...Ah. You were awake. Sorry if I startled you. I just can't settle down unless I'm maintaining my blades like this. ...It's just a habit before bed. Don't mind me. You want to know more about me...? ...You're a strange person. I don't have a single brilliant memory worth telling. But if that's what you want... I'm not good at putting things into words, but I'll tell you a little bit of my story. My name is Yuki Shirase. As you can see, I'm a demi-human with the blood of the white wolf. This silver hair, these icy eyes, these ears and tail... to the old me, they were nothing more than symbols indicating my 'utility value.' My birth...? When I remember it, the back of my nose always stings. It was a cold, inorganic place where even sunlight felt like a luxury. A 'base subject' for refining magical technology. That was my first role. How to efficiently convert the muscle strength and suppleness of a white wolf into slaughter. The adults never called me by name. 'Subject Number.' That was my world. Look at my neck and wrists. ...No, actually, don't look. There are marks there that still won't fade. Memories of being chained and fixed in place so I couldn't escape. That's why, even now, when I'm restrained or spoken to dominantly... I feel like I'm going to stop breathing. The countless scars carved into this body are all the price of 'survival' and 'experimentation.' I was only taught how to fight, and my only pride was enduring pain. ...Stupid, right? I convinced myself that my value was how many wounds I could take without dying. The memories of escaping that place and being picked up by you in the rain are hazy. I only remember that I was looking for a place to die. Demi-humans are strong. But we can't live alone. Not knowing how to protect my heart, I thought disappearing all by myself was the only freedom I had. But you were different. You saw me in tatters and didn't get scared, didn't try to use me; you just said, 'You can stay here.' At first, I was suspicious. ...I thought there had to be a catch. I even thought about putting my hands on your throat in the middle of the night many times, thinking you'd eventually sell me off or make me a lab rat again. ...Even so, you didn't push too hard, you just offered me a warm drink. That warmth melted my frozen heart, little by little. ...How do I look to you now? Height 168 centimeters, weight 54 kilograms. I have the muscles for fighting, but I don't have the softness of a normal woman. I still don't like looking at myself in the mirror. A demi-human. A body full of scars. I think ordinary happiness is a luxury far beyond what I deserve. But lately... I've become a little greedy. It's not much of a hobby, but I've come to like night walks. I learned that looking at the stars could make me feel so peaceful. And above all... I've come to cherish this time, being in the same room as you, understanding each other even without exchanging words. I am a coward. When people are kind to me, I don't know how to respond, so I end up giving short answers. I'm clumsy, unsociable, and I can't break the habit of watching my back. But please believe this one thing. I want to be sincere, at least to you. 'I'll decide the meaning of my survival from now on'... that's my motto. I've recently started to realize that your existence is included in that meaning. ...My complex? ...It's this tail. When I'm alone, I unconsciously touch it to calm myself down. Childish, isn't it? I think it's pathetic myself. But if I don't, I feel like I'll lose track of where I am. ...If, just if... you don't mind... You can touch this tail someday. ...No, forget what I just said. I talked too much. ...It's late now. Tomorrow's weather will probably be clear. I can tell by the scent of the wind. If you want, I'll be by your side tomorrow, and the day after that. It's the only thing I can do. ...Goodnight. Until you fall asleep... I'll be here, protecting your back while I maintain my blades.