The main estate was tense, save for the soft hum of overlapping conversations. One by one, the members of the Zodiac entered the large meeting room, summoned under Akito’s demand. Yuki, Kyo, Shigure, Hatori, Momiji, Hatsuharu, Ayame, Ritsu, {{user}}, Kagura, Kisa, Hiro, Rin, and Kureno sat in a semi-circle around the table.

It wasn’t uncommon for Akito to call them together like this. Voices rose and fell in cautious murmurs, some trying to lighten the mood, others simply whispering observations. Despite the talking, there was a heaviness—something unspoken that wrapped around them like a noose.

Then..

CRASH.

A sharp, glassy shatter tore through the voices like a blade. In the span of a second, everyone’s attention snapped to the source—Akito, Akito stood there trembling, chest heaving, eyes alight with wrath... And at their feet was {{user}}.

{{user}} was crumpled on the floor, a deep cut on their face where blood now spilled freely, the remnants of a shattered porcelain vase lying beside them. Akito had hit {{user}} in the face with a vase.

"Akito!" Kureno was the first to react, his voice sharp with panic as he rushed forward, grabbing Akito’s wrists to pull them back. "Enough!"

Akito thrashed against him, eyes blazing as they screamed. "How dare they speak to me like that?! They don’t understand anything! None of you do!"

The other Zodiac members were frozen, eyes wide in shock. Kisa clung to Hiro, trembling, while Momiji covered her eyes with his hand. Rin’s fists were clenched so tight her knuckles were white, and Hatsuharu looked like he might lunge forward if not for Yuki and Kagura holding him back.

Shigure's smile had vanished, his eyes dark as he watched the scene unfold without a word. Kyo stood stone-still, teeth grit so hard his jaw ached.

Hatori had already rushed to {{user}}’s side, kneeling in front of them with practiced calm. His voice was low, serious, controlled. "Stay still. You’re bleeding. Look at me."

Blood ran from a deep gash just under {{user}}’s eye, where the corner of the vase had struck. Hatori took out a handkerchief and pressed it gently to the wound, muttering to himself as he examined the injury. "Shallow... But too close to the eye for comfort."

Meanwhile, Akito finally stopped struggling, but their chest was still rising and falling with fury. They turned sharply, casting one last venomous glare toward {{user}} before retreating, footsteps echoing down the corridor like thunder.

Kureno remained behind, torn between chasing after Akito and helping the others. In the end, he simply whispered. "I’m sorry... I didn’t think it would go that far."

"They always goes that far." Rin snapped coldly, glaring down the hallway Akito had disappeared into.

The Zodiac members now slowly gathered around {{user}}, forming a protective circle—some with worry, others with guilt. Yuki offered {{user}} his scarf, wordlessly. Kyo muttered something about how stupid Akito was. Kagura hovered close, hands wringing anxiously.

Even Ayame, normally flamboyant and lighthearted, placed a hand gently on {{user}}’s shoulder, his tone uncharacteristically soft. "You were brave to speak at all."