Clarissa POV
I trembled in my chair as I watched the scene unfold.
Rika had just done that to Brian—her own friend.
The one she laughed with.
The one she ate with.
She had ripped out his heart without a single expression.
Sweat gathered beneath my mask as I clenched my dress tightly in my hands.
Ramon noticed.
He leaned closer.
"What? Surprised by her inner demon?"
I flinched and looked away from him.
"I… I've seen her in this state before. A long time ago. There's nothing to be surprised about," I said, though my lips trembled.
Ramon turned his gaze back to the stage and unsheathed his blade.
"Master is going to lose this fight."
I snapped my head up.
Shinji's hands were bleeding—more and more—but Rika showed no sign of stopping.
Every strike carried clear intent.
She was trying to kill him.
"But why—"
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
I immediately covered my mouth.
Ramon glanced at me for a second before stepping forward.
"What do you mean, why?" he asked coldly.
"Why Shinji is losing? Or why that monster is acting like this?"
I looked up at him, but he covered my eyes before I could see his expression.
"Master already warned us. That girl is no joke," he continued.
"You should stop questioning it. Everything she showed you before was an act. Their kind doesn't reveal their true feelings."
He tilted my head down gently.
"The monster in front of us now—that is her real self."
The other members of Blood Luna stood as well, hands on their weapons, ready to intervene.
"Shinji would be furious if you interfere," I said quietly, my gaze still lowered.
"He's been waiting for this fight for a long time."
"I know," Ramon replied. "But we can't let him die here."
His eyes shifted toward Rika's mother.
"Not in front of that psycho. I've already asked someone to escort you back to your mansion."
I closed my eyes, hearing the anger in his voice, and slowly stood.
"You're only planning to take Shinji back, right?" I asked.
Ramon cracked his knuckles.
"Who knows? Maybe we'll end that girl tonight. Don't think about it. Go."
"But—"
I stopped myself.
"I understand," I said quietly. "I'll head back first."
One of the members escorted me out of the mansion.
I knew this was about to turn chaotic.
Inside the car, I took a deep breath and leaned back against the seat.
My eyes drifted to the gates of the Ashikawa mansion as memories surfaced.
Rika's anger when we met on the rooftop.
Her sadness when she thought I had already left.
Her shock earlier—watching her friend beaten for sacrifice.
And her smile…
Shattering the moment she saw Shinji again.
I shook my head and leaned against the window, trying to push the thoughts away.
Unconsciously, my fingers brushed my lips.
Ramon was right.
Shinji was right.
But just now…
Did I almost say
we don't need to kill her?