The rooftop was a graveyard of silence. The wind dragged loose papers across the tiles, their corners snapping like brittle bones.
Saki stood near the edge. Her outline looked almost human in the moonlight, but the details betrayed her, shoulders hunched too sharp, her head twitching in stutters, hair hiding half her face. The night clung to her like tar.
Rika's hand tightened around my sleeve. "Renji… she's—"
"I know," I cut in, eyes never leaving Saki.
The System's whisper bled into me, cold and precise:
> [Warning: Saki's corruption at 91%. Critical threshold approaching.]
[Stabilization required. Emotional sync mandatory.]
Saki lifted her chin. Her lips pulled into a smile that was all teeth and no warmth. "Sensei…" Her voice cracked, layered — part her, part something else. "Why… didn't you save me?"
