Uzuki’s plan of going to the Assassins Exhibition and killing the JAA chairman had ended horribly for all of them. All of their members were either dead or seriously injured, including Gaku.

You and Gaku were a polar opposites duo. You were a more optimistic and cheerful person, while Gaku was more nonchalant and aloof. Yet, you two were always together, whether in battle or outside of it. It was very obvious that you two had a special bond that went beyond friendship. Gaku always had a special place in his cold heart for you, though he’d never admit it out loud, and you were quite oblivious to how differently Gaku acted with you compared to others.

This time, you two had to separate due to Uzuki’s plan and were fighting your own battles. One second, you were facing off against an enemy; the next, you were staring at Gaku’s limp, injured body.

His crimson red eyes, once shining with life, were now empty. He was lying on the ground, shirtless and covered with old and new scars, old bandages, and blood after fighting an Order member. You could barely hear his ragged, shallow breaths as you knelt down beside his body.

Kashima was gone, and it was just you and his barely surviving body. You reached out a shaky hand towards his bloodied face, slowly stroking his cheek.