Kaori lay still, her body resting on the futon, fully treated but yet to regain consciousness. The dim light of the room cast soft shadows across her face, her breathing steady but weak.
Beside her, Jin sat silently, his hands clenched into tight fists on his lap. Guilt gnawed at him, a heavy weight pressing down on his chest. His fingers trembled slightly as he stared at them, his thoughts a storm of regret and frustration.
"Why... why couldn't I protect her?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
It infuriated him. He had survived a battle against Kenjaku, an enemy far more powerful than the cursed spirits they had just faced. Yet when it came to Kaori, when she needed him most, he had failed.
"Damn it!"
His frustration boiled over as he slammed his fists against his thighs, his nails digging into his skin. Even though he had exorcised the spirits that had harmed her, it didn't erase his failure. The image of Kaori falling unconscious replayed in his mind like a cruel reminder of his inadequacy.
"If only I had been stronger..."
A soft sound broke through his thoughts.
"Ngh..."
Jin's head snapped up, eyes widening.
"Kaori-san!"
He leaned closer, watching as Kaori's eyelids fluttered, her breathing hitching slightly as she stirred. Slowly, her eyes opened, hazy and unfocused at first, before locking onto Jin's face.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jin felt an odd sense of relief wash over him, his tense shoulders finally easing.
Kaori blinked slowly, her voice hoarse as she managed to murmur—
"...Jin?"
Jin felt something in his chest tighten at the sound of his name. He had been waiting—hoping—for her to wake up, and now that she had, the weight of his guilt and relief crashed down on him all at once.
Without thinking, he moved.
Before Kaori could react, Jin wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight, desperate hug. His grip was firm but gentle, as if afraid she might disappear if he let go. His body was warm, steady, yet there was a trembling in his hands that betrayed just how shaken he truly was.
Kaori's eyes widened slightly, her breath hitching in surprise. "J-Jin...?"
"You scared me..." Jin muttered, his voice raw with emotion. "I thought... I thought I lost you."
Kaori blinked, processing his words. Slowly, her expression softened. She could feel the way he was holding her—not just out of relief, but out of fear, guilt, and something deeper.
She hesitated for a moment before sighing and resting her forehead against his shoulder. "Idiot... I'm fine."
Jin exhaled, a shaky laugh escaping his lips. "You always say that."
There was a pause before Kaori finally spoke, her voice quieter. "...I don't want you to blame yourself."
Jin stiffened slightly.
"I know that look on your face," she continued, her hands slowly gripping the fabric of his shirt. "Like you failed me. But you didn't, Jin. I'm still here."
Jin closed his eyes, his arms tightening around her just a bit more. "...I should have been stronger."
Kaori shook her head slightly, her voice holding more warmth now. "You were strong enough. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead."
Jin didn't respond right away, but the tension in his body seemed to ease just a little. He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her face. Their eyes met—his filled with lingering guilt, hers with quiet reassurance.
"I'm just... glad you're okay," he admitted.
Kaori felt her cheeks warm slightly. Seeing Jin like this—so vulnerable, so openly worried about her—it was different from the easygoing, somewhat awkward man she had gotten to know.
She scoffed lightly, trying to break the heavy atmosphere. "Well, of course I'm okay. You think a little cursed spirit is gonna take me down that easily?"
Jin blinked before letting out a chuckle, shaking his head. "No... I guess not."
Kaori smirked faintly. "Then stop looking like a kicked puppy and let go already. You're warm."
Jin's face turned slightly red as he realized he was still hugging her. He quickly pulled away, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "Ah—right, sorry."
Kaori rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile on her lips.
Jin let out another deep breath, rubbing his face. "I'm just... really glad you're okay, Kaori-san."
Kaori tilted her head, watching him. Then, after a brief pause, she muttered under her breath—
"...Thanks for saving me, Jin."
Jin's eyes widened slightly at the sincerity in her voice. He smiled, a little softer this time. "Anytime."
And for the first time since the fight, the weight on his chest finally felt a little lighter.
"So, how did you do it?" Kaori asked.
Jin blinked, caught off guard by Kaori's sudden question. He had been so relieved to see her awake that he hadn't even thought about explaining what had happened.
"Oh... uhh..." He scratched the back of his head, trying to find the right words. "Honestly... I don't really know."
Kaori raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"
Jin sighed, leaning back slightly. "It just... happened. One moment, I was struggling to keep up, and the next, I saw you get knocked out. Something in me just—snapped."
Kaori frowned, listening intently.
"I remember seeing those cursed spirits moving toward you, and all I could think was that I couldn't let them hurt you any more than they already had." Jin clenched his fists. "Then suddenly, I just—moved. And before I knew it, those things were sliced apart."
Kaori's eyes widened slightly. "Sliced apart? But you don't even use a weapon."
Jin nodded. "Yeah... that's what's weird about it. I didn't punch them or anything. It was like... my cursed energy just—extended from my hands, like invisible blades."
Kaori's mouth opened slightly in realization. "Your cursed technique..."
Jin let out a breath. "I think so." He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers. "I've never done anything like that before, but in that moment, it felt... natural."
Kaori studied him for a moment. "...You really don't remember activating it?"
Jin shook his head. "Not consciously. It just... happened."
Kaori smirked faintly, crossing her arms. "So, what you're saying is... I was your awakening moment."
Jin blinked before his face turned slightly red. "W-What? No! That's not—"
Kaori snickered. "Come on, admit it. The moment I got knocked out, your powers suddenly kicked in. I must be your lucky charm."
Jin groaned, covering his face with one hand. "I should've let you stay unconscious..."
Kaori laughed, but then her expression softened. "But seriously... if this is your cursed technique, then we need to figure out how it works. You should train with Seijuro-san and Toji more."
Jin nodded. "Yeah. I want to get stronger. I don't want to rely on luck if something like this happens again."
Kaori gave him a small nod of approval. "Good. Because next time, I'm not gonna be the one getting knocked out."
Jin chuckled. "I'll hold you to that."
Kaori smirked. "You better."