90 Chapter 90
The faint outline of Liraya appeared at a shattered window, eyes wide as they met his.
He exhaled, his expression softening for the first time in what felt like ages. "Sorry for leaving all of a sudden," he said quietly, his voice carrying over the quiet hum of Plaga. "I didn't have a choice."
Liraya's lips parted, as if to ask something, but Aruno shook his head gently. "I'll get you back to your village safely. Don't worry."
He raised his hand slightly, and from the shadows, the blood-knight silhouettes emerged, their red-black armor gleaming faintly under the neon lights. They formed a protective circle around Liraya, each one standing rigid and silent, ready to escort her.
Aruno stepped forward and pulled Liraya into a firm hug. She stiffened at first, but he didn't loosen his hold. "This is all I can do for now," he said softly. "I'll come see you… sometime in the future."
He let go gently, stepping back without waiting for questions. There was no time for explanations, no room for details. All that mattered was that she would be safe, and that he would keep his promise in his own way.
Liraya watched, the glow of neon reflecting off the street, shadows of the knights surrounding her. Her heart pounded with a mix of fear and relief, understanding in that silent moment that Aruno's absence had been his way of protecting her.
Aruno led the group through the broken gates of the massive house, the faint neon glow from Plaga's streets spilling across its cracked marble floors. The place smelled of stale air and faint blood—the remnants of its former owner. Liraya had already disappeared with the knights, heading toward her village, leaving the house empty and eerily silent.
"This will do," Aruno said, glancing around as he stepped inside. The high ceilings and wide rooms gave a sense of both security and space—a perfect base for now. He ran a hand along the polished yet cracked walls, as if mentally marking the place as theirs.
Serenia followed behind, her eyes scanning every corner. "It's… big. Definitely safer than any place we've stayed," she said.
Ko shrugged, tossing a small piece of rubble aside. "I'll admit, this is way more comfortable than sleeping on streets or fighting off random gangs every night."
Rin glanced out one of the shattered windows, her expression softening. "Still neon chaos outside, though," she said, gesturing to the streets below.
Aruno nodded, already planning. "It's ours for now. We'll fortify it, make it safe. Liraya's gone, so we can use this as a base while we regroup." He let his gaze linger on the city outside, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Plaga might be crime-ridden, but it's got resources we can use. Supplies, tech… we'll take what we need."
Yoru tilted her head, arms crossed. "We're just taking over someone else's home?"
Aruno shrugged lightly. "It's abandoned now. No one left to fight for it. We're not here to harm anyone who isn't already gone or gone bad. Consider it… strategic acquisition."
He dropped Durandal at the center of the main hall, its blackened edge glinting in the neon reflections. "This will be our base. We'll rest, plan, and keep moving forward. No distractions, no unnecessary risks."
The group spread out, inspecting rooms, clearing debris, and securing entrances. The house was theirs, at least for now, a temporary sanctuary in a city that never slept, neon and crime bleeding into every corner.
Aruno paused in the doorway of the main hall, looking back at the group. Tired, mentally drained, but determined. "We'll stay here until we're ready for the next move. Nobody dies on my watch—not while I can stop it."
Serenia gave a small nod. Ko leaned against a wall, smirking. Rin and Yoru exchanged quiet glances. And Aruno simply let out a deep breath, the first one in hours that wasn't taken by rage or battle. The house was theirs now.
Yoru and Ko were quick to find a room together, stretching out and tossing their weapons aside. Their quiet banter and occasional teasing filled the space, though both remained alert to the city outside. Serenia chose her own room, a modest corner with enough space for her to train or rest, and she made sure the door was securely locked.
Aruno and Rin ended up sharing a room, a long hall of the house with two beds pushed close together. Rin seemed unusually quiet, her usual sharpness muted.
Aruno leaned against the wall, his red eyes catching the faint neon glow from outside. "You're… acting weird," he said, voice casual but sharp.
Rin flushed slightly, fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "Weird how?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Aruno smirked, tilting his head. "You yelled at me back there during the fight. Something about helping out the man you adore most in this world."
Rin's eyes widened, a sharp blush creeping across her cheeks. She opened her mouth, then closed it, as if reconsidering her words.
Aruno's grin deepened, his red eyes gleaming. "Funny… I actually heard you. Don't worry, I won't hold it against you."
Rin huffed, flustered, and looked away, pretending to adjust her bedroll. "I… didn't mean—"
"Relax," Aruno said, climbing onto the bed and leaning back. "I just thought it was… interesting. Makes sense, though. You've always been stubborn. Caring, too. Just in your own Rin way."
She groaned quietly, burying her face in the pillow. "You're impossible," she muttered.
Aruno's red eyes glimmered faintly in the dim neon light spilling through the window. He leaned back against the headboard, arms crossed. "You know… I've known for a while that you felt some type of way about me."
Rin froze, a blush crawling up her neck. She turned her face into the pillow, trying to hide it. "W-What are you talking about?" she mumbled, voice muffled.
"Let's just say I see more than you think."
Rin's hands clenched into the blanket, trying to hide the flustered tension.
"Relax," Aruno interrupted, voice soft but carrying that unmistakable weight. "I'm not judging. I'm not going to make a big deal out of it… but yeah, I know."
Rin peeked at him from the pillow, eyes wide, trying to figure out if he was serious or teasing.
Aruno tilted his head, red eyes bright, yet calm. "Funny, isn't it? That I'd know before you could even say anything. I've seen it in small ways—the way you worry, the way you push yourself… and the way you always end up looking out for me, even when I'm oblivious."
Rin groaned softly, burying her face again. "You're impossible…"
He chuckled, a low, quiet sound that filled the room. "Maybe. But… I guess we're honest with each other now, in our own way. Don't worry, I won't hold it against you. Just… don't pretend you don't care, Rin."
She stayed silent, heat rising to her ears, but the tension between them softened. Aruno's red eyes softened slightly too, tired, drained, but still attentive.
Rin lifted her head slightly, cheeks still flushed. "Okay… fine. If you're going to bring it up, I'll say it. I've been interested in you… since after we fought Ash."
Aruno's red eyes narrowed, a small, sharp smile tugging at his lips. "Ash, huh?" He leaned back slightly, tilting his head to study her. "So all this time, you've been holding that in? Hiding it behind your usual… fiery self?"
She huffed, embarrassment coloring her voice. "It wasn't exactly easy to say. You've… always been so… overwhelming. And dangerous. I mean, who admits that to someone like you?"
"You?" Aruno said, tone teasing but calm. "I already know. And apparently, you're braver than you think. Admitting it now, is still… bold."
Rin buried her face back into the pillow, muttering, "You're annoying…"
Aruno chuckled low, shaking his head. "Yeah, maybe. But don't worry. I'm not going anywhere.