The smell of fresh cloth and faint lavender blasted Hatori's face as he stepped through the door. Sunlight filtered through the shuttered walls. At the desk before him, Correna spoke without raising her head from her craft.
"You're right on time."
He stepped inside, brushing a bit of dust from his sleeve. "I told you I'd stop by before the mission."
Correna smiled faintly, her eyes still fixed on the deep maroon coat spread across her worktable. She'd stitched a careful seam with steady hands.
"I thought you might be too busy."
"Busy? Sure. Too busy to see you… nah."
That drew her gaze up for just a moment, before she hid it again behind her work.
He moved closer, dragging a finger along the edge of the fabric. "Who's this one for?"
"A squadron leader from Jon. He's… broader than you, so no. You can't try it on."
Hatori chuckled softly. "Shame. Could've been my new look."
They fell into a quiet rhythm. Correna stitching the pieces together in quick perfection, and Hatori watching in awe.
After a long moment, Correna paused just as the needle pierced another cloth.
"You know it's going to be dangerous, right?"
Hatori nodded, his lips pursed.
"Then why do you look so calm about it?"
"Because getting worked up won't help me come back," he said.
She didn't meet his eyes. Loose strands of hair covered her face from the side.
"Just… come back, Hatori. Please."
Hatori reached forward, brushing the piece from her face, giving an easing smile.
"That's the plan."
Their eyes met, and this time—neither looked away. Hatori pulled a small parcel from the inner pocket of his cloak, before plopping it on the wooden desk. It caught her attention with a curious gaze.
"What's this?" she asked, opening the first flap. As she unraveled it, her eyes widened, before she grinned.
"You remembered!"
Hatori's face flushed, and he rubbed the back of his hair shyly. "I saw it today in a market stand. The finest silk for crafting they said. Couldn't let the opportunity pass up."
"You're too sweet. Now you absolutely have to come back! How can I give you the creation from this if you don't?"
Hatori chuckled dryly. "Got it. I'll absolutely make sure to come back now."
Across Persetta, the sun had begun its descent, casting long orange streaks over its fractured horizon. The sounds of hammering and carts echoed faintly as Memento prepared for the coming battle.
The second invasion of Igumi.
Tsuki sat at the edge of a worn stone wall just outside the courtyard. Geo leaned on his elbows below her, and Azumi was sprawled out nearby. She held her sword above her head, trying to catch a glare in its clean metal.
"We're gonna be bored out of our minds if they keep us waiting another day," she said, still occupying herself.
"Speak for yourself," Geo said flatly. "I'm actually enjoying the peace we've got."
Tsuki chuckled. "You call this peace? Half the camp's running around like their head might fall off."
They shared a laugh, though it was thin—the kind that tried to push away the weight sitting in the air. Tsuki idly tossed a pebble across the dirt, watching it skip.
"What about you, Tsuki?" Geo asked, glancing upwards. "You ready for it?"
"Being ready doesn't matter, does it? We're going either way, yeah?"
A quiet moment passed. In the distance, the muffled sound of boots and shouting faded.
Tsuki didn't notice, she was too indulged in her own thoughts now.
This war had already taken families, futures, and lives that never chose it.
Her dark eyes caught the shine of dying light along the horizon. She lifted an arm, reaching for the sun with outstretched fingers.
No matter what it takes… Memento will fight. Because it's more than survival. It's a fight worth losing everything for. The scars of tomorrow don't frighten warriors…
She took one last breath, closing her eyes. The wind drifted endlessly through branches, eventually reaching the nerves of her skin, where it tickled softly.
Only the thought of losing everything does.