One week had passed since Sayura's funeral.
The world outside moved on……but Kevin hadn't.
He hadn't stepped outside his room.He hadn't spoken a word.The food by his door often went untouched.The warmth in the house had faded.
He was a shadow in his own home.
In the hallway, Rina, Yuna, and Mira sat in silence.They heard Kevin's footsteps late at night, pacing.They heard his quiet sobs when he thought no one was listening.
But today… Rina couldn't wait anymore.
She stood at his door.
"Kevin…"No answer.
She opened it slowly and stepped inside.
Kevin sat on the edge of his bed. Eyes hollow. Face pale.He stared at the wall like it was a window into something he couldn't escape.
"How long are you going to stay like this?" Rina asked quietly."Yuna and Mira are worried. I'm worried."
Still, Kevin didn't respond.
She stepped closer. "You're not the only one who lost her…"
Kevin's jaw clenched. His voice was low, breaking.
"If I was strong… she'd still be alive."
Rina's chest tightened.
She took a deep breath.
"Do you remember her last words?"
Kevin's eyes finally met hers.
"She told you to protect me. To become strong.And right now… you're weak.If something happened to me tomorrow, you wouldn't be able to stop it.You'd lose me too."
Kevin looked at her — really looked — and his lip trembled.
Tears welled in his eyes and spilled down his cheeks.
Rina didn't hesitate.
She pulled him into a hug.
And that hug broke the dam.He cried like the sky had been waiting weeks to rain.
Outside the room, Yuna and Mira heard him…And they didn't disturb them.
Later that evening, Kevin stepped out of his room.
Yuna ran to him and hugged him tight."I missed you," she whispered.
He didn't speak — but his arms wrapped around her too.
The family stood together, broken but breathing.
Ready to face the world again.
That same evening, in a quiet corner of the village…
A small group of villagers sat around a fire.
Old women talked. Some men smoked pipes. Children played nearby.
The conversation drifted from crops to the weather…Until someone brought up Sayura and her children.
"How tragic…" someone sighed."Poor children… no mother… no father…"
And then, an old midwife who had been silent finally spoke.
She was the one who had helped Sayura give birth, years ago.
"I remember that night," she said softly. "It was raining…Sayura was alone. Her husband had just been killed that same night…Kaizen... the Devil of Shinkai."
Gasps.
Silence.
And then, murmurs.
She realized what she said—her eyes widened.
"I… I shouldn't have said that."
But it was too late.
The wind carried the secret.The village caught fire with whispers.
The next morning, Kevin, Rina, Yuna, and Mira stepped outside.
It was the first time in a while they'd gone out together.
The sunlight felt a little softer. The air a little lighter.
But the moment they reached the main street…
Eyes turned.Whispers returned.And the circle began.
People stopped them.
"Is it true?""Is Kaizen really your father?""Did Sayura tell you that?"
Rina and Kevin froze.
Mira stepped in front of them, eyes fierce.
But suddenly—a voice cut through the noise.
"Enough."
It was Princess Selena.
She stepped forward, her presence like a wave that quieted the crowd.
The villagers stepped aside.
Selena looked at the children, then turned to the crowd.
"We'll discuss this properly. Follow me."
They were led to the village's council grounds — a stadium-like arena.
Selena took her seat in the royal circle.The villagers filled the seats like curious birds waiting for judgment.
Kevin and Rina stood alone in the center, facing her.
Selena's eyes were serious… but soft.
"Is it true?" she asked gently. "Are you the children of Kaizen?"
Rina looked down.
But Kevin…
He lifted his head.
And with a steady voice, said:
"Yes."
Gasps echoed around the arena.
Voices rose.
But Selena stood.
"Silence."
She walked down, toward the children, and faced the crowd.
"What have these children done to you?""Did they raise a sword against you? Did they commit crimes?""No. Their only 'fault' was being born."
She raised her voice, strong and clear.
"Their father may have been Kaizen. But these are not his crimes.They lost their mother—your neighbor, your friend.Sayura raised them with kindness, strength, and love."
The villagers quieted.
Selena stepped closer to Kevin and Rina.
"I knew Sayura. And I knew Kaizen.You don't know the full story — none of you do."
She turned back to the crowd.
"These children… are not devils.They are ours now.Our future. Our responsibility."
Rina's tears flowed, but her smile glowed with pride.
Kevin looked down…
And for the first time since Sayura died…
He smiled.
Just a flicker.
A quiet thank you in the shape of a smile.