Temperature

by hakuzo-k

As much as youkai are different, they can share a lot with humans. You wouldn't think that youkai could feel warm, or that humans could feel cold. These temperatures are based on their moral nature.

4. Friends

There's nothing but warmth when I'm near my friends. I don't need to touch them to feel this. Our shoulders could be near, a brushing of fingers when passing a workbook, a smile from a distance. Their warmth exceeds the physical, reaching, embedding, and living within.

Tanuma and Taki know of my unique ability and accept me, both understanding by their own fleeting experiences with ayakashi. A touch of either of their hands burns deeply into me, through nerves and bone and blood, elating my mind and heart.

As for Kitamoto, Nishimura, and Sasada, they don't know about this. I lie and never disclose. They're warm now, but I'm afraid it may turn otherwise if they ever know.

Taki and Tanuma understand this, and they reassure. I can't help but gradually listen to their uplifting hope, noticing the others' attitudes towards me, with me, and away from me.

Although, they're uninformed of this, of something I found hindering, a small part of me, a small belief, remains kindled by the reassurance of their warmth that we'll remain friends.