Rika POV
I stared at him in disbelief.
"Shinji…?"
I muttered it in a whisper.
My grip on the knife loosened as thoughts crashed violently through my head.
My mother and father glanced at each other—then smirked.
"My, my… who might you be, young man?"
My father spoke confidently as he walked calmly to my side.
Shinji shrugged and tilted his head, relaxed.
"Oh, me? Forgive my insolent behavior. I'm just a random man who happens to lead the clan behind me. You may call me Amaris."
His tone was casual—too casual.
"Hahaha, I see. A young man named Amaris… leader of the newly founded clan Blood Luna."
My father smiled calmly as he glanced toward the guests.
"The same clan that failed to kill my precious daughter countless times."
"Seriously, kids these days are so energetic. Hahaha."
The guests laughed along with him.
But my mind was elsewhere.
Amaris?
What is he saying?
Even with that mask, I knew.
That was Shinji.
So why?
Why would he—?
My mother glanced at me and smirked.
"Well… what a lovely turn of events, isn't it?"
I snapped my head toward her.
"Mother, how can you say that? You know that man is Shi—"
"This is what you wanted, isn't it?" she interrupted smoothly.
"To know what really happened four years ago?"
Her words silenced me instantly.
I had seen that twisted smile before—but now, it sent a deeper chill through my spine.
She tapped my shoulder lightly.
"Aren't you curious why your memories are so badly blurred?"
"What do you mean…?"
She withdrew her hand and walked toward my father, facing Shinji.
"Amaris. Am I correct?"
Shinji remained silent—calm.
"You're right," my mother continued.
"Simply stabbing this little lamb on the floor would be boring."
"So I thought—why not give you one last chance to kill my daughter… before she sacrifices this lamb?"
My eyes widened.
The other clans grinned in excitement.
"Mother—what are you saying?!"
She raised her hand without looking at me, her gaze locked onto Shinji.
Shut up.
Shinji suddenly laughed, running a hand through his hair.
I froze.
As if he'd been waiting for this moment all along.
"That would be my pleasure."
He stepped onto the stage.
Father and Marlon dragged Brian forward, tying him at the center—hanging.
Shinji removed his suit jacket, leaving the mask on.
"Why are you doing this?"
I asked, forcing my voice not to tremble.
"It's been a while," he said quietly.
"I don't remember you talking this much."
His voice was low—but there was something beneath it. Something sharp.
He slid a golden knuckle weapon onto his fist.
Spikes glinted under the light.
"You vanished for so long… and now you act like this?"
I kept my expression calm, though something inside me began ticking—louder.
"Shi—"
I didn't finish.
He struck.
I barely blocked it with my knife.
"Shhh…" he whispered close to my ear.
"Don't call me by that name… little sis."
My focus shattered.
In the next second, he moved—fast—kicking my head while I was distracted.
The impact sent me crashing to the floor.
"Is that it?" he asked coolly.
"Is that all you've got?"
I inhaled deeply, forcing my body to respond, and stood.
The guests cheered and applauded.
I wiped the blood from my lips and met his gaze.
"It's disappointing," he said calmly.
"You're acting pathetic."
"You already know you're stronger than me," I replied evenly.
"So why don't you just finish it?"
He stepped forward and slammed his fist into my shoulder.
The spikes pierced deep.
I groaned, biting my lip until blood filled my mouth—sealing the scream.
"You say you want me to kill you," he muttered, pressing harder,
"yet you still care about not embarrassing this family in front of the other clans."
The spikes sank deeper.
"How about you?" I said through the pain.
"I didn't even know you were capable of love."
His jaw tightened.
He pulled away.
I dropped to my knees, blood soaking my shoulder—yet my face remained calm.
"Where is the strength you had four years ago?"
His voice turned cold.
I lifted my head, panting.
"What do you mean?"
He glanced at my mother.
"This girl—why isn't she acting normal?"
"This isn't the one I faced before."
My mother smirked and sipped her wine.
"Then why don't you call her out?"
He tilted his head.
"Still dumb as ever, I see."
She smiled faintly.
"Trigger her," she said.
"And you'll understand. My precious daughter is far more than this act."
Shinji's gaze dropped to me—then shifted to Brian.
I remained kneeling as he suddenly walked toward him.
"What… what are you doing?"
"Why are you going to Brian?!"
He stopped.
Slowly, he unsheathed the knife hidden at his waist.
"Time to wake up."