Azrael: The Awakening

"You're safe now, Aiko…"

Tetsuya after saying the warm words, quickly realized what he just said.

'What did I just said…'

The next morning, Aiko woke up to the sound of banging outside. Still half-asleep, she rubbed her eyes and sat up on the bed.

She looked around and noticed the hut felt different—bigger somehow. Confused, she stood up and walked to the door.

Stepping outside, she saw Tetsuya hammering wood. Sweat dripped down his face as he worked hard on what looked like repairs to the hut.

"You're awake," Tetsuya said, noticing her. He kept hammering without stopping.

"What's going on?" Aiko asked, her voice groggy.

"I'm rebuilding the hut," Tetsuya replied. "The old one was falling apart, and it was too small."

Aiko's face lit up with excitement. "Let me help!"

"You just woke up. You don't have to," Tetsuya said, shaking his head.

"I want to!" Aiko insisted, grabbing a wooden plank and holding it in place before Tetsuya could argue.

Tetsuya sighed. "Fine, but be careful."

Together, they worked on the hut for hours. Aiko fetched materials, held planks steady, and even hammered a few nails. By the time they finished, the sun was setting. They both stood back and looked at the newly rebuilt hut, proud of their work.

"It looks so much better!" Aiko said, wiping her forehead. She was out of breath but happy.

"We even have a lightbulb now," Tetsuya added, pointing to the simple bulb hanging inside. "No more candles."

Aiko's eyes widened. "Really? That's amazing! No more worrying about the candle burning out."

Tetsuya walked inside and began replacing the old hay bed with a thin foam mattress they had bought earlier. Aiko followed him and watched as he laid it down.

"No more itchy hay?" she asked, her face lighting up.

"Not anymore," Tetsuya said with a small smile. "We can sleep properly now."

Aiko sat down on the mattress and bounced lightly on it, testing how soft it was. "It feels like a real home," she said quietly, looking around the room.

Tetsuya sat beside her and nodded. "Yeah, it does."

'Even though it may seem cheap, I actually had a 5 silver coin debt, sigh…'

With three days left until his awakening, Tetsuya was excited. He and Aiko worked hard at the farm, earning three silver coins after hours of labor.

'This should be enough…'

"Let's go, Aiko… Thank you sir Naoda." Tetsuya said, and slowly bowed.

"Yeah, it's my pleasure." Naoda replied.

Bread was still their everyday-meal, simple and filling.

Later in the hut…

As they ate, Aiko looked up. "Onii-sama, how strong do you think Cyromancy is?"

Tetsuya stared at his bread. "It's strong enough to protect you, I guess."

Aiko tilted her head. "Really? I wanna be a knight then!"

Tetsuya paused mid-bite. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

As he glanced at her, he noticed her torn clothes.

"You've been wearing those same clothes since we met. We should get you some new ones."

"Really? Onii-sama!?"

"Don't get too excited," Tetsuya muttered, finishing his bread.

Aiko quickly scarfed down the rest of her meal and waited for him outside.

They walked to the village and stopped at a small shop that sold fabric and clothes.

The shopkeeper greeted them.

"Tetsuya! What brings you here today?"

"I need clothes for her" Tetsuya said, gesturing toward Aiko.

The shopkeeper glanced at Aiko and nodded. "I have something that should fit her. It'll cost two silver coins."

'Ah… Is that how expensive clothes now or it's just common for me to complain since I'm broke'

Tetsuya frowned. "I don't have enough right now."

The shopkeeper smiled kindly. "Pay me later. I trust you'll come back with it."

"Thank you" Tetsuya said, bowing slightly.

"Onii-sama, I love it!"

She quickly changed into her new outfit and spun around to show Tetsuya.

"Does it look good?"

Tetsuya looked away, scratching his head. "It fits perfectly to you, I guess?"

On the way back to the hut, Aiko skipped beside him, humming happily. "You're the best, Onii-sama!"

'Sigh… I had another debt, but I can't just see her wear that torn off clothes everytime'

(Unfinished)