Tatsumi brought Mine back to her room and covered her with a blanket. He himself wore his familiar fur coat while walking in the hallway. Sitting outside for too long had made Tatsumi feel a bit cold.
Movement from the kitchen caught his attention. Tatsumi peeked in and discovered a black-haired girl holding two plates of food; the lights were not on.
"Akame? A late-night snack?"
"No. These are dishes Sheele and Mine really like. I hope it makes them feel better."
"I see."
Both suddenly stopped. After a few seconds of hesitant silence, Akame spoke.
"Since we chose this path, our names and achievements will never appear in the Revolutionary Army's records."
"That is why I always remember everyone as clearly as possible. In case someone in Night Raid passes away, no one except us will remember them anymore."
Akame said such things with her usual calm face. But the Tatsumi who had undergone a transformation of character tonight could tell her voice was trembling slightly.
If he were to say she remained calm even if friends were killed, it would be an insult even if Tatsumi didn't mean it. He was no longer the naive youth who simply said whatever he saw.
"Akame, don't be like that anymore. We... are still here. You don't need to bear it so painfully."
Tatsumi didn't know what her past was like, but he knew if she kept enduring like this, she would eventually be overloaded.
Looking broadly with his spiritual sense, he could see many things. He could see a Leone who, though carefree, was very perceptive and kind. A Mine who was haughty and aggressive but actually worried for others. And now, an Akame who was always calm before everything, but that was just a way to resist the pain.
Having finished inheriting the will, Tatsumi seemed to have gained a bit of Asahi's true teachings.
Clang!!
The sound of the plate shattering on the floor startled Tatsumi. Akame had stepped forward, her hands on his shoulders, her body seemingly collapsing against him. Then came the sound of dripping water.
"That's right... I've seen too many people die before me. However..."
"...I still don't dare imagine the scene of my close friends dying!!"
Akame looked up, and only then did Tatsumi realize the dripping sound from before was her tears.
"This pain... how can I ever get used to it!"
"But these emotions can affect our missions. That's why I have to try to act this way!"
"Our work is in the shadows, Tatsumi. If I don't do this, what am I supposed to do?"
"I... I... I can't..."
Tatsumi hadn't expected Akame to react so intensely. But he immediately remembered small details from before; Akame seemed nitpicky, but she was actually very worried about everyone.
Two warm hands placed over Akame's hands made her freeze. Tatsumi smiled gently.
"Akame, our work is in the dark, but it's not yours alone. We are still by your side."
"You... don't need to bear that pain anymore. Because I promise you, I won't die! We won't die! Even in the darkness, we will be together!"
"You won't have to be sad anymore, Akame."
"Tatsumi..."
Akame hadn't expected the answer she received to be like this. She was dazed for a moment, then wiped away her tears and flashed a smile like his.
"Yeah! You're right."
"We will welcome the new nation, and the happy smiles on everyone's lips."
Neither of them knew there was a third person listening to this conversation. Leone stood leaning against the door outside the dining room, murmuring softly.
"You've grown up, kid, Tatsumi."
…
The next morning, the two "patients," Mine and Sheele, received special care from the two in charge of the kitchen, Akame and Tatsumi.
"Ah... Akame... I can eat by myself..."
"Sheele, open your mouth quickly; the potatoes will get cold."
"Yes..."
Sheele looked dejected, like a child being fed by Akame. Meanwhile, on the other side, the situation was completely different.
"Mine! Stop moving! I can't aim right!!"
"Hmph, you idiot! Don't think that just because of what happened last night you can do whatever you want!"
"Tatsumi, what happened yesterday? We were also in the kitchen..."
"Akame! Mine! Don't say things that are so easily misunderstood!!"
"Oho, Tatsumi. I didn't know you were so beastly. I clearly already marked my territory on you!"
"Please, Leone! Don't make things more confusing!!"
Tatsumi was surrounded by the three of them. Their silhouettes became as massive as mountains in his eyes, while he crouched there, tiny.
"Explain yourself, Tatsumi!"
"Explain yourself, Tatsumi!"
"Explain yourself, Tatsumi!"
The atmosphere in the dining room became cheerful, except for Tatsumi. Right now, he just wanted to run off and train with big brother Bulat.
...
"General Esdeath, your victory in the North was impressive! I have prepared ten thousand gold coins for you as a reward."
Inside the Emperor's palace, Esdeath took off her hat and knelt on one knee before the young Emperor. Beside him was still the old Prime Minister, but this time he wasn't eating meat; he held a box of salmon, occasionally taking a piece out to eat.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will send them to my soldiers in the North. They will surely be overjoyed."
The Prime Minister put a piece of fish into his mouth, chewing and pondering.
"Esdeath has never cared for politics or power. To her, fighting and torturing enemies is what matters most."
"So just do as you like, Esdeath. I will continue to control this nation. The river water does not interfere with the well water."
"It truly is a perfect game."
Esdeath looked up, her voice and gaze radiating confidence.
"Now that I have returned to the capital, I swear I will destroy Night Raid. Those who dare disturb my Emperor."
"I know the mission is difficult, so I want to reward the General with more than just gold."
"Do you have a wish?"
"Is that so?"
"Indeed."
"If possible... I think I want to fall in love."
Both the Emperor and the Prime Minister were startled. The piece of fish in the Prime Minister's hand even fell to the floor. Had they heard correctly? This terrifying woman... wanted to be loved?
"Ah... is that so? It's true, you are still single at that age. Then let me nominate a few people. What do you think of the Prime Minister?"
"Your... Your Majesty!!"
The Prime Minister trembled slightly. Thinking about being in a relationship with Esdeath, he would rather die.
"I am very grateful for that. But with the Prime Minister's high blood pressure, I fear he wouldn't live past tomorrow."
"How insolent! I'm still as strong as a bull! Anyway, what kind of person do you like, General?"
"My standards are a bit strange; I think it will be very difficult to find someone who fits them."
"I will write down my preferences and introduce them to you later."
The audience ended. In a long hallway outside the palace gardens, Esdeath and the old Prime Minister walked side by side.
"How strange, I didn't expect to care about something other than killing and torturing."
"Ah, you mean love?"
"I also find it hard to understand, but I can't stop the feeling."
"As a living being, falling in love is quite normal."
That was just what the Prime Minister truly thought—that it didn't suit her at all.
"I see. This is just instinct."
"Never mind that. Now I can find joy in hunting down Night Raid."
"Regarding that... I have a very good idea."