I guess that means I really love you
'Cause I'm afraid to make mistakes
If you ever left me that would be my first heartbreak

- First Heartbreak; Tori Kelly

Chapter Thirteen: Unforeseen Enemy

Hana looked at Choromatsu curiously as they trod their way towards the forest, back to their house. The goddess's gloved hand was clasped against her tightly—almost hurting her, but not quite.

"Papa, is there something wrong?" Hana asked upon seeing the furrowed eyebrows that the goddess wore. Caught off guard with the sudden query, Choromatsu suddenly stopped from walking. He bit his lips as he crouched down, facing the little girl.

"Hey, Hana-chan..." Choromatsu drifted, "...say, what are you going to do if one of the people who are important to you is in danger?"

Hana frowned at the question as she hit her chest lightly with her closed hand. "Papa! The answer is so obvious! Of course, I'll save them! Even though I am just a small girl, I'll somehow find a way to rescue you or Dad whenever you're in a pinch!" she exclaimed with conviction.

The goddess smiled wistfully as he pat the other's head. "I knew you would say that."

"Is someone important to you in danger?" Hana tilted his head.

Choromatsu nodded slowly. "I...might need to leave you for a while."

Hana's eyes started to water with the statement.

"Oh! No, no, no..." Choromatsu wiped the tears that accumulated on Hana's eyes. "Don't cry please. I'll be back...and I'll even bring Dad with me!" He nervously smiled. "We'll play again! But for now, I need you to be a strong girl as what you already are, okay?"

"I'll be alone again?"

"Hana-chan...I promise." Choromatsu lifted his gloved pinky close to the little girl's face. "I'll be back with your Dad and we'll play again, okay? It's just...I need to help a...friend of mine. He helped me before and I know it's now time for me to return that favor."

Hana clenched her hands behind her as her eyebrows furrowed, looking away.

Choromatsu smiled despite being worried. "Please?"

The little girl's eyes hesitantly peeked at the goddess. Choromatsu's smile never faltered and this finally made Hana lift her hand to meet the goddess's. The latter obviously lightened up at the action as their pinky fingers intertwined, sealing a promise.

"It's a promise, okay?" Hana started to sob, slowly spreading her arms as she walked towards the goddess. Her tears streamed continuously as the both of them made contact, with Choromatsu reciprocating the hug.

The goddess lifted Hana off the ground, hugging her tight as they exchanged smiles, continuing with their way to their house in the middle of the woods.

Choromatsu pat Hana's head lovingly as the little girl slowly delved into slumber. He hummed a small tune that Osomatsu used to hum to him before. It actually had a nice ring into it.

He didn't know what awaits him in the future, in all honesty. Yes, he was a goddess but that didn't mean that he can predict the future. Heck, he might be even disowned by Heavens now because of his past actions.

But strangely, Choromatsu didn't mind it that much.

Maybe all he wanted now was happiness—for himself and the people he holds dearly in his heart.

Is this what living feels like?

Hana shortly stirred in her sleep as Choromatsu gently put her on the bed. The little girl's hand didn't let go of Choromatsu's gloved one as he attempted to stand up. The goddess felt hot tears slowly cascading down his cheeks as he softly wiped away the dried tears off Hana's face.

Living feels painful.

"But living with you and Osomatsu will always be a good feeling." Choromatsu pat Hana's hair for the last time as he detached his hand from the little girl's. "I promise I'll be back. I pray to the gods that you shall be guided in your everyday life, our precious Hana." Choromatsu smiled to the still sleeping child. The spell did its job magnificently.

"Well then, until we see each other again." Choromatsu muttered as he stepped out of the door, looking up at the bright sun that shone in the afternoon. He slowly opened his wings as he looked at the small hut again for the final time.

I promise I'll be back with Osomatsu.

The nearby foliage fluttered wildly as he ascended to the vast, blue sky.

________________________

"...ther?"

I wonder if he's all right.

"...er?"

I wonder if he's eating right.

"...penning, jo?"

"...he's dazed, I thi..."

Is he sleeping well?

"FATHER KARAMATSU JO!!!!!!!!!"

Karamatsu blinked as he focused his vision to the two sacristans in front of him. "Ah..." He absentmindedly mumbled.

"Are you okay, jo?" Hatabou tilted his head as he asked.

Karamatsu nodded as he stood up. "I am very well, my good friend!" He grinned. "So, what were we talking about?"

"Well, this..." Shonosuke, the other sacristan in the room, gave him a pamphlet. Karamatsu's eyes widened as he read the contents. "That's...Todomatsu-kun, right? Why is he there?"

Karamatsu gulped audibly as he read the pamphlet once again. Wanted. "Where did you get this?"

Shonosuke looked nervously at Hatabou. "It's spread out of town now, y'know? I don't know what's happening. Why are they calling him a...witch? Isn't he a sacristan here as well? He can't possibly be a witch, right?"

"And aren't we told that spreading rumors are bad, jo?" Hatabou mused loudly. "Just when I thought that people here are civilized. Hmph. They are no different from those where we came from, always spreading rumors just for their amuseme—"

Karamatsu stood up from his seat in his room. He needed to breathe. How did this come out? Who spread these rumors?

"F...Father Karamatsu?" Shonosuke spoke up.

"I'm fine, brother. Uhm...Go back to your duties now and help the others to prepare for the Friday mass. If you need me, I'll be in the garden."

The two sacristans just looked at each other and shrugged at how the priest was acting. They went back to work shortly after the conversation.

Karamatsu sat at one of the benches under the shade of a tree. He sighed as he laid back, looking up and being welcomed by the sun rays that seeped through the foliage. He raised the pamphlet in front of his eyes—an effective block.

WANTED

"Todomatsu"

Accused for being a witch

The priest scrunched his eyebrows as he looked at the sketch. It doesn't even look like Todomatsu in the slightest. He grabbed a pen from his pocket and corrected the drawing.

"Todomatsu has larger, round pupils. His mouth is often formed like a cat's. And what is this? Totty will be mad because his clothes aren't properly d...drawn." Tears smudged the writings on the pamphlet as Karamatsu sobbed quietly while looking at the drawing. He immediately brushed the tears off but it never stopped. The priest let out a choked laugh as the tears flowed down his cheeks.

Why? Why him of all the people?

"Yes. I am a witch, Karamatsu nii-san, ever since I've been born. I was and am a witch. Are you satisfied now?" Todomatsu said coldly.

He gripped his hair in annoyance as he curled himself on the bench. It's been a month since Todomatsu left and still here he is—crying, pathetic, helpless...

"I'll never hate you." Karamatsu spoke gently. "Whatever truth may come out from your lips, I'll never hate you, Todomatsu."

"I said I love you!" Todomatsu shouted. Karamatsu's eyes widened as he loosened his grasp on the Todomatsu's hand. "Ever since I came back, I realized how much I missed you. How much I yearned for you. How much I adore you. How much...I love you."

"No...you're just confused." Karamatsu muttered to himself—as if the younger one was present. "You don't love me...I'm your brother."

He suddenly felt a strong gust of wind above him. The priest promptly looked up and saw an expanse of white wings that's going down in his direction. He was soon looking at a pair of displeased, green eyes and a face that wore an unpleasant frown.

"Ch-Choromatsu."

The goddess forcefully pushed a pamphlet on Karamatsu's chest. The priest inspected it, not even surprised that it was the same pamphlet that he was looking at earlier.

Is he rubbing salt on my wound? Karamatsu thought.

"Tell me everything. Your church is the one who adopted Todomatsu, right? How come you didn't know that he's a witch?"

"Isn't that just because he managed to get under your noses due to your carelessness?!" Jyushimatsu angrily shouted—his voice echoing loudly inside the empty church.

Karamatsu shook his head. No use on lamenting over past arguments. He sat on the bench as he wiped the tears off his cheeks. "He was...adopted by Father Dekapan when we were still young. I was the lone child in the convent at that time. My parents were both affiliates of the church and good friends with Father...When they left for a missionary trip; they both got into an accident."

Choromatsu's eyes widened. "You're an orphan?"

Karamatsu nodded solemnly. "Naturally, the church was the one who adopted me. I was happily living with the older sacristans and dreamt of being a priest, which is now gladly realized." He smiled. "I was seven years old when Todomatsu arrived at the convent..."

____________________________

It was a quiet night and the full moon shone brightly outside as Karamatsu swung his foot under the table absentmindedly while watching the insects that crawled on his windowsill. He was done reading and doing his assignments that Dekapan assigned to him so here he was, observing the small creatures that happened to visit his peaceful night.

"Say, why not give him his share? Hey! He might be your brother, right?" Karamatsu pouted. "Share it to your brother! It's bad to be selfish. You must share your blessings to the less fortunate! That's what the church teaches us—or perhaps the teachings don't apply to you? Hmm..." Karamatsu squinted, putting his head above his folded arms while pouting.

Karamatsu began singing a newly-formed song—"Oh, little insect on the windowsill~ Care to tell me why~? You are so small and—" but was quickly halted by a faint sobs. He jumped over his table and looked down through the window and saw a small figure in front of the door that was just under his room. He gasped and jumped immediately, running down the stairs—some people scolding him for being so hasty. He smiled and quickly apologized as he went to Dekapan's room, knocking mildly and calling out to him.

"Father! It's Karamatsu! I have an emergency!"

The door shortly opened right after he called, revealing a slightly groggy Dekapan. "Karamatsu, why are you still up at this hour?"

"I'm sorry for disturbing your resting hours but I need help!"

Dekapan wore his sweater as he stepped out of his room. "Keep it down; we wouldn't want to disturb anyone, do we?"

Karamatsu bit his clamped his hands over his mouth as he led the priest towards the door. They can hear faint sniffling sounds from the other sides and this made Dekapan's eyebrows scrunch. He gently opened the door and was welcomed by large, pink pupils that stared at him, his eyes puffy and red from crying.

Karamatsu and Dekapan just stared at the young boy that stood on the doorway of the convent.

Karamatsu broke the silence. "Uh...young boy. Why are you here at this hou—"

"Nii...chan!" The kid exclaimed.

The blue-eyed boy shook his hands frantically in front of him. "Oh, no. I'm not your brother. I don't have a brother—oh, my. Don't cry please." Karamatsu sweated as he knelt down to meet the small one's height and wipe his tears. He looked up to Dekapan, obviously asking for a save.

"Karamatsu, how about we let him sleep here for tonight? It's late; we can't let a young child wander around, yes?" Dekapan smiled as he picked up the young boy and cradled him carefully in his arms. The small boy struggled in his grasp and promptly reached for the young Karamatsu. Dekapan looked at the flustered Karamatsu who nervously waved his arms in front of him while profusely shaking his head.

Too late because the young boy finally reached for his neck and hugged him as tight as he can.

Panicked, Karamatsu quickly caught the smaller boy and cradled him on his arms—as if hugging him. The height difference is slightly large so the young boy just fit fine in Karamatsu's arms.

Dekapan chuckled. "It seems like he likes you."

Karamatsu blushed as he looked at the kid on his arms that's looking up to him with those pink eyes, smiling cutely.

"What's your name?"

"To...do—Todoma...chu."

"Todoma...chu?"

The young boy shook his head and pointed to the seven-year old— "Karamachu..."—then pointed to himself. "Todomachu."

"Ah! Todomatsu?"

The young boy nodded.

"How old are you?"

Todomatsu raised two small fingers and yawned, snuggling closer to Karamatsu.

"How about let him sleep in your room tonight, Karamatsu?"

The mentioned boy tensed.

Dekapan patted his head. "Don't worry; I'll contact the police first thing in the morning. We'll find his parents, okay?"

"Bu...But Father—"

"Karamatsu. Please?"

Karamatsu looked down. "Uhm...okay."

Dekapan smiled. "Thank you. Do you still want me to escort you to your room?"

Karamatsu shook his head. "No need, Father. I can manage."

"Well then. Have a good night's sleep." Dekapan finally said as he proceeded to his room.

Karamatsu carefully walked his way towards his room as he carried Todomatsu. Upon arriving, the older one carefully laid Todomatsu on his bed and fixed him a blanket.

"N...Nii-chan," Todomatsu whimpered.

"What's wrong?" Karamatsu asked. "Are you not comfortable?"

Todomatsu shook his head as he scooted over the side to give room for Karamatsu. The older one immediately realized the message.

"A...Are you sure? We'll be cramped, you know?"

Todomatsu just nodded.

Karamatsu sighed as he turned and closed his room's window.

He carefully lied down beside Todomatsu—who immediately curled up upon the presence of the former. Karamatsu just let the younger one do what he wants.

After all, they will find Todomatsu's parents by tomorrow.

_____________________________

"But no one was looking for him," Karamatsu continued, looking down on the grass beneath him. "We tried as hard as we can...but after a few months, we gave up and just let him stay in the convent."

"Just like that?" Choromatsu arched one of his eyebrows. "You did not even investigate where he came from? Or if he's really a human?"

"The Church never abandons any lost soul, Choromatsu."

"But chose to abandon the witch's race?"

Karamatsu's eyes widened for a second but came back to a pained look. "That's..."

"History, I know." Choromatsu supplied. "So, you took him in without any clue on what he was?"

The priest shook his head.

"What about Todomatsu? Did he ever show signs of being a witch?"

"None that I can thin—" Karamatsu's eyes went wide again. "Wait..."

Choromatsu just gave him an incredulous stare.

"I hope they all get stomachaches." A young Todomatsu muttered as he pouted. "They're all bad!"

Karamatsu gaped in the memory.

"Ah. I'm sorry." Dekapan chuckled weakly. "Remember the one who bullied Todomatsu earlier? He...he died. His mother told me that the cause was a severe pain in his stomach."

Karamatsu shook his head as he gripped his hair again. "Oh God. How...How could we overlook that?"

Choromatsu went to the priest and sat beside him. "Karamatsu, calm down. You can tell me the story next time when you finally relax—"

"Choromatsu, we made a huge mistake." Karamatsu looked at the goddess, tears threatening to fall down once again. "Todomatsu showed signs but we didn't notice." He laughed dryly. "He...Todomatsu became a murderer at an early age of six."

The goddess's eyes went wide this time. "W...What?"

"He cursed one of the kids who bullied him when we were younger. I don't know if he's aware that he's a witch at that time but...I'm certain that he cursed that kid."

Choromatsu shakily took a deep breath. This talk surely took a wild turn. "Okay. Do you have any other stories that you can share to me for today?"

"I think I know when he knew that he's a witch." Karamatsu murmured.

"And that is?"

"When he's fourteen, a guy named Atsushi showed up; saying he knows where Todomatsu came from..."

_________________________________

"Pardon me?" Dekapan asked, looking at the brown-haired man that sat in front of him. "You know Todomatsu's family?"

Atsushi smiled, nodding as he slid an old photograph on the table. "Those are his parents and that little kid on their arms is Todomatsu-kun."

Dekapan inspected the picture skeptically.

"They died in an accident near here. Miraculously, Todomatsu-kun survived; but we weren't aware of that fact until last month. One of the people in our village recognized Todomatsu's pink eyes immediately when he happened to wander around here in your town and made me aware of the fact but I was so busy to gather evidences that will proof that we know Todomatsu-kun's family." Atsushi gave more documents to the parish priest: birth certificate, identification cards of Todomatsu's parents, and other more. "And now, we want him to go back to our village."

"Excuse me, what?" Dekapan slowly grew angry.

"Now, now, let's calm down, Father." Atsushi calmly smiled. "We appreciate the fact that you raised Todomatsu for twelve years and we are grateful at that; but it is time that we get our kid back. We would not like to cause more trouble for the Church."

"Todomatsu is never a trouble in the Church."

Atsushi's brown pupils dilated ever slightly. "Oh, no, Father. You don't know what you are talking about. Todomatsu-kun will be a big trouble for the Church. Take it as a friendly caution from me and the villagers." He stood up and smiled at the parish priest once again. "Think about it carefully, Father. I hope you don't mind me staying for a while to watch over Todomatsu-kun's daily life. I gave you everything that proves I am indeed aware about his roots. It's up to you to decide." Atsushi leaned at Dekapan's right ear and whispered, "And please do keep my friendly caution in your mind. It will help you better on your decision, okay?" Atsushi gave him a firm pat on his shoulder.

Dekapan shakily grinned. "I will. And please do enjoy your stay."

Atsushi chuckled. "Oh, you have no idea, Father. I missed the Church so much."

_________________________

"You know where Todomatsu came from?" Karamatsu asked as he cleaned one of the pews.

Atsushi nodded as he leaned on one of the empty seats. "I know his parents. We're good friends before they...well, got into an accident."

"Todomatsu will surely be delighted to talk to you then, Atsushi-san!"

"Oh, no. Remove the honorifics, Karamatsu-kun." The brow-haired guy chuckled. "I reckon we might be in the same age."

"Really? You're nineteen, too?"

"I was five years old when Todomatsu was born." Atsushi smiled. "He's currently fourteen, ye—"

"Karamatsu nii-san?" A voice suddenly erupted from the opening doors. "Father Dekapan is looking for you."

"Totty! You're right on time!" Karamatsu ran towards Todomatsu and grabbed his hand. "I will introduce you to someone. He said he knows where you came from!"

Todomatsu gasped and sped up his pace. "You're kidding."

Atsushi stood up and turned to the both of them. His eyes widened upon seeing Todomatsu, feeling drawn to those curious, pink eyes. He cleared his throat along with his mind. "It's pleasant seeing you, Todomatsu-kun." He laid out his hand for a handshake, which Todomatsu excitedly accepted. "I am Atsushi from a faraway village. I have come to fetch you, Todomatsu-kun."

Todomatsu flashed a perplexed expression along with Karamatsu who froze at his spot. "F...Fetch?"

"We're going home. It's about time you do," Atsushi nonchalantly said.

Karamatsu stepped in front of Todomatsu, raising a protective arm, defending him. "Wait. This place is Todomatsu's home." His eyebrows scrunched into an angry knot. "We cannot let a stranger take Todomatsu from us."

Atsushi crossed his arms, leaning on the pews. "I get your point, Karamatsu-kun, but...have you even asked Todomatsu-kun about what he thinks?"

Karamatsu turned to the younger one in the room, his eyes worried. Todomatsu shot his adoptive brother with a somber visage as he bit his lips. "Nii-san..."

"You should respect his decision, you know?" Atsushi interrupted. "It is his life, after all; and you cannot deny him the chance to know himself."

"What do you think, Totty?" Karamatsu gently whispered. "Would you like to go with him?"

Todomatsu nodded timidly.

Karamatsu sighed. "Well, if it's your decision to do so, I cannot stop you, can I?"

Todomatsu lightened up. "Y...You'll allow me?"

Karamatsu pointed to his chest lightly. "If that is what your heart desires, I have absolutely no right to refute it." The older one smiled. "Just always remember that this church will always be your home and we'll welcome you any time, any day; just like that night when you arrived here."

Todomatsu tackled Karamatsu with a hug, snuggling in his warmth. The latter warmly returned it as he smiled so dearly.

Atsushi frowned as he rolled his eyes lightly at the heartwarming scene.

"Oh, yes." Karamatsu turned to Atsushi. "Have you told Father Dekapan already?"

"Even before I got here, Karamatsu-kun." Atsushi smiled at Todomatsu. "I was just waiting for Todomatsu-kun."

"I'm going to fix my things first." Todomatsu chipped in. "I'll be quick."

"Father Dekapan!" Karamatsu bowed upon seeing the old man.

"Todomatsu already agreed, Father," Atsushi said. "I presume you have made up your mind as well?"

Dekapan held out an envelope. "I am leaving Todomatsu to you, Atsushi-san."

"You can trust me on him." Atsushi smiled as he gave the envelope back. "And you can keep that as a souvenir, Father."

_________________________

"And just like that, he was gone from us," Karamatsu continued. "We had no contact at all. We were worried because he didn't even send a single letter."

"That Atsushi might be a witch," Choromatsu commented.

"I figured as much." Karamatsu sighed.

Choromatsu turned to him. "So? What are you going to do now that he's hunted by the people? Are you going to stick to your duty as a member of the Church or stay by Todomatsu's side?"

Karamatsu chuckled dryly. "Are you insulting me?"

"No!" Choromatsu retorted. "I just...ask—"

"Father! Father Karamatsu!" Shonosuke shouted from a distance while running towards their direction. He panted hard upon arriving to catch his breath. "S...Someone is l...looking for you." He reached out a paper—a letter, to be exact. Karamatsu quickly scanned the contents and then stood up.

Choromatsu looked up to the priest, worry evident in his features. "Karamatsu, are you oka—"

"About your question..." He raised the letter, waving it in the air. "We'll know about it later."

A gentle wind blew towards Choromatsu's direction. The goddess just stared at Karamatsu as the latter walked away from the garden.

He hoped that everything is all right.

_______________________

"He will never do that to me, Atsushi." Todomatsu slammed his hand on the table as he held a piece of paper. "Karamatsu nii-san is kind and will never do that to me...or to anyone else on that matter."

"Even though you lied to him?" Atsushi retorted. "Todomatsu, face it. You've smashed your brotherhood real good at the very moment you confessed to him, which in my opinion is really stupid."

The younger witch snarled. "Watch your words, Atsushi."

"Why sugarcoat it?" The older smirked. "That's what you actually did...Totty."

Todomatsu rushed on Atsushi's side and quickly snatched the latter's tie in an attempt to choke him. "One more word from your nasty mouth and I'll stitch it up for good."

"Todomatsu! What are you doing?!" A blonde, tall lady interrupted them. "Confinare!"

Todomatsu and Atsushi both felt a force tying their respective hands together. Todomatsu immediately shouted an untying spell upon himself, effectively disarming the spell. Atsushi just chuckled as he muttered the same to himself.

"Iyayo, what's going on?!" A small voice added as she rushed to the blonde's side. She noticed a paper on the floor and promptly picked it up. "My dearest brother..," she read out loud, making Todomatsu gasp and grab the small female's hand to get it.

However, a small fire ignited from the lady's hand, quickly burning the letter's rim.

Todomatsu's eyes widened. "Chibimi!"

"Oops?" Chibimi smiled wickedly. "Sorry, Todomatsu-kun~"

"What's this?" The tall lady snatched the paper and scanned the contents. She smiled afterwards as she shoved the paper in Todomatsu's hands. "A love letter, I presume."

Todomatsu folded the letter properly in his hands. "It's not."

"Our heart gives us the most foolish decisions ever, Todomatsu," Iyayo implored. "But you are stubborn so...what gives?" She chuckled.

"Hah. I wouldn't be surprised if you'd be dead over the week—unff!" Chibimi was suddenly shut, her eyes widening by the sudden interruption. She glances over Atsushi who had his index finger pointed to her direction. Chibimi glared at Atsushi, who just smiled sweetly in response.

"It has only been three months. Weakling," Iyayo chided.

"Bitch, I never asked you for an advice," Todomatsu hissed.

"Well, you could always use one." Iyayo chuckled as she grabbed Chibimi's arm. She turned to Atsushi. "Also, you, remove your spell on my friend."

Atsushi just raised his arms in defeat as he complied.

"Thank you. Well then, we shall excuse ourselves. Be careful, Todomatsu. Take it as an advice from an...older sister."

"If I will have an older sister like you then I refuse." Todomatsu digressed.

Iyayo just laughed as they both stepped out of the room.

"Do you want me to escort you there?" Atsushi stood up.

Todomatsu grabbed his staff which had been leaning on one of the corners. He wore his gloves and fixed his hat, ignoring Atsushi.

"Are there any ways for me to stop you?" Atsushi urged.

"No." Todomatsu said with finality.

"Todomats—"

"Let me face this alone, Atsushi." Todomatsu hoisted his bag on his back. "All these years I've known you, you never failed to treat me as a child."

"I'm not treating you like a child, Todomatsu."

"Then why do you need to dip in every decision that I should make?!" Todomatsu snapped. "Atsushi, for Pete's sake, I'm an adult, too!"

"I'm just worried, okay?" Atsushi's brows are now knitted angrily as he grabbed Todomatsu's arm.

Todomatsu quickly withdrew his hand. "Enough of this. I should go."

"Todomatsu."

"Thank you." Todomatsu tipped his toe to reach Atsushi's cheeks, giving it a soft kiss. "But I cannot return what you are giving me, Atsushi. I just...can't."

"Dumping me before I even have the chance to confess, you dry monster." Atsushi bitterly chuckled.

"I need to go." Todomatsu prepared a teleportation spell upon himself. "Please take care of everyone."

"You're speaking as if you're not going back."

"We'll never know." Todomatsu smiled. "We're witches...and as far as I know, we cannot see the future, Atsushi."

Atsushi smiled. "Touché."

Todomatsu waved his hands as the spell slowly materialized.

Atsushi stared at Todomatsu's pink eyes as he waved back.

"And...he's gone." Iyayo suddenly appeared beside Atsushi. "Such a dramatic farewell I almost cried."

"Taunting doesn't suit a lady, Iyayo." Atsushi commented.

Iyayo just chuckled. "I am more than just your ordinary lady, Atsushi."

_________________________

"Oh, please..." Todomatsu groaned as he tried to dry himself off, standing in front of the double mahogany doors of the church. "Ugh. I hate the rain. Why did I even end up there? I should have ended near the church."

Todomatsu faced the closed doors and took a deep breath. Three months. He'd been gone for three months.

He missed Karamatsu.

Todomatsu shook his head. "No. Focus, Todomatsu. You came here to state your case and to defend your race. Witches aren't as bad as what humans think. You are the witches' race hope. Don't fuck it up." He took another deep breath as he fished out the keys from his pocket. Okay. This is it.

Click.

Todomatsu's eyes widened as he felt a hard metal against the back of his head.

"One wrong move or word and I'll kill you." A deep voice declared as he felt his hands being tied behind his back.

Witches aren't as bad as what humans think. Don't fight back.

"You aren't as bad as what the rumors say, huh? Now, face your audience, little witch."

It's a trap, Todomatsu, Atsushi's words rang in his head.

"No...no...He'll never do that to me," Todomatsu muttered as he bit his lips, looking down to the ground.

"Aw," the man who held him cooed. "Why look down now, little witch?"

Todomatsu kept quiet.

He suddenly felt a harsh tug on his hair and a gun shoved on his jaw. Todomatsu winced in pain. "I said face your audience, you little fuck."

The very moment Todomatsu had his vision on the crowd who stood in front of the church was the same moment his tears started to cascade down his cheeks.

Not so far from the crowd were blue eyes that stared back at his pink ones—devoid of any emotion.

The witch sobbed quietly as the priest looked away, focusing his gaze on any other place. Anywhere, anything that will conceal his concern.

Todomatsu felt his chest tighten as he called out amidst his sobs. "...Karamatsu...nii-san..."

And everything went black.

____________________________________

hi yes I'm alive. Sorry for the three-month hiatus. College got the best of me QuQ but yay! an update. I hope someone is still reading this story~ thank you for reading! ♥ ~eyprilklaris