SUB ROSA | Wind Breaker

Arc 1 || 2. Falling Asleep at Sunrise

The small park was a rare pocket of peace in the worn-down streets of Makochi. The chipped paint on the playground equipment and the faded benches didn't take away from the quiet calm that hung in the air. The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft, golden light over the scene, and for a brief moment, it felt like they could escape the tension of the day.

Yuta leaned back against the bench, his arms stretched out along the top, his laughter breaking the comfortable silence between him and Togame. The tension from earlier had mostly faded, replaced by an easy camaraderie that surprised Yuta. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and his eyes shone with a lightness that had been missing for far too long.

"Togame, man, you come up with the craziest stories," Yuta said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Snuck into a warehouse? Seriously?"

Togame grinned, leaning forward with an air of casual confidence. "What can I say? I like to keep things interesting."

Akame stood a few feet away, her delicate fingers gently brushing the edge of her skirt as she watched the two boys banter. She wasn't used to being part of conversations like this anymore. After the accident, she had withdrawn, retreating into her own quiet world where the pain couldn't reach her so easily. But being here with Yuta and Togame, seeing the way they joked and laughed, felt... comforting.

She smiled softly, her heart lightening just a little at the sight of Yuta's relaxed posture. He hadn't smiled like that in a long time.

Yuta caught her eye and waved her over, his grin widening. "Akame! Togame's telling another one of his wild stories. You don't want to miss this."

Akame hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. She wasn't sure if she belonged in their conversation, wasn't sure if she could step into the warmth they shared. But the look in Yuta's eyes was enough to pull her closer, and she slowly made her way over to the bench, standing just a little to the side.

Togame glanced at her as she approached, his grin softening as his sharp eyes took her in. There was something about Akame's quiet presence that unsettled him in a way he didn't quite understand. She was delicate, like she might break if the world pushed too hard, but there was something underneath that fragility—a strength he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Okay, so I was telling Yuta about the time I snuck into this abandoned warehouse," Togame began, his voice casual but tinged with mischief. "Thought I'd take a piece from one of the old cars to fix up my bike. But turns out, the place was crawling with guard dogs."

Yuta snorted, shaking his head. "And let me guess—you didn't see that coming?"

Togame shrugged, leaning back against the bench, his grin widening. "Not my finest moment. But hey, I got out of there in one piece. Barely."

Akame's soft smile grew just a little as she listened to the story, though she stayed quiet. It felt nice to just... be there. To be part of something that wasn't weighed down by grief or guilt.

After a few more minutes of playful banter, Togame stood up and stretched, his arms reaching high above his head. "Man, I could use a drink. Anyone else?"

Yuta shook his head. "Nah, I'm good."

Akame shook her head as well, her gaze following Togame as he made his way over to the vending machine on the other side of the park. She watched absently as he slid a coin into the slot, pressing the button for a drink. But instead of the can dropping down smoothly, the machine let out a loud clunk, and the drink jammed.

Togame's easy grin faltered as he hit the button again. Then again. His frustration grew, and he slapped the side of the machine with his hand, muttering under his breath.