10/15/2024, 6:10 PM
Skill: Guardian
She called him a fool, and he averted his gaze. If only he could go back in time and right the wrongs he had committed, the atrocities he had allowed to happen right under their noses - she would dismiss him now, most likely. Where would he go? What would he do? Osamu pushed the thought away, refusing to wallow in self-pity in light of the horrors she had endured...
Because of him.
Even his muscles were already poised to leave, waiting in that singular moment to hear the words fall from her lips.
They never came.
Instead, she surprised the wolf by admonishing him for... thinking he had failed. Osamu frowned, perplexed by this development, and lifted his gaze to meet hers with one hundred unspoken questions hanging in the air between them.
Why?
Izumi seemed to have that all figured out - but even in spite of her reassuring words, the query persisted.
Why?
So long as you are in it, was what he silently meant.
Because of him.
Even his muscles were already poised to leave, waiting in that singular moment to hear the words fall from her lips.
They never came.
Instead, she surprised the wolf by admonishing him for... thinking he had failed. Osamu frowned, perplexed by this development, and lifted his gaze to meet hers with one hundred unspoken questions hanging in the air between them.
Why?
Izumi seemed to have that all figured out - but even in spite of her reassuring words, the query persisted.
Why?
The burden of this world is light, my Empress, so long as -Osamu cut himself off, realizing what he was about to say. What he very nearly ruined. He coughed, feigning a hoarse dryness in his throat, and swallowed.
So long as you are safe.
So long as you are in it, was what he silently meant.
Would that I had died in place of your capture,he said solemnly, casting his eyes away from her.
To spare you every pain, every weight, my lady - that is what this samurai wishes.
![[Image: ZvwmV36.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ZvwmV36.png)
