They knew what they were getting into. But they didn't know how deeply the darkness would sink into their hearts.
We were sitting on the roof of the school.
The city below was bustling, living as if everything was in order.
As if someone hadn't slaughtered the people in the underground rooms.
It was as if the organization of assassins didn't exist.
Yuzuki was sitting next to him. Silently. She already knew everything.
And she was still here.
"Are you sure?" I asked, not looking at her.
"It's too late to ask," she said. "I'm with you, Kaoru."
"It's not romantic, Yuzuki. This is death.
"I know." But I'm tired of being afraid too.
She was looking ahead, not into his eyes.
I could hear her heart beating fast but steady.
Courage is not the absence of fear. It's when you walk in spite of him.
In the evening we sat in my room. A map on the wall, threads, photos.
An improvised headquarters.
I explained the structure to her.
"They're not just a group of killers. It's a system. Net.
—Like a spider's web,— she whispered.
I nodded.
— And in the center is not a spider, but a void. No one knows who gives the orders.
— So let's start with the threads.
She said it as simply as if it were a school test.
I ran my finger along one of the lines.
"Right here." There are too many "accidents" in this area. One of the "watchers" is there. If we get him out, we might find more.
"A plan?" "What is it?" she asked.
I looked at her.
Smart. Solid. Lively.
— The bait. I'll pretend that I've found important information. Let them bite.
"And if they don't bite?"
"So they're smarter than I thought."
"Or you're smarter than you think."
I didn't answer. I just started drawing a route on paper.
Before she left, she hugged me.
I didn't know why. I didn't ask for it.
But he didn't push her away.
- what? I whispered.
"It's just... maybe this is the last night you're human."
I didn't know what to say.
Maybe she was right.