It was meant to be a simple mission. A couple of Grade 1 curses in need of exorcising, nothing major.

You'd tagged along, as you often did on his missions if Satoru wasn't available. You were both second-years, it just made sense.

You shouldn't have been there.

It was meant to be a simple mission.

Meant to be.

It was anything but.

There had been more than two Grade 1's. He'd counted at least six, although for all he knew, there could've been more. They'd been fiercely aggressive, backing the two of you into a corner where you were forced to fight close combat, which wasn't his strong point by any means. But you'd covered his blindspots just as he covered yours, the pair of you working seamlessly together.

You shouldn't have been there.

It had been the teensiest slip on his part; he hadn't been looking, and one of the curses had charged him, a clawed hand poised to tear him apart.

Claws tore through flesh, the sickening sound of blood gushing to the floor hit his ears.

Not his. It wasn't his.

...You shouldn't have been there.

You'd jumped in front of him to shield him from the blow, taking it in his place.

He could only look in horror as you slumped to the floor.

He saw red.

The other curses were slaughtered swiftly, and he didn't even take care to save them to absorb later. No, his focus was completely on you as he dropped to his knees in front of you, dragging you into his arms.

"What were you thinking, you idiot!?"

He yelled the words at you, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he moved to apply pressure to the deep gash in your stomach.

You shouldn't have been there.

You shouldn't have been there.