The news of Akuto executing Soichiro on the spot sent shockwaves through the Takagi estate.
Among all, the one who reacted the most violently was none other than Takashi.
He had been watching from above, eager to personally witness Soichiro killing Akuto.
Unfortunately for him, his calculations failed. Soichiro was crushed and slain by Akuto as easily as one would squeeze a chicken's neck.
In response, Takashi could only curse Soichiro as a useless piece of trash—while running for his life!
Yes, running!
Takashi realized that staying in the Takagi estate was no longer an option.
His strength was only about on par with Soichiro's, and if Soichiro was killed in an instant, then he would fare no better.
If it was discovered that he had leaked intel to Soichiro, then even with Aoi begging on his behalf, his chances of survival were slim at best.
Besides…
He didn't want Aoi, who was now under Akuto's sway, groveling for his sake anyway.
Weighing it all, Takashi made his decision.
...
"Akuto… tonight. Tonight, I'll make you pay the price!"
Takashi hid himself in the cellar, avoiding all contact.
When night fell, his fangs finally bared.
In the still silence, Takashi crept toward the burial site where Soichiro and the others had been interred.
"So fragrant… I can feel it. The power that will allow me to evolve is right here!"
The very reason he came to the Takagi estate was because it housed the largest concentration of awakened ones in Tokonosu City.
And devouring awakened ones was the key for zombies to evolve further.
"Akuto, you never thought of this, did you? The awakened you cut down will all become my food!"
Before long, Takashi unearthed one of the graves and began to feast greedily.
...
Elsewhere.
Inside Yuriko's chambers.
When she awoke again, night had already fallen.
The first thing she heard was the lilting voice of a young girl, and she blinked in confusion.
Why did that voice sound so familiar?
Groggily, Yuriko turned her gaze toward the sound—
And her eyes widened at the sight of Saya, her twin ponytails firmly gripped in Akuto's hand.
Like reins tugged on a horse, her head tilted back to reveal her pale neck. Her toes curled tightly in her white stockings as her eyes rolled faintly, lips pressing eagerly against Akuto's.
Watching Saya's brazen initiative, Yuriko swallowed hard. She never thought her once-prickly daughter would be so bold, even proactive.
And to bring her mother into it too? Outrageous!
Truthfully, Saya had not come to this decision lightly. Rei and Kiriko had been swept along into inevitability.
But Saya… Saya chose this path for herself.
Earlier today, she had learned far too much from Kaguya.
After careful thought, she finally resolved to bring Yuriko into this as well.
To be frank, Saya had little confidence. Though she considered herself beautiful, two hands could not fend off so many rivals.
Against the overwhelming allure of Rei, Kiriko, Rika, and Shizuka, she needed to form a stronger strategy.
Yuriko was that trump card.
After all, there was no affection between her and Soichiro.
And with Kaguya's confirmation, Saya now knew that, like Kiriko, Yuriko too had been "pregnant by heaven's will." She had endured long years of scorn and discrimination, never once tasting true happiness.
As her daughter, Saya felt she had to do something for her.
Thus, she had slipped something into her drink.
"Mm?"
Sensing Yuriko waking, Saya glanced at her, slightly dazed, then murmured something to Akuto.
Moments later, Yuriko watched Akuto and Saya walking toward her. For the first time, unease crept into her chest.
But before she could speak, her body betrayed her, leaning forward of its own accord.
What Saya had given her was far more than a mere sedative.
"Aunt Yuriko, truth is… I've always liked you~" Akuto whispered at her ear.
"Perhaps you don't know why you bore a child without cause, but in fact… it was because of me. The future me, in some way, interfered with the flow of this world."
As he spoke, his hand traced along her red qipao, sliding down to those captivating long legs.
"So… it was you?"
Yuriko's eyes widened. She had wondered if she had been chosen by some god, or if it was some bizarre accident in a swimming pool.
Never did she imagine… that it was because of Akuto!
For several seconds, she was silent.
And then, all at once, passion flared in her eyes.
His words had settled her heart completely.
"If this was your doing, Akuto-kun, then I'll have no choice but to make you take responsibility."
With that, Yuriko wrapped her arms around his neck, her red lips pressing to his, her long legs locking tightly behind his waist.
(End of Chapter)
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