Rika's POV
Mila led me out of the gate, still silent, but her expression changed the moment she spotted Bryan waiting for us.
Mila: "Bryan!!!"
She waved, still holding my hand.
Bryan noticed our tangled fingers and smirked.
Bryan: "Whoa… where'd you two come from, huh? Don't tell me you were hiding and doing something naughty~ Hahaha!"
Mila stomped on his foot — hard. Bryan yelped, jumping around while gripping his foot.
Mila: "What a dirty mind you have! I just coincidentally passed by Rika in the hallway and we walked out together!"
She let go of my hand and crossed her arms, glaring.
Bryan still winced as he spoke.
Bryan: "God, Mila—you're so barbaric."
Then his eyes landed on me, and the moment he noticed the small cut on my lip, he stood up straight and stepped closer.
Bryan: "Whoa—who did this? Did someone punch you? Where? Tell me and I'll—"
Mila: "She did it to herself."
Bryan: "Ohhh, you did it to yourse—wait, WHAT?!"
Mila: "Late reaction?"
I sighed and gave them a smile.
Rika: "Guys, don't worry. I just got nervous talking to someone too beautiful and… accidentally bit my lip."
Mila looked at me and pulled out her ointment. She leaned in and gently traced my lips with her fingers.
I winced—half acting, half not.
With her other hand, she softly cradled the back of my head.
Mila: "Shhh… hold still."
Bryan covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
Bryan: "Your mama's real hands-on, huh, Rika?"
I rolled my eyes. Mila finished applying the ointment and leaned back.
Mila: "Don't bite it again, okay?"
I could still remember her face when she talked to Clarissa earlier. But seeing her calm now… felt like relief.
Rika: "Okay…"
Mila smiled and leaned in, whispering.
Mila: "No need to panic. You're okay."
I tensed, but nodded. I tried to look at her—but she suddenly bit my ear.
Rika: "AHH!"
I grabbed her shoulders and shoved her away gently.
Rika: "What was that for?!"
Mila just smiled, but her eyes weren't looking at me.
They were looking past me.
I turned to look—but saw nothing.
Rika: "Mila… you okay?"
Mila: "Hmm? Yeah. Don't overreact. I didn't even bite you that hard."
I stared at her. She looked… normal again.
Bryan: "Lucky you, Rika. She didn't bite hard. Last time she bit me, my shoulder ached for a week."
Mila: "It wasn't that bad, you dummy."
As the three of us kept bickering, the Ashikawa family car pulled up.
I waved at them.
Mila and Bryan waved back, still teasing each other.
—
Inside the car, I leaned back against the seat.
I let out a breath, still thinking…
What just happened?
Mila… acting unsure like that.
And Clarissa… she knows something.
Mr. Wang: "Young Miss, is there a problem?"
I kept my expression blank and shook my head.
Rika: "Nothing at all."
He nodded and continued driving.
---
We arrived at the mansion.
I didn't bother changing clothes. I tossed my bag on the bench and headed straight to the training hall.
I grabbed Shinji's other knife — the one he left for me — and compared it to the one Clarissa gave back earlier.
There was no doubt.
They were a pair. Shinji's dual knives.
But how… how did she get one of them?
I kept Clarissa's hidden and used the one I always trained with.
I swung it through the air, sharp and clean. Every move sliced wind. Every step had weight.
Minutes passed.
Then — applause.
I turned. It was my mother.
I was panting, soaked in sweat, but I still bowed.
Rika: "Sorry if I disturbed your time, Mother."
She smirked.
Mother: "Hmmm. Why are your moves so sloppy?"
I kept my head low. Cold. Controlled.
Rika: "Apologies, Mother. I'll train harder."
She nodded — then without warning, she threw a knife at me.
I barely caught it.
I didn't flinch. I just looked at her.
Mother: "You didn't dodge?"
Rika: "Rule number one: never aim your knife at someone who taught you."
Her lips curved into a smile. She stepped forward and gently caressed my cheek.
Mother: "Good."
She handed me a black envelope — but this time, the seal was white.
Rika: "What is this?"
Mother: "A message from Crow. Your current target's been cancelled."
Rika: "Cancelled? Why?"
Mother: "Who knows? But whatever Crow says, we obey. Understand?"
I nodded.
She turned to leave.
But I couldn't let it go.
Rika: "Mother."
She stopped. Turned halfway.
Mother: "Hmmm?"
Rika: "Three years ago… I kept asking where Shinji went. But you and Father… never answered. Why?"
Her eyes narrowed. She stepped forward — and kicked me hard in the stomach.
I dropped to my knees, coughing for air.
She crossed her arms, towering over me.
Mother: "Why are you kneeling? Stand up."
I gritted my teeth. Swallowed the pain. And stood.
She grabbed my chin, forcing my gaze up.
Mother: "Never taint yourself by saying that traitor's name."
She let go — roughly.
Mother: "Double your training. And never mention him again."
She left.
The door shut behind her.
I collapsed again, hands on the floor, gasping.
Rika: "She dodged it again…"
I muttered, eyes half-glazed. Then Clarissa's words came back.
I clenched my fist. My hand reached for the knife she gave me — Shinji's.
Rika: "That girl… she knows something. I'll make her talk. One way or another."
—
Mila's POV
I sat alone in my study room, lamp glowing, paperwork spread in front of me.
I scribbled something with my pen — when a knock broke the silence.
Mila: "Come in."
My older brother, Luis, entered with tea and sweets.
Luis: "Studying again, huh?"
He placed the tray on the desk and patted my head.
I leaned into it.
Mila: "Yeah."
He looked down and noticed something.
Smirking, he reached for one of my sketches.
Luis: "Now… care to explain why the second daughter of the Ashikawa family is in this portrait?"
I snatched it back and hid it.
Mila: "Brother!"
He raised his hands like surrender.
Luis: "Hahaha! Okay, okay. I won't ask. It's obvious anyway."
I took off my glasses and sighed, pinching my nose bridge.
Luis smiled and gently touched my head again.
Luis: "Mom told me… you used your authority to cancel an assassination?"
I looked him straight in the eyes.
Mila: "Yes. And what of it?"
Luis: "Nothing. Just… surprising. You've never interfered before. Rika handled many targets without flinching. Why her?"
Mila: "Because that girl isn't special. Rika doesn't need to touch her blood."
Luis: "Does Rika know who you really are?"
Mila: "No. And I don't plan to tell her. Not yet. Not until we find Shinji. That girl knows something. No one from any clan is allowed to kill her."
Luis paused, then nodded.
Luis: "You've never used your influence like this… not for anyone."
Mila: "If finding Shinji means Rika returns to who she was… I'll do whatever it takes."
---