17. Rose in the dark
The space seemed to freeze after those words.
Barokuro didn't ask further. He didn't need to. The coldness mixed with a trace of hurt in Giginose's eyes said it all.
They stayed silent for a long while. Only the faint sound from the stone walls breathed out the biting cold.
Suddenly, Giginose lifted his head.
"Footsteps."
Barokuro reacted instantly, hand on his dagger's hilt. He listened closely. Indeed-very soft, but no escape from the ears of two veteran assassins.
"We're being followed," Giginose whispered, glancing at Barokuro. "Prepare."
---
They extinguished their magical stones, letting darkness swallow the room. The footsteps abruptly stopped. But it was too late-Giginose swung his arm, a volley of throwing knives flew straight at the entrance. The stalker screamed and collapsed onto the stone floor, blood pooling.
Barokuro rushed forward, pinning the man down and yanking off his hood.
"Not a usual enemy." He frowned. "An experimental mage?"
Giginose's brow tightened. His red eyes flickered with a chilling light.
The captured man trembled, gaze vacant: "You... must not touch that mirror. It's a living memory. If you stare too long... it will pull you in."
Barokuro squinted. "Living memory? What do you mean?"
The man didn't answer. He laughed, then blood began to pour from his mouth-self-destructing.
Giginose clenched his fist. "...Someone's controlling them remotely. And they want to protect the mirror."
Barokuro looked at Giginose. His voice lowered, no trace of mockery:
"Maybe this isn't just a mission. It's a strike aimed specifically at you."
---
Night fell fast and heavy over the land around the abandoned fortress. Wind howled through crumbling walls, making eerie sounds like whispers from ancient souls.
Barokuro tended the fire. Though he said nothing, he knew Giginose needed time to regain composure after the memories. He wasn't stupid. Just pretending when necessary.
After a while, Giginose returned. He sat beside the fire, face bathed in soft orange light.
"...I don't remember much." His voice was low. "Just... unpleasant memories."
Barokuro didn't interrupt. He gently handed him a hot water pouch and silently sat nearby.
"But I think..." Giginose continued softly, "...someone once tried to protect me. A man. He didn't let me be killed. Even though that place... was cruel."
Barokuro tilted his head, leaning on Giginose's shoulder. "Then this time, let me protect you."
Giginose glanced at him. "Don't joke."
"I'm not joking." He smiled, rare gentleness in his tone. "You're my partner. Even if you punch me a few more times, I won't let anyone touch a single hair on your head."
Giginose was about to reply sarcastically, but stopped. For some reason, the faint red rose scent from his hair made Barokuro squeeze his tea cup tighter.
Later, after Giginose had fallen into a deep sleep, Barokuro quietly opened his eyes.
He quietly moved to the bed beside him, lying down close enough-not touching, but near enough to feel the warmth.
He bowed his head; his pink hair spilled over Giginose's shoulder.
That gentle red rose scent... had appeared countless times in dreams, but never as clearly as now.
"Good night, Gigi." He whispered. "I'm here."
---
Early morning.
Light filtered through the shattered window panes, casting onto the ashes left from last night's fire. Giginose had long awakened, checking his weapons. Barokuro washed his face with melted snow, wincing at the cold.
"You're up early." He muttered, glancing at Giginose. "Sleep well?"
"Okay." Giginose replied softly, glancing at the empty bed beside him.
Barokuro only smiled, saying nothing more.
---
They delved deeper into the fortress. The organization's map indicated an ancient underground storage-built during the old magical wars. Strangely, no traps, no magical wards. Everything seemed... inviting them in.
"Be careful." Giginose said. "The easier it looks, the more dangerous it is."
They reached a massive stone door, inscribed with ancient runes. Barokuro lowered his gaze, blinking slowly:
"...This. It's the mark of a banished witch clan. They specialized in magic linked to memories and mind reflections."
Giginose placed his hand on the stone.
"If you look too long... you'll be pulled in."
The experimental mage's words from last night echoed in his mind.
Barokuro activated the unlocking spell. The door slid open, revealing a circular chamber... and in the middle stood a full-length mirror, draped in black cloth.
Giginose went still.
The mirror's surface was hidden, but something inside his chest stung faintly.
"...You want to open it?" Barokuro asked.
Giginose was silent for a moment. Then he nodded.
Barokuro stepped forward, hand on the black cloth, slowly pulling it down.
The mirror appeared. But it did not reflect them-only another corner of the room, soaked in blood. There sat a boy with tangled red hair, curled up. In his hands, a broken doll, while voices dripping with malice circled him:
"You worthless trash."
"He's a failed experiment."
"Kill him. Or throw him into the reflection room."
Giginose didn't look away from the mirror.
The boy in the mirror... lifted his head.
Eyes exactly like his.
---
"Giginose!!"
Barokuro shouted, slamming a seal to break the mirror's resonance. A beam of magic struck the frame, causing it to tremble as if forced back into oblivion.
Giginose stepped back, hands clenched. Breathing ragged. Sweat drenched his forehead.
Barokuro rushed to his side, grabbing his shoulders.
"Look at me." His voice sharper than usual. "I said look at me!"
Giginose's red eyes slowly moved, settling on the worried pastel pink gaze.
"I... saw myself." He whispered, voice trembling. "Saw the past."
"You don't have to look if it hurts." Barokuro murmured, thumb wiping a sweat drop from Giginose's temple. "Whatever it is, you're still the Giginose I know. My partner."
Silence settled. Breaths slowed.
But then...
The mirror shattered.
Not by magic.
But because... from inside, a gray-black arm reached out-as if the "memory" itself was furious at being blocked.
Barokuro immediately pulled Giginose behind him. His fist glowed with bright pink magic. "This doesn't belong to the present."
But...
The arm did not attack him.
It only touched his hand-and in that instant, Barokuro saw a memory that wasn't his own.
---
...A sealed room.
A red-haired child locked inside a glass cage.
A pink-haired youth outside, unable to enter, screaming.
"Let him go!"
"Stop! You're killing him!!"
"GIGI!!"
---
Barokuro staggered back, heart pounding like it would burst.
"No way..."
Giginose frowned. "What is it?"
Barokuro looked at him, choking on his words.
"...I think... I met you before." He whispered. "Long before we became partners."
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