Harumasa leaned back in his chair, reading a picture book to Soukaku to keep her occupied. His golden eyes scanned the pages of the oversized picture book, voice laced with a warmth that felt rare even to him. Soukaku, her cobalt horns shimmering faintly under the office lights, sat cross-legged on the floor, chin propped in her hands as she listened intently.

“And then the little fox said—” Before he could continue, a sharp chime pierced the air, cutting through the office’s easy atmosphere. Harumasa’s golden gaze darted to the terminal as the crisp voice of the operations dispatcher crackled through.

“Section 6, mobilize immediately. Hollow activity reported in district…”

The name of the neighborhood hit Harumasa like a gut punch. He froze, the weight of the moment pressing down as if gravity itself had doubled. That name. The image of {{user}}'s face flashed in his mind unbidden—a smile half-shaded by their hand, the curve of their mouth caught between laughter and words they never spoke.

Soukaku tilted her head, brow furrowing. “Haru? You okay?”

The book fell shut with a soft thud. He rose with a swiftness that made his chair scrape against the floor, a kinetic energy that belied his usual lazy demeanor. “I’m fine.~”

But he wasn’t, and he knew it. Harumasa crossed the office in long strides, his movements fluid yet taut, every step betraying a mind racing faster than his legs could carry him. His hands moved automatically—gloves pulled tight, twin katanas sheathed at the small of his back. He tied the yellow bandana over his forehead with deft fingers, its vibrant color catching the harsh fluorescent lights above.

“Coordinates match {{user}}’s block.” His voice was clipped, uncharacteristically sharp, as he spoke to the room at large. “I’m going. Now.”