ZigZagkers

Back in the quiet room, Nki and Enix lay side by side on the same bed, staring up at the ceiling. The dim light above them flickered softly, casting shadows that danced across the walls. The room was peaceful for the first time in a while, no demons, no weird powers, no chains, no screaming. Just… them.

Enix let out a long sigh and rubbed his chest.

"…So many things happened all of a sudden. Like one second we're doing a stupid courage test, and the next...I'm turning into a demon and you're breaking chains like some superhero."

Nki smirked a little.

"Yeah. It's insane. But…"

She turned her head and looked at him with soft eyes.

"Wherever you go, I'll go too. Even if it's crazy or dangerous or just… confusing. I don't want to run anymore. I want to know more… about all of this. And about my grandpa too."

She paused, her voice quieter now.

"My dad doesn't know anything. He acts like grandpa was just some old man with shrine duties. But now it makes sense why he never talked about it. Maybe… he was protecting me."

Enix turned to look at her, surprised at how serious she sounded. He opened his mouth to say something.

She looked him straight in the eyes as he said.

"if one day… something happens. If that thing inside me wakes up again and i become a threat to you or anyone…"

He took a deep breath.

"Then… I want you to promise me. You'll kill me."

Nki blinked.

"…Huh?!"

Nki's face was calm but firm.

Nki sat up, her expression pure panic.

"Wh-What the hell?! What are you saying?! Kill you? No way! That's messed up!"

Nki clenched her fist.

Then—BAM!

She socked him straight in the stomach.

"OWWWW!!" Enix screamed, falling back onto the bed while flailing like a dying fish. "I SAID YOU WOULD KILL ME, WHY'D YOU PUNCH ME?!"

Nki crossed her arms and huffed.

"Because you're saying stupid things again, dummy."

Enix curled up in a ball, holding his stomach dramatically.

"Ughhh… I can already see the light… the gods are calling me… Grandpa is that you…?"

Nki stared at him with deadpan eyes.

"…You're so dramatic."

"I'm dying, Nki… dying from emotional and physical damage…"

She chuckled softly and shook her head.

And for a moment just a moment they forgot about corrupted souls, divine powers, and ancient prophecies.

They were just Nki and Enix again.

The door suddenly creaked open with a soft squeak, and waddling into the room came Geli, the tiny doctor girl, her arms raised high above her head to balance a plate so massive it nearly swallowed her whole body.

Her short legs wobbled slightly under the weight, and only the tips of her brown pigtails and her small pink shoes could be seen below the giant dish.

Nki and Enix blinked in confusion, sitting up quickly.

"What is… that?" Enix asked, tilting his head.

Geli placed the enormous plate down on the floor with a loud thunk, then puffed her cheeks and looked up at them with a proud smile.

"Dr. Geli?" Nki asked, confused.

Enix looked between them. "Wait… you know her?"

Nki shook her head slowly. "Not really…"

Geli grinned and placed both hands on her hips proudly.

"I'm just happy I finally have patients in my teeny tiny hospital! Usually everyone uses healing magic and ignores me!"

Nki blinked. "Wait, wait, wait... you guys can heal yourselves?"

Geli gave a dramatic sigh and hopped onto the bed like a tiny squirrel.

"Yeah! Most of them just poof their injuries away with spells or fancy potions. I rarely get to treat anyone. So thanks for getting injured!"

Enix and Nki looked at each other, unsure if they should feel flattered or concerned.

Then Geli pointed to the plate.

"Ta-da! The clothes on the plate are from us!"

Nki and Enix leaned over and carefully removed the large silver cup covering it.

Underneath it lay a beautifully arranged set of clothes.

A white off-shoulder blouse with flowing, ruffled sleeves, delicate and elegant. Neatly folded over it was a black pinstriped dress with buckled straps tucked in, tailored with a refined but cute shape. Beside them was a fitted, dark undershirt—simple but strong-looking. Draped across everything like a protective layer was a black and red hooded jacket, heavier than the others, with bold red lining and sharp seams. It gave off a cool, dangerous energy, like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Both Nki and Enix stared at the outfit in awe.

"Whoa… this is… cool as hell," Enix said.

"This looks brand new. And expensive," Nki added, lifting the blouse gently.

She turned to Enix. "Turn around."

"H-Huh?" he blinked.

"Turn. Around."

Enix quickly spun around, cheeks already flushing red.

Nki began changing into the new outfit behind him. Enix kept his hands firmly on his knees, sweating a little.

Then he peeked at the clothes on the plate again and raised a brow.

"Guess I'll change too."

As he started pulling his shirt off, Geli turned toward him and—

"AHH!!" she squeaked, instantly covering her eyes with both hands. "Why are you both changing at the same time?!"

"You're the one who brought the clothes!" Enix shouted, scrambling to cover himself with the jacket sleeve.

Nki laughed softly while slipping into the dress.

After a few moments, the two of them stood side by side, now fully dressed in the new clothes.

Enix adjusted the collar of his jacket and looked over at Nki—

Then immediately shot back, nose bleeding like a fountain.

She was breathtaking.

The soft white blouse framed her collarbones perfectly, the black dress hugging her figure in a way that was stylish but subtle. The red lined hood of her jacket cast a cool edge over her look. Her dark hair flowed down just to her neck, and her blue eyes seemed to shine even more.

("She's the most beautiful, most adorable thing I've ever seen.") Enix thought, dazed.

Nki turned to look at him, and her entire face turned bright red.

Enix, now wearing the fitted dark shirt and the same black red jacket, looked sharper than usual. His broad shoulders were accentuated by the cut of the jacket.

("He looks so cool… and… hot…") Nki thought, covering her mouth.

Geli jumped up, throwing her hands into the air.

"Tadaaa! That's your new Star Owl Club uniform! Take good care of it!"

"Wait, this is free?" Enix asked.

"Yep!" Geli chirped. "We give it to all our official members! No charge!"

Nki looked at her sleeve in disbelief.

"Wow… free things are a dream…"

Enix nodded, his nose still slightly bleeding.

"Yeah. Free stuff is peak happiness."

Geli slowly tilted her head, a mysterious smile creeping up her small face as she placed both hands behind her back and leaned forward ever so slightly.

"Now, now…" she said softly, her voice unusually calm, almost too calm.

Enix and Nki froze, their eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"…What's with that tone?" Enix whispered.

Geli's smile widened just a bit more as she stepped closer.

"As a doctor… why don't you let me do a quick check-up on both of you~?"

Her voice was sweet, but something about it felt… ominous.

The air shifted.

They both stared at her.

And then, at the exact same time, their voices overlapped in perfect harmony,

"Ehhhhhh???"

Their backs pressed against the wall behind them.