"Huh?"
Outside the half-open door, Sakiko, who heard Fuuki's straightforward declaration, was greatly shocked, and the several medicine bottles on the tray she was holding clinked together in surprise.
The two inside looked over at the sound, and upon realizing it was Sakiko, their faces showed no embarrassment whatsoever; their hands were even tightly clasped together.
This made the young girl inwardly gasp again.
What made Sakiko gasp was not Fuuki's "sincere" confession, nor was it his somewhat "overly cheerful" falsetto—she had witnessed enough of these antics at the previous dinner party, and thus had some understanding of the young man's social maneuvering.
Of course, what made Sakiko gasp was not her friend's care for her brother.
In her eyes, Mutsumi had always been like her "other half," a kindred spirit who, though not good with words, was incredibly thoughtful. Her care for Fuuki was likely out of gratitude for his previous protection of them, and concern for her family.
Mutsumi was a kind and innocent child; Fuuki, though sometimes hot, sometimes cold, and with a heavy mind, was still reliable as an older brother.
Therefore, Sakiko did not object to the two interacting; on the contrary, she thought it was a very good thing for her other half and her brother to become friends.
Under normal circumstances, Sakiko felt she would surely be happy to see this scene.
However, the current Sakiko was a gloomy Sakiko who had just encountered setbacks everywhere and been mercilessly beaten down... The main reason was the series of events that the Togawa Family had experienced a few days prior.
First, the Togawa young mistress nearly suffered an accident in the guest room she had prepared, and then the newly arrived Young Master Fuuki was found covered in blood in the basement, unconscious for several days.
Also found were several high-ranking administrators of the mansion. They, too, were unconscious in that secluded room, and after regaining consciousness, they had completely forgotten what had happened. One of the butlers was particularly traumatized, almost falling into a state of madness and idiocy.
This incident was ultimately characterized as [a conspiracy targeting the Togawa Family,] with malicious intent and vile methods.
Regardless of who the culprit was or who was behind it, such a direct assassination attempt on the Heir of the Togawa Family was tantamount to challenging a certain balance maintained among the major conglomerate.
In the circles of old Japanese conglomerate, there was an unspoken rule: drawing blood with knives, using violence and underworld forces to eliminate figures within the system, was an unplayable "flipping the table" move. This shameless act of breaking the balance would touch the bottom line of the entire class. Once it started, fear would spread, order would collapse, and it would trigger a domino effect of bloodshed.
Therefore, even if undercurrents surged, the surface had to remain calm.
Although the assassination of the Heir of the Togawa Family was unsuccessful, this incident was like a sharp knife hanging over everyone's heads. If not handled properly, if a perfect answer could not be given, then the "iron rule" upon which the entire upper class depended might shatter, and no one would be able to pretend that nothing had happened.
Fuuki naturally knew this. When he was reviewing Togawa Sadaharu's memory disc, he also discovered a contingency plan for this situation. After repeatedly confirming the effectiveness of the response plan, he ordered the other party to quickly execute the plan, while he himself was busy gaining further control over the main family.
Togawa Sadaharu also followed the plan, holding talks with various parties in the secret study, entrusting Fuuki with full authority over the arrangements within the mansion. However, Fuuki did not expect that he would directly encounter the enemy's Stand in the basement, making him unable to attend to the mansion's situation.
At this point, a subtle window of opportunity appeared. When Wakaba Mutsumi received that phone call and rushed to find Fuuki, the still-young Togawa Sakiko stepped forward voluntarily.
Togawa Sakiko's life up until now had been like a precious flower in a greenhouse, never truly experiencing wind or rain.
As the sole Heir of the Togawa Family, she had been enveloped from birth within the family's tightly woven, impenetrable wings. Luxurious food and clothing, surrounded by attendants, every planned step paved with velvet.
Her parents poured everything they had into building her a pure, carefree paradise before the heavy burden of the family officially fell upon her shoulders—a long and sweet golden childhood that belonged only to her.
No setbacks, no storms, not even the sunlight, which was always just right and warm.
After her mother passed away, this soft cocoon finally developed cracks. Amidst her grief, the young girl also keenly noticed the increasingly heavy burden on her father, and her grandfather's kind eyebrows were constantly filled with worry.
Togawa Sakiko knew that she, too, was about to face her own trial, the raw chill of the real world she had never confronted before.
When she learned from Mutsumi that Fuuki was in danger, she resolutely dismissed the attendants who had blocked them in the bedroom, and, summoning courage from deep within, displayed the spirit befitting an Heir of the Togawa Family.
When Sakiko led the guards and doctors to the basement, she was intercepted at the entrance by her grandfather, Togawa Sadaharu. Citing safety, he firmly insisted the scene was too dangerous and sternly forbade her from getting involved.
This was Sakiko's first step outside the birdcage; how could she accept her grandfather's obstruction now? She argued logically, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.
However... "Sakiko, this matter is too dangerous for you!"
"If you have the resolve of an Heir of the Togawa Family, you should prioritize your own safety even more!"
Under Togawa Sadaharu's stern authority and undeniable reprimand, her tender persistence quickly crumbled, and the attendants silently gathered around.
Ultimately, she could only clench her fists, watching in silence and powerlessness as Fuuki was escorted away by the doctors, while she herself was once again "invited" back to her closed bedroom.
That night, her protection was lifted.
For several days thereafter, Sakiko often came alone to Fuuki's door to visit. Inside the door, the young man's eyes were closed, the young girl silently kept vigil; outside the door, she stood quietly, her fingertips gently touching the cold doorframe.
Each time, that silent scene was like a tiny thorn, pricking her heart—as if only she was isolated from everything else.
She refused to compromise.
============
Togawa Sakiko cleared her throat, pushed open the half-open door, and walked to Fuuki's bedside.
"Fuuki, how are your injuries? Do your wounds... still hurt badly?"
She gently placed the tray she was holding on the bedside table, her gaze turning to the pale young man with concern, asking softly.
"The wounds occasionally throb, but it's nothing serious. The medicine applied is very effective, I feel much better."
Fuuki moved slightly. His wrists and some of the larger wounds on his body showed signs of burns, which were traces left by Ride the Lighting's ability when repairing injuries. Smaller wounds had been carefully medicated, and he felt mostly recovered.
"Very effective? That's good."
The young girl smiled, and the faint glow emanating from her even made Fuuki a little stunned.
Then, Sakiko turned to Wakaba Mutsumi, who was sitting quietly to the side, and naturally took her hand.
The palms of the three were silently connected.
"Mutsumi has been taking care of you for a long time too. Making the Togawa Family's honored guest worry so much, Fuuki, you must treat Mutsumi well afterward."
"Yes, of course," Fuuki, having recovered, nodded and said.
"It's okay..."
"Because Fuuki is a friend," Mutsumi confirmed once more.
"That's wonderful!" Sakiko clapped her hands lightly, a smile blooming on her face again.
"But Mutsumi, you should also pay attention to getting enough rest. I'll take over here now; it's also time for a new dressing."
Sakiko glanced at the clock, then naturally began to organize the medicines on the tray. Seeing this, Mutsumi nodded in understanding, her gaze lingering on Fuuki's face for a moment before she quietly moved towards the door.
"Mutsumi."
Just before the young girl left the room, Fuuki called out to her softly.
"If there's anything you want to know, you're always welcome here."
Currently, Fuuki didn't know much about Wakaba Mutsumi's state after inserting the stand disc, but since he had decided to be her friend, it was necessary to let her know some information about Stands.
This was both a form of protection for her and a responsibility for his decision.
The young girl nodded slightly, waved her small hand at the young man, then gently closed the door.
When the door softly closed, only the brother and sister remained in the room. They looked at each other in silence, an inexpressible emotion flowing in the quietude.
"Regarding what happened that day, was it really something I couldn't get involved in?" After a plaster was prepared, Sakiko finally couldn't help but ask.
Fuuki was surprised by the young girl's directness but nodded after a moment of thought.
"This matter is very complex."
"Their objective was very clear; they were targeting you, as the Heir of the Togawa Family."
"However, the family head must have responded in time. The fact that you can move freely within the mansion already indicates that the situation has eased."
Fuuki temporarily did not intend to let Sakiko access information related to Stands. Her identity was crucial; she was an existence that absolutely needed to be protected, and the less she knew, the better.
Moreover, according to Fuuki's recollection, although the main Togawa Family currently had no Stand Users, in several "contingency plans" within Togawa Sadaharu's memory, there were some vaguely described special personnel.
These personnel, who were not to be activated lightly except in emergencies, were very likely a latent defensive force.
But since this force was not kept close, it was likely due to concerns about their powerful abilities—if they, not being Stand Users, were to rebel, there would be no countermeasures.
"Grandfather said the same thing at the time..."
Hearing Fuuki's words, Sakiko's eyes visibly dimmed a few shades.
Just as the young man thought she would fall into gloom again, the young girl's clear voice suddenly cut through the silence.
"Then what about you, Fuuki?"
"As my brother, will you still protect me like before?"
"That's natural."
Fuuki immediately confirmed, as the young girl's safety was related to his unfinished plan, and the vast Togawa Family still held many undiscovered powers. Perhaps he would need to protect her until he truly reached [Heaven.]
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible flame ignited in Sakiko's eyes. The color of that flame was the opposite of her bright gaze; it was a dancing black.
"Then, please stay by my side from now on."
"Since you are determined to protect me, this is undoubtedly the safest way."
She no longer wanted to be excluded. She yearned to take the first step, to face her own trial.
The light in the young girl's eyes, as her resolve was spoken, shifted from burning to serene, yet it became even more steadfast.
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