In a hotel suite in Tokyo, a little girl with short blonde hair and wearing an oversized shirt sat on the bed.
She had delicate features, like a porcelain doll, but the sharpness in her eyes made it clear she was far from an ordinary child.
Akai Mary stared intently at the hotel TV, which was broadcasting Mizunashi Rena's interview with Toru.
Covering her mouth, she coughed twice, slightly out of breath, and asked the high school girl sitting beside her, "Masumi, what do you think?"
As she spoke, she picked up her phone again and played the video that had gone viral on X and YouTube, topping the trending charts.
Sera Masumi, with her clean-cut short hair and boyish appearance, clenched her fists, punched the air twice, and said excitedly:
"Mom, he's a master. A real one. He didn't make many moves, but every one of them was efficient. Based on my experience, his martial arts are even above Big Brother's."
"Maybe only Makoto Kyogoku, the national Karate champion last year, can match him. I really want to spar with him!"
She stated her desire without hesitation.
Mary frowned slightly. "I wasn't asking about his skills. I meant his identity."
"Identity?"
Masumi paused. She stroked her smooth chin and spoke cautiously, "...This man isn't simple. He's definitely not a normal civilian."
"From how he fought those thugs, you can tell his style is ruthless and decisive. His moves weren't academic. He's got real combat experience."
"This kind of experience doesn't come from practice. The little movements and details show he's faced life-and-death situations."
"If Makoto Kyogoku had been there, I'm sure he could've taken them out too, but not as cleanly as Fujiwara."
"Makoto might be strong, but he's never killed anyone. This guy is different. The look in his eyes… he's definitely killed before. More than once."
Just like Mary, Masumi had exceptional deductive abilities.
From Toru's eyes and subtle gestures, she pieced together fragments of his past.
These things are hard to fake. No one alters their fighting style willingly. Doing that in real combat is suicide.
Mary nodded seriously. "I agree. This kid's background isn't ordinary."
"Mom, do you think he's with that Organization?"
Masumi's expression darkened.
Mary thought for a moment. "I can't be sure. Masumi, you can't assume everyone suspicious is part of the Black Organization."
"There are many hidden forces in this world. To be honest, I'm more worried he's with the government."
Masumi's tone turned serious. "You mean MI6?"
"No. Definitely not MI6. I know most of their agents. They don't have anyone this strong."
"Besides, that old guy wouldn't send MI6 after me. I know their style. This Fujiwara could be CIA."
"He might've come on MI6's request to find me."
She paused for a moment, then continued. "...Get ready to change hotels. We've been here too long."
"I'd rather face the Black Organization than MI6."
Masumi understood her mother's concerns.
After taking a strange drug, Mary's body had shrunk.
If it were the Black Organization, they still had ways to hide. After all, it was a criminal group. They couldn't move openly. Everything had to be done in the shadows.
But if MI6 or the CIA found out about her condition, it would be catastrophic.
Whether it was the UK or the US, they'd definitely want to study the drug that could shrink people. Mary would become a lab rat.
The Black Organization was dangerous, but compared to intelligence agencies backed by powerful nations, it was the lesser threat.
"Mom, he doesn't know me. Should I try approaching him, test his background?"
Masumi was willing to risk her own safety to protect her mother.
Mary frowned. "That's dangerous. If he really is CIA, he's received elite training. It won't be easy to extract information from him."
"Still, we won't know unless we try."
Mary could tell Masumi had already made up her mind. She sighed softly. "Then be careful."
"I will."
Masumi nodded firmly.
"Start packing. We're checking out tomorrow."
"Got it!"
...
On the streets of Tokyo, a Maybach sedan was cruising along.
The Yukinoshita sisters sat quietly in the backseat, listening to their mother lecture them.
"You really know how to cause trouble for me."
Her scolding made Yukino purse her lips. She pushed back. "It's not like we wanted this to happen."
Madam Yukinoshita knew she wasn't completely in the right. She sighed and softened her tone. "I was just afraid for your safety."
"If something happened to you two, what would I do? If it weren't for the young master of the Fujiwara family, you'd truly have been in danger."
Neither of the sisters spoke, but both looked visibly moved.
Even now, thinking about what happened in the library sent chills down their spines.
Their mother sighed. "We'll go visit the Fujiwara family to show our gratitude in a few days."
The sisters nodded. Even if their mother hadn't said so, they would've gone on their own.
But her thoughts went beyond simple thanks.
In sales, there's a principle—if someone helps you, it creates a psychological bond.
This time, Toru had saved her daughters' lives. In Madam Yukinoshita's eyes, this was a rare chance to draw closer to the Fujiwara family.
But then her expression turned serious. "Yukino, don't get too close to the young master of the Fujiwara in private."
Yukino was stunned. "Why?"
Her mother's tone softened, but stayed firm. "You don't understand your own personality. Usually, I let it slide."
"But in important matters, your personality can make things worse and offend people. From now on, leave social matters to your sister."
Haruno remained silent.
She had long worked hard to act like the perfect heir of the Yukinoshita family. On the surface, she carried the weight without complaint, but privately, she often resented it.
She wasn't as flawless as everyone thought. She wasn't born strong.
She had simply given up many of her dreams for her sister, for her mother, and for the family.
But this time, under her mother's orders, she was even willing to embrace that role completely.
Yukino lowered her head. She clenched her fists and bit her lip.
Why? Why does Mother always say I can't do it, but Sister can?
All her life, she had obeyed her sister and mother.
But now, for the first time, she felt a rebellious desire. She didn't want to follow her mother's arrangements anymore.
She wanted to do things her way.
...
"You're back?"
When Toru returned home, he saw Haibara sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed. Despite being just a child in appearance, her expression was deadly serious.
"You're still up? Kids should be in bed."
Toru glanced at the wall clock.
"How could I sleep!"
Haibara sounded frustrated, though even she didn't know why.
Suppressing her anger, she asked, "Those people... were they from the Organization?"
At the mention of the Organization, her teeth clenched.
"They weren't. Just some low-level gangsters."
"I see."
Haibara let out a quiet breath of relief. Then she frowned again. "...Are your injuries bad?"
"Nothing serious."
"Really? Don't lie. You got stabbed! Let me see. I, I know a little about medicine."
"Relax. I already had it checked by a doctor."
"Can't you be more careful next time? Don't rush into danger like that."
"Why are you acting like a worried mother? Are you concerned about me?"
"Who's worried about you?!"
She jumped up and walked toward the stairs. "...I'm going to sleep. I just don't want you to die and leave me homeless. Then the Organization would find me."
Her words made it sound like she didn't care about him, only her own survival.
Toru smiled. He didn't point out what she was really feeling.
Back in her room, Haibara closed the door, her legs giving out as she sank to the floor.
She'd been tense all night after seeing the video. She didn't dare call or message Toru, afraid of bad news or bothering him.
Now that she'd seen him return safely, without serious injury, she finally felt at ease.
"Honestly. You're older than me, but you always make people worry."
She mumbled as she climbed into bed, pulled the blanket over her head, and slowly drifted off.
Her body and mind were exhausted from the stress.
...
A day later, Toru finally received the information he needed from A.
(To be continued.)
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