Now he was leaning over him, haunted by the thought of what would happen if they had to be separated. If they were not meant to be together, and Sota was doomed to be alone. Haruki walked at a leisurely pace, yet he kept glancing at Sota with a raised eyebrow. Even though the Omega once again clung to his arm as he often did, his expression looked deeply troubled.
"Everything okay?" the Alpha asked as soon as the park came into view. But Sota didn't react at all at first.
"Hello? Earth to Ebisu, everything okay?" Even then, it took a moment before Sota responded. He looked at Haruki with a faint smile and nodded. The Alpha sighed, then stepped in front of him and placed his hands on the Omega's shoulders.
"Hey… what's wrong? I can see that something isn't right. Are you still scared because of last time?" he asked, once again thinking of their first outing. At the same time, he feared that Sota might forever hide away in his small apartment, because he couldn't figure out what the smaller one was afraid of.
"It's nothing…" Sota spoke softly, but it was enough to free Haruki from his carousel of thoughts.
"That doesn't sound like nothing." Haruki gently stroked Sota's cheek, then sighed with a smile, took his hand, and slowly continued toward the park.
"I just want you to know that you can always talk to me, okay? No matter what it is, you don't have to carry it all by yourself." But Sota remained silent. For quite a while.
Haruki thought at least he wasn't seeing strange beings again or imagining things that startled him. Yet the Omega twitched from time to time, hiding behind him as he usually did. The only difference was that Sota didn't scream—and still said nothing. Haruki didn't know which was worse.
A stronger breeze brushed their faces, rustling the leaves of the trees. Haruki pulled Sota into his arms and kissed him tenderly on the forehead. "Look, over there's another luck shrine. Let's just take a quick picture together and head home. After that, your favorite food—pizza!" No matter how much he tried to spread cheer, Sota remained downcast, though he nodded at Haruki's suggestion.
⸻
Sota's heartbeat pounded mercilessly, like a freight train rushing at full speed toward a wall. All the fears that should have long been buried in the past rose again, unbearably vivid. He would be alone once more. He would lose the first and only person who had ever loved him—the one he himself loved. What comfort could there be in that? He didn't even understand what he truly was.
Unease swept over Sota as they neared the small, old shrine. Haruki noticed nothing unusual, simply walked calmly to the shrine and pulled two incense sticks from his bag.
"Come. A little luck never hurt anyone, right?" He smiled, and Sota hesitantly stepped closer. He reached for an incense stick and froze when he heard the soft chime of a wind bell. He looked around quickly, but at first, nothing was there.
"Ebisu." A clear voice rang out, calm and commanding. Time seemed to stand still around Sota and the owner of the voice. Sota glanced around, fighting the rising panic, but his hands began to tremble uncontrollably. The protection Haruki usually gave him felt useless now. Still, he cast a frightened look at the Alpha, who stood frozen in place as though locked in time.
"Ebisu." The voice sounded again, and a pale figure with long, dark, braided hair appeared before him. The person had a mystical aura, surrounded by a faint shimmering glow. Sota pressed against Haruki for protection, which made the stranger—dressed in a kimono of blue-green tones—smirk.
"Ebisu. It has been a long time since we last met. I do not know what has happened to you, or what made you abandon your destined place. But the balance is in danger." The stranger hesitated, then fixed his gaze entirely on Haruki. "Ah, the human. Don't tell me you've developed feelings for him. The great Ebisu, in love with a human." He laughed and stepped closer.
But Sota summoned all his courage and spread his arms protectively in front of Haruki. His whole body trembled with fear, yet he saw this stranger as a threat to himself and, most of all, to his Alpha.
"Please don't hurt us…" he pleaded, eyes squeezed shut.
As the stranger drew nearer, the scent of spring blossoms reached Sota's nose. It was so pleasant that he couldn't help but open his eyes slightly. And then he saw—the stranger was already standing right before him.
"Ebisu. What is wrong with you? How could someone of your importance feel fear?" The stranger's voice remained calm and melodic as he studied Sota. "Listen to me, Ebisu. You should know that a bond with a mortal is not accepted. Your absence was noticed long before it became a threat to the balance. Do the world a favor—return home. Your… hmm…" His eyes shifted again to Haruki. "Toy. He won't live long enough to matter anyway."
The stranger circled them, making no attempt to hide the way he scrutinized them for flaws. Sota turned with him, always keeping himself between Haruki and the threat. The stranger suddenly stopped, raising a finger as if struck by an idea. In truth, it was realization—what bound the two of them.
"It's too late!" he laughed. "You're in love, aren't you?" Sota blushed faintly but kept silent.
"Well then. The world is lost. Your absence will plunge it into chaos, and your human will become the target of many others. He would have to become a god himself for you to stay by his side. But can you achieve that?" He laughed again. "The Onis have already taken notice of you, and if they know… well…"
Gently, he placed a hand on Sota's shoulder. Sota stared at him, bracing for an attack he could not resist.
"Go home…" And with that, the stranger turned away, vanishing as swiftly as he had come, swept into a swirling sea of petals.
⸻
Sota flinched when Haruki's voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Come. Let's make a wish," he said with a smile, slipping an arm around him. Sota looked dazed, but followed his lead.
For the rest of the day, the Omega remained quiet. Haruki did his best, showering him with affection and his favorite snacks, trying to distract him, but nothing helped. Sota seemed only a single step away from breaking into tears.
"Will you promise…?" he suddenly asked out of nowhere. Haruki tilted his head, waiting to hear what he was meant to promise.
"Will you promise me that you'll never leave me?" The question came so unexpectedly that the Alpha sighed in relief when he heard it.
"I promise." He immediately pulled Sota into his arms, holding him half against his chest, and at last Sota couldn't help but smile again.