Chapter 14: MorningAnother exhausting day had been left behind, and the West Sakura Kuiri Headquarters was waking up to a new morning.
As usual, Haruto was combing his hair when his eyes met Yuki's reflection in the mirror—still fast asleep. He looked at Yuki with a gentle smile.
Haruto:
"Ah… you really are so innocent and sweet, Yuki. You're just like us. What was done to you is the same as what was done to me…"
(His expression darkens, and he lowers his gaze.)
Flashback
Haruto is in a room, crying with blood running from his head. Kaito stands beside him, watching silently with a heavy sigh.
Present
Haruto:
"You're just an innocent child…"
At that moment, there is a knock on the door. Haruto opens it immediately so Yuki won't wake up. Kaito is standing there. Just as he's about to speak, he steps inside with his right foot.
Haruto places a finger on Kaito's lips.
Haruto (anxiously, whispering):
"Shh."
He glances at Yuki, then gestures toward him with his eyes.
Kaito mutters angrily under his breath.
Kaito:
"You…"
Haruto closes the door and turns to Kaito in the hallway.
Haruto:
"First of all, good morning, Mr. Cold-Stare Captain."
Kaito's face shows a mix of seriousness and exhaustion.
Kaito:
"You seriously—never mind. Let's go out to the garden."
"You know the swallows are migrating."
(He turns his back, glancing sideways with a faint smile.)
Kaito:
"You wouldn't want to miss it, would you?"
(His expression softens slightly.)
Haruto laughs.
Haruto:
"Hah, like I'd ever miss that…"
They step out through the headquarters' old yet magnificent gate. Sakura petals dance through the air as they walk toward the benches beneath the sakura trees.
But someone is already sitting on one of the benches.
The shadow of the tree stretches from half of the table to the very edge of the bench. In that shaded area, a figure sits silently, their hood pulled all the way down…