"Let's go, Tendou."
Lin Xiao rose from the sofa and patted his trouser legs. "Let's meet that 'young master who stands at the pinnacle of everything.'"
"Wait a moment."
Tendou Souji straightened the collar of his trench coat. Though he was usually insufferably arrogant around outsiders, deep down, this king of swagger was an exceptionally attentive and considerate older brother to his family.
He walked to the sliding paper door of the inner room, gently tapped its frame, and softened his voice.
"Tendou Juka, Hiyori. Lin Xiao and I are going out to take care of something. We'll be back before lunch."
Whoosh-
No sooner had he spoken than the sliding door gently opened.
Hiyori had just washed her face and changed into a clean cotton sweatshirt Tendou Juka had lent her. Some color had returned to her pale cheeks, and her hair had been neatly tied back.
But when Hiyori and Tendou Juka stepped out and saw Lin Xiao standing by the entryway with his hands in his pockets, Kagami Arata clutching his jacket, and Tendou still carrying a frying pan, all looking ready to march out, the ease on both girls' faces instantly vanished.
"Tendou, Kagami, and Lin Xiao..."
Hiyori looked at the three men preparing to leave, her eyes full of worry. "Are you... really going out again?"
After enduring an entire night of armed raids by the Shadow troops and only just learning the cruel truth, the girl was still on edge.
Beside her, Tendou Juka tugged at Tendou's sleeve, still shaken, and murmured:
"It's so dangerous out there now, big brother. There are strange people everywhere. You're not going to fight those guys with guns again, are you?"
"Don't worry, Hiyori, Tendou Juka."
Tendou Souji straightened his trench coat collar, his gaze steady and gentle,