(Chapter - 34)

  [A Safe Place]

  As Mehaki comes running into Miraz Monjil, breathless and shaken, Tori rushes to hold her and calm her down, unaware of what has happened.

  Mehaki : Tori-... Hah…

  Tori : Calm down first, take a breath.

  Her terrified face puts Tori in distress.

  Tori : I'm here… Don't worry, just calm down.

  Mehaki’s racing heart slowly begins to ease. Tori, using his powers, forms a glass out of water, fills it, and hands it to her.

  Tori : Here, have some water.

  His eyes look around the entrance lane, quietly searching for the reason behind Mehaki’s frightened arrival. Tori’s hands remain gentle on Mehaki's tense shoulders, while his eyes stay sharp and alert to their surroundings. Mehaki drinks the water—along with the glass itself and then thinks in confusion.

  Mehaki : *Did I just… Literally drink up the glass too?*

  Seeing her calmed down, Tori finally lets his concern and curiosity take over, but the care and gentleness never leave his eyes.

  Tori : Now, tell me… What happened?

  Mehaki : There was a guy I saved from getting hit by a van at the bridge yesterday… And he…

  Mehaki tells Tori everything from yesterday to today's incident. Tori fills with rage as she finishes.

  Tori : What!? How dare he!

  Mehaki : I don’t know if he still followed after that. I just came here without even looking anywhere else.

  Tori : Let me deal with him. I'll go check if he followed you here.

  Mehaki : Hm…

  Tori rushes towards the main gate, his expression hardening. He’s irritated, yet his gentle demeanor doesn’t fade despite his furrowed brows. Mehaki follows behind him. As they come out, Tori looks around but sees no one. He pauses for a few seconds, scanning the surroundings carefully. Mehaki stands behind him, her anxiety still clouding her mind.

  Tori : Mehaki.

  Mehaki : Yeah?

  Tori : Look, no one is here. You're safe now.

  Mehaki : I guess he lost me when I ran, or didn’t follow anymore.

  Tori : Who even behaves like that to someone who saved their life? He's really crazy.

  Mehaki : I guess he really hit his head hard. Haha…

  Tori : He sure did. *There doesn’t seem to be any danger for now, but…*

  Everything feels calm at last. Tori takes one final look at the streets and then turns around to go back in.

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  Tori : *Mehaki shouldn’t go yet, just to be safe. I’ll keep her company until a while passes.* Alright, Mehaki. Let's go inside now.

  Mehaki : Okay.

  Tori gently takes Mehaki’s hand and leads her through the front yard garden into Miraz Monjil. The same path that had felt long just moments ago now seems lively and full of color. Mehaki notices how carefully Tori is holding her hand, making her feel safe and reassured. She smiles as her eyes soften. He lets Mehaki's hand go once they come in front of the house.

  Mehaki : Isn’t anyone home?

  Tori : There is. Look at me.

  Mehaki giggles at his playful joke, forming a gentle grin on his face as well.

  Mehaki : I meant without you.

  Tori : I know, hehe… Well, everyone went with dad for grocery shopping. So I'm in charge of the house right now.

  Mehaki : I see… *When I ran here, Tori was watering the plants with his powers, right?*

  Tori looks at the flower he was watering a while ago, checking if he has missed any. Mehaki takes a proper look at him now. The teal-blue and black plaid sweatshirt and midnight-blue trousers he’s wearing perfectly suit his blue hair and eyes.

  Mehaki : *He looks so good in this color… Like how his water powers match his hair, eyes and personality. He can also use his powers as he wants… The colorful brothers make using powers seem so easy.*

  Mehaki looks at her own hands, feeling slightly impatient.

  Mehaki : *When will I be able to use my powers as freely as them?*

  She looks at Tori again. As their eyes meet, Tori's breath halts for a split second, his cheeks flushing faintly.

  Mehaki : Hey, Tori… Do you take good care of the Ariya flower tree?

  Tori : Of course! We take good care of every plant and tree, including the Ariya flower. I have always liked the flower. *And now I like the companion of the flower, too.*

  His eyes soften at Mehaki, his gaze is full of admiration and hidden affection.

  Mehaki : I also like the Ariya flower. It's like a hope for me.

  Mehaki smiles. She closes her palms together and stares at it with focus.

  Tori : Are you comfortable standing outside like this? We can go in–

  Before he can finish, he sees soft pink rays swirling around Mehaki, and the glowing petals of the Ariya flower float along with it. Stunned, Tori keeps his gaze locked on her as she opens her palm, revealing a small glowing Ariya flower.

  Tori : *She never lacks brightness. Always so beautiful. So radiant… Especially when she's focused on something wholeheartedly. No wonder she caught the eyes of that guy named Onol or whatever…* You've gotten much better in using the magic of the Ariya flower.

  Mehaki : Yeah, I've been practicing often. But only this one stunt… I wanna try something different now.

  Tori : Something different? Well, you can just think of it in your mind and command the Ariya flower.

  Mehaki : Hmm… *Let's do something fun!*

  She thinks of something mischievous, but her unreadable, calm expression doesn’t let Tori get the slightest idea.

  Tori : Then, what do you–whoaa!!

  He gets shocked as Mehaki throws the magical flower at him. It bursts into glowing pink petals that sprinkle all over him. Mehaki laughs – her little mischievous plan has succeeded.

  Tori : …Is this what you wanted to do?

  Mehaki : I just wanted to try something fun. Sorry.

  Tori : Haha, I see. Then…

  Tori softly brushes the petals off himself, his lips faintly curling up. Mehaki covers her mouth, trying to hide her smile.

  Tori : We should make it even, right?

  Mehaki : Ah-

  Tori’s blue eyes begin to glow, he's ready to use his powers — creating a small swirl of water in his hand, as the blue light flares surround him. Mehaki realizes that she's caught up now. Tori throws the water on her, not too harshly. Her face, hair, and top are instantly soaked.

  Mehaki : Woahh!

  Tori : Now we're even.

  Mehaki : Hey!

  Tori : Hahaha.

  They both burst into laughter, feeling the lightness of a simple childish moment. As Mehaki is wiping off her face, suddenly, she sees Tori holding out his hand closely in front of her, soft blue light emitting from his palm, tiny droplets floating around it. Mehaki looks confused.

  Mehaki : *Eh? What's he doing?*

  After a few moments, she finds herself completely dry. Not a single trace of water is left. Her eyes gleam, amazed by Tori's stunt.

  Mehaki : Did you just dry up all the water with your powers?

  Tori : Yes. I controlled the water droplets, absorbed them and released them into the air.

  Mehaki : That's so cool!

  Tori : That's actually one of the skills a water-powered person masters as a teenager. But I had mastered it when I was younger though. For some reasons…

  Mehaki : Tori, you're just… So amazing.

  Tori : N-Not really.

  Mehaki : I mean it. You're amazing.

  Tori’s face flushes red with shyness. He subtly brushes the back of his hair, but his face seems brighter than before.

  Tori : Well… Thank you, Mehaki.

  Mehaki : Hmm! *His reactions are so cute, aw!* Hey Tori, I'll be going home now.

  Tori : Huh? Already? I mean—will it be safe?

  Mehaki : I think so. Since he probably left.

  Tori : We shouldn’t rely on the word ‘Probably’. Let me take you home.

  Mehaki : I'll be fine.

  Tori : I won't let you go alone. Not after seeing you being stalked by some creep like that.

  Mehaki : Um…

  Tori : I'll just lock the house, then take you.

  Mehaki : *Sigh* What else can I say?

  Tori : You can say ‘Yes, please take me home’ maybe.

  Mehaki : Hahaha! Silly.

  After settling everything, Tori walks Mehaki to her home. His eyes and senses stay alert the entire way. They arrive at the gate of Mehaki's home.

  Mehaki : Thanks, Tori.

  Tori : Anytime and anywhere, Mehaki.

  They wave at each other with a smile. After she goes in, Tori returns to Miraz Monjil as well. But to his surprise, he sees Karu standing at the main door with a displeased expression, glaring at him intently. Tori freezes in shock, since he didn’t expect Karu to be home. Not knowing what to say or do, Tori just smiles awkwardly — he's guilty for leaving the house unattended while he was supposed to be in charge.

  Tori : Ah-haha… You're back already? Where are the others?

  Karu : …

  Tori : … *He looks really angry.*

  Karu : Before you ask me anything, care to explain why the house is locked and why you weren’t here!?

  Tori : *Yup. I'm doomed.*

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