A few minutes after Yukina's departure, Renji and Sakai began to stir, groggily coming back to consciousness.
Like Shou, the immediate return of physical pain was quickly overshadowed by the crushing memory of the fight with Ayano.
Renji pressed his hands over his face, frustration evident in his posture.
Sakai simply stared at his colossal hands, which had proved utterly useless against Ayano's Karyoku.
They kept blaming themselves, the realization of their weakness a far sharper pain than any broken bone.
Just then, the door opened.
Seijirou, his movements stiff but determined, walked in, he was heavily wrapped in bandages—his torso, arms, and even a faint bruise on his cheek peeking out from beneath a patch.
He offered a genuine, warm smile. "Glad to see all of you are finally alright."
At that moment, the raw, shared shame and loyalty boiled over.
