Chapter Text
A happy toddler smiled as he looked over at the belly of the woman who sat in the rocking chair. He had a big smile on his face as he rested his hand on top of her belly.
“She will come out soon.” The woman spoke softly. “Your precious sister will be here in a few months.
(Y/N) was curled up as she kept her eyes closed. She felt like she was floating, but could hear a faint voice. A bit of tears formed in the corner of her eyes as she heard those soft voices speak.
She floated in the vast, cold depths of an imaginary ocean, her consciousness submerged in a daze. The sensation of being underwater engulfed her, a heavy, and almost suffocating stillness pressing in on her. She refused to open her eyes, fearing the harsh reality that awaited her in the waking world. The memory of Takuto’s betrayal continued to haunt her mind, casting a shadow over her.
In silence, she heard his voice again, familiar and achingly tender. It was her brother’s voice, but not the hardened, resentful tone she was used to. This was the voice of an older brother from years ago when their bond was not tainted by bitterness and resentment.
“My precious sister, she’s so cute,” his younger self cooed, the words wrapped in innocent affection.
Please, stop… she pleaded silently, her thoughts a desperate cry for respite.
The images that accompanied his voice flash vividly in her mind: his young face, beaming with pride as he held her hand, his eyes sparking with genuine love and protectiveness. These memories were cruel to the icy, hateful glare he had always given her before casting her into this dark abyss. (Y/N)’s heart ached with profound sorrow, her body trembled lightly as she tried desperately to ignore his voice. Her brother’s whispers faded into the background, replaced by the relentless thrum of her own heart skipping a beat. As she drifted further into the darkness, Marie clung to the faint hope that somewhere within Takuto, the brother who once cherished her still existed. Suddenly, amidst the suffocating quiet and the tormenting memories, a new voice broke through the watery silence. It was strong, clear, and filled with urgency.
“(Y/N), (Y/N)! Can you hear me?”
Satoru’s voice, rich with concern and determination, echoed through the depths. It was as if a lifeline had been thrown to her, cutting through the darkness that had threatened to consume her. Her heart quickened, a spark of hope igniting within her.
Slowly, she managed to pry them open, her vision blurry at first. She was surrounded by a vast expanse of ocean water, the dim light filtering through giving everything a surreal, otherworldly glow. Panic set in as she realized she was submerged, the weight of the water pressing in on her.
“Satoru!” she tried to call out, but her voice was swallowed by the liquid around her, emerging as little more than a whisper.
She twisted and turned, her eyes darting around in search of him. The water distorted her view, making it difficult to see anything clearly. Shapes and shadows shifted in the murky depths, and for a moment, she feared she was utterly alone. But then, she caught a glimpse of movement—a figure approaching her with a determined stroke.
It was Satoru, his form becoming clearer as he swam closer. His eyes were locked onto hers, filled with a mixture of relief and fierce protectiveness. He reached out, his hand breaking through the water towards her.
“(Y/N), hold on! I’m here!” his voice, though muffled by the water, was unmistakably reassuring.
With renewed strength, she kicked her legs and reached out for him. Their hands met, and Satoru’s grip was firm and steady. He pulled her close, his presence a solid, comforting reality amidst the overwhelming sensation of being lost. As they held onto each other, the water around them seemed to react to their connection. The oppressive weight began to lighten, the darkness giving way to a soft, glowing light. The ocean's chill was replaced by a warmth that spread through her, driven by the unwavering determination in Satoru’s gaze.
Gradually, the watery surroundings began to dissolve, the ocean receding like a fading dream. The oppressive pressure lifted, replaced by the cool air of reality. (Y/N) felt her feet touch solid ground, her senses returning as the illusion shattered completely.
She found herself lying on the beach, Satoru kneeling beside her, his hands gently cupping her face. The concern etched in his features softened as he saw her eyes open fully.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper now, filled with a tenderness that melted away the remnants of her fear.
She nodded weakly, tears mingling with the sand on her cheeks. “I’m here… thank you, Satoru.”
He pulled her into a tight embrace, his relief palpable. “I’m not letting you go. Not now, not ever.”
As she clung to him, the memory of Takuto’s betrayal lingered, but the warmth of Satoru’s love and the promise of his unwavering support began to heal the fractures in her heart. Together, they would face whatever came next, bound by a connection that no ocean or curse could ever break.
“You made us so worried, you made me worried.” Satoru laughed as he held her tightly. As it turns out, when Shoko came to see (Y/N) again she was missing and they searched around for her.
Then, Satoru found her walking along the sea and he managed to catch her before she was swept into the ocean.
Her mind was still foggy, the recent events blurring together. She nestled closer to Satoru, taking comfort in his presence. “I’m sorry, Satoru,” she whispered, her voice tinged with guilt. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Satoru shook his head, his chin brushing against the top of her head. “Don’t apologize. I’m just glad you’re safe.” He pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. “You have no idea how scared we all were.”
As he spoke, he told her of her condition and what happened. Shoko had come to check on her again, only to find her bed empty. The alarm had been raised immediately, and the group had spread out to search for her. Satoru had been the one to find her, walking along the shoreline, seemingly lost in a trance. He had called out to her, but she hadn’t responded. He had sprinted towards her just in time, catching her before she could be swept away by the rising tide.
“It’s like you were sleepwalking,” Satoru continued, his tone softer now. “You were so close to the water, and you didn’t even seem to notice. I had to pull you back.”
Marie shivered at the thought, the cold reality of how close she had come to danger sinking in. “I don’t remember much,” she admitted. “Just… hearing his voice and feeling like I was drowning.”
Satoru’s grip tightened. “It was Takuto, wasn’t it? He cursed you after all.”
She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “He used his curse on me. I could hear him, and then… everything went dark. I thought I was going to lose myself completely.”
Not too long after, Shokp and Suguru ran up to them. Shoko bent down beside (Y/N), her expression a mix of both concern and relief. “Thank god you are okay,” she sighed. “You scared us getting out of bed after being unconscious for days.”
(Y/N) smiled weakly. “I’m sorry that I worried all of you.”
Suguru, who had been watching silently, spoke up. “The important thing is that you’re safe now. We need to find Takuto.”
Satoru nodded in agreement. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. But first, let’s get you back inside. You need to rest.”
As they helped (Y/N) to her feet, she glanced back at the sea, its calm waves a stark contrast to the turmoil she had just endured. She took a deep breath, drawing strength from the presence of her friends. They started walking back together, the sand cool beneath their feet and the night air crisp around them.
Satoru wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they walked. “You’re not alone, (Y/N). We’re all here for you. We’ll face Takuto together.”
***
The sun hung over the large home, casting harsh shadows across the dirt training ground. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and the metallic tang of iron. Young Takuto, barely ten years old, stood panting, his small chest heaving with exertion. His hands were raw and full of blisters gripping the wooden training sword, his knuckles white with strain.
Across from him, his constructor loomed, a tall, scary figure. His face was stern, eyes icy and unyielding as he evaluated Takuto’s form. He held a gleaming katana, its edge catching the sunlight.
"Again," the instructor barked, his voice a sharp crack in the oppressive heat.
Takuto’s legs trembled, and he breathed hard, his throat dry. He raised his sword, his arms heavy. He lunged forward, attempting to strike him, but his movements were imprecise. The instructor parried effortlessly, taking a step to the side before he delivered a swift blow to Takuto’s side with the flat of his blade. Takuto gasped, the air knocked out of him, and he crumpled to the ground, clutching his ribs.
The instructor stood ove him, the katana’s point hovering just above Takuto’s chest. “Pathetic,” he spat. “You call yourself a sorcerer? You will never amount to anything if you continue like this.”
Takuto stared blankly, inside he ws feeling pain, humiliation, and rage. He wanted to shout, but he knew it would fall on deaf ears. His father’s expectations were high, and he could not ever go against him.
"Get up," the instructor commanded. "Your father expects greatness from you. Do not disgrace him."
"Again," the instructor ordered, resuming his stance.
Takuto gritted his teeth, forcing his body to obey. He swung the sword once more, but his fatigue betrayed him. The instructor's blade flashed, and Takuto's weapon was knocked from his grasp. He fell to his knees, defeated.
The instructor shook his head, stepping back. "You're weak, Takuto. Until you learn to harness your strength, you will always be weak."
Takuto's father approached his expression a mask of stoic disapproval. "You must do better," he said quietly, his voice devoid of warmth. "You must be stronger. Our legacy demands it."
Takuto bowed his head, the weight of his father's expectations crushing him. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. He would do better. He had to. For his father, for their legacy, and for the sister who depended on him.
The memory faded, and the present reality came rushing back. (Y/N) lay in her bed, her face pale and peaceful in her deep sleep. Shoko sat by her side, her hand resting gently on hers. Satoru and Suguru stood by the doorway, the weight of Takuto’s past now a shared burden.
Satoru clenched his fists. “Damn it, I still want to kill Takuto.”
Suguru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You know we can’t do that,” he said calmly. “That would make everything worse.”
Satoru’s anger didn’t subside, but he forced himself to listen. He knew Suguru was right. “But he nearly killed her. How can we just let that go?”
“We’re not letting it go,” Suguru replied. “If we just eliminate him, we lose any chance of understanding why he’s doing this and how to stop it for good.”
Shoko, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. “Takuto’s actions are terrible, but they come from a place of deep pain and confusion. If we can reach him, there’s a chance we can stop this cycle of hurt.”
Satoru’s expression softened slightly. He looked over at (Y/N), her peaceful face belying the turmoil within. “I just... I can’t stand seeing her like this. She doesn’t deserve any of it.”
Suguru nodded. “We have to find out more about their past, about their family, and what drove Takuto to this point. Maybe there’s a clue there, something we can use to break through to him.”
Satoru sighed heavily, the tension in his body slowly easing. “Alright. We’ll do it your way. But if he hurts her again...”
“We’ll protect her,” Suguru assured him. “We won’t let it come to that.”
Satoru gave a curt nod, though the fire in his eyes hadn’t entirely dimmed. “Fine. Let’s figure out what we’re dealing with.”