A series of knocks echoed through the room.
"Come in."
The door opened and Akeno and Kinuko stepped inside.
They found Boros lounging on one of the couches, an arm draped across the backrest.
A grin spread across his face.
"This place is huge."
"Y-Yeah," Akeno and Kinuko replied almost simultaneously.
The awkwardness in their voices didn't go unnoticed.
Boros raised an eyebrow.
"Big enough that we can all have our own rooms now."
He stood and slowly made his way toward the balcony.
The balcony was quickly becoming his favorite part of the building.
The city lights stretched endlessly beyond it, and for once there was no one around asking him questions.
At least, that had been the plan.
He stopped halfway and glanced back at the two girls.
"You two seem awfully quiet."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Something wrong?"
Akeno exchanged a glance with Kinuko.
Then she scratched the back of her head.
"I don't mind moving into a separate room."
Boros waited.
"But..."
She hesitated.
"The way you've been lately..."
Akeno looked away.
"I don't think it'd be a good idea to leave you alone."
Silence filled the room.
"The nights can get pretty long sometimes."
A bitter smile crossed her face.
"I'd know."
Boros stared at her for a moment.
Then turned around completely and walked back into the room.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Until he was standing directly in front of her.
"Oi."
Akeno immediately straightened.
Boros folded his arms.
"Do you think I'm some kid that needs looking after?"
Akeno opened her mouth.
Boros didn't let her answer.
"You already asked if I was okay."
His silver eyes locked onto hers.
"And I told you I was."
He pointed at himself.
"So what's all this about?"
"I-I didn't mean it like that," Akeno said quickly.
"She's just worried about you, Shiro," Kinuko added.
For a few moments, Boros said nothing.
He let out a long breath and ran both hands down his face.
The tension in the room eased slightly.
"You're right."
He dropped his hands.
"I overreacted."
His eyes shifted toward Akeno.
"Sorry."
Akeno blinked.
Then a small smile appeared on her face.
"It's fine."
Boros shook his head before walking back to the couch and dropping onto it.
"You two can stay if you want."
Akeno and Kinuko exchanged a glance.
"Okay," Akeno replied.
"But we're still moving our stuff into one of the other rooms. And maybe we'll stay there tonight."
Boros shrugged.
"Sure."
About ten minutes later, the two girls had finished moving their belongings into a room further down the hallway.
When they returned, Boros glanced around the room.
"That's everything?"
"Yes," Kinuko replied.
"Good."
Boros leaned back against the couch.
"It's already late."
He pointed toward the door.
"Get some sleep."
"Don't forget we've got that induction thing tomorrow."
Akeno stretched her arms above her head.
"Right."
"Goodnight, Shiro," she said.
"Goodnight," Kinuko echoed.
Boros gave a lazy wave.
"Yeah."
The two girls stepped out into the hallway.
The door clicked shut behind them.
Silence returned to the room.
Boros stared at the ceiling for several seconds.
Then his gaze slowly drifted toward the balcony.
The city lights still glittered in the distance.
But his thoughts were somewhere else entirely.
....
It was around seven in the morning when a knock echoed through Boros' room.
"Akeno?" he muttered.
He climbed out of bed and opened the door.
Standing outside wasn't Akeno.
It was one of the staff members from yesterday.
The man wore a black suit trimmed with gold, clearly part of the inn's staff uniform.
"Good morning, sir."
"Morning."
The staff member stepped aside.
"You have a visitor."
A familiar red-haired woman came into view.
"Scarlet," Boros said, scratching the back of his head.
Dark bags hung beneath his eyes.
He looked like he hadn't slept at all.
Scarlet blinked.
"You look terrible."
"Thanks."
"I was sent to remind you about-"
"The induction."
Boros cut her off.
"I remember."
"A-Alright then." Scarlet cleared her throat.
"It's starting soon, so please don't take too long."
Then she lifted the bag she was carrying.
"I was also asked to give you these."
She opened it and pulled out three folded uniforms.
Each consisted of black combat attire reinforced with leather guards around the forearms and knees, designed for both training and field missions.
Folded neatly on top was a white coat.
Black tiger-stripe patterns ran along the cuffs and edges.
A crimson roaring tiger was embroidered over the left breast, while a much larger white tiger stretched across the back, claws extended and jaws open in a silent roar.
Silver fang-shaped clasps fastened the coat at the front.
"Woah."
For the first time that morning, Boros looked awake.
Scarlet handed the uniforms over.
"These are the White Tigers Guild uniforms."
She straightened.
"You're expected to wear them during the induction ceremony."
Boros nodded.
"They look good."
Scarlet smiled faintly.
"See you there."
After a quick bow, she turned and left.
Boros placed the uniforms carefully on the bed.
Then he scratched his neck.
"Akeno and Kinuko should be awake by now."
A moment later he was walking down the hallway.
Reaching their room, he knocked twice.
The door opened almost immediately.
"Ooh, Shiro."
Akeno stood there wearing pajamas.
"Come in."
Boros stepped inside.
"I thought you were one of the staff again."
Akeno closed the door behind him.
"I went downstairs earlier and everyone was already working."
"Cleaning, organizing stuff, moving furniture-"
"So you've been awake for a while?" Boros interrupted.
"...Yeah?"
"And you didn't come see me."
Akeno immediately looked away.
"Well..."
"That's because..."
Boros narrowed his eyes.
"You and Kinuko have been acting weird since yesterday."
He glanced around the room.
"Speaking of which, where is she?"
"In the shower."
"I see."
Boros folded his arms.
"Anyway."
"If something's bothering you two, just tell me."
Akeno looked up.
"We're a team."
"Whatever it is, we'll deal with it together."
Akeno winced internally.
'Way to make me feel even worse.'
"Oi."
Boros' voice snapped her back to reality.
He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
"So?"
He looked directly at her.
"What's going on?"
Akeno rubbed her hands together nervously.
"Shiro..."
"There's something I want to tell you."
"I'm listening."
She took a deep breath.
"Yesterday, after everyone left..."
"Kinuko told me about what you told her."
Boros remained silent.
"About your memories."
"Or... lack of memories."
Akeno swallowed.
"And I said something stupid."
"I kinda wished I was in your position."
The words came out quickly.
"I wasn't thinking."
"I didn't consider how you might feel."
She lowered her head.
"I'm sorry."
Silence.
Several seconds passed.
Then-
"That's it?"
Akeno blinked.
"What?"
"And here I thought it was something important."
Boros stood up.
Akeno stared at him.
"Shiro, this is important."
"Your feelings matter and I-"
"When you and Kinuko were talking yesterday..."
He scratched his cheek.
"I overheard you."
Akeno froze.
"You what?"
"I heard the whole thing."
Her face immediately turned red.
"Oh."
"Yeah." Boros shrugged.
"It annoyed me at first."
Akeno looked down.
"But after thinking about it..."
He sighed.
"I knew you weren't trying to hurt me."
There was no accusation in his voice.
No anger.
Just simple honesty.
"So instead of being annoyed..."
His gaze settled on her.
"I started wondering what kind of life you've had."
Akeno stiffened.
"What kind of life makes somebody want to forget everything?"
The room became quiet.
"It doesn't matter."
Akeno looked away.
"My past isn't important."
"You're right."
Boros stepped closer.
"Your past doesn't matter to me."
He gently lifted her chin.
"But you do."
Akeno's eyes widened.
Boros scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I'm terrible at this emotional stuff."
"Honestly, I don't even know if I'm saying the right thing."
A small laugh escaped him.
"But I think we're way past the point where I'd get mad at you over something like that."
His expression softened.
"We've been through too much together."
Akeno stared at him for a moment.
Then she laughed.
"Yeah."
"It is kinda crazy."
Her grin returned.
"Two months ago you were peeping on me at a river."
"I was not peeping."
"Sure."
"I wasn't."
"Sure."
Boros rolled his eyes.
"My memory situation sucks."
"I hate not knowing who I am."
"But I'd never get mad at you over something this small."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Akeno suddenly grabbed the back of his head and pulled him into her chest.
"Again?!" Boros muffled.
Akeno ignored him.
"I know you forgive me."
She smiled.
"But I'll be more careful from now on."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"And don't let the memory thing eat at you too much."
"We'll figure it out together."
Boros' voice came out muffled.
"You know..."
"Hm?"
"I liked you better when you were depressed."
Akeno laughed.
"Sure you did."