"Protection Bracelets?", said Jae-sung and Tsukiko inquisitively. Miyuki then proceeded to explain her designs in more detail.
"Exactly. Look, we've been in way too many horrible situations for the past months", she continued, "Like with you and Tsuki getting attacked by other-worldly beasts, me getting roped into it all."
Tsukiko spoke up, "Which is exactly why we're the luckless trinity right?"
Miyuki poked at her playfully, "That's right. Now that we all probably have bounties on our heads, it wouldn't be safe to just walk into the belly of the beast with some more…physical preparation."
This time, Jae-sung spoke, "So you're saying we should have special gadgets that can protect us?"
Miyuki smiled wider, "Right again! We've gotta give those Yuganda Yume's a run for their money. And since we're already mentally prepared, I think a few trinkets would prove to be very useful"
She continued, "Speaking of which…"
The glint in her eyes grew fiercer and more unbridled as she sat both Tsukiko and Jae-sung down forcefully, managing to freak them both out [only a bit though]
She then started drawing something on a chalkboard. Jae-sung couldn't comprehend how she'd managed to find a chalkboard in his own room.
Putting that aside, Miyuki finished her drawing. They noticed she'd drawn three things; a purple knitted bracelet with a crescent moon on it, another knitted bracelet but yellow and with a trinket that resembled a beaker with yellow liquid, and finally, a blue knitted bracelet with a blue flame that had cute little eyes that looked nonchalant.
"I'll be making all these bracelets for the three of us. I'm pretty sure you could already guess the whose who's", she said.
Tsukiko and Jae-sung shared a look before looking back and nodding.
"Good", she said.
"Now these bracelets are multi-purpose protection tools, that are also stylish in every way". As she mentioned the word "stylish", she flipped her dual ponytails in a flamboyant way. You could almost see the sparkles surrounding her.
Ignoring her, Jae-sung asked, "Why does mine have chibi eyes?"
Miyuki eyed Jae-sung before spreading her lips into a smile, "Because your personality is a bit too dull bro, so I had to make up for it somehow"
Tsukiko countered, "I don't think he's dull…"
Jae-sung smiled softly, but seemed to remember something and frowned.
Of course, Tsukiko didn't notice this otherwise, she'd probably start tearing up. She's grown up a lot since she first met Jae-sung, but she was still prone to crying fits every once in a while.
Be that as it may, Miyuki had noticed his behavior and thought it to be strange. She didn't know if Jae-sung liked Tsukiko to the point of being romantically interested, however, she knew that Jae-sung liked being around her and noticed he would be in a particularly bad mood if he didn't see her that day. However, he tries his best to hide it by taking on a poker face, but Miyuki could always see that his brows would be furrowed, other times, the vein along his jaw would become more visible. All would be well and good once he saw Tsukiko though.
However, recently, he would see Tsukiko and still go into those moods. He'd never let her see it though. That's how it was with him, worried about everything but wouldn't let others worry.
Jae-sung noticed Miyuki shooting daggers through her eyes at him. Tsukiko did too but instead laughed about how it was the people who were closest to one another that fought a lot.
Miyuki laughed as well, seeming to agree with her. Jae-sung just continued to look at Miyuki, sensing that she knew something.
However, Miyuki made absolutely no sign that she'd speak on the topic and instead continued to explain the functions of the bracelets.
All the bracelets had layers of indestructible incantations made by her grandmother she'd gotten on her birthday that would enable the wearer to have access to specific types of magic.
Tsukiko's purple moon bracelet had Summoning Magic that could summon anything from the waves to bunnies!
Miyuki's yellow beaker bracelet had Alchemy Magic which enabled her to summon bottles of poison, potions and anything else.
Finally, Jae-sung's chibi blue flame bracelet had Elemental magic. If he so wished, he could set fire to a target, or make a gentle breeze that'd carry them away from danger.
Tsukiko was visibly excited about the bracelets, especially the part about summoning bunnies.
Miyuki told them that the minute they woke up in the morning, she'd have them ready and complete.
"I can't wait! This should be the first time you're making something so safe, no?", asked Tsukiko.
Miyuki let out a dry laugh, "Yes, definitely safe."
Tsukiko took her word for it even with her ominous tone.
Miyuki continued to go over a couple details here and there when they heard Mrs. Kim's voice.
"Kids, I'm home", she yelled from downstairs. Tsukiko was the first to get up, wanting to greet Jae-sung's mom. She had already reached the door when she turned back and noticed Miyuki was cleaning the board and Jae-sung was testing out his powers that'd completely recovered from the attack.
Tsukiko was confused and this showed on her face. Miyuki placated her by saying that they'd both be coming downstairs soon and needed to talk about something. Tsukiko lingered a bit before closing the door.
Miyuki listened for her footsteps and ensured Tsukiko had gone downstairs. Soon after, she turned to face a now standing Jae-sung.
He looked down at her as he said, "You noticed something, didn't you"
Miyuki looked at him, eyes squinted, and lips curled in a mischievous smile, "You weren't exactly trying that hard to hide it"
She continued, "Look, I've noticed how much happier you look ever since…"
She shook her head furiously, seeming to try and literally shake out an image from her head.
"But the minute I finally see you happy, you start acting like this", she said worriedly.
Jae-sung simply looked at her and said, "Like what?"
"Don't "like what" me", she said while rolling her eyes at him.
"I know you, more than you think. And I know how you'd be in a good mood and then abruptly change and become stormy", she said in a questioning tone.
Jae-sung looked down, not saying anything which served as a confirmation to Miyuki's suspicions.
Seeing this, she calmed down and asked him in a much warmer tone, "You could tell me?"
Jae-sung raised his head, locking eyes with her. He thought about it for a while before telling her everything.
He told her about how he would always be happy around Tsukiko but wasn't sure if she felt the same. After all, he's the one that put her in this mess in the first place. And there's the whole other thing about Hirano.
He didn't know what was wrong with Hirano and had foolishly made a promise he wasn't sure he could fulfill. Even then, he felt he wasn't the best person to protect anyone much less Tsukiko.
At this point, Miyuki interrupted him.
"Then why did you say yes?", she asked.
Jae-sung looked down again. In his heart, he already knew why.
"I thought that maybe, just maybe, I could become someone that could protect her and everyone else around me.", he said.
His family being the head of the Aoiro Hikari clan never was easy on him. He was in constant danger and any friend he'd make would get scared and run away while others scorned and envied him. Miyuki was the only friend he had but since she was family, it technically didn't count. But he didn't mind, all he wanted was their safety and if it meant letting them go, then he was prepared to make that sacrifice.
So, he always chased people away and never gave anyone a smile or was ever friendly. It was all worth it
He always thought it was worth it, even when he lost himself in the process.
But then he met Tsukiko and for once in his life, he didn't want to let go.
That clumsy, overthinking crybaby who never thought twice about protecting others and throwing herself in danger's way had been the first person he wanted to do something for. Not just hide away and shut himself from civilization.
He wanted to do things that friends did, all those experiences he's never had or wanted to have now become his heart's greatest desire.
"Maybe, I'm just being selfish and inconsiderate, but I don't just want to push her way", he said, the rims of his eyes now red.
"I never want to push anyone away. I want to be able to protect them"
Miyuki smiled and placed her hands on his shoulders and shook him hard.
"Then just do it"
"I believe in you"