Still feeling uneasy and overwhelmed, Red carefully settles Konnie down, her hands slowly start to shake as she lets go of Konnie, The stranger drops Jade on the chair, with a loud thud from Jade's unconscious body, Red flinches and shuts her eyes

"was.. that.. really necessary-" she asked with her teeth clenched and her voice trembling, "that.. what the hell was that.." her eyes wide and her heart still racing while staring down at Konnie's unconscious body

"I think you already know what that is" he sets his fur collar coat down at the counter, with a bag of coins beside it

Red tried to step back, but her legs betrayed her with one feeling like stone, refusing to move. One foot after the other, she stumbled, her balance faltering, until Touma and Akane caught her just before she fell.

She pointed at Konnie, her hand trembling uncontrollably. "That's... not possible," she stutters, her voice thin and shaky. "Dark magic doesn't just awaken within someone, it's not natural"

The stranger sighed, flipping a coin casually between his fingers. The metallic clink seemed deafening in the tense silence. "If that's dark magic," he said, his voice low and deliberate, "then the Black Rose will come for her. You'd best clear this place before they arrive." With hands in his pockets, he strode to a chair across from Jade and sat down, the coin vanishing as if it had never existed

Jade twitched and mumbled something under her breath. Red, still trembling, straightened herself slowly. She stopped in front of the stairs, her gaze distant and weary as she looked up. "Akane... keep an eye on them while I rest for a bit," she muttered

Her hand gripped the railing tightly as she took the first step. Her legs wobbled, threatening to give out with every movement. Touma hurried to her side, placing an arm around her for support. Together, they ascended, step by step, Red's breath coming in strained gasps, until they disappeared upstairs

Akane glanced at Konnie, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Red's face, frozen in fear, replayed in her mind like a haunting image. Her eyes darted around the room, desperate for something.. anything.. to focus on..

"Hey, you," the stranger called, his voice breaking the silence. Akane flinched, snapping her attention to him.
"Y-yeah?" she stutters.

He leaned forward, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Your mom, miss red hair, whats her name?" he asked, his tone casual, as if trying to cut through the tension.

"Oh... her?" Akane mumbled, hesitating. "Her name's Red, but... she isn't really..." Her voice trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor.

The stranger stood, walking over to her. He patted her head gently. "Hey," he said softly, "mind helping me with something?"

Meanwhile, Jade drifted in darkness, her unconscious mind stirring. At first, there was nothing but silence. Then, faint voices began to filter through the void.. laughter, light and carefree, a sound that felt distant and warm. But the warmth quickly curdled, the laughter twisting into shrieks of pain and cries of terror.

Jade tried to move, but her limbs felt heavy, as if submerged in tar. The voices grew louder, sharper, cutting into her thoughts like jagged glass. Her heart raced, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness gripped her. The sound of a familiar girl's wail pierced through the chaos, followed by a desperate scream "JADE! NOOOO!!"

Jade's eyes flew open as she gasped for air, her hand outstretched toward something unseen. Her chest heaved as she blinked rapidly, her mind still tethered to the echoes of those voices.

Silence fills the room. Jade's eyes adjust to the dim light, landing on Akane and the stranger playing cards at the table. Akane fumbles, the cards slipping from her trembling hands. Her gaze locks on Jade, and her eyes swell up.

"Jade!" she cries, bolting to her. Tears stream down her face as she throws herself into Jade's arms, hugging her tightly.

The stranger looks at the scattered cards, picking them up with a sigh "Wait... did she even know what we were playing?" He sets the deck on the table, then turns his sharp gaze to Jade.

"So... Jade, right?" He leans forward, with his hands joined. "I assume you already know what happened back there."

Jade squints at him, her voice low and wary "how.. do you know my name?"

The stranger's eyes flicker between her and Akane, a smirk tugging at his lips. "wouldnt be surprised if you dont know who I am"

Ignoring his cryptic tone, Jade pats Akane's head gently. "Mind telling me who you are?"

He leans back against his chair, his eyes fades from grey to blue, "Shuzuka, I'm the one who saved you two after you tried using healing magic to cleanse corruption" His smirk widens. "and let me guess, you have no idea how I got here."

Jade tilts her head, keeping one arm protectively around Akane. "No. I didn't sense you enter my space. How did you get here? And are you with her?" She glances at Konnie, unconscious on the floor.

Shuzuka chuckles and shrugs. "Nope. Just like you, I have no clue who she is. As for how I got here?" He leans forward again, his voice dropping and his eyes shifting to red. "I'd rather not answer that."

Jade sighs in relief as her focus shifts onto Konnie, worry clouding her face. She gently lets go of Akane and crosses the room, sitting beside Konnie on the floor. Her voice drops to a whisper. "If youre not with them.. no, there has to be a reason why I found you there"

She notices a single tear roll down Konnie's cheek. Hesitating, she reaches out, her hand hovering over Konnie's skin. Memories of what had happened earlier flash in her mind. Taking a deep breath, she gently taps Konnie's skin, brushing the tear away.

Shuzuka squints at the scene, his voice cutting through the quiet. "How long have you two known each other?"

"Not long," Jade murmurs, her eyes fixed on Konnie. "I only met her this morning."

Shuzuka crosses his arms, his tone sharp. "So why are you being so nice to her, especially after she almost killed you?"

Jade's gaze drifts to the distance, her hand resting lightly on Konnie's head. A distant voice echoes in her memory, a time when a stranger saved her life. She whispers, almost to herself, "I... I don't know."

A short, sharp exhale escaped Shuzuka, laced with disdain as he shook his head and stood. "That's stupid," he muttered, heading for the door. Just before stepping out, he paused, his back still to Jade. "I wouldn't be so trusting of someone who nearly killed me."
Jade frowned, her gaze narrowing. "What do you mean by that?"
Shuzuka glanced over his shoulder, his tone clipped. "If you keep doing that, you'll trust the wrong person someday."
Jade chuckled softly "Speaking from experience?"

For a moment, it seemed like he might respond, but Shuzuka turned and walked out silently, the door clicking shut behind him.

Jade's smile faltered as her eyes drifted to the window. The night sky stretched endlessly, stars scattered like fragile hopes. Akane, now sitting beside her, tugged at Jade's sleeve, her voice small and hesitant. "Is... Konnie really okay?"

Her gaze dropped to Akane's wide, worried eyes, and a second question followed, barely above a whisper. "Is... Konnie a bad person?"

Jade hesitated, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Her voice wavered, heavy with uncertainty, but she managed to answer. "She's not."

As the sun rose, its beams brushing Jade's closed eyes, her ears twitched at the sound of hissing noises and the sweet smell of syrup. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her gaze landing on Konnie, still sound asleep.

She got up and passed the counter, heading into the kitchen. The cold water splashed against her face, jolting her awake. She stretched, a smile forming on her lips. "Good morning, everyone!"

Akane and Touma sitting at the table, their eyes barely open and their hair messy. Jade lowered her hands, chuckling. "Oh yeah... I forgot you two aren't morning people."

"Well, they just woke up and... aren't exactly happy, especially since they've got class in..." Red glanced at the clock while flipping eggs in a hot pan. "one hour." Jade sat at the table next to the empty seat, across from the two kids.

"So... how's Konnie?" Red asked, as the room suddenly went silent

Jade hesitated, her gaze dropping to her empty plate. "She... she's fine. Still asleep," she said, her tone positive but tinged with uncertainty. A forced smile crossed her face. "Well, I'm glad she's okay, at least."

Red placed the hot pan on the table, serving herself first before offering food to Jade. She held up two pieces of bread in front of Akane, effortlessly toasting them. "Thank you, Akane" Red muttered happily as she sat next to Jade.

A few moments of quiet passed, with only the sound of utensils filling the room. Jade couldn't help but feel the tension. "So... any plans for today?" she asked awkwardly.

"Well, I'm mostly staying at the shop," Red replied while sipping her coffee, chewing toast. "I've got a jacket to fix for a customer." She ponders and looks at her plate, "you know.. I never got his name... Does anyone know?"

Jade raised her finger, mouth opened, then froze, unable to remember his name. "It's Shuzuka," Akane muttered,  Jade snaps her fingers with excitement "Ah! Shuzuka, yeah thats the name"

"by the way I'm going to need you to collect some slimes and plants today," Red said as she cleaned up the dishes.

Jade nodded enthusiastically, still chewing. "Mhm, sure!, oh yea what colors?"

Touma shot her a disgusted look. "Don't do that. That's gross."

Akane giggled, taking a sip of juice. "ewww ehehehe, Jade sounds kinda funny"

Touma shot her a glare. "Don't encourage her."

Jade swallowed and laughed. "Okay, okay, sorry. It was just so quiet and awkward, Jeez.." She got up and started clearing the table as Akane and Touma finished getting ready for school. Jade scanned the room, then froze, her face paling as she realized something. Her staff....

She bolted for the door, leaving it wide open. "well, looks like its time" Touma stood up, followed by Akane as they both waved goodbye at Red. Before they both walked out Akane paused, glancing back at Konnie, her expression still full of worry. "Bye, Konnie," she whispered under her breath.

As Akane turned, she collided with something solid. Stumbling back, she blinked up at the figure, a tall man with striking red hair and a turtleneck. He crouched slightly, extending a hand to help her up.

"Ah, my bad," he said, his tone casual but sincere. "You okay?" Akane hesitated, her mind catching up to the moment. Her eyes slowly adjusted, and recognition dawned on her. It was Shuzuka.

Her eyes widened. "O-oh! Sorry, I... I didn't see you, Mr... Shuzuka..?" Her voice trailed off uncertainly.

Shuzuka chuckled, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he reached out to pat her head. "Yeah, it's Shuzuka"

From a short distance away, Touma's monotone voice broke through the moment. "Akane, let's go."

Shuzuka nodded as Akane passed by him, her steps light but hurried. Entering the shop, he glanced around before spotting Konnie, still unconscious on the couch. He walked up to the counter leaning towards it "Hey... uh, Red, was it? I'm here for my coat."

From the kitchen, Red's voice echoed as she scrubbed dishes. "Sorry! You'll need to come back later, sir" She appeared from the back, drying her hands with a towel. Her expression softened when she saw him. "Oh! Shuzuka. Well, Jade's out getting the supplies. If you want, you can stick around until she's back."

Shuzuka clicked his tongue and tilted his head thoughtfully. "Well... don't really have anywhere else to be." His gaze flickered toward Konnie. "Might as well wait here and see if she wakes up."