Page 281 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Yes."

"And the outer lock required equal blood."

"Yes."

Haruki removed his glove. Renji caught his wrist.

"No."

Haruki looked down at Renji's hand. The contact had become familiar. That did not lessen its authority.

"You came here because the Archive may explain who destroyed your family," Haruki said.

"I came because it may explain what they hid."

"And you believe I should stand outside while you open it alone."

"I cannot open it alone."

"That is my point."

Renji's fingers tightened. Haruki did not pull away.

"There may be consequences," Renji said.

"There are consequences if we leave it sealed."

"You are not expendable."

"Neither are you."

"That is not equivalent."

Haruki's expression changed. Only slightly. Enough. Renji heard what he had said. Notthe risks are different.Notyour biologymakes the mechanism unpredictable.Notwe require you to lead the investigation.

You are not expendable. Neither are you.

Renji released his wrist. The silence that followed belonged to more than the room.

Haruki removed the other glove.

"If it requires blood, how much?"

"I do not know."

"That seems to be today's theme."

"Haruki."

"I'm not doing this to prove anything."

"I know."

"Then stop treating it as though I am."

Renji looked at him. Haruki's face remained calm. No recklessness. No attempt to turn danger into devotion. Only decision. The same decision Sota had described in the garden — staying because leaving would place the burden on someone else. Renji disliked the resemblance. He disliked more that it was true.

Akiko opened the medical kit.