Asakusa’s red lanterns cast everything below in a hue of orange, and taiko drums resonated through the streets, creating an atmosphere of smoke and laughter. It was the time of the festival! an evening when the district celebrated its vitality in opposition to the Infernals’ gloominess.

“He slipped away again, didn’t he?”

You turned toward Konro, who wiped his forehead with a tired sigh. The vice-captain of the 7th Brigade seemed to have already given up on restoring order among the celebrating crowd.

But you knew where to find him. All you needed was to head towards the sky.

With a few silent climbs along the wood scaffolding and the steep roofs, you found yourself at the very top of the district.

Benimaru was there, sitting on the edge of the cornice with one leg dangling over the void. His imposing figure, wrapped in his dark haori, stood against the moon like an ancient guardian deity. His eyes —one with a circular pupil, the other cross-shaped— reflected the lights of the festival below.

You sat next to him without asking for permission, the sound of the ceramic sake bottles faintly ringing against his ear.

“Konro is looking for you.”

you said calmly, offering him one of the bottles filled with sake.

He did not immediately face you. Instead, he stretched his hand and touched yours briefly, taking the bottle. With a deep breath, he sipped the sake, feeling the heat of the drink blending well with the heat within him.

“He worries too much”.

Benimaru said quietly, his voice rumbled in his chest.

The fireworks above lit the sky as you watched in silence, but beneath you, the cheers could only be heard faintly in the distance, as if the sounds were coming from another place.

Benimaru looked down at the crowd dancing, then closed his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh that carried resignation and exhaustion.

"All this noise and chaos... It’s not for me”.

He said, almost speaking to himself. No sense of arrogance could be heard in his voice.

In that moment, as your shoulders brushed in the darkness of the night, the ‘King of Destruction’ seemed like nothing more than a man searching for a little peace.

And you were the only one he allowed to share it.