The silence lingered.
Taai opened his mouth.
"...Choco, I—"
Chocomint raised a hand.
He smiled faintly.
"Taai already told me everything."
"The battle."
"The attack."
"...Akari."
The room became quiet again.
Taai lowered his gaze.
"...I'm sorry."
Chocomint slowly shook his head.
"You don't need to apologize."
He stood up.
His calm eyes drifted toward the window.
"I'll find her."
No hesitation.
No anger.
Just certainty.
"...And I'll bring her back."
A loud snore interrupted the atmosphere.
Andrew, still asleep while standing, suddenly spoke.
"I'll..."
"...get that bitch myself..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Then he immediately resumed snoring.
Kai blinked.
"...Did he just sleep-talk?"
Taai sighed.
"He does that."
Andrew scratched his nose without waking up.
"Nn..."
"...Mine..."
"..."
"..."
"...Scythe..."
Silence.
Kai looked at Taai.
"...How?"
Taai shrugged.
"I stopped questioning it years ago."
Even Chocomint couldn't help smiling.
The mood lightened.
For the first time since Kai entered the room—
It almost felt normal.
Almost.