The Envoy Part IV

"Were you afraid to face me, Sato?" asked Miki, with an emotionless expression.

"Why did you do all this?" Sato asked desperately.

Miki's words hung in the air. The helpless expression on Sato's face reflected the weight of years of regret. "I... I was just trying to protect you and Rikimaru," he said with a trembling voice.

"Things were always more complicated than you thought, Sato," said Miki.

Sato gripped the iron bars tightly. "Did you ever truly love me?"

Just then, Midra, coming up the stairs, paused before turning into the corridor and began to listen.

"Do you really want to know?" asked Miki with a mocking smile.

"Yes," said Sato, the metal beginning to bend in his grip.