But Sesshoin had reached for her Archer. A nameless fire flared in Hakuno's heart.
"Archer!"
Shirou quietly took a step back, putting some distance between them.
"Miss Sesshoin, may I ask what you need?"
"Mr. Archer is suffering terribly, isn't he? I can feel it. Having lost your strength and freedom, you are like a little bird locked in a cage. Hakuno, I'm terribly sorry. Speaking directly to your Archer like this may be troubling for you, perhaps?"
Sesshoin's words actually dispelled Hakuno's anger.
"Besides, I'm so glad you're still alive. When I was attacked by the Shadows, I had already prepared myself for the worst."
The word Shadows instantly caught Hakuno's attention.
"Shadows?"
"Don't you remember, Miss Hakuno? I fell while running away and was unfortunately swallowed by the Shadows. I called out to you as you ran toward the stairs. Don't you remember?"
Hakuno shook her head, and her mind began to spin. Her face turned pale. So someone had called for help? Shinji too, and Kiyohime Sesshoin too—she hadn't saved a single one of them. She had stood by and watched them die.
She couldn't help looking away.
"Please don't blame yourself." Sesshoin smiled gently. "The best thing you could have done then was ignore me and escape."
Her words were so gentle that Hakuno was nearly ready to sink into Sesshoin's embrace.
Shirou keenly noticed this.
"Ahem. Enough small talk. Miss Sesshoin, where is the student council room?"
"It's in the classroom on the right side of the second floor."
"Thank you. Master, come on. Let's take a look."
Though Hakuno was somewhat reluctant, she obediently followed Shirou.
Before leaving, she thanked Sesshoin and said goodbye.
Shirou quickly reached the stairwell, turned the corner, then stopped and quietly watched Sesshoin heading out of the school.
"Archer,