~Time skip: 2 weeks~

Yuni hummed happily as he pet a sheep while Yuma took care of others. Chizuru moved to check one then panicked as it looked ready to attack him.

"Dumb Chizaki still can't get along with the animals." Yuni said aloud, making sure Chizuru could hear him.

"I don't want to hear that from you when the sheep and cows are the only ones that'll approach you." Chizuru spat, somehow managing to get the sheep to let him feel it.

"At least I'm not hated." Yuni countered.

"Maki, you can take a break. I think I'm going to have you focus on cleaning and fixing rather than the animals. You're causing them distress..." Yuma said bluntly.

Yuni stifled his laughter as Chizuru simmered quietly. Was he really that bad at handling animals? He looked at the sheep who flocked over to Yuni. He made little flowers bloom on the sheep. Chizuru sighed heavily then leaned against the wall.

"What do you want me to do then?" Chizuru spat.

"Um, for now you can go pick the fruit off the trees." said Yuma, making sure he was as far from the animals as possible.

Chizuru left without another word. Yuni looked at Yuma who went back to checking the animals.

"Yumapi, why is Chizaki helping you out? No one really told me why." Yuni asked curiously.

"Issei suggested that we do something together, strengthen our weak bond. So, Issei said we should care for my animals together." said Yuma.

A knock was heard and two familiar faces had stepped in. A sheep left Yuma's side and happily greeted Issei.

"So, how are things going with you and Chizuru? Saw him out by the fruit trees." said Issei, petting the sheep.

"Chizaki is bad for the animals, so Yumapi sent him out to pick fruit!" said Yuni with a broad grin.

"He's that bad...?" asked Shigure, a bit surprised. "It's been two weeks hasn't it?"

"I think it's because of his first impression. According to them, it was traumatizing..." Yuma responded, gesturing to the animals.

They happily conversed until a brief shriek was heard. Yuma was the first to leave and find out what was going on.

"I said I was sorry!" Chizuru said, covering his head.

Yuma arrived at the scene and saw a swarm of bees threatening to attack Chizuru. He wasn't sure whether to feel disappointed or concern that he was bad with insects just like animals. Yuma stepped in between and the bees settled down, most going back into the hive Chizuru disturbed. Two hung around and made themselves comfortable on his shoulders.

"What happened?" Yuma asked, extending a hand to help Chizuru up.

Chizuru brushed his hand aside and got up on his own. Yuma looked down at his hand then pulled it back.

"I accidentally hit the hive..." said Chizuru. "Your creatures hate me."

"Maki, that's-" Yuma started then stopped as Chizuru walked away and back towards the door leading to this vast area. "...not true."

Yuma didn't know what to do at this point. Their relationship wasn't healing at all. In fact, it appeared to be decaying just like before. Yuma felt a hand on his back and saw Issei give him a sad look.

"He'll come around. It'll just take time." said Issei, watching the two bees head back into their hive.

"Maki must think I'm doing this purposefully..." Yuma muttered, feeling a small weight in his heart. "I have to apologize."

Issei kept Yuma from moving. Yuma looked at him as he shook his head.

"Let Chizuru be. He's just overthinking everything as usual. I'm sure you're plenty busy, so let us help out." said Issei with a smile.

Yuma nodded, but the heavy feeling continued to persist.

⋆‪♡⋆‪♡⋆

Kasuka brushed his hair out as his door was slowly opened. Chizuru approached him as he sat in front of a mirror.

"What is it, Chizuru? I really don't have the patience." Kasuka said flatly, checking his hair for spilt ends.

"Remember that favor I asked for? Is it finished?" Chizuru asked.

"Before I give it to you, please take these words to heart and remember the number one rule that I tell you. Promise?" Kasuka asked, turning to face him.

"I promise." said Chizuru, watching a piece of paper appear and his thumb being pressed forcibly against it.

"Whatever you do cannot be undone with simple words. A stronger magic, that's what it'll entail. Don't miss your target or else it'll create a bigger problem. The number one rule I need you to remember, do not let it touch any part of your target. It should only be consumed." said Kasuka, a stern look occupying his face.

"What if it touches my target's lips?" Chizuru asked curiously.

"Nothing. Don't let the others find out I helped you, otherwise you'll find yourself six feet under." threatened Kasuka, his malicious aura making itself known.

Chizuru nodded and thanked him before leaving the room. Kasuka held his head as he couldn't believe he went along with his whims. Though, the exchange did give him way more than he would've asked for. He floated the shirt over to him and happily hugged it tight. It wasn't much, but it was certainly helping him sleep better.

Chizuru hurried to the kitchen and searched around for Yuma's favorite drink. He was going to get him to drink it. He just hoped the magic wouldn't make it taste any different. If he remembered correctly, the only ones who were with Yuma were Yuni, Issei and Shigure. He tapped his chin then transformed into Rintaro.

⋆‪♡⋆‪♡⋆

Yuni spotted "Rintaro" approaching them. He squinted, wondering if he was seeing things.

"Was Kumarin supposed to be home early today?" Yuni asked.

No one knew. "Rintaro" cheerily greeted everyone and affectionately smothered Yuni with love.

"I brought drinks. Bet you've all worked up a sweat." said "Rintaro", opening their drinks so Yuma's being open didn't seem suspicious.

Everyone thanked "Rintaro" and started to drink, except Yuma. Chizuru anxiously waited, wondering why he wasn't drinking. Yuma moved to drink then was bumped into by a cow, causing a bit of the drink to jump out and land on his skin.

"Oh no..." Chizuru thought, feeling worry consume him.

Yuma broke out in pained screams, his drink falling from his hands and spilling all over the floor. Issei fought with Yuma to let him see what the damage was, eventually having Shigure put him to sleep. Yuni grew a flower from his hand and had Yuma inhale its scent, giving him sweeter dreams.

"What the hell is this..." Issei muttered, viewing the spot where Yuma's flesh had disintegrated, leaving a hole.

Chizuru covered his mouth in shock. Why did Kasuka give him something so dangerous? He didn't know what to do, feeling like a criminal caught in their own lie. Shigure looked at "Rintaro" and wondered why he looked worse than Yuma.

"Rin, is everything okay...?" Shigure asked softly.

"I... I- I- I... I'm so sorry..." said "Rintaro", guilt settling deep into his chest. "It's all my fault..."

"It's not. No one expected this. I'm sure some rest will do him good. We'll make sure a doctor checks him out." said Shigure happily.

Yuni nodded in agreement. Issei lifted Yuma into his arms and they hurriedly left the area. Chizuru let his transformation disappear as he shook. The what if's circled around in his mind. What if more had splashed on him? What if it landed on vital organ spots? What if it landed on someone else? An animal? He knew he shouldn't have gone through with it.

⋆‪♡⋆‪♡⋆

Yuma opened his eyes and saw everyone except Jin and Chizuru looking at him with worry.

"It's going to be okay. They patched you up." said Senri teary eyed. "You don't have to cry."

"You're the one crying..." Shigure said flatly.

"What happened to me?" Yuma asked, sitting up in bed.

"Magic. A strong one at that. We consulted Kasuka about it, but he's never seen it before. We called Jin, but got no answer." said Issei, running a hand over Yuma's arm. "It wasn't too bad. Your arm can still be used."

Yuma looked around and noticed Chizuru wasn't among them. Why? He played with his fingers, well aware why. Chizuru still hated him.