The nurse’s office smelled faintly of antiseptic and saline, a sterile yet oddly soothing mix. Kei sat on the edge of the examination bed, the thin paper crinkling beneath him with every small movement. His hand was bandaged rather tightly than he had hoped.
Morning sunlight poured through the window, painting the room in soft golds and whites. It should have felt peaceful, but Kei couldn’t shake the weight in his chest. He stared at the tiled floor, his mind running in circles, unable to settle.
The door slammed open, and Kei flinched, looking up to see Kukui standing in the doorway. Her wide eyes darted to his bandaged hand.
“What the hell happened to you?” she demanded, striding inside and letting the door close behind her with a sharp click.
Kei blinked at her, momentarily stunned. “It’s…nothing,” he said, lifting his hand as if that explained everything.
“‘Nothing?’” Kukui snapped, grabbing a stool and pulling it up in front of him. She plopped down, crossing her arms. “You show up here with your hand all messed up, and you expect me to just take that for an answer?”
Kei sighed, his shoulders sagging under her gaze. “It’s fine,” he muttered. “I just…slipped. That’s all.”
“Bull,” Kukui said flatly.
Her bluntness cut through the air like a knife, and Kei’s chest tightened. He opened his mouth, trying to string together some excuse, but nothing came. His thoughts churned, a mess of tangled words and emotions that refused to align.
Kukui’s expression softened as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Kei,” she said, her voice quieter now. “What’s going on? You’ve been acting weird for days.”
“I…” Kei started, then faltered. He couldn’t look her in the eye. His gaze dropped to his lap, his good hand curling into a fist.
“Kei.” Her tone was firm but not unkind. “Talk to me.”
“I don’t know how to explain it,” he admitted finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just…everything feels wrong lately. Like I’m stuck. Like I can’t—”
“Can’t what?”
Kei hesitated, his throat tight. The words were there, but saying them felt impossible. His thoughts jumped to Marin, to Sugei, to the suffocating dreams that made him question everything.
“I can’t figure it out,” he said at last, his voice breaking slightly. “Everything’s just…messed up.”
Kukui leaned back, studying him with a frown. “You’re exhausted,” she said bluntly. “You need to rest.”
“I can’t,” Kei said quickly, shaking his head. “Every time I try, it’s like—” He stopped himself as his jaw tightening.
“Like what?” Kukui pressed.
Kei let out a frustrated sigh, dragging a hand through his hair. “Like it doesn’t help. I close my eyes, and it just gets worse.”
Kukui didn’t respond immediately. She watched him for a moment, her expression unreadable, then stood abruptly.
“Alright,” she said, moving to sit beside him on the bed. “Lie down.” “What?”
“Lie down,” she repeated, patting her lap. “You need sleep, and I’m not leaving until you get some.”
Kei stared at her, his face flushing. “Wait, I can’t—”
“Shut up,” Kukui said sharply, her cheeks pink as she avoided his gaze. “Before I regret this. Just…do it, okay?”
Reluctantly, Kei shifted, lowering himself until his head rested on her thigh. The warmth of her skin seeped through the fabric of her skirt, and he froze, unsure of where to place his hands.
“Comfortable?” Kukui asked, her tone gruff but tinged with something softer.
“Not really,” Kei muttered, his voice muffled.
“Too bad,” she shot back, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.
Kei closed his eyes, but his mind refused to quiet. The faint aroma of her skin—citrus and something floral—filled his senses, grounding him even as his thoughts spiraled.
Why can’t I just feel normal again? Kei thought, his chest tightening as he fought to control his breathing. Why does it always come back to her?
Marin’s face drifted into his mind, unbidden and vivid. Her soft smile contrasted beautifully with the way her hair fell in dark waves over her shoulders, the lavender perfume that lingered whenever she was near. He remembered the dream—the weight of her body, the heat of her breath against his skin.
His stomach churned. Marin was Sugei. His best friend. The boy who used to run barefoot through the woods with him, who laughed until his sides hurt and always had his back.
But he's not Sugei anymore.
The thought crept in like a whisper, too quiet to ignore. Her softness, her deliberate touches, the way she looked at him like he was the center of her world—it wasn’t Sugei. It was her. Marin.
Kei shifted slightly, his cheek brushing against Kukui’s thigh. She stirred but didn’t wake, her fingers twitching faintly against his hair.
You’re disgusting, he told himself. She’s not real. She’s…
He couldn’t finish the thought.
***
Outside the nurse’s office, the world was still. The faint rustle of leaves was the only sound, the campus bathed in the pale, golden light of a fading morning.
Marin stood beneath the shade of a cherry blossom tree, her figure partially obscured by the branches. Her posture was perfect, her head tilted slightly as she watched the window.
Her gaze was fixed on Kei and Kukui. Her expression was calm, almost serene, but her eyes held an intensity that didn’t waver. The faintest hint of a smile played at her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
Kukui’s hand brushed a strand of hair from Kei’s face, her fingers lingering for a moment too long. Marin’s smile faltered, her hands curling into fists at her sides.
For a moment, she didn’t move. The sunlight dappled her face through the leaves, casting shifting patterns that made her look almost unreal. Then, with such grace, she turned and walked away, her footsteps silent against the cobblestones.
****
The quiet of the nurse’s office felt heavier now, broken only by Kukui’s soft, rhythmic breathing. Kei shifted carefully, lifting his head from her thigh. She didn’t stir, her hand slipping limply to her side as she remained curled up in sleep.
Kei stood, hesitating for a moment as he looked down at her. She looked so peaceful, her soft features softened in the faint glow of the overhead light.
“You’ll be more comfortable in your own bed,” he murmured to himself, reaching down to scoop her into his arms.
Kukui stirred slightly as he lifted her, her head lolling against his shoulder. She murmured something incoherent, her breath warm against his neck. Kei adjusted his grip, her weight surprisingly slight despite her tall frame.
***
The campus was quiet as Kei walked along the cobblestone path, Kukui’s weight balanced in his arms. The cool night air nipped at his skin, but he hardly noticed, his focus on her steady breathing and the warmth radiating through her.
The dormitories loomed ahead, their stone facades framed by ivy that twisted and curled like veins against the walls. The lanterns lining the pathway flickered faintly allowing their golden glow casting long shadows that danced with every gust of wind.
Kei’s steps slowed as he approached the stairs leading to the girls’ dorms. He shifted Kukui slightly, her head resting against his shoulder. For the first time all day, the storm in his mind quieted.
He climbed the steps carefully, the old wood creaking under his weight. With each step, his chest felt lighter, as if carrying Kukui allowed him to leave behind some of the heaviness he’d been dragging.
At the top of the stairs, he hesitated before the door to her room. The brass numbers glinted faintly in the dim light, and he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small silver key. Kukui had given it to him awhile ago—“just in case,” she’d said, her tone as casual as if she were lending him a book.
The lock clicked softly as he turned the key, and the door swung open with a faint creak.
The air inside was different—warmer, tinged with the faint scent of lavender and something sweeter, like vanilla. Her dorm was usually immaculate, every book aligned, every item in its place, but tonight…
Kei frowned. The comforter on her bed was rumpled, the small trash bin near her desk had papers spilling out, and a pair of mismatched socks lay forgotten near the edge of the carpet.
He stepped inside, his shoes making a soft scuff against the floor as he adjusted Kukui in his arms. His gaze landed on her dresser, where a folded photo sat propped against a jewelry box.
Marin, Sugei, and Kei stared back at him from the photo, their smiles frozen in time. It was from years ago, back in their hometown—Marin laughing at something Sugei had said, Sugei grinning with a hint of mischief, and Kei caught mid-laugh, his younger self looking so carefree it almost hurt to remember.
Kei’s throat tightened. He looked down at Kukui, her face soft in sleep, her brow furrowed slightly as if she were caught in a dream. He carried her to the bed, lowering her gently onto the mattress.
Kukui stirred as he laid her down, her body curling instinctively to one side. Her long hair spilled over the pillow, and she murmured something he couldn’t quite catch before her breathing steadied again.
Kei stood over her for a moment, adjusting the blanket so it covered her shoulders. Her lips parted slightly, her hand curling into the fabric as she shifted.
“Sleep well,” Kei whispered, his voice barely audible.
The room’s disorder gnawed at him, a sharp contrast to the Kukui he knew. Without thinking, he began tidying—picking up the socks, folding the blanket draped over the chair, and gathering the scattered papers into a neat pile.
He turned toward the door, casting one last glance at Kukui. Her face was peaceful, but something about her expression—a faint crease in her brow, the way her hand clutched the blanket—made his chest ache.
“Thank you,” he murmured softly, though he wasn’t sure if she could hear him.
The cool night air hit him as he stepped outside, and he closed the door carefully behind him. The quiet of the campus wrapped around him like a heavy cloak, the shadows deeper now that the lanterns had dimmed.
Kei started down the path, but something made him stop. A prickle at the back of his neck. He turned slowly, his gaze sweeping the darkness. At first, he saw nothing. Then, just beyond the edge of the light, a figure emerged.
Marin.
She stood motionless, her hands clasped loosely in front of her. Her dark hair spilled over her shoulders, catching the faint light in waves. Her posture was relaxed, almost casual, but there was something in her gaze that made Kei’s chest tighten.
“Marin,” he said, his voice uncertain.
She didn’t respond immediately, her head tilting slightly as she studied him. The faintest smile tugged at her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” she said softly, her tone calm and measured.
Kei took a step back, his pulse quickening. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing, these are the girls’ dormitories.” Marin replied, her smile widening slightly.
Kei frowned, glancing toward Kukui’s door. “I was…just helping Kukui. She wasn’t feeling well.”
Marin’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes flicked toward the door, lingering for a moment before returning to him.
“She’s lucky to have you,” she said, her voice carrying a note of something Kei couldn’t quite place.
There was a pause, the air between them taut with unspoken tension. Marin stepped closer, her movements deliberate, her presence unnervingly magnetic.
“Come with me,” she said finally, her tone soft but insistent.
“What?”
“There’s something I want to show you,” Marin continued, her gaze locking onto his. “It’s important.”
Kei hesitated, the unease in his chest growing. “Why now? It’s late, and—”
“Please.”
Her voice was quieter this time, almost pleading. Kei noticed the faint flush on her cheeks, the way her hands fidgeted slightly at her sides.
He swallowed hard, the tension in his chest tightening like a knot. “Alright,” he said finally, his voice barely audible.
Marin’s smile returned, softer now, almost relieved. She gestured toward the path leading deeper into the campus, her movements graceful yet deliberate.
“Follow me,” she said, turning without waiting for his response.
Kei lingered for a moment, glancing back at Kukui’s door before following Marin into the shadows.
End of chapter
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138,079 Literary Works • 672,071 Reviews
Happy to come back to Eternal Beauty ^^
I nearly forgot that Kei punched a mirror last chapter @.@
And ofc he wants to downplay it before Kukui… would be hard to admit that he has doubts abt the sit to Kukui who had doubts right from the start ^^°
…and he has the worst explanation for his injury. Granted, I can’t come up with something better either :/
Love that description: “His thoughts churned, a mess of tangled words and emotions that refused to align.“
Oh are we going to talk about the issue now? Is it finally happening? I wanna see Kukui and Kei talk things out so bad ☹
I feel so much for Kei. You make his situation so palpable even if it should be so straightforward, at first glance. I just love how you make this happen.
“Like it doesn’t help. I close my eyes, and it just gets worse.” 💔 💔 💔
Forgot to click enter here XD
Aww ok it’s not them talking but Kukui being there for her friend, even if she’s borderline tsundere about it :3
Sugei really did erase himself to become his sister—so thoroughly that Kei has never once used the wrong pronouns. Kukui is having more difficulty. Maybe bc she knows what happened to old-Marin and can be almost certain that none of that happened to new-Marin and that Sugei couldn’t really become Marin without that?
Hmmm that isn’t the first time we get an aside of Marin watching Kei from the distance. I’m still struggling to figure out what her end game is here.
The soft features soften, alrighty: “ her soft features softened“ maybe you want to look for alternative phrasings here.
Oha!! I didn’t expect Kei to be strong enough to carry Kukui like that! I have to rethink how I view him o.o
But I do like that helping her, having her like this, puts his mind at ease. I guess his friendship with Kukui has none of the confusion that new-Marin brings. Kukui’s like she’s always been.
Aww he’s cleaning up for Kukui! I do wonder if it’s Kei’s behaviour that made Kukui too anxious to take care of herself like this.
Oh my and here he finally caught himself then who is waiting for him? No one but the origin of all his anguish xd
And she’s literally leading him astray. Oh I do like this! I’m excited for the next chapter :3
Yay, more chapters for revmo! Here we go
I dont have any specifics for tonight. But I think this was one of my favorite chapters. The relationship between Kukui and Kei continues to shine above all else. And now we see it's definitely going to cause some problems.
Marin really has a sinister feel but is still so nonchalant about it to Kei's face. I dont think he's in danger necessarily, at least not yet, but either way it does build some suspense and a bit of a cliffhanger which is a nice change of pace.
I will say, im not sure i buy them sleeping in the nurse office all day. I think you nailed the atmosphere of this sort of intimate, unplanned moment between friends or maybe more than friends. But it seems like they just slept in the nurses office from dusk til dawn and that doesn't seem plausible. Even if it was a weekend, surely there would be other students coming and going.
Also, how does Marin always manage to see Kei from the out on the walkways? Wouldn't a.nursee office be closed off for privacy sake? And is Marin actively stalking him? Seems like that might be the case. Guess we might find out next chapter.
I like that Kei knows Kukui enough to know that something is off, just by the state of her room. Im a little surprised they dont have roommates though. Fancy school and all that I suppose. Anyway, I'll get to the next few chapters tomorrow. Curious to see where this goes and how serious or dark we go.
~Messy
Hello, I will be reviewing your chapter,
This chapter weaves atmosphere and emotion together in a way that feels both intimate and tense. The nurse’s office scene immediately grounds the reader with sensory detail, setting up Kei’s fragile mental state. Kukui’s bluntness contrasted with her quiet tenderness makes her a layered and sympathetic character. Marin, on the other hand, carries an almost uncanny presence, her watchfulness adding suspense and unease to the narrative. The small gestures—like Kukui brushing Kei’s hair or Kei tidying her room—speak louder than words and highlight the complicated bonds between the characters. At times, Kei’s inner turmoil feels a little repetitive, but it still conveys the depth of his conflict well. The scene transitions could be smoother, though the imagery keeps the flow compelling. Overall, the writing is bananas-strong in balancing warmth, dread, and desire in a way that pulls the reader deeper into Kei’s struggle.
Hello Joj0!
It is great to have you here, and thank you for taking the time to read my story!!!!
Your words inspire me to keep writing and keep improving and I hope I can do that with everyone's support!!