**Chapter 6: Shadows of Guilt**

The silence that followed was oppressive, punctuated only by Nozomi's labored breathing and the soft clinking of Saki's cleaning supplies. Rin continued to hold Nozomi's arm, her eyes fixed on the floor, unable to meet Saki's gaze. She knew she had to face the consequences of her actions, but for now, she just felt a deep and abiding sense of shame. Saki finished cleaning Nozomi and gently covered her with a blanket. Nozomi's eyes fluttered closed, and she lay still, her chest rising and falling with each slow breath. Saki's expression softened as she looked at Nozomi, and she reached out to brush a strand of hair out of her face. Rin felt a pang of jealousy at the tender moment between Saki and Nozomi. She had always been the one to receive Saki's affection, but now it seemed that Nozomi had taken her place. Rin looked up, her eyes meeting Saki's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Saki's gaze was piercing, as if searching for something in Rin's eyes. Rin felt a shiver run down her spine as Saki's expression turned cold. "Rin, I need to talk to you," Saki said, her voice low and even. Rin nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. She knew she had to face Saki's wrath, but she was unsure of what to expect. Saki stood up, her movements fluid and deliberate, and gestured for Rin to follow her. Rin hesitated for a moment, glancing at Nozomi, who lay still and silent. She felt a pang of guilt and regret, but Saki's expression brooked no argument. Rin slowly got to her feet and followed Saki out of the room. The hallway was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning. Saki stopped in front of a door, her hand on the handle. "In here," she said, her voice firm. Rin nodded, feeling a sense of foreboding. She followed Saki into the room, which turned out to be a small study. The walls were lined with books, and a large desk sat in the center of the room. Saki gestured for Rin to sit down, and Rin obeyed, her heart racing with anticipation. Saki sat down behind the desk, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Rin. "Rin, I know you're sorry," she said, her voice cold. "But sorry isn't enough. You need to understand what you've done, and you need to make it right." Rin felt a surge of fear as Saki's words hung in the air. She knew she had to make things right, but she was unsure of how. Saki's expression was unreadable, and Rin felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her. "What do I need to do?" Rin asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Saki's gaze was piercing. "You need to take responsibility for your actions," she said. "You need to help me take care of Nozomi, and you need to make sure that something like this never happens again." Rin nodded, feeling a sense of determination. She knew she had to make things right, and she was willing to do whatever it took. But as she looked at Saki, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in over her head.