The next day, the atmosphere was quiet in the house, the silence filled the rooms as the rising sun projected its smooth light. I slept deeply, finally enjoying a rare moment of rest after the last events. But my peace would not last long.
I felt something strange, like an intense presence hanging over me. When I opened my eyes slowly, I was greeted through Uraume's face, which stared at me with a neutral expression, but his eyes overflowed impatience.
"You're incredibly careless, you know?" - Uraume said, the cold, low voice, but still loaded with a touch of disdain.
Still sleepy, I blinked a few times, confused by the situation. I retreated a little, trying to create space between me and Uraume, who was still tilted over me. - "huh? U -Uraume, what are you doing? And why are you ... right here?!"
"The question is not what I'm doing, but what you are not doing." she replied, crossing her arms and standing by the bed. - "Sleeping calmly while carrying Sukuna's powers and still need to deal with a war?
I sighed deep, rubbing my eyes and trying to sit down. - "It's cool, I know there's a lot happening, but even people like us need to rest, you know? What was this time?"
Uraume tilted his head slightly, as he pondered if he should really explain. Finally, she replied, "Just a reminder that you can't afford to lower your guard. At any moment, something may come. You may be the bearer of Sukuna's remnant, but that doesn't mean you are invincible. "
"Good morning to you too, Uraume ..." I mumbled sarcastically, yawning while throwing my legs out of bed. "Look, I understand what you're saying, but you could, I don't know, knock on the door first? This is still my house."
Uraume only shrugged, clearly unintended to change his behavior. - "Consider this a workout to always be alert. Besides, you should thank me for waking you up before anything else happened."
I looked at her with a mixture of tiredness and unbelief. - "Training? Do you think this was a workout? I just woke up with you practically in my face!"
Uraume completely ignored the complaint, moving toward the door. - "In any case, it's time to get up. We have work to do. Sukuna may have asked me to help you, but it doesn't mean I will drag you for problems with yourself."
I sighed again, getting up as I ran my hand through the messy hair. - "Really, uraume. Do you really need to be so intense in the morning?"
"Yes." She answered without hesitation, a slight cold smile on her lips as she left the room. - "Now, hurry. We have other things to deal with, and I'm not a fan of waiting."
I watched her out, shaking her head. "" I really need to be more attentive ... "I muttered to myself, before I started preparing for the day.
After the intense awakening that Uraume provided, I went to the backyard in search of a moment of peace before facing the chaos of the day. There, I found Arturia. Her figure was calm and serene, sitting on the well -groomed grass, her eyes closed as she felt the soft light of the sun touch her skin. The armor she wore shone in the light, but this time it seemed less preparation for battle and another reflection of her noble presence.
I stopped for a moment, watching her in silence. Arturia seemed almost disconnected from everything around, completely immersed at that simple time. Something about the situation made her look more humane.
"Are you enjoying the sun?" I asked breaking the silence casually.
Arturia opened her eyes slowly, turning her face to me. "Yes ..." - she replied with her firm and balanced voice. - "The sunlight ... there is something purifying. A reminder that even after darkness, the light always shines again ... It is not, Yuji."
I gave a clumsy smile, scratching the back of the neck. "You always speak in such a ... poetic way. It is even ashamed to try to follow."
Arturia smiled slightly, something rare, but genuine. "It's not poetry, just experience. Sometimes you need to find meaning in simple things to stay firm."
I sat near her, watching the sky as I thought of words. - "I think it makes sense ... I also try to find these moments, even if I don't realize. It's kind of crazy how life can change so fast. In a second, I was just a boy, and now ... well, I'm I'm Here, struggling with curses and other things I can't even explain properly. "
Arturia stared at me, her expression softening. "You haven't chosen this life, just like me ... But yet, you have embraced your destiny. This, by itself, is already something worthy of respect."
I laughed low. - "I don't know if it's respect or lack of options, but thank you, I think. And you? Can you feel more comfortable here?"
Arturia looked around, her gaze sweeping across the yard, the house in the background, and finally returning to me. "This place... is unlike anything I've ever known. But there's an honesty in the people here. Even with their flaws and conflicts, there's a sense of purpose. That's something I really admire about good."
I nodded, looking at the house too. "Yeah, I guess we kind of work like that. A bunch of weird people together, trying not to destroy each other."
Arturia gave a small laugh, something almost imperceptible. - "Maybe that's what's strongest about you. This unity, even in the midst of chaos."
We were silent for a few moments, just enjoying the tranquility of the yard. Finally I stood up, extending my hand to Arturia. - "Well, I think it's time to stop philosophizing and start the day. I'm sure chaos is waiting for us inside."
Arturia accepted the hand, standing up with the same grace as always. - "Then let's face it. Together."
"Together." - I agreed and we headed inside the house.
When we entered the house, the atmosphere seemed more lively than usual. Before we could even settle in, Sakura and Hana came out of one of the rooms together. Hana seemed more relaxed, with a shy smile on her face, while holding Sakura's hand. Upon noticing Arturia, the little girl opened her arms, running towards her.
"Arturia!" - Hana exclaimed, hugging the knight tightly, as if she were a protective and comforting figure.
Arturia, surprised, looked at me for a moment, as if asking for some guidance. However, I just shrugged my shoulders, smiling. - "It seems she likes you..." - I commented casually.
Arturia bent down to return Hana's hug, her expression softening. - "Are you okay, little one? It seems like you rested well."
Hana nodded, still holding Arturia, while Sakura looked at the scene with a satisfied expression. "She was glued to me all night, but it seems like you won her heart, Arturia." Sakura said with an amused tone.
At that moment, Choso and Taiga came out of another room. Taiga was fixing her hair, looking a little more excited than usual, while Choso kept his serious posture, although his eyes showed calm.
"Look at them two again..." - I muttered to myself. - "Are they... really together?"
Choso, noticing my gaze, gave a brief look of challenge, but said nothing. Taiga, on the other hand, seemed slightly uncomfortable with the situation. She crossed her arms, trying to maintain her composure.
"What's wrong, Yuji?" - Taiga asked, arching an eyebrow. - "You're not going to say anything weird, are you?"
I raised my hands in a defensive gesture. - "Nothing, nothing. I just found it curious... That's all."
Choso snorted. - "We woke up early. Is that your problem?"
"Calm down, Choso!" I replied, trying to hide a smile.
"He must still be mad at me for what happened yesterday..." - I thought to myself.
Before I could delve into that thought, Shirou and Tachie also came out of their rooms. Shirou looked slightly tired, rubbing his eyes, while Tachie, always polite, was impeccably dressed, as if she had been awake for hours.
"Good morning..." - Shirou said, yawning and giving everyone a quick wave. Tachie simply nodded, but her gaze lingered on Arturia and me for a moment, analyzing us as usual.
"What's going on here?" - Shirou asked, looking at the gathered group. - "Looks like there's a party going on early."
"It's nothing, Shirou." - I replied, laughing. - "Just our usual chaotic routine."
"Chaotic is an understatement..." - Tachie commented, casting a slightly exasperated look at the group. - "You guys make a lot of noise for such an early morning."
Hana, still hugging Arturia, looked at Shirou and Tachie curiously. "Are you two dating?"
Tachie and Shirou exchanged glances, before answering almost at the same time. - "N-NO!" - they said, not very convincingly.
The room seemed like a meeting point, each one appearing with their own peculiarities. I laughed lightly, looking at the gathered group. - "They know it's still early, right? What's going on here?" - I thought
"Good." - I said, drawing everyone's attention. - "Shall we eat something before we start the day? It seems like today is going to be another one of those days."
Everyone nodded, moving towards the kitchen. Even with the constant madness of their lives, that moment seemed to bring a brief respite.
A few minutes later...
As everyone sat down to eat breakfast, I noticed something was missing. Or rather, someone. I looked around the table, watching the group talking and eating, and confirmed my suspicion: Uraume was not there.
"Wait, where's Uraume?" - I asked, interrupting the casual conversation.
Choso, with his mouth full of food, shrugged. - "I haven't seen her since last night. Maybe she's sleeping."
"Or plotting something..." Taiga muttered, rolling her eyes.
I ignored Taiga's comment and got up from the table. "I'll go look for her. It doesn't make sense that she wouldn't show up for dinner."
Arturia, who was calmly drinking tea, looked at me and said in a serious tone, "Be careful, Yuji. Uraume is unpredictable, even when she seems calm."
"I know..." I replied, waving my hand as she headed for the door.
I left the house and began searching for Uraume in the surroundings. The morning air was cool, and the sunlight gently illuminated the yard. I passed by the garden where Arturia had rested earlier, but I saw no sign of her. So I began exploring a little further, heading towards the edge of the forest.
As I walked, I began calling out to her. "Uraume! Hey, where are you? I can feel you!"
For a moment, there was no response. Just the soft sound of the wind passing through the trees. But then, I heard a noise, a faint sound of something moving among the trees, as if someone was walking slowly.
I followed the sound, passing through some bushes until I found Uraume. She was sitting on a rock, far from the house, with her hands resting on her lap. Her expression was serious, as always, but there was something else in her gaze, a trace of melancholy that I couldn't identify.
"There you are..." - She said, taking a deep breath as she approached. - "Why didn't you come have breakfast with us?"
Uraume didn't answer right away. She kept looking ahead, as if she was lost in thought. Finally, after a few seconds, she spoke. - "I don't want to be there."
I frowned. - "Why? Didn't you like the people?"
She sighed, as if she was exasperated by the simplicity of the question. - "It's not that. I just don't feel part of this... group."
"What nonsense..." - She said, crossing her arms. - "You're here, so you're part of the group, yes."
She turned to me and her cold eyes analyzed me for a moment before answering. - "You're so naive it hurts, Itadori. I don't belong here. My loyalty is to Sukuna. Do you think that's changed just because I'm helping you now?"
I felt the weight of her words, but I didn't back down. I took a step forward and sat down next to her on the rock.
"Maybe you still think your loyalty is to Sukuna..." - I said, looking up at the sky. - "But I don't see you as an enemy anymore. If I did, you wouldn't be here now."
Uraume laughed, the sound almost sarcastic. - "You really are strange, Itadori. Most people would have killed me or sealed me away by now. But you... you accept me here... Why?"
I turned to look directly at her. - "Because I believe you can be more than just Sukuna's servant. You can choose who you want to be now. And while you're here, you're part of our family, whether you like it or not."
For a brief moment, something softened in Uraume's expression. She looked away, but not before I saw a spark of doubt in her eyes.
"You really are a fool..." she muttered, but there was no anger in her voice. Her expression turned icy again.
"Maybe..." - I replied, standing up. - "But fool or not, you're still part of this. So let's go. Breakfast should still be hot."
I held out my hand to her, waiting for her to accept. Uraume looked at my hand for a moment, as if pondering her decision. Finally she accepted it, but she stood up on her own without taking my hand.
"Very well, Itadori." she said, adjusting her kimono. - "But don't expect me to blend in so easily with the rest of you..."
I smiled. - "Take your time. One step at a time."
We started walking back to the house, the silence comfortable even. Meanwhile, I felt that maybe, just maybe, Uraume could truly find her place here.
After breakfast, the house finally began to come to life as everyone prepared for their activities for the day. Shirou, with his schoolbag on his back, waited for Sakura at the gate of the house. She came out soon after, holding her bow carefully stored in a sheath.
"Ready?" Shirou asked, adjusting his bag on his shoulder.
Sakura nodded with a small smile. "Yes, let's go."
*Change of perspective*
Sakura and I made our way to school in comfortable silence, the rays of the morning sun softly illuminating the streets. As we approached the entrance, the atmosphere around the school seemed calm, but there was a certain tension in the air that I couldn't help but notice.
As soon as we passed through the gate, a familiar figure appeared before us. It was Rin Tohsaka, with her black hair tied in its iconic two braids and impeccably dressed in her school uniform. She was leaning against one of the nearby walls, her arms crossed and a sharp look in her eyes, as if she were waiting for someone.
"Good morning, Emiya-kun..." Rin said in a casual tone, although her serious look made it clear that she wasn't there just to greet me.
I stopped, surprised to see her so early. - "Rin? What are you doing here?"
Rin straightened up and walked towards me, ignoring my surprise. "We need to talk. It's important."
Sakura, who had been silently watching, felt slightly uncomfortable. She looked at Rin and then at me, feeling like she shouldn't be there.
"Well... I'll be going..." - Sakura said softly, forcing a small smile to hide her discomfort. She held the strap of her bow's cape tighter and started walking towards the main building. - "See you later, Shirou."
I watched Sakura walk away, sensing that something was bothering her, but I knew I couldn't keep Rin waiting. I looked back at her.
"Okay. What's up now, Rin?"
Rin looked at the hallway where Sakura had disappeared and frowned slightly. "You should have explained to her what's going on, Shirou."
"Explained what?" - I asked, crossing my arms. - "Sakura is already dealing with a lot. I don't want to involve her any more than necessary."
"And that's exactly why she's uncomfortable," Rin retorted. - "She's no fool. She must know that we're dealing with something dangerous, even if you and the others try to hide it from her."
I was silent for a moment, thinking about her words. Rin was partly right... Sakura knew that there was something wrong in the air, especially after the recent incidents with the curses and the Holy Grail. And now with the appearance of Saber, Tachie, Hana and this Uraume, it's getting harder and harder to hide it from her. I didn't want her to carry this burden, but at the same time, maybe hiding it from her was pushing her further away.
Rin, noticing that I was thoughtful, sighed. - "Anyway, the reason I'm here is to talk about the school's seals. Even though we've weakened most of them, I feel like something's still wrong. There's another force working in the shadows, and I don't think it's just about the Cup."
I nodded, returning to the main focus of the conversation. - "So the seals still pose a threat. We need to check again."
"Yes, but we have to be careful..." - Rin warned, with a firm look. - "If the seals were created by an external force other than the Cup, that means we're dealing with something or someone much more dangerous than we expected."
I clenched my fists. "Understood. I'll keep an eye out."
Rin inclined her head, satisfied with the answer. - "Good. Now go to your class before anyone notices that we're here talking too much about it."
I smiled slightly. "Yes... After all, you still have to maintain the pose of the untouchable girl of the school."
Rin rolled her eyes, giving a small ironic smile. - "I've already done my part by pretending to be normal. Anyway, I have more important things to do."
Before I could answer, Rin started walking away, walking back towards the school exit. I sighed, looking at the main building where classes would soon start.
"Another threat lurking..." - I muttered to myself, before finally making my way to his classroom.
After classes ended and the school hallways began to empty, we met in the courtyard, as we had agreed. The sky was already tinged with orange tones with the sunset, casting long shadows over the school building.
"Are you sure all the seals are here?" Shirou asked, adjusting the belt of his bag as he watched Rin pull out a hand-drawn map.
Rin nodded firmly. "Yes. I've mapped the remaining seals on the school perimeter. We should be able to destroy them all today."
Wasting no time, the two of us began moving through the school grounds, going to each marked point. The cursed seals were not visible to the naked eye, but we could feel the thick, evil presence in the air as we approached them. It was like an invisible pressure that made our skin crawl.
The first seal was hidden behind a warehouse used to store sports equipment. Rin placed his hand over the seal and summoned a small amount of his magical energy, causing a circle of runes to glow beneath his palm.
"Be careful, Shirou. When the seals are destroyed, there is a chance they will release lesser curses," Rin warned.
I nodded, steadying my posture. "Understood."
With a quick command, Rin broke the first seal, and a cold wind blew past us, carried by indecipherable murmurs. Suddenly, a small cursed creature emerged from the shadows, a dark, twisted figure with sharp claws and red eyes.
"Take this!" - I advanced, materializing two swords with my Trace On ability. With a single precise strike, I tore the creature apart before it could attack.
"Good job." - Rin said, without taking her eyes off the already broken seal. - "That was just a small reaction. Let's continue before something bigger appears."
The two of us ran across the school grounds, destroying one seal after another. Each seal was guarded by small curses, but I was prepared, efficiently eliminating each one while Rin dealt with the incantations.
At the third seal, hidden beneath the bleachers of the soccer field, Rin grimaced as she felt the energy denser than usual.
"This one is different... It's stronger." Rin muttered.
I gripped the hilts of my swords, my eyes alertly looking around. "Do you think someone reinforced this recently?"
"It's possible..." Rin replied, activating her magic more intensely. Runes began to spread across the ground, glowing an intense blue as she tried to dismantle the seal.
Suddenly, the earth around her began to tremble, and a much larger curse emerged, a giant serpent-like creature made of shadows and smoke.
"Shirou, distract it! I need time to break this!" Rin ordered, keeping her focus on the seal.
"Leave it to me!" - I advanced without hesitation, running towards the serpent. I jumped into the air, my swords glowing as I spun and made quick cuts, tearing off parts of the creature's body. The serpent let out a guttural scream, its jaws opening to attack. I narrowly dodged it, rolling to the side.
"Stay still, you bastard!" - I shouted, cutting again and destroying a significant part of the curse.
Meanwhile, Rin, sweating from the effort, finally pronounced the final incantation. The seal exploded in blue light, and the cursed serpent let out one last roar before dissolving completely.
I panted, leaning on my swords for a moment. "That was close."
Rin stood up, also catching her breath. - "Just one more. The last one should be at the north entrance of the school. Let's finish this."
The last seal was the most complicated. It was located at a point where the evil energy seemed to pulse with the most intensity, as if it were the main source of all corruption.
"Here is the core." Rin whispered, feeling the crushing pressure around her.
I readied my swords, standing next to Rin. "Let's end this together."
Rin extended her hands, invoking a more powerful incantation, while I used my swords to create a protective barrier around her. The energy of the seal tried to resist, releasing waves of lesser curses, but I dispatched them efficiently, keeping Rin protected.
Finally, with a determined shout, Rin broke the last seal, causing a burst of blue light to illuminate the entire area. The air around her felt light again, as if the invisible weight had finally been lifted.
Rin let out a sigh of relief. "We did it. All the seals have been destroyed."
I nodded, looking around to make sure there were no threats left. "Good work, Rin. This should keep the school safe... for now."
Rin turned to me, a small smile on her face. "You weren't that bad, Emiya-kun."
I put the swords back into their original shape. "That's a compliment coming from you, Rin."
Rin just rolled her eyes, but the smile didn't disappear. - "Let's go before anyone sees us here. We did our part."
The two of us left the school, knowing that we had eliminated a threat.
A few minutes later...
As I walked slowly through the silent streets, the already dark sky covered in stars. The night breeze blew gently, refreshing after the long day at school and the arduous task of destroying the seals with Rin. Although I felt slightly exhausted, a sense of relief accompanied me at least that threat at school had been neutralized.
As I approached home, I noticed a figure standing near the door. The light from the small lamp above the entrance illuminated the silhouette, making it seem almost ethereal. It was Tachie. She had her arms crossed, her expression neutral, but something in her eyes indicated that she had been waiting for me for some time.
"Tachie?" - I called in surprise. I quickened my pace to the entrance, stopping a few steps away from her. - "Why are you out here? It's cold. You should come in."
Tachie uncrossed her arms and looked at me with an assessing look, almost too serious. - "You took a while..." - Her voice was calm, but it carried a hint of disapproval.
I scratched the back of my neck, looking away. - "Yes... I had some things to take care of after school. I didn't want to worry you."
Tachie sighed, as if she was used to this kind of response. - "There's always something, isn't there?" She turned and opened the door, leaving the way clear for me to enter. "Let's go. It's late."
I followed, taking off my shoes in the entrance hall. The house was silent, indicating that the others had already gone to bed or were in their rooms. As I hung up my bag, Tachie stood in the middle of the hallway, looking at me once more.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her tone a little softer this time.
I looked up, surprised by her concern. "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle." I tried to smile, but Tachie remained serious.
"Shirou." She called me by name, something rare, making me stop. "If you keep solving everything on your own, you'll end up getting hurt... or worse."
The comment took me by surprise, and I stared at Tachie in silence for a moment. Although I tried to always appear strong and capable, her words hit a nerve.
"I'm not alone..." I answered quietly, finally. "I have you... and I'm learning to trust."
Tachie watched me for a few more seconds before finally nodding. "Good. Because this house... and these people, need you."
I smiled, more sincere this time. "Thank you, Tachie. I promise I'll be more careful."
She gave a small nod and turned toward the hallway. "That's good. Now go rest. You look beat."
With that, Tachie disappeared towards his room, leaving me alone in the hallway. I let out a long sigh and finally relaxed my shoulders, realizing how tired I was.
Yuji and Saber were at the entrance of the house, enjoying the fresh night air after returning from a long day. The atmosphere seemed peaceful, until someone knocked on the door insistently, interrupting the moment.
"Who could it be at this hour?" Yuji muttered, frowning as he went to answer the door. Saber, still wearing her shiny armor, stood to the side, instinctively alert.
When Yuji opened the door, a familiar figure was standing there: Rin Tohsaka. She was impeccable, as always, but she carried something unusual, a medium-sized suitcase by her side, as if she had prepared for a trip. Her serious gaze immediately fixed on the interior of the house.
"Rin?" Mine echoed in the background. I stopped suddenly when I saw her at the entrance. - "What are you doing here? And with that suitcase?"
Rin entered without ceremony, passing by Yuji and me as if she already knew the house by heart. She dropped the suitcase next to the entrance and put her hands on her waist, looking firmly at me.
"The situation at school is more serious than we imagined, and someone needs to keep an eye on you." - Rin declared with all confidence, as if her presence was the most obvious thing in the world.
I widened my eyes. "What?!"
Yuji scratched the back of his neck, feeling the tension growing in the room. "So... are you going to stay here for a while?"
"Exactly!" Rin replied, looking around the room to assess the space. "The school is not completely safe. The seals were very powerful and, now that they have been destroyed, it is obvious that more things will happen. So, I decided that it is more practical to settle here."
Yuji put his hand on his face, already afraid. - "Choso is going to kill me today..."
I was in disbelief. "You can't just decide that out of the blue!"
"Oh, I can." Rin retorted, glaring at him with a sharp gaze. "Besides, I brought the suitcase, so it's already decided."
Saber, who had been watching everything in silence, finally intervened with a slight, amused smile. "It seems she has the determination, Shirou. Maybe it's best to accept it."
I massaged my temples, letting out a long sigh. "That doesn't make sense..." I looked at Rin again. "Where do you plan to sleep? The house is already full."
Rin shrugged. "That's not my problem. Find a way. I'm sure someone can share a room with me."
Before she could protest further, Taiga appeared in the room, curious about the noise. "What's going on here?"
Rin gave her a direct look. "I'm staying here for a while. School-related issues."
Taiga blinked a few times in surprise, but then smiled mischievously, nudging Shirou on the shoulder. "Ohhh, Shirou, so that's how it is? Bringing girls home now?"
"That's not it at all!" I cried out, blushing with embarrassment.
While Taiga laughed, I tried to explain myself, Yuji approached Rin, whispering: "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Rin crossed her arms, ignoring the commotion around her. "Trust me. Someone needs to be here to stop him from doing something stupid."
Yuji spoke softly, shaking his head. "This house really is turning into an inn..."
Meanwhile, Rin picked up her suitcase and started walking up the stairs, as if she was already part of the family. I looked up, astonished, as she casually announced: "I'll pick an empty room. Good night!"
"Rin!" - I called out to Rin, but she completely ignored me.
Saber looked at me with a slight smile. "Looks like you don't have a choice, Emiya."
I sighed again, looking at Yuji and Saber. "Why do these things always happen to me?"
Yuji just shrugged with an amused smile. "Welcome to the club."
*Perspective change*
Sakura was leaving the room when she saw Rin walking through the house, carrying the suitcase she was carrying with her. For a brief moment, their eyes met. Rin gave her a typical look of superiority, but Sakura just looked away, choosing to ignore her completely as she headed to the kitchen.
The scene did not go unnoticed by me, who watched everything with a confused expression. I crossed my arms, still thoughtful, until something came to the surface of my memory. "Oh, that's right..." I murmured softly, almost to myself.
Arturia looked at me, curious. "What is it, Yuji?"
I shook my head quickly, pushing the question away. "Nothing! I just... remembered something from the past."
In fact, I remembered it perfectly: in a previous conversation, I had discovered that Sakura and Rin were sisters, but apparently this relationship was not something that either of them liked to admit or talk about. Sakura's indifferent attitude and Rin's stern gaze were nothing more than vestiges of that troubled past between the two.
"It's none of my business..." I thought, rubbing the back of my neck and letting out a light sigh. I knew that if I said anything, I would probably end up getting into more trouble.
Meanwhile, Sakura remained silent, preparing something to eat in the kitchen. Rin, in turn, ignored Sakura in the same way. They both seemed content to keep their distance from each other.
I observed the scene once more and, to myself: "I hope this doesn't become a problem... because this house is already too much trouble."
Somewhere else...
Somewhere else in Fuyuki City, the man was advancing through the deserted streets under the dim light of the streetlights. His presence was intimidating, but calm at the same time, like a storm about to form.
His black fur coat ruffled in the cold night wind as he ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, a wide, almost predatory smile searching for food, as if he were drawing it on his face. His hair was styled in a pompadour. "Damn... I'm starving..." he muttered, but his tone didn't indicate a need for ordinary food. It wasn't hunger. It was a visceral craving, a burning need for a fight.
His eyes scanned every shadow, searching for something or someone that could quench his thirst for combat.
"Can't anyone in this city entertain me a little?" he asked the void, his deep voice echoing through the empty streets. His footsteps echoed loudly, each movement full of confidence and anticipation.
He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, as if sniffing the air for a worthy opponent. Then he opened them again, his irises shining with wild instinct.
"This is Fuyuki, isn't it?... Show me something interesting tonight, or I'll end up destroying something just to keep warm." He let out a short, throaty laugh and continued walking calmly. The city seemed too calm for him, and that only increased his impatience.
End of Chapter 8