SUB ROSA | Wind Breaker

Arc 2 || 2. Welcome to The Jungle

The gym was alive with the familiar sounds of sparring—punches hitting pads, feet shuffling on worn mats, grunts of effort and the occasional encouragement thrown from one fighter to another. For most, it was an ordinary scene, almost comforting in its rhythm. But for Akame, standing just inside the doorway, the noise felt overwhelming, foreign.

She hesitated, clutching the strap of her bag as she scanned the space, her eyes searching for Yuta. Her gaze landed on him mid-spar, locked in a swift exchange of blows with Tsubakino. Yuta's movements were sharp and focused, his expression intense. But seeing him like this—dodging punches, taking hits, sweat already glistening on his brow—made her heart race with unease. Even though she knew this was routine, each bruise and cut he earned felt like a reminder of how vulnerable he was.

In the back of the gym, Umemiya was leaning against the wall, arms crossed as he observed the sparring sessions. He noticed Akame the instant she entered, his eyes softening as their gazes met. He raised a hand, gesturing for her to come over with a subtle nod.

"Akame, over here," he called, his voice a steady anchor in the chaos.

Akame swallowed, her nerves spiking as she threaded her way through the gym. Though she'd spent countless hours with Umemiya on the rooftop, the gym was a different world—louder, heavier, filled with a buzz of adrenaline that didn't suit her. Her eyes kept flicking back to Yuta, watching as he took a sharp blow to his side. Her breath hitched, her hand instinctively curling into a fist around the strap of her bag.

When she finally reached Umemiya's side, her anxiety was palpable. Almost unconsciously, she reached out, her fingers brushing the edge of his trench coat as she stood beside him. She didn't realize she was holding onto it, grounding herself in the familiar texture of the fabric.

The fabric felt like a lifeline, tethering her in a sea of noise. She hadn't meant to cling to it—it had just happened, a small, instinctive reach for something steady. But as she felt the warmth of the coat between her fingers, she realized how much comfort it brought her.

Umemiya's gaze softened even further as he watched her, feeling the small tug on his coat. Something stirred in him, a flicker of protectiveness mixed with an unfamiliar sense of pride. The sight of her, so quiet and composed yet seeking him out for comfort, made his chest tighten in a way he hadn't expected. He felt an unspoken connection, a silent acknowledgment that she trusted him to be her safe place.

As he looked down at her, he realized this wasn't the first time his coat had served as a shield for her. He remembered that night when Togame had urged him to watch over her, the way she'd clutched his coat then as he'd wrapped it around her shoulders—a simple gesture, but one he hadn't forgotten.

"Hey," he murmured softly, his voice low enough to be drowned out by the sounds around them. "He's okay, you know."

Akame's fingers relaxed slightly, though her gaze was still fixed on Yuta. "I know," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But... he always looks like he's fighting for his life."

Umemiya chuckled quietly, a comforting sound that eased some of her tension. "That's just Yuta," he said, his voice warm with an undertone of pride. "He's stronger than he looks. But you can always tell me if it's too much."

She looked up at him, the gratitude clear in her eyes. Before she could reply, though, his attention shifted to Yuta and Tsubakino, both still locked in an intense sparring match. His protective instincts kicked in, and he took a small step forward, his voice calm but commanding.

"Tsubaki, Yuta. That's enough for today."

Yuta blinked in surprise, his stance relaxing slightly as he turned toward Umemiya. "We're not done yet," he protested, though a trace of exhaustion lingered in his tone.