Your cursed energy reinforced your legs as you bounded from an air conditioner unit onto the awning, then to the roof in a practiced series of movements. You dropped into a crouch.

The black sniper rifle fit effortlessly in your hands. Unlike your family's traditional cursed tools, katanas, spears, and bows, you forged modern weapons. Firearms. Something your clan had once mocked.

"A sorcerer should fight with honor."

"Guns are for weaklings."

Until they saw what your cursed bullets could do. The rifle rested comfortably against your shoulder. You peered through the scope and panned towards Yuta.

He was speaking to the frightened girl. You shifted slightly. Behind him floated Rika, towering protectively over both of them. Satisfied, you continued scanning.

The street...Abandoned cars...Collapsed storefront...

Then, you saw movement. Your eye narrowed. A lone sorcerer sprinted around the opposite corner. Not toward Yuta. Toward the little girl. His expression twisted into something desperate.

Your finger settled on the trigger. Yuta couldn't sense him yet. Neither could Rika. The sorcerer was too far for them. But not for you.

Slow inhale.

The world shrank to the circle inside your scope. The crosshair rested perfectly between the man's eyes. You squeezed the trigger.

BANG!

The sound cracked through the colony like thunder. The sorcerer's head snapped backward. He collapsed before taking another step. Kogane appeared beside you.

"Player[name] has earned one point."

You let out a quiet breath. "Thanks."

Below, Yuta instinctively stepped in front of the girl. His eyes searched the rooftops. They landed on you. You stood from your crouch, slinging the rifle over your shoulder. With a sheepish smile, you lifted one hand in a tiny wave. Yuta stared for half a second. Then he laughed. Relief more than amusement.

By the time you climbed back down, the little girl was staring at your rifle with wide eyes.

"You..." she whispered.

You smiled gently.

"The bad person won't hurt you anymore."

Yuta walked over.

"That shot..."

"About six hundred meters."

"...That's really far."

"I've hit farther."

He chuckled. "I don't think I'll ever get used to watching you do that."

You nudged his shoulder. "And I don't think I'll ever get used to watching you run toward danger."

The civilians slowly gathered around the two of you. Yuta looked between them.

"We should keep moving."

You nodded immediately. "I'll take point."

"I'll stay in the back."

"Same plan as always?"

"Same plan."

You bumped your fist lightly against his. "Let's go."

The procession moved carefully through Sendai. You walked several meters ahead, rifle resting across your shoulders. Every rooftop. Every window. Every alley.

Your eyes swept across them with practiced precision. Nothing escaped your scope for long. Behind you, Yuta quietly encouraged the exhausted civilians, occasionally carrying children when they became too tired to walk. Whenever someone stumbled, he was there. Whenever someone panicked ,you heard his calm voice settle them.

It reminded you why you loved fighting beside him. You protected from afar. He protected up close. The two of you fit together naturally.

Night settled over the ruined city. The group eventually found refuge inside another convenience store. The shelves had mostly been emptied long ago, but there was enough space for everyone to rest. Some people cried quietly. Others fell asleep almost immediately.

You leaned your rifle against the wall before checking every entrance. Satisfied, you returned to find Yuta standing near the front windows. His eyes weren't on the civilians. They were fixed on the massive stadium in the distance.

You walked over. "...Everything okay?"

He looked at you. Then back toward the stadium. "Dhruv's territory."

You followed his gaze. "...You're thinking about going."

He nodded. "If I defeat him...the stadium becomes safe."

"It'll be big enough to shelter everyone."

Silence settled between you.

"I need to go now."

Your chest tightened. "I'll come with you."

He slowly shook his head. "No."

You frowned. "Yuta"

"I need you here." He glanced toward the sleeping civilians. "If another player finds them while I'm gone...they'll need someone strong enough to protect them."

You looked away. You already knew he was right. That didn't make it easier.

"...I don't like this."

"I know."

"I should be fighting beside you."

"I know."

He stepped closer. Your protests faded before they even reached your lips. One of his hands cupped your cheek. His other arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you against him. You instinctively rested your hands around his waist.

He leaned forward until his forehead rested against yours. "I'll come back."

"You don't know that."

"I do."

"You can't promise things like that."

"I can try."

You closed your eyes. "...I hate when you're reasonable."

A soft laugh escaped him. "I've learned from you."

You sighed. "...Fine." Your voice came out much quieter than you intended. "I'll protect everyone until you get back."

"I know you will."

You finally nodded. "...Okay."

His smile softened. "I'm counting on you."

He took his forehead from yours and a gentle kiss landed on your forehead.

You immediately frowned. "...Really?"

"Hm?"

"That's it?"

He blinked innocently.

"You kissed my forehead."

"I did."

You crossed your arms. "I've risked my life with you all day."

"Mm-hmm."

"I landed a six hundred meter headshot."

"You did."

"And that's all I get?"

He laughed. Actually laughed. The sound was light enough that a few sleeping civilians stirred.

"So demanding."

"I think I've earned it."

"You definitely have."

He slipped one hand behind your neck. Then kissed you properly. Slow. Warm. Deep. His tongue brushed against yours, teasing, tasting, drawing a soft sound from your throat. You snaked your arms around his neck, pressing yourself closer as his hand on your waist tightened, fingers digging into your skin through your clothes, molding your body flush against his.

The kiss lasted long enough for you to forget, if only for a moment, that the Culling Game still surrounded you. When he finally pulled away, your forehead rested against his once more. Both of you breathing slightly heavier.

"There," he whispered. "Better?"

A tiny smile tugged at your lips. "...Much."

"Good." He gave your waist one last squeeze before reluctantly stepping back. "I'll be back soon."

You watched him turn toward the exit. "...You better."

Without looking back, he raised one hand in acknowledgment before disappearing into the darkness toward Dhruv's stadium. As soon as he was gone, you picked up your rifle, took position near the store's entrance and kept watch until he came back.

The first rays of sunlight spilled over the ruined skyline of Sendai.

You let out a slow breath.

The stadium had been in your scope all night.

You hadn't slept.

Every so often, one of Dhruv's massive shikigami would emerge above the walls before disappearing again. Each appearance was followed by the distant sounds of buildings collapsing, concrete cracking, and cursed energy colliding.

Every time you saw movement, your finger hovered over the trigger. Every time...You stopped yourself. The fight was too close. Too chaotic. One missed shot would be all it took.

So you waited. Eventually the rumbling ceased. Silence settled over the city. You focused through the scope one last time. Nothing. No shikigami. No movement.

You closed your eyes. Dhruv's cursed energy...It was gone. A shaky sigh escaped your lips as the tension finally left your shoulders.

"...He did it."

Your sniper slipped from your shoulder as you sat back against the wall outside the convenience store. Only then did you realize how heavy your eyelids had become.

The civilians had already packed their belongings by the time footsteps echoed down the street. You looked up. Yuta. Dust covered his uniform. Small cuts lined his face and arms.

His breathing was steady, but the exhaustion was written plainly across his expression. The moment his eyes found you his shoulders relaxed.

You smiled. "There you are."

Instead of answering, he walked straight over to you. His gaze lingered on your face.

You tilted your head. "What?"

He slowly raised a hand. His fingertips brushed beneath your eye.

"They're pretty bad..."

You blinked. "...Hm?"

"Your eyebags."

His thumb gently traced beneath one eye. "...You didn't sleep?"

You looked away for a second. "...No."

His expression immediately tightened. "You should've rested."

"I was fine."

"You watched the whole fight, didn't you?"

"...Maybe."

He sighed.

You gave him a small grin. "I'm okay."

"You say that, but—"

"Besides..." You leaned a little closer. "...At least this way we match now."

He blinked. "...What?"

"You have eyebags, so do I. We're matching."

For a full second, Yuta simply stared. Then the realization hit him. His ears turned pink.

"...You..." His eyes darted away. "...That's not..."

You bit back a laugh. "You're blushing."

"I just got done fighting."

"Mhm." You smiled triumphantly.

He rubbed the back of his neck, completely defeated. "...You're impossible."

The moment was interrupted by nervous murmurs from the civilians gathering nearby. Yuta straightened.

"We should move."

His voice became firm. "The stadium's safe now."

Everyone quickly began following him. Just like before, you naturally took the lead. Yuta stayed behind to make sure no one was left alone.

The stadium entrance loomed ahead. Something...Felt wrong. You slowed. Your hand instinctively rested on your sidearm. The hairs on the back of your neck stood.

"...Yuta."

"I know."

He'd felt it too. The civilians began filing through the entrance one by one. Almost everyone had made it inside. You heard a terrified scream from the distance. You whipped around.

One of the civilians was sprinting toward the entrance. Behind him was a black cloud surged through the streets. No. Not smoke. Bugs. A writhing swarm poured over abandoned cars and shattered pavement like a living tide.

Someone screamed. "They're coming!"

Yuta immediately stepped forward. His eyes met yours for only a split second. He gave a single nod. You understood immediately.

"I've got them." You spun around.

"Everyone! Keep moving! Don't stop! Further inside!"

The civilians hurried deeper into the stadium as chunks of broken concrete rained down from the entrance. You stayed beside them until the last child was safely behind cover.

A roar echoed outside. Your heart lurched. You turned. Rika stood nearby, staring toward the entrance. Her massive frame blocked falling debris from reaching the civilians.

You ran over. "I'm going up."

She looked at you.

"I need a vantage point. If I can see him...I can support him."

Rika gave a firm nod. "Protect."

"I will." You smiled faintly. "Take care of everyone while I'm gone."

She thumped her chest. "Leave it to Rika."

The instant Rika manifested beside him, Yuta let out a breath of relief.

"Rika..."

She immediately moved to shield him as Uro and Ryu closed in again. The first thing out of his mouth wasn't about the fight.

"...I hope [name] didn't see what I did."

Rika blinked. "She was actually—"

A granite blast tore through the air. Yuta grabbed his sword again. The conversation ended there.

Much, much later...

The battlefield had finally gone quiet. Broken buildings smoldered around them. The morning sun had climbed higher into the sky. Yuta sat heavily on the cracked pavement beside Ryu. His uniform was torn. His body ached.

Every muscle screamed at him to lie down and never move again. But despite everything, a small, satisfied smile rested on his face.

Then he heard footsteps. His head immediately turned. The exhaustion melted from his expression. A bright smile spread across his face. You walked toward them with your sniper slung over one shoulder.

Ryu noticed the change instantly. "...Is that your girl?"

Yuta couldn't take his eyes off you. "...Yeah."

His voice came out softer than intended. He'd spent the entire fight wondering if you were okay. Now that you were standing in front of him, all he wanted to do was pull you into his arms. Forget the Culling Game. Forget the colony. Just hug you until he fell asleep.

You looked between him and Ryu. "...So." You tilted your head. "Is this the part where you two kiss now?"

"...HUH?!" Both men shouted in perfect unison.

Their jaws practically hit the floor. You folded your arms.

"Apparently we're all just going around kissing everyone and everything nowadays, huh?"

Yuta froze. His face slowly turned red. "...Honey, it was—"

"Save it. Your mouth has been contaminated with bug juice."

Ryu snorted.

"So you're not allowed to kiss me anymore."

Yuta's shoulders visibly slumped. He looked like someone had just told him puppies weren't real. Ryu pressed a fist against his mouth. His shoulders shook. He was trying, very unsuccessfully, not to laugh.

You nodded to yourself. "Since you're disqualified..." You turned toward the towering shikigami standing behind you. "I'll go kiss Rika instead."

Rika's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?!"

You smiled sweetly. "Wouldn't you like that, Rika?"

"Yes!"

She leaned down eagerly. You rose onto your toes.

"...Come here."

Rika happily lowered her face toward yours.

Yuta's eyes widened. "...Wait."

You were centimeters away.

"So cute..."

"...WAIT."

Two hands suddenly grabbed your cheeks.

"Hm—"

Before you could react, Yuta's warm lips crashed against yours.

"Mmph?!"

Your eyes flew open. You immediately tried pushing him away.

"Mm!"

Yuta didn't budge. One hand stayed cupping your face. The other wrapped firmly around your waist, keeping you against him. He wasn't letting you escape. Not this time. Only after several long seconds did he finally pull away. You stared at him in complete disbelief.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU KISSED ME WITH THE SAME MOUTH THAT KISSED KUROURUSHI!"

Your voice echoed across the ruined streets. Several birds took off from nearby buildings. He slowly looked at you with the most pitiful expression imaginable.

"I couldn't..." His voice was barely above a whisper. "...let you give my kiss to Rika."

You blinked. Ryu completely lost it.

"PFFT—HAHAHAHA!"

He doubled over laughing so hard he had to hold his stomach.

"You—" He pointed at Yuta. "You're jealous of your own shikigami?!"

Yuta's face somehow became even redder. "...She's not just any shikigami."

Rika's smile disappeared. She looked between the two of you. Then she pointed at herself.

"...Rika wanted kiss too."

Everyone froze. You looked at Rika. Yuta looked at Rika. Ryu looked at Rika.

She puffed out her cheeks. "...Not fair."

Yuta buried his face in both hands. "...Please don't make this any worse."

"so then you just... stir it, " he clarified in his monotone sound, mixing the frying vegetables in the pan hesitantly.

"yeah! it's in the name, 'stir-fry', pretty straightforward. " yuji stood to the side, watching closely—not at the food megumi was very closely not trying to screw up, but at his lips. perhaps it was out of habit, looking at someone's mouth as they spoke. " your lips are chapped. "

he rubbed his lips together briefly, not looking up from his (shameful, sometimes) culinary skills. " no, they're not. "

he pouted, knowing that it would be tricky for megumi to fall for his antics. it's not that he was too shy to initiate a kiss, he could easily ask for one, but he liked getting creative with ways to get a kiss. stealing kisses rubbed him a right way—it was fun. " why would i ever lie to you, megumi? "

he sighed. " just say you want a kiss."

" i don't! "

he deadpanned, the spatula clattering on the counter as he turned his head to scold him—lovingly, of course. only to be met with a kiss by yuji's clearly overglossed lips. just how he envisioned kissing you days later, he kissed him that same way—hard, imprinting, and sweet. he pulled away, a beaming smile that was bound to deepen his smile lines. " now they're not chapped. "

megumi was flustered for the rest of the day, barely being able to focus on finishing dinner without burning it (more concern than before). his critical thinking and awareness were disturbed for the rest of that night.

" if he says your lips are chapped, don't trust him. " he muttered, staring at the ceiling. it was the middle of the night, and his quit affirmations caught your attention.

" you're acting like you didn't enjoy the kiss, 'gumi. plus, it sounded sweet, " you said, lying on his shoulder. " you were really flustered the rest of the day, huh? "

" as if you wouldn't be? we're in the same boat here. "

well, he got you there. you would just have to be wary of yuji for a little while. but the thing is, he's a sneaky bastard. he'll strike when you least expect it, it's truly scary how unpredictable he could be, especially with loving on you and megumi; his two favorite people on this earth and who he'd gladly die for. because just when you let your guard down... he'll pounce. like a tiger, or something.

© 𝓜𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐌

⨳ 𝓷𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: ass writing but fuck it we ball