Chapter 10— The forbidden cure (I)
The door creaked wider, and the figure standing there stepped into the light.
She looked… otherworldly.
Kiyomi stood in the doorway like someone carved out of moonlight. Her hair was pure white from root to tip, soft and uneven, falling around her shoulders like fresh snow. Her quiet hazel eyes took everything in with calm precision.
She moved with a ghostlike softness, but nothing about her felt scary—just quietly unreal. Even in her simple tunic and herb-stained sleeves, she carried a warmth that didn't match the cold swamp outside.
"Come in," she said softly. Her voice didn't match her eerie vibe—warm, careful.
Daichi slipped inside first, scanning the room like it might bite him. Miyu followed, brushing grass off her clothes.
The inside smelled like chemicals, old books, and damp wood. Glass vials cluttered the tables. Strange tools. Maps. Notes. Wires. It looked like a scientist lost a war with his own experiments.
A voice called from deeper inside—hoarse but sharp.
"Kiyomi… who's there?"
He stepped into view.
Genzo Saotome.
He looked exactly like Miyu's father—same jawline, same eyes—just rougher. Wild hair. Forest clothes. Dark circles. A man who lived with too many thoughts and not enough people.
He froze when he saw Miyu.
"Miyu…?"
She swallowed. "Uncle Genzo."
She had been only a year old the last time he saw her, before everyone labeled him crazy for believing the gems had motives.
Daichi expected yelling or paranoia—some unhinged forest-man energy.
Instead, Genzo stepped forward and hugged her. Hard.
She stiffened, then slowly relaxed. He smelled like wood and herbs—nothing like her father's cologne, but somehow still familiar.
Up close, she noticed the small scar near his temple, the roughness of his palms, the quiet tremble in his chest like he'd been holding his emotions together with tape for years.
For the first time tonight, she wished her father hugged like this.
Daichi shifted awkwardly beside them, trying to pretend he wasn't witnessing the emotional connection.
Kiyomi watched silently, expression unreadable. But when her gaze flicked to Daichi—bruised, messy blonde hair, face annoyingly handsome—her cheeks warmed before she looked away.
When Genzo finally pulled back, his eyes glistened.
"You… you've grown."
Miyu gave a small smile. "Thank you."
Genzo wiped a hand across his beard, steadying himself. Then his gaze shifted to Daichi.
His whole vibe changed. Sharp. Assessing.
"You're injured."
Daichi scoffed. "I'm good. Just a scratch—"
"What is your name?"
Miyu cut in quickly. "Daichi—he's a friend."
Genzo gave them a look that screamed are you sure you're just friends? Even Kiyomi's heart dipped for a moment.
Miyu groaned. "What?! No, it's not what you're thinking."
Kiyomi let out a quiet, relieved breath. Daichi forced a smile, very annoyed.
Genzo grabbed Daichi's wrist, twisted lightly—Daichi hissed.
"So… you're not fine," Genzo said. "Kiyomi. Pine-root tea. The strong one."
She nodded and moved toward the kitchen.
"I don't need tea," Daichi muttered.
"Yes," Genzo replied dryly, "you do. Or your arm will feel like it belongs to someone else in the morning."
He pointed. "Sit."
Daichi shot Miyu a look like you see what you dragged me into? but he sat anyway, trying not to wince.
Miyu opened her mouth to explain why they came, but the words stuck. She'd just reunited with a man she barely remembered. Dumping tragedy on him felt wrong.
Daichi leaned forward, voice low.
"Miyu… we don't have time."
Genzo picked up on her fear instantly.
"…What happened?" he asked quietly.
Miyu's fingers curled. She was trying to fix the words in her head.
Daichi exhaled. "We came for one reason."
He saw Miyu's struggle to utter a word.
His eyes met Genzo's.
"Our friend—Itsuki—he's in a coma." he continued.
Silence swallowed the room. Even the swamp outside felt frozen.
Kiyomi paused in the kitchen doorway, herbs in hand. She could feel the tension and fear in the room.
Miyu's voice trembled.
"He… he's in danger, Uncle."
Genzo's expression hardened. Something old and dangerous surfaced behind his eyes.
"Tell me everything."
Genzo listened in silence, thumb brushing the chipped teacup.
Daichi explained, voice steady:
"He didn't fall sick. He was beaten. A D-tier orange gem user—wanted revenge. Said Miyu's father caused his brother's death."
Genzo didn't look surprised. But inwards his mind was replaying all the dangers he felt about the gems in the wrong hands.
"There's nothing I have," he said finally. "And nothing in these woods that can pull someone out of a coma. Gems… I stopped touching their madness a long time ago."
Miyu stepped forward. Her voice was soft but firm.
"Please… Uncle Genzo. He's not just someone. He's Itsuki. He risked his life for mine."
The kitchen door slid open and Kiyomi reappeared, carrying a steaming bowl. She handed Daichi the tea, watching the tension in the room like she wished she could fix it.
Then, barely above a whisper:
"The Bloodstone could…"
Genzo's head snapped toward her so fast the table rattled.
"Kiyomi."
Not angry — afraid.
She doesn't like seeing him angry but the word was already out. Somehow she doesn't regret saying it.
Miyu looked between them.
"Bloodstone? Red gem? I've read about it—how does it help Itsuki?"
Daichi sipped the tea, face twisting. Kiyomi hid a tiny smile.
Genzo stood abruptly, hands shaking.
"Forget it. That stone is cursed. Forbidden. It doesn't heal—it takes. I won't lead you to it."
Miyu stepped closer.
"Uncle Genzo… my dad—your brother—is the reason Itsuki is in that coma. Isn't that enough reason to help me? Please."