Everything had gone horribly wrong.
This was Haruno Yukinoshita's assessment of the day.
Due to the sudden county-wide transport lockdown, Haruno had followed her mother's instructions to bring home her younger sister, Yukino, whose relationship with the family had deteriorated since she moved out, after their school announced a temporary closure.
Haruno had assumed this forced homecoming would deepen Yukino's conflict with their family, reinforcing her determination to live independently and temporarily escape their increasingly oppressive household environment.
Everything had been perfectly planned.
So why, after Yukino returned home, did the very target behind Chiba's lockdown overpower their security and break into their house?
Moreover - Katsuhiko Yakushiji?
Wasn't that the name of some major Tokyo corporation executive? The name and appearance matched, yet the news identified him as a terrorist...
Given the Yukinoshita family's political standing in Chiba, Haruno, as heir to these political resources, immediately recognised Katsuhiko's identity.
Haruno was well aware that her mother, the current head of the Yukinoshita family, had clearly recognised the man's identity. Yet precisely because they recognised him, their tension only intensified.
To forcibly transform a powerful leader of an arms manufacturer into a wanted terrorist required influence that could only come from the highest echelons of direct intervention.
'The cabinet... or perhaps the stationed forces... Judging by the lockdown, it was most likely the latter...'
'And for the normally discreet stationed forces to personally intervene, breaking their "islanders governing islands" policy to issue this warrant... Just what had Katsuhiko Yakushiji stolen? The nuclear launch codes?'
As Haruno Yukinoshita's thoughts raced, she exchanged glances with her mother beside her. Her seemingly trembling father quickly joined this silent conversation moments later.
Every member of the Yukinoshita household reached a silent consensus - except for Yukino Yukinoshita, who was still staring in shock at the wanted photo on the news, comparing it to their visitor.
The fact that Katsuhiko Yakushiji was here must never be revealed.
If earlier they could claim Katsuhiko had kidnapped them, now they found themselves sharing the same shadowy position as the wanted man.
For a politically active family like the Yukinoshitas, any claim of being Katsuhiko's victims—no matter how true—would never convince their political opponents.
Even the most foolish enemies had advisors who knew how to kick someone when they were down.
In the current climate, branding the Yukinoshitas as Katsuhiko's accomplices would be child's play. From the moment Katsuhiko crossed their threshold as a wanted man, the Yukinoshitas had been taken hostage.
A dual kidnapping - threatening both their lives and political survival.
"Mr Yakushiji, might we inquire what brings you to visit the Yukinoshita household today~?"
The Yukinoshita matriarch spoke first, her tone as gently composed as ever, forcibly reframing the earlier hostage situation as a social call.
Her choice of words immediately caught Katsuhiko's attention.
He regarded the family with mild surprise.
Apart from Yukino, who watched him with wary unease while subtly scanning for potential weapons, the others - the true products of the Yukinoshita household's cultivation - wore expressions even graver than his own as a wanted criminal.
Katsuhiko understood their calculations instantly.
"Heh, over a decade ago, I heard rumours of a remarkable talent emerging from Chiba's Yukinoshita family," he mused, smiling at the trio with grandfatherly benevolence that made Yukino's skin crawl. "I'd assumed it was mere flattery, but perhaps not."
To Yukino, the man resembled nothing so much as a kitchen rag twisted into a rope, dripping with grease.
She noted her mother's verbal maneuvering, too, though its purpose remained unclear for now.
"Such praise is undeserved," the Yukinoshita head replied warmly, yet with steel beneath. "Might we ask what brings you to Chiba, Mr Yakushiji? Should you require assistance, our household will strive to accommodate you."
"Mother?" Yukino Yukinoshita turned her head in shock to look at her mother. Cooperating with terrorists? Had her mother gone mad?
"Be quiet, Yukino." Haruno Yukinoshita, beside her, restrained her younger sister, smiling yet giving off a demonic aura. "At least for now, keep your mouth shut."
Yukino Yukinoshita opened her mouth, then lowered her head deeply.
Meanwhile, as the family head, the composed and orderly Mrs. Yukinoshita paid no attention to her younger daughter's reprimand, instead maintaining her gentle expression as she regarded Katsuhiko Yakushiji.
Katsuhiko gave this still-elegant lady a profound look, the meaning behind his gaze sending chills down everyone's spines.
"What a pity..."
It was unclear what Katsuhiko found regrettable, but he continued:
"Mrs. Yukinoshita needn't worry. Your family remaining quietly over there would be the greatest support to me."
"Once this weekend passes and I've settled my personal affairs, you may all return to your normal lives."
His words carried ambiguous implications - even the shrewd Yukinoshita family members present couldn't fully grasp their meaning.
However, one message came through clearly: after the weekend, Katsuhiko would release them, and as long as they behaved, he'd ensure their safety during this period.
This outcome made everyone exhale in relief. Though risks remained high, at least their immediate personal safety now had some minimal guarantee.
Just after Katsuhiko made this promise, a middle-aged man in a black suit entered through the door.
It was Ken Yakushiji, who had been previously kidnapped and sacrificed by Sharon. Compared to before, he now appeared more alert, though storm clouds of anxiety still darkened his brow.
Ken strode directly past the entrance hall into the living room. Upon seeing Katsuhiko, his expression changed as he hurried forward, lowering his voice:
"Uncle, we've confirmed - SDS has dispatched Okinawa's Third Action Team, led by that madwoman Hilda's elite red squad."
Here, Ken hesitated before adding quietly:
"However, our people report that stationed troops have completely blockaded Chiba Prefecture. All land, sea and air routes have been forcibly cut off. If we want to leave, we might only have hidden mountain paths available."
"Uncle, we're effectively locked down in Chiba by SDS forces."
"Blockade?" Katsuhiko chuckled at this. "Ken-kun, you seem to have misunderstood something."
"Do you think the troops surrounding Chiba are here to blockade us?"
Katsuhiko's expression remained gentle, even grateful:
"On the contrary, they're here to protect us."