The walk back to the storehouse was quiet, broken only by the clink of bottles in their packs and the occasional cry of distant beasts. The fog thinned as the sun broke higher, spilling fractured light over the ruins.
Saya clung to Imura's arm the entire way, her cheek pressed against his shoulder. Every few steps she whispered, "I'm glad you're here… I'd die without you…" Her words were soft, but they carried a weight that made Natsumi's jaw tighten.
Rin trailed behind. Her blade still carried flecks of black blood, though her grip on it had loosened. Her chest was too tight. The memory of him tearing a monster apart with his bare hands burned behind her eyes, her body responding in ways she couldn't bear to admit.
When they returned to the storehouse, the lantern was relit, casting a warmer glow than the night before. Supplies were set down, water bottles stacked neatly. For the first time in days, there was a small sense of security.
But Rin couldn't sit still.
She paced the far wall, arms crossed, every breath shallow. Every time her eyes strayed to him, sitting calmly with Saya nestled in his lap, she burned hotter. Every reminder of how easily he'd destroyed what she struggled against made her pulse spike.
Finally, she snapped. "Why do you let her drape over you like that?"
Saya stiffened, looking up, lips trembling. "Because… I need him."
Rin's fists clenched. "Pathetic."
Imura's gaze turned to her, calm, steady. "Didn't you say the same last night?"
Her face flushed scarlet. "I—!" Her voice cracked. "That… was nothing."
"Nothing?" His tone didn't change, but the faint smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. "You kneeled. You leaned into me. You didn't pull away."
Natsumi's breath hitched. She looked sharply at Rin, eyes wide with disbelief.
Rin's nails dug into her arms hard enough to sting. Her whole body trembled. "I—shut up!"
Imura's voice dropped, velvet over steel. "Say it again. Say you hate me."
Her throat locked. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, her chest heaved, her eyes stung, and she felt her knees weaken.
Saya whispered, frightened, "Imura…"
But Rin moved before she could think.
She crossed the floor in uneven steps, stopping just in front of him. Her eyes shimmered with fury and tears. She dropped down suddenly, kneeling again, her body trembling.
Natsumi's jaw dropped. "You… you're serious…"
Rin's voice cracked, barely more than a whisper. "Damn you… I can't…"
Imura's hand lifted, slow, deliberate. His fingers brushed against her cheek this time, not her hair. The touch was soft, but it burned.
Rin shuddered violently, her breath catching. For a heartbeat she leaned into his palm, unable to stop herself. Her pride screamed, but her body betrayed her.
Saya's eyes widened, panic filling them. "No… Rin… don't—" She clutched him tighter, pressing her face into his chest as though trying to claim him.
Natsumi turned away, biting her lip until blood welled.
Imura's smirk deepened. His thumb traced the line of Rin's cheek, slow, steady. "There's no going back."
Her tears spilled, hot streaks down her face. She whispered, broken, "I hate you… I hate you… but…"
Her voice trailed off. Her head lowered, forehead brushing against his knee in a shuddering collapse.
Saya whimpered, jealousy twisting into fear. Natsumi's hands trembled, her knife digging into the floorboards.
And Rin—Rin stayed on her knees, her pride crumbling, her body betraying her.
Imura's hand rested in her hair again, steady, patient. Not forcing. Not dragging. Simply there—inevitable.
The room was silent but for her ragged breaths.
Another chain had closed.