Volume 1 Chapter 7 The Mark
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Mizuki had taken her phone and gone home, leaving a hollow in the air where laughter once lived. The two left behind—Hibiki and Hirose—fumbled back into their clothes, their breaths mingling as they exchanged one small, apologetic kiss. Afterward, they sat at the table, talking quietly, until he finally stood and slipped away into the evening.
Rindou Hibiki had been caught in the most mortifying moment of her life, yet Mizuki hadn’t seemed truly angry—no, she’d chosen not to be.
”Y’know,” Hibiki said later with a sly grin, “Mizuki-nee might act all calm, but she’s totally still a virgin. Guess strong adventurers don’t get hit on much. So that means… I’m kinda ahead, right!?”
The words came out like laughter breaking tension—a silly confession to wash away her embarrassment. She wasn’t competing, not really. But telling Hirose Mizuki’s secret gave her a strange, wicked little thrill of balance.
Hirose had wondered if it was even right to talk about someone’s private life like that, but her fragile mood came first. He too still burned with the memory of being seen.
* * *
The next day was a day off from school. Hibiki wandered into town alone—no plans with Hirose this time. Normally, she’d meet up with Himari or Kairi, but not today.
”Oh! Over here, Koharu-chan!” she called.
”Ah—Hibiki-chan!” came the soft reply.
The girl who waved back wore her black hair in a neat braid down one side, tied with a crimson ribbon that glimmered under the sun. Glasses framed a calm face, the kind that always looked like it had just closed a book.
”Feels like forever since we talked,” Hibiki smiled.
”Different classes’ll do that,” Koharu replied with her quiet drawl. “Funny how rare it is to bump into you.”
They laughed softly—two voices rediscovering rhythm. Koharu Kushima had been Hibiki’s classmate since middle school, but life and distance had trimmed their meetings to near nothing.
”You’ve changed, Hibiki-chan. Seriously—you’re gorgeous now! Got yourself a boyfriend or somethin’?”
”Oh come on, everyone says that. I don’t, okay?” Hibiki groaned, cheeks warming.
In truth, she kept thinking: he’s not my boyfriend… but close enough.
Koharu giggled. “I bet it won’t take long. You’re adorable.”
”Thanks. Talking with you feels like old times again. C’mon, let’s grab that café seat before someone snags it.”
Long friendships gave a different kind of comfort—a quiet, familiar safety.
And maybe today, Hibiki thought, she could tell Koharu about Hirose. She hadn’t told a soul at school yet, but with Koharu… maybe.
* * *
The café spun with life: wooden ceiling, propeller fans turning in lazy circles, filling the air with low, rhythmic hums. Sunlight swam across tables as weekend crowds flowed in and out.
When their drinks arrived, small stories spilled out between sips of caramel latte and warm air.
”Wow,” Koharu murmured, eyes tracing Hibiki’s skin. “Your skin’s like—baby smooth. You’ve gotten so pretty, Hibiki-chan.”
”Quit staring! You’re making it weird.”
”But I can’t help it—you’re dazzling.”
They both laughed, the sound soft like the steam from their cups. Koharu, less colorful than Hibiki, preferred dark clothes and quiet corners. She loved books. Hibiki didn’t read much—but somehow, their friendship had survived every phase.
Then Hibiki’s gaze caught something. “Hey… your arm. Are you okay?” Her voice faltered, concern surfacing.
”Oh, this?” Koharu smiled faintly. “I was gonna talk about that too.”
She rolled her sleeve back. White bandages spiraled from wrist to elbow—too neat to hide how raw it still was.
Hibiki’s breath hitched.
”It was from my dad,” Koharu said softly. “But it’s… finally over.”
”…Over?” Hibiki whispered.
They had talked about it back in middle school—the bruises, the excuses, the secrecy. Hibiki had once tried to intervene, but Koharu had begged her not to. “It’s my family,” she’d said. “If you step in, he might hurt you too.”
”Mom finally filed the divorce a few months ago,” Koharu continued, her voice steadier now. “It’s just me, Mom, and my little brother at home. So… yeah. I think we’re okay.”
Hibiki’s eyes glistened. “I’m glad… I mean, I am glad. Can I say that?”
”Of course you can,” Koharu laughed quietly. “Hey, you know I’m tougher than I look.”
The ceiling fan spun on, scattering warm air and the faint clink of their cups. For the first time in years, Hibiki felt something close to relief—for both of them.
Koharu flexed her bandaged arm, pretending to show off a bicep that wasn’t really there. The gesture was ridiculous—but alive, defiant. Hibiki laughed softly and tugged the sleeve back down, her fingers lingering with quiet care.
She’d never seen Koharu cry. But Hibiki knew—no one could go through that kind of hurt and not cry somewhere, in secret.
”Well,” Koharu murmured, “these marks might never fade… guess that’s just how it is.”
”Unforgivable,” Hibiki snapped before catching herself. “You should be showing off your skin proudly, y’know?”
”It’s winter anyway,” Koharu smiled. “Not much chance to show it.”
”That’s not what I meant—”
”Ha, I know, I know.”
They laughed again, the ease returning. Hibiki had only seen glimpses of Koharu’s scars—just the visible ones. She didn’t need to see the rest to know they ran deeper.
”Okay, enough dark talk,” Koharu said suddenly. “We’re supposed to be having fun! Now tell me—this boy you mentioned… you like him, right?”
”Hirose,” Hibiki answered, the name soft as a confession.
Koharu leaned forward. “Oh? You’re blushing already.”
”I am not! Wait, no—that’s not it! I just thought of something.” Hibiki’s eyes lit up. “What if… those scars could heal?”
Koharu blinked. “Heal?”
Hibiki remembered her own skin—the impossible smoothness, how it had changed. Her transformation had been undeniable. If her body could remake itself so beautifully, why not Koharu’s? Why not undo the darkness etched beneath her friend’s skin?
And as that thought bloomed, she felt a flicker—something awakening inside her. It wasn’t her usual gift, the Wish-Sight (Desire). No, this was new.
”Wait a sec… Wish-Seeker,” she whispered.
Closing her eyes, Hibiki turned her attention toward Koharu. A faint warmth pulsed in her chest, and threads of light shimmered across her vision. Every person in the café flickered faintly—but none matched the resonance she sought.
”It’s an experiment,” she murmured. “No one here’s glowing like that… Yeah, as I thought—it’s Hirose.”
Koharu stared. “Hibiki-chan?”
Hibiki exhaled, eyes opening to the mundane hum of the café. “I think… Hirose’s the one who can do it.” She didn’t know why she believed it, only that she did. And that her new power would prove it true.
”Hey,” she said, voice steady. “Want to meet him? He might really be able to heal you.”
* * *
”Uh… nice to meet you. I’m Takanashi Hirose.”
An hour later, the three sat at the same table, the world outside dimming into evening gold. Hirose had come as Hibiki asked, unaware of the weight of what waited.
”Kushima Koharu,” she said softly, bowing her head. “You… seem kind.”
Her voice was smaller now, but calm. Hirose nodded and sat beside Hibiki, confusion flickering in his eyes. He didn’t yet know why he’d been called here.
”Hibiki,” Koharu said shyly, “your outfit’s really cute.”
”Eh? Oh—yeah, first time you’ve seen me out of uniform, huh? Thanks.” Hibiki laughed, smoothing the fabric. The autumn red of her blouse caught the café light, warm and mature.
”Your clothes look kinda plain though,” she teased Hirose. “We’re goin’ shopping next time.”
He blinked. “You mean it?”
”Of course. I’ll make you look cool if it kills me.”
Hirose looked down, smiling faintly. Compared to Hibiki’s energy, he seemed almost to fade—but that, too, was part of his quiet charm.
”So… what’s this about?” he asked.
”Just—listen first,” Hibiki said.
She told him everything: Koharu’s home, her scars, the pain she carried. As she spoke, Hirose’s face darkened, every word drawing him deeper into quiet anger and compassion.
By the end, he understood. He understood why Hibiki had called him here.
”Kushima-san,” he said quietly. “I know hearing about me might scare you. But after what you’ve heard… what do you think of me?”
”Koharu’s fine—please, call me that,” she said, palm resting over her wrapped arm. “I don’t understand everything yet, but if you can help fade these marks, Hirose-kun… I’d be really happy.”
A smile touched her mouth as hope rose with the words.
”Only if it’s not a burden,” she added, then shook her head. “That’s not like me. If there’s a chance, maybe I can trust my body again.”
Hibiki breathed in. “Let’s treat today like a hello, yeah? Take it home, think on it.”
”Got it. Thank you,” Koharu said.
Boundaries were the point, not speed. Hibiki glanced at Hirose. “We’ll explain his gift when you’re ready, okay? There’s a method and some recoil.”
Koharu nodded. “If she values you, I can hear it anytime. But explain it fully—the how, the risks, the stop button.”
Hirose looked worried. The problem wasn’t power; it was proximity. “We move at your pace,” he said quietly. “No contact unless you consent. We can do non-contact steps first.”
He stood to leave. “You two were hanging out—don’t let me crash it.”
”Not at all!” Koharu laughed. “Right, Hibiki-chan?”
”I’m fine either way,” Hibiki teased. “But are you okay?”
”I want to hear how he sees you,” Koharu said, mischievous and warm. Hibiki groaned, then laughed; the tension floated like steam.
Hirose stayed a little longer, answered what he could, and—sensing their day belonged to them—left early. Later, Koharu said, “He’s kind.”
”Yeah,” Hibiki murmured. “He’s thoughtful in ways I’m still learning.”
”Then I’ll think on it,” Koharu decided. “I’ll message you.”
Hibiki quietly engaged Wish-Seeker; light haloed Hirose earlier, confirming what her heart already suspected. “My skill reacted,” she admitted. “If you choose this, he’s the match.”
Koharu smiled. “I can’t hide much from you, can I?”
”We’re best friends,” Hibiki said. “Tell me anything, always.”
* * *
A week later, winter edged the air when the doorbell chimed. Hibiki opened it in her uniform, ushered their guest inside, and led the way to her room—window open, curtains breathing light.
”Hey. Been a week… Koharu,” Hibiki said.
”Thank you for having me. Please take care of me today, Hirose-kun,” Koharu replied, steady but flushed with nerves.
She had decided—with knowledge, not pressure. In the days before, Hibiki had explained everything: Wish-Sight, Wish-Seeker, the recoil, and the plan. Stepwise. Consent-first. Stop anytime.
”It’ll be embarrassing,” Hibiki warned again, gently. “So we keep it structured. If anything feels wrong, say ‘Pause’ and we stop.”
Koharu exhaled. “I know. I trust you because you’re my friend—and I trust you, Hirose-kun, because you’ll follow the rules.”
They set the rules out loud: privacy with a chaperone present (Hibiki), non-contact calibration first, verbal consent before each step, ‘Pause’ and ‘Stop’ signals honored instantly, and no exposure required at any time.
”Ready for step one?” Hirose asked, turning politely toward the window to give space while not leaving the safety of witness. “It’s just resonance sensing. No touching.”
Koharu swallowed, then smiled—small, brave. “Ready.”
The challenge to erase the mark began—not with exposure, but with choice. A soft glow stirred in the quiet room, like morning at the edge of a page.
Notes:
• Rindou Hibiki – Hirose’s cheerful, bold classmate who is the first to request his Beauty skill. Hibiki (F, pink bob hair, 158cm, F-cup) is outgoing, expressive about her interests, and quickly becomes Hirose’s girlfriend after an explicitly intimate scene. Her reactions help set the adult tone of the story.
• Kushima Koharu – A reserved, literature-loving girl (F, 156cm, G-cup, black braid) who struggles with family problems, including bruises and emotional stress. She experiences dramatic physical and emotional improvements after Hirose’s skill use, revealing a hidden wild side during explicit nighttime encounters.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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