acquiescence

Satoru-san sighs dramatically. "Is this what you really wanna talk about, Megu-chan?" She grouses.

"Yes," Megumi says stubbornly.

"I thought you'd tell me how much you missed me!"

Megumi ignores her, she's had practice, an abundance. "I want to attend hybrid school."

"Do you really?"

Megumi lifts her chin, "Yes."

Over the dark horizon of her stylish shades, blue orbs peer at her. "Why?"

"I'm not a people person," Megumi says tactfully,  and Satoru-san snorts. Megumi glowers but continues, "It's easier to have tutors and attend class for major tests."

"Easier for who?"

Simple probing questions, neither accusing nor suspicious. Megumi tenses and watches as Satoru-san catalogs that response and cocks her head. She hates how perceptive Satoru-san is, body language, micro-expressions, the minute fluctuation of curse energy are tells, and Satoru-san knows Megumi's telltale signs. 

"For me, for Tsumiki," She admits quietly. "I don't want to transfer schools again. Tsumiki graduates in March, she's finally made friends, joined a club, and found her footing," Megumi swallows, "I don't want to ruin that."

Satoru-san's heavy gaze doesn't leave her, and Megumi waits for her to respond. It should be unnerving, but Megumi relishes being the object of that single focused gaze. When it falls on her, she knows Satoru-san sees her as a person rather than pieces of a whole.

"Okay, I'll take care of it."

The nervous anticipation, the wild beat of her heart pounding in her ears, her sweaty palms, and tense shoulders... it finally dawns on Megumi, she's telling the truth. No matter how amiable and generous her benefactor is, sometimes she waits for the other shoe to drop. Eight years later, she still wonders if there's a limit to her indulgence. Satoru-san's munificence is overwhelming, but she has promised to move heaven and earth for Megumi.

Why should she doubt her?

"Thank you."

"Now!" Satoru-san picks her up by the waist and places her on the counter. Megumi squeaks as her panty-clad bottom comes in contact with the cold surface. Satoru-san takes residence between pale, slender legs and places her hands on either side of her. She smiles impishly, "Did you miss me?"

"No, you lied." Megumi crosses her arms, "You said one week, but you were gone for three."

"Are you pouting?" Satoru-san's grin widens to show dimples. 

"...No."

"I think you are," She takes her chin between slender fingers, mood shifting as she rubs a thumb over her split lip. "You didn't heal yourself."

"I wanted you to-ow!" Satoru-san pushes her thumb into the swollen wound. It bleeds anew.

"Heal yourself," Satoru directs.

"I can't, you do it." Megumi tries to say, but it comes out as incomprehensible garble

"Don't lie," Satoru-san chides, "You have a new shadow. Use it."

Megumi makes the hand sign.

"No, at will."

"I'm not familiar with it!"

"Try."

Megumi's shadow does not grow; it is fed. The shadows lengthen and writhe, and from its dark depths comes a portion of her soul. The physical manifestation of the pact between shikigami conjuror and animal kami is a deer, favoring the largest of the Cervidae.

"Good, Megumi, very good."

Megumi preens, the praise pleasing her omegan sensibilities.