Shiinahkz

Far away, untouched—she gazes at the world and everything in it with not even a flicker of trust in her eyes. To her, the world must seem cruel and cold, a place that offers no shelter, no warmth. She looks as though she's locked herself in a world of her own, a fortress built from fear and silence.

And somehow… I understand her. Because once, I was just like her.

I see my past self reflected in her eyes; the same hesitation to embrace the world, the same terror of being wounded again. And maybe that’s why I feel this pull toward her. An ache. A calling. A hope.

I want to be her light, the way my friends once were mine. I want to show her that there’s still a little corner of this world that holds warmth, no matter how small, a place where she can rest, a place where she’s safe.

I know I’m not the best person to do this. I’m clumsy at giving comfort. I don’t have the warmest hands, or the softest voice that can lull her to sleep, or the kind of embrace that can instantly melt fear. But even so, I’m stubborn. And maybe it’s because, in saving her, I thought I could save the younger version of me.

But I was wrong. This isn’t redemption. This is real. I want to protect her not to heal my past, but because she deserves a future.

So Ran, my hands may not be the warmest, my voice may never lull you to sleep, and my arms may not hold the gentlest comfort, but I promise the world I offer you will never hurt you. It will shelter you. Even if I can’t be the perfect world…let me be your world.

Homura’s pupils dilated. His voice caught in his throat. His body turned to ice.

Right before his eyes, the girl lay still—eyes shut tightly, blood trailing from her temple, her body limp, unmoving.

“She protected her friend… took the hit meant for them. Wanderer struck her down.” The voice echoed faintly in Homura’s ears, drowned in the high-pitched ringing that began to consume his senses.

“You’re allowed to get hurt—but you must return to me safely.” The words he once spoke to her now felt like a curse, broken and discarded.

“Shiori.” Her name finally escaped his lips—shaky, broken, soaked in disbelief.

“Reclaim this heart and end our everlasting bond.” That memory surged like a blade in his mind. The moment he lost her once. The moment she left a wound so deep, it still bled within him to this day. The memory that branded his soul with eternal grief.

“Shiori.” With trembling steps, he moved closer.

“Shiori…” His hand reached for her cheek, and in that instant—a violent wave of déjà vu crashed over him.

He remembered the cold. He remembered touching her lifeless face once before. No… Not again. He couldn’t endure that again. He wouldn’t endure that again. Not the same loss. Not the same centuries-old sorrow.

“Shiori.” His voice now cracked with rage and helplessness, as if naming her could pull her back, as if it could undo the damage. He wanted to curse the world. Rip apart anyone—anything—that dared to hurt her.

“Homura…” His heart quaked. Her voice, faint—fragile—trembled in the air as her eyes fluttered open.

“Shiori.” He immediately grasped her hand. His chest heaved—he could barely breathe. She was still here. She was still holding on.

“Homura, don’t cry.” She smiled weakly, brushing his tears without realizing how they’d already streamed down his face—like a silent storm carving rivers on his cheeks.

“Why don’t your tears turn into pearls?” She teased with a feeble smirk, her voice barely a whisper.

Homura gave a broken smile in return, filled with love and guilt. He pressed her blood-stained hand against his cheek, not caring what marred his skin.

“Should I give you one of my scales as a weapon… so you never have to bleed like this again?” He breathed, cherishing the warmth of her hand—the warmth he had nearly lost.

“Mmm…” She let out a soft laugh—delicate and fleeting—before wincing as pain stabbed through her again.

“No more talking,” Homura whispered, voice thick with emotion.

“Don’t move. Just rest… heal… and come back to me—whole.” He leaned down, eyes filled with quiet desperation, and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead—as if trying to kiss the pain away, even just for a moment.

000

“So? Is there anything you’d like to explain?” Homura sat beside Shiori’s hospital bed, arms crossed tightly over his chest, eyes fixed sharply on her bandaged head.

“Mmm? Explain what?” Shiori turned her gaze away, nerves knotting her throat.

“Explain how someone could show up—bleeding everywhere.” Homura leaned closer, eyes narrowing, making her shrink beneath his stare.

“Haha… sorry.” She lowered her head in defeat, abandoning any attempt to defend herself.

“I was only trying to—”

“Protect your teammate without thinking about the consequences,” Homura cut her off, swift and merciless.

“Sorry…” Her voice softened as her eyes fell to her lap. She didn’t dare meet his gaze.

“Do you not realize how dangerous that was?” His voice now edged with something sharper—fear disguised as anger.

“Listen, I’ve never stopped you from helping others. But if you keep getting hurt like this… should I start forbidding it?” His sarcasm didn’t hide the tremble buried beneath.

“No, you don’t have to. Next time… I’ll be more careful.” Finally, she raised her head, her eyes meeting his.

“Homura, I—” She couldn’t finish. Homura suddenly lunged forward, pulling her into his arms, holding her tight but tender, afraid to hurt her, afraid to let go.

“Don’t ever do something that could make me lose you,” he whispered—his voice low, heavy with unspoken fear and unshakable sincerity.

“Homura…” Her breath caught. His words cut through her like a blade made of grief and love. She could feel it—he was scared. Terrified. He couldn’t handle losing her again.

“I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll be more careful. I promise I’ll return to you—safe and whole.” Shiori slowly wrapped her arms around him too, returning the embrace, anchoring him in the warmth he had been denied since the moment she was hurt.

Giving him the peace he had longed for since yesterday.

Strange.

I clearly remember closing the curtains last night before drifting off to sleep. I even recall doing it deliberately, so that the sunlight wouldn’t bother me come morning. I’m certain… I did close them.

And yet, the sun still finds its way to me, nudging me awake. I stretch my arms, gather the scattered pieces of my consciousness, and as I open my eyes, I’m met with a pair of clear green gems, eyes staring right into mine.

I'm stunned.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

“Good morning, Maru.”

That smile...brighter than the morning sun itself.

A smile I’ve quietly grown to cherish, a smile I now wake up to with silent gratitude. Even his slightly raspy voice beats the morning birdsong, always the first thing to greet my day.

“What time is it?” I ask, half hoping for a serious answer.

He doesn't reply the way I want him to.

“It’s the time when people are already fighting their way into crowded trains.”

Sometimes I forget, those lips that smile so sweetly can speak with such sharp sarcasm. Though, looking like a lost child in his current disheveled state, he hardly fits his words.

Trying not to let my irritation rise, I sit up, preparing to start the day, but his hands stop me.

“Hey… Did you forget something?”

His eyes glint with mischief and a silent plea. “…What?” I grumble, unable to recall anything important.

Once again, he doesn’t answer.

Instead, he leans closer, his breath brushes softly across my skin, and before I can react, his lips press gently against mine. I shut my eyes on instinct.

So soft.

So disarming.

I forget that I should push him away. But he knows—he knows me too well. Knows exactly how to sway my heart. He knows I could never refuse him.

His lips swept over mine with a velvet hunger—no force, only softness.

I, already drunk on his touch, reflexively parted my lips, granting him entry, letting him play deeper.

A moan tore from my throat as his tongue breached me, his hands gripping my waist, fingers digging in with possessive fire.

My heart hammered wild when his tongue danced inside me—twisting with mine, claiming every inch of my mouth.

I couldn’t stay still; I bit his lower lip, sucking lightly, a response that only drove his frenzy hotter.

The air burned. The room was an inferno. But before the flames could consume us whole—a sound.

His.

He pulled back sharply, severing our kiss, yet a silver thread of saliva still clung between us.

“Hehe… Maru, I’m hungry.” His innocent smile mocked the wreckage of my breath, my fury choked by exhaustion.

“Huh.” That was all I could muster before we both surrendered—to the need for food.

The breeze brushed softly against her sweet face, gently playing with strands of her dark hair.

In the middle of a green meadow, she giggled as she stared at the little piggy plushie in front of her—a plushie Kaoru had won just yesterday from a claw machine.

“How long are you planning to stare at that piggy, Shii-chan?” Kaoru asked with a teasing grin.

Shii flashed her teeth in a wide smile at his remark.

“Hehe, I can’t help it… it’s just so cute, aghh!” She hugged the plushie tightly in giddy affection, causing Kaoru to chuckle.

“So I’ve lost to a pig now?”

“Yup! You’d have to become a pig to beat Boo-chan,” she declared proudly.

“You even gave it a name.”

“Well, look at it! It’s too adorable,” she replied, eyes sparkling as she stared at the plush again.

“But today is supposed to be a special day for us,” Kaoru said with a gentle tone.

“What’s special about today?” Shii blinked in confusion. “It’s not our birthday, and it’s not our anniversary, as far as I remember…”

Kaoru scooted closer, until he was beside the half-prone girl. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. With a smile as gentle as the summer sea, he leaned in close, eyes soft.

“Today is the anniversary of the day I fell in love with you.”

And just like that—he kissed her. Softly. Tenderly. Their lips met in a moment that seemed to pause time itself.

This was a day to remember—the very day, four years ago, when he first met his little fairy, in a quiet park, where she appeared like a miracle, bringing new hope into his life.

This was their anniversary.

Not of becoming a couple—but of the day Kaoru first fell in love with his little fairy, Shimizu Shiina

Today was just like any other day, with Ai Hua tending to Bubu Pharmacy. She sat quietly, reading a book that Xingqiu had given her the day before. Wanting to understand this era better, she had asked him to recommend books about the present time. Besides, there were no patients at the moment.

“Hoaam... looks like it's a peaceful day,” Ai Hua yawned, rubbing her eyes. She had just finished her book.

“Ah, I'm so bored,” Ai Hua muttered, resting her head on the table.

Out of nowhere, an image of someone with dark green-tinted hair flashed through her mind.

“I wonder what Xiao is doing... He said he’d drop by once I’m done with work,” she murmured to herself.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside Bubu Pharmacy.

“Help! Please, someone help!” A couple cried out desperately as they rushed in, carrying a young boy—no older than seven—his small body covered in blood, unconscious.

Ai Hua immediately sprang to her feet, hurrying toward them so quickly that she nearly tripped over herself.

“What happened?” Without wasting a second, she gently took the boy from them and laid him down on the sofa inside.

“Please, call Baizhu-sensei! My son… please save my son!” the father pleaded, his voice trembling. His entire body shook violently, his hands and clothes stained with his child's blood. “He—he was attacked by a monster while playing...”

Ai Hua worked quickly to stop the boy’s bleeding. She couldn’t call Baizhu—he was away, tending to a patient in Qingce Village.

Seeing the child in such a dire state, her heart ached. Without hesitation, she transferred his pain to herself.

“Ughh…” A violent shudder ran through her body as the pain seeped into her.

But even after that, the boy remained unconscious. He had already lost too much blood—his face was growing pale, and his fingernails had turned blue. Ai Hua bit her lower lip, searching for a solution while struggling to endure the pain herself.

Baizhu’s words echoed in her mind.

“You must never use your power to transfer wounds to your own body. Your ability is incomplete, and it will only destroy you from the inside. You may transfer pain, but even that must not be done too often. Remember, Ai Hua—don’t be reckless.”

She had healed minor injuries before, but nothing like this. Baizhu had warned her—strictly—not to do it again.

But as she looked at the boy, so fragile and barely breathing, she made up her mind.

“Sensei, I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I have to do this.”

Ai Hua closed her eyes and began to concentrate. The sounds around her started to fade and grow distant. She placed her hands over the child’s body. A fleeting image of the man who had promised to meet her later suddenly appeared in her mind.

“Xiao,” she whispered softly.

A warm light began to radiate from her hands. The wounds started to appear one by one on her own body, and blood had already begun to trickle from her mouth.

“AI HUA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

Suddenly, an adeptus appeared behind her, but she had no intention of stopping.

“Sorry for calling your name so suddenly.”

Xiao ignored Ai Hua’s apology and walked closer, intending to stop her immediately.

“Xiao, please take care of my flower garden.”

Right after saying that, Xiao quickly grabbed Ai Hua’s hand, but it was too late. Her body had already lost its strength, and her eyelids had already closed.

“AI HUA!” Xiao called out, shaking Ai Hua’s body.

────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ─────

Xiao sat beside Ai Hua’s bed. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes were filled with guilt and worry as he gazed at her. The moment she lost consciousness, without a second thought for those around him, he had immediately taken her to Baizhu.

Baizhu, who had been tending to patients at the time, was startled but wasted no time in treating Ai Hua. After examining her, he realized she had broken the rule he had once given her.

“It seems she will remain like this for a while. I will take care of her at Bubu Pharmacy.”

And now, here she was—still unconscious, with Xiao by her side, refusing to leave.

“Your face looks so peaceful, but I don’t like seeing it this way,” Xiao muttered.

“Hurry up and wake up... I’m not good at taking care of flower gardens.”

I have found the missing piece of my life. K&S

Not sure if you know this but when we first met, I've got so nervous I couldn't speak. In that very moment I've found the one and my life has found its missing piece.

“Are you feeling sad?”

He looked in the direction of the voice and saw a girl with black hair, calmly swaying in the evening breeze. Her rubies were very enticing and made one to gaze in them. In that moment, he found himself entranced by her presence, as if she were a shimmering star amidst the dusk, pulling him out of his reverie.

“Oh, and nice to meet you, Kaoru. My name’s Shiina, but you can call me Shii. I hope next time we meet, it’ll be under better circumstances,” she added before disappearing from Kaoru’s sight.

So as long as I live I love you will have and hold you. You look so beautiful in white. And from now 'til my very last breath this day I'll cherish. You look so beautiful in white tonight.

“Kaoru. Hey,” he flinched slightly when Shii tapped his shoulder.

“What’s on your mind?” she asked, her round eyes studying him with a probing look.

“Ahaha, sorry, sorry, Shii-chan. I was just thinking about what to eat for dinner later.”

Shii shot him a sharp look.

“Since when did you turn into Niki, always thinking about food?” She asked.

Kaoru scratched the back of his neck—though it didn’t even itch—at Shii’s remark.

“Well… maybe because I only had onigiri earlier.”

“Yeah, five onigiri.”

Kaoru winced. She got him there.

What we have is timeless, my love is endless. And with this ring I, say to the world; You're my every reason, you're all that I believe in. With all my heart I mean every word.

“Shii-chan.” Kaoru tugged at the hem of Shii’s sleeve, his face flushed all the way to his ears.

“What is it? Why is your face so red?” Kaoru opened his mouth, but no words came out.

“Are you okay?” Shii watched him with slight concern, wondering if he was unwell and in need of help.

Kaoru took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a delicate pendant—its gem reflecting the deep blue of the ocean.

The necklace was a keepsake from his mother. His mother once told him that she had worn the pendant on her wedding day, never once parting with it since.

But in the final weeks before she drew her last breath, she gently unclasped it, placing it in Kaoru’s hands, telling him that one day, he should pass it on to someone he truly cherished.

“Kaoru, be a strong man—strong, but kind. And when you find someone who truly means something to you, give them this necklace.” Her fingers gently ran through young Kaoru’s hair, her voice soft like a lullaby carried on a sea breeze.

“Tell them this necklace is the symbol of your heart. It’s shaped like the waves of the ocean—a sign of sincerity, in both the calm and the storm.”

She gave him a faint smile, a fragile curve of her lips that held both love and farewell, as her hand rested on the head of the boy who looked up at her with eyes the color of sunlit sand—the same sand that lined their favorite stretch of beach.

And now, the time had come. He had found that person—someone he wanted to spend the rest of his days with. Someone who stood in front of him at that very moment.

“This necklace belonged to my mother.” He met Shii's gaze before adding, “She told me to give it to someone precious to me… and I believe that person is you, Shiina.”

“Will you accept it—and marry me?”

And if a daughter is what our future holds; I hope she has your eyes, finds love like you and I did. Yeah, and if she falls in love, we'll let her go. I'll walk her down the aisle. She'll look so beautiful in white.

“Yes.”

A single word, yet it was enough to make Kaoru exhale in relief. Their eyes glistened with unshed tears, emotions swelling between them.

Kaoru stepped behind Shii, carefully fastening the pendant around her neck.

And then, he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “I'm grateful to have you.”

Whether it was just his imagination or something more, Kaoru couldn’t tell—but when Shii wore the necklace, she looked just like his mother. With that gentle smile on her lips, Shii gazed down at the necklace Kaoru had given her. The way her eyes softened reminded him of how his mother used to look at him—with warmth, with love—and it made his chest tighten.

He missed his mother. But now, he had someone who could be there when the waves of longing crashed over him. He had found someone to walk along the beach with, just like he once did, collecting seashells with his mother.

He would protect Shii more than he ever had the chance to protect his mother—because this time, he couldn’t bear to lose someone again.

So as long as I live I love you will have and hold you. You look so beautiful in white. And from now 'til my very last breath this day I'll cherish. You look so beautiful in white tonight.

Kaoru can barely contain the overwhelming emotions surging within him as he watches Shii walk down the aisle with grace. The flowing white gown drapes around her, its long tail sweeping elegantly across the path she walks.

'Mother, I’m getting married. I hope this brings me the perfect happiness I’ve been searching for.'

His eyes soften as he notices the pendant—the very same one he gave her when he proposed—adorning her neck. It rests beautifully against her skin.

'Mother, she’s absolutely beautiful.'

So beautiful in white, tonight.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

With determination, Kaoru steps forward, closing the distance between them. Their eyes meet—holding an unspoken love, deep and beautiful.

“I love you,” they whisper in unison, just moments before their lips finally meet, sealing their promise.