You Always Build It Better the Second Time Around

Chapter 5 - Love (Yourself First Before Others)

Do I regret it?

No.

Do I wish to do much more?

Yes.

Do I think he'll ever change?

...

No.

When Yoichi and his familiar, Kimizuki, get here, I've already agreed with Mikaela to let Koba go.

I didn't want to at first. I wanted to fulfill my promise to him that I would rid the earth of the filth he is.

Mikaela stopped me from doing anything rash, thankfully. And when I came back to my senses, it took all the strength I had left not to show Mikaela any form of vulnerability. I don't want a repeat of my relationship with Koba no matter how bittersweet it came and went and continues to go.

"I'm assuming you've already caught on," I mutter, voice low like my chances of choking on a sob or stuttering over my words. "To everything." I remain on my knees, him standing quietly behind me.

What I'm expecting is the lash to my back I've grown accustomed to while with the god Surumi. However, I can't help but flinch; breath held in as I feel a soft touch to my head. "You did good," Mikaela gently whispers, as if I were glass easily broken by the slightest sound or movement. In a sense, I was. "I know not of your past with that Koba kid-"

Is everyone a kid in his eyes? I can't help but wonder. How old even is he as a god?

"-However, you handled it well in the end and seemed to come to terms with your emotions."

"Come to terms... huh?" I echo quietly, voice growing reminiscent once again.

Getting home was no fun with the constant reminder of my fresh wounds with the cold ass wind licking my face. It's not something pleasurable, let me tell you that. Mikaela got onto my case immediately, playing doctor as soon as we get home with the simple words of "strip" before even "are you okay?" or something simple.

"What?" I dumbly reply, knowing full well what he's asked and why.

"You heard me," he simply answers. "I'm going to get you new clothes- which should've been done ages ago- but for now, you'll have to wear mine."

"And if I refuse?"

"I'll dress you myself," he answers back right away.

"Why the hell do you think I'd allow you to touch me?" I almost hiss at him. I'm truly thankful to him, but after that whole show no one asked tickets to view, I don't want him to see the blood from old scars reopening.

In the end, he won. I got away with only taking my top off, not letting any of his threats to make me take my pants off to sway me. When I make up my mind, it stays that way. I indeed have wounds on my legs, but I can still walk so they can wait to be treated.

Mikaela makes me sit in his chair while he pulls up another, a First Aid Kit in hand along with gauze and medical tape. His fingers gently probe the skin around the cuts on my arm, being sure to get the worst ones first. Because these wounds were caused by another yōkai, especially a stronger one, it will take a few hours to maybe a day or two before these wounds heal.

"If you don't mind me asking..." Mikaela starts as he wraps gauze around my forearm, the wounds on my chest already taken care of. "I thought you said you didn't have much power?"

I look at him, the emotions in my eyes slowly returning since the fight from earlier with Koba which seemed to wipe all other emotions away other than ire and hatred toward him. "I didn't want to show you what lied beneath... It's hideous and gross."