Akane and I entered one of the side rooms inside the base. The moment I stepped across the threshold, she closed the door firmly behind us, the soft click of the lock sounding louder than it should have in the sudden quiet.
She turned to face me, back pressed lightly against the wood, and for a few seconds simply stared.
"Explain to me clearly what's going on right now."
Her voice was steady, but the tension underneath it was unmistakable.
I raised both hands slightly in a placating gesture.
"Didn't I already tell you I have abilities to protect myself? You didn't believe me at the time. I even showed you the swords earlier on the rooftop… though I completely forgot to use them once things started."
Akane's eyes narrowed behind the black mask. The residual adrenaline from the fight still clung to her posture.
