"I'm sorry for the wait Miyuki-kun"

"It's okay. You did tell me you need to do something first." Izumiko sat beside Miyuki. "So?"

"So, what?"

Miyuki sighed and turned his gaze to Izumiko. "So, what is it that caused you to stay at Mt. Tamakura much longer? What is it that caused you to have a lot of bruising? What are those you couldn't say while on the phone with me? What is it that you have to do before coming here?"

"Bruising?!" she checked herself for visible bruises.

Miyuki lowered Izumiko's knee-high socks. "I'm not sure how many there are but I'm guessing more. What have you been doing to get this?"

Flustered, Izumiko touched the discoloration. "I… I've been training" He looked at her with a questioning look. "I want to be stronger, I want to be able to use my power properly and protect myself and the people around me …" when he didn't answer she continued. "I asked my mom to allow me to train and she said it's about time. Mr Nonomura was teaching me some self-defense related to asceticism and I was trying to improve my dance. These bruises-"

"So, you are training. That means, you don't need someone to protect you anymore."

"Miyuki-kun-"

"By then, you'd be able to protect yourself, you'd no longer need protection."

"No-" Miyuki stood. His face was shadowed with darkness. "I was afraid!" Izumiko shouted as she grabbed his arm. "During the kidnapping, I couldn't do anything. I know I could never leave you but staying was also a burden. If I was there, you need to fight while defending me but if I left I wouldn't know what would have happened. Would you survive? Would you safely return to me? I don't know! During the winter vacation. I couldn't brush away these thoughts."

Miyuki turned to her. "I know you're safe, I know we're safe. But it could happen again, as long as I am the goddess, as long as I have this ability, my life will never be without those people coming after me. We talked about looking for different paths but wherever I am, you will be in danger. If I decide to stay with you, I need to be strong enough to at least protect myself even if I can't protect you. At least I wouldn't be a burden and I wouldn't have to leave you behind. I …" despite the overwhelming emotion she was feeling, she was preventing the tears from her eyes from falling down. She thought being strong is not crying as easily.

He gently rested her head on his chest and hugged her tightly. "I need to be stronger. I want to stay with the people I am with. I can't lose you, not anybody dear to me." He remained silent but hugged her tighter.

Few minutes passed but they remained standing, her head still on his chest and his arm wrapped around her. "So, you've been thinking about it? It must have been very traumatizing. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything before it escalated."

Izumiko shook her head. "You wouldn't be able to do anything. We are as young as we are, powerless, what can we do? And those adults are formidable."

Miyuki lifted his hands to Izumiko's face. "Exactly, we are still young. But that means a lot of adults are protecting us. Don't make it as if you have to do everything yourself. I'm happy that you are taking steps to protect yourself but this goddess is too heavy of a burden for you to deal with by yourself." He ushered both of them to sit. "Besides, I see no reason for you to hide it. I'd be even more than happy to help you with some of your training."

"But I would disrupt your -"

Miyuki sighed, grabbed her hand to lace his fingers to hers. Izumiko was too flustered to continue talking. "I said I. would. be. happy. In case, those words didn't infiltrate that stubborn head of yours. I wouldn't ask you to stop doing all of these because I can't always be around you. But you need to tell the Soudas about it. They may have not said anything but I'm sure they noticed something, especially Mayura."

"Really?!" Izumiko immediately stood up, as if wanting to hurry to Mayura.

"Later" Miyuki made her sit again, rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped an arm around her. "You are roommates, remember?"

Izumiko giggled. "Oh, right"

"So?"

"Mmm?"

"How can you train here?"

"Right! Of course, Mr. Nonomura won't be here, so about the basic defense training, I would have to ask you, he said. If not I will-"

"Okay, I will make a schedule for that. How about dancing? Were you taught?"

"Mmm, at Mt. Tamakura, grandpa, taught me a bit. However, he said, I need somebody who is more familiar and has a higher skill level since he's already taught me what he knows. So, I was referred to Hodaka to train with President Honoka whenever he's around."

"What?!" surprised, he released Izumiko and looked at her.

"Yeah. His family is from Kabuki after all" she said wondering what's wrong.

"Well, at least he seems trustworthy… Come on, it's getting colder." He offered his hand which Izumiko gladly accepted. I need to get them to change teachers. He's too interested in her.

"By the way," he said while they were nearing the dorms, "can I be at your dance practice?"

Wide eyed Izumiko said, "No, no, no! I would be too self conscious to focus on anything …" noticing the change in his appearance, "maybe if I am good enough. By then I'll let you watch me."

Satisfied with her response, Miyuki gave his first smile since they met that day. "Alright, I'll be looking forward to it. Go inside now, it's too cold.

She squeezed his hand one more time before letting go. "Good night Miyuki-kun!"

I need to be stronger. I can't let her be anxious all the time. I have to work harder.

"Hello, Nonomura-san …"