"A normal life"

Back at the Shigeyoshi household.

I sat in an overstuffed armchair near the floor-ceiling windows, my gaze occasionally lifting from the book in my hands to the garden bathed in the soft glow of twilight. Beside me, a steaming cup of coffee sent up fragrant tendrils off steam, the rich aroma filling the living room.

My hands, adept and steady, had tended to the wound, and now Valkyrie rested peacefully on the futon, her breathing steady, her face mask of serenity.

Hera, ever the leader and vigilant Queenswoman, moved quietly around the spacious living room, her eyes darting between Valkyrie and me. It seems the tension of their mission still lingered in her muscles, but her focus remained sharp. She paused by the window, allowing herself a brief moment to appreciate the peaceful garden outside my house.

I flipped a page, my expression unreadable. The words on the paper seemed to absorb me entirely. The book I held was a well-worn classic, its pages filled with death, hatred, dark, and mysterious, a fitting backdrop to the life I led.

The silence was broken by the soft rustle of Hera's approach. She stood before me, her presence commanding but her voice low and urgent.

"Shigeyoshi." She began, her tone a mix of firm and relief.

"Rakshesha has reached out to me." She added.

My eyes lifted from the book, meeting her with a cool, detached gaze. I took a sip of coffee before responding.

"And?" My response to her.

"We must go back to London. The Queen awaits our presence." Hera continued.

"She said she was busy, unreachable because she was searching for Izanami." Hera added.

My brow furrowed slightly at the mention of Izanami. I set the book aside, fixing Hera with an intense stare.

"Why was she looking for Izanami?" I asked her.

Hera hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, as if weighing her words carefully.

"I genuinely don't know. But If I have the answer to that, I can't disclose it. Its confidential." She said, her voice straight and firm.

I leaned back in my chair, my expression cold and hardening.

"I see. Well, it's none of my concern." I said, my voice was flat, devoid of emotion, reflecting my indifferent stance.

My detachment wasn't a facade, it was who I am, my true nature and I consider it my surviving mechanism, a way to remain focused amid the chaos in my life.

Hera's lips pressed into thin line, sensing the finality in my words. She knew better than to push further.

"We'll leave as soon as Valkyrie is awake." She uttered, her tone decisive. There was an underlying tension in her voice, a hint of something unspoken.

I nodded, my attention already drifting back to the book. I took another sip of my coffee, savoring the rich flavor and the warmth spreading through me. The night is quiet, and I'm supposed to be outside, hunting the murderer of Nakamura. Despite their impending leaving, my demeanor remained unchanged, still as cold and emotionless as ever.

Hera glanced once more at the sleeping Valkyrie, then back at me. The night stretched on, filled with unspoken words and secrecy.

I let my gaze drift to the skyline, the familiar sight of the suburban neighborhood at night a stark contrast to the turmoil, chaos, secrecy within us. The lights from the city in the distance seemed to pulse with a life on their own, a reminder of the world that carried on, oblivious to the existence of Queenswomen, and the Dawning Devil.

I could tell Valkyrie's peaceful breathing was a small comfort for Hera, a sign despite their "secret and confidential" mission, it seems there was still room for recovery and rest.

Hera's restlessness was, surprisingly, palpable. She was a warrior, a reliable leader, always ready for the next challenge, but there was something different in her eyes tonight, a worry that went beyond the usual concerns of their mission.

"Shigeyoshi." Hera's voice cut through the silence once more, softer this time.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to just....stop? To leave all of this behind?" She uttered, seemingly in deep thought.

I looked at her, my expression unchanged.

"No." I replied instantly.

"This is who we are. You and I are bound to the vow we've bestowed to the Queen. There is no escape from what we do." I said, my voice cold.

She sighed, the weight of my words settling over her.

"I know. But sometimes, I can't help but to think about it. About a life without missions, battles, bloodbath, assassinations, and secrecy....." Hera uttered.

"A normal life..." She added.

I took another sip of my coffee, the bitter taste grounding me.

"Then why bother serving the Queen?." I blatantly asked.

"Thinking about it doesn't change anything. You want a normal life? Try to undo time. We pledged our life and loyalty to the Queen, and you and I knew it would sacrifice our normalcy in life." I added, my voice cold as ever.

Hera didn't respond and was silent. Probably accepting my response even if it didn't ease her mind.

She returned to her vigil by the window, eyes scanning the garden as if she was searching for answers in the distant lights.

Moments later, a soft rustle from the futon drew my attention.

Valkyrie stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim light of the room, before her gaze settled on me. A weak smile spread across her lips as she struggled to sit up.

"Ray." She murmered, her voice hoarse but filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for tending to my wounds. I....I don't know what would happen if you didn't show up." She added.

I set my book down and Hera rushed to her side, helping her sit up against the pillows.

"You don't have to thank me, It's my job as your comrade." I said.

"It's more than just a job, Ray. You cared for me when I needed it most. That means something." She gratefully said.

I met her gaze, my expression softening just a fraction.

"Rest more a bit, you will leave later." I uttered.

Valkyrie nodded, her eyes lingering on me for a moment longer before she let out a sigh and leaned back against the pillow.

"I will. Thank you." She thankfully said.