The next day—still in flashback—they played. Laughed. Shared apples.
Yuzai cradled him in long, white hair and softer words.
"Our colony is full of white flowers, Xio. When you grow up, I'll take you there. My mom and dad must be waiting... but I want to stay with you more. You're my best friend."
Xio smiled, burying his face into Yuzai's shoulder.
But kindness doesn't always last.
Lanxie studied yokais only to break them.
Kage Ou stormed into the cell one night, furious.
"Tell me the name of your Soul Garden, rabbit! Show me the path!"
Yuzai refused. Colony-types knew their Soul Garden's name, but never revealed it. Not even to save their own life. It was in their nature—to protect their bloodline from danger.
Kage Ou slapped him. Hard. Then punched his stomach.
Yuzai gasped, body curling. He didn't scream. Not once. His gaze turned to the wall—as if guarding something invisible.
Xio, awakened by the noise, sneaked in.
He found Yuzai bleeding at the mouth, one eye swollen. Yet when their eyes met, Yuzai smiled faintly.
"You didn't sleep yet, silly bunny...?"
Xio's eyes widened. He crept closer, voice trembling.
"Uncle... hurt you? You... crying...?"
He touched Yuzai's cheek. The yokai leaned into the warmth.
"Ah, no... just got hurt while playing. I heal fast, remember? I'm special grade."
Xio nodded slowly, but his heart throbbed. Something cracked deep inside.
It was the first time he felt helpless.
And he never forgot.
Back in the present—
Xio's hand reached up, softly scratching behind Kirihito's ear.
He had taken him to a hidden place—
A house nestled within the Fukaki.
White walls. White curtains. Crystals catching sunlight.
Red and white flowers. Feathers.
Kirihito was the only shadow in the light.
A single black pearl in a sea of white.
"You're safe now," Xio whispered.
"No bugs. Just wind… just me."
Kirihito looked around with half-lidded, sleepy eyes. His lips parted into an innocent grin—
Wide. Too wide. Almost as if the corners of his mouth had been slit.
Creepy, yet oddly cute.
He wandered slowly, touching crystals and petals. His fingers were gentle. He was genuinely happy—
Xio had kept his promise.
Then he found a pair of white rabbits.
The same kind Yuzai once kept.
Kirihito carefully scooped them into his arms, giggling softly as they nuzzled into him.
The snake curled around his neck hissed, jealous. But Kirihito's attention stayed on the bunnies.
"They're so white and fluffy…"
Xio watched him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Arms crossed, hand gripping the hilt of his sword—but he hissed under his breath. Old wounds from earlier fights still ached.
"I know."
Xio stepped closer. Kirihito tensed briefly, then relaxed as Xio sat beside him, picking up one of the rabbits.
"Where are we?" Kirihito asked.
"Fukaki forest? Or that cursed village?"
He looked around in disbelief. Something this beautiful shouldn't exist in a cursed place like this.
"We're inside Fukaki," Xio replied. His tone was serious, yet distant.
Kirihito blinked, confused.
"But… no insects live here. Just yokais and weird animals. Even those—barely.
And… what will I eat? There's no dragon fruit in a cursed zone like this.
How can anything grow…?"
He pouted, pressing his cheek into the rabbit's soft fur.
"It's a long story," Xio murmured. "And you don't need to worry. I'll take care of it."
That promise surprised Kirihito.
After all, he had nearly killed Xio…
And yet here Xio was, offering food and shelter like a gentle storm.
Kirihito looked up at him, stunned. His cheeks flushed slightly.
"You'll…? You'll really bring me food? Dragon fruits too?!"
But the moment of joy shifted. He turned away, pouting like a sulking child, long black hair hiding his face.
"N-no… you're lying. All insects lie…"
"No, I'm not. And you forgot what you promised."
Kirihito looked over his shoulder.
"You agreed to trust me—even if it's just halfway. But doubting me now means you're already breaking that."
Kirihito hummed, hugging both the bunny and the jealous white snake now coiled under his throat.
His bottom lip jutted out, voice soft.
"...Fine. Then I'll trust you... insect Xio."
Xio chuckled faintly, leaning forward with an arm over his knee.
"Can't you talk without calling humans insects?"
"Nope. Habit. Get used to it."
"Alright, alright. But what's the difference between me and other 'insects'?
I saved you. The others just came to bite your hips."
He didn't know why he asked. But somehow, he wanted to hear it.
Kirihito's cheeks flushed.
The mention of his hips stirred memories he quickly shoved aside. Ceremony. Kyoren. The pain.
He played with the rabbit's ear, then mumbled:
"I call them 'insects.' I call you… Insect Xio."
Xio raised an eyebrow.
"That's it? No difference?"
Kirihito grinned with his head bowed.
"Well… you could've called you a black gold bug. Or mosquito.. "
Xio huffed and added
"Even that would be better. At least it's unique."
Kirihito chuckled. He liked Xio's baby-soft voice and teasing.
In that moment, Xio realized—
Kirihito was beautiful. Too beautiful.
Creepy. Cute. Dangerous.
No wonder his curse drove people mad with desire.
And yet… here he was. Sitting silently beside him.
Not attacking. Not seducing.
Just… existing.
"Then… then… you're… you're a Black Gold Butterfly," Kirihito finally said.
"The only insect I might.. like.
They don't eat flesh.
They look like insects… but not really. Just like you."
Xio's breath caught.
Butterfly.
A small, delicate thing.
And somehow, Kirihito made it sound like a rare honor.