Akane’s expression softened, the rigid tension in her shoulders melting away as she absorbed my words. But her eyes still carried a shadow of guilt, as if she blamed herself for my condition.

She hesitated, then stepped closer, her fingers brushing against my cheek to wipe away the sweat that had beaded there. The touch was unexpected—gentle, almost intimate—and for a moment, the world seemed to still.

Her voice dropped to a hushed, urgent whisper, "You can’t tell anyone about your abilities, Jack. Not a soul. If the wrong people find out, you—and everyone you care about—will be in danger."

I met her gaze, my own voice steady despite the act I was putting on. "I know. And don’t worry... I’m not as weak as I look."

Akane’s fingers lingered near my face for a second longer than necessary before she pulled back. Her eyes narrowed slightly, studying me as if trying to peel back the layers of my deception. "Have you told Yuko or Haruna?" she asked, her tone sharp with suspicion.

I shook my head. "No. They don’t know."

She exhaled, her shoulders slumping just a little, as if the weight of the secret was hers to bear too. Then, hesitantly, she asked, "Do you want me to take you back?"

I waved off her concern with a faint smile. "I’m fine. You should go rest. And don’t worry about Yuko and her family—I’ll make sure nothing happens to them."

Akane’s lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze flickering between my face and her now-healed arm. Finally, she nodded. "Take care of yourself." With a swirl of her cloak, she vanished into the night, her presence dissolving like smoke.

But I could still sense her—hidden, watching. A silent guardian in the shadows.

I let my body sway, my knees buckling dramatically as I collapsed to the ground with a weary sigh. "I really need to be more careful with this ability... It’s taking more out of me than I thought."

Through Telepathy, I caught the tail end of Akane’s thoughts, sharp and analytical:

[He’s lying. There’s no way an ability that powerful doesn’t have consequences. Look at him—he can barely stand. But why? Why protect me like this? Is it just because of Yuko? Or... does he actually care?]

A pause, then a flicker of something softer:

[But if he can heal like that... then Hitomi might still—]

She cut herself off, but the hope in her voice was unmistakable.

I waited until her presence faded completely before activating Invisibility. I moved slowly, deliberately, avoiding any use of Telekinesis or Flight. Akane was too perceptive—I couldn’t risk her sensing me, even unseen.

Only when I was certain she was gone did I allow myself to relax, teleporting back to the villa in a blink. The room was quiet, bathed in the silver glow of moonlight. Yuko hadn’t returned yet.

I lay down on the bed, my body sinking into the mattress as I closed my eyes, feigning sleep.

Time passed in silence, the only sound the distant rustle of leaves outside. Then, the soft creak of the door opening. Yuko’s presence filled the room, her footsteps light as she approached. I kept my breathing steady, my eyes shut, as I felt her gaze on me.

For a long moment, she simply stood there, watching. Then, she leaned down, her lips brushing my forehead in a fleeting, tender kiss. "You idiot," she murmured, so quietly I almost missed it. "Always pushing yourself too hard."

She pulled away, her footsteps retreating as she moved to lie down beside Kasumi.

Morning light spilled through the windows, painting the room in gold. I woke slowly, stretching before sitting up. The villa was quiet, but the scent of breakfast lingered in the air. After a quick shower, I dressed and stepped into the living area.

Kasumi sat on the couch, her kimono—a deep indigo with delicate cherry blossom embroidery—contrasting with her tired expression. Her eyes were slightly red, as if she’d been crying or hadn’t slept well.

She looked up as I entered, her face brightening with a warm smile. "Jack... Did you sleep well?"

I returned her smile, nodding. "Yeah, Oka-san. Better than I expected."

I glanced around, noting the absence of the others. "Where’s everyone?"

Kasumi sighed, rubbing her temples. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Yuko, Haruna, and Tomiko went to reserve a spot for the cherry blossom picnic," she murmured, her voice thick with exhaustion. "You know how it is—if you don’t book early, you won’t get a good place under the trees. Those girls would stake out a spot at dawn if they had to."

I chuckled, shaking my head as the maids moved silently around us, placing steaming bowls of miso soup, grilled fish, and rice on the low table. The scent of dashi and ginger filled the air, but my attention was fixed on Kasumi. Something was wrong.

Then I saw it—her full, usually rosy lips were cracked and dry, her skin unnaturally pale beneath the soft kimono that clung to her curves.

The fabric, a deep indigo with cherry blossom embroidery, had slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing the delicate curve of her collarbone. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead, and her breath came in shallow, uneven bursts.

I pushed my untouched breakfast aside and stood, crossing the room in three quick strides. When I pressed my palm to her forehead, the heat was immediate—scorching, almost. My voice sharpened with concern. "Oka-san... You’re burning up. Why didn’t you say anything?"

Kasumi tried to pull back, her voice weak but laced with her usual stubbornness. "No, Jack, I’m fine—really. It’s just a little fever. Nothing to fuss over."

I ignored her protest. Turning to the nearest maid, I said firmly, "Prepare a light soup—ginger, scallions, maybe some udon. And bring cold water, a towel, and whatever medicine we have for fever to Oka-san’s room. Now."

Before Kasumi could argue, I took her hand in mine. Her skin was fever-hot, almost burning against my touch. "Oka-san, you’re resting. Now." My tone left no room for debate.

I guided her toward her room, my arm wrapped around her waist to support her unsteady steps. The kimono’s fabric was smooth beneath my fingers, the tie at her waist loose, threatening to slip further with every movement.