7. Lost Moon
Mutsukumo slowly woke up.
A white ceiling.
The faint scent of disinfectant still lingered in the air.
His body ached less now, but still felt heavy.
He turned his head to the side.
And then...
He saw Izala.
Fast asleep beside his bed.
His arm rested on the edge, as if he had fallen asleep while still holding onto the blanket.
Mutsukumo frowned slightly.
Izala looked more peaceful than ever.
His breathing was steady, long lashes fluttering faintly.
"You really never... take care of yourself," Mutsukumo whispered, voice hoarse.
He reached out.
But just as his fingers were about to brush Izala's hair-
He stopped.
He looked at his own hand.
A hand that had been stained with blood countless times.
And yet now...
He hesitated to touch this person.
How ridiculous.
Mutsukumo let out a soft chuckle and pulled his hand back.
He looked at Izala for a moment longer.
Then closed his eyes.
Maybe... he'd sleep a bit more.
Just this once.
---
Izala stirred slightly.
He slowly awoke from his brief nap, eyelashes trembling.
The scent of disinfectant was still in the air.
And he felt a gaze on him.
When Izala opened his eyes, Mutsukumo had already been awake.
He was propping his head up, looking at Izala with amused eyes.
"...You're awake?"
Izala frowned lightly.
Before he could sit up, a hand held him down.
Mutsukumo pulled him closer.
Warm breath brushed against Izala's cheek.
"You're kind of cute when you sleep."
His voice was low, teasing.
Izala was silent for a few seconds.
Then replied coolly:
"... Are you running a fever?"
Mutsukumo let out a quiet laugh.
He didn't tease him further.
But he didn't let go either.
"Hey."
Mutsukumo tilted his head slightly.
"If I die someday... will you remember me?"
Izala froze.
His breath caught in his throat.
He didn't like this question.
But still, he answered calmly:
"You won't die."
Mutsukumo chuckled softly.
"What if... that day really comes?"
Izala looked at him for a long moment.
Then replied softly:
"... Then I'll find a way to bring you back."
---
The night sky was bright.
A full moon cast gentle light over the path they walked together.
The two walked side by side.
Mutsukumo still bore injuries from the last mission, but he didn't seem to care.
Izala remained silent, as usual.
Only the quiet sound of footsteps echoed in the midnight air.
Mutsukumo glanced at him.
Moonlight fell on his soft greenish-blue hair, reflecting in those mysterious heterochromatic eyes.
Izala looked beautiful.
Mutsukumo took a deep breath.
He knew this was the right time.
If he didn't say it now, he might never get the chance.
"...Izala."
His voice was warmer than usual.
Izala tilted his head slightly, glancing over.
"What?"
Mutsukumo stopped.
He turned to face him.
Izala paused too, looking at him in anticipation.
Mutsukumo didn't speak right away.
He reached out and gently touched Izala's hand.
Izala flinched a little, but didn't pull away.
Moonlight cast a pale, dreamlike glow over them.
Mutsukumo felt his heart race.
"I like you."
Izala's eyes widened.
Those dual-colored eyes visibly trembled.
Mutsukumo continued:
"I don't know exactly what it means to like someone... but when I'm with you, I realize I want to protect you. I want to see you smile. I want to be the one you trust the most."
"I know you don't open up to others easily... But I want you to know-I truly like you."
Silence fell between them.
Izala didn't know what to say.
His heart was pounding wildly.
A strange, unfamiliar feeling stirred in his chest, leaving him flustered.
He didn't dislike Mutsukumo.
In fact...
He felt comfortable around him.
But... if this was "liking" someone-then what?
Izala bit his lower lip.
He was never good at expressing emotions.
He didn't know how to respond.
Mutsukumo patiently waited.
He didn't push, simply watching Izala's reaction quietly.
Izala lowered his head slightly, and even his ears seemed a little red.
"...I..."
Mutsukumo let out a soft laugh.
"You don't have to answer now."
He gently squeezed Izala's hand, as if trying to pass warmth through it.
"Just know that I'll always be here."
The night wind brushed past.
Izala tightened his grip slightly.
For the first time...
He didn't want to let go.
---
Late at night.
The room was dark, with only a dim nightlight casting faint light on the ceiling.
Izala sat on the bed, leaning against the wall.
Mutsukumo lay beside him, eyes closed as if asleep.
But Izala knew he wasn't.
His breathing wasn't steady, and his body shifted slightly now and then.
He was definitely like Izala-unable to sleep.
Izala didn't know why his heart was racing so fast.
It had been a while since that night-when Mutsukumo confessed under the moonlight.
Even though he hadn't said anything in return, every time he thought about those words... something inside his chest would quietly stir, like a tiny flame.
A strange feeling.
Mutsukumo still treated him the same.
No pressure, no demands.
Just quietly protecting him, caring for him in his own way.
Izala gently clenched his hand on his knee.
He'd known the answer in his heart for a long time.
He just... had never said it aloud.
He drew a slow breath.
In the silence of the night, his voice slipped out like a breeze:
"... I like you too, Mutsu..."
The room fell silent.
His heart pounded so loudly it felt like it echoed in his chest.
He didn't dare look at him.
But then-Mutsukumo suddenly sat up.
Eyes wide, he turned and stared directly at him.
"You... what did you say?"
Izala froze.
In the darkness, Mutsukumo's crimson eyes gleamed, waiting for an answer.
Izala bit his lip.
His face burned.
"Nothing."
He turned away, pulling the blanket over his head.
Mutsukumo blinked for a few seconds.
Then... he let out a soft chuckle.
No pressure, no teasing.
He just reached out gently and patted Izala's head-like a comforting gesture.
"Alright. Nothing, then."
But a gentle smile spread across his face.
A rare smile-one meant for only one person.
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