The moonlight gradually dimmed.
A sliver of pale dawn light tinged the eastern horizon, slowly diluting the ink-black of the night sky.
The battle was over.
Hikaru and Kikyo stood facing each other, both in a sorry state.
The demonic armor on Hikaru's body was mostly shattered, revealing the blood-soaked gray hemp garment beneath.
Black blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, dripping down his chin onto the blue bricks.
Kikyo's condition wasn't much better.
Her white top and red hakama trousers were covered in dust, her originally neat black hair was disheveled over her shoulders, sweat soaked the hair at her temples, clinging to her pale cheeks.
Her legs trembled slightly.
That one arrow had exhausted all her spiritual power; now, only willpower kept her standing.
"..."
The two looked at each other.
Neither spoke again.
Then—
Kikyo's knees buckled.
Hikaru instinctively reached out, catching her arm firmly.
"Careful."
He said.
Kikyo did not pull away.
She merely leaned on his arm.
At this distance, Hikaru could clearly smell her scent.
Hikaru's gaze involuntarily drifted downward.
Kikyo's chest rose and fell slightly, her sweat-dampened white kosode clinging tightly to her body. The originally loose collar had opened a bit during the fight, revealing a section of pale collarbone and the fullness beneath.
Further down, her waist was slender, the shadows even deeper.
Hikaru forced himself to look away.
"Can you walk?"
He asked.
Kikyo did not answer.
She just looked up at Hikaru.
Her eyes lacked their usual cool detachment, replaced by a vulnerability he had never seen before.
Faced with Hikaru's question, the shrine maiden did not answer immediately, instead staring at him for a long time.
So long that Hikaru began to wonder if something was stuck on his face.
"...Thank you."
She said suddenly.
"You're welcome."
Hikaru dismissed it casually, "I was actually doing it for myself too."
To gain more favor from the shikon jewel, and also, the 'favor' of this shrine maiden before him.
Hikaru then continued, "Not just now. In the future, if you need help, I can assist you."
Kikyo's movements paused.
She looked up, surprise flickering in those cool eyes.
"You are a youkai."
She said.
She stated, "I am a shrine maiden."
Youkai and shrine maidens are supposed to be mortal enemies.
But as she said this, recalling the experiences of the past few days, Kikyo sounded somewhat lacking in conviction.
So Hikaru smiled too.
"I know."
Hikaru's tone was serious.
"But naohi trusts me."
"And you trust me too."
"So—"
"That's enough."
Silence.
Another long, opportune silence.
A silence that lasted until Hikaru almost felt embarrassed by his own words... Kikyo finally spoke.
"Mhm."
No excessive words, no excessive display of emotion.
But for Hikaru, that was enough.
[shikon no tama: naohi: Favorability +5]
[Current Favorability: 39 (Trust)]
[It conveys a message to you:'She acknowledges you.']
['Not just as an ally.']
['But...']
The words on the system panel stopped there. Hikaru waited a moment, but there was no follow-up.
Why does this bead always speak in half-truths?
He looked at the girl leaning on his arm.
Pale face, weary eyes, and a posture that had let go of its guard.
This was the strongest shrine maiden of the Sengoku Period.
A shrine maiden who had been alone for who knows how many years.
And now, she would no longer be alone.
He suddenly spoke, inspired by a flash of insight.
"From now on, we are friends."
The corner of Kikyo's mouth twitched slightly.
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