Beyond, With a Yokai

Chapter 7: A Spark in a Blink

Yesenia blinked.

"Lick them?" she echoed, unsure she'd understood.

A completely absurd thought flashed through her mind. No way... was he suggesting...

Tomoya, who had maintained a composed facade until now, blushed like a sunset.

"W-what?!" He immediately turned away, avoiding her gaze. "What the hell are you even saying?! Did something hit your head in that ambush?!"

The bakeneko sighed deeply, giving him a look of mild contempt.

"It's the only thing that might work," he said coolly. "Believe me, if I had a choice, I'd do it myself. But I don't. This is about her survival. The faster you recover, the better we can protect her. Or do you not care?"

Yesenia glanced nervously between the two.

"No..." Tomoya clenched his fists, his voice firm. "I'll manage on my own."

She drew a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She knew how stubborn he was, but she had no intention of backing down either.

"Tomoya," she said, stepping closer and trying to meet his gaze. He kept looking away, tense as a drawn bowstring. "I want to help you. You did the same for me. Remember?"

The fox stayed silent.

"I'm doing this. That's final. Not up for debate."

"Yesenia!" His voice was full of protest — and embarrassment.

"Tomoya!" she replied firmly, folding her arms.

The bakeneko snorted in annoyance and shook his head.

"Right... I'll leave you two to it," he muttered, trying to hide his irritation, and walked to the door.

It creaked shut behind him, leaving them alone.

An awkwardness swept over them like a tide. The way she insisted — as if she were far too eager... to lick his wound.

Yesenia barely held back a shiver as the heat of shame spread across her cheeks.

No, no, no! She just wanted to help, to repay him for his care. Yes! Purely out of gratitude! What other reason could there be?

Tomoya didn't argue anymore. He simply lay there, staring at the ceiling as if none of it concerned him. But when she stepped closer, she noticed his fingers gripping the bedsheet more tightly.

Blood continued to ooze from the torn wound on his collarbone, streaking down his skin in dark crimson lines. His shredded T-shirt got in the way, and without much thought, she grabbed the fabric and tore it further to make it easier... to treat the wound.

The fox flinched.

"What are you doing?!" His voice wavered, and confusion flickered in his dark eyes.

"It's not like I can do this through your clothes, you know," she replied calmly, not taking her eyes off the wound.

"Unbelievable..." he groaned. "Just forget it. I'll handle it myself. This is the last thing you should be worrying about."

He tried to cover the wound with his hand, but Yesenia caught his wrist, not letting him pull away.

With slight hesitation, but determination nonetheless, she leaned in closer. Her warm breath grazed his skin.

She gently touched the injured area with the tip of her tongue, and the metallic taste of blood hit her palate instantly. Internally wincing, she forced herself not to pull back. Bracing herself with both hands on either side of him, she was now almost hovering above him.