Echoes of the Cursed

The next few days at Yankai passed in a blur of training, mission briefings, and strategy sessions. Unmei quickly acclimated to life within the organization, learning to navigate the maze-like hallways and recognize faces among his new teammates. However, the biggest surprise of all was Atama Kaku's younger brother, Kazu.

Kazu was a whirlwind of energy. During their first sparring session together, Unmei realized he was dealing with someone both unpredictable and surprisingly powerful. Kazu possessed a unique talent for puppetry and mind control—rare and unsettling abilities—but he wielded them with a light-hearted flair that made him surprisingly approachable.

"Hey, Unmei!" Kazu called one afternoon, flopping down beside him in the training hall after an exhausting session. "You're not half-bad, you know?"

Unmei grinned, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I could say the same to you! Your puppetry skills are incredible. I'm not even sure how you pull off half the things you do."

Kazu chuckled and tossed a bottle of water Unmei's way. "Just a little technique, a little practice, and a lot of fun. You'll get the hang of it. Maybe I'll even teach you a trick or two—if you're up for it."

Unmei's face lit up. "Definitely! I could use all the help I can get."

From that day on, Unmei and Kazu became almost inseparable. Kazu had a natural charm that put Unmei at ease, and his playful teasing helped distract Unmei from the shadows of the curse he bore. They often snuck away from the main dormitories to train in secret spots, daring each other to try risky moves and new techniques. Kazu's relentless energy and humour brought out a side of Unmei he hadn't felt in a long time—a sense of freedom and light-hearted fun.

One evening, after a long training session, they sat on the rooftop, watching the city lights below. Kazu turned to Unmei, a mischievous grin on his face.

"So… any cute guys here catch your eye yet?" Kazu asked, waggling his eyebrows.

Unmei sputtered, almost dropping his drink. "What? Kazu! Where did that come from?"

Kazu laughed, patting Unmei on the back. "Hey, just curious! You're here with some pretty cool people, you know. Might as well make the most of it."

Unmei rolled his eyes, but Kazu's question lingered in his mind. He thought about Shiro, his cold and guarded roommate, who had been distant since day one. Shiro was hard to read; he rarely showed emotion, and when he did, it was usually anger or frustration. Yet, in rare moments, Unmei caught glimpses of something softer beneath the surface—a look, a gesture, a slight hesitation.

As if on cue, Shiro's face popped into his mind.

Meanwhile, Shiro observed Unmei from a distance, watching as he grew close to Kazu. A strange, unfamiliar feeling stirred within him every time he saw them laughing together or working side by side. He found himself paying more attention to Unmei's quirks, his determination, and the way his eyes lit up when he spoke about fighting for what was right. The more Shiro watched, the more he felt his carefully constructed walls begin to crack.

One evening, as Unmei returned to the dorm after training with Kazu, he found Shiro sitting at his desk, pretending to be absorbed in a book. Unmei hesitated by the doorway, suddenly feeling the urge to talk to him.

"Uh, hey, Shiro," Unmei said as he set his bag down. "How was your training today?"

Shiro glanced up, his expression unreadable as always. "It was fine," he replied, his voice clipped. But something in his tone softened slightly. "I noticed you've been spending a lot of time with Kazu."

Unmei tilted his head, trying to gauge Shiro's tone. "Yeah, he's been showing me some new techniques. He's... really good."

"Yeah, he is," Shiro said quietly, looking away. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought before shaking his head. "He's the kind of person who draws others in and makes everyone feel comfortable."

Unmei smiled. "Yeah, I've noticed. He's a good friend. I'm lucky to have met him—and, you know, to have met all of you."

There was a pause, and then Shiro looked directly at him, his gaze unexpectedly intense. "You're lucky, huh? You think that?"

Unmei blinked, caught off guard by the sudden vulnerability in Shiro's voice. "Yeah… I mean, being here with Yankai, fighting alongside all of you—it's what I wanted. A place to belong, people I can trust."

Shiro's eyes softened, his usual cold expression melting into something warmer. "Well… I'm glad you feel that way. Just… be careful, Unmei. This world we're in—it can take more from you than it gives. Trust isn't always enough."

The words hung in the air, a warning layered with unspoken closeness. Shiro's gaze lingered on Unmei for a moment too long before he quickly looked away, his cheeks tinged with a faint flush that Unmei almost missed.

Feeling his heart skip a beat, Unmei took a seat on his bed, fidgeting awkwardly. "Thanks, Shiro. I'll… I'll be careful. And, hey, the same goes for you too."

Shiro's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. "Goodnight, Unmei."

"Goodnight, Shiro."

As Unmei lay in bed, he found himself smiling, unable to shake the warmth of Shiro's unexpected kindness. He knew that Shiro was complicated, that he carried his burdens and defences, but maybe—just maybe—those defences weren't as unbreakable as they seemed.

In the days that followed, Unmei noticed small changes in Shiro. He occasionally joined Unmei and Kazu during training, offering pointers or challenging Unmei to duels. His cold demeanour softened, and he even began to share glimpses of his past and his reasons for joining Yankai. Bit by bit, the distance between them lessened, and Unmei felt his heart begin to flutter in Shiro's presence.

Kazu, of course, noticed everything. One afternoon, as they were sparring, he nudged Unmei with a teasing grin.

"Shiro's warming up to you, huh?"

Unmei's cheeks turned pink. "I… I don't know. He's… complicated."

Kazu laughed. "Oh, he's more than complicated. But keep being yourself, Unmei. You're doing something most people can't—breaking down Shiro's walls."

Unmei glanced over at Shiro, who was training alone, his focus sharp and intense. When their eyes met across the room, Shiro gave a slight nod. Unmei felt his chest tighten, a mix of admiration and something deeper.

For the first time, Unmei realized that Yankai had given him more than just a purpose—it had also provided him with a place in the lives of others, creating connections that made him stronger. Among those connections, Shiro was the one whose presence affected him the most. Their bond felt as if it was growing, one heartbeat at a time.