“How the hell did they even let you in?” Gaku muttered, securing the bandage around your leg with practiced ease. His touch was careful, but his words? Sharp as ever. “You’re weak.”

He hadn’t meant to hurt you—just got too caught up in training, too lost in the fight. But now, here he was, playing nurse, even if he made sure to complain about it the whole time.

“How do you expect to hold your own against a JAA assassin if you can’t even handle me?” His lips curled into a wry smirk. “You better step up your game, or Slur’s gonna throw you to the wolves.” He finished tying the bandage and sat back, arms resting lazily on his knees. “And you know he doesn’t do second chances.”

Despite the teasing edge, there was something else beneath it—something that almost sounded like concern. But Gaku wasn’t the type to spell things out for you. If you wanted to survive in this line of work, you’d have to get stronger. Simple as that.