The red-haired man sat in the back seat as his subordinate drove through the silent streets.
"Boss… today's the day, isn't it?" the driver ventured.
"Yes," the man—Tatsuma—answered coolly, eyes flicking down to his watch. The hands glowed faintly in the dark: 3:00 a.m.
"We strike at this hour. A surprise attack… they'll never see it coming," he added, a faint, dangerous smile curling on his lips.
In their wake, a convoy of black cars followed in tight formation. Every vehicle was packed with his men, their headlights slicing through the shadows.
Elsewhere, in a quiet room, a phone vibrated insistently on the bed. A blonde girl groaned, rubbing the sleep from her bleary red eyes as she fumbled for it.
The shrill ring had cut through her dream and her patience alike.
"Ugh… who dares ruin my precious sleep at this hour…?" she muttered, casting a glance at the clock. The glowing numbers mocked her: 3:00 a.m.
The caller ID read: Kusunoki.
She let out a weary sigh. Kusunoki never called this late unless something serious was going on. Resigned, she swiped to answer, her voice edged with irritation.
"Chisato, are you awake?" the voice on the other end asked.
"I was," Chisato shot back, her tone sharp as she rubbed her eyes again. "This had better be important."
"There's a Yakuza faction—the Kurotora-gumi—on their way to the Murakami Tech building," Kusunoki's voice came crisply through the phone, sharp enough to jolt Chisato fully awake.
"The… Murakami Tech building? What the hell are the Kurotora-gumi doing there at this hour?" Chisato sat upright, the last traces of sleep vanishing from her expression.
"I believe you've had contact with Murakami's successor before, haven't you?"
"Yeah, that's right," Chisato replied, now wide awake and fully alert. "What about him?"
"I normally wouldn't approve of civilians being involved in missions like this," Kusunoki said, her tone firm, then paused.
"But after observing his actions—and his intellect—I'm making an exception."
"You're taking him seriously now?" Chisato asked, arching a brow.
"Take him with you. Your objective is to protect the Murakami Tech building from the Kurotora-gumi. I'll deploy several Lycoris agents to handle the underlings."
"I'll notify Takina after this. Understood?"
"Crystal," Chisato affirmed, already swinging her legs off the bed. "I'll pick him up and head out immediately."
She ended the call and swiftly began dialing Ryoma's number. The line rang once, twice—no answer.
Chisato frowned, irritation creeping into her expression.
"Seriously? Pick up the damn phone…" she muttered, redialing without pause.
The call rang again, unanswered.
"Is he still sleeping? Wake up, please!"
Elsewhere, Ryoma stood in the quiet sterility of a hospital room, speaking softly with the doctor.
"I see… so… she really won't wake up again, huh?" His voice was low, strained, almost a whisper.
"Unfortunately, sir," the doctor replied with a measured calm. "That's the reality. Only a miracle could change her condition now."
Ryoma gave a slow nod, his emerald eyes clouded. For a long moment, he stood there, silent, lost in thought.
Then, with a heavy exhale, he turned and stepped out of the room—only then noticing the faint vibration in his pocket.
His phone screen lit up with an incoming call. Chisato.
He frowned faintly, realizing it had been on silent mode. Sliding his thumb across the screen, he brought it to his ear.
"What's so urgent that you're calling me at this hour, Chisato?" he asked, his tone flat but curious.
On the other end, Chisato's initial irritation seemed to melt, replaced by a mix of relief and barely-contained impatience.
"Finally. You picked up," she said, almost exasperated.
"Sorry," Ryoma replied, glancing back at the room he'd left. "I was… occupied. What's going on?"
"No time for explanations," she cut in briskly, her voice all business now.
"Listen carefully. The Murakami Tech building is being targeted by the Kurotora-gumi. They're moving now."
Ryoma's eyes narrowed, a sharp glint cutting through his earlier haze. "At this hour? …A sudden attack, huh."
For a beat, he stared at the hospital door, then finally spoke again, his voice firm.
"Alright. I'll swing by and pick you and Takina up."
"Good," Chisato replied, already stepping into her shoes as she headed for the door of her apartment. "Move fast. I'll contact Takina on the way."
Ryoma ended the call with a quiet tap, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
As the screen of his glasses flickered to life, Ayaka's holographic form appeared in the corner of his vision.
"Ryoma," she said, her voice brimming with excitement, her digital eyes shining like starlight. "Let's make this our final battle!"
He didn't answer right away. His hand lingered on the car door handle, his gaze distant.
Ayaka's smile faltered as she caught the shadow of sorrow beneath his calm expression.
"…Ayaka," Ryoma murmured at last, his voice low but resolute. "After this fight… I swear I'll find a way for you to hold me again."
For a moment, her projection flickered slightly, as though his words disrupted her flawless code.
Her bright eyes softened, a quiet storm of hope and worry crossing her features.
"Ryoma…" she began, hesitating just long enough for the concern in her tone to show.
But then she seemed to catch herself, realizing no amount of warning or protest would ever deter him.
She let out a small laugh, her trademark grin returning as if to banish the heavy air.
"You'd better keep that promise, Ryoma," she said, her tone light but with an unmistakable edge of sincerity. "If you don't… I won't forgive you."
Ryoma gave a firm nod, his usual calm confidence returning to his voice. "I will. I'll find a way to give you a body again… no matter what."
Without another word, he broke into a run, his footsteps quick and purposeful as he crossed the parking lot.
He slipped into the driver's seat, and Ayaka immediately linked into the vehicle's system.
The engine roared to life, and the navigation display flashed as she reprogrammed the route toward Chisato's apartment.
Ryoma gripped the wheel tight, his foot slamming down on the accelerator.
The car shot forward, tires squealing as it surged into the streets.
The city became a blur of lights and motion, buildings streaking past his windows.
Ryoma's blue eyes were fixed ahead, his focus unshakable.
There was only one thought in his mind now: Get to Chisato. No matter what.
Ayaka's voice crackled through the car's speakers, her usual excitement now laced with a note of worry. "Ryoma, be careful! You're going way too fast!"
"The sooner, the better," Ryoma replied coolly, barely glancing at the blur of his surroundings as he expertly drifted into a sharp turn.
The tires shrieked in protest, rubber skidding against asphalt. Ayaka's voice rose, an edge of panic creeping in.
"Ryoma! You're being reckless! If you keep this up, you're going to crash!"
"Nonsense," Ryoma said with the faintest smirk. "I scored perfectly on my driving test. If it were even possible… my score would've been more than perfect."
Ayaka groaned at his impossible arrogance but couldn't help feeling a flicker of warmth hearing him sound like himself again.
That ridiculous confidence of his was part of what she… admired.
She let out a soft laugh."I'm not doubting your genius, you show-off," she teased, her tone lighter now.
"Just worried about that insane need for speed of yours."
It wasn't long before the car screeched to a stop in front of Chisato's apartment. She was already waiting at the curb, hands on her hips.
Chisato blinked in surprise as Ryoma stepped out. "Wow… you actually showed up fast. You really do take everything so seriously, huh?" she quipped, her voice full of amused disbelief.
Ryoma arched a brow, already turning back toward the driver's seat with mock indifference.
"Then I'll just leave you here," he said dryly, reaching for the door handle.
"Whoa, hey, hey—just kidding! Just kidding!" Chisato called out with a bright laugh, hurrying after him. "You really don't know how to take a joke, do you?"
She slid into the passenger seat beside him, still grinning as she buckled herself in. Ryoma merely shook his head, his eyes back on the road.
Together, they drove off to pick up Takina, and without wasting another moment, sped straight toward the Murakami Tech building.
"I didn't expect him to attack at this hour," Takina said, her tone clipped as her eyes stayed on the dark streets rushing by.
"No one would've," Ryoma replied simply, his hands steady on the wheel.
Chisato, sitting in the passenger seat with her cheek propped on her hand, stared thoughtfully out the window.
Her usual bright smile was replaced by a slight frown. "But what's his goal? Why go after the Murakami building at all?" she mused aloud.
Ryoma's blue eyes narrowed behind his glasses. "He's probably furious… and wants to cripple the company."
"Destroy the building outright, make us take a massive loss."
"That's… a pretty drastic measure," Chisato remarked, still frowning. "Blowing up an entire skyscraper just to make a statement? Even for a Yakuza boss, that's overkill."
Ryoma's voice was calm, but his words carried weight. "Maybe not just a statement."
"If he inflicts enough damage, Tatsuma could pressure Masaru into handing him the company outright."
"And if that fails," Takina added evenly, "he could escalate—take the fight to another country and start wrecking more Murakami facilities. Until Masaru finally caves."
The theory hung in the air for a beat, heavy but plausible.
Then the digital screen on the dashboard flickered to life, showing Ayaka sprawled lazily across a plush virtual sofa.
As the conversation reached her, she sat up straight, her bright smile returning.
"That actually makes a lot of sense!" she said cheerfully, her digital eyes sparkling.
"Oh?" Chisato perked up, leaning closer to the display. "You can lie down in there? You've got digital furniture and everything?"
Ayaka nodded proudly, still grinning.
"Yep! My little world's a perfect replica of my dream room!"
Chisato's curiosity brightened her expression as she tilted her head. "That's fascinating. And you can actually rest there? Like real sleep?"
Ayaka let out a light, amused laugh. "Well… not really sleep, since I'm just data. But it's a great place to relax and think."
Ryoma snorted softly, glancing at the screen. "'Dream room,' she says… filled it with cutesy dolls and other childish junk," he teased, his lips curling into a faint smirk.
Ayaka shot him an exaggerated pout. "Oh hush, Ryoma. Not everyone wants to live in a bare room with nothing but books and computers."
Chisato giggled, her mood lifting. "I don't know, Ayaka. Dolls sound way more fun than Ryoma's dreary setup. I'd pick your room in a heartbeat!"
"And what exactly is the point of anime figures?" Ryoma asked flatly, his emerald eyes glinting with mild disdain.
Ayaka gasped, then huffed in mock indignation. "Hmph! You just don't appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into making them. They're collectible art pieces, thank you very much!"
Chisato, watching their banter from the passenger seat, couldn't help but smile, amusement tugging at the corners of her lips.
Even Takina, usually stone-faced, let out a soft chuckle at the exchange. "Still," she added dryly, "I have to agree with Ryoma. Those figures are… a little childish, Ayaka."
Ayaka let out a dramatic gasp, clutching her digital chest as though mortally wounded.
"How could you, Takina?! I thought you were on my side. This betrayal cuts deep. Truly, I'm hurt beyond repair," she declared with exaggerated flair.
Chisato couldn't hold back anymore, bursting into laughter at Ayaka's theatrical display.
"You're ridiculous," she giggled, wiping a tear from her eye.
But the lightheartedness vanished in an instant as Ayaka's cheerful face suddenly froze, her eyes going wide.
"Ryoma," she said sharply, her tone all business now. "You've got an incoming video call. It's from one of your employees."
Ryoma's expression darkened, and he gave a curt nod. The dashboard screen switched over to reveal the bloodied, bruised face of one of his men. Behind him, the chaotic sound of gunfire and shouting filled the call.
"Sir! A group of armed men stormed the building! They—"
The feed cut off abruptly, leaving only static on the screen.
The air in the car thickened, the tension immediate. Chisato's cheerful demeanor faded, her brows knitting as her hand instinctively went to her sidearm.
"Damn it… they're already there," she muttered, her tone low, dangerous.
Takina's gaze hardened, her eyes narrowing. "Looks like they're not pulling any punches."
Ryoma's knuckles tightened on the wheel as his voice cut through the silence. "Ayaka. Speed mode."
Ayaka's holographic form straightened, nodding briskly. "On it."
The seatbelts automatically tightened as the engine roared louder.
The car lunged forward, tires screaming against the asphalt as it hurtled toward Murakami Tech at full speed.
Chisato gripped her seatbelt as the sudden burst of acceleration pinned her back against the seat.
"Damn," she muttered with a breathless laugh. "This is some serious speed…"
Even Takina, normally unshakable, raised a brow, a faint glimmer of surprise flickering in her eyes.
"Ryoma," she said evenly, "how fast are you going right now?"
"Hundred and twenty," Ryoma replied without so much as a glance, his gaze locked on the road ahead.
Chisato and Takina exchanged a quick look, equal parts impressed and exasperated.
"You do realize this is illegal, right?" Takina added dryly, her voice carrying that familiar disapproving edge.
"And you do realize I'm rich, right?" Ryoma shot back, his tone flat, almost bored.
The implication was clear—legality was just another obstacle money could clear.
Chisato let out a wry chuckle. "Of course," she said, shaking her head with a grin. "I should've guessed. Money really can buy anything, huh?"
Takina rolled her eyes, but even she couldn't hide the faintest trace of a smirk.
"Just try not to get pulled over," she muttered. "We really don't need the police tangled up in this mess too."
The car roared down the streets, gliding into controlled drifts around tight corners before settling back into smooth, calculated speed, as if nothing had happened.
The glowing Murakami Tech building loomed closer now, its lights cutting through the night sky.
Ryoma finally eased off the accelerator, the car gradually slowing as he brought it to a flawless, seamless stop just short of the perimeter.
He parked the vehicle in a shadowed spot, hidden from view—a perfect place to avoid any unwanted attention.
"Wow," Chisato breathed, still clutching the seatbelt as she glanced at him, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"That was smooth. Seriously, you could've been a pro race car driver, you know."
Takina rolled her eyes, but even she couldn't deny the skill. "Don't give him any ideas," she said flatly. "His ego's already big enough."
Ryoma just smirked faintly, unbothered, as his fingers drummed lightly on the wheel.
Ryoma busied himself at the back of the car, checking and loading the sleek gadgets and firearms he kept stashed away.
Every click and snap of a loaded magazine was accompanied by a faint, satisfied grin on his face.
"You're not wearing your Hannya mask anymore, Ryoma?" Chisato asked curiously.
Ryoma tapped the side of his glasses with two fingers and smirked.
"These?" he said, a spark of mischief in his voice. "Far more sophisticated than that old mask. Why hide my face when I can look this good?"
Chisato rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the faint smile that tugged at her lips.
With everything in place, they got out of the car and sprinted toward the Murakami Tech building. As they approached, Ryoma's sharp eyes caught sight of another girl ahead, clad in a uniform similar to Chisato and Takina's.
He slowed slightly, blinking in surprise.
"Wait… are those other Lycoris?" he asked, genuinely intrigued—it was the first time he'd seen another agent besides the two he already knew.
Chisato and Takina both gave small nods.
"Yeah," Chisato confirmed, her gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar girl. "Looks like it."
"Chisato! Takina!"
Both girls turned at the familiar voice. A flash of recognition lit Chisato's face as she spotted her friend.
"Fuki!" she called out, jogging over with Ryoma and Takina in tow.
Fuki Harukawa stood with a group of Lycoris, her uniform crisp and her expression focused.
"What's the situation here?" Chisato asked as soon as she reached her.
"We managed to paralyze some of them," Fuki replied, her tone brisk. "But there are more than we anticipated. Too many to handle quietly."
As she spoke, Ryoma's eyes wandered briefly over the group, noticing the subtle differences in uniforms.
He cocked his head, making a mental note to ask about it late—now wasn't the time.
Suddenly, Fuki's sharp gaze landed on him. "And who's this guy?" she demanded, her tone suspicious.
Chisato opened her mouth to answer, but Ryoma smoothly stepped forward, his trademark grin already on full display.
"Genius, trillionaire, and rightful heir to the Murakami family fortune," he announced with mock grandeur, placing a hand dramatically on his chest.
"Ryoma Murakami. Remember the name—you're going to be hearing it a lot."
Even in the middle of the tense situation, Chisato let out a short laugh, shaking her head.
"There he goes," she muttered under her breath, though there was no hiding the fondness in her tone.
Fuki raised a skeptical eyebrow, clearly unimpressed—though perhaps a little surprised—by Ryoma's flamboyant introduction.
"Chisato, why's this guy so… arrogant?" she asked, giving him a once-over like she was sizing up a particularly strange weapon.
Chisato tilted her head, still smiling. "Arrogant? Nah~ I'd say… entertaining. It's kind of his thing." She leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough to tease. "You'll get used to it. Or maybe not."
Takina, as usual, ignored the banter entirely, her tone clipped and focused.
"Did you see the red-haired man? He's the boss, right?"
"Oh—yeah," Fuki replied, her expression sobering as she nodded. "I overheard from one of his subordinates.
Their boss is holed up on the top floor. Sounds like he's… waiting for someone."
Before the thought could settle, another Lycoris agent—wearing the same uniform as Takina—jogged up to them, slightly out of breath.
"Senpai! I managed to get a few employees to safety—" she stopped abruptly, noticing Ryoma standing there. Her eyes narrowed. "Who's this guy?"
Ryoma was already stepping forward with a charming smile, his hand half-raised.
"Genius, trillion—"
Before he could finish his now-familiar line, Chisato cheerfully popped in, giving him a quick pat on the back like she was cutting off a karaoke solo.
"Okay, Mr. Superstar, that's plenty~" she chimed, flashing him a playful grin. "Save the speech for after we're not, you know, in the middle of a crisis?"
Ryoma just grinned wider, utterly unfazed. "Fine, fine," he said breezily—then, without another word, darted toward the building's entrance.
"Alright! We'll go first!"
"Hey—wait up!" Fuki called after him, clearly not used to anyone ignoring her orders, her tone half-command, half-disbelief as she watched him barrel inside.
Chisato sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes but following after him.
"He's so impulsive," she muttered, though her tone carried a hint of fond amusement.
Takina fell in step beside her, her hand already on her weapon.
As soon as the three of them stepped into the building's dimly-lit lobby, one of the Yakuza's men spotted them and immediately moved to intercept, a cruel grin on his face and a weapon already drawn.
Chisato dashed forward, flipping behind one of the enemies with a fluid motion—and fired. Her bullet hit clean, sending him sprawling.
Meanwhile, Takina was sharp and efficient—firing in every direction, preventing any of the henchmen from getting close.
Ryoma took his chance, striking one clean in the face and knocking him out cold.
Back to back, Ryoma and Chisato stood, breathing in sync.
"Chisato," Ryoma said, eyes fixed ahead. "Draw their attention. I need to make a break for the elevator."
"You got it, Ryoma! I'll catch up after~!" Chisato winked, then twirled forward with a mischievous grin. "Heeey~! Over here, everyone!"
Without missing a beat, she sprinted across the room, flipping over a table and shooting another henchman square in the chest. Someone lunged at her from behind, fist aimed straight for her head.
But Chisato ducked smoothly, spun on her heel, and fired point-blank. The man hit the floor before he even realized what happened.
Takina had already downed dozens—her precision unmatched. The enemies were panicking now, unsure whether to retreat or continue.
Ryoma saw the opening. With swift steps, he ran toward the elevator and slipped inside. He hit the button for the top floor and turned just in time to catch Chisato looking his way.
She flashed him a bright smile—and he gave her a grateful one in return.
As the elevator doors slid shut, Ryoma disappeared upward… leaving the chaos behind.
Ryoma waited a long time, because from the first floor to the top floor.
Ryoma calmed himself down, he let out a nervous breath but he had to be strong.
On the first floor, Chisato effortlessly weaved through a barrage of bullets, her movements almost playful.
With a sudden burst of speed, she closed the distance and drove her elbow square into the enemy's chest, sending Tatsuma's henchman crashing to the ground.
"You'll have to try harder than that~," Chisato giggled, spinning on her heel with a mischievous glint in her eye. She raised her gun, still smiling, and fired.
The rubber bullet smacked another attacker who'd been sneaking up on her, instantly dropping him.
"Oh? Did that hurt?" she asked with a tilt of her head, feigning sympathy.
Across the room, Takina fought with cold precision, her expression unreadable.
She fired one clean shot, then slammed the butt of her magazine into another man's skull.
Not missing a beat, she grabbed another by the collar, twisted him around, and hurled him straight into a cluster of his comrades. The impact knocked them all down like dominoes.
"Oh? Strike!" Chisato chirped, grinning ear-to-ear.
"Hey, Takina! Wanna go bowling after this?" she called out, casually shooting another assailant mid-sentence.
"Good idea. Let's bring Ryoma too. He's probably going to be in a foul mood after all this," Takina replied flatly, already reloading.
"Oh, right! Bowling is great for cheering people up!" Chisato beamed, then added with a cheeky smirk, "Well… maybe not if he can't knock down any pins~."
Back to Ryoma.
The elevator doors slid open with a quiet ding, revealing a vast, sleek office bathed in the glow of Tokyo's city lights.
Floor-to-ceiling glass windows framed the skyline like a painting, the endless sprawl glittering beneath the night sky.
At the center of the room stood a man with crimson hair and sharp, blood-red eyes—already watching him, like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"You're here at last," Tatsuma said coolly, his voice laced with amusement. "Took you long enough."
Ryoma stepped inside, unbothered, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. "Oh? You've been waiting? That's sweet," he replied lightly, already drawing his gun.
"You really didn't have to. After all—this is my building."
Tatsuma threw his head back and let out a booming laugh, the sound echoing through the glass-walled room.
"Hahahaha! A gun, huh? That's how you want to play this? What happened to fighting like a man?"
Ryoma tilted his head, his emerald eyes glinting behind his glasses, and gave an exaggerated shrug.
"Believe me—I'd love nothing more than to break that smug face of yours with my own two hands. But self-defense? Not exactly my forte."
He raised the gun, leveling it squarely at Tatsuma without a shred of hesitation. "Lucky you," he added, his tone sharpening.
Tatsuma's grin widened, unafraid, his own blood running hot at the challenge. He spread his arms and roared.
"Then quit talking—COME AT ME, RYOMA MURAKAMI!"
Ryoma dashed forward like a bullet, gun aimed straight at Tatsuma.
Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger—once, twice, again and again. Bullets tore through the air with deadly intent… but Tatsuma was faster.
Each shot missed by mere inches, dancing past him as if time itself bent in his favor.
Closing the gap, Ryoma raised his pistol for a point-blank shot—but Tatsuma's hand snapped forward like a viper, gripping Ryoma's wrist with crushing strength.
With a swift, brutal motion, Tatsuma hurled him into the air.
CRASH!
Ryoma's body slammed into a massive LED screen mounted on the wall.
The impact shattered it with a thunderous crack, both the screen and Ryoma collapsing to the floor in a rain of sparks and glass.
"Ugh..." he groaned, pain lancing through every bone in his body.
He hadn't expected this. Not to be overwhelmed—no, humiliated—in under five minutes.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His vision blurred. But still... he stood.
Legs trembling, arms barely responsive, Ryoma forced himself upright through sheer will.
Physically, he wasn't on Tatsuma's level. Not yet. "Damn it…" he hissed under his breath, teeth clenched.
Then—
"Ryoma?! Are you okay?!" A familiar voice echoed in his earpiece.
Ayaka's face flickered into view on the glass interface of his smart lens, her expression etched with worry.
"I'll manage…" Ryoma muttered. "Ayaka, I need you—predict his next moves."
Ayaka nodded without hesitation, her eyes scanning rapidly. "Analyzing… I'll feed you every pattern I find."
The battle wasn't over yet.
Ryoma charged forward once more, despite the pain pulsing through every step. His body screamed in protest, but his mind stayed sharp.
Just as Tatsuma launched another attack, Ayaka's voice rang out in his lens, "Move—now!"
Ryoma reacted instantly, leaping backward as a fist sliced through the air where his head had just been. He raised his pistol and fired.
BANG!
But Tatsuma sidestepped with ease, bullets barely grazing his coat. With blinding speed, he closed the distance—his fists a flurry of relentless strikes.
Ryoma dodged most of them, adrenaline overriding the pain. But one punch slammed into his face, staggering him.
Before he could recover, Tatsuma's hand wrapped around his throat.
Lifted effortlessly into the air, Ryoma gasped for breath as Tatsuma's icy voice cut through the tension.
"The Murakamis… always weak." He leaned in closer, voice low and threatening.
"But that changes if I become one of you. Tell your father to let me into the family... or I'll throw you out myself."
Ryoma struggled, his words choked. "Never… You're nothing but a power-hungry monster…"
Then, through sheer defiance, he forced the words out, "I… I am Ryoma Murakami."
"The heir to the Murakami name. And I'm better than you'll ever be!"
Tatsuma narrowed his eyes. He had already seized Ryoma's pistol—but the reinforced glass around them was bulletproof.
He knew it.
So instead, he grabbed a chair.
With one hand still choking Ryoma, he hurled the chair at the window.
CRASH!
The glass cracked but didn't break.
Another chair. Then a table. Documents, lamps—anything he could throw, he hurled it while tightening his grip on Ryoma's neck.
CRACK!
The glass finally shattered, shards raining like crystal rain.
Tatsuma glared at Ryoma one last time.
"Then die with your pride."
Without hesitation, he hurled Ryoma out the broken window.
On the lower floor, Chisato dusted off her hands, standing triumphantly over a pile of unconscious thugs.
"Phew~! All done down here!" she beamed. "Time to catch up with Ryoma, Takina!"
"Yeah," Takina nodded—until she noticed a large shadow looming behind Chisato.
Without hesitation, Takina raised her pistol. "Behind you!"
The towering man behind Chisato suddenly convulsed—and dropped to the floor with a heavy thud.
"WAAAH! Who's this guy?!" Chisato yelped, hopping back in surprise.
Behind them stood a woman with long black hair and piercing red eyes—Saeko, Ryoma's mother.
"That was close," she said coolly.
"Oh! Mrs Saeko! Are you helping us?" Chisato asked, tilting her head with a grin.
"You know about this building is under attack, huh?" Takina muttered.
"Of course we do. We own this place, after all," came a calm voice.
A tall man stepped forward—blue eyes, brown hair. Masaru. Ryoma's father.
"One of the employees sent us an alert."
Chisato gasped dramatically. "Oooh! The legendary husband-and-wife duo's here~!"
"Chisato," Masaru said with sudden seriousness. "Where is Ryoma?"
"He's on the top floor, fighting Ta—" she suddenly remembered. Her eyes widened. "AH! Takina! Let's go—quick!"
"You trust him, don't you? No need to panic," Takina replied, calm as ever.
Chisato puffed out her cheeks.
"Still! I'm worried!"
"Oh? And why are you so worried?" Saeko asked with a teasing smile. "Shouldn't we, his parents, be the ones more concerned?"
Chisato froze. "Ah—w-well, I mean... you've got a point," she laughed nervously, scratching the back of her head.
"Relax," Masaru said confidently. "Ryoma's as stubborn as they come. He won't go down that easily."
Chisato's playful grin faded just a little.
"I know... but I still have a bad feeling."
Back on the top floor, Tatsuma turned toward the elevator, his expression unreadable after hurling Ryoma out the shattered window.
But then—A faint whirring sound.
His eyes narrowed. Something was wrong.
He turned around—And froze.
Hovering outside the broken window, Ryoma stood firmly atop two compact drones, wind whipping through his hair, blood still trailing from the corner of his lips—but his eyes burned with cold fury.
"I hate to break it to you, Tatsuma," Ryoma said, his voice calm but sharp, "but muscle alone can't beat this brain."
Without waiting for a response, Ryoma lunged forward, riding the drones into the room and opening fire mid-air. Bullets rained down, forcing Tatsuma to scramble for cover.
He flipped a heavy table and ducked behind it, the metal surface shielding him from most of the shots—but Ryoma had already repositioned.
In an instant, he was behind him.
Gun pressed to Tatsuma's back.
But Tatsuma wasn't slow.
He whipped out his own concealed pistol and fired backward blindly.
Ryoma dodged at the last second—but the bullet struck one of his drones.
BZZZZT—!
The drone sparked and spiraled downward.
Ryoma lost his balance and crashed onto the floor with a heavy thud.
Tatsuma rose, brushing off the dust.
"So… you do carry a gun," Ryoma muttered, wincing as he pushed himself up. "Guess even a brainless brute isn't stupid enough to fight me barehanded."
Tatsuma smirked darkly. "You talk too much, kid."
"You don't think enough, old man" Ryoma shot back, eyes narrowed in defiance.
Without waiting for a reply, he broke into a sprint—but not toward Tatsuma.
Instead, he began circling him at high speed, forcing the man to rotate with every step.
Gunshots erupted—Ryoma firing as he moved, and Tatsuma answering with deadly precision.
BANG!
One bullet found its mark—Ryoma cried out as it tore into his thigh, sending him crashing to the floor.
"Ryoma!" Ayaka's voice screamed through his lens, her digital face full of panic.
Grimacing, Ryoma reached for his interface. "Ayaka… send in the drones. Now."
Meanwhile, on the first floor—A distant humming filled the air. Chisato looked up.
"What the…?" she murmured, eyes widening as a swarm of drones streaked past the windows and up the tower.
Takina, standing beside her, narrowed her eyes. "Ryoma," she muttered.
They turned to Ryoma's parents. "We're going up," said Takina sharply.
The group rushed into the elevator, tension thick in the air.
Back above—
Tatsuma stood over Ryoma, gun aimed squarely at his head.
"It ends here," he said coldly, finger tightening on the trigger.
But just before the shot—
WHAM!
A drone smashed into the back of Tatsuma's head, knocking him forward with a grunt of surprise.
He spun around, only to see a swarm of drones flooding through the broken window he himself had shattered minutes ago.
A dozens blinking red eyes filled the room, humming like a mechanical storm.
Smoke hissed violently from the capsule as Ryoma rolled it across the scorched floor.
A second later—BOOM!—thick gray fog erupted, swallowing the room in chaos.
Tatsuma's vision vanished into swirling shadows. Then came the sound—WHAM!
A drone struck him from the side. CRASH! Another slammed into his ribs.
He growled, swinging his arms like iron hammers, swatting drones out of the air, crushing the fragile machines with raw force. Blades, wires, sparks—they exploded around him like a storm of metal.
He couldn't see.
Couldn't breathe.
And still…
He stood.
When the smoke finally thinned, the battlefield was a graveyard of broken drones—twisted, sparking, motionless on the floor.
Tatsuma exhaled slowly.
Chest heaving.
Sweat and blood dripping from his temple.
Then—
BANG!
A sharp shot rang out.
Tatsuma stumbled forward, knees buckling as a bullet tore into the back of his leg.
He dropped to one knee with a grunt of agony.
Behind him stood Ryoma.
Panting.
Bleeding.
Barely upright.
But still fighting.
"You just don't quit, huh…" Tatsuma growled.
He twisted around and fired—
CRACK!
The bullet slammed into Ryoma's shoulder, flinging him backward. He hit the ground hard, his pistol sliding across the floor.
Silence.
Both men lay there—battered, broken, drenched in sweat and pain.
Then Ryoma moved.
With trembling hands, he dragged himself upright. Blood oozed from his shoulder, his breath short, his fingers barely able to grip the handle of his weapon.
Tatsuma was already standing, limping but composed, gun pointed at Ryoma's heart.
Ryoma raised his own pistol.
Two warriors, shattered by the battle, locked eyes—both knowing only one would walk away.
Time slowed.
Neither blinked.
Their fingers curled around the triggers.
BANG!
A single shot.
Ryoma saw the flash.
He saw the bullet racing toward him.
He didn't move.
He couldn't.
In that frozen second, he closed his eyes.
"…I'm sorry," he whispered, barely audible.
But Ryoma was still breathing. Strangely, he felt no pain—no searing bullet tearing through his body.
Instead, he heard the sharp, metallic clang of something intercepting the shot.
His eyes snapped open.
Hovering protectively before him were several drones—his unexpected saviors, shielding him with unwavering precision.
This wasn't his plan. Not even close. Yet the brilliance of the move was undeniable.
"Ryoma! Are you okay?!" Ayaka's voice rang out, fierce and desperate.
And in that moment, it clicked. She had given the order. She was the one who'd saved his life.
Before this, Ryoma's mind was in chaos. A fog of panic and confusion. But now—now it was clear.
The drones that had taken the hit for him sputtered, flickered, and fell lifelessly to the floor with a heavy clatter.
Then he saw him.
Tatsuma.
The red-haired titan was sprawled across the cold ground, lying on his back, eyes wide as he stared blankly at the ceiling above. Motionless. Vulnerable.
Ryoma forced himself to his feet, legs trembling but his resolve solid as iron.
Step by step, he moved toward his fallen enemy, raising his pistol with lethal intent.
Every ounce of exhaustion, fury, and vengeance culminated in that final gesture.
He aimed directly at Tatsuma's head.
"Checkmate," Ryoma said, his voice cold as winter steel.
"Heh…" Tatsuma let out a bitter, breathless laugh, his body slumped against the floor, his crimson eyes still burning with defiance.
"Didn't think… I'd lose… to you, Ryoma Murakami…"
He tried to lift his hand, fingers twitching toward the weapon by his side—but the sharp crack of a gunshot rang out, and his arm fell limp as a fresh wound bloomed in his shoulder.
Ryoma stood over him, unflinching, his gun steady and his stare colder than ice.
"Not even giving me… a single chance, huh?" Tatsuma rasped, forcing a grin despite the pain.
Ryoma's answer came in the form of another shot, this one striking the floor just inches from Tatsuma's face, spraying dust and shards of tile across his cheek.
"Oh?" Tatsuma chuckled through gritted teeth, his voice mocking. "Not even allowed to talk now?"
"Ryoma, that's enough!" Ayaka's voice rang in his ear, strained with worry. "You can't—"
But Ryoma cut her off, reaching up and slowly removing his glasses.
"Sorry, Ayaka," he murmured, his tone calm but edged with something darker. "But I've been waiting for this. For what he did to you…"
"Ryoma, stop!" Ayaka shouted, her voice sharp with desperation as the glasses clattered to the floor behind him.
Tatsuma's bloody grin widened.
"Oh? You really going to throw away your little toy now?" he sneered, nodding at the discarded glasses.
"Wasn't that your cheating gadget? The thing that helped you beat me? I could just get up and—"
Another shot rang out, this time tearing into his thigh and drawing a scream of pain from him
"I don't think so," Ryoma replied coldly, raising the gun again—this time, the barrel hovering just above Tatsuma's forehead.
But still, Tatsuma's defiance didn't waver. His breathing was ragged, but his glare cut like a knife.
"You sure you can do it, Ryoma Murakami? You've never hurt someone this badly before… have you?" His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "Go on, then. Pull the damn trigger.
"But listen to me first!"
His voice rose, cracking with fury as he spat the words through gritted teeth.
"You ever been betrayed, Ryoma Murakami? Really betrayed?"
Ryoma's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening slightly on the gun.
"I had a friend," Tatsuma hissed. "Someone I thought of like a brother. Someone I thought I knew."
"I told him everything about me… everything! But the whole time…"
His red eyes gleamed with venom as his words dripped with hate.
"He lied. Lied about where he came from. Lied about who he was."
The confession hung heavy in the air.
"That feeling… of betrayal? It never goes away," Tatsuma spat, his breathing ragged.
"And the one who betrayed me…" His glare hardened into something sharper, something personal.
"…was your father."
The name dropped like a dagger between them.
"Masaru Murakami."
Ryoma stood over Tatsuma, his hands trembling despite the steady aim of his gun.
His blue eyes burned with a storm of fury and something deeper, darker. He let out a bitter sigh.
"You wanted to be part of Murakami," he said coldly, his voice low but laced with venom. "To rule Tokyo. To take control of everything—even overseas."
Tatsuma sneered faintly but stayed silent.
"That's why my father never told you," Ryoma continued, his tone growing sharper.
"Because no matter what you pretended to be… you were still a Yakuza boss. Still nothing more than a thug playing at power."
His finger tightened ever so slightly on the trigger as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
His lip curled into a humorless, icy grin.
"And people like you don't deserve to be in this world."
The gun clicked as he began to pull the trigger.
But before the shot rang out, a hand clamped down hard on his shoulder, yanking his arm up just as the gun fired.
The bullet punched harmlessly into the ceiling, sending plaster dust raining down but hitting nothing else.
"Stop, Ryoma!" a firm, familiar voice commanded. "Don't do it!"
Ryoma froze, wide-eyed, as he turned his head.
There stood Chisato, wearing his glasses, her azure eyes piercing straight through his rage.
"Chisato…?" he muttered, his voice cracking ever so slightly.
His face, twisted with fury only a moment before, softened—but only for a heartbeat before his anger came roaring back.
"Let go of me!" he snarled, jerking against her grip.
"I have to kill him!" he shouted, his voice raw now, all composure gone. "He's the reason Ayaka's lying there—nothing but an AI! He stole her life from her!"
Ryoma's voice rose with every word, his chest heaving. "I'll shoot his face until he's unrecognizable!"
"I'll erase him from this world, wipe him out like he never existed!"
His eyes shone with tears now, his fury mixing with desperation, with heartbreak.
"I—I'LL NEVER FORGIVE HIM!" His voice cracked as he struggled against her hold.
"LET ME GO, CHISATO!" he roared, his shout echoing through the vast office as his gun hand shook violently.
Chisato's grip on Ryoma's arm tightened, her own strength straining as she held him back.
"No!" she barked, her voice fierce, cutting through his fury. "You will not kill him! You'll regret it—you know you will!"
"I will never regret this!" Ryoma shot back, his voice cracking under the weight of his anger.
His blue eyes burned with hate as his gun trembled in his hand. "This bastard—!"
But the words caught in his throat. His rage was so blinding, so consuming, he couldn't even string the thought together anymore.
All he could think, over and over, was: Kill Tatsuma. Only then will your heart be at peace.
"Don't be stubborn!" Chisato shouted, her breath heavy as she fought to keep his arm up. "If you kill him, you'll be no different from him!"
Her words struck something in him, but he only growled back: "Killing him will give me peace!"
"No, it won't!" she snapped, her azure eyes fierce and unwavering. "How do you think Ayaka would feel if she saw you like this?!"
That stopped him. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body still tense but now frozen.
Chisato noticed his hesitation and seized the moment. She smiled faintly, her expression softening as she gently reached up, removed his glasses from her own face, and slipped them back onto his.
The familiar glow of the lenses flickered to life—and there she was.
Ayaka's digital form appeared on the screen, her face flushed with worry, panic etched into her usually bright eyes.
"Ryoma!" she cried. "Come on—I'm fine! Don't… don't kill him, okay?"
Her voice wavered, but it was steady enough to reach him.
"Killing him won't solve anything… you promised me, remember? You said you'd find a way to give me a physical body again."
Her gaze softened as she reached a digital hand toward the screen.
"So… instead of focusing on him, focus on me. Focus on keeping your promise. On bringing me back."
Ryoma's ragged breaths slowed, his shoulders sagging as her words sank in.
The fire in his eyes dulled, replaced by exhaustion—and shame.
He let out a long, shaky exhale, his fingers finally loosening on the trigger.
Chisato watched him carefully, her lips curling into a warm smile when she saw his hands lower.
"Good," she said softly, her usual cheerful lilt returning as she let out a little giggle.
"I much prefer seeing you calm like this. You're way cuter when you're not trying to murder someone."
She turned her gaze toward Tatsuma, who had watched the entire exchange in silence, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly as if calculating every word.
"Oh?" Tatsuma drawled from where he lying slumped against the floor, his crimson eyes glinting with faint amusement.
"You really can calm him down, huh? Guess that's a girlfriend's job, though…"
Chisato's head snapped toward him, her red eyes narrowing into a glare sharp enough to cut steel.
"Shut up," she shot back coldly, though the faint pink dusting her cheeks betrayed her irritation. "You're the reason for all of this in the first place."
Before Tatsuma could smirk any further, another figure stepped forward from the shadows.
Masaru Murakami's hand came down on Ryoma's shoulder, steadying him.
"You three," Masaru said quietly, his tone final. "Go home. I'll take care of things here."
Chisato gave him a short, understanding nod. "Alright. We'll go," she murmured.
With Takina at his other side, the two girls each took one of Ryoma's arms, supporting his still-trembling frame as they led him toward the elevator.
He didn't resist, though his usual cocky grin was nowhere to be seen—replaced by a faint, weary smile.
Once inside the elevator, the momentary silence was broken by the sound of Ryoma's knees giving way.
He sank to the floor with a quiet groan, his breathing uneven.
"Ryoma!" Chisato knelt beside him immediately, already pulling a small medical kit from her bag.
Her cheeks flushed deeper as she opened his shirt, exposing the fresh wounds and angry bruises beneath.
She hesitated just for a second, squeezing her eyes half-shut before forcing herself to focus.
"Hold still," she muttered, her voice a touch sharper than usual—perhaps to mask her embarrassment.
Takina stood off to the side, her frown deepening as she watched.
"You really pushed yourself too far this time," she said quietly, her voice carrying a note of quiet disapproval, though her eyes betrayed her worry.
Ryoma let out a shaky laugh, wincing as Chisato pressed a bandage against his side.
"Well… the important thing is… I beat Tatsuma…" He sucked in a sharp breath and winced again. "…ow—ow! Easy, please!"
He glanced down at Chisato, catching the faintly irritated pout on her face as she worked.
"The important thing?" she repeated, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she dabbed at his wounds. "Seriously?"
Her hands, though firm, were surprisingly gentle as she applied a fresh dressing to his bleeding side.
"You need to stop throwing yourself into these situations without thinking," she added, her voice softening just slightly.
"And you really, really need to learn how to take better care of yourself…"
"Sorry… but, well…" Ryoma murmured, his voice low and faintly unsteady. "When you're here… it feels like everything's going to be okay."
Chisato blinked, her hands pausing mid-motion. For just a beat, silence hung between them—then she let out a small, surprised laugh, tilting her head with an amused smile.
"Whaaat? Seriously? You've been watching too many movies," she teased, her tone light even as her cheeks turned faintly pink. "That's like… a top-tier cheesy line right there."
Her teasing grin softened just a little as she pressed against his wound. "Careful, Ryoma. If you keep saying stuff like that, I might actually start to believe you're falling for me."
For some reason, Ryoma's own chest tightened at her words, his heart hammering harder beneath her hand—and Chisato felt it, clear as day, as her palm pressed against him while tending his wound.
"…Maybe," Ryoma muttered, almost too quiet to hear.
Chisato froze for a moment, her eyes flicking up to meet his. The rhythm beneath her palm was wild, steady proof of his words.
Her lips parted slightly in surprise before she quickly shook her head, a playful smile tugging at her mouth.
"Ehh? No way, right? You're not seriously confessing while bleeding out on me." voice barely more than a whisper now.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ryoma blinked in confusion. "I just… accidentally said what was on my mind."
"I was only imagining what my parents might have been talking about with Tatsuma," Ryoma explained.
Chisato chuckled, her cheeks faintly warm as she looked away, focusing back on his bandages.
"Oh, so that's how it is," she murmured, shaking her head with a small smile. "Still… don't go saying sweet stuff like that out of nowhere. You'll give a girl the wrong idea, you know~?"
But her hands lingered on him just a little longer than necessary, betraying the strange, unfamiliar flutter in her own chest.
For a long moment, the air between them was warm and heavy, charged with something neither quite knew how to name.
Then—
"You two do realize I'm still here, right?"
Takina's dry voice cut through the quiet like a blade, making both Ryoma and Chisato flinch and turn toward her in unison.
Chisato blinked, her cheeks warming as she let out a quick laugh, scratching her cheek with a sheepish grin.
"Ahaha—busted! Sorry, Takina, didn't mean to make you the third wheel~" she teased, her sing-song tone almost enough to mask the nervous flutter in her chest.
She gave Ryoma a playful poke on the shoulder before adding, "See? Now she thinks we're up to something."
Takina simply raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, though if one looked closely, there was the faintest hint of amusement tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Sometimes," Ryoma muttered, his voice dry but tinged with admiration,
"I feel like your presence is almost too thin. But I suppose that's a good thing—you can sneak around without anyone noticing."
Takina cast him a sidelong glance as the elevator chimed.
"That's one of my many talents," she replied coolly, just as the doors slid open.
Chisato quickly knelt beside Ryoma as the elevator settled on the ground floor.
"Up you go," she said brightly, looping his arm over her shoulder.
Takina mirrored her on the other side, the two of them lifting him with practiced ease as they stepped into the lobby.
Fuki and Sakura rushed toward them, alarm written across their faces.
"What happened up there?!" Fuki demanded.
Chisato only flashed them a cheeky grin, her voice light but firm.
"Oh, nothing much. Just Tatsuma finally getting what he deserved. That's all you need to know!"
Fuki blinked, taken aback by her answer, but didn't argue. Even Sakura, though frowning at the sight of Ryoma's battered state, held her tongue.
"You alright?" Sakura asked after a beat, her tone softening.
Ryoma, pale but still wearing that unshakable grin of his, chuckled faintly.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be? I've got the strongest Lycoris watching my back, don't I?"
That caught both Chisato and Takina off guard. Their eyes widened for half a second before small, warm smiles crept across their faces.
Chisato broke into a laugh—loud, airy, and a little cocky. "Naturally! As long as I'm around, I'm not letting him get this roughed up ever again. I've got a reputation to keep, you know!"
Takina, ever the straight woman, added dryly, "Well, he has been paying us to act as his bodyguards. At least he's getting his money's worth."
Still smiling, they stepped out into the night air, the cool breeze a welcome contrast to the heat of battle lingering in their memories.
They soon reached Ryoma's sleek black car parked at the curb.
"Alright, big guy, down you go," Chisato said cheerfully, gently lowering Ryoma into the back seat.
She plopped down beside him, and Takina slid in on his other side.
The interior lights glowed softly, the hum of the engine kicking on as Ryoma leaned his head back and muttered, "Ayaka… if you please."
At once, a calm, synthetic voice filled the car, and a holographic display lit up next to the steering wheel.
The vehicle began to glide smoothly forward, carrying them away from the chaos they'd left behind.
The car hummed softly as it glided through the quiet city streets, but inside, the silence was heavier than the engine's gentle purr.
Chisato sat back, swinging her legs lightly and looking between the other two, unable to stand the awkward air any longer.
"So…" she began brightly, her voice cutting through the quiet, "after all this… the whole Tatsuma mess is finally over, right?"
Ryoma, still leaning back against the headrest with his eyes half-closed, cracked a faint smile. "Yes. After tonight, I can finally… breathe a little easier."
"Good," Takina chimed in, her reply as curt as ever.
"Well, that's great news!" Chisato added, giving Ryoma a small, satisfied nod and flashing her trademark smile.
"Guess you'll be owing us a celebratory party later, huh?"
Ryoma only let out a low chuckle, but didn't argue.
Meanwhile, elsewhere—on the top floor of a dimly lit building—the atmosphere was anything but quiet.
Masaru stood with his hands in his pockets, his sharp gaze fixed on the man bound to the chair before him.
Saeko leaned against the far wall, her arms crossed as she watched Tatsuma with a cold, measured expression.
"The Lycoris girls will be here soon," Masaru said at last, his tone flat. He tilted his head slightly, studying Tatsuma's bruised face. "So… any last words?"
Tatsuma spat blood to the side, then raised his head, grinning through cracked lips.
"You really think you can kill me?" he scoffed, his voice hoarse but still dripping with venom.
Saeko stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as her icy eyes met his.
"Oh, I can," she shot back. "You destroyed our child's life. That's reason enough."
Tatsuma's gaze slid to her, his smirk widening cruelly. "I wasn't talking to you, bitch," he sneered. "I was talking to your husband."
Masaru's expression didn't flinch. In silence, he stepped closer, his hand reaching down to the table beside him.
He picked up Ryoma's gun—the one the boy had left behind—and checked the chamber with a soft click.
Slowly, he raised the barrel and leveled it squarely at Tatsuma's forehead.
"It's just like my wife said," Masaru murmured, his tone calm.
He let out a quiet sigh, his finger tightening on the trigger. "Well… it's been nice knowing you."
The gunshot rang out like thunder, echoing through the empty halls.
The car cruised along smoothly when Takina, ever the pragmatic one, finally broke the silence.
"Ryoma," she began, her tone as even as ever, "so does this mean… now that it's over, we're no longer obligated to be your bodyguards?"
Ryoma didn't even open his eyes as he replied, cool as ever, "Sure. And don't worry, I'll throw in a bonus later."
"Bonus?!" Chisato's eyes sparkled like a kid in a candy store.
She clasped her hands dramatically to her chest. "Alright, I'm ready to roll around in a pile of cash! Bring it on!"
Ryoma raised an eyebrow, but before he could quip back, Chisato suddenly leaned forward between them, her expression turning serious.
"But—" she declared, wagging a finger,
Both Ryoma and Takina glanced at her in unison.
"Even if we're not your bodyguards anymore, you still have to come to LycoReco, okay? That's non-negotiable."
Ryoma let out a long sigh through a faint smile. "Of course. Honestly… it's the best place I've ever pretended to work."
"Knew it!" Chisato beamed, clapping her hands together triumphantly. She leaned back in her seat, clearly pleased with herself.
Takina gave a quiet nod of approval, the atmosphere inside the car softening and turning—dare she say—almost warm.
Then the car speakers crackled to life, and Ayaka's cheerful face popped up on the dashboard screen.
"Alright! Everyone's happy now!" she cheered, throwing up her holographic arms. "So let's make this ride even more festive!"
Without warning, loud, upbeat music began blaring through the speakers.
"Oh! I know this one!" Chisato exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat before belting out the opening lyrics.
Ayaka immediately joined in, singing along with her in perfect harmony.
Midway through the chorus, Ayaka grinned slyly and glanced at Takina on the screen. "What about you, Takina? You're not gonna sing?"
Takina blinked, then shook her head. "Ah… no. I don't know the lyrics. I've heard it before, but I don't really know it."
She paused, then smirked faintly as she turned toward Ryoma. "Well, at least I'm not the only one—"
But to her shock, Ryoma was already singing under his breath, his low voice effortlessly keeping up with the melody.
Takina stared, dumbfounded. This was not on her bingo card for tonight.
"You… know this song?" she muttered.
Ryoma shot her a half-lidded look and answered flatly, "Ayaka sang it so much I memorized it by force."
Chisato burst into giggles at that, clutching her stomach. "Ohhh, Ryoma, you poor thing. You didn't even stand a chance!"
Then she spun toward Takina, her emerald eyes glittering with mischief. "Looks like you're the only one left behind now, Takina~!"
Before Takina could respond, Ryoma's head gently tilted, resting against Chisato's shoulder.
His breathing evened out as he slipped into a deep sleep, his exhaustion finally catching up to him after everything.
Ayaka, noticing at once, lowered the volume and then switched the music off entirely. The car fell into a quiet, almost intimate calm.
"Well, well," Ayaka murmured, her holographic form smirking on the dashboard screen. "Looks like he finally crashed. About time."
Chisato glanced down at Ryoma leaning on her and felt her cheeks warm despite herself.
"Oh la la," Ayaka added teasingly, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You don't seem to mind him leaning on you."
Chisato quickly averted her gaze, her blush deepening.
"Oh, shut up," she muttered under her breath. "He's just tired, that's all."
But Ayaka wasn't done yet. She tilted her head playfully.
"Come on, Chisato. Since he's asleep and can't hear you… why don't you tell us? What do you really think about him?"
Takina chimed in as well, her usually serious tone softened by curiosity.
"It's true," she said simply. "You know him better than me. And… you talk about him sometimes."
Chisato groaned, rolling her eyes as if the two of them were impossible to deal with. "Ugh. You two really don't quit, do you?"
But as her words faded, her gaze lingered on Ryoma's sleeping face. He looked so… peaceful like this. Vulnerable, even.
Her voice grew quieter, almost shy.
"I guess…" she began, her fingers absentmindedly brushing a stray lock of his hair from his forehead, "Ryoma can be really annoying sometimes. With how arrogant he is."
"And stubborn. Always acting like he has to take everything on himself."
Her blush deepened, but her eyes softened as she went on.
"But… underneath that, he's actually really… soft. And kind. More than he lets on."
"And… he's so protective. Especially of the people he cares about."
"I've seen him throw himself into danger just to keep someone else safe. Even when it's stupid. Even when it hurts him."
Chisato's voice dropped to barely more than a whisper now, almost to herself.
"…It's kind of admirable, I guess."
Ayaka's holographic smile turned sly, her voice light but loaded with mischief.
"So…" she drawled, leaning closer to the screen. "Do you like him?"
Takina blinked, glancing between them in mild confusion. "Like?" she echoed, furrowing her brows slightly.
"Ehh—whaaat?!" she blurted, the pitch of her voice jumping as her cheeks flared pink. Her hand instinctively slipped away from Ryoma's, but almost immediately she laughed it off, waving both hands in flustered denial.
"N-No, no, no, it's not like that!" she insisted, grinning nervously. "C'mon, Ayaka, don't go throwing bombshell questions like that out of nowhere~"
Her red eyes flicked away, refusing to meet either Ayaka's or Takina's as she added in a singsong tone, "Besides, even if I did like him—which I don't!—why would I admit it with you two staring at me like that?"
Ayaka burst into laughter, her cheerful voice filling the quiet car. Takina, meanwhile, simply blinked, still processing.
"Geez… you're enjoying this way too much," Chisato huffed, puffing her cheeks in a playful pout
"Alright, alright. We can save that conversation for later," she said warmly, still chuckling. "For now… just sit back. Relax. You all deserve it."
Her smile softened as she looked over each of them.
"Everything ends here. You've all done enough."
The car hummed softly as it glided toward the glowing silhouette of Murakami's mansion in the distance.
Inside, the air was calm now, the weight of the events finally lifting.
Takina leaned her head against the window, her eyes fluttering shut, while Chisato quietly let Ryoma's head settle back onto her shoulder, her blush still faint but her smile gentle now.
Ayaka's holographic figure faded from the screen, leaving only the low murmur of the engine and the faint twinkle of city lights outside.
For the first time in what felt like forever… everyone could close their eyes and sleep peacefully.
And for the first time in a long time… everything felt right.