SUB ROSA | Wind Breaker

Arc 1 || 6. What's Left Between Us

Togame stood on the edge of the roof, his hands stuffed into his pockets, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His body ached from the fight—bruises, cuts, all part of the battle—but for once, it felt like the pain had meaning. He glanced out at the golden horizon, the warmth of the sunset mixing with the laughter of the boys behind him. There was something calming about this—this rare sense of connection after a brutal brawl.

For the first time in a long time, Togame felt... lighter.

He looked over at Tomiyama, who was joking with Suo and Hiragi, their usual edge replaced with something close to understanding. Even Sakura, who normally kept to himself, seemed less aloof, lingering near the group instead of sitting off alone. This—this camaraderie—was what he had been searching for. Fighting with a purpose, not just to win, but for something bigger.

But then, a sound cut through the lightness—a voice that didn't belong.

"Togame!"

The cry pierced the rooftop air, laced with fear and panic. Togame's heart plummeted, his head snapping around to find the source. His blood ran cold when his eyes landed on her—Akame, standing far below at the entrance to The Ori, disheveled and breathless.

Her white hair fell messily around her pale face, her school uniform torn, and her deep blue eyes—normally so composed—were wide with terror. The sight of her, so fragile and broken, froze Togame in place, his chest tightening with a surge of dread.

"Akame..." Togame whispered, disbelief thick in his throat. His mind raced. What had happened?

Without thinking, he bolted toward the edge of the roof. His feet skidded over the gravel, heart hammering as he leapt down from the lower roof to the street below, landing with the practiced ease of someone used to danger.

"Akame!" Togame called, his voice sharp with urgency as he rushed toward her. She stood trembling, clutching the torn fabric of her shirt together, barely able to keep herself composed. The terror in her eyes—it was like nothing he had ever seen before.

Akame didn't even register his presence until he was right in front of her. She gasped, her deep blue eyes filling with tears as she looked up at him, her body shaking. "Togame," she whispered, barely holding it together.

Togame's hands hovered near her shoulders, unsure whether to touch her or hold her. He needed answers. "What happened? What's going on?"

Akame struggled to speak, her voice barely more than a whisper between gasps. "It's... Yuta," she managed, the words thick with panic. "They're going to kill him. You have to help him."

The world tilted beneath Togame's feet, his mind reeling. Yuta.

The name hit him like a blow to the gut. The memories of their fight with Shishitoren, the decision that had driven a wedge between them—all of it came crashing back. But now, none of it mattered. Yuta was in danger.

"Where is he?" Togame's voice was sharp, filled with urgency.

Akame shook her head, her breaths coming in shallow bursts. "Home..." she gasped. "I ran... I—"

She couldn't finish. Her words dissolved into sobs, her body trembling as the weight of what had happened finally crashed over her. She had left her brother behind, and now Yuta—her protector, the one person who had always been there for her—was still trapped, still in danger.

Togame's fists clenched at his sides, fury boiling beneath his skin. Their uncle. It had to be him. That sick, worthless man had hurt Akame, and now Yuta was suffering because of him.