Morning.
Takahashi Group Estate.
The grand house sat quietly atop the hill, bathed in soft sunlight.
Inside one of the bedrooms—
Kyouko stirred.
Her eyes blinked open slowly.
White ceiling.
Clean sheets.
Warm light pouring through tall windows.
This wasn't the hospital.
Her body jolted upright.
She looked around, confusion turning quickly to panic.
She threw the blanket off and rushed toward the door.
As she opened it—
"Where do you think you're going!?"
Kyouko froze.
Hanako stood there in the hallway, arms crossed, waiting.
"Mom! Please— I need to go to the hospital! Please!"
"You are not driving in that condition," Hanako said firmly.
"You couldn't even walk straight last night."
"But… but I have to be there! I don't know what happened to Haruki!"
Kyouko's voice cracked, her hands trembling.
From the living room below, Kitayama's voice called out:
"Kyouko!"
She flinched at the tone—deep, commanding.
Hanako stepped closer, her voice gentle, but firm.
