The match had ended, yet the tension still lingered in the air like a thunderstorm refusing to dissipate. Eira, visibly enraged by her narrow victory, clenched her fists, her ice magic crackling ominously around her. The crowd had begun to murmur, unsure whether her anger was justified or reckless. As Hinata staggered to her feet, bruised but defiant, Eira's icy aura grew sharper. With a single motion, she summoned a sleek sword of crystalline frost, the weapon gleaming dangerously under the arena lights.
"You got lucky," Eira hissed, her voice trembling with fury. She raised the sword, her intent clear. "But luck won't save you now."
Before she could move, a wave of oppressive heat washed over the stage, forcing her to step back instinctively. Josuke appeared from the into the arena in a flash , his expression unreadable but his presence radiating authority. His sword, a manifestation of his full bringer, glowed faintly as he pointed it directly at Eira.
"The match is over," Josuke said, his voice steady but edged with warning. "Don't even think about it."
Eira froze, realizing that the intense heat emanating from Josuke was already starting to melt her weapon. Droplets of water streamed from the edges of the blade, evaporating before they even hit the ground. Her grip faltered as she felt her power slipping away. She scowled, reluctantly lowering her weapon.
"Tch," she muttered, glaring at Josuke one last time before storming off the stage. The tension eased as the threat subsided, but the weight of what had just occurred was not lost on anyone.
Josuke turned to Hinata, who was swaying unsteadily. Without hesitation, he disabled his full bringer and crouched down, letting her climb onto his back. Her arms draped weakly over his shoulders as he adjusted her position, careful not to aggravate her injuries.
As he carried her toward the edge of the arena, Josuke's gaze met King Henry Jewel's. The ruler of Elaris, who had been silently watching from his seat among the elders, remained impassive. His stoic demeanor did not betray even a flicker of concern.
Josuke, uncharacteristically bold, stopped in his tracks. "Would you say or do anything?" he asked, his voice sharp enough to pierce the silence. "She's your daughter. Seeing her in this situation should make you angry."
Gasps rippled through the crowd, and one of the king's advisors immediately stepped forward, his face contorted with indignation. "Insolent boy! How dare you speak to the king like that?"
But before the advisor could continue, King Henry raised his hand, silencing him. His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of authority. "It was a match," he said firmly. "Hinata chose to be a ranger. She understands the risks that come with that decision. And also…" His eyes narrowed as his tone darkened. "If that ice ranger had harmed her during the match she would have suffered the penalty for that."
The crowd fell into stunned silence. Josuke stared at the king, their gazes locking in an unspoken challenge. After a moment, Josuke turned away, adjusting Hinata's weight on his back. Without another word, he walked toward the exit, leaving the arena and its spectators behind.
The walk to the nursing room was quiet, the only sounds coming from Hinata's labored breathing and the soft rustling of Josuke's footsteps. She buried her face in his shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry… for being weak."
Josuke didn't stop walking, but his tone softened. "Don't say that."
"I am weak," Hinata insisted. "Ace, Lily, and Silver would've performed far better than me. I'm just a burden."
Josuke sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Well, you're not them. You're you."
"But"
"Being weak isn't a bad thing, Hina," Josuke interrupted gently. "Deciding to stay weak, to give up… that's the problem. But you didn't give up. You stood your ground. You tried your best."
Hinata fell silent, her thoughts swirling. She wanted to argue, to refute his words, but she couldn't deny the truth in them. She had given everything she had, even if it hadn't been enough.
Josuke continued, his voice steady and reassuring. "And you know what? I'm happy nothing worse happened to you."
His words caught her off guard. She had expected disappointment or frustration because it was usually for her especially from Arthur only, but instead, she felt the warmth of his unwavering support. As the weight of the day's events pressed down on her, she rested her head against his back, letting his steady presence calm her.
At that moment, Hinata realized something she had always felt but never fully acknowledged: no matter how harsh the world was, no matter how many battles she lost, Josuke would always stand by her. Even when she doubted herself, he believed in her.
The nursing room was quiet and dimly lit, a stark contrast to the bustling arena outside. Josuke gently set Hinata down on one of the beds, making sure she was comfortable before stepping aside to let the medics do their work. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he watched them examine her injuries.
Hinata glanced at him occasionally, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Despite the pain, she felt a strange sense of peace knowing he was there.
The night wore on, and the sounds of the tournament faded into the background. The spectators had left, the arena now silent under the glow of the moonlight. Yet Josuke remained, his presence a silent promise that he wouldn't leave her side.
As the medics finished their work and left the room, Josuke pulled a chair closer to her bed, sitting down with a sigh. He leaned back, his arms resting behind his head.
"You should get some rest," he said casually, though his eyes betrayed his concern.
Hinata smiled faintly, her exhaustion catching up to her. "Thank you, Josuke," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
"For what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"For always being there," she replied simply.
Josuke didn't respond right away. Instead, he gave her a small, genuine smile. "You'd do the same for me, wouldn't you?"
Hinata nodded, her eyelids growing heavier. Within moments, she drifted off to sleep, her breathing steady and calm.
Josuke stayed where he was, watching over her as the moonlight streamed through the window. In the stillness of the night, he allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. The day had been intense, and the battles were far from over, but for now, all that mattered was that Hinata was safe.
The faint hum of the mana lamps in the nursing room was the only sound as the night deepened, the world outside finally settling into peace.