He reached for the phone beside him.
One unread message.
Shizuka: kai 🙁 i saw what happened. i'm sorry. i was right there and i couldn't do anything. i just watched. i couldn't help at all
Another appeared before he could answer.
Shizuka: i'm sorry kai. i felt so useless
He stared at the screen for a few seconds, then typed with one hand.
It's fine. Nothing serious happened.
The typing bubble appeared instantly.
Shizuka: IT IS serious 😭 you're literally in a hospital. I promised to always protect you.
I'm fine.
A pause.
And it's good you didn't come in.
Shizuka: But... You are bleeding because of those idiots.
If they had noticed you there.
He stopped typing.
It would've turned into a bigger problem.
That's true.
If Hiro or Natsume had realized Shizuka was nearby, things would've escalated immediately. Questions. Umbral detection. A fight. Sealing.
Three dots appeared. Vanished. Came back again.
