"FOR THE LAST FUCKING TIME EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON. "
The vortex pulsed, and a tendril of shimmering energy shot out, wrapping around Haruto's wrist like a glowing bracelet. A gasp escaped his lips as a surge of power coursed through him. Images flooded his mind – swirling threads of light, vast landscapes woven from pure energy, and overwhelming power.
Panic clawed at Haruto's throat. What was happening? He couldn't control this, couldn't understand the chaotic flood of information bombarding him. He looked at Yumi, his eyes wide with fear.
Information too strong that is nearly breaking inside his mind that is above his memory storage capacity.
"Huh!" he cried, his voice barely a whisper above the low hum resonating through the chamber.
The air crackled with a furious energy, the vortex pulsed, its tendril of shimmering energy reaching for him.
Before it could connect, Yumi whipped her arm around him, pulling him back with surprising strength. The tendril snagged on her sleeve, ripping a tear but dissipating harmlessly before reaching Haruto. "Thank god! And I am so sorry haruto. " Yumi replied with a soft tone.
Yumi didn't waste time with theatrics. Her voice, though low, held an icy command, "Stand behind me, Haruto. Now."
His legs wobbled, the visions still swirling in his head. He stumbled back, behind Yumi's surprisingly broad form. He wasn't sure what surprised him more, the raw power he'd glimpsed or the hidden strength his friend possessed.
Across from them, the elder's smile stretched a little too wide, the amusement not reaching her eyes. "So eager, Yumi," she said, her voice dripping with something akin to disappointment.
"But perhaps a little too eager. The awakening wasn't complete. We need to do it again" The elder
A cold dread settled in Haruto's stomach. Awakening? What awakening? They didn't even bother explaining.
"That won't be neccesary.
"What! He has huge potential to destroy the monsters and even you know that how benefical it's for us " The elder protested
"Benefical. I think you had the wrong idea " Yumi said as she continued
"The only reason I agreed to awaken haruto is that he could protect himself for supernatural threats. But now I have changed my mind.... " Yumi said as she grabbed haruto and procceded to leave
The elder grabbed haruto as she tried to stop him from leaving " P-Princess! Please reconsider how important to us " As she desparetly want to grab Haruto
Haruto felt a tug of war with him trying to avoid the elder woman gaze. She seemed like a creepy old woman preying on him. It made Haruto disgusted and he tried to break free
Yumi posture remained rigid, protecting him from the elder's unsettling gaze. " I don't care. "
The elder's grip tightened, her desperation turning into a snarl "This isn't some childish game, Princess! Haruto's awakening is vital for the village's protection! Without him, we're vulnerable to the very threats you want to shield him from! His cooperation is required"
"There has to be another way!" Yumi countered, her voice rising above the tense silence.
"There is no way I am going to drag my friend into danger, another solution maybe! Haruto is just a boy!"
Haruto is dumbfolded, wasn't she his age and when she was this bold. He thought she was arrogant but never knew she has this side
The elder's face softened a fraction, a flicker of sadness replacing the anger. "He may be young, Princess, but the blood of the protectors runs deep within him. It is his birthright, his destiny."
Blood of Protectors? Are they in drugs haruto thought. Haruto isn't heroic in any means and how they saw a fighter in him is a mystery to even him
Yumi hesitated after hearing the elder words, she couldn't ignore her tradition entirely. But a slight look in Haruto's eyes solidified her resolve.
"Then we find another way," she declared, her voice ringing with newfound determination.
"We will protect the village, together. But Haruto won't be involved."
The elder, clearly surprised by Yumi's defiance, opened her mouth to protest. But Yumi cut her off, her voice hardening like tempered steel.
"That's enough. If you don't leave now," she said, her hand flashing towards a table resting against the wall,
"I will cut your arm". Yumi said with certainity
"But" The elder protested
"LEAVE. You expired old hag " Yumi said in a little loud voice filled with malice
"Tch. It will bite you back someday " The elder woman replied while leaving.
"Everyone Leave. " Yumi ordered
Everyone left, while hana remained. Yumi looked at her and stared with a intent of 'Do I have to repeat myself Leave'
Hana left not wanting to deal with her young mistress. Yumi snatched a long, ornately carved tea stirrer from the table trying to check it.
Haruto stumbled slightly, surprised by the strength in her grip. Her fingernails digging in his arm sharply those were long polished. This wasn't the same Yumi he shared awkward conversations with at the club. This was a Yumi he barely recognized, a Yumi who is like a different person.
A strange sense of wonder bubbled within him. This girl, his classmate, this seemingly ordinary annoying girl, possessed a hidden strength he never knew existed. And for some reason, it both scared and excitted him.
"This is my tea ceremony room," Yumi said, her voice adopting an unnaturally sweet tone that sent shivers down Haruto's spine. It was a sweet melody that didn't quite match the cold glint that lingered in her eyes.
She gestured towards a plush cushion opposite a low table meticulously arranged with delicate porcelain teacups and a steaming kettle. "Sit," she commanded
He sank onto the cushion, hyperaware of every movement Yumi made
"This is a special blend," Yumi explained, her voice still laced with that unnerving sweetness. "Royal milk tea, a secret recipe passed down through my family for generations. It's supposed to soothe the nerves and restore balance."
"Can you tell what happened and why you guys performed those awakening ritual of me? And why " Haruto continued to muster courage to ask questions
Ssh," she hushed, her finger brushing against his lips in a gesture that was both playful and undeniably suggestive.
Yumi's lips curved into a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Patience, Haruto. There's so much you don't know."
"But let's just say," she continued, her voice taking on a caring yet faintly disdainful tone,
"you possess a rare bloodline, a lineage that has the powers you yield. And the village elders believe you're the key to protecting us from a looming threat." Yumi replied while pouring tea in his glass gently
"Ah! But it seems like I am 'The Choosen one'. " Haruto replied while trying to sip the tea and it burned as soon as he touched the cup.
"Careful " Yumi took cold water and quickly placed his inside cold water. It felt comfortable cool and the pain went away
" You are from the Akagi bloodline? Why did you hide it" Yumi asked him
"Akagi is my family name why you ask? And what's the bloodline thing. And I am not one of them anymore...So is there something I should know " Haruto asked amazed. Is his family like belmont clan filled with heroic beings. In that case he could have super power and can have his dream.
"The Akagi bloodline," Yumi continued, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "is a lineage with supernatural powers. They are said to possess…"
She trailed off, her eyes darting nervously towards the doorway. A frown creased her brow, with a sense of seriousness in her face.
"They are said to possess the ability to…" she started again, her voice barely above a murmur, "…transform into…"
A loud crash from outside the room cut her off. Yumi whipped around, her hand instinctively flying to the hilt of a short sword hidden beneath her robes. The room plunged into sudden darkness as the lights flickered and died.
"Stay here," she hissed, her voice hardening. "Don't move."
Before Haruto could react, Yumi was gone with a blur disappearing into the shadows. He sat there, frozen, the forgotten teacup is the only sound clattered to the floor, shattering into a million pieces.