( a continuation of the previous chapter told from raina's pov)
By the time I came downstairs breakfast had already been served.
The smell of grilled salmon and rice drifted through the dining room, mixing with the earthy warmth of miso soup.
Ojiisan sat alone at the long wooden table eating with the same quiet composure he always carried, as though he had not executed a man only a few hours earlier.
A folded newspaper rested beside his tea.
For one absurd moment I wondered if he had slept well.
The thought turned my stomach.
I tried to walk past without disturbing him.
"And where," he asked, without looking up from his tea, "do you think you're going?"
My feet stopped before I told them to.
"I'm allowed to go out, aren't I, Ojiisan?"
He raised his eyes to meet mine and studied me for several seconds with an expression I could not read.
Just as I started wondering whether he somehow already knew about Kuro's call, a gentle smile spread across his face.
"Of course."
