"It's not pathetic," Satou said quietly. "Asking for help when you need it isn't weakness. It's wisdom."
He sat down across from her. "Tell me everything you know about The Reaper. His patterns, his limitations, his previous battles. If we're going to figure out how to fight someone who can adapt to anything, we need to understand exactly what we're dealing with."
Seraphine's eyes widened slightly. "You're... you're going to help me? Just like that? Even though I came here intending to add you to my collection, even though I've been testing your vulnerabilities, even though helping me gains you nothing and puts you in danger?"
"I'm going to help," Satou confirmed. "Because that's what we do—we protect people from threats they can't face alone. That's the whole point of building power, isn't it? To protect those who need it?"
For a moment, Seraphine just stared at him. Then, to Satou's complete shock, tears began forming in her mismatched eyes.
