40. Friends
It wasn't that Fai hadn't wanted friends. He'd just never had the opportunity. There had been his brother, but they'd been obligated by blood to get along. Ashura might have been his friend, if not for the age difference. Their relationship was that of a parent and child, not a friend.
The house was quiet. The puppies had gone off to slay demons, and Sakura-chan slept, cradling Mokona to her chest. It was quiet enough for him to appreciate the relationships he'd built since visiting Yuuko's shop.
Quiet enough to regret the hardships his affection would bring to the others.
41. Cocoon
Subaru hovered in a state between unconsciousness and awareness. The thin membrane that had imprisoned him after he'd arrived in Tokyo swaddled him like a cocoon, keeping him dry. It was warm and safe, and even though Kamui was mourning his absence somewhere else in the tower, Subaru knew he couldn't leave yet. Something had to happen first . . .
He felt a ripple of magic near him, a feeling like eyes on the back of his neck. At once, he was more alert. The energy wasn't malevolent, but warm and sunny.
It's starting, Subaru thought, opening his eyes.
42. Discovery
Touya held up the multicolored pills, trying to guess why his little sister had started taking medicine. "Yukito, what are these for?" he asked, holding up the plastic case. "And why are they two different colors?"
The High Priest turned to him, examining the package. His cheeks flushed strawberry red.
"What? What is it?" Touya demanded, as Yukito turned away.
Yukito started laughing. "Touya, those . . . those are birth control pills."
Touya stared at the High Priest as the ramifications of what he'd just heard hit him. Then he turned toward the window.
"Sakura! Get up here now!"