The rain that fell had softened into a misty veil. Sunshine gleamed across the lush green hills surrounding Mounagiri Gakuen. As the class proceeded in 11A, Tamara and Tom accompanied Kodo to the infirmary. Kodo felt some warmth, and a gentle feeling might have been the threads of prayers for him.
They went down the silvery-thread woven stairs of their class 11A floor to the open courtyard. Across the courtyard lay the most gentle and warmest building in the whole gakuen. It was covered from the rooftop till the ground with greenery and vines. It gave such a soothing aura even before entering the building.
There it was, the majestic words across the building of that gentle structure – THE SHIZUMANAM. Below it exclaimed in warmth: Caring for the Souls in Need.
As they were making their way across the courtyard, Tom was shaking and trembling. He was feeling dizzy and on the verge of losing his consciousness. Tamara saw his wobble and knew that he was in trouble as well.
TAMARA (concerned), "Maybe I should call someone for help. You can wait here while I rush to Shizumanam myself and lead them here, okay?" Tom, though, exclaimed with pride, "As if I'll stumble to this petty thing. I'm getting to that Shizumanam no matter what! Just a little more, and we'll reach, don't worry, Tamara. More than me, Kodo is in terrible shape."
Tamara acknowledged his decision, and they quickly made their way to the Shizumanam entrance, where Tom stumbled and fell down.
TAMARA (panicked), "Help us, please—help. Someone!"
From the Shizumanam rushed the Inimainashi Sisters – the guardians of the healing wing. They were dressed in smooth lilac robes with embroidery shaped like spiraling threadbuds, and moved with a calming grace. Their presence alone seemed to soften the air. They rushed to the entrance and saw Kodo and Tom on the ground as Tamara sat beside them.
The Inimainashi Sisters rounded up their disciples and carried them into the Special Thread Section wing of Shizumanam.
Inside the Shizumanam — the mind-soothing wing of Mounagiri Gakuen — the air was quiet. Soft light blue walls glowed gently in rhythm with the pulse of the goldengreen ripplebeds that were gentle and soft, designed for resonance recovery. Kodo and Tom were carried and placed individually in separate ripplebeds.
Tamara saw the spectacle unfold before her – pinkish threads that slowly wrapped around Kodo and Tom, caressing gently over their bruises and scanning their resonance waves. Tamara sat anxiously in the waiting area, watching the sacred unfolding through a translucent threadveil. Her heart was racing. Something wasn't right. There was a strange silence within her — not the peaceful kind.
The Yojna (resonance examination) showed unusual thread disturbances in both Kodo and Tom. Bruises lined Kodo's body — too precise, too raw. Their explanation of "falling down the stairs" didn't hold. The Inimainashi Sisters exchanged wary glances.
Tamara couldn't hear them, but she could feel it. Something had pierced the golden peace of Gakuen. And it was still bleeding, somewhere.
Tom had to be admitted until his resonance and stability were restored. So did Kodo.
The Inimainashi Sisters began preparing the Disturbance Evaluation Scroll to be presented to the Council. "We have to notify them," one sister whispered. "This kind of resonance damage … it isn't a small thing."
A hush fell over the special wing. The pink threads pulsed gently, enveloping both boys. After some time, they stirred — eyes opening slightly, breath slow but heavy.
The sisters invited Tamara in for a short visit, knowing she had been waiting with quiet desperation. Kodo and Tom just lay there. Tamara was overwhelmed as her golden threads pulsed and stormed quietly. She stepped inside.
Kodo's fingers trembled as they brushed the bruises lining his arms. Purple and red angry marks.
But they weren't what made him sob. A single tear welled up and slipped down his cheek. It wasn't pain. It wasn't fear. It was… warmth. A quiet disbelief that someone had finally stayed.
From the side, Tamara watched him. She didn't interrupt. She just walked over and sat near his bed, placing her hand gently on his palm. TAMARA (softly), "It's okay, Kodo. You're safe now."
From the next bed, Tom groaned, stretching. He had been brought in, too, his body still reeling from the crimson thread binding Eiroh had unleashed. He'd fainted earlier — and when Kodo stood up for him, things had gone even messier. Tom gave a tired smirk. "Kodo, man… toughen up a little, will you? Can't you see you're making it difficult for Tamara here? It's not easy to see you down like this." Kodo sniffled and laughed softly through the tears. "Yeah. Sorry."
Just then, two figures stepped inside again — the Inimainashi Sisters. Their presence was warm, but this time, there was an undertone of urgency behind their serene eyes.
"Tamara," one of them said gently. "You should return to class now. We'll take care of these two." Tamara hesitated.
Kodo sat up slightly, wiped his eyes, and gave her a thumbs-up." We're okay now. Thank you, Tamara. Tom echoed, "Yeah. Go on. We'll live."
Tamara stood. Her throat tightened. She turned to the Inimainashi Sisters and bowed, her voice nearly cracking: "Please take care of them." They bowed back in acknowledgment.
As she stepped outside the Shizumanam doors, the golden threadlight spilled across her back. The mist had cleared slightly, but something stirred inside her — a sharp stillness.
That crimson thread binding. Kodo's bruises. Tom's collapse.
She couldn't shake it anymore. Her feet moved before her thoughts could catch them. She didn't head to class. She turned toward the terrace.