Part 4 – Damage Revealed
The shift didn't go unnoticed.
One of the medics stepped in closer to Haruto's bedside, pulling a scanner device over his chest while another adjusted the readings on the monitor. The soft hum of the equipment grew slightly louder as it began analyzing deeper internal conditions.
"…Hold on," one of them said quietly, eyes narrowing at the display.
The second medic leaned in.
"What is it?"
A brief pause.
"…His lungs."
The first medic adjusted the scan, focusing more precisely.
"…There's damage."
Ayame's eyes sharpened instantly.
"What kind of damage?"
The medic didn't look away from the screen.
"…Thermal strain," he said. "…Minor burns along the internal lining."
Kaito stiffened.
"…Burns?"
The second medic nodded slightly.
"Consistent with extreme internal heat output. His body couldn't regulate it properly."
A short silence followed.
"…From the Seiryu flow?" Kaito asked.
"…From forcing too much through it," the medic corrected calmly. "And likely from stacking elements under pressure."
Ayame's gaze tightened slightly, but she didn't interrupt.
The first medic straightened.
"We'll start localized healing. It's not severe, but if left untreated, it could get worse."
The second medic nodded.
"I'll prepare it."
They moved quickly, one adjusting the equipment while the other positioned a focused healing unit near Haruto's chest. A faint glow activated, controlled and precise, targeting only the affected areas.
"…Keep the output low," one of them said. "His pathways are still unstable."
"Understood."
The soft light pulsed gently.
Haruto's breathing hitched slightly—
then steadied again.
Not normal.
But improving.
Footsteps approached from the hallway.
Slower than before.
Heavier.
Kaito turned slightly.
Arashi stepped into the room.
Bandages wrapped around both of his arms, extending from wrist to just below the elbow. His movements were controlled, but the stiffness was obvious.
Ayame noticed immediately.
"…You're here already."
Arashi shrugged faintly.
"…Couldn't just sit there."
Kaito looked him over.
"…How bad is it?"
Arashi glanced at his arms briefly.
"…They said I overused Fire Jiryuka," he replied. "Fire Elemental Concentrated Energy."
He shifted one arm slightly, testing it.
"…I pushed more into my arms than I should've."
A short pause.
"…Even when I redirected it to my legs during the sweep and kick… it still fed back."
Kaito's brows pulled together.
"…So it still affected your arms?"
"…Yeah."
Another small silence.
Kaito looked back at Haruto.
Then back at Arashi.
"…Then what about him?"
His voice sharpened slightly.
"…His whole body took it."
Arashi didn't answer immediately.
His gaze moved to Haruto, lying still on the bed, the faint glow of the healing unit reflecting off his face.
"…he didn't use it as long as i did," Arashi said quietly.
A pause.
"…That's probably why."
Kaito exhaled sharply, tension building in his shoulders.
"…So what, his entire body's going to end up wrapped in bandages or something?"
Ayame glanced at him slightly.
But Arashi shook his head.
"…No."
Another pause.
"…Not necessarily."
Kaito frowned.
"…What does that mean?"
Arashi looked back at him, expression calm but serious.
"…It means I don't know."
Silence.
"…He might be fine after recovery," Arashi continued. "…Or he might need support in some areas."
His gaze shifted slightly.
"…Depends on how much damage he actually took."
The words settled heavily.
Kaito didn't respond this time.
Because there wasn't anything to argue with.