Whispers of the past

The Unyielding Heart

Narumi's pov:

The corridors of the Defense Force facility felt colder than usual as I made my way to Y/N's cell. The tension in the air was suffocating, and the weight of what I had to do pressed heavily on my shoulders. I needed to prove her humanity, to show everyone that she was still the same person despite everything.

I reached the cell door, the sound of my footsteps echoing ominously in the quiet hallway. Taking a deep breath, I nodded to the guard who unlocked the door and allowed me inside. Y/N sat on the narrow cot, her face pale and her eyes hollow. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant, bubbly woman I had known.

"Chisuka," I began softly, my voice gentle.

Her head snapped up, and she glared at me, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and despair. "My name is Y/N," she corrected sharply. "There's no need for me to hide anymore. Everyone already knows."

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "Y/N, I'm sorry. I just want to talk to you, to help you."

She scoffed, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "Help me? Do you think there's any help left for me? After what Soshiro did?"

I took a step closer, my heart aching at the pain in her voice. "Y/N, we need to prove that you're not a threat. If you wanted to escape, you could have. We both know you're strong enough to do it. That alone shows you're not dangerous."

Behind the one-way mirror, I knew Ashiru, Hoshina, and the others were watching. I needed to get through to them, but more importantly, I needed to get through to her.

Y/N's eyes softened momentarily before the hard mask returned. "They won't believe you. They won't believe me. To them, I'm just a monster."

"You're not a monster," I insisted, my voice firm. "You're Y/N, the woman who fought alongside us, who saved lives. You're the same person you've always been."

She laughed, a sound devoid of any joy. "The same person? Look at me, Narumi. I'm a wreck. I didn't ask for this. I didn't want any of it. I just wanted to live my life, to be happy."

Her words cut deep, and I felt a lump form in my throat. "I know, Y/N. I know you didn't ask for this. But we need to show them that you're still the same person, that you're not a threat."

Her demeanor shifted, and I saw a glimmer of the woman I knew. "How can I prove that to them? How can I make them see?"

I stepped closer, kneeling beside her. "Just be honest. Tell them everything. Show them your heart."

Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so tired, Narumi. So tired of fighting, of proving myself. I never wanted this. I just wanted to be with Soshiro, to have a normal life."

My heart ached for her, and I reached out, gently taking her hand. "We'll get through this, Y/N. I promise you. We'll show them the truth."

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "What truth? That I'm a freak? That I'm something to be feared?"

I squeezed her hand, trying to offer some comfort. "No, that you're a person. That you have a heart, a soul. That you're Y/N, the woman who's been through hell but still stands strong."

Her tears flowed freely now, and she started to sob, her body shaking with the force of her emotions. "I never wanted this," she repeated, her voice breaking. "I never asked for any of this."

I held her hand tightly, my own eyes filling with tears. "I know. I know you didn't."

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with a desperate plea. "Narumi, just take out of here, I promise I'll never come back, I don't have anything anymore here for me, I don't want to keep being a burden to you."