Part 2 — The Choice
Haruto stayed seated on the sofa, unmoving.
The silence pressed down on him until it felt hard to breathe.
Think…
Think, Haruto.
His fingers curled tightly into the fabric of his pants.
"Calm down… I'm just tired," he whispered to himself, forcing a weak excuse.
"That's all. I didn't sleep properly. Anyone would feel strange."
The presence didn't fade.
It crept closer.
His chest tightened.
"No… maybe I'm overreacting," he muttered, shaking his head.
"Aka would've told us if something was wrong. She always does."
He tried to stand.
His legs refused—for just a moment.
"…Tch."
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.
"If I panic now, I'll just mess things up," he said quietly, like he was scolding himself.
"I'm not strong enough. I know that. I've never been."
The words tasted bitter.
"I can't fight someone like that," he continued.
"I don't even know what's coming. And even if I do something stupid… it won't change anything."
A pause.
Then his voice dropped.
"…So I should just wait?"
The thought made his chest ache.
Wait for Aka and Renjiro to come back.
Wait and hope nothing happens.
Wait and trust everything will be fine.
His nails dug into his palms.
"That's the smart thing… right?"
The memory of the warning flashed through his mind.
Itachi's voice.
Ayame.
Blood.
Regret.
His breathing grew uneven.
"But if I wait," he whispered, "and something happens…"
His jaw clenched.
"…I won't forgive myself."
The room felt colder.
He swallowed hard.
"I promised," Haruto said softly.
"I promised I wouldn't touch those things. I promised I wouldn't cross that line."
A pause.
"…Am I about to break it?"
His shoulders trembled.
"Am I going against the promise i made with dad?"
"Am I going against Aka's trust?"
"Against Renjiro's rules?"
"Against everything they tried to protect me from?"
His voice cracked for the first time.
"…Or am I just scared?"
Silence answered him.
Then, slowly, his breathing steadied.
"No," he said, firmer now.
"I'm scared because I understand."
He straightened.
"If I do nothing," he continued, eyes sharp, "that's giving up."
"And if I give up now…"
His teeth clenched.
"…then that warning meant nothing."
He lifted his head.
"I don't need to win," Haruto said quietly.
"I don't need to be strong."
A beat.
"I just need time."
His spine straightened fully.
"…Time until Aka comes home."