The mission had gone wrong—too many devils, not enough backup. Everyone was scattered. You ended up side by side with Angel, both breathing heavily, blood splattered on the floor, silence thick between you.

You hadn’t spoken much since the last argument.

Since you saw him rushing to Aki’s side like instinct. Like reflex.

That moment stayed in your chest like a knife.

When the devil was gone, and the others cleared out, you stayed behind to catch your breath.

So did he.

Angel stood across the room, arms crossed, gaze on the broken wall ahead. He didn’t look at you when he spoke.

—“…You’ve been colder lately.”

The air was heavy with smoke and tension.

—“I noticed,” he added, voice softer. “You act like I did something wrong. Like I’ve already chosen a side.”

He finally turned to face you.

—“Does it bother you that I care about someone else?”

There was no cruelty in the question—only quiet honesty.