"Shura?" | called out this morning.
"Yes, Lia?" Shura replied, glancing at me over her coffee.
"I... I have a bit of a problem," I admitted.
"What is it now?" Shura asked, half-teasing but with genuine curiosity.
"I'd like to stay in one of the spare rooms," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I can't keep sleeping out in the open like this. I... have agoraphobia."
Shura raised an eyebrow. "Well, aren't you just full of surprises," she muttered. "I'! check with Mephisto and see if he'll let you stay permanently."
"No, I'll ask him myself," I said firmly. "I'm going to the main building today."
"I'm coming with you," Rin spoke up suddenly, his eyes set.
"No, you're not," I said, already halfway to the door. "Only one of us needs to deal with his temper today."
"I'm not letting you go alone," Rin insisted, grabbing my wrist.
"Fine," I sighed, realizing there was no arguing when Rin looked that determined.
We were soon escorted into Mephisto's chambers. He was waiting for us, his usual enigmatic smile in place, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Lia! How delightful to see you," he greeted, voice dripping with sarcasm. "And you brought Rin. Ah, the three of us, reunited. Just like old times."
"You leave him out of this," | shot back, unable to hide my annoyance.
Mephisto's hand struck out faster than I could react, backhanding me. I stumbled, catching myself against Rin, who immediately leaned in, whispering, "Don't say anything. You'll only make it worse."
"Why are you protecting her?" Mephisto sneered, his voice silky but sharp. "You never did before. Despite all the times I asked her if she regretted standing by you, she never wavered. Yet you've done nothing to protect her. Why is that, Rin? It's astounding she hasn't abandoned you."
Rin glanced away, his expression troub' She's been defending me all this time.
And I haven't done a thing to protect h. vothing.
"Nothing... I've done nothing for her... he whispered, looking guilty. "Lia, I'm... I'm so sorry."
"No, don't," I said, cutting him off. "You're my friend. You don't owe me anything."
Mephisto's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting between us. "Why do you stay with him?" he shrieked. "He's a demon, a curse upon our family. You're meant to be one of us, a true Exorcist, part of the Order. He's an outcast!"
Suddenly, he shoved me against the wall, his grip tight and painful. "How many times do I have to teach you this lesson?"
I gritted my teeth, staring him down. "What more can you do to me, Mephisto?
You've tried it all."
His smile sharpened. "I haven't killed you yet."
You won't, I thought defiantly. You find me too useful.
His hand moved to my throat, squeezing tighter with each passing second, his nails sharp enough to draw blood. "All you have to do is admit that you were wrong to defend this... demon. Then I'll let go."
"No," I rasped.
For a moment, he squeezed harder, then abruptly released me. I fell forward, coughing, barely registering him scratching at my arms with his claws.
"You ruined my plans for that girl, Shiemi," he said in a dark tone. "I had plans for her.
And you, you're just a constant nuisance. You'll pay for your insolence."
He slapped me again, and I bit back a whimper, ashamed to let Rin see me so vulnerable.
Rin was trembling beside me, looking horrified and paralyzed. He couldn't stop Mephisto. The curse held him back, made him feel powerless. But he couldn't stand seeing me hurt anymore.
In that moment, something in him broke. He forced himself between Mephisto and me, heart pounding.
"Stop... Stop hurting her," Rin said, his voice shaky but resolute.
Mephisto cocked an eyebrow, feigning sement. "Are you going to defy me now,
Mephisto cocked an eyebrow, feigning amusement. "Are you going to defy me now, too?" He punched Rin in the stomach, making him double over. "Fine. But remember, she'll always be one of us. She'll always be mine. Something you can never be. Now get out."
Catching his breath, Rin took my hand and led me out of Mephisto's chambers, his
grip reassuring.
You're wrong, he thought. I'll prove myself worthy of her friendship. I'll be there for her, like she's always been for me.
Just as we were leaving, Mephisto's voice called out, "Oh, and Shura mentioned you're agoraphobic? I'd prefer if you stay in Rin's room from now on."
I stiffened, uncertain. Would Rin even agree to that? If he didn't, l'd have no choice but to leave.
When we returned to the dorm, Rin was quieter than usual. Without a word, he led me to his room. He looked at my cuts, his brow furrowing with concern. "We need to clean these. Are you bruised badly?"
"No... are you?" I asked, still breathless from Mephisto's assault.
"Mmm..." he muttered. "Why do you keep doing this?"
"Doing what?" | asked, genuinely curious.
"Standing up for me," he replied. "You know what it costs."
"It's worth it," I murmured, looking down.
He cupped my chin, forcing me to meet his conflicted gaze. "Why?"
Because I love you. "Because you're my friend," I said instead.
"This... this goes beyond that," he muttered. "You've never done this for anyone else."
"They don't need me like you do."
"You can't protect me like this, Lia. It just gets you hurt, and I can't stand it. Please, stop." His eyes softened as he looked at my wounds, and he seemed close to tears.
"I have to," | replied, placing my hand over his. "Lying in that dark cell, I realized... all I wanted was to be needed. And you... you needed a friend more than anyone I knew.
So I held onto that. And I'm not letting go."
"Lia..." Rin started, but his voice broke. He turned away, his shoulders shaking. He didn't want me to see him cry. "Stay with me tonight. You need a bed, so take mine.
I'll sleep on the floor."
"Th-thank you," I said softly.
And just like that, it was almost back to normal.