Aika tossed and turned in her dorm bed, the sheets twisted around her legs as she stared up at the ceiling. The room was dark, the only sound being the faint rustling of leaves from the trees outside her window. Sleep had become a distant memory, and no matter how exhausted her body felt, her mind refused to let her rest.
Murayama Yoshiki lay beside her, his arm draped protectively over her waist. He had practically moved into her dorm room since they'd become an official couple. His presence was a constant source of comfort, his warmth wrapping around her like a blanket. But tonight, even the comfort of his arms couldn't keep her thoughts from spiraling.
She hadn't spoken to Cobra in weeks—not since he'd found out about her relationship with Yoshiki. And while she'd expected him to be angry, she hadn't expected him to completely shut her out. He hadn't answered a single call, hadn't responded to any of her messages. It was as if she'd been cut off, left adrift from the people who had always been her anchor.
She missed her brother, missed Sannoh, missed the camaraderie and the feeling of belonging. Yes, Oya had become her second home, and the part-timers had embraced her in their own way, but Sannoh was her family—her blood. And the silence from them was eating away at her, little by little, making her feel like she was torn between two worlds.
She sighed softly, trying not to wake Yoshiki, but the moment the sound left her lips, he stirred beside her. His grip on her waist tightened slightly, as if sensing her unrest even in his sleep. Slowly, he opened his eyes, his voice thick with grogginess. "Aika, what's wrong?"
Aika turned her head to look at him, her heart aching at the concern etched on his face even in his half-asleep state. His dark hair was messy, falling over his eyes, and the blanket was pulled low on his chest, exposing the scars from countless fights. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should voice what was really bothering her, but the weight of her worries felt too heavy to keep to herself any longer.
"I can't stop thinking about them," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Nii-chan, Yamato, Noboru... I haven't heard anything from them in weeks. Cobra hasn't answered a single call, and Naomi's messages are vague. I don't know if they're okay, and it's driving me crazy."
Murayama's brow furrowed as he propped himself up on one elbow, his hand instinctively reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "Aika... they haven't forgotten about you. Cobra-chan is just... being Cobra-chan. You know how stubborn he can be. But they're your family—they wouldn't just cut you off like that."
Aika closed her eyes, her chest tightening as she tried to swallow down the lump of frustration that had been building in her throat. She knew Yoshiki was right. Cobra was stubborn, especially when it came to her. But knowing that didn't make the silence any easier to bear.
"I just..." She took a deep breath, her voice wavering slightly. "I need to see them. I need to make sure they're okay."
Yoshiki's jaw tightened, and she could feel the subtle tension in his body as he sat up fully, his gaze sharpening as the sleepiness drained from his eyes. He didn't like this—she could tell. Ever since they'd gotten together, he had become more protective than ever, especially after the incident with Doubt. The thought of her going back to Sannoh, where things were volatile and uncertain, clearly made him uneasy.
"Aika..." His voice was cautious, but firm. "You know things are tense right now. There's a lot happening in S.W.O.R.D., and we don't know who's pulling the strings. Going back to Sannoh... I don't know if it's a good idea."
Aika turned to face him fully, her heart aching at the conflict in his eyes. She knew he was only trying to protect her, trying to keep her from walking into something dangerous. But this wasn't just about danger—it was about family. "Yoshiki, I get that. I know things are tense. But I can't stay here and just ignore everything. Cobra's not answering my calls, and Naomi's messages... Something's wrong, and I need to see them. I can't just sit here and wait."
The room was thick with unspoken words, the air heavy between them. Murayama's hand reached out, gripping hers tightly, as if trying to ground her, to keep her from slipping away. "I don't like this," he said, his voice low and strained. "I don't like you going there, not knowing what's happening."
Aika squeezed his hand, her heart swelling with gratitude for how much he cared. But she couldn't let his worry stop her—not when her brother and her friends might need her. "I'll be careful," she promised. "I won't get involved in anything dangerous. I just need to see them. I need to know they're okay, Yoshiki."
He sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face as he tried to suppress the rising frustration. He knew he couldn't stop her—not when she had that determined look in her eyes. And he hated that he understood. Family was everything, and he knew how close she was to hers. Still, the thought of her walking into Sannoh, especially with everything that had been happening in the district, made his blood run cold.
"You better come back," he finally said, his voice a mixture of seriousness and affection. "Because if you don't, I'm coming after you."
Aika managed a small smile, leaning over to press her forehead against his. "I'll always come back to you," she whispered. "No matter what."
Yoshiki's arm slipped around her waist, pulling her close to him. He held her tightly, his face buried in her hair as he tried to absorb her warmth, as if holding her close would somehow keep her safe. "I don't like you being out there without me," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Aika kissed the side of his neck, her lips brushing against his skin as she whispered, "You're always with me, Yoshiki. Even when you're not there physically."
He chuckled softly, though the tension in his body didn't fully ease. "I'm still going to worry," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "No matter what you say."
"I know," Aika whispered. "But I'll be okay. I promise."
Murayama didn't respond immediately. Instead, he tightened his hold around her, his fingers curling possessively around her waist. He hated the thought of her being away, of her walking into a situation where he couldn't protect her. But he knew that trying to stop her would only push her further away. And the last thing he wanted was to lose her.
The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken fears and worries. Aika could feel the weight of his love, his protectiveness, and it made her chest ache. She knew how hard this was for him, how much it took for him to let her go, even if it was just for a short while.
"I'll be back soon," she murmured, her fingers brushing against his cheek. "Just... let me make sure they're okay."
Yoshiki finally loosened his grip on her, leaning back slightly to meet her gaze. His dark eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions—fear, love, frustration, and something deeper that she couldn't quite name. He was trying to be strong for her, trying to hide how much it scared him to let her go. But she could see right through him.
"Be careful," he whispered, his voice low and thick with emotion. "And come back to me."
Aika smiled softly, nodding. "Always."
They lay in silence for a while longer, tangled in each other's arms, the weight of their love and worry hanging in the air between them. Aika's heart was heavy with the knowledge that she had to leave, but she also knew that she would return. No matter what, she would always come back to him.
But as she drifted off into a restless sleep, her mind continued to swirl with thoughts of Sannoh, her brother, and the uncertainty that lay ahead.
YOU ARE READING
Fuyu Monogatari
Fanfiction. Abandoned as a child Aika was taken in by Cobra's family but basically raised by Kohaku of Mugen since he was the one who found her. She has a passion for martial arts and even though she could have graduated top of her class she didn't want to gi...
