Chapter 5; An hidden danger?

Snip by snip, Ringo wielded the scissors, their metallic snip echoing in the bathroom as she cut Sora's hair into a tousled style that covered his face.

The air was mixed with the scent of lavender shampoo and soap.

"This length would look good on you?" Cutting a strand of Sora's hair, Ringo muttered with satisfaction. Ringo was giving him a haircut, his hairs had grown too much.

It had been days since Sora woke from his coma, and though it was miraculous, the fear of sickness remained.

Ringo has stayed more than one week to take care of Sora, also to be prepared if he gets sick again.

However, Sora didn't get sick or showed any sign of sickness, while he recovered rapidly, on other hand, her work was piling up, clients were calling her for their appointments.

"Mom? Do you really have to go?" Sora mumbled, his voice trembling slightly, his eyes welling up.

Although Sora knew about her passion for work. He wants to spend a little more time with her after waking up.

"Sorry, Sora-chan, but it can't be helped. Mama has work to do." biting her lip, with a strained smile she whispered. Brushing a stray strand from his forehead.

"But I don't want you to go," he uttered, his voice barely above a whisper, his face down, looking at the wet floor.

"I know, sweetheart," Ringo knelt before him, her gaze meeting his watery blue eyes, her smile wavering.

She felt guilty and reluctant to leave him, but her compassion wasn't letting her.

"But I promise, I'll visit every chance I get. Okay?" She cupped his face, her thumb brushing the hairs near his nose.

"Promise?" Sora's mood lightened, with hopeful eyes, he asked.

"Promise~ Now let me finish this haircut. You're going to be the most handsome boy in the world, stealing all the girls' hearts." she whispered with a mischievous smile.

She professionally cut his hair, while Sora felt a bit embarrassed.

…

"There! See yourself in the mirror." The click of the scissors stopped, Ringo showed him the mirror reflecting his appearance.

The reflection that stared back was both boyish and beautiful.

One side of his head sported ashen-grey hair framing a mesmerising grey eye, while the other boasted jet-black locks contrasting with a startlingly blue eye.

He looked like a character stepped out of a fairytale, impossibly beautiful and heartbreakingly fragile.

"How do I look, Mom?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Like a little celebrity," she said, her heart swelled with pride.

Sora touched his hair self-consciously, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

"Do you really think so?"

"More than you know, so precious, so perfect." she whispered, pulling him into a tight hug.

She didn't lie, In her years as a designer, she'd never seen anyone with such captivating looks.

"Hehe~" Sora blushed, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Now, go shower. I'll clean you up, and then..." a mischievous glint entered her eyes.

"...we have a photoshoot" she removed her clothes. Sora lets out a tired sigh but seems happy as he takes a shower.

Ringo is able to leave in a day or two, that's why she decided to spend the rest of her time with him, and her family, also taking his picture while trying different clothes on him, she is after all a professional designer, She can't find a model as unique as Sora.

…

Warm steam swirled around Ringo and Sora, blurring the edges of the bathroom tiles.

The soapy water lapped gently at their skin. Ringo's fingers, gently, combed through Sora's damp hair, sending tiny droplets skittering down his cheeks.

Her voice, usually bright and bubbly, was softer now, like the lullaby she used to sing him when he was little.

"Do you want to go to school, Sora?" she asked softly. The warmth of his small body nestled against her chest sent a wave of protectiveness through her. He was so thin, his bones fragile beneath his skin.

"School?" Sora's eyes, wide and curious. He vaguely remembered kindergarten, blurry images - the place filled with childrens and their laughter, brimming with life and innocence, the joy of childhood.

The word "school" was foreign yet familiar to him.

The place where teenagers of his age would go, socialise and study, he always wanted to go.

He has an expression of longing when he remembers that time, before he was homeschooled. He hadn't realised how much he missed it all.

He spent only one year or half in kindergarten, however in those memories he had meeting other people of his age.

After that, here, at home, he spent most days alone, isolated. All due to his weak physique. He wasn't able to do anything.

Nevertheless he was excited and wanted to go and enjoy his new life, seeing people.

"Umu," he nodded cutely at her.

"Then, I will talk with your dad, when you have completely recovered, you can go to school, okay?" She explained, to which Sora nodded.

"Mmm." Sora nodded eagerly, a small smile arose at the corner of his lips.

…

Ringo knelt before him, her smile strained but warm.

"Take care, Sora-chan," she whispered, tucking a stray strand of hair behind his ear. Her touch remained for a moment, there's worry in her eyes.

"Mikan, Rito, take care of him and yourself too."

Mikan and Rito exchanged a silent glance, both offering small smiles.

"We'll take care of him, mom.

Ringo squeezed their hands, her smile faltering briefly.

"And Mikan," she said, her gaze shifting to the younger girl, "call me immediately if anything... anything at all changes with Sora."

Ringo ruffled his hair gently, the final act of affection before rising.

"Sora-chan, listen to them, okay?"

"Mmm," He mumbled, giving a small nod, though Sora was feeling a bit down. He was happy, truly happy, to be healthy, to be alive.

"Well, then I will be off." Ringo turned and walked towards the door. Sora watched her leave, his gaze fixed on the now-empty doorway, after she disappeared.

"Come on, Sora," he said gently, Rito placed a hand on his shoulder, leading him back into the living room.

"Let's do something fun, alright?"

"Mmm." Sora, sensing their efforts to lighten the mood, managed to give a small smile.

…

…

…

Time tiptoed forward, each day creating new memories as Sora recovers from his illness. A month had been painted on the calendar by this time.

Most of the time Sora spent in quiet recuperation, and eating. Sora's body had begun to show the subtle signs of healing.

With the enough recovery, he started doing some basic stretching and exercise, however nothing extreme.

He gained a hint of muscle definition, a faint rosy glow returning to his cheeks. Although barely, some muscles he gained beneath his pale white skin, along with some weight too.

Besides resting, he walks around the familiar neighbourhood, the sun warm on his face and the wind whispering through his hair, became a cherished memory. Rito or Mikan, often Mikan, would walk beside him.

Just another afternoon…

"You seem excited, Onii-chan?" A smile bloomed on Sora's face, catching Mikan's attention.

"Mmm-hmm," he mumbled, eyes shining.

"Yeah, I will be going to Sainan High soon with Rito. It'll be fun." he said, a spark of excitement in his voice.

The doctor, seeing the progress, had given him advice for venturing out and continuing to have a normal routine.

So, starting next week, he will start high school.

"Good for you, Onii-chan. I'm so happy for you." she whispered, her small hand reached out, gently ruffling his hair. Mikan's smile broadened, like a sunflower turning towards the sun.

"Eheheh~" Sora giggled, getting patted. He leaned into her touch, his cheeks a little rosy, he didn't dislike this.

"Cute~" Mikan couldn't help but let out a soft, adorable mumble, he reminded her of nothing more than a happy little kitten basking in the warmth of someone they loved.

***

Somewhere in outer space…

"Tch, We need to fast." Someone said in urgency, wearing a suit, while firing a lasers towards a spaceship ahead of them.

"Giving everything we have, and are you telling me we can't even stop a single ship?" he barked, his voice strained over the comms.

Besides his spaceship there were 3 more smaller spaceships following the rogue ship.

"Target is accelerating." more to his annoyance

he heard from the intercom as another pilot informed him.

"At this rate we'll lose the target." One of them said in urgency.

"Combat level Orange," he growled, triggering the ship's internal alert.

"All units, permission granted for C-Armaments. Bring that ship down, no matter the cost!" without a second thought, he gave the command.

"Roger that, Captain!" The three pilots shouted at the same time. Their fingers across control panels switch on the buttons to up-fire the C-Armaments.

Seconds later, six crimson streaks of light erupted from the weapon cabinets.

Swoooosh

Boom

6 missiles hit the runway ship, a plume of smoke blossomed from the ship, its speed faltering, some electric spark came from the ship as it stopped on the track.

"As far you can go huh!" With sarcasm the leader let out a relieved sigh, staring at the holographic display where the enemy ship, battered but defiant.

"Do you think I'll give up… Do you really think I will give up at a time like this?!" Inside the damaged ship, the pilot muttered in a clear frustrated tone.

Before the commander could issue another order, a surge of blinding pink light engulfed the rogue ship. It pulsed once, twice, then disappear out of existence

"We need to follow," he commanded, his voice tight with urgency.

"Set course for the last known coordinates. We can't let it disappear."

And those spaceships disappear in the search of the rogue ship.

…

…

…

[Permission to Allow Evolution procedure. Initiating…]

[Analysing Host data… Progress: 12%… 27%… 43%…]

[Warning: Host doesn't meet the requirements to proceed.]

[Analyzing Host bonds… Progress: 65%… 82%… 99%…]

[Analyzing available paths for evolution… Progress: 10%… 25%… 52%…]

[Error: Host experiences lack sufficient depth and complexity.]

[Host don't meet the right conditions for evolution.]

[Searching for alternatives… Progress: 17%… 32%… 61%…]

[Error…]

[Looking for a solution…

Progress: 3%… 12%… 38%…]

[...]

[...]

[Once minimum condition are completed, resubmit request for Evolution procedure..]

[Waiting…]

[Wait...]

[W...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

***

To be continued...

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[Word Count: 1709]

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Please bless me with Powerstones...

***

Thanks for the reading, I appreciate the Powerstones and support, and Sorry for the delays, my exams are approaching, and I won't able to write much!

As much as I love to write this! I'm procrastinater, So I will not able to publish for 1 month.

There will be one last chapter in my draft! After that, please wait, once I'm done I will increase my publishing days.

Anyway, let's meet next week.... On yeah fir the today's chapter! Well I forgot about it... Don't mind me... Tee hee~