I still shook my head and said seriously, looking straight into their eyes, "Don’t worry. There is no such side effect. I’m really not lying. This is just normal exhaustion that will pass after some rest. Please don’t overthink it."

Akane and Tachibana kept staring at me intently, searching my face for any sign of deception. The room grew heavy with silence. Akane eventually sighed and gently held Tachibana’s hand, squeezing it softly.

"Tachibana... let’s forget it. He doesn’t want to say it. We shouldn’t force him."

Tachibana showed clear annoyance, her brows furrowed deeply above her mask. "But Master...! He’s obviously hiding something. We can’t just ignore—"

Akane shook her head firmly at her disciple, giving her a meaningful look that said Not now.’

Tachibana clicked her tongue in frustration and shot me an angry glare, her eyes burning with irritation. She then turned back to Akane and exclaimed, "Master... about Sister Hitomi... if we—"

Akane quickly cut her off, her voice sharp. "Tachibana! Stop."

Tachibana hesitated, clearly conflicted. "But Master..."

I slowly sat up a little more on the bed, my expression turning serious. "What happened? Is anyone injured? If something’s wrong with your other disciples, tell me. Maybe I can help."

Akane immediately shook her head, forcing a calm smile. "No, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it, Jack. You’ve already done more than enough tonight."

Tachibana then looked directly at me, her voice softening just a fraction. "Jack..."

Akane quickly stepped in again, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Don’t listen to her. Let me take you back home now. If Yuko and the others notice you’re missing, they’ll be worried sick. It’s almost morning already. You need proper rest in your own bed."

Tachibana bit her lip hard, her fists clenched at her sides. She looked torn between wanting to speak and obeying her master.

I didn’t move from the bed. Instead, I looked at Akane with calm but purposeful eyes. "Didn’t you say... You would do anything if I saved your disciple?"

Akane met my gaze steadily. After a brief pause, she nodded. "Yes, I did. And I stand by my word. Is there anything you want me to do for you, Jack? Just say it."

Before Akane could continue, Tachibana suddenly moved forward and covered her master with her body protectively, as if shielding her from me. Her voice came out rushed and stubborn.

"Don’t make any unreasonable demands on Master! If you want something... if you have any request at all... You can talk to me instead. I will... I will do it. Whatever it is. Just leave Master out of it."

Her cheeks were slightly flushed above the mask, and her eyes showed a mix of defiance and embarrassment at her own bold offer.

I looked at Tachibana and smiled gently. "Oh...? Then, please tell me about your Sister Hitomi. That is my request."

Both Tachibana and Akane froze, staring at me in complete surprise. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.

Tachibana’s eyes widened dramatically behind her mask. "Wha—?! How do you... Why are you suddenly asking about Hitomi?! What does she have to do with you?!"

Akane’s expression became deeply complicated — a mixture of caution, reluctance, lingering pain, and slight worry. She glanced at Tachibana, then back at me, clearly struggling with how much to reveal.

I looked at both of them calmly and said, "Just tell me. Please." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Akane hesitated for a few more seconds, then looked at Tachibana and gave her a small, reluctant nod, silently permitting her to speak.

Tachibana took a deep breath, her shoulders tense. She spoke in a low, heavy voice. "Sister Hitomi... is our senior sister. The strongest and most reliable among us. It’s been almost a month now. That day, Master assigned her a mission to assassinate a high-profile target — a corrupt official who was deeply involved in human trafficking rings. She completed her task perfectly, just like always. But just as she was about to leave the villa..."

Tachibana’s voice cracked. She had to pause and swallow hard before continuing.

"...the entire villa exploded. It was a trap. A hidden failsafe they had prepared in case anyone came after him. Sister Hitomi survived the blast... but only barely."

I saw fresh tears glistening in both Akane’s and Tachibana’s eyes. The pain on their faces was raw and unmistakable.

"But what...?" I pressed gently. "Just tell me everything."

Akane’s voice came out shaking, filled with guilt and self-blame. "Her face... her entire body... is covered in terrible burning marks. The flames were unnatural — some kind of chemical fire. No normal medicine or healing technique has worked. She’s... she’s suffering so much. And it’s all my fault. I was the one who sent her on that mission. I should have checked for traps more thoroughly. I failed her as her Master."

Tachibana wiped her eyes quickly, trying to maintain her tough front, but her voice trembled. "Hitomi-neesan was always so beautiful and graceful. Now she hides herself from everyone. She refuses to let us see her like that. She said she doesn’t want to be pitied... especially not by us."

I sat up straighter on the bed, determination clear in my voice. "Where is she? Take me to see her right now. I can heal her."

Akane immediately held my arm, gripping it tightly. "No. You are not in the right condition, Jack. I know you’re clearly lying to us about the side effects of your healing ability. I already owe you more than I can ever repay after what you did for Tachibana tonight. I can’t ask you to push yourself even further. I won’t allow it."

I turned my gaze to Tachibana and said firmly, "Take me to see her."

Tachibana had tears still clinging to her lashes. She looked into my eyes, visibly conflicted. For a moment, she seemed ready to agree, but then she shook her head slowly. "You... Even after everything, you still want to help? But... I don’t know where she is right now. After that incident, she left on her own. She said she needed time alone. Only Master knows her current location."

I turned back to Akane, my expression serious. "Please. Let me help her, too."