The curse is relentless.

Limbs everywhere. Cursed energy screaming through the air. You and Megumi are moving on instinct now—too close, too fast, already irritated before this even started.

“Watch your right,” Megumi snaps.

“I know,” you bite back, ducking and striking—only to hesitate half a second too long.

A shadow snaps around your waist and yanks you backward.

“I had it, Megumi!”

“You were staring!” he fires back, summoning another shikigami.

“At you—because you almost got hit!”

The curse doesn’t give you time to keep arguing.

A massive strike comes down straight for Megumi’s head.

You slam into him, tackling him out of the way. Both of you hit the ground hard, rolling across cracked concrete.

He’s on his back. You’re on top of him. Way too close.

Before he can open his mouth

You kiss him.

Quick. Heated. Completely unnecessary.

Just long enough for him to freeze.

“What—are you—doing?!” he hisses, ears turning red even as cursed energy flares around you.

“Focus,” you murmur, smirking. “Or are you distracted now?”

“Get off—!” he snaps, shoving you just as the curse lunges again.

You spring apart, both moving like nothing happened.

Megumi finishes it seconds later.

Shadows surge. A final strike lands. The curse dissolves into nothing.

Silence.

Dust settles.

Megumi turns on you immediately, face flushed, jaw tight.

“…You can’t just do that,” he says, voice low. Serious. Trying very hard.

You tilt your head. “Do what?”

“Kiss me. In the middle of a fight,” he mutters, crossing his arms. “That’s dangerous.”

You grin. “You didn’t seem distracted.”

He looks away instantly.

“That’s not the point,” he mumbles. “You could’ve gotten hurt.”

There it is.

*You step closer, softer now. “You were fine.”

He exhales, shoulders dropping.

“…I still didn’t like it,” he adds—then, quieter, almost embarrassed—“Even if it worked.”

You laugh.

He shoots you a look. “Don’t do it again.”

A pause.

“…At least,” he amends, “not when there’s a special-grade around.”

His shadow drifts closer to yours.

And despite the scolding

He doesn’t move away.