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The night was quiet, a rarity in the world of Oni and Momotarou. The campus of Rasetsu Academy was bathed in the eerie red glow of the blood moon hanging high in the sky. Shiki sat on the academy’s rooftop, his legs dangling over the edge as he stared at the crimson orb. His left hand clutched a can of soda, while his right absentmindedly traced the twin moles beneath his eye.
"You're going to fall one day, sitting like that," a calm, familiar voice called from behind him.
Shiki didn’t need to turn around to know it was Mudano. The man’s voice was as sharp and precise as his movements, carrying the weight of someone who had seen far too much. Shiki grinned, taking a sip of his soda.
"Wouldn’t be the worst way to go," Shiki replied, smirking.
Mudano stepped closer, his rollerblades clicking softly against the rooftop’s surface. He carried his ever-present black umbrella, though tonight it was folded neatly in his hand. His sharp eyes narrowed as he regarded the younger Oni.
"You’re all talk," Mudano said, sitting down a few feet away from Shiki, his movements deliberate and graceful.
"Yeah, well, you’re all gloom. Matches your whole vibe, Sensei." Shiki tilted his head, flashing his trademark cocky grin.
Mudano ignored the jab, his gaze fixed on the blood moon. The silence stretched between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. They had spent enough time together—through battles, training, and missions—that the quiet felt natural.
"Why are you up here, anyway?" Mudano finally asked.
Shiki shrugged, his cockiness dimming slightly. "Just thinking, I guess."
"Thinking?" Mudano raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "That’s new."
"Hey!" Shiki protested, though there was no real heat behind it. He leaned back on his hands, letting the cool night air brush against his face. "I think sometimes. Just... not about the boring stuff."
Mudano let out a small, almost imperceptible chuckle. It was rare for him to show any outward signs of amusement, but Shiki had a way of drawing it out of him.
"So, what’s on your mind?" Mudano asked, his tone softer now.
Shiki hesitated, his usual bravado faltering. "I’ve been thinking about... everything. My dad, the fights, this whole war thing." He paused, his fingers tightening around the soda can. "It’s like... I’m supposed to be this big deal, you know? A Child of the Kishin. But what does that even mean? I’m just a kid with some flashy powers and a temper."
Mudano studied him for a moment, his sharp eyes softening. "You’re more than that, brat."
Shiki snorted. "Yeah, sure. You’ve called me an idiot more times than I can count."
"Because you are one," Mudano said bluntly, though there was no malice in his voice. "But being an idiot doesn’t mean you’re not capable. You’ve already proven that, time and time again."
Shiki turned to look at him, his blue eyes searching Mudano’s face for any sign of insincerity. But Mudano’s expression was as steady as ever.
"You really think that?" Shiki asked, his voice quieter now.
Mudano nodded. "I wouldn’t have brought you to Rasetsu if I didn’t. You have potential,. More than you realize. And... you care. That’s more than I can say for most people in this war."
Shiki felt a warmth rise in his chest, though he wasn’t sure if it was from Mudano’s words or the way the moonlight illuminated his teacher’s face, casting soft shadows over his features.
"Thanks, Sensei," Shiki muttered, looking away to hide the faint blush creeping up his neck.
Mudano tilted his head, his gaze lingering on Shiki for a moment longer. "Don’t let it go to your head," he said, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
The two sat in silence for a while, the sounds of the night filling the space between them. Crickets chirped, and the distant hum of the city echoed faintly in the background.
"Hey, Sensei," Shiki said suddenly.
"Hm?"
"Why do you care so much?" Shiki asked, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "About me, about the other students. You act like it’s a pain, but... you’re always there."
Mudano was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the blood moon. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. "Because someone has to be."
Shiki frowned. "That’s not an answer."
Mudano sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I’ve lost too many people, Shiki. Friends, comrades... students. I push you because I don’t want to lose you too."
Shiki’s heart ached at the raw honesty in Mudano’s voice. He had always seen his teacher as an unshakable force, someone who never faltered. But now, sitting here under the blood moon, Mudano seemed almost... human.
"You’re not going to lose me," Shiki said firmly.
Mudano turned to look at him, his expression unreadable. "You can’t promise that."
"Maybe not," Shiki admitted. "But I’ll fight like hell to make sure it doesn’t happen."
Mudano’s lips curved into a small smile, one that Shiki rarely saw. "You really are an idiot," he said, though there was a warmth in his tone that made the words feel more like a compliment.
"And you’re a pain in the ass," Shiki shot back, grinning.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Mudano laughed. It was a quiet, restrained sound, but it was genuine. Shiki found himself smiling wider, the tension in his chest easing.
As the night wore on, the two continued to sit together, talking about anything and everything. Shiki found himself opening up in a way he never had before, and Mudano listened, offering quiet words of encouragement when needed.
By the time the blood moon began to fade, replaced by the soft light of dawn, Shiki felt lighter. He glanced at Mudano, who had dozed off beside him, his umbrella resting against his shoulder.
"Maybe you’re not such a pain after all, Sensei," Shiki murmured, a fond smile on his face.
And for the first time in a long time, Shiki felt like everything was going to be okay.