Suddenly, Ema's gaze falls upon a photo on the table. It is a family portrait of Haruto. Seeing a girl in that picture, Ema's heart feels like it has stopped beating, and tears well up in her eyes.
"Haruto..." Ema whispers, "How do you know this girl? Who is she to you?"
Haruto picks up the photo and says softly, "She is my elder sister, Shinoba Kochiami. But... she is no longer in this world. How do you know her?"
Haruto looks into Ema's eyes, finding only deep regret and sorrow. "What happened? Why are you crying?" he asks, concerned.
Ema looks at him, a painful smile on her face. "I knew your sister. She was my best friend. We were together from kindergarten to 6th Grade. She used to tell me that if I ever spoke her name or talked about her, I should always do it with a smile, never with sadness. She was my everything; I would have given my life for her."
Ema's voice trembles, "But in that last half-year, everything changed. She started ignoring me, stopped talking to me. She told me I didn't understand her and that it would be better if I stayed away. I thought our friendship was a sham, that she was just using me... but I was so wrong, Haruto. I never truly understood her."
"One day, I found out she had cancer, but by then, it was too late. She was already gone. I am such a friend that I couldn't even attend her funeral. I was too ashamed to face anyone; I didn't even know who was in her family. I thought I knew everything about her, but I knew nothing. Forgive me, Haruto. I caused her pain even as she was leaving."
Ema continues through her tears, "She told me that if she died and I came to her funeral, I should wear her favourite colour, bring her favourite food, and bid her farewell with a laugh... but I couldn't do any of it. You know, Haruto... I lost at friendship."
Tears well up in Haruto's eyes as well. "Calm down, it wasn't your fault. If I were in your place, I might have thought the same. My luck was even worse... she was my sister, yet I couldn't be there because I was studying abroad and couldn't get a flight. She did so much for me. I just wanted to hug her one last time and say thank you... but I never got the chance."
The atmosphere becomes heavy with emotion. Haruto composes himself and says, "Go wash your face now. We need to head to the hospital and expose that spy. Hurry."
At the hospital, Ema is shown standing next to Sumi. Sumi is perfectly fine. The team members ask in confusion, "But wasn't he injured?"
"Injured? That was just an act," Ema replies coldly. She turns to the traitor. "Come here... what are you worried about? That we found out you're the spy?"
She continues, "I didn't even tell you this was a setup. The members who are actually in the hospital? Their condition worsened because of you, but at least it served as good training."
Haiku asks, "How did you know he was the spy?"
"When Oka's team attacked, he sent a message," Ema explains. "He kept checking his phone to see if it went through. I knew that if there was a major plan, they wouldn't tell him, so he'd have to ask what to do. He did exactly that, and I had my eyes on him the whole time. Though, I didn't realize the fight would get this dangerous."
Ema orders the team, "Give him a 'warm welcome' and make him spill everything." She then asks the spy, "Which gangs are fighting on March 11th? Oka isn't honorable enough to fight alone; someone is definitely coming with him."
The spy trembles, "There is a gang... but I don't know the name. Just let me go!" Ema snaps, "Did we catch you just to let you go? Make him talk and take him away!"
As soon as they leave, Ema suddenly vomits blood. She collapses to her knees, her vision fading to black. Kuro screams, "Dr. Joya! Ema's condition is critical! Come quickly!"
Joya rushes in and admits her to the ICU. "I need to run a blood test; her condition is deteriorating rapidly."
Kuro worries, "There's a fight on March 11th. How will Ema fight?" Joya says firmly, "I'm joining the fight. She won't be able to handle it alone."
"Someone will kill you!" Kuro warns. Joya replies, "Have you forgotten? I was a 'Best Fighter'; people were terrified of me. Even though I'm older, Ema is only 15 and controlling 200 people. I am going to help her. Don't even try to stop me."
====[Author note]====
"My Dearest Readers, 💖
First of all, please forgive me! 🙏 I know this chapter is coming out a bit late. Between a sudden bout of bad health 🤒 and a family function that took up all my time 🎊, life has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately!🎢
On top of that, my studies have officially moved to the 'Next Level'—and not the fun kind! 📈 As you guys know, I'm exactly like our girl Ema: a total backbencher who would rather do anything else in the world than study. 🎒😴
Seriously, I can handle gang wars and dark plot twists 🔪🩸, but Maths? That's the real villain of my story right now! 😈📐
My brain is currently being fried by equations and upcoming tests. 🍳🧠 If the next few chapters are a little delayed, just picture me crying over a geometry book or a calculus problem.
😭📖 Don't assume I've disappeared—just know that I'm fighting the ultimate boss battle: The Math Test. ⚔️🔢
Stay tuned, and thank you for sticking with me through the chaos! 🫶✨
Stay Awesome, 🌟
"If I end up in the ICU because of these Math equations, just know that Ema will be the one coming to take my revenge! 😂👊"
Night (Your Resident Backbencher Author) ✍️🖤"