In Ron's House.
Ron sat on the couch, deep in thought, a faint smile resting on his lips.
"What are you thinking about?" Dream whispered in his ear from behind.
Ron jumped slightly. "Don't scare me like that," he said, turning to look at her.
Dream stood there, holding Ines gently in her arms. She walked over and sat beside him on the couch.
"So… what were you thinking about?" she asked again, her tone soft.
Ron smiled and carefully took Ines into his arms. "I was thinking about my teacher."
"Your teacher?" Dream tilted her head. "Tell me about him."
Ron glanced down at Ines before speaking. "When I first came to this town, I had nothing. I knew nothing about this world or how it worked. The first people I met were Finian, his sister, and Locki. I stayed with them for a while."
He paused, his expression growing more nostalgic.
"Then I met him… Mr. Shiba. He helped me with everything. He trained me. His training was brutal, but it shaped me into who I am today."
Dream nodded slowly. "How long did he train you?"
"Seven years," Ron replied. "When my training was complete, I left. I got busy with missions… but I still visited him whenever I could."
Ron fell silent. His smile slowly faded.
Dream noticed immediately. She gently placed her hand over his.
"And then?" she asked quietly.
"He died… a few years ago," Ron said.
Dream's eyes widened slightly.
Ron's mind drifted into a memory.
---
In the past — Midnight, in a forest
Ron stood alone, shirtless, eyes closed, breathing steady. He sat in deep meditation, holding a wooden sword straight in front of him, its tip aligned with his nose.
"Calm your mind," an old voice echoed. "Imagine yourself surrounded by skilled assassins."
Old Man Shiba stood a short distance away, watching him closely. Suddenly, Ron sensed movements.
Ron spun and swung his wooden sword — but before he could strike, Shiba moved like lightning and slammed his palm into Ron's face.
"Aaagh— my nose!" Ron cried, falling to the ground.
Shiba sighed. "Ron… real assassins won't hesitate. They won't stop. They will kill you if you hesitate even for a second."
Ron slammed the wooden sword onto the ground. "I'm not doing this anymore! This is too hard. I'll figure something out myself. I'll survive my own way."
He turned and walked away into the darkness.
Shiba stood there silently, watching his back until Ron disappeared from sight.
Back to the present
"Pa… pa…" Ines murmured softly.
Ron snapped out of his memory and looked at her.
"Yes, my dear," he said gently.
Dream noticed a tear forming in Ron's eye — but it vanished quickly as he began playing with Ines.
Soon, Ines fell asleep. Dream carefully took her and stood up to carry her to the bedroom.
"Dream," Ron called out.
She stopped and turned back.
"I want to go to China," Ron said.
Dream studied his face for a moment… then nodded, understanding without needing words.
Moments later, Ron wore a mask and teleported to Shanghai, China.
He stood on familiar streets, breathing in the night air.
"Hello, China… I missed you," he muttered to himself.
He walked toward a familiar apartment building — Finian's House.
Ron unlocked the door with an old key. Dust covered everything. The garden was overgrown and messy. He went to the garage — two old bikes still stood there.
He sighed. "That guy never takes care of this place."
Ron spent some time cleaning the house. Then, he bought a new bike online and had it delivered.
The sun was beginning to set when the bike arrived. Ron signed the papers, sat on it, and sped off toward the woods.
The sky darkened. The moon rose — but it wasn't normal.
In the bike's mirror, Ron saw it clearly.
A crimson moon.
His grip tightened. The Crimson Moon… it appeared that day too.
After nearly three hours of riding, Ron stopped at the edge of a familiar clearing.
He turned off the engine and walked forward.
He closed his eyes.
Then… he heard crying.
A white silhouette sat on the ground ahead of him, its back turned toward him.
Ron slowly walked closer and stood behind it.
"That day… I didn't recognize you. But now I do," he said quietly.
The crying stopped.
The crimson moon glowed in the corner of Ron's vision.
The white figure slowly turned toward him.
Ron's eyes widened.
"So… I was right…" Ron whispered.
Later, Ron walked deeper into the woods until he reached a grave.
Dear Teacher
Shiba
Date of Birth: XXX
Date of Death: XXX
Ron stood where he had stood years ago.
That night, it had been pouring rain.
Back then, his body had frozen — just like it was freezing now.
His breathing grew heavier.
Step by step, he forced himself forward until he stood right in front of the grave.
I could never accept that you were really gone… That was the first and last time I came here, he thought.
Ron slowly dropped to his knees.