#albeit mega quick

They don’t know where it came from, but an icy, heavy sensation plummeted down his stomach.

Even before he reached double digits, he knew others would expect a lot from them.

Called him a ‘gifted child’.

Initially, he wore the title with much pride. Then they stopped thinking being seen as such is so special after entering Teikoku, where it seems like everyone was a so-called ‘gifted child’. Some even better than others, than him.

Still, he managed well by himself. Sure, maybe once or twice someone, somehow, saw straight through the carefully moulded facade and glimpsed something akin to a cry of help (which he usually covered up before it’s too late), but other than that, he did quite well.

That was in the far past.

It didn’t go through her mind. Maybe he really was that desperate. His hands shot out, latching onto Kageno’s sleeve just in time.

“Wait!”

Emotions of all types coursed through his consciousness when that word left her mouth. Relief, shame, anxiety, sadness and seemingly bit of everything else, it was all just a blur. Despite the overwhelming mess, he was able to make sense of something, one thing’s for certain.

Finally, for once, he wanted to reach out.

To let someone, let Kageno, Jin, know they need them.

“D-Domon?” His face obscured and unreadable, his voice on-edge. But he didn’t pull away, nor protest. Standing there, as if waiting.

He gripped on Kageno, no, Jin’s sleeve even tighter with strength they thought was long-lost. Terrified of letting go.

Terrified of losing him again.

“Please… Jin.”

They never thought he could sound so meek.

How pathetic.