet. I’m lowkey trying to be everyone’s wildcard, but also their ride-or-die, you know? Like, chaos with a purpose.”
Yuzuki smirked, teasing, “So, basically... you’re a lil’ troublemaker with a heart of gold?”
“Exactly!” Rin pumped a fist. “Trouble with a cause. Can’t be stopped, won’t be stopped.”
He leaned closer, voice dropping to a mock-serious whisper. “But hey, enough ’bout me. What about you, boss? What’s your own kinda chaos? Bet you got some secret wild side.”
Yuzuki’s eyes twinkled as she considered it, then shook her head with a grin. “My chaos? Let’s just say it’s more about dancing in the rain rather than making storms.”
Rin laughed, the sound light and genuine. “That’s fire. Lowkey respect that vibe. Maybe one day you’ll teach me how to dance in the rain instead of chasing storms.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Deal. But only if you promise to keep that ‘fun-sized chaos’ energy intact.”
“Deal,” Rin said, flashing that impossible-to-resist smirk.
They fell into comfortable silence, the hum of the world outside fading away, tangled in their own unpredictable little universe—two spirits bound by whimsical defiance and the warm glow of a rare, unbreakable tether.
Yuzuki sat quietly beside Rin in the nurse’s room, the lingering storm outside making the room feel even more enclosed and intense. The sudden arrival of the nurse startled her as she asked, “Huh? Who were you just talking to? I clearly heard you talk to someone!”
Yuzuki’s face flushed with surprise. “M-me? No. There’s no one here. I didn’t talk to anyone,” she replied quickly, trying to sound convincing.
Rin chuckled softly beside her, nudging her shoulder casually as if to playfully confirm he was right there. The nurse shook her head, laughing at herself. “Oh? Then it must’ve been my ears.” She tapped her ear playfully and turned to leave, but paused mid-step and glanced back. “Ah! I’m sorry, I totally forgot. Are you feeling better now? If you are, you should head to the reception and call your parents. Students have been asked to call for their guardians to pick them up because of the rain. The school can’t guarantee everyone’s safety if they stay.”
Yuzuki furrowed her brows in worry and confusion. “Why’s that? The school usually takes care of us even in heavy rain.”
The nurse explained, “Today has been recorded as the strongest rainy day in years. You were knocked out for a while, and half of the school already emptied. Otherwise, students who want to wait out the rain can stay in the multipurpose hall.”
Rin’s eyes suddenly lit up, sparkling with hope and just a little bit of desperation. He gave Yuzuki a gentle nudge, his silent plea clear as day—“Please, stay with me tonight.”
Yuzuki avoided his gaze, knowing the nurse might suspect their closeness. “I see… So the school will provide facilities for students staying back, right?”
The nurse hesitated, looking down and sideways. “Well, I’m not sure. All students have been instructed to return home. Those who stay may have to arrange things on their own somehow.”
Just then, the door opened, and a teacher hurried in, relieved. “It’s pure luck, Shiori-san! All students have left the school. The Student Council did a fantastic job clearing everywhere. Only staff remain. We should hurry and leave too!”
“Ah!” the nurse exclaimed happily at the news. She turned back to Yuzuki and said, “Looks like you’re the only one left. You should go home too.”
At that moment, a massive thunderclap boomed outside, and the entire school lost power instantly.
The two teachers panicked as the thunder grew louder and rain intensified. They fumbled to turn on their phone flashlights.
Leaning in closer, his voice dropped to an urgent whisper right into her ear, “Boss…please, don’t go. Stay with me. It’s safer, I promise. Just tonight.”
Yuzuki’s voice fell to a low, pleading whisper. “Baby boy, please. I can’t stay here. My mother will definitely come looking for me.”
Meanwhile, her phone was ringing insistently in the multipurpose hall. The screen glowed brightly with the caller ID—Mom.
Rin’s pleading didn’t stop; he begged her silently, but Yuzuki remained firm. Hiseyes searched hers, voice barely audible yet soaked with urgency and care. “I know it’s scary out there, and I get it—your mom’s gonna worry, and you gotta go. But just this once, can you stay? I’ll watch over you. I won’t let anything happen, I swear.” His hand briefly grasped hers with a gentle squeeze, grounding her in the storm’s chaos. “Please…don’t leave me here alone tonight.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t. Another time,” she whispered, her voice steady but resolute.
Seeing the teachers switch on their flashlights, Yuzuki took a deep breath and said firmly, “Please guide me back to the multipurpose hall. I’ll grab my things and leave.”
The nurse nodded promptly, “Yes, yes. Please come quickly.”
The other teacher said cheerfully, “I’ll pack my things and wait by the entrance, Shiori-san!” before hurrying off toward reception.
Rin’s face fell in quiet sadness. Though Yuzuki could barely see him in the dim light, the nurse’s phone flashlight revealed a silhouette standing solemnly at the entrance beneath the school’s ceiling, his expression heavy with emotion.
Yuzuki glanced back one last time, bowing hurriedly to Rin, then turned and left with the teachers toward the exit, the storm roaring behind her.
To be Continued...
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