Chapter 13

With the city below serving as a silent observer of Kai and Shiro's chat, the sky above them was a sea of stars.

"Do you believe that we made the right decision?" His tone betrayed uncertainty as he asked.

Shiro paused, running her fingertips over an old scratch on her bow. "I'm not certain. But we must not allow fear to control how we behave." She shook her head. We've seen the devastation that may cause. We'll deal with her if she poses a threat. However, if she's not... she wandered off, deep in contemplation.

With his eyes locked on the sparkling sky, Kai nodded. "I concur. I just can't get rid of this feeling.

Shiro turned to face Kai, her eyes beaming with steely purpose, and her lips curled into a faint but genuine smile. "I know you, Kai. Your gut feelings are usually spot on." Her fingers slipped through his as she extended her hand to grasp his. "However, we're all involved in this. We'll respond as a unit if there is a threat. Kazuo would have preferred that.

With a hint of confidence flickering over his features, Kai met her gaze. "You're right.

Just as Kai leaned in to meet Shiro's lips, a soft gasp from behind them cut the moment short.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," Mai said, her eyes wide with surprise. "I just... I wanted to thank you both for standing up for me earlier."

Shiro released Kai's hand, her fingers slipping back into her lap as she turned to face Mai. "It's okay," she murmured, her voice calm and soothing. "

"... You don't need to apologize, Mai," Shiro continued, her eyes filled with warmth. "We're all just trying to survive, after all."

With a thoughtful look, Kai gestured for Mai to approach him. As soon as she obeyed, he slowly pulled up her sleeves while keeping his gaze fixed on the elaborate patterns that no longer seemed to have the eerie glow. When all of the markings were visible, he realised they just seemed like tattoos without the light.

Shiro leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the markings on Mai's arm. They were intricate, almost beautiful, but they didn't hold the mysterious power she had expected to see.

"They're not glowing," she said, her voice soft but laced with curiosity. "Are they always like this, or...?"

As Kai and Shiro looked at Mai's arm, the steady clang of metal boots echoed up the stairs leading to the rooftop. Kenji, standing at the top of the steps, glowered at them with an expression that matched the icy chill in the air.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," he said, his tone heavy with sarcasm. "I'll be taking my watch now, if you don't mind." He stepped closer, his eyes narrowed on Kai. "Any progress with our little problem?"

Kai stood his ground, his expression serious. "She's not a problem.

Kenji scoffed, his tense posture tight. Not an issue? She is a walking question mark that has the potential to harm us all." He turned to look at Mai, who had stepped back a little behind Kai and Shiro. What about the markings, then? Do you believe they are only tattoos? Or do they have some significance? Something that could endanger us?"

Shiro's voice stayed steady, but her words carried a trace of steel. "Kenji, we are all trying to keep the hideout safe. However, we must approach this with clear. Too much is unknown to us."

Kenji glared at Shiro before refocusing on Kai. And when will we be able to learn more? when our doors are smashed in by the Yomigaeri?" He shook his head, clearly frustrated. "This ought to have been handled before it became an issue. Before she was aware of our the location."

Kai moved forward, tensing up like he was about to fight. "And how would you have responded? leave her out there to die?

"If it meant keeping us safe, yes. Kenji's posture widened as he clenched his fist.

"You think that's keeping us safe?" Kai growled, his fists clenched at his sides. "We're not savages, Ren. We're not them. And if we start making choices like that, what does that make us?"

"Alive,"Kenji snapped, his voice rising with anger. "It makes us alive. And able to actually protect our own." He jabbed a finger at Kai. "And if you're too blinded by whatever this is to see that, maybe you're not fit to be a part of this group."

Kai's nostrils flared as he took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Kenji. "I'm not blinded by anything. I'm just not willing to throw our humanity away to save our lives. That's not the world I'm fighting for."

Shiro moved between the two men, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Alright, that's enough. We're not going to solve anything by fighting each other." She looked first at Kai, then at Kenji.

"Kenji , I know you want to protect us all. But if we start sacrificing people without proof, we lose something vital." She turned to Mai, her expression sympathetic. "Mai, I know this can't be easy for you. We're not trying to make you feel unwelcome.

Mai shifted uneasily, her gaze darting from one person to the next. "I... I don't want to be a burden," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

"You're not a burden, Mai," Kai said, his voice gentle but firm. "You're a survivor, like the rest of us. You've been through things we can't even imagine. And you deserve a chance." He paused, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "We all deserve a chance."

Shiro placed a hand on Kai's arm, her gaze still fixed on Mai. "We'll find a way to keep you safe, and the rest of us as well. But we have to trust each other." She looked up at Kenji, her gaze imploring. "We have to."

As Kai watched the group disperse from the rooftop, the young woman's haunted expression echoed a pain deep in his soul. It was a pain that was all too familiar to him, a pain that twisted his heart and ignited the flames of determination within.

Kai's younger sister had fallen victim to the Yomigaeri's merciless slaughter.

As he descended the steps back into the hideout, Kai's thoughts were consumed by memories of his sister. He recalled her smile, her laughter, and the look of terror in her eyes when the Yomigaeri had broken into their home. The sound lifelessness in her eyes still haunted his nightmares .

In Mai's eyes, he saw his sister's same vulnerability, the same terror of a world gone mad. And just as he had been unable to protect his sister, he feared he would fail Mai as well.

Yet, there was a steely resolve deep within Kai that refused to accept failure.