Aoko jumped reflexively when the makeshift senbon thudded into the wall a scant thumb's width from her ear, making it easier for Kaito to drag her back a few stumbling steps before she dug her heels into the carpet.

No, not now! It had been so hard to get 1412 to trust her in the first place. If they just left like this--

"Kaito, let go!" she demanded, yanking hard on her arm without thinking, without stopping to reason.