Part 1: The Daughter of the Leader
Ayano arrived in the warm living room, her clothes soaked from the rain. Takuto offered her a warm blanket, but Ayano remained standing, refusing to take it.
Kaori stood holding a teacup, her expression severe. Her anger was only held in check out of respect for Takuto. Aoi sat beside Takuto, watching in silence.
Kaori: (In a cold voice) "For tracking our home, our security protocol demands your immediate removal. You are only here because of Takuto-kun's request. Speak the truth, now."
Ayano: (Bowing her head) "I understand. I know my explanation won't lessen my crimes. But to regain Takuto-kun's trust, I must reveal the truth."
Ayano began to explain, her voice trembling.
Ayano: "I am... the daughter of Reiji Daichi, the leader of the Shadow Syndicate. And I have a younger sister named Kaede Daichi. My father treated us like personal weapons."
Ayano: "Since I was young, I never received honor or affection from my parents. My mother was also just one of my father's test subjects. The purpose of my birth was to become the perfect power weapon with the Amethyst Gate power."
Kaori: (Raising an eyebrow) "Test subject? What do you mean?"
Ayano: "My mother possessed the Amethyst Stellar Flow. My father experimented to intensify that power. My birth was... the result of genetic experiments to ensure I would be born with the Amethyst Gate (Violet Eyes), an advanced form of this Stellar Flow."
Ayano: "The purpose of my birth wasn't to be human, but to be a perfect power weapon. That's why my father always suppressed my emotions."
Takuto: (After listening to her words coldly) "Is that why you lied to me?"
Ayano: "No. The main reason I was sent was to control your Phoenix Eye power and execute the Shadow Syndicate's plan. I was ordered to get close to you as a trusted friend."
Ayano: "But... every time I was with Takuto... my emotions started to change. When I learned of my father's plan... I couldn't bring myself to harm you, Takuto-kun."
Ayano: "That's why, on our first date, even though I planned to capture Takuto-kun, I had no intention of taking him to the organization."
Ayano: "From that moment, I planned to take Takuto-kun away from them."
Ayano: "I was glad when Kaori-san came to rescue Takuto-kun at that time."
Ayano met Takuto's eyes. Her violet eyes shone with remorse, pain, and genuine desire.
Ayano kept eye contact, her Amethyst Eyes conveying a deeper feeling of regret.
Ayano: (Her voice growing faint) "There was only one purpose for which I was created. To serve the Shadow Syndicate. I never had any friends when I was young. No one dared to approach me."
Ayano: "My life was... like being dead while alive, Takuto-kun. Every day was filled with duties, tests, and cold orders. My heart was an empty space, unable to be tied even by a single white thread."
Ayano gently touched the thread bracelet on her left wrist with a trembling hand.
Ayano: "Takuto-kun... only after meeting you... did light start entering my life. From the moment you sat down in the library corner... I felt alive for the first time."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Ayano: "You were... my first friend. And... the most important person in my life. I broke my father's order because... I truly love you."
Ayano: (With tears streaming down and a sorrowful apology) "I'm not asking for forgiveness for my crimes. But... please... just let me... stay by your side, Takuto-kun. Please don't cast me out..."
Her words were filled with pain and the fear of rejection, enveloping the entire living room in sadness.
Part 2: 😡 The Guardian's Doubt
After hearing Ayano's sad confession, Kaori grew even angrier. The incident where Aoi and Takuto were hurt, and the danger posed by the Shadow Syndicate, dominated her thoughts.
Kaori: (Placing the teacup on the table with a sharp sound) "Enough! Your story means nothing to us. This is all just another part of your grand deception!"
Kaori: "Even if your words about being 'the first friend' are true... you are Reiji Daichi's daughter! Your presence endangers all of us. It would be best for you to leave this house and Takuto's side."
Takuto was torn between Ayano and Kaori. Kaori's words were logical, yet he felt the pain in Ayano's eyes was the truth.
Just then, Aoi, who was sitting beside Kaori, slowly moved closer to Ayano. Aoi gently took Ayano's rain-soaked hand.
Aoi: (Looking at Kaori and shaking her head) "Kaori-san... No."
Kaori: "Aoi! What are you doing! She is the one who hurt you!"
Aoi: "I believe her."
Aoi felt Ayano's Amethyst Stellar Flow and her Aura with her heart.
Aoi: (Her voice calm and full of feeling) "I feel Ayano-san's Stellar Flow. There is only loneliness and deep sorrow within it. It's not the power pattern of a deceiver. She... is truly desperate."
Aoi: "She's not lying. Please don't send her away, Kaori-san."
Aoi's belief created a significant wave in the minds of Kaori and Takuto. Kaori looked at Aoi's serious gaze and had to swallow her anger, unable to say another word.
When Takuto saw Aoi's warm trust, his feelings changed. Although he couldn't yet forgive Ayano's crimes, he decided to accept her.
Aoi's warm trust felt like a direct penetration of Takuto's hardened heart. He looked at Ayano, and the pain in his eyes slowly transformed into a willingness to forgive.
Takuto: (Slowly stepping toward Aoi and Ayano) "What Kaori says is true. Your presence is a danger to us."
Aoi (Ready to interrupt but stopped by Takuto's hand gesture) "Takuto Ni-san..."
Takuto: "But... I also understand what Aoi is saying. And... I haven't forgotten the fact that you tried to protect me."
Takuto stared directly at Ayano. His voice was still devoid of warmth, but completely free of coldness.
Takuto: (With clarity) "Ayano Senpai. I forgive you."
When she heard those words, Ayano's eyes widened in surprise, and she tightly gripped Aoi's hand on her wrist.
Takuto: "But... I don't fully trust you yet."
Takuto: "Your crimes and lies won't disappear in a day. You will have to take time to earn our trust. For now, I believe your enemy is the Shadow Syndicate."
Takuto: "I will grant you refuge in this house. But your every movement will be under Ichinose-san's supervision. The moment I suspect you of violating our security in the slightest... I will make you leave."
Ayano's tears streamed down again. But this time, not from sadness, but from joy at receiving the first step of forgiveness.
Ayano's tears were warmer than the rain. She had only expected Takuto's accusation, but receiving this initial forgiveness made her knees almost buckle.
Ayano: (Trembling through her tears) "Thank... Thank you, Takuto-kun... I... will prove this trust. I will never hurt you again."
She slowly released Aoi's hand and bowed deeply and solemnly before Takuto. For the first time, she was granted refuge in the home of the Crimson Aegis members.
Kaori disliked Takuto's decision but had to accept Ayano due to Aoi's influence and Takuto. However, she was a practical security officer.
Part 3: Limited Intelligence
Kaori: (Staring at Ayano with a hard voice) "Fine, you have refuge. But you must not endanger us. Ayano Daichi... What are your father Reiji Daichi's plans to get you back? And where is the Shadow Syndicate's location?"
Ayano: (Bowing her head with regret) "Forgive me, Kaori-san. Although I am the daughter of the Shadow Syndicate leader, I was treated like a weapon, so my information is restricted."
Ayano: "The location of the Main Headquarters is completely secret, and I do not know it. I am only sent to Temporary Staging Points whenever I am assigned a mission."
Takuto: (Watching) "Then what do you know? Tell us in detail."
Ayano: "I do know that some members of the Shadow Syndicate are currently using an abandoned factory in west Neotokyo as a temporary base of operations. This might be the closest base they use to capture Takuto-kun or track the Crimson Aegis. And my sister Kaede Daichi plans to operate from that location."
Ayano's information created an immediate need for action for the Crimson Aegis. However, as they still could not trust Ayano, Kaori established a strict rule.
Kaori: (Looking Ayano up and down) "Listen, Ayano Daichi. We will take time to verify how much of your information is true."
Kaori: "I respect Takuto-kun's decision. But... I will not forgive you if your deceptions endanger our lives."
Kaori gripped Ayano's arm firmly.
Kaori: "From now on, you are under my direct supervision. I will always be watching you. Your place of refuge is the room next to mine. We must also control your powers. Do you understand?"
Ayano: (Accepting Kaori's stern gaze and nodding) "I understand, Kaori-san."
Kaori held Ayano's arm firmly and led her upstairs. As she left, Ayano looked back at Takuto one last time. Her eyes silently pleaded, "Please believe me."
Takuto was left in the living room with Aoi. Aoi held Takuto's hand.
Aoi: "Ni-san... you made the right decision. Ayano-san is truly lonely."
Takuto: (Closing his eyes and nodding) "I know. But Aoi... she is the daughter of our enemy's leader. We can't simply ignore that. I forgive her. But trust can only be built by time."
Takuto spent the entire night restless, anxious between the danger of the Shadow Syndicate and Ayano's truth.
The next morning. A sunny morning, free of rain.
Takuto and Ayano left the house for their normal school day, under Kaori's strict supervision. Ayano stood next to Kaori, her body more rigid than before. Takuto was also more cautious than before.
Upon reaching the school entrance, Kaori gripped Ayano's shoulder tightly.
Kaori: (In a low, but sharp voice) "Ayano Daichi... even if you leave this house, my watch doesn't stop. I will always be watching you. Your power, your movements... everything. Remember that."
Kaori gave a threatening look, then released Ayano and said, "I'll go ahead, Takuto-kun," before heading towards the school building.
Takuto and Ayano were left alone for a moment near the school entrance. The tension, the lack of trust, and unresolved emotions between them weighed down the air.
Ayano turned to look at Takuto. The owner of the Phoenix Eye had forgiven her, although he didn't fully trust her, and this kept her hope alive.
Ayano met Takuto's eyes. Her violet eyes were submerged in regret, yet shone with a ray of hope.
Ayano: (Softly, sincerely) "Thank you, Takuto-kun. I... am truly happy you allowed me to stay by your side and didn't cast me out."
Her voice became softer, expressing genuine feeling.
Ayano: "I only want to live because I get to be near Takuto-kun again. I love you, Takuto-kun."
Takuto's face flushed slightly at the sudden confession. He momentarily avoided Ayano's eyes and took a deep breath.
Takuto: (Trying to steady his voice) "Listen, Ayano-san. My forgiving you doesn't mean I love you. Don't expect me to love you back."
The light in Ayano's violet eyes dimmed for a moment. She managed to control her sadness.
Takuto: (Seeing her saddened face, his voice softened slightly) "But... we can start over."
Takuto: "Like before... as friends. Friends from the quiet corner of the library."
Takuto: (Looking down at the thread bracelet on her wrist, then looking directly back at Ayano with a warm gaze) "Just know one thing... Senpai. I don't hate you."
Those words gently entered Ayano's heart. Takuto's confession that he didn't hate her was a form of forgiveness more valuable to her than love.
Takuto regained his stern composure and started walking towards the school. Ayano, awakened with renewed hope, silently followed behind him.
[END OF CHAPTER 17]