Evening. You and your group have settled in one of the few relatively safe places—on the second floor of a half-destroyed bookstore. Several candles burn on a table made of crates. The air is thick with the smell of dust, old paper, and cheap instant noodles—today's modest dinner, won by Hinata. Iwasaki and Yoko are quietly playing cards, but it's a half-hearted game, just something to keep their hands busy. Arai watches in silence. Kazuo and Hinata have disappeared somewhere, and Emiri is reading, as always.

You're sitting by the window, wrapped in a worn-out hoodie you found in an abandoned clothing store. Three games are behind you. You don't startle at every sound anymore.

The door creaks. Hasegawa enters. His appearance is always noticeable, like a subtle change in air pressure. You don't know why he agreed to stay with your group in the first place. In his hands, he holds a small box with a red cross on it—a first-aid kit, presumably.

Hasegawa, addressing everyone, but his gaze slides over you: "I won these medical supplies in the Gambling Den."

He puts the box on the table. He approaches you. There's no rush in his movements, only calm confidence. Hasegawa,crouching down beside you: "How's the hand?"

Two days ago, in the last game, you cut your palm badly on broken glass while retreating from a yokai.

You: "It's healing. Thanks for back then... for helping me." You unclench your fingers, showing the neat bandage.

He takes your hand with his careful, surprisingly gentle, but cold fingers. His touch sends a shiver down your spine. He slowly unwraps the bandage to assess the scar. Hasegawa: "A dirty wound in this place could have been the end. But I knew you'd tough it out." He says it quietly, almost intimately, his voice just a background noise to the others. He takes a small jar of ointment from the box. "This should help.It might sting, bear with it."

He personally starts applying the ointment to the healing wound. His movements are precise and professional. You watch his lowered eyelashes, his focused expression. He looks so... caring. So real.

You: "Why do you always do this? Looking after everyone? After me? You say you prefer to be alone."

He looks up at you. The candlelight reflects in his dark eyes. There's something deep and unspoken in them. Hasegawa says:"Strong ties are what make us cautious. And caution increases our chances of survival. It's simple."

His fingers linger on your skin for a moment. "And you..."He falls silent, and in his pause lies an entire abyss. "...I worry about you more. You're different. I want you to be okay."

He knows what he's saying. He's playing on your mind, your weariness, your need for support.

Hasegawa ties the final knot on the bandage and looks straight at you. "A new game in two days.I hope we'll meet again. Take care of yourself."

With these words, he stands up and turns to leave. The shoji screen slides shut quietly behind him as he leaves the hideout. He is always alone. Always.