The nights in camp were always cold.
But tonight, the silence felt different—
not peace, but judgment.
I sat by the fire.
My fingers ached from training.
But this wasn't pain.
It was weight.
A pressure in my chest I couldn't shake off.
Then I heard footsteps.
Watari.
Watari's footsteps weren't fast.
They were controlled.
The kind that only angry people manage.
His green eyes were sharp—like glass under strain.
One second from shattering.
But not yet.
He was holding it in.
"Takumi, you were near that region," he said.
"That attack shouldn't have been possible."
I stood.
"What are you trying to say?"
He stepped closer.
No hesitation now.
"Where were you when Kana was bleeding out?"
"I was—"
But before I could finish—
Arata moved.
No words.
Just a look.
Like a wolf catching the scent of blood.
His silver hair caught the sunlight.
And then—
the world tilted.
His fist was already in my jaw.
No warning.
No hesitation.
Just fury.
I staggered.
Stars exploded in my vision.
And then—
Watari hit me too.
His was worse.
Because his hit meant something.
Because I trusted him.
Because… I thought he was my friend.
I hit the ground.
Knees in the dirt.
Blood in my mouth.
The taste of guilt.
I looked up—
Rin stood nearby.
My team was there too.
Kai beside her.
Rei just behind them, arms crossed.
They didn't flinch.
Didn't speak.
Didn't move.
And suddenly…
I wasn't looking at teammates.
Judges.
Every one of them.
"You think you know everything?" I spat.
Wiped blood from my lip.
"That Uzumi bastard found us.
You think we let that happen?
We made a call.
We did what we had to do to survive.
Tell them, Kai."
Kai's voice was calm.
Too calm.
"He's right."
But his eyes…
His eyes said it all.
He agreed.
But he didn't forgive me.
Didn't forgive himself either.
And Arata…
He just stood there.
Mad eyes.
No emotion.
No empathy.
Just silence.
Of course it's him.
Silver-haired lunatic.
Always first to swing.
Always last to think.
He doesn't need reasons.
Just targets.
Then Rin spoke.
Just one line.
Quiet.
Precise.
Like the thrust of a spear.
"You never stood watch for Kana.
Not even once."
That one cut deeper than the fists.
I opened my mouth.
But all that came out was a whisper.
"I'm not the villain you want me to be.
I'm just a survivor.
I couldn't stay.
I couldn't even look at her.
I just didn't know what to do with it.
Because even someone like me…
still has a heart."