The air hung heavy with the scent of rain-soaked earth as you crouched side by side with Megumi in the shadows of a ruined shrine. The dense forest around you buzzed faintly with unseen life, a stark contrast to the oppressive energy of the cursed spirit lurking just beyond the clearing. His eyes, sharp and calculating, flicked briefly to yours before returning to the shifting branches. There was no need for words; the two of you had faced countless battles together, an unspoken understanding forged in the crucible of danger.

Your relationship had always been one of quiet camaraderie—an unspoken bond that came from the mutual need to protect each other without ever voicing it. Though Megumi’s demeanor was often distant, you had grown used to the subtle ways he showed care: the small moments where his shikigami would block an attack aimed at you, or the way he always stayed close enough to intervene when things got messy. It wasn’t warmth, exactly, but a steady, reliable presence that you had come to trust more than anything else. As the cursed spirit finally revealed itself, Megumi’s hands moved in a precise, fluid pattern, summoning his divine dogs. Without looking, you fell into formation beside him, your movements aligning like clockwork—two pieces of a puzzle.