Campione: Strongest# 463: Preparing for Discharge

Haru heard SHIKI’s suggestive words.

His left hand, which had been exploring deep inside Shiki Ryougi’s hospital gown, silently withdrew. He even took a moment to straighten the messy fabric.

Although he was often swayed by his baser instincts, Haru was clear-headed in crucial moments. If he pushed things now, he knew that when the truth came out, he would face the combined wrath of Shiki and SHIKI. And perhaps even the Root.

The thought was too terrifying to imagine.

“Hmph-hmph,” SHIKI hummed twice, seemingly satisfied with Haru’s restraint. Her hum turned into a cheerful tune. “You can do anything you want... except for the final step,” she giggled.

“First the threat, now the bribe? You’ve learned some bad habits, SHIKI,” Haru said, his face stiffening in helpless resignation.

He looked down, gently pushed Shiki’s shoulders, and studied her tear-streaked, delicate face.

Shiki’s body trembled, her pale face and slightly swollen eyes fixed on Haru. As SHIKI had predicted, the girl was filled with remorse. She had been the one to engage Ryuunosuke, the one to trade a wound for a kill, and the one whose battlelust had let him escape, preventing Haru from finishing the fight.

She felt she should have been the one to ‘die.’ Why had SHIKI sacrificed her own life to atone for her mistake?

Looking at the self-loathing Shiki, Haru’s expression softened. He raised a hand to smooth her split, shoulder-length black hair and gently wipe the tears from her face.

In response, Shiki stopped crying and silently allowed the ministration. She bit her lip, her cherry-red lips turning pale, showing faint traces of blood. In her mind, it should have been SHIKI enjoying Haru’s gentle touch.

Haru looked at her pale, blood-tinged lips and, without a word, leaned in and kissed them.

“Mmmph—”

The sensation made Shiki’s face stiffen. The sudden kiss left her stunned, unsure of what to do.

“Ah…”

After a few moments, their lips parted. Haru looked at the blushing Shiki, who was gasping for air, and said, “SHIKI did it of her own free will. Don’t overthink it.”

Shiki’s pupils constricted. After a long pause, she nodded silently, leaned back against the headboard, and fell into quiet contemplation.

Seeing her like this, Haru shrugged helplessly. He turned his attention to the plastic bag he had tossed aside in his rush to stop her from harming herself.

“You haven’t had breakfast, have you? I made a special trip today. Want to try some soup dumplings?” he said, taking the breakfast out of the bag.

“I don’t have an appetite,” Shiki replied, taking a deep breath and seemingly reverting to her usual cool demeanor.

“Do you want me to feed you? Mouth-to-mouth?” Haru raised an eyebrow, holding a box of dumplings in front of her with a wicked smile.

Seeing his playful grin, Shiki, assuming he was just putting on a brave face for her, bit her lip. She took the box and began to eat slowly, deliberately.

“Tsk. I thought I could get a little more out of that,” Haru pouted.

Shiki paused in her chewing, her face flushing slightly as her gaze flickered toward him. The next second, she leaned forward, her moist lips pressing against his as she passed him a small piece of the food.

Completely taken by surprise by this unexpected reward, Haru froze.

It was only when she tried to pull away that he snapped out of it, cupped her delicate face, and began to kiss her fiercely.

—————

After nearly an hour of playful teasing, Haru, carrying the remaining breakfast, made an excuse and prepared to leave. At the door, he turned back, a look of concern on his face.

“Don’t waste the Mystic Eyes that SHIKI left for you.”

Shiki’s body trembled, but she nodded silently.

Seeing her nod, Haru opened the door and stepped out. Just as it was about to close, Shiki’s cold voice drifted out. “Haru, teach me how to use these eyes. And I want to be discharged tomorrow.”

“I know.”

The door slowly closed.

—————

Leaning against it, Haru frowned and said to the sphere of light floating above his head, “SHIKI, I think she’s in a bad state. Her voice was laced with hatred.”

“Don’t worry. ‘I’m’ not that fragile. But she probably does want to kill someone to blow off some steam,” SHIKI said, her voice tinged with guilt.

Although it was all to help Shiki overcome her emptiness, she felt she might have gone too far. She’d never expected Shiki to be so fragile without her—fragile enough to feed him mouth-to-mouth just to escape her own guilt.

“You damn Uncle! ‘I’ really lost out. You tricked me into all that teasing, and he got the reward!” SHIKI said resentfully.

“Oh? I think I’m the one who lost out. When Shiki finds out the truth, I’m pretty sure I’ll be in much more trouble than you,” Haru said, his lip twitching as he walked toward Kirié Fujou’s room.

“…Serves you right for trying to have it all and fooling around,” SHIKI grumbled. How could she have been so blind as to fall for such a scumbag, to the point where she couldn't escape? 'It must be because I was so innocent when I first came into contact with the outside world. That's how this guy tricked me. I was only thirteen! That lolicon deserves to be struck by lightning!'

With that, she once again began to ram Haru’s head, venting her frustration.

—————

Ignoring the light impacts, Haru gently pushed open the door to Kirié’s room. He placed the breakfast on the bedside table and looked at her by the window with some surprise.

“It’s a bit late, but I brought you breakfast. You’re already out of bed on your own? It seems you’re recovering quickly, Kirié.”

Hearing his voice, Kirié, who had been enjoying the spring breeze, blushed and said shyly, “Mmm-hmm, I’m much better. But… it still hurts a little down there.”

She turned her blushing face to him, her gaze hesitant. “Why did both you and Nyaruko say that… that act yesterday was a form of treatment? I just heard from the nurse that it’s… it’s for making babies…” Her voice trailed off into a barely audible whisper.

“Don’t listen to those gossiping nurses. This is a secret family recipe that can cure any illness. See, Kirié? Isn't your illness cured?” Haru said shamelessly.

“I suppose so,” Kirié replied, lowering her hands and feeling an unprecedented sense of ease in her body. A smile graced her lips.

“Um, Haru, let’s get discharged tomorrow. I can’t wait to see the scenery in other places.”

“Sure,” Haru replied instinctively, then his face froze.