Part 1 — Final Promises
Akari's room was quiet.
Soft night light from outside slipped through the window and stretched faintly across the floor.
Inside, Akari was calmly packing the last few things into a small bag near the futon.
Medical supplies.
Scrolls.
Combat equipment.
Everything placed neatly.
Carefully.
Haruto stood near the doorway silently watching her.
The room felt strange.
Normally, he rarely entered Akari's room this late at night.
But tonight—
neither of them wanted to leave yet.
Akari folded another piece of equipment neatly into the bag.
Then quietly spoke without looking back yet.
"…Haruto."
"…Hm?"
"…While I'm gone…"
A pause.
"…Listen to what Ayame says sometimes."
Haruto blinked once.
"…Sometimes?"
A tiny faint smile appeared on Akari's face.
"…At least more than usual."
Haruto lowered his gaze slightly.
"…Okay…"
Akari continued packing quietly.
"…And tell Kaito and Ayame properly what I said."
Haruto nodded again.
"…Okay."
Akari's voice remained calm.
Gentle.
But underneath it—
Haruto could feel she was trying very hard not to sound worried.
"…Eat on time."
"…Sleep on time."
"…Do your homework properly."
"…Go to the academy on time."
"…And don't stay awake too late and miss classes."
Haruto quietly listened to every word carefully.
Like he was trying to memorize everything exactly.
Akari finally looked toward him briefly.
"…Especially Kaito."
Haruto gave the smallest nod.
"…I know…"
"…He'll absolutely sleep during class if nobody stops him."
That almost made Haruto smile faintly again.
Almost.
Akari zipped part of the bag closed quietly.
Then continued:
"…And don't skip meals because you're stressed."
Haruto's eyes lowered slightly after hearing that.
Because she clearly noticed how little he ate earlier.
"…Okay…"
"…Promise properly."
Haruto hesitated slightly.
Then quietly:
"…I promise."
Akari's expression softened.
Then she continued again.
"…For food…"
"…Go eat from The Red Bowl."
The Red Bowl
"…Yuji-san already knows."
Haruto blinked slightly.
"…You already told him?"
Akari nodded once.
"…I handled payment already."
Haruto stared quietly for a moment.
She really prepared everything beforehand.
Like she already expected to leave.
That realization made his chest tighten again.
Akari gently adjusted the strap of the bag.
"…And in the morning…"
"…Go to him directly."
"…Don't hide at home pretending you forgot."
Haruto immediately looked away slightly.
Because that absolutely sounded like something he would do.
Akari noticed instantly.
"…Haruto."
"…I know…"
"…Go properly."
"…Okay…"
Silence filled the room softly for a few moments afterward.
Outside—
distant shinobi movement crossed somewhere above the rooftops again.
The war tension still existed beyond the walls.
But inside this room—
it only felt like an older sister trying to prepare a frightened child before leaving.
Then Akari's expression softened more deeply.
"…And another thing."
Haruto looked up quietly.
Akari slowly walked closer toward him.
"…Don't keep everything inside your head."
Haruto stayed silent.
"…If you're stressed…"
"…If you feel lonely…"
"…Stay with Ayame and Kaito."
Her hand gently rested against his head.
"…Talk to them."
"…Sit with them."
"…Hug them if you need to."
Haruto's eyes trembled slightly again.
"…Everything will be okay."
That line almost broke him immediately.
Because even Akari herself sounded like she was trying to believe it too.
Haruto quickly lowered his head.
Trying hard not to cry again.
But tears still slowly formed anyway.
He rubbed his eyes roughly.
Trying to stop them.
"…Mm…"
Akari gently moved closer and wiped one tear away before it could fall fully.
"…Hey."
Her voice stayed soft.
"…You already did well today."
Haruto bit his lip slightly.
Then quietly nodded.
"…Okay…"
"…I'll do everything properly."
Akari smiled faintly.
Warmly.
"…Good."