He walked through the quiet streets of the village, his mind still replaying the three men he had killed.
I saved Souta.
I saved Hina.
The words repeated in his head like a mantra. Kazuya wasn't someone who killed needlessly, he knew the value of a life. That was what made the question burn so deeply inside him.
Did I do the right thing?
His steps faltered when he heard laughter. The bright, innocent sound of children just around the corner. He turned and saw Hina, laughing as she played with the village kids.
The heaviness in his chest eased and the doubt dimmed.
I did the right thing.
He whispered the words one final time, silencing the turmoil.
"Big brother!!"
At the sight of him, Hina's voice rang out with joy. She sprinted toward him, arms wide, her little feet stumbling but determined.
Without thinking, Kazuya crouched, arms open, ready to catch her. Hina jumped into his chest, and Kazuya wrapped her in a tight embrace, as though she really was his sister.
"You seem happy, playing with all the kids, huh?" he said, smiling faintly.
"Yes! And you know, big brother… some of the girls brought dolls!"
Her voice was bright, her words spilling with excitement. Kazuya listened to every detail as though she were telling him secrets of the universe. In truth, he was simply glad, for her and for Souta.
When Hina had finished her tales, Kazuya tugged her hand.
"Come on. I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?"
Hina giggled, bouncing in place. Surprises were her favorite, especially from her brother.
Darkness suddenly covered her eyes. She yelped, then realized it was only Kazuya's hand.
"Now, no peeking. We can't ruin the surprise, can we?"
"N-no…" she whispered, fear flickering in her voice. But Kazuya's presence beside her gave her courage.
The scent of roasted food and sweet pastries filled the air. Hina knew immediately, they were in the shopping district.
"Are we there yet?"
"Almost… aaand—here."
Kazuya's hand lifted.
Hina's eyes widened. Before her stretched rows upon rows of dolls and toys, more than she had ever seen in her life. It was heaven.
Her gasp was sharp, her eyes sparkling with wonder. She looked up at her brother, waiting for permission.
"Go," he said softly. "Choose whatever you like."
"Anything I want?"
"Anything you want."
Hina wasted no time, her eyes lighting up as she darted from toy to doll, touching everything she had never been allowed to have. Souta could never buy her such things, every coin he earned was drained away by Ishizawa. But today was different. Today, Kazuya had money, bloodstained bills taken from the men he killed. To silence the guilt pressing at his mind, he told himself it was nothing more than reclaiming what was rightfully Souta's.
At last, Hina returned, hugging a giant white-and-pink bunny doll nearly as big as her.
"You chose quite the big one," Kazuya chuckled.
Hina giggled, while Kazuya paid the shopkeeper. The little girl hugged her doll tightly as they walked home, the orange glow of sunset painting the streets.
When they reached the door, Hina stepped inside, expecting him to follow. But he remained outside.
"Big brother? Aren't you coming in?"
Kazuya crouched to her height, resting a hand on her head. His smile was warm, but his eyes carried pain.
"Hina… I have things I need to take care of. So wait for me here, alright?"
"Wait for you? What do you mean?"
"I'm leaving for now. But I'll be back."
Her little hands clutched the bunny tighter. "Why? Can I not come with you?"
The words pierced him.
"No. It's dangerous." He forced a smile, one that was meant to be heroic. "But don't worry. Your brother won't fall so easily. Trust me, okay?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "…O-okay."
Kazuya pulled her into a long embrace. He knew the day might reset, erasing all of this. But he wanted her, this Hina, in this moment, to feel happy.
At last, he let go. He waved as he closed the door, and she waved back, bunny still clutched in her arms.
Click.
The click of the door closing struck Kazuya like the beginning of a countdown. Time was slipping away, and he had to find his original body before the day drew to its end.
Kazuya ran for the stables. He slipped past the guard, mounted a horse, and kicked the gate open with a thunderous BAM. The guard shouted, summoning others to pursue.
The chase began.
The sun dipped lower, the battlefield drawing near. Shadows stretched long across the earth, and unease gnawed at him. He didn't know what triggered the reset. Didn't know if he had minutes or seconds.
The guards were closing in, but luck had favored Kazuya, the horse he'd chosen by chance was swift, carrying him ahead. At last, the looming silhouette of The Verdict's base came into view.
He leapt from the saddle, rolling across the dirt, and sprinted inside. His eyes scanned frantically for his body. He turned a corner—
Thud.
He collided with someone. Both stumbled back.
"I'm sorry, are you oka—"
The words died in his throat.
It was him.
The real Kazuya.
For the first time, he stared into his own face. The original Kazuya stood, dusting himself off, his gaze narrowing.
"I've never seen you around here. New recruit?"
Kazuya froze. He hadn't thought this far. "Y-yeah… new recruit."
The original's hand slid to the hilt of his katana. Kazuya's pulse spiked, he knew himself too well, a lie this flimsy would never hold.
"Kazuya listen, I've been looking for you—"
"You know my name?"
He was startled by the sudden question.
"I… I heard it from the soldiers. You're… kind of famous."
He cringed at his own words, but forced himself to continue. The original Kazuya eased his grip on the katana, and only then did a sliver of relief wash over him.
"Listen, Kazuya, I need to tell you someth—"
Steel flashed. The original slashed at his head without hesitation.
Kazuya staggered back, eyes wide.
"You're with The Shroud, aren't you?"
The accusation stabbed deep. He opened his mouth to deny it, but Souta's body betrayed him. His hesitation was enough.
The katana drew higher. "Spy? Assassin? Speak."
"No! I'm not—please, just listen! I came here for you."
"For what reason?"
"It's… complicated. But I am yo—"
A chill sliced through his spine. The figure appeared, the same figure that showed itself to Kazuya when he was in Reina's body.
Kazuya's blood boiled. He swung a fist, but it passed through the apparition.
The figure vanished.
And in that instant, the original lunged again, katana carving for his neck.
Kazuya barely dodged by leaping back. When his eyes shot upward again, the figure was gone.
That bastard… he came here himself, just to silence me?
Kazuya thought bitterly, then turned to face the original Kazuya, whose blade was still leveled at him. From his stance, it was clear, he hadn't seen the figure at all. To him, it must have looked like Kazuya had thrown a punch at him.
"You probably won't let me leave now, will you?" Kazuya muttered, brushing the dust from his clothes.
The original remained silent, stepping forward with quiet confidence, blade at his side.
Kazuya straightened. If he wanted answers, he had to fight himself.
Both men began walking toward one another, their pace deliberate, each measuring the other. Then, without warning, they burst forward at the same time.
The katana whistled past, Kazuya ducked low, and drove his fist into the swordsman's gut. Dust exploded as the original staggered, dropping to one knee.
"Attacking while I'm down?" he muttered, sidestepping a kick aimed at his head.
"Sorry," Kazuya replied through clenched teeth, "I don't have the luxury to fight fair."
The katana-wielding Kazuya lunged. His movements were fast, faster than Kazuya remembered himself being. The blade carved an arc of silver, too quick to follow.
The edge kissed his cheek.
A warm sting spread, and blood trickled down his jaw.
Before Kazuya could even flinch, the second strike came. This time it carved across his left eye.
"Ugh—!"
He stumbled back, one hand clutching his bleeding eye, vision splitting into darkness and blur.
The swordsman walked toward him slowly, unreadable eyes fixed on the bleeding man before him.
"P-please," Kazuya gasped, arm outstretched. "Just… listen…"
The blade fell.
Blood sprayed, and his head tumbled across the dirt, leaving a crimson trail.
The katana-wielder stood still, expressionless, not because he felt nothing, but because his emotions never moved.
...
"…I was wondering when you'd show up."
A woman's voice broke the stillness.