Chapter Six

"Are you alright?" Itsuki worriedly asked.

They were in the cemetery and had just finished burying the remains of her sister. Mariko was silent the whole day. She didn't even give her eulogy to her sister and asked Itsuki to do it on her behalf. Her eyes were red, but there was no single tear dropped, which had him worried. Itsuki had known Mariko very well. And this kind of grieving will lead to vengeance. He was worried that Mariko will become restless once again. Itsuki was afraid that Mariko will find out the truth. Because if that happens, he knew, she will loathe him for hiding it from her. What's more, their friendship will be over.

Mariko nodded and smiled weakly. "Don't worry about me. I will be okay." She assured him, but her eyes says differently.

"Shall we go home?" Itsuki asked, which made her agree.

"I still have to get back to my post," she informed him.

"You can take a leave for a while-"

"And do what? I know that you're just concerned about me, but you know me, I