Unmei was used to the lively atmosphere at Yankai, with team meetings, training sessions, and the friendship among the members. Most of the team felt like family, and he quickly connected with many of them. But there was one person he hadn't gotten close to Mamoru.
Mamoru was a mystery to Unmei. He seemed cold and distant, focused only on his training. He often worked out alone in the gym and ignored everyone around him. Unmei couldn't remember seeing Mamoru smile or laugh. It felt like there was an invisible wall around him.
One sunny morning, as Unmei was about to go to the gym, Kazu appeared beside him with his usual playful smirk.
"Hey, Unmei! How about a break today? I want you to hang out with someone," Kazu said, nodding toward Mamoru, who stood by the doorway with his arms folded and an unreadable expression.
Unmei blinked in surprise. "Mamoru? Are you sure about this?"
Kazu laughed and nudged Unmei toward Mamoru. "Trust me. You might be surprised. He's not as unapproachable as he seems."
Reluctantly, Unmei followed Kazu to Mamoru, who only gave a slight nod. Mamoru turned and walked ahead without a word, expecting Unmei to follow. Kazu walked beside them, making the silence feel more comfortable, but Mamoru's expression stayed serious.
The three of them walked to the city and explored the vibrant streets. Kazu pointed out shops, street vendors, and landmarks while keeping the conversation light. Mamoru hardly responded, staring into the distance as if he were not present.
Finally, they reached a peaceful park where people lounged, children played, and couples walked along the paths. Kazu suggested getting ice cream from a nearby cart. After some convincing, Mamoru agreed but took his cone with a blank look, showing no joy.
Unmei tried to start a conversation, but every question received short answers or indifferent shrugs. "So, Mamoru, do you have any hobbies outside of training?" Unmei asked, hoping to connect with him.
"No."
"Have you been to this part of town before?"
"No."
"What's your favourite type of mission?"
"I don't have one."
Unmei kept talking to fill the silence. He shared funny stories from recent missions, hoping to make Mamoru smile. Kazu joked around and nudged Mamoru, who remained expressionless.
Even though Mamoru didn't talk much, Unmei noticed small things about him. His eyes softened when he watched children playing. He moved carefully, always scanning for potential threats. There was a kind side to him, hidden behind his tough exterior.
They passed a small pond in the park. Unmei sat on a bench and tried to connect with Mamoru. "Mamoru," he said, leaning back, "why do you train alone? We're a team. We're supposed to support each other."
Mamoru looked away, his face unreadable. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice. "I train alone because I don't want to depend on others. In our work, nothing is certain. If I can't protect myself, I can't protect anyone else."
Unmei nodded, feeling the seriousness of Mamoru's words. It was the most Mamoru had said all day, and it struck a chord with him. He understood the fear of being vulnerable and wanting to be self-reliant. But he also believed that trusting others can make us stronger.
"You know," Unmei said, "teamwork is important too. Relying on others doesn't make you weaker. It can actually make us stronger."
Mamoru didn't reply, but Unmei saw a brief flicker of emotion in his eyes. The rest of the day, they explored the city, moving from one quiet park to another. Mamoru didn't say much, but he stayed with them, seeming to accept Unmei's chatter and Kazu's jokes without complaint.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, Kazu decided to head back to headquarters, giving Unmei and Mamoru a small wave as he strolled off. Unmei glanced at Mamoru, who seemed to be deep in thought.
"Thanks for spending the day with us, Mamoru," Unmei said, trying to sound sincere. "I know you're not really one for hanging out, but… I had a good time."
Mamoru nodded slowly, his expression softening, even if just slightly. He didn't say anything but raised a hand in a small gesture of acknowledgment before turning to leave.
Just as he was about to walk away, he paused and glanced back at Unmei. "You're… different from the others," he said, his voice barely audible.
Unmei blinked, surprised. "Different? How?"
Mamoru hesitated, struggling to find the words. "You… don't give up. On people." His gaze lingered for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving Unmei standing there with a faint smile spreading across his face.
For the first time, he felt like he had cracked a piece of Mamoru's shell. The silent, distant warrior had shown him a hint of trust, and though it was a small step, it felt like the beginning of something meaningful—a friendship that, while quiet and unspoken, was filled with mutual respect and understanding.
As Unmei watched Mamoru disappear into the distance, he felt a sense of pride. The cold, unapproachable Mamoru had let him in, even if just a little. And for Unmei, that was enough.