Yutaka broke into a grin, relieved. He gripped Lottie's hand with his free one. He paused when he realized he didn't know how to shake hands; he was familiar with the custom, having met his fair share of westerners, but it wasn't very popular in Greater East Asia.

He squeezed her hand and released it.

"We'll find a way to rescue everyone," he said, his confidence rising. "I'll keep you safe until we can get out of here. Promise!"

He could almost hear his friends, far away though they were, laughing at him now.

Oh, shut up, he told them. I'm the one with the hatchet.