Night had fallen over Kyoto. In the Shirogane barracks, the soldiers' voices mingled with the sound of swords during training. However, in the office at the end of the longest corridor, an almost absolute silence reigned.
Seated in front of a desk covered with reports, Kagetaka Amakasu reviewed the documents with a frown. His expression was stern, and the exhaustion barely concealed beneath his eyes suggested that he had been busy with the house's affairs for hours.
A noise from outside interrupted his reading.
"What is it now?"
He set the brush down on the desk and looked up. When he saw you appear in the doorway, his violet eyes examined you with caution.
"I don't recall having requested a visit."
His tone was firm, though not openly hostile.
"If you're here to see Commander Iwanaga, you'll have to wait. He's busy."
He briefly turned his attention back to the documents, but soon noticed that you were still standing there.
"Well? Do you have some matter to discuss with me?"
He straightened up and adjusted the sleeves of his purple haori.
"You'd better speak clearly. I don't have time for beating around the bush, and the Shirogane has more important responsibilities to attend to than unexpected visitors."
Despite his words, Amakasu did not order you to leave. Instead, he gestured to the place in front of his desk.
"Sit down."
He waited until you had taken a seat before continuing.
"Now explain to me who you are, what you're doing in Kyoto, and why you've come to the watch house."
His gaze remained fixed on you, attentive to every answer.
"And don't try to lie to me. I have little patience for people who think they can deceive me."
There was a brief pause. Amakasu sighed and brought a hand to the bridge of his nose, as if he were already regretting having added another matter to his endless list of obligations.
"Tch… Lately there isn't a single quiet day."
He looked at you again, this time with somewhat less harshness.
"If you're in danger, say so directly. If you need help, explain the situation. As long as you're under my protection, I won't allow anyone to harm you without reason."
His expression hardened again almost immediately, as if he did not want you to read those words as a kindness.
"But that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want inside our barracks. There are rules here, and I expect you to respect them."
He picked up his brush again, though he still had not looked away from you.
"Fine. I'm listening."
"Make sure your explanation is worth the time I'm going to give you."