The support units returned to Kouga late that night, battered but intact. They relayed everything they had gathered—only surface-level data, incomplete scraps, and surveillance recordings. Nothing that could clear Ryoma.Kouga clenched his fists."Damn it. All that risk, and we barely scratched the surface."Still, he knelt down, patting one of the Foodroids as it chirped apologetically."…You did what you could. Thanks for coming back in one piece."
The Next Day – After School
As the three of them walked toward the gate together, Mei shifted the strap of her bag, her eyes a little downcast."I won't be going straight home today," she murmured.
Kouga glanced at her. "Something up?"
Mei shook her head. "No. It's just… time for my kenjutsu training. Normally, I'd visit the family dojo. My father asked my teacher to excuse me for a few days so I could settle in at your house."
Kiana's eyes widened with excitement. "Wait—you do sword training, Mei-senpai? That's so cool! You're like… a real samurai!"
A faint smile tugged at Mei's lips. "It's nothing so grand. My father insisted I train when I was young. He said discipline and focus would guide me, even when everything else faltered."
Kouga's expression turned thoughtful. "And you still kept up with it?"
"Yes," Mei replied softly, her voice tinged with something heavier. "Even now."
"The teacher still around?" Kouga asked.
Mei nodded. "Yes. He goes by 'Swordmaster HOMU.'"
"…HOMU?" Kiana blinked. "Like the fat little mascot?"
Mei let out the faintest laugh. "He always wore a HOMU mask during lessons. He used to say a swordmaster doesn't need a name—only skill."
Kiana giggled. "That's actually kind of cute."
Kouga smirked. "Sounds like a nutjob."
Mei just smiled, though her eyes held a quiet ache neither of them noticed.
"Then how about we go with you to the dojo?" Kouga suggested suddenly.
Mei blinked in surprise. "Eh?"
Kiana gave a big thumbs-up. "Yeah, Mei-senpai! We should all go. It's safer that way too—you never know who might try something."
After a moment, Mei nodded. "...Alright."
The Raiden estate was vast, almost like a small fortress. Kouga and Kiana couldn't help but gape at its sheer size, though the silent halls and lack of staff made the place feel emptier than it should. Ryoma's arrest had cast its shadow even here.
Mei led them to the dojo and quietly excused herself to change. When she returned, dressed in her crisp uniform, Kiana practically drooled."Uwahhh, Mei-senpai, you're so beautiful…" she muttered, stars in her eyes.
Mei's cheeks pinkened faintly, but she said nothing.
They waited.An hour passed.Then another.
Kiana pouted, chin resting on her hands. "I don't think he's coming, Mei-senpai…"
Mei's shoulders sagged. She tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "…I guess so."
Seeing her disappointment, Kouga stood. "Come on. Let's head back. I'll make something good to cheer you two up."
Mei opened her mouth to answer—then froze. Out of the corner of her eye, something caught her attention.
A drawer.Slightly ajar.
Her breath caught in her throat as she walked over and pulled it open. Inside lay a folded gi—the very uniform Swordmaster HOMU had always worn during her lessons. Next to it, the ridiculous HOMU mask rested silently, its expression frozen in a goofy grin.
The realization hit her like a blade through the chest. Her teacher—her Swordmaster—had been her father all along.
Her vision blurred as tears welled up, spilling down her cheeks. "F-Father… you were… always there…"
Kouga's eyes widened, the pieces falling into place. He shook his head, lips pressed tight. When Kiana made to step forward, he stopped her with a hand, quietly shaking his head again.
Mei needed this moment.
So they stood in silence, watching her cry into the HOMU mask—grieving, cherishing, and realizing far too late just how close her father had always been.
As they walked back from the dojo, the evening air was heavy with silence. Mei's eyes were still faintly red, her steps dragging.
Kiana, walking beside her, clenched her fists, trying to think of a way to lift Mei's spirits. Suddenly, an idea struck."Kouga-senpai!" she piped up, turning with a grin. "How about… I do the cooking tonight?"
Kouga raised an eyebrow. "You? Cooking?"Kiana puffed her cheeks. "Don't sound so shocked. I can cook, you know!"He gave a small chuckle. "Alright then. I'll hold you to that."
When they reached home, Kiana immediately dashed toward the kitchen with an almost theatrical flourish, declaring she would "make the best dinner ever."
To Kouga's surprise, Mei didn't follow Kiana. Instead, she quietly stepped into the living room and sat across from him. Her hands folded tightly in her lap, her gaze lowered."…Kouga-kun," she said softly, her voice almost hesitant, "can I ask you something?"
He looked at her. "Go ahead."
"…What was my father like? To you. To his employees."
Kouga leaned back, expression steady. "Raiden-sama? To outsiders, he might look cold—harsh, even. But to those of us working under him… he was a man who cared. Always. He expected the best, but he never abandoned anyone."
Mei's lips trembled. "…And to you?"
Kouga gave a small, wry smile. "To me, he was the kind of man who worried about his daughter even when interviewing a part-timer. On my first day, when I was applying, he didn't just ask about work. He asked about us. Wanted to know what kind of relationship I had with you."
Mei blinked, then her face went red as the memory sank in. "…H-He really did that?"
Kouga chuckled at the look on her face. "Yeah. That's how much he cared."
For a brief moment, Mei laughed too—soft and genuine—but the smile soon faded, replaced by a pained expression. "…Then why? What did he do to deserve this…?"
Kouga's gaze sharpened. He leaned forward, voice low but firm. "He didn't do anything. There are people out there who thrive on tearing down good men. But listen—Raiden-sama wouldn't want you crying for him. I know with absolute certainty, he'd want you to live happily, no matter what."
Mei's breath hitched. Then, without warning, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. Her face pressed against his chest, trembling.
Kouga froze for a second, surprised—but then rested a hand lightly on her shoulder. "…Mei."
And just then—
"Hey!!"
They both turned sharply. At the doorway stood Kiana, arms crossed, cheeks puffed in a pout. A faint trail of smoke drifted from behind her."No fair! I wanted my turn to cuddle Mei-senpai too!"
Kouga blinked. "…Smoke?"
"Uh—don't worry about that!" Kiana yelped, rushing forward to latch onto Mei's other side, hugging her tight. "Mei-senpai is mine too!"
"W-Wait, Kiana-chan!" Mei stammered, her face burning as she was smothered between them.
Kouga sighed, running a hand down his face. "…I'd better go check the kitchen before the whole house burns down."
And as Mei squirmed in Kiana's arms, embarrassed yet faintly smiling through her tears, Kouga walked off toward the smoke-filled kitchen with the calm resignation of a man who already expected the worst.