«I’ll tell you one more time, Genzō.»

Reon flashed an amused smile.

«What are your intentions?»

He took a step forward, approaching Aoi, who was still on the ground.

«Reon...»

Genzō’s eyes were hidden in the shadow of his face.

Then he stepped forward too.

«Touch her again.»

He slowly lifted his eyes.

«And I’ll show you what a Fuyumi is capable of.»

His gaze was that of a hunter sizing up his prey.

«Ruthless... ahahah.»

Reon laughed, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.

«I’m leaving.»

He cast one last glance at the girl.

«I only did what I was ordered to do.»

He walked toward the exit with one hand in his pocket.

«Fighting you isn’t part of my duties.»

Genzō watched him go, motionless.

«For now, at least...»

he disappeared beyond the threshold.

«Are you all right?»

He crouched down toward Aoi. His expression was different from usual — less harsh, almost uncertain.

The girl stared at him, frozen, her eyes full of fear.

That fear struck him more than any words could.

Genzō lowered his gaze to his hands. They were still stained with blood, thick, dark, clotted along his fingers and wrists.

Aoi jerked back, crawling away on her hands.

«I...»

She took a step forward, then stopped.

She saw herself reflected in the mirror mounted on the wall: her clothes stained with blood.

Genzō slowly lowered his hand.

«I won’t hurt you.»

His voice was low, controlled, but different than before.

«Stay... away from me. Please.» she said hesitantly.

The silence that followed weighed heavier than any threat.

Without another word she moved away from him and went into the bathroom.

He stared at the floor for a moment, then at his reflection.

He undressed quickly and turned on the shower.

He pressed an arm against the cold tiles as the water hit him, washing away the blood.

As if, with it, a part of himself were going too.

A long time later, Genzō came out of the bathroom.

When he opened the door he stopped dead.

Aoi was sitting on the mattress, her gaze fixed downward.

«Genzō!» she said in surprise.

«Aoi...» he pronounced her name in a voice lower than usual.

«I...» she searched for words, then lost them.

«I’m sorry for how I reacted...» she lowered her eyes again.

«It doesn’t matter.» Genzō moved closer to her.

«Rather, are you okay?»

He gently brushed her neck. Reon’s fingers had left marks that were still visible.

Aoi gave a soft groan.

Genzō withdrew his hand.

«The bath is still warm. Go under the hot water.»

He straightened, putting some distance between them.

«I... can’t...» she repeated, like the night before.

«Can you explain why you can’t?» Genzō asked, calmer.

Aoi hesitated for a moment and stood up.

Then, with a slow, measured motion, she slipped off her white dress, left only in her underwear.

«What the...» Genzō’s eyes widened.

Her body was marked everywhere: bruises of various shades, superficial cuts, older scars that told of past violence.

«Who did this to you?» his voice cracked, losing its usual coldness.

Aoi didn’t answer. She kept her eyes down, fingers clenched against her hips.

«Some movements hurt...» she finally said, almost whispering.

«I can’t... wash myself.»

She blushed as she admitted it.

Silence fell again in the room, heavy as lead.

Genzō clenched his jaw. Then he spoke, with a calm that did not belong to him.

«Don’t worry.»

«I’ll help you.» he told her.

Several minutes passed.

Genzō sat on the mattress, waiting for Aoi to give him permission to enter.

«Genzō...» her voice called him from beyond the door.

«You can... come,» she hesitated for a moment.

«I’m coming,» he replied, rising.

He began to open the door slowly.

«I’m coming in,» he warned.

When he entered the room, Aoi was seated on a small stool, her shoulders turned toward the entrance, trying to cover herself as much as possible.

«Don’t worry, I’ll be quick,» he tried to reassure her.

He took the handheld shower and sat behind her.

He couldn’t help noticing the wounds across her back.

—Here too...— he thought.

He gently turned on the water.

The spray hit her back and a moan slipped from her lips.

«Does the water bother you?» he asked.

«No, it’s fine,» she answered, beginning to relax.

«Aoi... may I ask you something?» he continued, moving the shower slowly.

«Yes,» she nodded.

«Is it true that earlier you tried to run away?» he asked.

«Well... I...» she lacked the words.

«Yes, I tried...» she summoned the courage.

«And why did you do it?» he asked.

«Genzō... I don’t want to...» her voice broke.

«I don’t want to go back to that man...» she finally said.

«You mean... your buyer?»

She nodded again.

The following minutes passed in total silence. When Aoi finished bathing, Genzō left the room, leaving her alone.

«What are you thinking?» Kokuen’s voice echoed in his mind.

«Nothing. She’s merchandise and as such she will be sold,» he answered.

«And yet I hear hesitation in your voice,» said the spirit, before vanishing with that last remark.

Aoi came out shortly after. Her face looked relaxed and it struck Genzō.

«Listen...» she approached him.

«Thank you...» she bowed her head in gratitude.

«No need,» he replied coldly, heading toward the kitchen.

A faint smile spread across her face.

«I’d like to cook,» she said.

«Take your time,» he said, sitting down to watch her as he had the night before.

The night passed quickly.

Aoi slept in the bed.

In Genzō’s room, however, there was no sign of him.

He walked through the monastery corridors, clenching his hands tightly.

Soon he found himself in the garden, lit by the moonlight.

«I was waiting for you,» a voice greeted him.

«Little brother,» Kanzō smiled as he addressed Genzō.

«Kanzō...» he pronounced his name hesitantly.

«So, Genzō, why did you have me come here at this hour?»

The moon shone behind him.

«Well...»

—What am I doing...—

«I wanted to talk to you about the merchandise.»

—Why did I come here...—

«I don’t think we should sell her to that man.»

—What am I saying...—

«Brother, let her go.»

—Why did I do it for her...—