Shuo woke early the next morning.
He hadn't woken naturally. The noises outside had roused him-the creak of stretchers rolling over the ground, the hurried footsteps of ninja, and the occasional distant explosion, muffled, as though striking stone.
The war wasn't over yet.
He lay still, listening with his eyes closed for a while. Those clamorous sounds surged in like a tide, only for him to slowly push them aside.
Only then did he sit up, his hair a mess, a trace of lingering sleepiness in his eyes.
On the bed opposite him, the quilt was neatly folded, just as always.
The space by the window was empty. Sai had gone out again. A paper bag sat on the table, still giving off a little steam, warm to the touch.
He walked over and casually opened it-two rice balls and a bottle of tea, still warm. A note lay tucked beside them, the handwriting neat, without any unnecessary strokes: "The cafeteria's open. Brought these for you two. -Shin"
Shuo picked up the note and looked at it for three seconds. Expressionless, he slowly folded it, slipped it into his trouser pocket, and turned to wash up.
His movements were languid, entirely unaffected by the atmosphere of war outside the window.
He had just finished drying his face when the door opened. Sai walked in carrying a paper bag. Seeing the one on the table, he paused, his steps coming to a halt. "Shin came by?"
"Yeah." Shuo picked up a rice ball and took a large bite.
The two sat down to eat without much conversation, only the sounds of chewing. Halfway through, a sudden knock rang out, urgent and loud.
"Come in." Shuo didn't even lift his head, his tone lazy.
The door burst open with a bang, and