Suspicions

Kazuichi sat on the edge of his cot, staring into the dim glow of the lantern in the corner of his room. The stronghold was quiet, but his mind was far from it. Hayato was too meticulous to rely on a single bomb. The man's schemes always ran deeper, and Kazuichi couldn't shake the nagging feeling that their battle was far from over.

He glanced at Arisu, who was sleeping peacefully nearby. Her breath was steady, her face soft and unguarded in sleep. She'd done more than enough for the night, finding the first bomb and aiding the team in its disarmament. Kazuichi felt a surge of gratitude but also guilt. He couldn't ask her to bear any more of this weight, not now.