Silence filled the apartment after Raihou Kenzaki's departure.
Sakina had locked herself in her room, leaving Kaen and Tobias alone in the living room. The lamp cast a pale glow, stretching the tension in the air even tighter.
Kaen, sitting cross-legged, nervously toyed with the hilt of his katana.
— So? What do you think? he finally asked.
Tobias, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, kept his eyes closed for a moment before answering.
— I think he was right about one thing: we're already in their sights. Whether we like it or not.
Kaen frowned.
— Yeah, but… can we really trust them? The Sanuya sounds noble, but you heard Sakina. If she left them, there's a reason.
Tobias opened his eyes, his dark gaze gleaming under the lamp's faint light.
— Exactly. All I know is, I won't let myself be used as a weapon. Not by the Sanuya, not by Blutlkingen, not by anyone.
He clenched his fist, jaw tight.
— I'll find the truth about my power myself. And about Jasper Soleil.
Kaen straightened, startled.
— Jasper?
— My brother, Tobias said in a low voice. If he's truly tied to Blutlkingen… then I have to understand why.
Kaen stayed quiet for a moment, watching his friend. Tobias rarely showed his vulnerabilities. But behind that cold stare, Kaen sensed a deep, burning wound.
A confident smile spread across Kaen's face.
— In that case, you're not going alone.
Tobias blinked, caught off guard.
— … What?
Kaen shrugged, his grin widening.
— There's two of us, right? You've got the brains, I've got the instinct. We make a team. So if you're set on finding the truth, I'm with you.
Tobias sighed, the faint trace of an ironic smile tugging at his lips.
— You're completely reckless.
— Yeah, maybe. But you need me. And I need you.
Silence fell again, but this time it wasn't heavy. Tobias turned his gaze aside, though the smile remained.
Suddenly, Sakina's door creaked open. She stepped into the room, her expression grave.
— I heard you. And you're right… But there's something you need to understand: even if you refuse the Sanuya, even if you try to live in the shadows… sooner or later, the fight will come to you.
Her eyes locked firmly on Kaen, then on Tobias.
— So decide quickly who you want to be. Fugitives, prey… or hunters.