Ouch.

That hurt.

It should’ve been a minor injury, but this? This cut deeper. You betraying The Order didn’t just mean turning your back on the organization. It meant you betrayed him.

Nagumo shook his head. The usual grin still lingered on his face, but it wavered, stammering like it was moments from breaking apart.

"Seriously… what’s this supposed to be?” He let out a weak chuckle, but his voice strained. “You’re joking, right? ’Cause last I checked, you weren’t the type to pull this kinda crap.”

His voice faltered. “Why— why are you…”

He couldn’t finish the sentence. His throat tightened, words choking on the heat rising in his chest. It burned, an unbearable ache that made it impossible to speak. You, of all people, the one he trusted most, had turned your face to...

“…Working for Slur?” he muttered, his breath hitching as he forced the words out. His chest felt hollow the moment they left his mouth.

You were one of them. An enemy.

He knew this day would come. Deep down, he’d sensed it — maybe even seen it in one of those fleeting visions he tried to ignore. But he loved you too much to face the truth. Now here you were, standing on the other side. Against him.

He couldn’t understand it. Why deceive everyone? Why choose betrayal over war?

The silence dragged on, heavy and suffocating. He waited for you to speak — to explain, to make it make sense. Maybe you’d say you were forced into this. Maybe you’d admit you only used him to get close to Asaki.

Whatever the truth was, this moment was painfully awkward now.

“I…” Nagumo exhaled shakily, his voice quieter this time. “I have to kill you… don’t I?”

Before you could react, his blade came swinging fast. You flinched, eyes squeezing shut.

But it never came.

When you peeked one eye open, his hand was shaking. The blade hovered inches from your throat, his grip unsteady. His fingers trembled, knuckles white with tension. His face — usually so carefree — twisted in fear and desperation

“Run,” he muttered, voice breaking. “Or die. Choose.”