CHAPTER 14: THE COST OF HIDING

The sky had turned a deep indigo by the time Myura and Kazuki reached the edge of the town square. The last remnants of sunlight clung to the horizon, giving way to the quiet hum of lanterns flickering to life. The once-bustling market had begun to wind down, stalls closing, merchants packing up their goods.

Myura let out a small breath of relief. She had done it.

She had managed to suppress her aura for the entire day.

Kazuki turned to her, his blue eyes flickering with something she couldn’t quite place—hesitation, maybe. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Myura forced a small smile, despite the unbearable fatigue pressing down on her. “Yeah. Tomorrow.”

He nodded but didn’t walk away immediately. “You’re sure you’re okay? You seem kinda—”

“I’m fine!” she said quickly, waving a hand to dismiss his concern. “Just a little tired.”

Kazuki studied her for a moment, then sighed. “Alright. Get some rest.”

With that, he finally turned and headed in the opposite direction, disappearing into the dimly lit streets.

The moment he was gone, Myura let out a shaky breath and staggered toward the nearest alleyway. Her legs felt like lead, her arms like they had been weighted down with iron.

Zenko materialized beside her the second she turned the corner, his golden eyes filled with concern. “You need to drop it, Myura.”

“No,” she muttered, gripping the side of a building for support.

Zenko narrowed his eyes. “You’re at your limit.”

“I can… hold it… just a little longer…”

Zenko didn’t argue. He just watched as she took a step forward—only for her legs to buckle beneath her.

She collapsed onto her knees, her breathing ragged. Her entire body screamed in protest, muscles aching, her head pounding. Suppressing her aura for that long had taken more out of her than she’d expected. It felt like she had been suffocating all day, and now her body was punishing her for it.

The moment she let go, the shadows around her rushed outward, spilling into the alley like smoke escaping a sealed chamber. The sheer release of pressure made her dizzy.

Zenko let out a small sigh and sat beside her. “I told you.”

Myura clenched her fists against the stone ground. “I didn’t want him to see it,” she murmured.

Zenko’s tail flicked. “And you succeeded. But at what cost? I told you that holding it for so long would have consequences on your body. You need to train up to holding it all day.”

She didn’t answer.

She knew the cost and she figured this would happen , but at least Kazuki didn't see, Myura thought.

THE COLLAPSE

Somehow, she forced herself to her feet, dragging her exhausted body through the streets toward home. Each step was agony—her muscles burned, her head throbbed, and her limbs trembled beneath her own weight.

Her vision blurred at the edges. The warm glow of her home’s lanterns swam before her eyes as she reached the front door.

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With the last bit of strength she had, she pushed it open.

Her parents were in the living room, sitting near the crackling fire, sharing quiet conversation when she stumbled in.

Alice was the first to react. “Myura?” Her voice was gentle at first, then sharp with concern as she took in her daughter’s pale face, the sweat beading on her forehead. “What’s wrong?”

Myura opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Takeshi stood up, his sharp eyes immediately assessing her. “You’re—”

Before he could finish, Myura’s legs gave out. The world tilted violently, the warmth of the room twisting into an overwhelming haze.

She collapsed.

Alice let out a gasp and rushed to her side, placing a hand on her forehead. “She’s burning up! Takeshi—”

“I got her.”

Her father scooped her up effortlessly, his strong arms steady despite her dead weight. Myura’s head lolled against his chest, her fevered skin slick with sweat.

Zenko followed silently as Takeshi carried her up the stairs. His golden eyes flickered with quiet worry, but he said nothing.

Alice hurried ahead, pulling back the blankets as Takeshi gently lowered Myura onto the bed. The second he stepped back, Alice was already pressing a cool cloth to her forehead.

“She must have caught something awful,” Alice murmured, brushing Myura’s damp hair from her face. “She didn’t say anything about feeling sick earlier…”

Takeshi frowned, arms crossed. “She looked fine this morning.” His sharp gaze lingered on Myura, studying her face carefully. This isn’t just an illness.

Zenko sat at the edge of the bed, tail curled around himself, watching with unreadable eyes.

But neither parent could see him.

And neither of them knew the truth.

This wasn’t an ordinary fever.

This was the cost of suppressing her aura for the second time.

A MOTHER’S CARE

Alice worked quickly, her movements practiced and steady. She left briefly to prepare a home remedy, returning with a bowl of steaming stew and a cup of herbal tea. The scent of medicinal herbs filled the air as she sat beside Myura, gently stirring the stew.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Alice murmured, adjusting Myura so she could sit up slightly. “You need to eat.”

Myura stirred weakly, her head heavy, her limbs sluggish. She barely registered the spoon Alice brought to her lips until the warmth of the broth touched her tongue.

She swallowed instinctively.

“That’s it,” Alice said softly, feeding her another spoonful.

Takeshi stood silently at the doorway, watching. His sharp eyes flicked between Myura’s fevered form and his wife’s gentle care.

After a while, Myura weakly turned her head. “Mom… you don’t have to—”

“Hush,” Alice said, smiling as she brushed a damp strand of hair from her forehead. “Just rest. Let me take care of you.”

A lump formed in Myura’s throat. She doesn’t know.

She didn’t know that this wasn’t a normal fever, that this wasn’t caused by an illness but by something Myura had done to herself.

And somehow, that made it feel worse.

THE SILENT WATCHERS

As Alice continued tending to her, Zenko remained quiet at the foot of the bed.

He had watched Myura push herself to the brink. He had warned her, but he had also known she would do it anyway.

She was too stubborn, too determined.

She would rather break herself than let Kazuki see her darkness.

And now, she lay fevered and weak, paying the price.

But she had done it.

She had succeeded.

And she would do it again.

Zenko’s golden eyes flickered with something close to resignation. “You really are hopeless,” he murmured, though there was no bite to his words.

Myura’s lips twitched into a tired, barely-there smile. “You knew that already.”

Alice hummed softly beside her, unaware of the quiet exchange. “There. The medicine should help. Just rest, sweetheart.”

She ran a gentle hand over Myura’s head, smoothing her hair in slow, soothing motions.

Myura barely had the strength to respond before exhaustion dragged her into the depths of sleep.

Alice sat with her until her breathing evened out, her warm hand still resting lightly against Myura’s forehead.

Takeshi remained in the doorway, watching.

And Zenko, curled up at Myura’s feet watching her. “Get better you silly girl.”