Kozuki Hiyori's Submission (Part 2)

The next morning.

Sunlight once again shone through the exquisite lattice windows, dividing the tatami into a checkerboard of light and shadow.

The patches of light were sharper than yesterday, and dust danced within them, clearly visible.

When Dawn woke up, the spot beside him was already empty.

Komurasaki sat with her back to him before the dressing table on the other side of the room. She had only casually draped that now-wrinkled plain white undergarment over herself, her long hair spilling down to conceal most of her cheeks and back.

She sat perfectly straight and motionless, like a porcelain doll that had lost its soul. Only the uncontrollable trembling of her slender shoulders betrayed the collapse and violent turmoil within.

Dawn sat up, the rustle of fabric sounding softly.

The sound made Komurasaki's back stiffen abruptly. Every tiny tremor stopped at once, as though frozen.

The silence lasted roughly ten seconds. Komurasaki slowly raised her hand toward the smooth surface of the dressing table, her fingertips touching a small knife used to trim lamp wicks.

She gripped the handle, spun around sharply, and thrust the knife clutched in her hand—carrying all her hatred, humiliation, and desire for destruction—straight at Dawn's heart!

Just as the blade was about to touch the fabric over his chest, Dawn raised his right hand.

His index finger and thumb precisely pinched the gleaming tip of the blade.

"Crack."

The soft sound was exceptionally clear in the deathly silent room.

The blade, sharp enough to slice through flesh, snapped between his two fingers like the most fragile biscuit. The front half fell onto the tatami with a clatter, rolled a few times, and stopped.

Carried forward by the force of her lunge, Komurasaki pitched forward uncontrollably. Dawn's other hand caught her shoulder, and with a