The apartment was quiet. The streetlights outside cast bars of orange across the floor. Kaito lay on the bed. His body was heavy. His muscles did not respond properly. The fight was over. The district was safe. But the cost remained in his bones.
He opened his eyes. The room was dark. He was not alone. Jin sat in the chair by the desk. He was not sleeping. He was watching the cards. They were arranged in a row on the wood. They were dull. They were exhausted. Kaito tried to sit up. His arms shook. Jin stood up. He moved to the bed. He placed a hand on Kaito's shoulder. He pushed him back down gently.
Jin said: "Do not move."
Kaito said: "I need to check."
Jin said: "They are safe. You are not."
Kaito looked at the cards. They were secure. He looked at Jin. Jin's face was calm. His eyes were dark. He did not look surprised. He did not look afraid. He looked resolved.
Kaito said: "How long."
Jin said: "Since you woke up."
Kaito said: "You should go."
Jin said: "No."
