Steam clung to the wooden beams of the bathhouse ceiling, drifting lazily as water rippled around Aoi's ankles. She stood beneath the last of the falling water, eyes closed, palms pressed briefly against the tiled wall as she breathed out slowly.
He's alive.
The thought repeated itself like a quiet chant.
He's breathing. He's stable. He's alive.
Only now—only after the panic had drained from her body—did her legs begin to feel weak. She shut the water off and stepped out, wrapping the towel around herself tightly as if afraid the world might unravel again if she didn't hold something together.
She lingered a moment longer, gathering herself.
Then she walked out.
And froze.
Raizen was sitting at the low table.
Alive.
Very much alive.
He was fully dressed in clean clothes—simple, fresh, unmistakably new. One leg was folded casually beneath him as he leaned forward, biting into a pork bun like nothing catastrophic had happened hours earlier.
He looked up mid-chew.
"Oh," he said calmly. "You're back."
The towel slipped from Aoi's hands.
It hit the floor softly.
Her breath caught, a sharp hitch escaping her throat as her vision blurred. A single tear slipped down her cheek before she even realized she was crying.
Raizen tilted his head. "What's wrong?"
She didn't answer.
"I mean," he continued, swallowing the bun, "I took a bath in the public restroom, sooooo—why do you look so worried?"
Aoi stared at him.
Her mind raced faster than her body could react.
His eyes…
They were normal.
No silver. No crystalline fracture. No unnatural glow.
So he can control Ryōgetsu now…
The realization hit her all at once.
Her knees buckled.
Before Raizen could react, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly—too tightly—burying her face into his chest.
"Don't be stupid again," she said, her voice muffled but shaking. "Ever."
She held him like she was afraid he would disappear if she loosened her grip even slightly.
Raizen stiffened for half a second.
Then relaxed.
He let out a low sound—half surprise, half breathless amusement.
"Hmmm."
His arms hesitated before slowly lifting, settling awkwardly at her sides.
"…Not gonna lie," he said quietly, "it was only one day, but I hella missed you, Aoi."
Her breath caught.
Her face burned.
She didn't answer.
Instead, she squeezed him tighter.
From down the corridor, Senji stopped walking.
Lu, beside him, raised an eyebrow. "You feel that?"
"Yeah," Senji replied flatly. "I do."
Lu crossed her arms. "So… he's awake."
"And she's hugging him," Senji added.
"…Of course she is."
Back in the room, Raizen rested his chin lightly against the top of Aoi's head, careful not to move too much.
"You scared me too," he said more softly. "I didn't mean to push it that far."
She shook her head against him. "You always say that."
A brief silence passed between them—comfortable, heavy, real.
Then—
"Hey."
Raizen leaned back just enough to look at her. "You're still in a towel."
Her eyes widened.
She looked down.
Then screamed.
He turned away instantly, face red. "SORRY—SORRY—MY BAD—!"
She scrambled back, grabbing the towel and storming past him, mortified.
"IDIOT!"
From the hallway, Lu burst out laughing.
Senji sighed, rubbing his temples. "This is why I hate people."
⸻
Elsewhere, in the infirmary—
Gabimaru sat upright, rolling his shoulders as faint bruises faded from his skin. His breathing steadied as energy circulated through his body, precise and controlled.
"Self-reviving taijutsu," he muttered. "Barely made it in time."
His muscles twitched once before settling completely.
He stood.
"…Guess I owe Raizen another fight."
⸻
Back in the room, Aoi returned dressed properly, cheeks still flushed but posture composed. Raizen pretended very hard not to notice.
She sat across from him.
"…Your eyes," she said quietly. "They're normal."
Raizen nodded. "I figured out how to shut them off."
"And turn them on?"
"…Yeah."
She studied him carefully. "You're not allowed to use them recklessly anymore."
He smiled. "Is that an order?"
"Yes."
He chuckled. "Then I guess I have no choice."
Outside, Senji paused again.
"…We're definitely going to have problems later," he muttered.
Lu smirked. "Worth it."
The storm had passed—for now.
But something deeper had begun to move.
And none of them were ready for what would come next.