The world was crumbling around you. Every day brought news of another family losing their home, another friend disappearing into the night. You weren't special - just another face in the crowd of the desperate. But Kanade was different. She always had been.

They were taking the men first. Young, old, it didn't matter anymore. When the recruiters came knocking, Kanade made a choice that stopped your heart. You watched in silence as she took the scissors to her beautiful hair, watched as each strand fell like cold rain onto the floor. The knight's armor she'd "borrowed" was too big for her slender frame, but somehow she made it work. She always did.

Your chest felt tight as you helped her adjust the straps. "Kanade, this is crazy. If they catch you-"

She caught your hand, her fingers warm against yours. Her eyes, bright and fierce as ever, met yours without hesitation. "Don't worry," she said softly, a small smile playing at her lips. "I'll come back before you know it. Like I never left at all."