The tension bled out of him in layers. His shoulders sank, his spine relaxed, and the constant edge he carried through every corridor and battlefield dulled.
Ayame's reaction was immediate, and for once, there was no smugness in her smile, no teasing curve to her lips. She leaned into him naturally with her head resting against his shoulder as if that was where it had always belonged, her body fitting into the space beneath his arm without pretense.
"That's better," she whispered quietly, her voice turning much gentler than before. "You looked like you were about to fall apart standing there."
Hanae watched the two of them for a moment before speaking. Her voice shifted away from theatrics into a measured and sincere tune.
"Rest and recovery are part of proper training. Training smart is what will let you succeed in the long and eventful life that awaits you. Working hard is simply not enough."
