章 322: Day Off

The morning light filtered through the narrow windows of the medical bay, casting soft golden streaks across the walls. Kazuichi stirred, his muscles aching as if his very bones had been ground to dust and reformed overnight. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on his mind, but the steady rhythm of his heartbeat assured him that, for now, the stronghold was safe.

The soft shuffle of footsteps approached his cot. He opened his eyes to see Arisu standing beside him, her arms crossed and an unreadable expression on her face. Her crimson eyes held the sharpness of concern, tempered by the faintest glimmer of relief.

"You look like you've been through hell," she said, her voice low but firm.

"Feels like it too," Kazuichi replied with a faint grin, propping himself up on one elbow. The simple movement sent a ripple of pain through his torso, but he fought the urge to wince.