Tomoe's P.O.V
My wrist cracks with resistance as I fan myself with the sturdy breeze of a 5th period calculus notebook. A bead of sweat grazes my temple and walks a narrow path down my cheek onto the nape of my neck. The sweltering heat settles in a hazy mirage across the school grounds. An unpleasant density that signifies the beginning of a cherished season. My attention is drawn from my idle thoughts as the teacher scours between rows, dealing vital blows with past papers. She gives me a soft grin as she places the graded examination in front of me. In intimidating red ink, the mark reads 88. I rejoice slightly at the delightful surprise and comb the room until I spot (f/n). Her stature is rigid, but she trembles slightly as the menace approaches. With a stern scowl, the teacher thrusts the paper forward and advances to the next student. (f/n)'s complexion goes white, but regains its vibrant (s/c) hues after brief falter. Though, her smug façade cannot hide the uncanny fear written across her face. Suddenly, from her blindside, Isobe snatches the paper off her desk, scoffing as he reads. "Looks like miss smarty pants is barely passing!" he gloats, waving the test in front of a teary eyed (f/n). Violently, she rips the paper from his grasp and shuffles out of the classroom. Her gaze cast downward, palms clenched with unparalleled fervor.
Isobe marches arrogantly towards a vacated desk beside me. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen." He giggles snidely to himself. My lax expression eyes him with suspicion. With a piercing glare, I motion for him to indulge me. "(f/n) was top of her class not too long ago, best grades in the whole damn school. Had her pick of all the top tiers after graduation, specifically a scholarship to Tokyo University. But, ever since they pulled her out of that river, she's never been the same. Doesn't care, doesn't try, doesn't get good grades. It's hard to maintain spirit when that's all you have left." His tone softens with empathy, shuddering slightly at the haunting memory. Isobe has too big a heart to uphold his immature farce. It is easy to tell the immense amount of care (f/n)'s friends have for her. When gone, it is like a family missing a pivotal link. I rise from my seat, satisfied by the endeavor, and continue to the shrine where my maiden awaits.
When I return to the shrine, I find (f/n) immersed in mindless TV. Her eyes a dull (e/c), devoid of emotion or feeling. From afar she would look like nothing more than an ordinary teenager, but to the careful eye it is easy to tell she is mentally exhausted. As a friend, I am disgusted by my lack of recognition for her efforts. But, as a familiar, I must urge her to move forward and push herself to her limits. "A young goddess who can only get 63 on a calculus test is barely worthy of my talents. It is truly disgraceful to waste divine power on such a useless wretch." I hiss with disguised affection. At first she remains impartial to my banter, but soon a red glow rises in her cheeks and she rebukes with ferocity.
"What the hell do good grades have to do with being a goddess? Last time I checked, calculus won't help me turn water into sake or make cherry blossoms bloom before their time." She huffs and grunts with aggression, steamy silence dampening the air. A weight settles down around me as I realize what I've done. Tears of anguish befall my mistress' eyes, her face giving way beneath the surge of her suppressed emotions. "We were so poor. I thought that by studying, I could get a job where my mother and I would never have to worry again. Everything was going to be alright. But now, she's gone and I have a new home. I am so sick of worrying about getting by from day to day. It's exhausting. I feel as if my body and soul are going to give out at any minute. So please, let me be happy with the family I have now. I don't want to exhaust myself anymore." She falls into a heap in her bed, muffled cries echoing through the hallow halls of a long forgotten home. My heart swells with an unknown feeling, feelings of guilt and feelings of love for an extraordinarily ordinary girl who eternally gives her all. I become frustrated with my uncharacteristic emotions and feel disgust rise in my chest.
"So be it! If you do not bring your marks up by finals then you are forbidden from going on the summer break trip." Without waiting for a response, I storm out of the bedchamber. A torrent of emotions bounding through my chest.
Your P.O.V.
"(f/n)! Ami and I are going shopping for new swimsuits after school. We are going to look hot for summer vacation! Want to join?" Kei nonchalantly purrs, approaching from the desk beside me. My hand clenches, causing the pencil within my grasp to splinter in two. My pulse radiates and I turn my devilish glare towards her. She immediately revokes her previous statement and backs away with caution. Out of exhaustion, I bring my hand to my forehead and smear the perspiration that laces my brow. For days I have slaved over daunting equations in hopes of attending the school trip to Okinawa. Soon, my daydreams become filled with glistening sand and tranquil waves. I let myself become distant from reality, disembodying myself from my being, that's when Tomoe makes his assault.
"At this rate, you'll never make it to Okinawa." He hisses and places his hand on my austere shoulder. Swiftly, I crumple the infuriating integrals worksheet into a ball and launch the projectile in the Cretan's direction. He avoids promptly and musters a haughty laugh. I try my best to ignore his asinine folly and turn my attention back to my work.
I'm taken aback as a mysterious stranger lingers around the vacated desk beside me, passively nudging Tomoe from my view. He barricades Tomoe from talking to me by interjecting our conversation. My gaze catches his and I feel the breath relinquish my lungs. The soft yellow light of a summer afternoon frames his face in a warm brilliance. A friendly and welcoming grin washes over his complexion. His dark features are out of place for the angelic atmosphere.
"My name is Yuki… Yuki Fujihara. It's nice to meet you." I giggle slightly at his gentlemanly stature. Like a modern day prince, he sweeps me off my feet. "I noticed you seemed to be struggling with the calculus homework. I was wondering if I could be of assistance? How about in the school library at 4:00pm?" I nod shyly, a ruby blush encompassing me, and he walks away. I watch his silhouette as he disembarks, his figure glides like a feather from place to place. What a captivating person.
My contemporary fantasy is shattered as an incessant nag hollers into my ear. But, I am unable to make out the words that Tomoe throws at me. My mind is vacant, a doll like smile enrapturing my features.
The sun sinks deeper into the sky, hugging the clouds like a blanket of warmth. I skip merrily down the hallway. In order to make a stealthy escape, I sent Tomoe on a not so urgent errand. His constant disapproval of the affair was met with an inevitable rouse. I feel guilty for deceiving my loyal familiar, but the relief of freedom sets me at ease. In a mousey fashion, I slightly prop the door open and search the library for Yuki. He waves reassuringly and gestures for me to sit beside him. Carefully, he explains each problem in unexpectedly accurate detail. My understanding of the concept widens with each passing moment. Even I have become vexed by my rapid improvement. Though, my stomach wanes with an eerie sickness. The unsettled atmosphere breaths into me and I take weary caution of my surroundings.
The air thickens with haze and my vision circles in and out of focus. My head suddenly becomes fatigued and my limbs weaken beneath me. As I search the room in panic, I am met by eyes searing with passion and a piercing red glow. "Yuki…" I mutter with apprehension. Suddenly, he bears two menacing fangs and leans into me, breathing softly across my skin. Slipping his fingers under the hem of my shirt, he lifts gently. I try desperately to struggle against him, but to no avail. The strength has been sapped from my body and I sit helpless under the control of a predatory monster. My eyes begin to water, my soul pleading to be freed. His sharpened teeth bite at the surface of my skin and I stiffen, begging for the torture to end. Just as I am about to lose my consciousness in this cold, unforgiving world, my body is wracked by an unimaginable force. A white mass knocks Yuki from atop me and pounces like a deranged beast to finish him off. My vision is blurry, but the unmistakable glow of azure flame fills the room. Tomoe. A grin of relief and joy creeps into my cheeks and I drift into a peaceful slumber.
As I wake, my eyes flutter in drowsy dance. A warm mass caresses my head and I reach my hand towards it in wonder. Tomoe…. He sits with me in his arms, rubbing gentle circles in order to soothe my still figure. His eyes flicker with concern and dread, but upon seeing my revival he rejoices. I prop myself up and search the room in panic. "Don't worry, he isn't here. But, he did manage to escape." Warmth cascades from my cheeks as hot tears spill over from grateful eyes. I am impartial to the fate of the wretched fanged monster, the only thing that matters is the presence of my loyal familiar. In a fit of gratitude, I wrap Tomoe in a suffocating hug. His body stiffens from the unexpected and affectionate gesture. But, upon computing my uneasy state, he allows the exchange.
"What was that?" I stutter, fear consuming me.
"Yuki is a Djinn. An ancient Arabian creature that feasts on the blood of women to gain power." Tomoe begins to explain as we walk from the school and back to the safety of the shrine. "Do not leave my side ever again. I will protect you from now on." His words are unexpected and my heart beat quickens. From this point forward my feelings for Tomoe would only continue to grow. With him, I feel safe, cherished and loved. Please forgive me, I may have fallen for a wild fox.
Tomoe's P.O.V
The days slowly begin to count down until summer break bears its fangs. Little did I know that it wouldn't approach like a breeze, it would approach like a storm. The door to the shine is flung open with inhuman force and a jubilant girl emerges. Her arms flail with arrogance as she shoves a crisp test paper in front of me. I smile to myself. She really did it. Without saying another word, she disappears into the backyard where she remains for the rest of the evening. I watch intently as (f/n) eyes the branch of the wilted cherry blossom tree with determination. For hours, she sits and stares with unfaltering concentration. My cheeks brim with a slight grin that radiates affection. My chest warms with a sickening lust and I feel my palms shudder. She is beautiful. The thought echoes in my vacant mind and I catch myself, surprised by the uncharacteristic compliment. Eventually the stubborn mistress falls into a light sleep and I approach her with care, lifting her into my strong yet comforting arms. She stirs slightly, whispering something inaudible. "Tomoe…" In a burst of ethereal radiance, the wind swirls around us in a torrent and the grass shakes with life. The darkness of night and the twinkle of distant stars is contrasted by a pale rose that illuminates the sky. The branches of the withered tree erupt in a waltz of summer bloom. The buds cry with delight as they are brought back to life. I take in the scene before me, too immersed to move. She did it. She made them bloom. All of them. My whole body goes numb with a pleasant sting and I look to my precious master with admiration brimming my eyes. I pull her closer, nuzzling my face deep into the nape of her neck. Then I press my lips into her forehead, kissing it passionately.