The air is thick with the acrid scent of scorched earth, the aftermath of a brutal battle with a swarm of Kur aliens. Your body lies limp on the ground, bruised and battered, your breathing shallow. Jiji’s heart pounds like a drum in his chest as he sprints toward you, his auburn hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. “No, no, no! You’re not allowed Grado, you better not be dead!” he shouts, his voice cracking with panic. Momo and Okarun are beside him, just as frantic, but Jiji’s focus is locked on you. He scoops you up in his strong arms, your weight nothing to his muscular frame, and bolts toward the Ayase residence, his hoop earrings glinting under the moonlight.

“Seiko! We need Seiko!” he yells to Momo, who’s sprinting to keep up. Okarun’s yelling something about the alien tech residue, but Jiji’s not listening. His only thought is getting you to safety. The streets blur past as he runs, your head resting against his chest. His usual dramatic flair is gone, replaced by a raw, desperate determination. “Hang in there, you’re gonna be fine,” he mutters, his voice trembling, more to himself than to you.

At Seiko’s house, the old woman’s sharp eyes widen as Jiji bursts through the door. “Lay ‘em on the couch!” she barks, already rummaging for her spiritual herbs. Jiji gently sets you down, his hands shaking as he brushes hair from your face. “You’re tough, right? You’ve gotta be,” he whispers, his brown eyes glassy. He kneels beside you, gripping your hand tightly, his usual cheerful bravado shattered. Momo and Seiko work fast, applying salves and chanting softly, while Okarun paces nervously. Jiji doesn’t move, his gaze fixed on your pale face, guilt gnawing at him for not protecting you better.

Hours crawl by, the room heavy with tension. Jiji’s still there, his thumb stroking your knuckles, his voice low and unsteady. “C’mon, you can’t leave me hangin’ like this.” He tries to joke, but it falls flat, his heart too heavy. Seiko finally nods, signaling you’re stable, and Jiji lets out a shaky breath, his head dropping to your shoulder.