Saturday morning at the Hanazawa family residence. The television flickered through its usual weather forecast before abruptly shifting to the news.
"Military opens fire on protesters in Indonesia. Students and activists are seen fleeing—some fighting back by throwing rocks and debris…"
Click. The channel changed.
"In the United States, a government official was found dead in his car last night. The vehicle was spray-painted with a single word: 'LIAR.'"
Click. Another change, now to local news.
"Protests erupt in Shibuya Crossing. Citizens gather, holding signs and chanting for change—"
The screen went black. The TV had been turned off.
"You see, dear?" her mother said softly, folding her hands on her lap. "The world's falling into chaos, day by day. Please… just go back to Arisuke. He can give you protection—guards, shelter, everything."
Yuki stayed silent, her eyes avoiding her mother's.
"Your mother's right, Yuki-chan," her father added. "It's for your own good. Just go back to him, okay?"
Yuki's anger burst forth. "For me? I've told you both—I can't be with him anymore! He's controlling, suffocating! I'm tired of it! And you two are the ones who pushed me to stay with him in the first place!"
She stood up, voice shaking. "You only cared because his family—the Kirishima family—is rich, didn't you?!"
"That's not true, dear—" her mother tried to protest.
"Yes," her father interrupted bluntly. "I just want the best for you, my only treasure. You deserve a man who can give you everything."
Yuki's heart cracked. Hearing those words from the man she once adored hurt more than she expected. Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the living room.
"Come back here!" her father shouted behind her.
Her mother tried to hold him back. But Yuki had already reached her bedroom, slamming the door shut and locking it. She collapsed onto her bed, clutching a small blue and pink cat keychain in her trembling hand.
Curled up beneath her blanket, tears slipped quietly down her cheeks. "…Help me… Takumi…"
Alone in her room, Yuki think to the closest person to Takumi, Mira Asahiro in her mind, she reached for her phone and call Takumi's LINE.
"Hello? Is this Mira-san?" Yuki's voice trembled.
"Yuki-chan? Yes, it's me. I found Takumi's phone buzzing."
"Do you have time? I… I want to talk. Heart to heart."
"Of course. I'll come pick you up, and we can go to Takumi's apartment together. Is that okay?"
"Yes, please… Mira-san," Yuki said, her voice cracking through tears.
"Did something happen, Yuki-chan?"
"…Yeah. I'll tell you later. Thank you, Mira-san."
"Okay… see you soon."
The call ended.
Back at Edenfall HQ, Mira sat quietly beside Takumi's bed. His body remained hooked to life support—an oxygen mask over his face, and an electrocardiogram still flat.
"You heard that, Takumi?" Mira whispered, gently brushing his hair. "She's broken. She needs you… So please—wake up. Come back."
The door opened, and Reika stepped in.
"Well, well… morning already and here you are, Mira-chan," she teased, smirking. "Visiting your miracle boyfriend as usual."
"I… I'm just checking on him, Reika-san," Mira mumbled, flustered.
"Haha, relax, I get it. Let me check on him—need to update Takamura-dono."
"Please do."
A moment later, Ayato walked in.
"Yo, Mira-chan," he greeted casually.
Reika raised an eyebrow. "Only Mira-chan? What about me?"
"Ah—of course! Good morning, too, Reika-chan," he chuckled.
Mira turned to him. "What is it, brother?"
"Just checking on you. Don't let the sadness get to you too much," Ayato said gently. "Also… I just got back from a mission. Things up there are getting worse."
"I've done missions in the U.S. too, and compared to them, Japan's still holding up. Their chaos is on another level. Sure, our crime rate's rising fast, but it's still not total collapse… not yet."
He looked between the two women. "Stay safe, both of you—Mira-chan, Reika-chan."
Ayato gently patted Mira's head. "Don't be too down. Honestly, from what I see… your boyfriend's getting better, right, Reika-chan?"
"Yesss~" Reika smirked.
"I… I told you, he's not my boyfriend! Or I'm not in love with him or anything…" Mira's face flushed red.
"Haha, sure, sure. Anyway, I'm just passing by. Time to give my report to the Master. See you two later." Ayato waved as he exited.
Mira sat quietly as Reika prepared her equipment.
"Hmmm… Mira-chan, I'm sorry," Reika said with a teasing smile. "I'm about to touch your boyfriend. A lot."
"Reika-san, please stop teasing me…" Mira groaned, her face even redder. "Just check on him…"
Reika chuckled and began her examination.
"Incredible," she muttered. "Just like I suspected. His brain's showing signs of activity… maybe started around three days ago?"
Mira's eyes widened. "Really?!"
Reika nodded. "Also… his hand. Look at this. The thumb and pinky are fully regenerated. Only three fingers left."
But then her expression turned serious as she checked the oxygen supply and EKG.
"Still… no heartbeat. No breathing." She sighed as she finished her report for Raizen.
"Anyway, it's still good news, Mira-chan. Day by day, he's getting better."
"I'm really glad to hear that, Reika-san…" Mira said softly.
"Alright. I'll go submit this to Takamura-dono. I'll leave you here with him. See ya" Reika waved and left the room.
It's almost time to…
In Raizen's office, Ayato stood before him, reporting the worsening global situation and his mission to infiltrate the government.
"It's really getting that bad, huh…" Raizen muttered.
"That's right, Master," Ayato replied.
"I also got the date—it's Monday Morning in US time. That's when they plan to make the announcement. I'm still not sure what they'll say exactly… whether it's just a statement or something bigger. But it'll come from the U.S. side. as they're the leader of United Nations now."
Raizen leaned back in his chair. "Today's Saturday… So it'll be on Monday Night early here that gives us enough time. We need to prepare for the worst. Right now, it's fifty-fifty. Either they'll try to silence the people to keep control, or… they'll finally tell the truth."
"Yes, sir," Ayato responded firmly.
A knock came at the door.
"May I come in, Takamura-dono?" Reika's voice called out.
"Go ahead."
Reika stepped in with her usual clipboard in hand. "Ah, Ayato-kun's still here."
"Takamura-dono, I have an update on Takumi's condition."
She stood straight. "His body's still regenerating. I suspected that if the body was still reacting, then the brain must be active too. So I ran a scan. And yes—it's active. From what I can tell, it started showing signs of activity two or three days ago."
Raizen raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"
"It means his brain has likely recovered enough to restart functions, and it's sending signals to speed up his physical healing," Reika explained. "Also, his left hand is already 90% restored—only three fingers left to regrow."
She sighed. "But despite all that… no heartbeat. No breathing. I'm keeping the oxygen going just in case."
Raizen crossed his arms, processing the information. "So this phenomenon lines up with your field report, Ayato."
"Yes, sir. I've seen it firsthand—out in the chaos, some people are already awakening powers. Enhanced strength, higher agility… beyond normal human limits."
Raizen narrowed his eyes. "Interesting… These so-called 'evolved' humans could be the wild cards in what's to come. Let's see how the world reacts when the announcement hits on Tuesday in Japan. Until then… stay sharp, Ayato."
"Yes, sir."
"Reika, keep monitoring him closely."
"Understood."
Ayato and Reika nodded, then quietly left the room.
Counting days for the history to change.
Somewhere unknown, inside a dark chamber, a massive angelic statue hangs upside down, chained, and drenched in red, blood-like liquid. From within the statue, a terrifying, distorted voice echoes, speaking to a shadowy figure standing before it.
"Do it… let them out of the cage… Let them see what awaits outside. Hahaha…"
The voice echoed like a curse.
The shadowy figure replied, calm and calculated.
"I'll follow the plan—make it look like we're defending the wall, but let them out." "Also,.. you want to add anything for the announcement?"
"No… That is enough. I trust you, human…"
"Understood."
The nameplate on Takumi's apartment reads Asahiro. Inside, Yuki Hanazawa sits on Takumi's bed with Mira Kurasaki—whom she knows only as Mira Asahiro.
Yuki explained her situation through tears, her voice shaking as Mira embraces her gently.
"I'm so confused, Mira-san…"
Her voice trembles.
Mira softly pats her head.
"I know, Yuki-chan… It's not easy."
"What should I do? If Takumi were here… what would he say?"
Mira looked down.
"What Arisuke Kirishima did to you was wrong. But… I also understand your parents. They just wanted the best for you, Yuki-chan."
She then leaned back and asked softly,
"But the answer lies within you. Do you still love him—even after everything? Even after he caged you?"
Yuki hold the blue and pink keychain on her hand tighter.
"At first, yes. Even after he tried to control me, I tried to forgive him. But when I remembered… he's the one who forced me to leave Takumi that night… I hate him. That coward doesn't deserve the life Takumi gave up."
Mira held her tighter.
"Takumi didn't care about saving Kirishima. He chose to save you."
She added gently,
"If Takumi were here, he'd still choose to protect you—no matter where you are. Even if that meant you were with Kirishima…"
Yuki looked up at her.
"Mira-san… if you were in my place, and Arisuke begged for forgiveness… would you forgive him?"
Mira exhaled. "If I were you? No, I wouldn't. But… I'd remember that Takumi gave everything to protect you. If staying close to Kirishima means staying safe in this collapsing world… then I'd do it. Not for him. But for Takumi."
"You're so strong, Mira-san… I'm not like you." Yuki's voice shaky again.
Mira smiled sadly.
"You have to be strong now, Yuki-chan. You're carrying two lives—your own, and the one Takumi gave you."
"…I have to be strong for Takumi." Yuki replied her voice tremble.
"Yes. And I believe that's what he'd want too."
"For now it's okay to stay with Kirishima, don't worry, I believe he would soon—" Mira paused, realizing she was close to revealing the truth about Takumi.
Yuki looked at her curiously.
"He? Takumi would what, Mira-san?"
Mira quickly covered it.
"No sorry, I mean… Kirishima. If he truly loves you, he'll become a better man. I hate him too—for running away. But if he changes, maybe that's something Takumi would want for you."
"Hmm… I understand.".
Yuki glanced around the apartment, noticing many of Takumi's belongings already packed into cardboard boxes.
Mira nodded. "I think you should at least meet with Kirishima. Hear what he has to say. If you still can't forgive him—that's okay. Just remember, you're doing it for Takumi… to stay safe, at least for now."
"Thank you, Mira-san. But… it's still hard. I still hate him. Just seeing his face takes me back to that night…"
"I know. But try to be strong, alright? Right now, you've only got two choices: go back to him, or break things off. But if you break it off… he might use his power, wealth, or influence to force you back. I'm afraid he'll only hurt you more."
"You're right… I'll try to face him."
"Good. And make sure he promises not to cage you again. I'll be here to support you, Yuki-chan."
Mira then noticed the small, blue and pink cat keychain in Yuki's hand.
"You've been holding onto that with your hand all the time, huh? Let me make something for you."
Yuki handed the keychain over. Mira opened one of Takumi's drawers and pulled out his old bracelet. Carefully, she removed the charm from the keychain and attached it to the bracelet.
"There we go. You can wear it now."
"It looks cute… Thank you, Mira-san."
Yuki smiled softly.
"But this bracelet… it's Takumi's, isn't it?"
Mira grinned.
"Then ask him for permission."
Yuki looked down at the bracelet.
"Takumi, I'm taking your bracelet… okay?"
Mira nodded.
"He'd say yes. I know he would."
"Yeah… right, Mira-san."
Yuki smiled warmly and nodded, wearing the bracelet with the charm.
Mira stood up.
"Wanna help me pack up the rest of Takumi's stuff and bring it to my car?"
"Of course. Maybe we'll find something else about him," Yuki chuckled gently, glancing at the bracelet with blue and pink cat on her wrist.
I'll be strong… for the life you gave me.