Don't Let Go, I Need You

~7~

The next day later, I found myself in my bedroom. I didn't question too much because I kind of knew it was Megumi who brought me back. If he sent his divine dog to me, then of course he would try to find me.

Ping!

I rolled over to grab my phone on my night stand as I yawned. "Who could this be?" Unplugging my phone, I looked at the name who texted me. "Junpei...?"

To: Kana

From: Junpei

Hey, do you want to watch a horror movie with me?

Just when I was going to reply, Maki yelled behind my door causing me to jolt in my bed. "KANA, WAKE UP! YOU HAVE TO TRAIN WITH US FOR THE GOODWILL EVENT!!"

"Geez! I just woke up...." I whispered to myself, and I quickly rejected Junpei's offer saying that I have family events going on and maybe next time we could. Clicking the side button to close the screen, I sighed heavily. "Yes, yes. I'm coming!!" I replied to Maki, sluggishly getting off my bed and heading to the bathroom in my room.

I changed into some athletic clothes and headed outside to the courtyard where everyone was at. It looked like a mess: Kugisaki was getting thrown around by Panda while Megumi was fighting against Maki. "Do they really need me? They all look occupied." I muttered to myself, stepping down the stone stairs.

"Oi! Kana, come spare with me!" Maki hollered, gesturing with her hand to come closer. "Megumi is getting a bit sloppy."

A tense smile appeared on my face as I followed her order. I may or may not get my ass beaten by Maki. She's a worthy opponent for someone who lacks cursed energy. She's really skilled in weaponry that I fear I won't meet up to her expectation. "Haha... I pray for my survival."

I brushed past Megumi, not exchanging any words with him since I didn't know what to even say to him. That outburst from yesterday had me thinking a lot, but I don't think I'm going to let this path go. I'm attracted to death so even if I do surpass 18, I should be happy until I die as a sorcerer rather than a cursed first born.

For the brief second of passing each other, Megumi whispered into my ear. "Let me take you out after training." I stopped in my tracks and turned around from his sudden proposal. My eyes watched his figure getting smaller each second. He wanted to take me out? That's the first but why? Was that his way to apologize to me?

"Come on, Kana! We don't have all day. We have a month and a half before the event begins!" Maki's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I quickly rushed over to her.

Bam! Clink! Wack!

Maki and I were going at each other with hand-to-hand combat. Our hands and legs were blocking or attacking each other. It was getting tiring, however, it was also fun too. Beads of sweat were rolling down my hairline as I was trying to keep up with Maki's pace. She excelled in every shape and form; I couldn't be so proud of her. Maki trained so hard to be naturally strong.

Suddenly, Maki jumped back from me. "What are you smiling about?" She asked, pushing up her glasses as she had a moment to cool down.

I fell on the floor, sitting on the soft grass. I didn't realize that I let my thoughts show on my face. Looking up at Maki, I beamed her a big smile of appreciation. "You're too cool and amazing! I can't help but admire you." Whether her family wanted to acknowledge her, Maki's an incredible person to learn from. Her raw determination can lead her to do something big in her life.

Maki's brow arched from my odd behavior. "Is the heat getting to you? You're never like this. Oi, your nose is bleeding."

Just when she said that, I felt my blood trickling down one of my nostrils. Touching the red liquid, the bright red blood stained my pointer and middle finger. Occasionally, I do get random nose bleeds. "Perhaps it's from the heat...? I'll be right back!" I pinched my nose shut with my fingers and ran inside the school's bathroom.