Please... Don't Wake Up Tonight.
Yui's voice was sharp.
"What is this now?"
Takumi responded—unexpectedly gentle.
"Renji wanted everyone to form four-person teams.
But according to what he told me… this pairing is just a one-time thing."
Yui narrowed her eyes.
"Then why didn't he tell us in advance?"
"Because a land dispute has broken out between the northern lords.
Renji plans to sow the seeds of civil war among them."
His voice stayed calm.
He always spoke this way to Yui.
As if… he became someone else when talking to her.
Does Yui notice?
That there's still something left in him?
That his gentleness isn't for nothing?
She pressed her lips together.
"Why split us into pairs?"
"Probably for assassination, espionage, or sabotage-type missions," I said.
"There are likely ten preselected targets."
Takumi jumped in quickly.
"Exactly, one-eye."
As always—his old insult.
But he was more careful around Yui.
His sharpness dulled when talking to her.
Yui cut him off without missing a beat:
"Stop calling him 'one-eye.'"
Just then, Kana arrived.
"Hayato. Let's go."
[On the Road – Kana & Hayato]
The forest was quiet.
The moon hung like a thin blade slicing the sky in half.
Kana walked ahead—
Back straight.
Silent.
But her silence spoke louder than words.
Every step felt deliberate.
"If Renji assigned this to just the two of us," I said,
"then it's probably a dangerous place."
She nodded.
"A warehouse," she said. "Okabe's munitions stockpile.
Three lords draw their supplies from there."
"If we burn it…"
"A civil war begins," she finished.
Her voice didn't waver.
She said it like she was talking about the weather.
"I envy how calm you can be," I muttered.
She didn't pause.
"My fire already burned out when I won against you, There's nothing left to catch flame anymore." she said with smile.
"It was a trick." I said.
We walked in silence for a while.
Then she added:
"Hayato… promise me you won't do anything reckless."
I nodded slowly.
But inside of me...
a different voice stirred.
[Night – Campgrounds]
Kana was asleep.
Facing me. Her breathing was steady.
I was on watch.
But my eyes stayed fixed—
On her face.
A lock of hair had fallen across her cheek.
Obscuring part of it.
I leaned in, slowly.
Gently brushed the strand behind her ear.
Her eyelids didn't flicker.
She was still sleeping.
The firelight lit her features softly.
Delicate.
Still.
I…
I want to protect her.
But maybe…
the only way to protect her is to stay away.
I stood up.
Took my sword.
Slung it over my shoulder.
And looked at her one last time.
"Please… don't wake up tonight."
Then I stepped quietly—
Into the shadows.