---
I stood there with Rin still caged in the shimmering sphere of magic, her golden eyes flickering as the faint light danced across her fox-like features. Her tail swayed lazily behind her, though the tightness in her shoulders betrayed that she wasn't as relaxed as she wanted us to believe.
Her gaze shifted from face to face before finally pinning me down, sharp and accusing.
"Why?" she asked, voice low, steady. "Why did you lock me up like this?"
The room was silent. No one wanted to answer. Even Ayame, who usually carried herself with steel in her voice, avoided Rin's eyes.
I swallowed. My throat felt dry. "Because… we didn't know what else to do."
Rin tilted her head, ears twitching slightly. "Not an answer, Ren."
