CHAPTER 44 - Silent Guardian

Akemi turned, expecting to see the guards struggling to keep up—but instead, her breath caught as she saw a spear streaking toward her, too fast to dodge.

Eiji's heart pounded in panic. Damn it! It's too close! It's going to hit her! What do I do?!

Then—

A hooded figure moved like a shadow, snatching the spear mid-air just before it could reach Akemi.

Akemi and Eiji skidded to a halt, eyes wide as they took in the mysterious stranger. His head turned slightly, revealing only his left eye—a glowing gold hue that seemed almost otherworldly.

Eiji narrowed his eyes. Who the hell is this guy? And that eye... what is he?

The stranger tightened his grip on the spear, shifting his stance toward the guards. Recognizing the opportunity, Akemi tugged on Eiji's arm. "Eiji, come on! Let's go!"

He nodded, and they took off running. As they dashed away, loud noises erupted behind them. The sounds of combat. Something fierce.

Eiji, still running, shouted, "What are those noises?! What's coming after us now?!"

Akemi shot him a glare. "Idiot! How would I know?! Just shut up and run faster!"

They didn't stop until they reached Hena's home, collapsing outside, gasping for air. Sweat dripped from their foreheads as they tried to catch their breath.

Eiji looked at Akemi, still panting. "Akemi… don't… don't ever try sneaking into the castle again like that. We almost lost our lives."

Akemi, equally breathless, scoffed. "Then… then you shouldn't have followed me in the first place! I didn't ask you to come!"

Eiji's expression turned serious. "You don't have to ask me. I would have come anyway."

Akemi's cheeks flushed. "When did you become this stubborn?"

Eiji smirked. "When have I ever listened to anyone?"

She bit her lip, unable to suppress a small smile—until a voice interrupted.

"Oye, will you stop being all lovey-dovey and get inside? It's still three in the morning."

Akemi and Eiji jumped, startled. Yoto stood in the doorway, arms crossed.

Eiji raised an eyebrow. "Oye, Yoto, what are you doing here? And what do you mean by 'lovey-dovey'? Are we that obvious?"

Akemi's face turned crimson, and before Eiji could react, she smacked him on the head. "What do you mean 'are we that obvious,' you idiot?! Don't give people the wrong idea!"

Eiji winced, rubbing his head. "I was just joking! No need to be so serious about it!"

Akemi huffed. "Of course, I have to be! You're giving people weird ideas!"

Yoto sighed. "For god's sake, can you two stop arguing? You're going to wake up the neighbors."

Both of them stiffened. "We're sorry," they muttered in unison.

"Good. Now get inside," Yoto said before turning to enter the house.

Eiji hesitated for a moment, then called out, "Yoto."

Yoto stopped but didn't turn around. Eiji swallowed. "Aren't you going to ask why we're here this late at night?"

Without looking back,

As Yoto disappeared inside, he thought, 'Now's not the time to talk about it, you idiot.'

Akemi and Eiji exchanged glances before silently following him in. As they stepped inside, Eiji whispered, "Akemi, let's just get to bed. I'm exhausted."

Akemi nodded. "I'll take a bath first."

Eiji sighed. "Fine, but make it quick. You need rest."

She nodded and headed to the bath. As the tub filled, she slipped off her clothes and eased into the warm water, letting the tension in her body melt away. But as she closed her eyes, her mind drifted back to earlier—to when she had shielded Eiji from the guards, to the foolish grin he had given her in return. Her cheeks burned.

"Eiji, you idiot," she muttered under her breath.

Then, unexpectedly, a memory surfaced—a moment from her childhood.

—

In the Novare Organization training hall, a young Akemi stood in the center of a combat ring, facing a boy who had earned a reputation as a bully. The match was supposed to be a spar, but he was using it as an excuse to torment her.

Akemi lacked brute strength, so Hataki had drilled her in close-combat techniques. But that day, Hataki was away, and Hayato was overseeing the training.

The bully played dirty, knocking her down. Even after winning, he refused to stop. He lunged at her, wrapping his hands around her throat.

"Enough."

Hayato grabbed the bully and shoved him aside. "Hamada, the fight is over. You already won."

The bully scowled but didn't press further. Hayato knelt beside Akemi, concern in his eyes. "Are you okay, Akemi?"

Tears welled up, but she quickly wiped them away. Taking his offered hand, she whispered, "Thank you."

That evening, Hataki visited Hayato's room. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting shadows across Hayato's face.

Hataki knocked. "Hayato, may I come in?"

"Come in, Sensei."

Hataki sat beside him. "I spoke with Akemi."

Hayato tensed. "Did she stop crying?"

"She cried all afternoon," aki admitted. "You were too harsh."

Hayato lowered his gaze. "Sensei, I…"

Hataki interrupted with a gentle smile. "I know what you did."

Hayato blinked in surprise. "Sensei, what do you mean you know?"

Hataki chuckled. "I know you tried to save her from the bully, but you didn't have to be so harsh."

Hayato hesitated, then said, "Yeah… I did exaggerate a bit. But it's like protecting her from the shadows."

Hataki raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

Hayato's eyes brightened. "I read a book last night. In it, a man secretly protects his family, but they think he's just being cold. They don't realize he's their silent guardian. Isn't that cool, Sensei?"

Hataki smiled. "It does sound cool."

Hayato's voice softened. "That's why… I wanted to be like that. Because—I see Akemi as my little sister. I want to look cool in her eyes, when she knows about this"

Outside the door, Akemi froze, having overheard everything. A small, warm smile spread across her face. As she thought " Hayato ..... Hayato thought of me as his sister 

—

Back in the present, Akemi murmured, "Your sister, huh… Brother Hayato."

She dried off, dressed, and slipped into her futon beside Yushin, a peaceful smile lingering as she drifted into sleep.

"You're already cool enough, Brother Hayato."