Tension had built unexpectedly as a dueling tournament had begun. A lot of points and pride were on the line.
Kotoha and many of the Sanpafu students didn't much care for the duels. They prefer to study and do their normal activities rather than get in the way of the more prominent players.
Hashira( the top students of the Sureiya house) and Uppermoons had already knocked out plenty of opponents in the tournament that had streaked through the week. The Sanpafu students did become interested when it came to the final rounds.
The Tsugikuni twins from the legendary family of the same name were the expected victors of the tournament. Their younger cousin, Muichiro Tokitou, was expected to rank high.
But these duels were a bit more deadly and didn't sit right with Kotoha the first time she saw one.
Unlike the traditional wand duels, these duels were a bit more raw and much like the combat of normal people. The Sureiya students and some Oni students would ignore their wands and switch to weapons, to where they would channel their magic.
One match that had her throat jumping was watching the 'Flame' Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku face off against Akaza. Koyuki was cheering on her friend but Kotoha couldn't believe how much magical energy was being put on display.
It was overall much more explosive and difficult to channel than that of a simple wand.
The dual wielders were impressive to watch.
Gyutaro, Uppermoon Six, had faced another dual wielder and both had been knocked out, disqualified, and sent to the hospital wing.
Kotoha was shaken, looking down at her own almost pathetic wand and feeling her shoulders slump. She would never have such skill in magic as those students.
She sighs, going to the library to study a bit more.
—
"Kotoha-chan~! Won't you come to watch my match today?" Douma was leaning on his arm, looking towards her as she took notes.
Kotoha blinks before registering that Douma invited her.
"Hai, I'll be there. If I'm late, still do you're best, okay?" Douma grins at that before pointing out a factual error in her notes. He chuckles when her head drops and he cackles when she pokes his side for it.
—
She was late.
Kotoha rushes into the combat arena that the academy had made for the tournament. A roar of cheers and howls could be heard. The crowd was bigger than other times she had witnessed the other rounds.
Kotoha made her way to the Oni side, pushing past some students and making her way to the front. The noise would become deafening at times as a blow was dealt. Her nose almost runs into a purple kimono after being pushed.
Sensing someone behind him, Kokushibo looks over his shoulder and finds Kotoha looking back at him. He brings an arm and helps her in front of him. She nodded her thanks and soon Koyuki and Akaza were next to her along with Daki and her brother who had escaped the medical wing after a night.
"COME ON DOUMA-SENPAI!!" Daki screamed and Gyutaro yelled at the top of his lungs as a gush of cold air blasted the ones in the front.
Douma, much like the other students, had ditched his traditional wand to use his golden fans. It was like a dance.
Kotoha couldn't help but think he and his 'dance' partner were ...perfect.
Shinobu was Douma's opponent, light on her feet and keeping up with Douma's speed as they were back and forth around the arena.
After a while, Kotoha catches the conversation Daki and her brother are having.
"Douma-senpai plays with Shinobu too much. When is he going to take her seriously."
Gyutaro rolled his eyes.
"Douma-san would never. He would rather mess with her till the end of days before he takes her seriously."
Kotoha couldn't help but take the words out of context.
Did-
Douma made some impressive ice clones that knocked Shinobu down for the count.
-Douma-
The Oni student was declared the winner and he walks to his fallen opponent and offers his hand.
-like-
Shinobu glares up at him and smacks his hand. The Oni student just smiles.
-Shinobu?
Kotoha didn't know why, but something cracked.
Douma turns, looking to the crowd searching for one he had hoped would be there but finds she wasn't there.
His shoulders drop, even when he is dragged off by Gyokko and Gyutaro to celebrate his victory.
—
Much later when he was able to escape, Douma would find Kotoha in the library. She was slumped on the table, having surely passed out from studying too hard.
He sighs, smiling lightly before putting away some of her items and putting her bag over by a couch.
He kneels beside her, wrapping her form in his cloak, and scoops her up. He easily lays on the couch and has Kotoha lying across him. His hand finds her hair, stroking through it.
Douma tilts his head when he finds dried tear streaks going down her face. His free arm wraps around her waist and pulls her closer and he kisses her cheek, tasting little of the salt.
Douma doesn't much care what the other Oni students would think of him. 'Playing' with his 'prey'. He wasn't as he liked to call one of those 'ferals'. Oni students, mostly newly initiated Kizuki would attack a Sanpafu, seeing them as more vulnerable and easier to go after than a Sureiya student.
Memory charms and other measures would be done but it doesn't stop the incidents.
Douma can never imagine himself going savage. Not to Kotoha.
He would never purposely hurt her.
He curls on his side, his tall form not serving him well at all on this couch but if his Kotoha-chan was comfortable he would deal with it.
Kotoha shivers a bit and he tightens his hold on her.
He never intends on letting her go.
Koyuki learning what Kotoha heard: NO MY OTP!!
Kotoha: What?
Koyuki: What?
Douma looking from over Kotoha's head, still cuddling with her on the library couch: Hmm? Is that something I can give to Kotoha-chan as a gift?
--
Lowkey Possessive Douma go brrrr.
--
Douma: Now what do we say?
Daki and Gyutaro both with their heads bowed: Never say anything out of context when Kotoha is around.
Douma: WHO!?
The siblings sighing: We won't say anything out of context in front of the beautiful and talented Kotoha, your future wife.
Douma nodding
--
Thoughts?
How will this misunderstanding be resolved?