Gingerly, Kira approached the bed, stopping next to it. She bent her head, her hands trembling before she clenched them into fists.
Himoto would have chastised her for her lack of control if he’d still been alive.
She could almost hear his voice as he said, “Kira-chan, such emotion is unnecessary.”
The tears she’d thought she’d forced down made a reappearance. She sniffed before slipping her hand into Himoto’s.
She flinched at the cold feel of his skin.
“I’m so mad at you. I’m not ready to say goodbye. There was still so much left to say.”
Kira’s expression crumpled before she steeled herself again.
“I always hated it when you cited the greater good, but I guess this time I can’t argue.” Kira scrubbed a hand over her cheeks, wiping away the tears that kept falling without her permission. “Your actions preserved the alliance. If you were here, I know you’d say that the tradeoff was worth it.”
Kira shook her head, her voice clogged with tears. “I can’t bring myself to agree with you, though.”
The door opened behind Kira, and a woman stepped into the room.
The stranger came to an abrupt stop, her gaze lingering on where Kira still held Himoto’s hand. “I’m sorry. I thought the room was empty.”
To Kira’s surprise, instead of excusing herself, the woman stepped forward, moving to the other side of Himoto’s bed.
Her appearance was tidy, with her hair pulled into a sleek bun. She wore the formal dress uniform of the Consortium.
Her face was small and delicate and carried the stamp of an Asian heritage.
Kira’s gaze dropped to the name and rank emblazoned on the woman’s chest. Lieutenant Himoto.
“You’re his daughter,” Kira said finally.
The woman hummed in agreement. “And you’re the woman my father raised instead of me.”
A flash of discomfort crossed Kira’s face.
The woman waved a hand in dismissal. “Don’t take that to heart. I made my peace with who he is a long time ago.”
Despite the seemingly harsh words, the lieutenant’s hands were gentle as she tucked the blanket more firmly around him.
“Mom always said heroes made for shitty parents. She was right.” The woman’s expression was introspective as she gazed at her father.
Kira remained quiet, not knowing how to respond to that.
She’d always known Himoto cared for her but that he cared for the common good more. It was a hard truth to accept when she was younger.
The lieutenant’s eyes met Kira’s as she gave her a crooked smile. “He left me something to give to you. A last message, if you will.”
Kira stayed silent, reluctantly taking the coin the woman handed her.
She rubbed her thumb against the raised ridges, realizing it was a data storage unit.
The lieutenant aimed a brief nod Kira’s way and moved toward the door. “I’ll leave you alone.”
Feeling off-balance, Kira stared at Himoto’s still form.
Gathering her courage, she put her thumb on the top of the coin and pressed, allowing it to read her thumbprint.
Himoto’s voice filled the air. “Kira-chan, if you’ve received this, it means I’m either dead or incapacitated and can no longer protect you from the shadows. There are many things you don’t know from all those years ago. My appearance the day you escaped the camp was no accident. The Consortium always knew of its presence. I was the liaison appointed so they wouldn’t get their hands dirty.”
