Chapter 5: Masks, Meetings, and the Mocking Flame
The infirmary bed wasn't uncomfortable. But Eiji hated it.
The walls were too white. The silence was too loud. And worst of all, he could feel Amane watching him like a worried mom.
"Stop staring. You're going to make holes in me."
"I'm checking your mana flow," she said softly, fingers glowing as they hovered over his chest.
"Well, at least buy me dinner if you're going to grope my spiritual circuits."
Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "I'm serious, Eiji. You need to take care of yourself.
He rolled over, sighing into the pillow. But he wasn't joking. Not really.
The gauntlet hadn't disappeared. It lay dormant beneath his skin, humming occasionally like a sleeping beast. And the Eye... the damn Eye was watching.
Elsewhere – Falcor Mansion (Private Garden)
Ayaka stood silently beneath a twisted moonlit tree. The petals of its silver blossoms drifted down like snow.
Behind her, Seraphina paced slowly.
"I need you to watch him closely," she said, her arms folded, voice colder than usual.
Ayaka nodded. "He's unstable?"
"He's... uncertain."
Ayaka raised an eyebrow. "You mean you're uncertain."
Seraphina didn't reply right away. "He's not just a half-devil. Something older is tangled in his soul. I need to know what."
Ayaka turned her gaze upward. "Should I intervene?"
"Only if he loses control. Until then... observe."
Infirmary – Later That Night
Amane placed a fresh towel on Eiji's forehead. Her eyes were distant, thoughtful.
He cracked one Eye open. "What's wrong? You look like you saw a ghost."
"I... might've seen something when I was healing you,"
she said stop joking and then thought in her mind
"I didn't mean to. My ability—it activated on its own."
"…What did I see?"
She hesitated. "A battlefield. So much blood. And a sky filled with burning stars. A world... no, hundreds of worlds. I couldn't even process them all."
Eiji sat up slowly. "Damn. Sounds like my high school social life."
"Eiji..." Are you going to be fine ?"
He looked at her quietly.
"I'd love to know that too."
The Next Day – Behind the School
The sun was setting. Eiji had just gotten a convenience store meat bun, finally thinking his day would be typical.
Naturally, the universe said no.
A figure stepped from the alley. Black robes, a scorched cross embroidered on his chest. His face was twisted with the glee of someone who genuinely enjoyed killing.
"Foul devil…"
Eiji blinked. "Uh… cosplay season's over, dude."
The man lifted his hand. Flames danced around his fingers. "I am Ignis. Cleansing scum like you is my divine work."
"Oh, great. A religious psychopath. Just what I needed."
Flames surged toward him. Eiji barely rolled out of the way, cursing under his breath.
"I didn't want to fight today…" he muttered. The gauntlet pulsed beneath his skin.
Ignis laughed. "So you're just a pawn. Nothing more. Just another devil pretending to be something special."
The word pawn hit a nerve.
Eiji's smile cracked.
"Okay... that's it."
His right arm exploded in violet-black light. The gauntlet emerged—sleeker than before, darker. Shadow tendrils writhed behind him.
Ignis lunged, flame sword drawn. Eiji blocked with his clawed arm, sparks flying as the two clashed.
Eiji pushed him back, tendrils snapping forward like vipers. They wrapped around the blade, melting it with dark mist.
"You talk too much," Eiji growled.
Ignis sneered—and vanished in a blink.
Eiji didn't react fast enough. Pain stabbed through his back. Blood sprayed as he stumbled.
"Got you," Ignis whispered.
But before the final blow landed—
CRACK.
A sharp, echoing snap of magic rang out.
Ignis blinked—and a blade hovered at his throat.
Ayaka stood behind him, composed and cold.
"You've overstayed your welcome."
Ignis hissed. "Another devil?"
She didn't answer.
He growled, then retreated into smoke, disappearing into the shadows.
Eiji collapsed onto his knees, wincing.
Ayaka caught him.
"I told Seraphina I'd watch you. You're lucky I'm punctual."
He coughed, groaning. "I'm starting to think I need a permanent babysitter."
Later – Clubroom Infirmary Again
Eiji lay bandaged but alive. Seraphina stood nearby, arms crossed.
"You used your power in public."
"I was ambushed."
"You fought back violently."
"I survived."
She opened her mouth to scold him further but paused.
Eiji sat up slightly. "Look... I get it. I messed up. I'll try to control myself better. Learn from it. Not repeat it."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. She said nothing at first.
Then—
"…Good."
He blinked.
"You're not yelling?"
"I'm surprised you reflected at all."
"I can be mature too, you know."
"No, you can't."
He rolled his eyes. "Okay, true."
She smirked slightly. "Be careful next time. And take care of your wound."
Her voice was softer than usual.
That Night – Eiji's Apartment
Eiji sighed as he stepped inside. Bandages tight. Body sore. My ego was bruised as usual.
"Another day, another stab wound."
He flopped on the couch, eyes closing—
Ding-dong.
He dragged himself to the door and opened it.
Standing there, suitcase in hand, was Amane Shirayuki.
"Amane?"
She smiled gently. "The club president said you're still recovering. So I'm here to take care of you."
Eiji blinked.
"You're moving in?"
She nodded.
"Just temporarily."
"…No way."
He blinked again.
Eiji thought to himself, "What the hell?"
End of Chapter 5