"Threat neutralized," Kotori reports.
I open my eyes, slowly turning my head to her.
"You..."
Kotori stands over me. Green hair surrounds her calm, focused face, and her luminous blue eyes scan the fallen creatures with cold efficiency.
"Your vital signs registered a critical drop in Ki output. Analysis indicated imminent systemic failure."
"Intervention was necessary."
She looks down at me.
I try to push myself up, but my body refuses to obey.
"Why… why are you here?" I ask her.
Kotori tilts her head slightly.
"To ensure your optimal recovery and continued functionality,"
"Additionally, to deliver your sustenance."
I look at her, confused. Sustenance? There's nothing on her.
"...Where's the food?" I ask, my stomach growling in protest.
The corner of Kotori's lip twitches slightly.
Then, the noise from before starts again.
"There are more of them!" I shout, my eyes wide with panic.
My body tenses, trying to prepare for another attack.
"Additional targets detected," Kotori says, her posture shifting into a defensive stance.
"Remain where you are. Further engagement will be detrimental to your recovery."
I watch her helplessly as more of the corrupted things emerge from the shadows, their synthetic voices repeating the same cold command: "PURGE."
Kotori steps forward, raising her left arm.
A pale luminescence flows from the black guard on her forearm, threading into her hand ‒ but before anything happens, a male voice stops her.
"That won't be necessary." A figure steps out from the darkness of the right passageway.
And—
He's a blur, suddenly behind them. A flash of his blade—too quick to follow. He sheathes his weapon with a soft snick.
For a frozen moment, the creatures remain standing, untouched.
Then, SCHWING.
They drop, one after another—cleanly and precisely severed.
He stands before me and extends his left hand.
"Trouble's got a way of finding you, huh?" He says, his voice surprisingly gentle for someone who just dispatched three enemies.
I stare at his outstretched hand, then up at his face.
Short, spiky blond hair and blue eyes that are both intensely focused and strangely... kind. He's... handsome. Very handsome.
"Need a hand?"
Kotori's voice cuts in.
"Unnecessary. Her physiological data indicates—"
"Easy, Kotori," The man interrupts, glancing at her with a slight shake of his head.
"Let her make her own choices."
He turns his attention back to me, waiting patiently.
I hesitate. His hand… It's an offer of help, but also… something more. An invitation? What am I supposed to do? The simple gesture feels impossibly complex to my depleted mind. Do I take his hand? Do I refuse? Or do I try to stand myself?
As if sensing my confusion, his expression softens, and he withdraws his offer.
"No worries," He says with a shrug.
"Just thought you could use a little help."
He kneels beside me, placing his hand on the ground a comfortable distance away.
"I'm Kaito. And this is… well, you've already met Kotori."
I stare at him, confused.
"...What are you doing?"
"Just… giving you some space," Kaito replies, his gaze steady and sincere.
"Figured you might not want to be rushed."
I stare into his eyes. The unexpected kindness, the open honesty in his features—it all feels so genuine, and his expression reinforces every word he says.
There is nothing guarded in his expression, just… patience and concern.
I don't sense anything malicious from him. And yet, despite my lack of experience, his offer feels… safe.
For some reason, he looks very reliable.
I'm not sure why, but I extend my left hand towards him.
Kaito looks slightly surprised, but he quickly responds.
His fingers reach out in return, meeting my hand with a gentle, dignified touch—firm and steady, neither too tight nor too loose.
With his help, I slowly push myself into a standing position. My legs tremble, but his support helps immensely.
"Thanks."
"No problem," Kaito replies, smiling warmly.
"Just take it easy."
Once I'm steady on my feet, he releases my hand.
"You said something about sustenance?" He asks Kotori, turning his attention to her.
Kotori nods.
"Affirmative."
"But due to outside interference, the delivery was postponed."
"Interference? You mean the machines that attacked her?" Kaito asks, a slight frown creasing his brow.
"Indeed," Kotori responds, her gaze briefly sweeping over the destroyed corrupted creatures.
"The subject seems to be attracting these entities at an accelerated rate, potentially due to the—"
"Alright, alright, I get it," Kaito interrupts, holding up a hand.
Then, he turns back to me.
"So, um... don't think I got your name yet."
"Horikita."
"Horikita," Kaito repeats, testing the name.
"Nice to meet you, Horikita. Though I wish it were under better circumstances." He gestures to the scattered remains of the corrupted things.
"Still, glad we could be of assistance."
"What… what were those things?" I ask him.
He sighs, running a hand through his spiky blond hair.
"Machines, at least on the surface. But deeper down... they're filled with something else. They're a real problem around here."
"Corruption…" I whisper, the word sinking like dread in my gut.
Kaito's blue eyes flick to my bandaged arm.
"Yeah. That's what it is. Bad stuff. Spreads fast if you don't… take care of it." He pauses, then adds,
"Looks like you had a nasty run-in with one."
I nod slowly, my gaze fixed on my bandaged arm.
"It felt like… it was trying to consume me."
Kaito's expression darkens.
"That's exactly what it does. These aren't just machines, Horikita. They're like… parasites. They feed on living energy, on Ki. And if they get a good hold, they twist everything they touch."
Kaito glances at Kotori.
"We've been dealing with them for a while now. They're getting more aggressive."
"And you… You stopped it?" I ask, my eyes wide with disbelief.
"How?"
"Before that, why don't you come with us? It's not safe to be alone in these parts," Kaito suggests, looking at me with a serious expression.
"We'll explain everything once we're somewhere secure. What do you say?"
Kotori takes a small, deliberate step forward, and I immediately sense her disapproval.
"Negative. Her presence in the base introduces an unforeseen variable. And the risk of attracting more of these entities is—"
"Kotori," Kaito interjects.
"She's clearly in need of help, and we're the only ones here who can provide it." He turns back to me, his gaze softening.
"It's your call, Horikita. But we can offer you safety, food, and answers."
I look at Kaito, then Kotori, uncertainty pulling my eyes back to Kaito.
He seems… genuine. And reliable. And Kotori, despite her coldness, did save me. Besides, I'm still weak. And alone.
I don't really have a choice...
"...Is that fine?"
Kaito smiles, a gentle, reassuring smile.
"It's fine, Horikita," He replies, his voice imbued with sincere warmth.
"We'll make it work."
He turns to Kotori.
"Right, Kotori?"
Kotori is silent for a moment, her blue eyes scanning me like she's performing a complex calculation.
"Acceptable," she states, her tone even, offering no further objection.
"Given the current physiological state of the subject, a temporary relocation to a secure environment is logically preferable to abandonment."
Kaito walks closer to me, and suddenly, he scoops me up into his arms, carrying me effortlessly.
"It's settled, then," Kaito says, his voice surprisingly close.
"H-Huh?!" I gasp, my face instantly flushing.
"W-What are you doing?!"
"You're still pretty weak," Kaito replies.
"No point in making you walk when you can barely stand." He glances down at me with a faint, teasing smirk on his lips.
"Besides, I wouldn't let a beauty walk around barefoot."
I feel my face burn even brighter. My body is so light in his arms. He called me... a beauty? My heart begins to pound against my ribs.
"L-Let me go!" I stammer, struggling against his grip, but his arms are like steel bands around me.
"I can walk!"
"Horikita, your energy output is still critically low," Kotori says.
"Attempting to walk in your current state would result in further systemic strain and potential collapse."
I clench my teeth, frustrated by her cold, logical assessment—and by my own weakness.
"See?" Kaito says, his voice amused.
"She's right. Just relax. We'll have you patched up and fed in no time."
I glare at him, but the warmth of his arms is undeniably comforting.
The blush on my face deepens, but I stop struggling. I can't deny that being carried like this feels… safe. And his arms are so strong.
I sigh, leaning my head against his shoulder, defeated.
"F-Fine," I mutter. "But don't get any ideas."
Kaito chuckles softly. His soft laughter tickles my ear, melting me from within.
"Wouldn't dream of it, Horikita," he replies, his voice containing a trace of lighthearted amusement that makes my blush deepen even further.
I can't believe it. I bury my face deeper into his shoulder, trying to hide my burning cheeks.
This is so embarrassing. Being carried isn't embarrassing enough—but being called a 'beauty' while totally vulnerable?
And then his knowing teasing… I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.