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Pondering, attacking, even more pondering. Back and forth, back and forth. The dummy is practically worn down, but that's the least of his worries. It's too much to think about. So much has happened in such a short amount of time.
Tenko, to say the very least, was terrified.
Four casualties have already met their fate. And the guilt Tenko bears is immeasurable. Sure, he didn't do anything, but that's the problem.
He could've done something. He could've saved them. And the more this keeps up, the more unfaithful Tenko is…
He may be strong but what good does it do if he can't use his strengths? Useless. And if this keeps up then-
"Y'know you're loud when you're attacking that thing, right?"
Tenko flinches at that voice. A familiar, small, gentle voice. Of course it was-
"H-Himiko? Uh, did I wake you up?"
"...Not really. I was trying to practice new spells, and… I heard some loud battering noises. Should've expected it to be you." The truth was really that Himiko couldn't sleep and wanted company, but he wouldn't admit that.
Nevertheless, Tenko blushes a bit in embarrassment. Was he really that loud?
"Tenko is-... erm… I'm sorry…" he slightly cringes at his own response.
"S'alright I guess." Himiko glances at the torn training dummy. "...You seemed busy with your training too, I assume."
"H-huh? Oh… O-OH!" Tenko now realizes how battered up the training dummy is. He groans a bit. "I-I didn't realize…"
"...This is new."
"Eh?"
"This side of you? This doesn't seem normal… you'd usually act more… bubbly, I guess."
"...Right." Tenko fiddles with the cuffs of his sleeves. Himiko stares him down with an expression Tenko can't read. He starts sweating nervously.
"I-I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me Himi-"
"I didn't say I was worried dummy…" Himiko interrupts, pouting a bit in frustration. "This is just weird. Did something happen or what?"
"...I wouldn't say that but… I'm just thinking too much."
"Nyeh?"
"IT'S N-NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! But just…. I'm just scared. This whole thing is… scary."
Himiko shrugs. "I don't blame ya… this whole place is such a pain… it's even more of a pain to think that someone'll kill me in my sleep or something…"
He looks down, and Tenko's fears get even more stronger. Thinking of Himiko dead… he shakes the thought.
"Himiko shouldn't worry! I'll be here to protect you!"
"Nyeh… sure. But care for yourself too."
"Huh? I take care of myself plenty!"
Himiko raises an eyebrow.
"Wh-what?"
"Nothing. Or, actually it's something. You care a lot for everyone here. 'specially me…" he murmurs that last part, which goes unnoticed by Tenko. "But do you really take care of yourself?"
"O-of course Tenk-I do! I do neo aikido training everyday! I eat food! I exercise!"
"Ok then what's with the bruises on your hands?"
Tenko blinks and looks at his hands. He winces a bit.
"O-oh…that must've been from my training. Nothing to worry about!"
Himiko isn't convinced. He walks over and holds Tenko's hands.
"H-Himiko…?" Tenko's face gets redder the more Himiko rubs his hands.
"Your hands are rough. There's some splinters… some scratches too… How long have you been training…?"
"Um! Long enough."
"Aren't you cryptic… either way you should prolly rest at the very least. I could use a healing spell but… My mp is low."
"Th-that's ok! I could fix em up after I'm done training!"
"After you're done? But you've been doing this for a while, I take it…"
"And it's important!"
"Do you even sleep?"
"Y-yeah…?" Himiko furrows his brows at that response.
"Doubtful. You're a terrible liar. Even without my magic I could detect that."
"EHHH?"
"Maybe you should worry about yourself first instead of other people. Tis a suggestion."
"I-I appreciate the thought but… it's not really that easy…"
"Why do you say that?"
"Well… Tenk-... My master has always taught me many things. Especially protecting everyone! And I'll live by that forever if I have to."
"Isn't that a bit much? It's not like he's here. Why just go and do what you wanna do?"
"But this is what I wanna do. It makes me happy to protect people. It makes me feel…" 'like I'm worth something' is what Tenko would've said if he wasn't so hesitant.
"Tenko?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry. But anyway, I've always… admired my master for everything he's done for me. He's practically the only family I've had…"
Tenko sadly smiles a bit as he reminisces.
"A-and me and him are vigilantes! We saved so many women from being hurt from some menaces! We're practically heros!"
"...You got hurt from that stuff?"
"Well, not… all the time…"
Silence fills the room, and Himiko looks at Tenko dumbfounded.
"Tenko, that's worrying."
"It's not that big of a deal! I turned out fine, didn't I?"
"...I won't answer that one. But at any rate, you need some rest."
"E-eh? But, Himiko-"
"Don't make me use my magic on you! I'll turn you into an ugly frog if you argue!"
Tenko holds his arms out defensively. "D-DON'T USE YOUR MAGIC ON ME… But that sounds kinda cool…"
Himiko groans and grabs Tenko's arm and drags him to his dorm, despite his protests. Soon enough the duo get inside Tenko's dorm.
"Although I would use my magic to create an eye that could watch you… my mp is very low, and you've been making me waste it all!" He scolds.
Tenko frowns and lets out a stream of apologies, on the verge of tears. Himiko sighs.
"Due to that, I shall stay here all night if I have to, just as long as you get some cursed rest."
Tenko flushes red immediately. "E-EHH?? HIMIKO DOESN'T HAVE T-"
"I do. Consider it as punishment for being the cause of my low mp." Tenko blinks in confusion as to how it's a punishment… Well, it is embarrassing in a way. "D'you have a couch or something for me to crash on?"
"Uh… not sure if these dorms even have couches…"
"Good point. Well I suppose the bed will have to do."
"Right… I'll sleep on the floor-"
"That sounds kinda funny, but you need to sleep more than I do. We can share."
"Sh-share…? Um…"
"I can't afford to let you run off on your own and start training again or whatever. Plus, I'll regain my mp if we rest together."
Tenko twiddles his thumbs but ultimately agrees. The two shuffle in the bed, and Tenko is nothing more, but a panicked mess.
He tries to nudge away from Himiko, which doesn't do much since the bed was small to begin with. Himiko notices this and looks back at him.
"What are you doing?"
"U-um! J-just… trying to be comfortable…"
"...It looks like you're trying to avoid me."
"N-no! I-it's just kinda… awkward… like this?"
"...D'you want me to leave?"
"NO! Erm, uh, no… Tenko-er, I… like this. It's just um… nice…"
"Mmm… that's good to know…" Himiko murmurs. His eyes slowly shut and slightly hugged Tenko. "...this fine…?"
"Y-yeah!" Tenko blushes as he feels Himiko's embrace. "H-Himiko's so warm!"
"Nyeh… I used the last of my magic to make a warmth spell. It'll make ya sleep quicker…"
"Himiko's magic is so amazing…! Th-thank you…"
"…Yeah… Can we sleep now?"
"Right! Night, Himiko."
"...Night Tenko."
The morning afterward was Himiko struggling to tend to Tenko's wounds, since he had enough mp to do so.
Although the process was sloppy, it worked well enough. And Tenko was nothing more but overjoyed throughout it all.