The revolution had ended with the Empire's defeat. The greatest hurdle blocking the Night Raid and the revolutionary army, General Esdeath, who had been put down by the assassin of the Night Raid, Akame. And the source of the evil eating away at the old Empire, Honest, was publicly executed in the most gruesome way—personally by the civilian suffering under his tyranny.
The Emperor himself, though just a child being manipulated by that same tyrant, couldn't escape the crime and was personally executed in public. Signifying the end of the old Empire, and a beginning of a new era for the people.
And…
While they may have won the final battle, to Tatsumi, the sacrifice and death along the journey made him unable to fully express any form of happiness. In the end, he sighed… among those who had died, he too thought he would be among them.
During the final battle, after defeated the massive Shikoutazer, the imperial family personal Teigu, a giant 150 meters tall machine made to protect the Empire from any and all outside threats; which can only be powered by the members of the royal family—the Emperor—he had expected to die when slowing Shikoutazer's fall that would've killed thousands more.
His back spine had completely shattered. Internal organs badly damaged during the battle. So for all intents and purposes; he should've died. However, due to a miracle he was alive—the thought should have made him happy and yet… maybe a part of him had wanted to die as a hero, like them.
Apparently, after defeating and breaking the fall of Shikoutazer from killing thousands more innocent, he went into a coma for almost a year.
Tatsumi tousled his lengthy hair to the side, sighing, a sigh filled with heavy emotion no less than the first.
Maybe it wasn't all bad… he was at least able to keep a promise to a certain someone, right? Tatsumi's gaze wandered to the black-hair, red-eye, and wooden girl carefully peeling an apple for him. His heart ached when notice the black mark sticking out from under her collar.
She must still be bearing the pain from activating Muramasa's trump card, he thought, from what he heard, while it gave her a brief moment of exponential increase in strength; it was just a temporary thing. Though the trump card allowed her to beat the near invincible General Esdeath, the mark and burden had still left its mark on her body.
Months had passed since his coma, yet the girl appeared no different from when he first met her that same night. The night where it all began. Hehe, thinking about it brought a small smile to his weary expression.
That night was the night that had completely changed the course of his life. When he first made a journey to the empire with his friends, Sayo and Ieyasu, he was still a naïve youth dreaming of becoming a well-known general; and leaving behind a legacy of heroic tales that would be told for centuries.
Alas…
Reality and dream rarely match up.
That night showed him a different reality. He lost both Sayo and Ieyasu, and in return, gained new friends and then… also lost the majority of them as well. Maybe that's why despite being one of the lucky ones to survive until the end. He neither felt joy nor looked forward to the new future that awaited many after going through much hardship to achieve victory.
What he felt when he awoke from the coma was weariness. Tired of the battle, tired of the loss, tired of seeing bloodshed. What he wanted now was…
''Are you alright?''
Akame, donning the same wooden expression from the time when he met her, said, with a tone one rarely could distinguish emotion from if one didn't know her well enough. But after knowing each other for a long time, fighting on the same battlefield, witnessing each other's vulnerable side, and experiencing joy and loss together, Tatsumi had long been able to understand the girl on a deeper level.
''Don't worry. I was just lost in thought.'' Naturally, he could easily tell the emotion expressed through her voice, which felt as though it fluctuated with no emotion to those who don't know her. ''Hmm,'' Akame easily accepted his explanation. Though curious about what made him so lost in thought, still didn't hesitate to ask. ''What were you thinking about?''
Yet again, the question was merely a one liner. It was so like her, Tatsumi chuckled, at least one thing hadn't changed if nothing else. ''Nothing much. Just thinking about what I should do now going forward… since the war has ended and victory has been achieved.''
As Akame heard his answer, a flicker of emotion flashed through her eye. ''Have you figured out what you wanted to do?'' Hesitated for barely an instance of time, she asked again, this time lengthier.
''Hmm…'' Tatsumi hummed in thought and proceeded to say, ''I thought about going back to the village and simply settling down there. As I said before, the original purpose of leaving the village and heading to the Empire Capital wasn't simply because we wanted to become great warriors and such, the other purpose was because the village lacked money and the situation was becoming dire.
''Ieyasu, Sayo, and I had settled out exactly to solve that problem. And now... though it's only me left, with the money earned from Night Raid I can practically buy the entire village. So I thought, since my reason and goal had mostly been fulfilled—going back and settling down doesn't seem so bad. But there is…''
Tatsumi stopped mid-sentence, as the door was gently pushed open. A tall silver-haired woman, donning her usual black suit, an eyepatch over one eye, and her signature metal arm, walked into the room with a bowl of hot stewed.
The woman was Najenda, a former general turned revolutionary, who was also the leader of the Night Raid.
Looking at the two, she smiled, said. ''Nice to see you both up and interacting well like usual. Though we might need to cut your hair shorter, it doesn't suit you like this.'' As she spoke, Najenda couldn't help adding a teasing remark when looking at the two. ''Akame was practically glued to your bed most of the time during your coma. I had to convince her just to temporarily leave the room and sleep in her bed. Otherwise, she wouldn't ever leave; even at night. Always watching over you.
Surprise, Tatsumi glanced over at the black-hair. As for the girl herself, her lips pursed up, she turned her head sideways as a visible shade of red painted her lovely cheek.
Tatsumi smiled, ''thank you. Knowing that you are by my side means a lot, Akame.''
The instant he said that, Najenda gazed directly at him with a shocking expression. Akame on the other hand, for the first time, a crack formed in her mask of stoicism. She hadn't expected such a word from him, and it caught her completely off guard.
Visibly fidgeting, fingers interlocked together, Akame said. ''The thanks aren't needed. I was just worried and wanted to make sure you are fine. That's all.''
Tatsumi smiled only brighter at her response. ''You can be dense at times huh, Akame. It's exactly because I knew you stayed by my side because you were worried that I am so thankful.''
''Uh—hm.'' Unable to come up with a response when facing such honesty from the boy, Akame only lowered her head slightly; without saying anything further.
''Ahem,'' Najenda, noticing the two were completely ignoring her, coughed into her hand to get their attention. She glanced at them with a questioning look, ''do you two have something going on that I do not know about?''
''...?'' Akame's eyebrow raised, confused.
Tatsumi didn't hesitate to ask what she meant by that. ''Why do you think that?''
''Hmm. I don't know why but I feel like you are having a 'thing' going on that I don't know about.'' Najenda said, holding her non-metal hand to her chin. ''Then again maybe I was just seeing things.''
''Maybe…'' Tatsumi's smile didn't disappear, remaining constantly on him. ''But you might be onto something. Najenda, you might only have one good eye but your keen sense has never left you.''
Yes, the former general's senses were always quite keen from the time he came to know her.
At his vague yet explicit explanation, Najenda jaw nearly drops, head repeatedly turning left and right to look at the two. ''Did you just say what I think you say!?''
''Shh,'' Tatsumi merely pressed his finger to his lips. ''It's not yet the time.''
Understanding his meaning clearly, shocked but calming down, Najenda rubbed the back of her head with her non-metal hand. ''Geez. You really have changed a lot from when you first joined the Night Raid. Back then, you would get embarrassed and become shy with a slight tease, and now look at you, so confident.'' She flashed him a knowing grin.
''Me not changing would've been more surprising after all that happened,'' Tatsumi shook his head, and responded with a heavy sigh. ''Hmm. I suppose you are right.'' Najenda could understand the sentiment coming from his situation.
Meanwhile, lost in their conversation, Akame couldn't help but pout.
They were talking together just moments ago, so why did it become something only the two of them could understand? Akame couldn't understand why seeing them sharing a topic that only they could understand bothered her so much.
Afterward, chatting together a couple of minutes further, Najenda eventually placed the hot stew on the small table near Tatsumi's bed and left. Leaving the two to continue their conversation alone once more.
''What did you two talk about?'' Akame straightforwardly asks after it's just the two of them again. Even she herself hadn't noticed that her tone was slightly demanding when asking. However, to her disappointment; Tatsumi didn't answer her question immediately. ''Can you feed me the hot stew, I'm a little famished at the moment.''
Pouting with slight annoyance, feeling that he was avoiding her question, Akame still scooped up the soup and brought it close to his mouth. ''Mm. It seems a little hot, can you blow on it for me?'' Akame eyebrow narrowed slightly, but not thinking much of it she did as he asked.
After blowing on it like he asked, she fed the soup to him. Watching him enjoying the meal from a soup she was personally blowing on it, Akame felt her heart racing in her chest, and a barely perceptible tinge of red surfacing on the side of her cheek.
Why is such a simple action making me feel like this? Akame thought, unable to comprehend the feeling going through her. She never felt anything like this when doing a simple action like blowing on a hot stew to make it cooler for the rest of the Night Raid members in the past, or for Tatsumi for that matter, and yet now… She was feeling embarrassed and shy when doing the exact same for him again.
''Hm, what's wrong? Your face is all red, a fever of some sort?'' Noticing her unnaturally heated face, Tatsumi raises a brow and asks with slight worries. ''It's… it's nothing.'' Unsure of why she couldn't directly meet his gaze at that moment, Akame replied evenly, trying to mask the strange unknown feeling.
''Is that so,'' finding her acting a little odd, a mischievous thought suddenly arose in Tatsumi's mind as he jokingly said. ''Mhm. Were you perhaps... thinking about me? Maybe that's the reason your face was red.''
''N-no. I—My face isn't red because of that.''
''Oh~ but didn't it turn red from looking at me though~ you aren't being honest, you know.''
The words immediately made Akame's reddened face steam. She couldn't understand why but a strange feeling of embarrassment arose within her at that moment—it was a similar feeling to being caught red-handed after peeping on someone and having the audacity to lie right in front of that person's face.
Unable to fully understand or even express these strange feelings of embarrassment, Akame lowered her head, pouted. Seeing her pouting, Tatsumi chuckled with amusement, making Akame glare at him with her ruby eye.
''Sorry sorry. Your pouting expression is just so funny, I couldn't help it.'' The response obviously didn't make the situation any better, as said girl continued to glare a hole into the boy.
Thinking that teasing her any further might really make even the normally stoic and rarely expressive girl angry, Tatsumi tries to make her feel better by saying. ''If it makes you feel any better, your pouting expression is extremely cute. I don't think I would ever get tired of looking at it. Ever. I hope to be able to gaze at it even in the future.''
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, Akame couldn't utter a word of response for a while. After a moment had passed did she found her words, clutching her black pleated skirt, her voice almost a whisper. ''... you, only Leone would joke like that.''
Tatsumi pricked up his ear, hearing what she said despite her voice barely audible. He smiled at her and honestly said. ''That was not a joke. I hope to be able to gaze at it even in the future, always.'' His words are almost a complete replica from before.
This time, Akame didn't respond, silently positioning her head sideways to avoid looking at that smile.
''Would you help escort me atop the hill over there?'' Abruptly changing the topic, Tatsumi pointed at the greasy hill through the wind. ''Being stuck within the room for a prolonged period of time had made me a little dizzy. Fresh air would be rather nice.''
''Hm,'' thankful for the change in topic, Akame didn't hesitate to nod. ''It seems even after months of recovering, a completely shattered spine and bones won't heal that quickly even with the best equipment and doctor. Standing up and walking felt a little unnatural. Though I likely just need to adjust to be able to walk normally again.''
Tatsumi's legs wobble, shaking, he almost fell down if it wasn't because Akame quickly rushed forward and supported him. ''I knew this would happen. Asking for your help beforehand was the right call, otherwise, falling would have been embarrassing.''
''I'll take you to the hill,'' Akame said. Her voice demanded no refusal.
Tatsumi's smile deepened, he didn't refuse her offer, however, he wryly said. ''But… isn't a 'princess carry' a little too much? Shouldn't this usually be a man's job, not the other way around.''
''No. This is a more efficient method.'' Akame monotonely answer. Tatsumi only shook his head slightly without saying anything further. It was clear, she wouldn't change her mind no matter what.
...
''Mhm, this is nice.'' Feeling the cool air, while the wind gently blows on his face; whipping his messy, lengthy hair about. Tatsumi experienced a feeling of peace washing over him. He looked over to the girl beside him, and said. ''Don't you think so too, Akame?''
''Hm,'' Akame uttered a slight hum in agreement. She also felt how nice and calming the breeze was, but even more so... it was only because he was here to experience it with her. Akame touched her chest; feeling a strange emotion she couldn't explain again when looking at the boy's gentle vestige.
As the two enjoy the relaxing moment in silence for a period of time. Tatsumi suddenly said, ''I'm leaving and going back to the village in a week or so. And I… likely won't be back here again in this lifetime.''
Akame couldn't utter a single word at his decisive words. She was lost, not knowing what to say, however, her chest felt tight; as though something was grabbing hold of it and squeezing it. Why does it hurt so much when he says that? Akame thought, trying to understand this strange feeling. Her chest didn't just feel tight, it hurt, it hurt so bad, like having been pierced by a dozen small needles.
At that moment even she herself hadn't realized, squeezing her chest; as an expression of pain and clear reluctance flashed through her eyes.
Meanwhile, lost in the mood, Tatsumi too hadn't noticed her mood, staring out into the distance with a complicated look. ''You know, Akame, the Capital—No, perhaps the entirety of the Empire itself. I'm happy that we won, and that many people can finally look forward to a country not under the rule of a monster but even so… After everything, looking at these lands only made me remember the losses, the sacrifice for that peace. And in a way… I came to deeply despise the sight.''
His voice was soft, and yet the raging emotions behind each word could be felt. And as someone who also went through all of that, Akame understands the emotions. It was precisely because of that, that she couldn't say anything about his decision other than nodded.
It was clear, he was trying to cut off his connections to this painful past. The past which was filled with pain and loss. And Akame knew… there was nothing she could say that could sway his decision.
However, understanding was one thing and completely accepting it was another thing altogether. The pain coming from her chest hadn't eased in the slightest. The thought of never seeing him again only intensified the pain.
Why? Why? Why does this hurt so much!? The frustration from not knowing her own feelings only made things worse.
...
The next day.
The sun burned brightly above the sky. Atop the mountain, at the former Night Raid base of operation but now simply acts as brief resting space for the remaining members after the revolution ended.
At the training courtyard, Tatsumi rested his side on the wooden column; unblinking, staring at the figure in the center of that courtyard.
That figure, Akame, continued to practice a swing with her sword; seemingly unaware of her surroundings as her attention was focused solely on that act.
Her posture was straight, her left leg back and her right leg forward, her grip on the handle was firm and her sword raised above the bellybutton, perfectly unshaken as the simple motion of raising the sword and swinging down repeated itself over and over.
Tatsumi couldn't begin to tell what was going through the girl's head as she simply repeated that simple yet profound action.
Most of the time, he could figure out her thoughts even with that blank-like expression, however, at times he found it hard to figure out. But that didn't matter to him, just watching her made him smile. Any distracted thought ceased to exist and only the sight of her remained in his mind.
He didn't know when it exactly happened nor when it first started, however, Tatsumi had long come to admit… He had fallen for the girl before him.
Thinking of their first meeting, Tatsumi wryly chuckles inwardly. Their first meeting wasn't the greatest, added to the fact that he found her personality detestable—thinking it was too cold and heartless.
However, that night, after the death of one of their most precious members, Sheele, he saw for the first time the true face of the young girl who always donned a look of indifference. That moment would always be ingrained in his memory. Maybe it was from that moment on that the first spark of interest in the girl had formed in him?
Tatsumi wasn't sure of the details. The only thing he knew was that the initial impression of dislike had gradually evolved from there—eventually becoming something more. And now, he wasn't shy in admitting that he had long fallen head over heel for her.
…
As Akame swung her sword repeatedly, her mind was far from it. She was processing the unknown emotion that kept surfacing whenever she was around Tatsumi.
The emotion felt strange to Akame, and she couldn't figure out what it was even after mulling it over for a prolonged period of time.
Just what are these emotions? I don't understand at all… Akame truly couldn't understand what they were, and it only frustrated her further. But… At least there was one thing she was absolutely certain of—these strange feelings, the strange thoughts that sometimes surface in her mind—all lie with Tatsumi.
The boys whose image constantly occupy her mind. Every string of thoughts, whether that ranges from when she was happily eating, bathing, sleeping, or as of right now, training. All of them would eventually lead her to think about the boy and...and…when she thought about him, the desire to see and always be near him couldn't be contained.
Akame remembers what Najenda told Tatsumi of how she wouldn't leave his side during his coma, and had to be forced to leave, even the normally stoic girl couldn't stop her face from heating up.
Her repetitive action of swinging down with her sword suddenly sped up, steam came out from her head, and she stopped after a few more swings.
Relaxing her grip, Akame lowered her sword; inwardly sighing. ''Why can't I control my emotions when thinking of him? I should stop and take a shower…''
''Thinking of who?'' Akame jolts, reflexively skipping backward. But when realize who the speaker was, her naturally stoic expression gained a healthy shade of red. ''H-how long were you watching?'' She asked, seeing him casually leaning up against the wooden column.
''Since early morning,'' Tatsumi grinned, touching his chin as if mulling over it. ''Hmm, I think it's well over three-four hours.''
That long? How come I haven't noticed him the whole time? Akame wandered in disbelief, feeling as though her years of training were for nought. ''And you haven't said anything the whole time?''
''You've become more expressive lately, Akame. I can't say I dislike that.'' Tatsumi chuckled, amused by the normally stoic girl showing so much emotion. Akame furrowed her brow, ''you haven't answered my question.''
''Nothing much. I was just… fascinated by the sight of you training.'' Tatsumi placed his hand to his chin, added after some thought. ''You were just so beautiful that I didn't want to ruin the image. That would be truly regretful.''
Akame couldn't fully understand why, but his sudden direct compliment caused her to flush deeply. A word Najenda said the other day about Tatsumi flowed back in her mind, and she uttered that same line to him. ''Tatsumi, you really have changed a lot…''
Tatsumi shrugged. He smiled and said, ''it would be rather strange to not change after all that had happened. Talking about changing you aren't that much different either. Seeing your emotions so vibrate with life is rare… It suits you.''
Akame was stunned, lost for words for a while. Eventually though, she meekly lowered her head slightly and utter. ''If you like it then I'll, then I'll try to show it more often for you.''
Tatsumi's expression froze. Said girl wouldn't know how devastating of an effect her timid look and words were having on the boy at the moment. Turning his head away from Akame, traces of red could be seen if one observes hard enough.
''Ahem. You shouldn't say things like that often, Akame...'' To someone who has fallen for you, it's hard not to overthink the meaning of it. Tatsumi thought, finishing the sentence in his head. It wasn't the time yet after all.
''...?'' Akame tilted her head, a clueless expression on her face. She then inquired, ''why not? Is something wrong with what I say?''
''Ahem, oh hey, I almost forgot to mention but we ran out of food to cook with. Hmm, we could go for a hunt further up the mountain and catch ourselves fish from the stream, what do you think?'' Tatsumi abruptly changed the topic.
Akame narrowed her eyes but the mention of food made her stomach grumble loudly. Come to think of it, it's almost noon and I haven't eaten anything yet. Akame thought, blankly staring at her stomach through her clothes.
She nodded at Tatsumi's suggestion and said, ''you're right, there's nothing left in the fridge. We should make haste with the hunt and come back and make a feast.'' Akame spoke seriously, when it comes to food she was never one to joke.
Tatsumi wryly shook his head. While the girl may have changed from the time he knew her, something would never go away; mainly her love of food. ''You're right. We should make hast—ugh.''
While speaking, as Tatsumi was about to push himself up, he suddenly winced and grabbed hold of the column to stabilize himself from falling. He had almost forgotten about the fact that he hadn't completely adjusted to walking yet.
Before Tatsumi knew it, Akame instantly came close to him and helped him up again. A clear worry could be seen on her beautiful face. ''Hehe. Sorry, I might be a deadweight if we go together.'' He wryly said.
''No! You're not deadweight, I'll lead us there so you don't have to strain yourself.'' Akame resolutely shook her head, unwilling to hear him say that about himself.
Looking closely at the girl, Tatsumi reached out his hand, tracing his finger across the red curse mark that had remained on her face after using Murumasa's trump card. Akame instinctively wanted to pull back but held back her instinct, allowing him to touch and gently caress her face.
Her breath hitch as she saw his brow lower, a sad expression on him as he looked at the red marking. That sad look in his eyes... Akame didn't like seeing him sad and yet, knowing that it was directed at her, warmth circulated through her chest.
Tatsumi met her eyes and to Akame's utter shock, he spread his hand outward and encased her in a gentle embrace. And while gently embracing her tightly, he softly utters into her ear.
''I'm so… I'm so thankful that you are alive, Akame. Thank you… thank you…'' he continued to whisper those words into her ears. Akame stood frozen, she felt a wet sensation touching her cheek, not needing to look to identify what it was. She embraced him back, tightly, afraid he would be gone if she didn't hold tightly onto him as a drop of water also fell from her eyes, touching his cheek as his tears did her.
No. I'm the one who should be thankful that you came out alive. Without you, I wouldn't know how to continue forward. Akame finally understood. These unknown feelings she couldn't fully understand… she had finally figured out what they were.
Akame may not fully grasp these things but after watching many others in the past, how could she be completely clueless about it? What she had been feeling was… love! Love that wasn't the kind she had toward her sister, Kurome, nor were they the same love she held toward the Night Raid, her comrades.
The unknown emotion whenever he was around, the feeling of pain in her chest at the thought of never seeing him again, and the warmth she felt now… was the love between a male and female. A very alien-like emotion she thought she would never experience herself. But now she understood, these exact emotions were exactly those.
A touch of a smile grace Akame's face. She hugged him tighter, after knowing what the unknown emotion that she couldn't previously understand was, she was relieved. Relieved that things weren't too late.
...
Sitting alone in the middle of the night in her room, Akame gazes up at the countless stars within the night sky, lost in her own thoughts.
Today… she had finally identified what the strange unknown feeling that had bothered her for a while, however, after figuring out what these emotions were she was left with more confusion. Mainly…
Akame grasps her chest, feeling the rapid beating of her heart. Yes, she had ultimately identified what she had been feeling! The problem lies in the fact that she didn't know how to express it to him—to Tatsumi.
Having suddenly understood such emotion she thought she would never experience; she was clueless as to how to express any of it. It made her anxious. After all, she didn't have much time, Tatsumi would be leaving in just under a week.
Akame at first thought it shouldn't be difficult. She could just walk up to him and utter the words 'I love you' that she heard couples utter to one another countless times in the past, it was just three words after all. Three simple words that shouldn't be anything difficult, right? And yet, when she was about to say it to him earlier today during the hunt after abruptly realizing her own feelings—the words couldn't escape her lips.
Every time she was about to say it... one fear after another stopped her from being able to express those words.
The fear of being rejected.
The fear of not having her feelings reciprocated.
The fear of undeserving of such love after what she did before recruiting into the Night Raid.
The fear that she would become a burden, when he clearly stated the reason why he wanted to head back to his village and settle down there, never wanting to come back here as it reminded him of all his lost... and more.
These fears, seemingly so insignificant; something she normally could easily ignore with her character, and yet now… It had become a hurdle that stopped her from expressing the one thing she most wanted to express at this time.
As the ray of moonlight shone down through the window, Akame squeezed the area between her chest, an expression of struggle plastered on her normally stoic face.
These feelings...! Why is it so hard to express it to him!?
...
Dawn break. The sun rises from the east and as the rays of sunlight filter through the window, shining down on the slumbering figure of Akame, her brow twitches once, twice, before she gradually opens her eyes.
Knock, knock, knock.
After opening her eyelid, three continuous rappings were heard from her door. Taking a moment to rise from the bed, Akame rubbed her drowsy eyes and went to unlock the door.
''Hmm?'' She absentmindedly uttered.
''It's already near noon and yet still tired, did you not sleep well the other night, Akame?'' Still not fully awake, Akame confusedly stared at the owner of the voice for a passing moment. Eventually tough, meeting the gaze of said person, her mind immediately became fully awake. And not knowing why, she instinctively shut the door without answering him. ''Hm…? Did something happen?'' Tatsumi stood with a bewildering look, unable to fully grasp what had occurred.
Did I upset her somehow? Tatsumi thought, placing his hand under his chin. ''But now that I think about it, she had been acting a little strange ever since the other day…'' As he mumbled to himself, the memory of when he hugged and held her tightly in his arm out of nowhere due to a sudden burst of emotion, made his face slightly red.
He couldn't help but wonder if she was holding a grudge over it. If not, he didn't know how to explain her sudden mood swing.
''Whatever the case is, I should find a way to up her mood.'' Tatsumi wasn't completely sure if she was mad at him or not, but he still felt obligated to make it up to her one way or another. For a girl he completely fell for, the thought of being on bad terms stung his heart; even if the matter was small.
Making up his mind on what to do as Tatsumi was about to rap on the door frame once more but before he could, the door that had been slammed shut moments ago swung open suddenly in the same manner. Though he was surprised, Tatsumi directly tried to speak and suggested they do something she liked, however, she was quicker.
''Um, Tatsumi, did you need anything?'' Akame asked, her voice barely carrying any emotion. However, only she knew that inwardly she was feeling quite flustered.
In the past Akame couldn't care less about her appearance but, after realizing her feelings for Tatsumi, she suddenly felt self-conscious about how she looked around him. After instinctively slamming the door on him, the first thing she did was straighten her pajamas and fix up her hair, or at least make it not look so messy.
But never one to take care of her appearance much before, she of course wasn't exactly an 'expert' so calling it a fix was a stretch. She didn't want him to keep waiting either, so as long as she didn't appear too sloppy before him Akame felt it was at least still acceptable.
''Uh…'' While he was used to her way of speaking that came off as quite monotone, the unusual lack of emotion even by standard in her normal tone had taken Tatsumi slightly back.
Perhaps she really is mad about that incident? Tatsumi thought, a bead of sweat threatened to form. Thankfully, he wasn't that same naïve boy that had first stepped into the Capital anymore—he had grown a lot since then, his composure wouldn't easily crack. He silently cleared his throat and spoke with a smile. ''Nothing. I just thought you might be hungry after waking up, especially since you were asleep for quite a bit of time.''
''Uh—hm!'' Akame forgot all about her self-conscious feeling about her appearance at the mention of food. No matter how much she experiences and gradually changes through those experiences, she never forgot about her love for food. ''You're right, I'm am a little famished after sleeping till near noon.'' She said, directly about to storm off.
''Oh, right, uh, after you have eaten will you head out into the city with me? Just the two of us.'' Seeing as she was about to storm off after hearing about food, Tatsumi wryly chuckled, grabbed hold of one of her hands and said.
''Hm…'' Akame looked at him, uncomprehessed for a moment. Afterward, gradually understanding, her red eyes lit up but she still asked to make sure. ''Just the two of us? The city?'' Tatsumi nodded.
''Alright.''
She answered, almost too quickly.
Phew, Tatsumi happily releases a breath of relief. Naturally asking her to head to the city was to spend more time with her, that and hoping to resolve any issue she might have with him over the other day was the added bonus.
…
… My feelings toward this place may be complicated but at least—it's nice to see the light of hope shining on everyone's eyes. Watching the bustling city filled with civilians—People who once lived in fear of tyranny and hope extinguish from their eyes, now wearing a smile of laughter filled with hope for a new future.
Tatsumi couldn't lie.
He might've felt complicated emotions from this place that had taken much from him, but seeing the hope and happiness blooming from the people—it made him far more emotional than he thought he would have been.
At least none of them die for nothing, Tatsumi thought, it was that small fact which brought a slight joy to him.
''... are you feeling alright? If you're not comfortable… we could… head back.'' Akame asked. Tatsumi wryly chuckled, nothing could escape her eye, huh? She was just like that, despite giving an impression of being cold and indifferent to others, Akame was more sensitive to others' emotions than any other in the Night Raid. Tatsumi shook his head and responded with a smile. ''Don't joke like that, I'm the one asking us to come here and if I head back due to a reason like that, wouldn't I come off as rather pathetic. And we can't have that.''
You're not pathetic, Tatsumi, anyone who thinks that about you would have to answer to the sharp age of Murumasa! Akame's eyes flickered with unknown light but outwardly, she merely nodded. ''However… I wasn't going to ask at first but now I'm really curious, why are you wearing a stuff toy mask over your face for our outing again?''
''Hmm…?'' Akame touches her mask, ''isn't oblivious, my face is still on the wanted poster. If I don't have this over my face, it'll draw too much unnecessary attention.''
Tatsumi briefly fell into silence. ''... right. I nearly forgot about how notorious we are. Well, my face was never really made much known to the public but all of you in the Night Raid aside from a few, like Mine, have their wanted poster particularly posted everywhere.''
While they may have played a large part in the victory in the revolution, and they were seen fighting for the people in the final battle, it didn't change the fact that not many hold the Night Raid in high regard, let alone heroes. The tinted image the prime minister, Honest, had framed the Night Raid was too numerous for it to simply change that easily.
Especially when all of the Night Raid deeds were to remain forever hidden from the public eyes. As assassins, working to weed out the darkness eating away at the Empire, they have served their purpose. Their heroism will only be known by a few—the majority would remain ignorant of their deed.
Well, in that regard, Tatsumi didn't really think much of it. When he chose to join the Night Raid, he already knew that all their actions would remain unknown to the public. Fame and glory were things he once dreamed about when he was a child but after everything—he really couldn't care less.
As he was lost in the moment, a loud, growling noise was heard from the person walking beside him. He looked over, raised his eyebrow, and asked. ''You're already hungry again? Didn't you just eat a large meal before coming here?''
''I… smell something good, so…'' Akame's face reddened underneath her mask, and while speaking her eyes couldn't help drawn toward a food cart on the side, selling rows of beef skewers coated with red-orange sauce.
Why in front of him!? Akame really couldn't process her current self. In the past, something as small as her stomach growling aloud never made her embarrassed or self-conscious. However, since the other day when she realized her feeling—being around Tatsumi—every little thing that she usually never cared about would cause her to have a reaction.
Noticing her gaze inevitably drawn toward the food cart, Tatsumi helplessly shook his head as he thought. Her love of food and bottomless appetite never ceases to amaze me. Heh, that's also part of her charm. He took Akame's hand and led her toward the food cart, ''this outing was meant for you anyway so if you're hungry, then don't hold back.''
Ugh! A little caught off guard by the sudden contact, Akame quickly pushes aside the shyness building up and obediently allows him to hold her hand, and leads her to the food cart with the rows of skewers she was eyeing.
…
''Excuse me, madam, but how much for thirty- no, make that forty of those delicious looking skewers of yours.'' Tatsumi, with a smile reaching his lips, politely asks the middle aged woman working behind the food cart.
''Oh my, what a polite young man~ forty would be about 10 copper. Pardon my meddling but are you and your… girlfriend, would be able to finish all that?'' The food cart owner looked at Akame, finding the mask slightly odd, and was more curious about how the two could eat that much skewer.
Girlfriend!?
The word made both Tatsumi and Akame's faces heat up slightly.
''Heh heh, you two are just the cutest couple. Here dear, enjoy your meal.'' The food cart owner laughs, handing them two bags containing the skewer they order. ''Thank you, madam. We'll surely enjoy it to the fullest.'' Tatsumi suppressed his embarrassment, unable to meet Akame's eyes as he led her away after paying.
''A true gentleman, polite from beginning to end. Quite generous too.'' The food cart owner chuckled, looking down at the 20 copper in her hand which doubled the amount the skewers were initially priced at.
Tatsumi led Akame to a less bustling location and found a bench on the side of the road to sit down together. He passed her both the bag of skewers, watching her silently eat without interfering.
''Take it slow now, you're putting stains on the mask.'' Tatsumi chuckled, unable to stop himself from commenting when he saw how fast the food was disappearing. Akame pauses, looking at him briefly, and she turns her head sideways while asking. ''Would you like some? It was you that had paid for it.''
She's really cute like this, Tatsumi thought; a little stunned by her gesture with the mask over her face, but outwardly he merely shook his head. ''I'm not really hungry. I know how bottomless your appetite is so all of it was really meant for you.''
His answer made Akame disappointed. Naturally, asking him if he wanted to eat wasn't because she thought he was hungry, it was so she could feel even closer to him as they shared a meal together.
Tatsumi noticed her disappointment after he had refused her offer, and while a little confused by the sudden change, since it was related to the skewer he winked and slyly said. ''But if you're offering to hand feed it to me then that would be a different story.''
Hand feed it to him? Akame exclaimed inwardly, however, thinking about all the time she had fed him when he was injured; she pushed down the surge of feeling rapidly swelling in her chest. ''... here.'' She took one of the skewers and pushed it close to his lips.
Tatsumi bites down on one of the meat attached to the skewer. Chewing, letting the flavor reach every corner of his mouth, only then did he swallow it. Letting out a hum of delight from the flavor. ''They really are delicious, aren't they?''
''Mhm,'' Akame nodded.
''But I think if you hadn't fed it to me it wouldn't have tasted nearly as good'' Tatsumi mischievously said. Not knowing that his words almost cause the normally stoic girl to nearly lose her cool. ''If you think so then,'' Akame paused, and proceeded. ''I don't mind continuing doing it.''
Tatsumi stared silently at her, Akame tilted her head, a little confused why he suddenly went quiet and was just staring at her. ''Is something wrong?'' Tatsumi shook his head, biting into the skewer again, chuckling at her clueless expression.
Akame, you really shouldn't say those words so casually; it's making it hard to control myself. Tatsumi reigns in his emotion, leaving the black-haired girl confused.
Afterward, the two went about their day freely exploring the city; something they couldn't do in the past.
When they were part of the Night Raid, every time they came down to the city it was either for a mission or a certain purpose, they never truly could just hang about and explore different tourist sights without worries like this.
Wanting Akame to enjoy her day to the fullest, Tatsumi took her to experience the park, tourist sights, amusement theme park, and of course; eating from whatever street vendor they found along the way.
Time passed like that, and soon, the sky gradually but surely darkened as evening settled down on the land.
The two stood atop a hill overlooking the capital city, the stars were becoming visible in the night sky, the road brightened with lamplight and houses were alight, and despite the fact that it was already dark the city was still bustling with the laughter and cheerful song of the people.
Akame's face underneath the mask couldn't help but show a smile.
She couldn't even remember a time she could just spend her day like this—free of duty or purpose. When she was young and was doctrine to be a useful tool for the corrupt Empire, her days were always spent training and learning for the sole purpose of one day serving that Empire, and when she became part of Night Raid, while her allegiance and purpose had change—it didn't change the fact that she still live merely out of duty and serving that new purpose. There was never a time like this, where she could relax and didn't need to think of any of that and simply enjoy her day like an ordinary person.
Tatsumi smiles at her, ''you're enjoying your time too. That's good but it's not over just yet, there is still one last thing I wanted you to see.'' Akame looked confused and was about to ask what he meant by that, however, Tatsumi placed a finger to his lips and told her to simply wait without asking.
Though confused, Akame did as told.
Soon, before her bewildered eyes, the night sky was alight as fleshes of light shot up from different parts of the city. It didn't end there, after those lights reached far into the sky, it all exploded with a bang; turning into a myriad of colors covering the sky of the Capital City.
''Aren't they beautiful, Akame? I specially picked this day so we could see this together. This has gone on for the past months, every few weeks; to celebrate their newfound freedom from the prime minister's tyranny, along with the falling heroes that had fought for that freedom—the people would celebrate with fireworks.''
Tatsumi looked toward the colorful sky and the city, hearing the cheers and laughter sounded from the people—while his feeling for the place was complicated; at this moment, he was completely captivated by the sight of it.
It really is... Akame was similarly captivated by the sight. After the revolution , she never went out beyond the mountains that surround their hideout, staying mostly beside Tatsumi and waiting for him to awake from his coma. So she didn't know about any of this despite it apparently having been going for months.
I'm glad though… because of it, I am able to experience it with him. Akame's face hidden behind the mask looked over at Tatsumi, who was smiling, completely captivated by the sight. Her gaze shifted down to his hand and then her, she didn't know why but she really wanted to grab hold of that hand and interlock it with hers.
Akame hesitated.
She was new to this sort of feeling. The feeling of liking someone was good, being near him made her happy, his smile and every little action made her heart flutter, however, it also came with fear that the same feeling wouldn't be returned.
As Akame hesitated to reach out her hand, always stopping midway, her eye widened in surprise when her own hand was grabbed instead, firmly held in the boy's hand. Tatsumi gazes at her with a gentle smile, saying softly. ''Don't think about anything else, just the two of us… enjoying the fireworks together like this is more than enough.''
Completely convinced by his smile, Akame nodded, squeezing his hand as they watched the fireworks together.
For now at least… Those were the words left unsaid.
...
A couple of days later.
Atop the grassy hill near the former Night Raid hideout, Tatsumi stood, looking at the tombstones where all his friends' names were engraved on.
He wanted to say farewell to them for the last time. As he reminisces, many memories flash by in his mind. Regardless of what they were, the time spent with his friends were all unforgettable.
''You are really leaving…''
Akame looked at his figure, her normally stoic facial expression threatening to falter at that moment. The question was less of one and more of a statement.
''... as you can see. I'm just saying my final farewell to them.'' Taking a moment to speak, Tatsumi softly replied while turning around to look at her.
It was true, just as he told Akame previously that he was going to leave all of this behind him by the end of the week—today was the last day of that week. All he wanted now was to head back to the place he grew up in—a place filled with his childhood memories—and never come back to this place that brought many changes to his life.
''Hmm,'' Akame simply nodded. His eyes were full of resolve and she knew it wouldn't be possible to change that.
However…
Just like how he had made up his mind and it couldn't be changed, she also couldn't let go of him. And she didn't want to let go either.
To fulfill her duty and purpose, Akame was forced to let go of many things. With the biggest regret being her little sister, Kurome, the person whose life she had personally ended with her own hand in order to complete that purpose.
She didn't want to let go of anything anymore!
Akame stares directly into those green round eyes of his and bravely announces loudly.
''—I will go with you!''
''—Will you leave with me!?''
… Huh!? Tatsumi and Akame look at each other, both bewildered at the other's words. As the two continued to stare at each other like that for a moment longer, Tatsumi suddenly burst out laughing while Akame couldn't stifle a chuckle.
''I was worried for no reason then,'' after calming down, Tatsumi smiled as he said. ''This whole time... I was trying to find the right time to tell you but couldn't because I fear you would answer with a 'no'. However, this has reassured me a lot so I'll say it now.''
Tatsumi stared into Akame's slightly confused yet anticipated gaze, completely serious as he uttered the phrase he couldn't for the longest time in the past.
''I love you, Akame''
The wind howled loudly across the hill, the grass fluttered widely about, Tatsumi and Akame hairs tousled within that wind. But in that moment, none of those matter to Akame as only the words that he had said truly register in her mind.
Rewinding in her mind over and over.
A single tear drop rolled down her cheek from her eyes, a slight yet beautiful smile framing her face as she looked at him and also uttered those exact same words.
''I love you too, Tatsumi.''
Atop that hill, beside the tombs of their falling comrades, the two former assassins express their love for one another and hug for a long, long time without letting go.
While they weren't completely sure how life would go after retirement but at least, they would be there to experience it together. Always.
The end