Peaceful Rest | Lurking Malice

Seiya slammed the door behind him and started striding away, only to hear Hayne's strained voice calling desperately after him. He halted mid-step, then turned sharply and retraced his steps back into the room.

He met Hayne's gaze—his head slightly lifted, thick blood dripping steadily from his lips. Hayne tried to speak but was overcome by a fit of coughing, more blood spilling from his mouth.

"…I didn't…" he rasped. "I didn't want you to leave… without knowing this."

Seiya remained silent, his gaze fixed on Hayne, waiting. He offered no pressure, allowing the wounded boy to take his time.

"This," Hayne breathed, his gaze flickering to Seiya's mother's lifeless form and his own broken body. "was done by—" He hesitated, struggling with the words—deliberating whether he could still call Mr. Sanio Seiya's father. That man, who had subjected them to years of torture, was nothing short of a monster.

Calling Mr. Sanio Seiya's father felt almost absurd.