Chapter 2414 - App 92

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.

"Don't worry, Akane. I've got this," I reassured her, my voice steady.

Tachibana's pale, sweat-drenched face twisted with frustration and defiance. Even on the verge of death, her spirit burned fiercely like a cornered wildcat.

"Master... don't bow down to him! He must be fooling you with those smooth words!" She turned her dull, hazy eyes toward me and glared weakly, her breathing labored. "Tell me... Why are you really here? What do you want from my Master? Speak clearly, you bastard! Money? Power? Or just another pretty girl to add to your collection?"

I looked at both of them calmly and replied, "I need to see her injuries first before I can do anything properly."

Akane moved closer to the bed, her hands shaking as she gently tried to pull the thin, blood-soaked blanket down. Tachibana immediately grabbed it with what little strength she had left, clutching it tightly against her chest like a shield.

"Master... don't! Don't you dare!" Tachibana cried out hoarsely, her voice cracking with panic and rage. "Don't be fooled by him! I don't know what sweet lies he whispered to you... But I'd rather die than let some rich bastard see my body and use it for his sick fantasies! You know what they're like, Master. They smile kindly, then they destroy everything!"

Akane sighed deeply, looking utterly exhausted and heartbroken. "Tachibana... don't be so stubborn. Just see him as a doctor. Nothing more. He's here to help."

Tachibana shook her head stubbornly, more blood leaking from her mouth as she spoke. "I know all those rich guys, Master. Every single one of them. They're all the same—predators in fancy clothes."

"This must be one of his perverted fetishes. That's why he's really here—to see a dying girl naked and vulnerable. I'd rather die with dignity than be tainted by someone like him. My body is mine. No man gets to look at it just because he has money and a healing quirk!"

Akane turned to me with an apologetic and deeply embarrassed expression. "Jack... please don't listen to her nonsense. She's not herself right now. The pain, the blood loss, and the fever are making her say these crazy things. She's always been wary of men, but this is worse than usual."

I nodded understandingly and smiled softly. "It's okay. I understand her distrust. She doesn't know me at all, and she's fighting for her pride."

Even while dying, Tachibana still held the blanket in a death grip against her chest as I stepped closer to the bed.

"Don't come any closer!" she warned hoarsely, her voice cracking like brittle glass. "Stay back, you pervert! I swear if you touch me I'll... I'll bite your hand off even if it's the last thing I do!"

I ignored her protests for a moment and gently placed my hand on the side of her face. The moment my palm touched her skin, I activated Healing Touch. A soft, warm white light spread from my hand across her cheek and temple.

"What are you doing—?!" Tachibana started angrily, but her words died in her throat the instant she felt the soothing warmth. Her eyes widened in shock.

The small scar near her temple, the ugly bruises, and the cuts on her face slowly faded away, disappearing completely as if they had never existed. Her skin regained a healthier glow almost instantly, and some of the pain lines on her forehead smoothed out.

Akane's eyes widened in awe. She quickly pulled out her phone, turned on the camera, and held it up so Tachibana could see her own reflection. "Look, Tachibana... The scar on your face is completely gone. And the bruises too. Do you see it?"

Tachibana stared at her reflection in utter disbelief, her trembling eyes filling with confusion and a hint of fear. "...How is this possible? What kind of trick is this? Witchcraft? Drugs? No... this can't be real. Master, don't fall for it! He's probably just showing off to lower our guard!"

She looked back at me, shocked and confused, but her stubbornness refused to crumble. "No... Master, I still don't want this. I don't want to be tainted. Even if he can heal a little, I will not be able to live with myself if I let a man see my naked body."

"It's better to die with honor than to become some rich boy's plaything. I've seen what happens to girls who trust men like him. They end up broken, discarded, and wishing they had died instead."

Akane looked pained beyond words. She spoke softly, almost pleading, her voice thick with emotion: "Tachibana... Jack is not like the other rich men you've met before. He is the brother-in-law of your senior sister, Yuko. He's family. Why don't you trust him just this once...? For my sake? I can't bear watching you suffer like this."

I was genuinely surprised by how unyielding Tachibana was. She was literally on death's door, bleeding internally, yet she clung to her pride and distrust like a lifeline.

I let out a small sigh and said gently, "If it makes you feel more comfortable... I can blindfold myself while treating you. You can guide my hands if needed. I won't see anything."

Tachibana stared at me for a long, heavy moment with her weak, hazy eyes. The room was silent except for her ragged breathing. Then, out of nowhere, she asked in a deadly serious tone laced with bitter sarcasm:

"...Will you marry me?"

The entire room fell deathly silent.

I looked at her in genuine surprise. Even Akane was stunned into speechlessness, her mouth slightly open.

Tachibana let out a weak, depressed chuckle that turned into a painful cough. Blood flecked her lips as she turned her head toward Akane.

"See, Master... look at him. All men are the same. The moment responsibility is mentioned, they freeze or run away. He'll never agree. They never do. They just want the thrill, the body, the conquest. Then they disappear when it gets real. Pathetic."

"I will," I said clearly and without any hesitation, my voice calm and resolute.

Tachibana froze completely. Her dull eyes widened in complete and utter shock, as if I had slapped her back to life.

"I will marry you," I repeated calmly, meeting her gaze directly. "Legally. In front of witnesses, with papers, everything official. I will take care of you as your husband. I will never hurt you, never abandon you, and I will protect you with everything I have. If that's what it takes for you to let me save your life... then I accept. No tricks. No games. I mean it."

-x-X-x-

Tachibana stared at me in utter disbelief, her pale lips slightly parted. For the first time since I had entered the room, the stubborn, defiant, sharp-tongued girl looked completely lost for words. Her chest heaved with shallow breaths as she processed what I had just said.

"You're... lying," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible, cracking with suspicion and a strange mix of hope and fear.

"You have to be lying. No rich man would ever agree to that so easily. What's your angle? You think saying yes will make me spread my legs faster? That I'll become your obedient little wife out of gratitude? I'd rather die than be pitied or owned!"

She turned her head away, but her grip on the blanket had loosened just a fraction. "Master... he's playing us. Men like him always do. They say whatever it takes in the moment."

"Tomorrow he'll regret it and find a way to back out. Or worse—he'll keep me as some trophy wife while sleeping with whoever he wants. I've heard the stories. I've seen the scars on other girls."

Akane gently touched Tachibana's arm. "Tachibana... please. Just let him try. He healed your face. He can heal the rest. Don't throw your life away because of pride or past pain."

Tachibana's eyes glistened with unshed tears of frustration and exhaustion. "Even if... even if he's serious... I'm broken. Inside and out. Why would anyone want to marry someone like me?"

"A violent, foul-mouthed kunoichi who's bleeding to death in a dirty room? He's insane. Or he has some twisted plan. Tell me the truth, Jack—if that's even your real name! Why would you chain yourself to a dying stranger? What do you really gain from this?"

Her voice grew weaker but no less fierce. "Answer me properly this time. No vague hero talk. If you're going to marry me, then say it to my face. Why would you burden yourself with someone who doesn't even trust you?"

I held her gaze steadily, ready to respond as the tension in the room thickened even further.

Akane turned to me and then glanced at Tachibana, who was still breathing weakly on the bed. I looked at Tachibana first, then turned my gaze to Akane with a sincere, steady expression.

"Because... I don't want to see your master in pain. She's like a mother to you. Watching her beg and break down like that... it hurts. I can't just stand by and do nothing while someone she loves dies in front of her."

Akane's eyes softened, glistening with unshed tears as she looked at me, then back at her disciple. "Jack... thank you. Tachibana..."

Before Akane could finish her sentence, Tachibana's breathing suddenly became erratic and disjointed. Her chest heaved violently, eyes rolling back. "Mas... t... er..." she gasped weakly, her voice fading into a broken whisper as she lost consciousness completely, her head falling limply to the side.

Akane panicked instantly. "Tachibana! Tachibana, no! Stay with me!" She rushed forward, hands trembling as she reached for the blanket. "Jack... please...! We don't have any more time! She's slipping away right now! Her pulse is barely there!"

I quickly grabbed Akane's wrist, stopping her. "Wait... let me cover my eyes first. I made her a promise. I won't break it even now."

Akane looked at me with a mix of overwhelming gratitude and desperation. Without hesitation, she tore off her black cloak in one swift motion. She folded the fabric and tied it firmly around my head as a blindfold, making sure it was completely secure.

I turned my face toward her. "I will use my ability now. Please guide my hand carefully to every wound... I can't see anything like this, so I'm relying on you completely."

Akane nodded, her voice thick with emotion. "I understand. I'll guide you step by step. Thank you, Jack... from the bottom of my heart."

I didn't activate my AI Lens even once. Despite the strong temptation to see Tachibana's body, I respected her boundaries. I didn't want to hurt her dignity, even secretly.

I heard the soft rustling of fabric as Akane gently pulled the thin, blood-stained blanket completely off Tachibana's naked body. A moment later, Akane took my right hand in both of hers and placed it on Tachibana's left shoulder.

"She has a bullet wound here... it went straight through the muscle. It's still bleeding internally," Akane said quietly, her voice shaking.

I activated Healing Touch immediately. A warm, bright white light glowed from my palm. I could feel the torn flesh and damaged tissue slowly knitting back together.

After nearly a minute, Akane moved my hand lower, carefully placing it on the side of Tachibana's left breast, deliberately avoiding the nipple. The soft, warm, and supple flesh filled my palm as I felt the deep bullet graze there.

"She... she has another wound here..." Akane murmured, clearly embarrassed. "Please heal it thoroughly. It's close to her lung."

I focused harder, sending stronger healing energy into the area. "Tell me if the light is strong enough," I said softly.

"It's working... the wound is closing," Akane whispered in awe.

I made my own body start sweating heavily. My face turned deathly pale on purpose to show the high cost of using the ability.

"It's healed there..." Akane said with visible relief. She then guided my hand across Tachibana's flat stomach, where a nasty bullet hole was still leaking blood. "Here... this one nearly hit her organs."

I healed it slowly and carefully. Then Akane moved my hand down to her toned thighs—first the left, then the right—where bullets had torn through muscle and flesh. "These ones caused massive blood loss. She was bleeding so much..."

After the thighs, she guided me across Tachibana's waist and lower back. "One more graze here... and here..."

Then Akane's voice came hesitatingly, barely above a whisper. "This... this is the last and most dangerous one..."

She slowly moved my hand between Tachibana's legs. My fingers brushed against soft pubic hair before finding the bullet wound dangerously close to her crotch. I poured extra healing energy into the sensitive area, making sure it was fully closed.

Akane let out a deep, shaky sigh of relief. "It's done... All the external and internal wounds are closed. The bleeding has completely stopped. Her life is no longer in danger."

-x-X-x-

At that exact moment, Tachibana's eyes fluttered open. The moment she felt a man's warm hand pressed intimately against her most private area, her face twisted in pure shock and fury.

"Aaaaaah—! You filthy bastard!! Get your hand off me!!" she screamed hoarsely. With sudden regained strength, her leg shot out and kicked me hard in the chest, sending me flying backward.

I pretended to be badly injured, collapsing dramatically onto the floor. I coughed up a mouthful of blood (from the capsule I had hidden) and lay completely motionless, pretending to have fainted.

"Jack...! Jack!!" Akane cried out in horror, rushing to my side. She looked at my pale, sweat-drenched face, her voice trembling. "Jack... your face is so pale... You're ice cold! What's happening?! Talk to me!"

I remained perfectly still, feigning deep unconsciousness. Through my closed eyelids, I secretly observed everything with AI Lens.

Tachibana had already yanked the blanket back over herself, clutching it tightly to her chest. Under the covers, she frantically ran her hands over her body—her shoulders, breasts, stomach, thighs, and between her legs. Her eyes widened in complete disbelief.

"Master... what... what the hell happened to him? Why is he on the floor like that?!" Tachibana asked, still breathing heavily.

Akane turned on her disciple with rare, burning anger. "Tachibana! Is this how you repay the man who just saved your life?! He agreed to marry you on the spot, blinded himself for your comfort, and drained his own life force to heal every single wound on your body—and you kick him?! Have you lost all sense of gratitude?!"

Tachibana flinched, looking genuinely lost and guilty. "Master, I... I just reacted instinctively! I woke up and felt a man's hand right there... touching me down there! Any woman would panic and lash out! I didn't know he was hurting himself like this! I swear I didn't mean to—"

Akane gently removed the blindfold from my eyes and caressed my pale cheek with trembling fingers. "Jack... please wake up. Open your eyes. Don't do this to me... Jack!"

Tachibana stepped closer, still wrapped tightly in the blanket. "Master, what exactly happened to him? He looks terrible... Is he going to be okay?"

Akane shook her head, tears welling up. "I don't know the full details... He never explained everything to me. But every time he uses that healing power, it takes a heavy toll on his body. He must have overexerted himself massively for you. Look at him—he's completely drained."

Akane murmured fearfully, "If anything serious happens to him... how will I ever face Yuko again?"

Tachibana bit her lip so hard it bled. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "Master... this is my fault, isn't it? I was too stubborn... too cruel to him. Even though he kept his word and blinded himself... I still treated him like garbage."

Akane quickly lifted me in her strong arms and laid me gently on the same bed Tachibana had occupied. She turned to her disciple with a serious, warning expression.

"Tachibana... you are not to speak a single word about this to anyone. Not even to my other disciples. How he healed you, his ability, the marriage promise—none of it. It will put him in extreme danger if this information spreads."

Akane continued, "I know you didn't like it. How he had to touch you everywhere... especially the intimate areas. But I was the one guiding his hands the entire time. He was completely blindfolded. He saw nothing. Now you can leave if you want. I know you must hate him right now..."

Tachibana stood silently for a long moment, staring at my unconscious form. Her expression was a chaotic storm—guilt, embarrassment, lingering suspicion, and a trace of reluctant softness.

"No... Master," she said firmly, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside me. "I will take care of him myself."

Akane looked at her in visible surprise. "Tachibana...?"

Tachibana avoided her master's gaze, her cheeks faintly flushed. "Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying I fully trust him yet, or that I've forgiven him for... for putting his hands all over my body. Especially between my legs. I still feel violated. But... he did save my life when I was ready to die."

"He even agreed to marry a foul-mouthed, dying girl like me without hesitation. The least I can do is watch over him until he wakes up. I'm not so heartless that I'd abandon the man who just pulled me back from death."

She gently adjusted the blanket over my body, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Besides... if he really exhausted himself this badly because of me, then I owe him."

"You'd better wake up soon, you reckless idiot... So I can properly yell at you for touching me without permission... and ask you seriously if you really meant what you said about marrying me. Don't you dare die after making such a bold promise."

Tachibana glanced at Akane, biting her lip again. "Master... can I stay with him tonight? Alone? I want to... monitor his condition. And maybe apologize properly when he wakes up."

Akane looked between us, a faint, tired smile appearing on her face for the first time that night. "Very well. But be gentle with him, Tachibana. He's not your enemy."

Tachibana nodded silently, still sitting on the edge of the bed while clutching the blanket tightly around her body. Akane gently brushed a strand of hair from my forehead before standing up.

"Tachibana, you stay here and watch over him," Akane said softly. "I'll go bring you some clean clothes. Yours are ruined with blood. I won't be long."

With one last worried glance at me, Akane quietly left the room, closing the sliding door behind her. The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the faint sound of night insects outside.

I remained perfectly still, pretending to be unconscious. Through my AI Lens, I watched Tachibana carefully. Her tough facade finally cracked the moment she was alone with me. Her eyes misted over, and large tears began dripping down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand, but more kept falling.

"...Why?" she whispered brokenly, her voice barely audible. "Why did you save me? I... I was so horrible to you. I called you names, accused you of disgusting things, and even kicked you when you were helping me. Yet you still... You still risked your own life for someone like me."

She stared at my pale face, fresh tears rolling down. "You even agreed to marry me... Just like that. Without hesitation. Are you insane? Or... are you really that kind of person? I don't understand you at all, Jack."

-x-X-x-

Tachibana bit her lip so hard that a tiny drop of blood appeared. Her shoulders trembled as the weight of everything she had been holding back finally crashed down on her.

"I've met so many rich men before," she whispered bitterly, tears streaming down her face. "All of them were pigs wearing expensive suits. They only wanted one thing — power, pleasure, and control. They smiled sweetly, whispered empty promises of protection and love, and then used girls like disposable tools."

"Throw them away when they're bored or broken. I thought you were exactly the same. I was so sure of it. That's why I fought so hard... even when I was coughing up blood and dying. I didn't want to be humiliated again. I didn't want to lose the last piece of pride I had left."

Suddenly, the door slid open. Akane stepped inside quietly, carrying a fresh set of dark clothes folded neatly in her arms.

Tachibana instantly wiped her tears away with the back of her hand and composed herself, though her reddened eyes still gave her away. Akane noticed but chose not to comment. She simply held out the clothes.

"Tachibana... here. Get changed. You can't stay covered in blood like that."

Tachibana took the clothes with a small bow. "Thank you, Master." She quickly moved behind Akane, using her master's body as a shield while she changed. Even though she believed I was unconscious, she still moved with cautious, hurried motions, clearly embarrassed at the thought of being seen.

While Tachibana dressed, Akane sat down beside me on the bed. She gently caressed my face with tender fingers, wiping away the beads of sweat from my forehead and carefully cleaning the dried blood from the corner of my lips.

"You really pushed yourself too far this time, Jack..." Akane murmured softly, almost like a mother worrying over a child. "Your face is still so pale. Please wake up soon. I don't know how I'll explain this to Yuko if something happens to you."

Once dressed in the clean outfit, Tachibana also put on her signature mask, covering the lower half of her face. She stepped back to my bedside and watched Akane's gentle care for a moment before speaking.

"Master... you were not hurt, were you? During the mission... I lost consciousness early. I kept thinking I failed to protect you properly. If anything happened to you because of me..."

Akane looked up at her disciple with a warm, reassuring smile. "No, I was fine. Dexter healed most of my injuries."

Akane's expression then darkened with regret. She let out a heavy sigh. "Still... I shouldn't have taken you with me on this mission, Tachibana. It was far more dangerous than my intel suggested. I was too careless. I put you in unnecessary danger."

Tachibana shook her head firmly, her eyes sharp even above the mask. "It's not the Master's fault at all. Who could have known it was such a well-prepared trap? Those cowards set it up specifically for us. I'm really glad I was there. If I hadn't been, you might have been badly injured... or worse. I'd rather bleed a hundred times than see you suffer."

Akane's eyes softened with deep affection. She reached out and gently placed a hand on Tachibana's arm. "Thank you, Tachibana... Truly. You always throw yourself in front of me without thinking twice. I don't deserve such loyal disciples."

Tachibana replied with sincere conviction, "Master, it is your disciple's duty to protect you. This life, this strength — everything I am today was given by you. If I have to bleed, suffer, or even die for you, I will do it without a single regret. That's the least I can do after everything you've done for me."

Akane chuckled softly and shook her head. "Okay... Okay... I can't argue with you when you become this stubborn. You always win these conversations."

Tachibana sighed quietly and turned her gaze toward me, lying motionless on the bed. Her voice dropped, laced with reluctant concern. "Master... when will he wake up? It's already been quite some time. He still looks so weak and pale... Is he really going to be okay?"

Akane couldn't resist teasing her a little. A playful smile appeared on her lips. "Hmm? What's this? Are you actually worried about him now, Tachibana?"

Tachibana's eyes widened. A visible blush spread across the exposed part of her cheeks above the mask. "Wh-Who is worried about him?!" she snapped stubbornly, turning her face away.

"Don't say such ridiculous things, Master! I'm just... I'm just asking because I owe him! He saved my life, so of course, I have to make sure he doesn't die right after. It would be too ungrateful otherwise! Don't misunderstand my words!"

Akane smiled knowingly, clearly not buying the denial. "Of course. No misunderstanding at all."

She then continued in a more serious and sincere tone while gently stroking my hair. "He really is a good man, you know. If he wanted, he could have kept his healing ability completely hidden from me. He didn't have to reveal it."

"But the moment he saw I was injured, he used it without hesitation. He didn't ask for rewards, favors, or anything in return. That kind of selfless person is extremely rare in our world, especially among the rich."

Tachibana stayed quiet for a long moment, staring at my face. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve. "Master... do you really trust him that much? Even though he's wealthy? Even though he's a man? After everything I've seen... It's hard for me to believe someone like him would do all this without some hidden motive."

Akane nodded slowly. "I do trust him. He's Yuko's brother-in-law, and his actions have proven his character again and again. When healing you, he could have easily taken advantage of the situation."

"Many men would have. But he let me blindfold him and guided every movement of his hands. He respected your dignity even when you were insulting him. That says more about him than any words ever could."

Tachibana crossed her arms tightly, still trying to maintain her tough front, though her voice wavered. "Hmph... Even if he's not as bad as the others, that doesn't mean I trust him completely yet. He still touched me... everywhere. My breasts, my thighs, my... my private parts. I can still feel the warmth of his hands. It's so embarrassing, I want to die just thinking about it."

-x-X-x-

Akane raised an eyebrow. "And yet here you are, refusing to leave his side and volunteering to watch over him all night."

"That's completely different!" Tachibana protested instantly, her blush deepening. "I owe him a life debt, that's all! Once he wakes up and I confirm he's alright, I'll... I'll properly settle this ridiculous marriage promise he made. Nothing more!"

Akane chuckled lightly. "Of course. But Tachibana... try not to kick him the moment he opens his eyes, alright? Give him a real chance. For my sake... and maybe for your own too."

Tachibana grumbled under her breath but eventually gave a small, reluctant nod. "Fine... I'll try to control myself. But if he says anything perverted or acts arrogantly, I won't hold back."

She then pulled a small wooden stool closer to the bed and sat down properly, keeping a quiet but attentive watch over me.

Even with the mask on, her eyes revealed a swirling mix of lingering suspicion, deep embarrassment, reluctant gratitude, and a tiny, hesitant spark of warmth.

Inside my head, I was grinning. What a perfect tsundere. Keep going, Tachibana. You're only making this more entertaining.

Akane stood up slowly and placed a hand on Tachibana's shoulder. "I'll leave him in your care then. You've both been through hell tonight. Try to rest as well, Tachibana. Call me immediately if his condition changes."

With one last gentle look at both of us, Akane quietly left the room, sliding the door shut behind her.

Now truly alone with me, Tachibana let out a long sigh. She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand while watching my face in silence. Her complicated emotions continued to swirl as the night grew deeper around us.

I decided it was the perfect time to "wake up." I began coughing weakly, my body twitching as I let out a few strained, painful-sounding coughs.

"Water... water..." I rasped in a low, feeble voice, sounding completely drained.

Tachibana reacted like a startled bird. Her eyes widened in panic as she shot up from her stool. "H-Hey! You're awake?!" She quickly grabbed the glass of water that had been sitting on the bedside table — the one she had been drinking from earlier — and brought it to my lips. She even slipped one arm behind my head, gently lifting and cradling it as she helped me drink.

Her face turned bright red the moment our closeness registered. I secretly activated Telepathy and caught her racing thoughts clearly:

[Isn't this... my glass? He's drinking from the same glass I used... This is basically an indirect kiss, right? I... I just let a man drink from my glass... What am I doing?! My heart is beating so fast... Calm down, Tachibana, you idiot!]

I stopped drinking after a few sips and looked up at her, our faces still quite close. "Thank you..." I whispered sincerely.

Tachibana quickly pulled back, nearly spilling the remaining water. She turned her face away, clearly flustered. I continued gently, "You... are you okay? Are there any other injuries that haven't healed? I might have missed something in the rush."

Tachibana clicked her tongue in annoyance, crossing her arms. "Hmph! Worry about yourself first, you reckless idiot! Look at you — coughing up blood and collapsing like that. Who do you think you are, pushing yourself until you faint?!"

Through Telepathy, I heard her real thoughts right after:

[He... he woke up, and the first thing he asked about was me? Even though he's the one lying there pale and weak... What's wrong with this guy?]

At that moment, the door slid open, and Akane stepped inside. She had apparently heard the commotion. "Jack...! Are you awake? Are you okay?" she asked, rushing to my side with visible relief.

I pretended to try sitting up, pushing myself up with my arms as if testing my strength. Before I could fully rise, Tachibana suddenly pushed my shoulders back down onto the bed with surprising firmness.

"Just lie down already!" she scolded in a classic tsundere tone, her voice sharp but laced with concern. "Who are you trying to impress by acting all strong? You were spitting blood earlier! You look like you're about to collapse again. Stop moving and rest, you stubborn fool!"

Akane looked at her disciple with slight surprise. "Tachibana..."

Tachibana realized her tone was too revealing and quickly looked away, muttering, "I-I'm just saying... It would be annoying if he got worse after all the trouble we went through to heal him."

I looked at both of them and offered a weak but reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'm really fine now. See? I can talk normally."

Akane sat on the edge of the bed and gently held my hand, her eyes searching mine with deep worry. "Jack, tell me the truth. Using this ability didn't really affect you that badly... right? You looked terrifying earlier — so pale and cold. I've never seen you like that before."

I chuckled inwardly but kept a calm face. I pretended to look slightly nervous, darting my eyes around before smiling. "No, there's no big effect. Don't worry so much. It just causes a bit of temporary weakness, that's all. I'm really okay now. I'll recover fully after some rest."

The moment the words left my mouth, Tachibana's eyes narrowed. She bit her lip hard, staring at me intensely. Then she suddenly yelled, unable to hold back:

"You... You're lying!!"

Both Akane and I turned to look at her. Tachibana's fists were clenched at her sides, her cheeks still faintly red beneath the mask.

"You're clearly lying!" she continued, her voice rising with frustration and worry. "Your face is still pale, your hands are cold, and you were coughing like your lungs were damaged!"

"If it was really just'slight weakness,' you wouldn't have collapsed so dramatically after healing me. Why are you trying to hide it? Do you think we're stupid? Or do you think acting tough will make us feel better?!"

She took a step closer, pointing at me accusingly. "You idiot! You agreed to marry me, but the first thing you do is lie straight to our faces? If you're going to be my... my future husband or whatever, at least be honest when you're hurt! How can I trust you if you keep pretending everything is fine?!"

Akane placed a calming hand on Tachibana's shoulder, but she didn't stop her disciple. Instead, she looked at me with the same expectant eyes, waiting for the real answer.

Tachibana's voice softened just a little at the end, though she still sounded angry. "You saved my life... I don't want you to suffer in silence because of me. So stop lying and tell us the truth already. How bad is it really? What does your ability actually cost you?"

She turned her face away again, mumbling under her breath, "Dummy... Making me worry like this right after waking up..."

I could hear her inner thoughts loud and clear through Telepathy:

[Why does my chest feel so tight when I think he might be hurting because of me...? This is annoying... I hate this feeling.]

The room fell into a tense silence as both women stared at me, waiting for my honest response.

I still shook my head and said seriously, looking straight into their eyes, "Don't worry. There is no such side effect. I'm really not lying. This is just normal exhaustion that will pass after some rest. Please don't overthink it."

Akane and Tachibana kept staring at me intently, searching my face for any sign of deception. The room grew heavy with silence. Akane eventually sighed and gently held Tachibana's hand, squeezing it softly.

"Tachibana... let's forget it. He doesn't want to say it. We shouldn't force him."

Tachibana showed clear annoyance, her brows furrowed deeply above her mask. "But Master...! He's obviously hiding something. We can't just ignore—"

Akane shook her head firmly at her disciple, giving her a meaningful look that said Not now.'

Tachibana clicked her tongue in frustration and shot me an angry glare, her eyes burning with irritation. She then turned back to Akane and exclaimed, "Master... about Sister Hitomi... if we—"

Akane quickly cut her off, her voice sharp. "Tachibana! Stop."

Tachibana hesitated, clearly conflicted. "But Master..."

I slowly sat up a little more on the bed, my expression turning serious. "What happened? Is anyone injured? If something's wrong with your other disciples, tell me. Maybe I can help."

Akane immediately shook her head, forcing a calm smile. "No, it's nothing. Don't worry about it, Jack. You've already done more than enough tonight."

Tachibana then looked directly at me, her voice softening just a fraction. "Jack..."

Akane quickly stepped in again, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Don't listen to her. Let me take you back home now. If Yuko and the others notice you're missing, they'll be worried sick. It's almost morning already. You need proper rest in your own bed."

Tachibana bit her lip hard, her fists clenched at her sides. She looked torn between wanting to speak and obeying her master.

I didn't move from the bed. Instead, I looked at Akane with calm but purposeful eyes. "Didn't you say... You would do anything if I saved your disciple?"

Akane met my gaze steadily. After a brief pause, she nodded. "Yes, I did. And I stand by my word. Is there anything you want me to do for you, Jack? Just say it."

Before Akane could continue, Tachibana suddenly moved forward and covered her master with her body protectively, as if shielding her from me. Her voice came out rushed and stubborn.

"Don't make any unreasonable demands on Master! If you want something... if you have any request at all... You can talk to me instead. I will... I will do it. Whatever it is. Just leave Master out of it."

Her cheeks were slightly flushed above the mask, and her eyes showed a mix of defiance and embarrassment at her own bold offer.

I looked at Tachibana and smiled gently. "Oh...? Then, please tell me about your Sister Hitomi. That is my request."

Both Tachibana and Akane froze, staring at me in complete surprise. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.

Tachibana's eyes widened dramatically behind her mask. "Wha—?! How do you... Why are you suddenly asking about Hitomi?! What does she have to do with you?!"

Akane's expression became deeply complicated — a mixture of caution, reluctance, lingering pain, and slight worry. She glanced at Tachibana, then back at me, clearly struggling with how much to reveal.

I looked at both of them calmly and said, "Just tell me. Please."

Akane hesitated for a few more seconds, then looked at Tachibana and gave her a small, reluctant nod, silently permitting her to speak.

Tachibana took a deep breath, her shoulders tense. She spoke in a low, heavy voice. "Sister Hitomi... is our senior sister. The strongest and most reliable among us. It's been almost a month now. That day, Master assigned her a mission to assassinate a high-profile target — a corrupt official who was deeply involved in human trafficking rings. She completed her task perfectly, just like always. But just as she was about to leave the villa..."

Tachibana's voice cracked. She had to pause and swallow hard before continuing.

"...the entire villa exploded. It was a trap. A hidden failsafe they had prepared in case anyone came after him. Sister Hitomi survived the blast... but only barely."

I saw fresh tears glistening in both Akane's and Tachibana's eyes. The pain on their faces was raw and unmistakable.

"But what...?" I pressed gently. "Just tell me everything."

Akane's voice came out shaking, filled with guilt and self-blame. "Her face... her entire body... is covered in terrible burning marks. The flames were unnatural — some kind of chemical fire. No normal medicine or healing technique has worked. She's... she's suffering so much. And it's all my fault. I was the one who sent her on that mission. I should have checked for traps more thoroughly. I failed her as her Master."

Tachibana wiped her eyes quickly, trying to maintain her tough front, but her voice trembled. "Hitomi-neesan was always so beautiful and graceful. Now she hides herself from everyone. She refuses to let us see her like that. She said she doesn't want to be pitied... especially not by us."

I sat up straighter on the bed, determination clear in my voice. "Where is she? Take me to see her right now. I can heal her."

Akane immediately held my arm, gripping it tightly. "No. You are not in the right condition, Jack. I know you're clearly lying to us about the side effects of your healing ability. I already owe you more than I can ever repay after what you did for Tachibana tonight. I can't ask you to push yourself even further. I won't allow it."

I turned my gaze to Tachibana and said firmly, "Take me to see her."

Tachibana had tears still clinging to her lashes. She looked into my eyes, visibly conflicted. For a moment, she seemed ready to agree, but then she shook her head slowly. "You... Even after everything, you still want to help? But... I don't know where she is right now. After that incident, she left on her own. She said she needed time alone. Only Master knows her current location."

I turned back to Akane, my expression serious. "Please. Let me help her, too."

Akane looked at me with a mixture of gratitude and stubborn resolve. Her voice was quiet but unyielding. "Jack... don't try to push this. I will never tell you her location until you're honest with me."

"First, tell me the truth — what is the real side effect of your ability? How much is it really costing you? I saw how you collapsed. I saw the blood. I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself again without knowing the full price."

Tachibana stepped closer, her voice a mix of frustration, worry, and reluctant softness. "Yeah... You keep saying it's nothing, but we're not blind. Your face is still pale. Your hands are cold. If helping Hitomi-neesan is going to hurt you badly... then I won't let you go either."

"I already feel guilty enough that you nearly died saving me. I don't want another sister's recovery to come at the cost of your health!"

She bit her lip again, looking away as her tsundere nature flared up. "You idiot... Why do you keep trying to act like some selfless hero? Do you enjoy making us worry? If you really want to help Hitomi-neesan... then at least be honest first! Tell us how bad it really is. Don't make me regret owing you my life..."

Akane squeezed my hand gently, her eyes pleading yet firm. "We're not ungrateful, Jack. But I can't send you to help Hitomi while you're hiding the truth from us. So please... no more lies. What does your healing ability actually take from you every time you use it?"

Tachibana crossed her arms, trying to look stern, but the concern in her eyes betrayed her completely. Through Telepathy, I caught her swirling thoughts:

[He's really willing to help Hitomi-neesan, too...? Even though he just exhausted himself on me? Why is he like this? If he keeps pushing himself... I'll feel even more indebted. And that marriage promise... damn it, my heart is getting noisy again.]

The morning light was growing brighter outside the window, casting a soft glow over the tense scene. Both women stared at me intently, refusing to back down until I gave them the honesty they demanded. The weight of their worry, guilt, and budding trust filled the entire room.

Akane saw my silent stance and the way I avoided giving a direct answer. She let out a tired sigh and turned to Tachibana. "Tachibana, he won't tell us right now. Let me send him back first. We will talk about this later when he's rested."

For a moment, I really didn't know what to say. The atmosphere had grown heavy.

Akane looked at me with complicated eyes, then spoke softly to her disciple. "You go out first. And don't let anyone notice you. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to explain how you suddenly got completely healed. I will talk to him alone."

Tachibana took one last long look at me, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry. She finally nodded obediently to her master. Without another word, she moved swiftly and sneakily like a shadow, slipping out of the room and disappearing into the early morning darkness.

Once the door closed and we were truly alone, Akane turned back to me. Her voice became much gentler, almost pleading. "Now she is gone... Can you tell me the truth? If it's not too inconvenient for you... Please, Jack. I need to know what you sacrificed to save Tachibana."

I looked hesitant, staring at the floor for a few seconds before finally meeting her gaze. "I can tell you... But promise me you will never tell Tachibana or anyone else about it. Not even Yuko. Swear it."

Akane looked nervous, her fingers tightening on the edge of her cloak. She clearly understood how serious this was, but after a brief internal struggle, she nodded slowly. "I promise. I won't breathe a word to anyone."

I took a deep breath and spoke with a hesitant voice. "Well... it's not as serious as you think..."

Akane leaned closer, her eyes locked onto mine. "Just tell me. Don't hide it anymore."

I paused for a long moment, then finally whispered, "It's... It's just lifespan."

Akane's eyes widened in horror. "What...? Life... Lifespan...?"

Her voice cracked sharply. She stared at me in complete disbelief as the meaning sank in. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes, spilling over and dripping down onto her mask. Her hands began trembling uncontrollably.

"You... How can you...?" Her voice broke completely. "You used your own lifespan to heal her?! Jack, are you out of your mind?! Do you understand what that means? You're shortening your own life for us?!"

Tears flowed freely down her face now. She looked utterly devastated, her usual calm and composed demeanor shattering in front of me.

"All those wounds... the bullets, the internal bleeding... You paid with years of your life?! Why would you do something so reckless? I thought it was just exhaustion or some temporary weakness, but lifespan?! How could you hide something this huge?!"

I gently took Akane's trembling hand in mine, trying to calm her. "Don't worry... It's not too much. It only takes a few minutes of lifespan to heal normal injuries."

Akane shook her head fiercely, more tears falling. "A few minutes?! And what about serious injuries like Tachibana's?! Tell me the truth, Jack. How much lifespan did you use to heal her tonight? Don't you dare lie to me!"

Seeing me stay quiet, she began probing desperately, her voice growing more emotional and tearful with every guess. "Hours...? Days...?"

When I remained silent, her eyes widened further in shock. "Then... a month...?"

I darted my eyes away, unable to meet her gaze — the reaction instantly gave me away.

Akane gasped loudly, her face turning pale with horror. "A month?! You lost an entire month of your life... just to save Tachibana?!"

She covered her mouth with both hands as fresh waves of tears poured down. Her shoulders shook violently. "No... no, this can't be true. You're still so young... and you threw away a whole month for my disciple? For someone who treated you so badly and called you horrible names? Jack... you fool... You absolute fool!"

Akane suddenly leaned forward and grabbed both of my hands tightly, her grip surprisingly strong despite her trembling. "Why?! Why would you go that far?! I already owe you enough for saving her, but now... now I feel like I've stolen part of your future! How am I supposed to live with this?! Every day from now on, I'll remember that you're living a shorter life because of me!"

Her voice cracked into a sob. "If I had known... if I had even suspected it cost you a lifespan, I would have never let you heal her like that. Never! I would have searched for other ways, even if it took longer. But you... You just silently gave up a month of your life without saying anything..."

She looked at me with red, tear-filled eyes full of guilt, gratitude, and deep shock.

Akane kept sobbing quietly, her shoulders shaking as tears continued to stream down her face without stopping. The guilt and shock were clearly overwhelming her.

I spoke softly, my voice gentle but firm. "Please... don't tell Tachibana about this. She won't be able to handle it. She's already full of guilt for how she treated me tonight. If she finds out I sacrificed a month of my life to save her, it might destroy her emotionally. Promise me you won't say anything."

Akane wiped her eyes repeatedly, trying to regain control of her emotions. "I know... I won't tell her. I gave you my word. But Jack... this secret is too heavy. How am I supposed to look at her knowing what you did?"

She suddenly wiped the last of her tears away more forcefully and looked at me with stubborn, tear-filled eyes. "You... you are not allowed to use that ability anymore. Not even once. Promise me right now, Jack. Swear on everything that you won't throw away any more of your lifespan for anyone — not for me, not for Tachibana, not for Yuko. Promise me!"

I shook my head slowly but with absolute seriousness. "I... I'm sorry. I can't make that promise."

Akane's eyes widened in disbelief and rising anger. She suddenly grabbed the front of my shirt with both hands, pulling me closer until our faces were inches apart.

"You... Do you have a death wish?! Are you trying to kill yourself?! If you keep using that cursed ability so recklessly, it will eventually take your life! Do you even understand what lifespan means?! You're cutting away your own future!"

Her voice cracked with raw emotion as she continued, shaking me slightly. "Every time you heal someone, you're stealing time from yourself — time you could spend with Yuko, time to live freely, time to grow old! I won't accept this kind of foolishness! Promise me you'll stop!"

I looked directly into her tearful eyes. "Then what do you want me to do when the people I care about are hurt? When Haruna is bleeding out, when Sister Yuko is in danger, or when you yourself are lying there dying in front of me... do you really expect me to just stand there and watch helplessly? Tell me honestly. Could you watch someone you care about die when you have the power to save them?"

Akane froze. Her grip on my shirt loosened as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "I... I don't know... But it's better to die with dignity than to live knowing that every extra breath I take is borrowed from your lifespan."

"I could never find peace knowing I'm alive because you're dying younger because of me. That kind of guilt would destroy me more than any wound ever could."

I gave her a small, bittersweet smile. "That's exactly why I asked you not to tell anyone. This burden is mine to carry."

Akane looked shocked and surprised by my calm acceptance of the situation. She stepped back, staring at me with wide, red eyes. "You... you're really willing to accept this? To die earlier just so others can live? Jack, you're scaring me..."

I turned my gaze toward the window, where the soft morning light was now pouring in. "Can you send me back now? If I don't return soon, Yuko and the others might start searching for me. I don't want to cause them unnecessary worry."

With that, I stood up from the bed and started walking toward the door. My steps were deliberately slow, still showing signs of exhaustion.

Akane quickly followed behind me, her voice urgent. "Wait, Jack! We're not finished talking about this! You can't just walk away after dropping something like that on me!"

As we stepped outside into the courtyard, several of Akane's disciples were waiting anxiously. They all bowed deeply the moment they saw her.

"Master!" they greeted in unison.

One of the older disciples stepped forward, worry etched on her face. "Master, how is Sister Tachibana?"

Akane replied in a steady but strained voice, "Her condition has stabilized for now. But she needs complete rest. No one is allowed to disturb her. Stay away from her room until I say otherwise."

The disciples glanced at me curiously, clearly suspecting my involvement in Tachibana's miraculous recovery. However, seeing their master's serious expression, they didn't dare ask any questions. They simply bowed again and stepped aside respectfully.

I walked over to Akane's motorcycle. She grabbed a helmet and shoved it into my chest a bit roughly, her frustration and worry still boiling over. "Here. Put it on."

I quietly wore the helmet and climbed onto the bike, wrapping my arms securely around her waist from behind.

The ride back to the Suzuki Villa was completely silent. Akane didn't utter a single word. Her body remained tense under my hands the entire way, her mind clearly racing with guilt and conflicting emotions.

When we finally arrived at the villa gates, I got off the bike and handed the helmet back to her. I looked deeply into her slightly swollen, red eyes — the clear evidence of how much she had cried — and said softly, "I'm sorry... for making you worry like this."

Akane took the helmet, her jaw clenched tightly. She refused to meet my eyes for more than a second. "Just go back inside... and don't ever come looking for us again. Stay away from my disciples and me from now on."

I activated Telepathy at that exact moment and clearly heard her inner thoughts:

[It's best to cut all contact with him... Who knows what this reckless fool will do next? If he sees me injured or any of my disciples hurt, he might sacrifice even more of his lifespan trying to heal us. I can't allow that. We should never come in contact again... for his own sake. Even if it hurts... this is the right decision.]

Without waiting for any reply, Akane revved her motorcycle engine aggressively and sped away instantly, disappearing down the road at high speed.

I stood there watching her leave until the sound of the engine faded completely. Then I chuckled softly inside my head.

This little lie about the lifespan cost is working even better than I expected. The heavy burden of guilt will stay lodged deep in Akane's heart. Every time she thinks about me, every moment she worries, it will pull her closer without her even realizing it. She won't be able to forget me so easily now... In fact, she'll probably think about me constantly.

I walked inside the Suzuki Villa, the morning sunlight filtering gently through the large windows. The atmosphere felt warm and lively compared to the heavy tension I had just left behind with Akane.

In the living room, Haruna, Yuko, Kasumi, and Tomiko were already gathered. Tomiko stood out immediately — dressed sharply in a professional black business suit that hugged her mature figure perfectly, complete with light makeup and her hair neatly tied up. She looked every bit the powerful CEO ready to conquer the day.

Haruna noticed me first. She tilted her head with a slightly pouty expression. "Where did you go so early? You even forgot your phone on the table. We were worried when we couldn't find you."

I smiled casually and scratched the back of my head. "Sorry about that. I just went out for a morning walk. The air felt nice, and I needed to clear my head a little. Didn't mean to make you guys worry."

Yuko, who was sipping tea on the sofa, looked at me with gentle but observant eyes.

I chuckled and shifted my attention to Tomiko, who was checking some documents in her folder. "Oba-san, are you going to the office today?"

Tomiko looked up and gave me a small, graceful nod. "Yes. I've taken too many days off recently, spending time with all of you. It was wonderful, but I can't leave everything to Hina any longer. She must be exhausted handling the company alone. I need to go back and take charge."

I stepped closer with a sincere smile. "Let me drive you to the office, then. It's no trouble at all."

Tomiko shook her head politely but firmly. "No, it's alright. I can go on my own. How can I keep bothering our family's son-in-law to do such petty things for me?"

There was a slight hesitation in her voice when she said the words "son-in-law." It sounded almost forced, as if she was consciously reminding herself of the proper distance she should keep. Her gaze flickered for just a moment before she looked back down at her documents.

I noticed it clearly. Through Telepathy, I caught a fragment of her inner thoughts:

[Stay professional, Tomiko... He's Haruna's fiancé. Don't get too comfortable...]

I nodded understandingly, keeping my tone warm. "I see. But Oba-san, please don't hesitate to call me if you need anything at all. You know we all have your back — whether it's work-related or personal. You don't have to carry everything alone."

Tomiko paused, her expression softening just a little. She gave me a small, elegant smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you, Jack. I appreciate your kindness. Really. But I've managed this company for many years. I'll be fine."

Haruna walked over and lightly bumped my shoulder. "See? Even Oba-san is working hard. You should rest today after your'morning walk.' You look like you didn't sleep much."

Yuko set her teacup down and looked at me with gentle concern. "She's right. You seem a bit pale. Did you really just go for a walk? Or is something bothering you?"

Kasumi tilted her head curiously. "Yeah, you do look a little off. "

I laughed lightly, trying to deflect. "I'm fine, really. Just didn't sleep too well last night. I'll take it easy today."

Tomiko picked up her designer handbag and glanced at the clock. "I should get going now. Traffic will get bad soon." She turned to everyone and gave a graceful bow of her head. "Thank you again for these past few days. It meant a lot to me."

Yuko stood up and hugged her mother gently. "Take care, Oba-san. Don't overwork yourself."

"I won't," Tomiko replied, patting Yuko's back. She then looked at me one last time. "Jack... thank you for offering. But really, focus on taking care of Haruna and the others."

There it was again — that tiny hesitation, that careful distance she was trying to maintain. I simply smiled and nodded. "Drive safely, Oba-san."

Tomiko gave everyone one final look before heading toward the door. As she left, I couldn't help but think about how complicated her feelings must be right now — trying to balance her growing emotions with her role as Yuko's mother.

Haruna stretched her arms high above her head with a big yawn, her shirt riding up slightly as she did so. "Well, now that Oba-san is back to work mode, what should we do today? The house feels so empty without her already."

Yuko turned her gentle gaze toward Kasumi, who was sitting elegantly on the sofa. "Oka-san... is there any place you want to go? We can all go out together if you'd like. Maybe shopping, or a nice café, or even a short trip somewhere relaxing?"

Kasumi smiled warmly but waved her hand dismissively, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "You young people should go out and enjoy yourselves. Why are you worrying about this old lady? I'm perfectly fine staying at home. Go have fun. Don't let me slow you down."

Haruna immediately pouted and rushed over, throwing her arms around Kasumi in a big hug from behind. She squeezed her tightly, rubbing her cheek against her mother's.

"Oka-san~ You are not old at all! You're still so beautiful. If people saw you, there would be a huge line outside our house of men wanting to marry you! I'm serious! You look even better than most women in their twenties!"

Kasumi's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment. She playfully slapped Haruna's ass with a quick smack, making Haruna yelp in surprise. "You...! Teasing your own mother like that. How shameless you've become!"

Despite scolding her, Kasumi's voice was full of affection. She gently patted the spot she had slapped. "Your mother doesn't need anyone else. I'm already happy just spending time with you guys. Having my daughters and son-in-law around me is more than enough. I don't need some random man coming into my life at this age."

Haruna giggled and refused to let go, still hugging her mother tightly. "But Oka-san, you deserve to be pampered! You've worked so hard your whole life. It's time someone took care of you for a change."

Yuko stood quietly nearby, watching the playful interaction between Haruna and Kasumi. On the surface, she smiled softly, but inside, a heavy wave of guilt washed over her. She knew the truth — her mother had been seriously ill not long ago.

Kasumi had faced death and had been terrified of being left alone. The fear of abandonment still lingered deep in her heart, even if she tried to hide it behind her gentle, cheerful demeanor.

Yuko bit her lower lip, her fingers tightening around the edge of her sleeve. Oka-san always says she's fine... but I know she's still scared. She doesn't want to burden us. That's why she keeps pushing us to go out without her...

Kasumi noticed Yuko's slightly distant expression and tilted her head. "Yuko? What's wrong, dear? You look troubled."

Yuko shook her head gently and put on a soft, convincing smile. "It's nothing, really. I was just thinking about where we can all go to have fun together. It's been so long since we had a proper family outing."

I quietly observed Kasumi from the side. A warm, genuine smile was slowly spreading across her face. The more the girls insisted, the more her expression lit up.

The tired, sickly look she sometimes carried seemed to fade away completely. Her eyes sparkled with quiet happiness, and she looked truly alive and content in this moment. It made me smile inwardly.

Haruna suddenly bounced over to me with an excited grin. She grabbed my arm and shook it playfully. "Jack! Let's take Mom shopping today! We haven't gone on a proper shopping trip together in ages. We can buy Oka-san new clothes, jewelry, and anything she wants!"

Yuko nodded in agreement, her own eyes brightening. "Yeah, that's a really good idea. Oka-san always buys things for us but rarely treats herself. We should spoil her today."

Haruna immediately rushed back to Kasumi and started shaking her shoulders excitedly like an eager child. "Oka-san... let's all go! Okay? Okay? Please~ We'll go to the big mall, eat delicious food, and buy lots of pretty things! It'll be so much fun!"

Kasumi laughed helplessly as her daughter kept shaking her. "Okay, okay— stop shaking me so hard! How can you still act like such a spoiled little child at your age?" She gently held Haruna's hands to stop her. "Look, even your boyfriend is laughing at you right now."

Haruna turned toward me, noticing my amused smile. She puffed out her cheeks cutely and stuck her tongue out at me. "Hmph! Jack, from now on, you will not get any kisses! You dare make fun of me? Traitor!"

Kasumi and Yuko both burst into soft laughter at Haruna's dramatic declaration.

Yuko covered her mouth, giggling. "Haruna, you're being too childish. Poor Jack is getting punished for just smiling."

Kasumi shook her head fondly, still chuckling. "This girl... always so dramatic. Jack, you should be careful. My daughter holds grudges over the smallest things."

Haruna crossed her arms and turned her head away dramatically. "That's right! No kisses for a whole week! Maybe even a month if you keep laughing!"

I raised my hands in mock surrender, playing along. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry, Haruna. I wasn't laughing at you. I was just happy seeing everyone in a good mood."

Haruna peeked at me from the corner of her eye, clearly trying to stay mad but failing as the corners of her lips twitched upward. "Hmph. We'll see if your apology is accepted later."

Kasumi gently patted Haruna's head, her voice warm and affectionate. "You silly girl. Fine, let's all go shopping together. But I don't need anything expensive, okay? Just spending time with all of you is enough for me."

Yuko stepped closer and hugged her mother from the side. "No way, Oka-san. Today we're spoiling you properly. You always take care of everyone. Let us return the favor for once."

Haruna immediately joined the hug, squeezing both Yuko and Kasumi. "Yes! We're buying you the prettiest dresses! And new earrings!"

Kasumi smiled helplessly, her eyes slightly misty with emotion, though she tried to hide it. "You two... really know how to make this old woman feel loved."

I watched the beautiful scene with a gentle smile. The warmth in the room was genuine. Even though Kasumi tried to act strong and independent, it was clear how much she cherished these moments with her daughters. And Yuko's earlier guilt seemed to ease a little as she saw her mother's happy expression.

Haruna suddenly looked at me again and pointed dramatically. "Jack! You're coming too! And you have to carry all the bags as punishment for laughing at me!"

Yuko giggled. "That sounds fair."

Kasumi looked at me softly. "You don't have to, Jack. Don't let them bully you."

I laughed lightly. "It's okay, Oba-san. I'd be happy to carry everything. Let's make today a good memory for all of us."

After that, I quickly took a shower, changed into comfortable casual clothes, and had a light breakfast. Meanwhile, Kasumi, Yuko, and Haruna got ready upstairs. When they came down, the sight was beautiful.

Kasumi looked elegant and graceful in a beautiful traditional kimono with a soft floral pattern. Yuko wore a stylish white skirt and a light blue top that gave her a gentle, feminine look. Haruna, as energetic as always, was in tight jeans and a cute crop top that showed off her figure.

We all headed out together. I drove them to one of the largest and most luxurious malls in the city. Once inside, Kasumi, Yuko, and Haruna immediately took charge of spoiling Kasumi. They dragged her from store to store — clothing boutiques, accessory shops, and even a traditional craft store.

I followed behind them, carrying their growing pile of shopping bags with a smile on my face.

However, after about an hour, I noticed something. Someone was subtly following us. My senses picked her up immediately. When I glanced in that direction, I saw a familiar face.

Tachibana.

She was dressed casually in blue jeans and a simple black shirt, her hair tied in a ponytail. For the first time, she wasn't wearing her assassin mask. Her face was fully visible — pretty, but her eyes looked slightly swollen and red, as if she had been crying recently.

I turned to Haruna casually. "Hey, I'm going to the washroom real quick. I'll catch up with you guys in a bit."

Haruna nodded without suspicion. "Okay~ Don't take too long or we'll buy even more things!"

I slipped away from the group and walked toward Tachibana. The moment she realized she had been caught, her eyes widened slightly. I grabbed her wrist gently but firmly and pulled her into a quieter side corridor of the mall, away from the crowd.

Once we were alone, I turned to face her. "What are you doing here, Tachibana?"

Tachibana first looked me up and down with clear concern. "Are you okay? Shouldn't you be resting after last night? You looked half-dead when I left..." Her gaze then shifted toward where Haruna and the others were. "Is that your girlfriend...? Haruna...?"

Before I could answer, her eyes turned red again. She bit her lip hard, clearly fighting back tears.

"So... when you said you would marry me... You were lying to me the whole time, right?" Her voice cracked with pain and accusation. "You just said it to calm me down so I would let you treat me... You already have a girlfriend... a whole family even. Was I just a pathetic dying girl you felt sorry for?"

She clenched her fists tightly at her sides, her entire body trembling with a mix of rage, hurt, and embarrassment.

"You... you idiot! I actually started believing you for a moment. I even cried like a fool thinking about it last night after you left. But seeing you here happily shopping with your real women... I feel so stupid. So you were just playing hero, huh? Just another rich guy who says whatever he wants to get what he needs in the moment."

Tachibana turned her face sharply away, but I could clearly see the tears threatening to spill over.

"If you were going to lie... You shouldn't have said it so convincingly. I hate you... I really hate you right now, Jack."

Her voice grew quieter at the end, filled with raw hurt and embarrassment.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace, wrapping my arms firmly around her smaller frame.

Tachibana stiffened instantly. "Let me go...! Let me go, you bastard!" She began struggling violently in my arms, pushing against my chest. Her voice grew louder and louder, echoing through the mall corridor. "I said, let go of me!!"

Her shouting quickly drew the attention of several passersby. A few men, seeing a beautiful young woman seemingly in distress, immediately stepped forward with righteous anger.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing?! Let go of her right now!" one muscular man shouted.

"Someone call security!" another yelled.

Before I could even release her, two aggressive-looking men rushed over. The first one didn't hesitate — he lifted his leg and delivered a hard kick straight into my ribs.

Thud!

The impact was sharp and powerful. Pain exploded in my side as the force sent me stumbling backward. I deliberately didn't resist, allowing myself to crash dramatically onto the cold tiled floor of the mall. I let out a pained grunt as I hit the ground, clutching my side.

The second man followed up with another kick aimed at my back, though it was lighter. "You piece of shit! Beating a girl in public?! Scum like you deserve to be beaten!"

Tachibana's eyes widened in pure shock and fury. The moment she saw me on the ground, something inside her snapped.

"STOP IT!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice cracking with rage. Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks as she glared at the two men with murderous intent. "Don't you dare touch him again!! I'll kill you—! I'll fucking kill both of you!!"

Her usual cold assassin demeanor completely vanished, replaced by raw, protective anger. She looked ready to tear them apart with her bare hands. Her body trembled violently, not from fear, but from pure fury.

She dropped to her knees beside me instantly, her hands hovering over my body. "Jack...! Are you okay?! Did they hurt you badly?!" Her voice was shaking as she turned her furious gaze back to the two men. "You bastards... You dared to kick my husband?! I'll make you regret being born!"

The crowd gasped at her words.

I quickly grabbed Tachibana's hand to stop her from launching herself at the men. Still on the floor, I raised my other hand toward the gathering crowd and forced a weak, apologetic smile.

"Sorry, everyone... My wife was a bit angry at me. We had a small fight. It's completely my fault. Please don't worry about it."

The two men who had kicked me froze, looking embarrassed now that the situation was revealed.

"W-Wife...? This is a lovers' quarrel?"

"Shit... we misunderstood..."

The surrounding crowd began murmuring:

"Hah, another domestic fight in public..."

"Young people these days have no shame..."

"Keep your arguments at home, damn it."

The two men awkwardly muttered apologies and quickly retreated into the crowd, disappearing as fast as they had appeared.

Once they were gone, Tachibana stayed kneeling beside me. Her eyes were still red and swollen with tears as she gently wiped the dirty shoe marks off my clothes with her hands. Her touch was surprisingly soft and careful, completely contrasting her earlier rage.

"You idiot..." she whispered, her voice hoarse. "Why didn't you dodge? Why did you let them kick you? Are you hurt? Does it hurt a lot...?"

I looked up at her tear-streaked face and asked softly, "Don't you hate me?"

Tachibana froze. Her hands stopped moving on my shirt. She bit her lip so hard it turned white, fresh tears dripping onto my clothes.

"Just shut up..." she muttered, refusing to meet my eyes. "You're really the worst person I've ever met... Saying you'll marry me, then appearing here happily with other women the very next morning. What was I supposed to think?"

She continued gently brushing the dirt off my clothes, almost tenderly. "I waited, worrying about you. Then Master told me you left... I thought maybe you really meant those words. But then I saw you laughing and shopping with them... I felt like the biggest idiot in the world."

She punched my chest lightly with her small fist. "If you were going to have girlfriends... You shouldn't have made me believe you. You made me... You made me hope, you stupid bastard."

Tachibana looked up at me, her eyes still watery but filled with a storm of complicated emotions — anger, pain, embarrassment, and a fragile trace of longing.

"...Were you really serious when you said you'd marry me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Or was that just a lie to save my life? Tell me honestly, Jack."

I looked straight into her teary eyes and nodded without hesitation.

"I am still serious," I said calmly and sincerely. "I really meant it when I said I would marry you. I wasn't lying."

Tachibana's breath hitched. Before she could respond, I added with a small smile, "Didn't you just call me your husband a minute ago in front of all those people?"

The moment the words left my mouth, Tachibana's face turned bright crimson. She froze completely, remembering how she had screamed "He is my husband!" in a panic to stop the men from attacking me.

"Th-That...!" she stammered, her cheeks burning red. "I-I was just trying to save you! I didn't mean it like that! It was an emergency! I had to say something so those idiots would stop kicking you!"

She looked extremely flustered, her hands fidgeting nervously on my chest as she tried to explain herself. The tough, sharp-tongued assassin was nowhere to be seen — only an embarrassed young woman blushing furiously.

"You... you're shameless!" she hissed, though her voice lacked any real venom. "Taking advantage of the situation like that... I only said it because I didn't want them to hurt you more. Don't get any weird ideas!"

Despite her denial, she didn't move away from me. She was still kneeling close, one hand resting on my shirt, her face only inches from mine. Her ears were also bright red, and she kept avoiding direct eye contact.

I gently brushed a tear from her cheek with my thumb. "Even if it was to save me... You still called me your husband. That word came out pretty naturally, don't you think?"

Tachibana slapped my hand away lightly, though there was almost no strength behind it. "Shut up! You're twisting my words again!"

She bit her lip hard, clearly struggling with her own emotions. After a few seconds, her voice became much quieter and more vulnerable.

"...When you said you'd marry me that night... I really wanted to believe you. Even though I acted stubborn and angry, a part of me hoped it was real. No one has ever said something like that to me before. No one has ever been willing to take responsibility for me like that..."

She lowered her head, her ponytail falling forward slightly. "But then I saw you with those women this morning... especially that energetic one who was clinging to your arm. It hurt. It hurt more than I expected. I felt like a complete fool for even considering it."

Tachibana slowly looked back up at me, her eyes searching mine. "So tell me again... Are you really serious? Or are you the type of man who says things like that easily to many women? Because if you're just playing around with me... I'd rather you tell me the truth right now. I can handle being rejected. What I can't handle is false hope."

Her voice trembled slightly at the end.

Despite her tough words, her hand was still gently gripping the front of my shirt, as if she was afraid I might disappear if she let go. The usually fierce and prideful Tachibana was showing a side of herself that very few people had probably ever seen.

I could feel the rapid beating of her heart through her chest as she waited anxiously for my next words, her face still flushed with a deep blush.

I shook my head slowly and looked into her eyes with complete sincerity. "I never lied to you. When I said I would marry you... I meant every word. I still do."

Tachibana's breath caught in her throat. Before I could continue, she interrupted me, her voice shaky and uncertain. "Then what about your girlfriend? That girl who was clinging to your arm earlier... Haruna, right? Don't tell me you're going to hide me or treat me like some dirty secret on the side."

I held her gaze steadily. "I will talk to her. If you want, I can call her right now and explain everything."

Tachibana's eyes widened dramatically in shock. She stared at me as if I had just said something completely insane. "Right now?! Call her... here?!"

Her face turned from flushed pink to bright red in an instant. She looked extremely flustered and panicked, clearly surprised by how direct and immediate I was being. "Are you crazy?! You want to confront her about this... about me... right here in the middle of a crowded mall?!"

She pulled back slightly, hesitation and doubt flooding her expression. Her grip on my shirt tightened even more, but her eyes darted around nervously. "W-Wait... you're really going to do that? Just like that? What if she gets angry? What if she starts crying or hates me? I... I don't want to cause a fight between you two. I don't want to be the reason your relationship breaks..."

Tachibana bit her lip hard, clearly conflicted. Doubt was written all over her face. "I've seen this kind of situation before. Men always say they'll handle it, but in the end, the mistress gets blamed and thrown away. Are you really going to tell her the truth so openly? Or are you just testing me...?"

I gently brushed a stray tear from her cheek. "I'm not testing you. I'm serious."

Tachibana looked down, her voice becoming smaller. "You... you really are a scumbag for wanting both of us. But..."

I pulled her into a firm hug again, holding her close. "Wait. I'll call her right now. Here—"

Tachibana immediately panicked even more, pushing against my chest frantically. "No! Not here! Are you out of your mind?! Everyone is already staring at us because of what happened earlier! If you call her now and start talking about marriage and sharing... I'll die from embarrassment!"

She buried her face in my chest for a moment, clearly overwhelmed. After a few seconds, she muttered, "You're too reckless... You say these big things so easily. What if Haruna really hates the idea? What if she forces you to choose? I told you... If she doesn't want this, I'll leave. I won't destroy your happiness."

I loosened the hug slightly and looked at her. "I will not let you leave. And don't worry about Haruna. I will handle it properly. Trust me on this."

Tachibana stared at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine deeply. Hesitation, doubt, fear, and a tiny spark of hope all swirled together in her gaze. Finally, she gave a small, hesitant nod.

"...If my Master can trust you... even after knowing you already have a girlfriend, and she still didn't stop you from saving me or making that promise... then I'll trust her judgment too. And... I'll try to trust you."

She looked away, clearly embarrassed by her own admission. "But I'm warning you right now — if you ever treat me like a toy, a side piece, or a temporary replacement, I'll really kill you. Slowly. I'm not joking."

Even though she threatened me, her hand was still clutching my shirt, and her body remained close to mine. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke again, her voice barely audible:

"...And if Haruna really agrees to this crazy idea... then... I guess I wouldn't mind... being with you. But only if she's truly okay with it. I refuse to be the woman who ruins another girl's relationship."

I smiled softly and gently stroked her hair. "Thank you for trusting me, Tachibana."

Tachibana suddenly realized how intimate the situation had become. She quickly pulled back, clearing her throat and trying to put on her usual tough front again, though her red ears and flushed cheeks completely betrayed her.

"Hmph! Don't get too full of yourself just because I said that! This doesn't mean I've forgiven you yet. You still have a lot to prove."

She stood up and offered me her hand to help me up from the floor. Even though she tried to act cold, her grip was surprisingly gentle and warm.

As I stood up, she glanced nervously toward the direction where Haruna and the others were shopping, then back at me.

"So... when are you actually going to tell her? Today? You're not really going to call her right now while we're in the mall... right?"

I looked at Tachibana gently and said, "I will arrange for us to meet soon. In a private place, just the three of us. Don't worry, I'll handle everything properly. For now, give me your number."

Tachibana hesitated for a second, her cheeks still faintly pink, but eventually nodded. We exchanged phone numbers in silence. After saving her contact, I looked at the name I just added — "Tachibana" — and smiled softly.

I then looked back at her. "Tachibana... I want you to do something for me."

She tilted her head slightly, still a bit wary. "What is it?"

"I want you to find out the location of your sister Hitomi."

Tachibana's eyes widened in surprise. She stared at me for a long moment before speaking. "Are you... going to heal her? But Master said... she told me that using your ability will hurt you badly."

Her expression suddenly changed as she remembered something. She exclaimed loudly, "Yeah... I remember now! After sending you back this morning, Master came to me and specifically asked me not to let you use your ability again. She looked really serious... even scared."

Tachibana's brows furrowed with worry. "She kept repeating that I shouldn't let you push yourself. That it would be dangerous for you. So... you really were lying about the side effects, weren't you?"

I shook my head calmly and lied without hesitation, keeping my voice steady. "It's nothing. You see, that ability really doesn't have any serious effect on me. Your master is just overly worried. She's afraid that if anyone finds out about my healing power, I would be targeted by dangerous people. That's why she's so against it. She's trying to protect me."

Tachibana looked conflicted. She bit her lip, clearly torn between trusting her master's words and wanting to believe me. "But... Master seemed really shaken. I've never seen her like that before. Are you sure it's really okay? I don't want you to suffer because of us again..."

I reached out and gently tapped her nose with my finger, smiling. "Yeah. Didn't you see it for yourself last night? I healed all your wounds completely. I'm fine, aren't I?"

Tachibana's face turned red again at the light touch. She rubbed her nose shyly and looked away. "O-Okay... If you say so. I'll try to find out Sister Hitomi's location. She's been hiding really well, but I might be able to track her through some old contacts."

She paused, then added quietly, "Can you... Really heal her? Her burns are really bad. Even advanced medical treatment hasn't helped much. If you can actually fix something like that..."

I nodded confidently. "I can. You experienced it yourself."

Tachibana nodded shyly, a small, hesitant smile appearing on her lips. "Okay... I'll do it."

I lowered my voice and warned her seriously, "But don't let your master find out. You know how she is. She would be extremely worried if she knew I was planning to use this ability again. So keep it between us for now."

Tachibana crossed her arms and gave me a tsundere glare, though it lacked any real hostility. "Hmph. Are you asking me to hide things from Master now? You really are a bad influence."

She sighed softly, but her eyes showed reluctant acceptance. "Fine. I won't tell her. But if anything happens to you because of this... I'll never forgive you. And I'll kick you even harder than last time."

Despite her sharp words, there was clear concern hidden in her tone. She glanced down at her phone, where she had just saved my number, and muttered under her breath, "I can't believe I'm doing this... agreeing to hide things from Master for a man I barely know."

After a moment, she looked back up at me, her expression softening just a little. "When I find the location... I'll message you. But promise me one thing — if it's really going to hurt you, even a little, you won't force it. I don't want Sister Hitomi to recover at the cost of your health."

She poked my chest with her finger lightly. "I'm serious, Jack. Don't be reckless."

I smiled and nodded. "I promise I'll be careful."

Tachibana stared at me for a few more seconds, as if trying to read my true intentions. Then she stepped back, adjusting her shirt awkwardly. "I should go now... before your girlfriend starts looking for you. Don't forget what you said. If Haruna doesn't agree... I'll disappear. No matter what you say."

Even as she said that, her eyes betrayed her true feelings — she didn't want to disappear at all.

She turned around, but stopped after a few steps and looked back over her shoulder. "And... thank you. For still being willing to help Hitomi-neesan even after everything."

With those quiet words, Tachibana walked away, disappearing into the bustling crowd of the mall, leaving behind only the faint scent of her shampoo and the warmth of her hesitant trust.

I stood there for a moment, watching her slender figure vanish among the shoppers. Just as I was about to head back to the others, my phone suddenly rang. The screen showed Haruna's name.

I smiled, thinking she was probably calling me to help carry more shopping bags. But the moment I answered, Haruna's panicked, tearful voice came through.

"Jack...! Where are you?! Come here quickly! Jack... Oka-san, she... she...!" Haruna's voice broke into sobs, making my heart skip a beat.

"I'm coming right now!" I replied urgently.

Without wasting a second, I activated Telekinesis to sense Haruna's exact location and sprinted through the mall corridors at full speed. Within a minute, I reached a high-end clothing store on the second floor.

The moment I entered, I saw the chaotic scene.

Kasumi stood in the middle of the store, looking pale and shaken. Yuko was standing protectively in front of her, while Haruna was clutching Kasumi's arm, tears streaming down her face.

In front of them was an elderly woman, probably in her late 70s or early 80s, with a face full of wrinkles twisted in hatred. She was pointing a trembling finger directly at Kasumi.

"You are a jinx! A cursed woman who killed my son!" the old woman screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing through the entire store. "Because of you, my son is dead! You ruined our family!"

Beside the old woman stood a middle-aged man (likely her son) and a woman who appeared to be his wife. The man looked uncomfortable but didn't stop his mother, while his wife was glaring at Kasumi with clear hostility.

Kasumi's face had lost all color. Her hands were shaking as she tried to remain composed, but the pain in her eyes was obvious.

Yuko's voice trembled with anger as she tried to shield her mother. "Please stop this! My mother didn't do anything wrong! This is a public place!"

Haruna was crying harder. "Oka-san... don't listen to her... Please..."

A crowd of shoppers had started gathering, whispering among themselves and taking out their phones to record the drama.

I quickly stepped forward, positioning myself between Kasumi and the angry old woman.