Hi guys! Just a little update again. This kinda answers the cliffhanger I left on the last chapter. Let's get into it, small we?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Half dressed, I stood still, holding the doorknob to the bathroom. Everything was so quiet and I just kept staring at him. Akito's expression told it all though, and I felt it was too late. He probably saw the mark on my back. Who knew what was going through his mind?

I pulled my shirt over my stomach slowly and gulped. “Akito, let me explain.”

“Ritsuko….you’re cursed?” He asked, still not taking his eyes off me. I shook my head and lowered it sadly. “No...I’m not.” Akito took a few steps forward, me backing up in response. “Wait, then. Then you're a Healer?”

I shamefully nodded my head, fighting the tears that were building up in my eyes. “I’m a Despair Healer.” I didn't need to look at Akito to know his stare kept on me. “Really?” He questioned in disbelief.

“Yes. I know you think I should have told you earlier but...I couldn't. I thought you would’ve not wanted anything to do with me if I told you. I saw how you were uninvolved with curses and the students at school that are cursed and I knew I needed to hide myself from everyone including you.” I inhaled sharply as my voice broke. “After all, I knew you wouldn't want a walking, talking Flower of Despair as a friend, right?” I looked up at him, trying my best to fake a grin with tears gushing out of my eyes.

Akito opened his mouth to speak but paused. “It's okay if you hate me. I wouldn't expect less from you. I’m sorry, Akito.” I bowed my head to him, though I felt I wasn't sincere enough.

For some reason, I couldn't find the courage to look him in the eyes anymore. Then again, when did I ever?

I saw him take a step forward and I cowered, taking a step back in turn. He slowly started walking toward me, I backing up in fear. “No, Akito, I’m sorry.” I squeaked as he approached me like I was a scared little animal.

Quickly, Akito grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him. I yelped in surprise. Soon, I was in Akito's arms, my tears disappearing and standing there quietly. “Ritsuko,” he finally spoke up after a few seconds. “I don't get it. Why would you hide this from me if it's part of who you are?” I gasped, my eyes darting up. This was not a question I expected. I wouldn't think of someone finding out what I really am and understanding.

“What? You're not mad? You aren't disgusted with me??” I asked in a high pitched voice. Akito chuckled and pulled back to look at me. “Of course not. Why would I be?” I was suddenly dumbfounded in his words and asked myself the same thing. Why would he be mad?

Hesitantly grasping his sleeves, I reasoned, “Because I’m a Despair Healer. I was born to heal those cursed by the Flower of Despair. I could also curse people myself. Why aren't you afraid or angry with me?”

Akito furrowed his eyebrows and frowned, “I don't have a reason to be. You're my friend, Ritsuko. I can't be mad at you.” He gave me a smile. “In fact, I think what you can do is pretty amazing. I think that's a noble cause, healing those who are cursed. There's no reason to hate you at all.” He intertwined his hands with mine, making me look at them and blush. He always found a way to enchant me and make everything feel like it was okay.

All I could ask myself was Why didn't I tell him sooner? This could have been so much easier. But I was lucky to have gotten away with it without suffering the consequences of exposing myself.

“There's one thing, Akito.” He hummed in question as I straightened up a little, slipping my hands away. “You can't tell anyone about me. No one can know I'm a Despair Healer. That's also why I had to keep it secret from everyone. You cannot tell a soul. Especially-” Akito finished for me, “Especially the cursed ones?” I nodded.

“I still haven't gotten close to either of them enough to heal them. If they ever found out before the right time, things could get ugly.” He looked thoughtful as he said, “That's why you’ve been trying to be their friends so much.” I nodded again. “It's also why I think one of them might be behind Emily's death.”

His eyes widened, an expected reaction. “Whoa, you don't seriously think that one of them is capable of doing something like that, do you?” I looked down, “Not exactly. But it could be possible. I know because I’ve been raised all my life for this. Something isn't right with them. I’m not sure if I’m entirely correct, but it is a possibility.”

“Ritsuko, listen, I just found out that you're a Despair Healer. I’d like to help you, but can I just process what you just told me right now?” I sighed, closing my eyes and I smiled at him. “Yeah, sorry. I just have so much to say now that someone knows.”

Akito chuckled, “I could see how that could do that to you.” I shrugged my shoulders and put my arms behind my back. “Ritsuko!!” Maiko hollered while she jumped into my apartment. Akito and I both startled and looked back to where Maiko waved at us with her big innocent smile.

“Do you think we should tell her?” Akito looked back at me with a small smirk. I took a deep breath, “She’s gonna find out eventually.” I shifted my weight and looked at Maiko, “Hey, Maiko! You wanna have a little talk?” I called.

After revealing my secret to Maiko and showing her all the proof she asked for, the two siblings were in with me. “Wow, I just can't believe it… isn't this exciting?! I mean, I’ve never met a Despair Healer before. You're not very different from other people.”

I chuckled, sipping my cup of hot tea. “I’m not really supposed to be. Maybe the traditional Healers and old-fashioned ones came in a big parade with servants and security guards, but I wasn't given any of that. My Master always said I shouldn't draw attention to myself. Curses these days take a toll on people more than the older times. I think it helps the secret thing be a little more secret.”

She put her hands on the table and stuck her face close to mine, “No seriously. This is exciting! I have so many questions What's it like doing this? How many people have you healed before? Are you psychic?” Akito pushed Maiko aside, “It’s okay, Ritsuko. Maiko's questions are stupid.”

I folded my hands together and explained, “Well, this is my first time. Like I told you guys before, I barely left my hometown for the first time to do something like this. My father found out about Michael, Asher, Dominic and the twins long before I could even use my powers. Once I grew up, they would be my first ones to be healed.”

“Ohhh! So this is your first time.” I nodded. “No worries, now that we know about this, we can help you with whatever you want.” I leaned back on my chair. “Oh I wish this could happen sooner. My mother said a few months ago that I can't rush friendships. It develops on its own. One thing I was taught to do was to get close to the cursed person before I revealed myself to them. I’m afraid my time to come here is a little too late.”

Akito raised a brow, “So you're thinking it’s because of you that these things are happening.” “Not exactly. You see, Maiko, I think that one or more of the cursed ones are behind these accidents and crazy murders.” Maiko's face got grim. “You think this is why these things are happening?”

I shrugged, “I can't be sure of anything. My supernatural senses can't tell the future or see any secrets a person might be hiding. I can only tell what they think at the moment.” she looked back and forth at us, “Well then let's use that to our advantage!” She slammed her fist on the table, making my tea almost spill over and Akito almost drop his.

“What do you mean, ‘let's’?” Akito asked suspiciously. Maiko smiled and jumped on her tip toes, “Ritsuko, we’re gonna help you with this mystery. We're going to help you heal these cursed ones and find out if you're theory is right about the sabotages and murders.”

I almost choked on my tea and spat it out, but I swallowed it in a rush. Akito's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “What?!?” We both yelled. Maiko nodded, “I’ve made up my mind. We're gonna help Ritsuko complete her goal as a Despair Healer.” She made sure to say the last part a little quieter.

Akito hissed, “Wait, we’re gonna go solve a mystery for the police?! We aren't detectives, you know that, right Maiko?” I shook my head, “Oh no, no, no, no! I can't get you two mixed up in what I’m doing. You know what those people almost did to me tonight. I could've gotten killed!”

Maiko put her finger up, “Exactly! What you need is some helpers! Assistants in helping you with this whodunit situation.” Akito looked at her as if she lost it, which I was pretty sure she did. “Do you think this is a game?!”

“No, but I do know that if we’re really Ritsuko’s friends, we’ll help her.” She turned to face me, “Ritsuko, I know I sound like this is a children's game that we’re getting into, but I am aware of the risks we would have to take and what we would have to do. I just want to help you and support you in your goal. Besides, I think it’d be better for these people to live the rest of their lives normally.”

I tried to process everything she told me. This didn't seem like a wise decision, and I knew I had to be smart with this. I couldn't risk their lives just because of some dumb thought of mine. Finally making my decision, I stood up, putting my hands on the table. “Look, I don't want any of you getting hurt. We would be taking too many chances and all of us could end up in trouble. But,” I took a deep breath, “If we confirm that the cursed ones are doing all of this, that would be a big win for everyone. I’ll let you two help but I won't put you in any dangerous situations.”

Maiko pumped her fist into the air and cheered, “Yes!” She put her pinky up to the middle of the table, “Then it’s a deal, junior sleuths on the case!” Akito sighed, rolling his eyes. “Dad is so gonna kill us if he finds out about this.” He said, joining and hooking his pinky on Maiko's.

I put my little finger in and linked it to the siblings’. “Let's do this!” Maiko sang as we all shook our pinkies once.

Having Maiko and Akito knowing about my real identity was actually kind of fun. I went to bed completely excited. Akito was now a closer friend than ever, and I knew he would watch my back as I would his. The idea of a closer relationship with him made me giggle girlishly. I couldn't get distracted, though.

I didn't know who these people were after and if they happened to be some of the cursed students that were targeting me or someone else next, I couldn't afford to be responsible for Maiko or Akito or any of my friends getting hurt. This only made the burden more for me, knowing two of my friends would be getting in harm’s way with me.

It was my new mission to protect them, and I could not fail.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, this one was pretty short but it's quite a bit to take in. Now that Maiko and Akito know Ritsuko's secret, they're gonna help her. But is it really gonna be that easy? Thanks for reading! 💜