Akane turned to me and bowed deeply, her forehead nearly touching the tatami floor, her shoulders trembling with desperation.
"Please… save her, Jack. I'm begging you. She's like a daughter to me. I've already lost too many… I can't lose Tachibana, too."
I quickly stepped forward and held her shoulders firmly, stopping her from lowering herself any further. "Don't do that," I said gently but firmly, pulling her back up to her feet. "I already told you I'll help. You don't need to kneel for this."
From the blood-stained bed, Tachibana suddenly raised her voice in anger, though it came out weak, raspy, and broken by pain:
"Master…! You don't need… to bow… to him! Stop it right now!" She coughed violently, fresh blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "Anyway… I know my own injury better than anyone… It's pointless. Just let me die in peace."
Akane still looked ready to kowtow again. I kept my hands on her shoulders, holding her tightly so she couldn't sink back down.
