Tokyo, Japan
In the streets of Kichijoji neighborhood, six houses away from the Shigeyoshi residence, located in the west of Tokyo.
June 18, 2026
6:59 AM
Maria's spine stiffened. Ryuji's posture shifted - from confrontational to still, silent respect. The voice on the other end didn't need to shout out command authority. It simply was.
The woman responded with composed elegance. "He is unaware of our overarching plan. And the psychological play is working, and it is not done yet."
The Mistress was quiet for a moment.
Then her voice returned.
"Seveb days. I can't wait."
Just five words, but the weight of them struck hard.
Maria glanced at Ryuji, whose fists had clenched again. Seven days to take down the Dawning Devil. Seven days to unravel a man who wasn't entirely a human anymore. Seven days to satisfy a woman none of them truly understood.
Then the Mistress's voice shifted, this time addressing both Maria and Ryuji.
"You two. Osaka. Now."
"Osaka?" Maria blinked.
"The Takahara Family tried to double cross me. A subtle rebellion. Punish them accordingly. Leave a message." The Mistress said.
"What about the devil bastard? What about my mission?" Ryuji snarled.
A pause. Then the voice, with eerie uncertainty.
"She can handle him. For a few hours."
Ryuji's jaw tightened. He didn't trust the woman. But he couldn't question the Mistress. Not directly. Not without the consequences.
He looked away, eyes burning with suppressed rage.
"Tch. Fine." He softly spat.
Maria sheathed her katana with a decisive click,still eyeing the masked woman warily. She didn't trust her either, but the when the Mistress gave orders, you obeyed. Or you vanished.
The call ended. The screen went black.
For a long moment, the car was still.
Then the woman put her phone away and looked out the window.
"Well, I guess it's just me and the Devil for a while." Her voice light as smoke.
Ryuji opened the car door, slammimg it behind him without another word. Maria followed in silence, the wind catching her coat as she stepped out into the street.
The masked woman stayed seated for a moment longer, watching them go.
Meanwhile, Inside the Himura residence in Azabu neighborhood, located at Minato Ward, Tokyo.
June 18th, 2026
7:10 AM
Morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Himura mansion, casting golden rays across the spotless marble floors. The walls were a clean pearl white, with soft gold accents framing the cabinets. The breakfast bar sparkled under the warm glow of the chandelier above, its glass crystals catching the sunlight like droplet of dews.
The Himura daughters sat around the long wooden table. Reina, dressed in a tight grey workout hoodie and shorts, was halfway through her protein-packed omelet. Kitsune, dressed more conservatively in a soft pink kimono-style loungewear, slowly stirred her miso soup, humming a soft tune under her breath.
But Arashi....
Arashi was still in her pajamas, wrinkled and crumpled, like she had rolled in bed all night without a single minute of true rest. Her eyes were wide but vacant, her lips pale. Her breakfast sat untouched before her. Rice gone cold. Miso soup untried. She stared blankly at her chopsticks.
Reina glanced sideways at her sister, brows furrowed. "Imoto..."
"You look like you saw a ghost." She said with a mouthful.
No reply.
Reina blinked, genuinely confused now. "Are you okay? Seriously. You're usually so chatty about everything in the morning. Now, you're like...."
She waved a hand in the air.
"...a zombie."
Kitsune finally looked up from her soup. Her gaze gently studied Arashi with concern, but she said nothing, waiting for her to speak up first.
Still, silence.
The air turned awkward. Tense. Reina leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
"Arashi-chan, what the hell happened to you last night? You look like shit. No offense." Reina said, concerned over Arashi.
Arashi blinked slowly but didn't answer. She looked like she was about to speak - but her throat tensed. Her lips parted...and then closed again.
Before anyone could press further, the sound of heels echoed from the hallway.
Sakura Himura, poised and radiant as ever, stepped into the kitchen. She wore an elegant satin robe that brushed the floor behind her, her long, darkish brown hair braided to the side. A soft, welcoming smile lit up her face as she walked toward the counter and picked up a fresh cup of black coffee.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, daughters." She said in her melodic tone.
"Ohayo, Okasan." Kitsune said softly.
Reina raised her cup. "Ohayo, okasan."
She then noticed the smile on her mother's face.
"Uhmm...that's a first." Reina commented.
Sakura chuckled as she sipped her coffee.
"What do you mean?"
"This First time seeing you smile after waking up. No one in their right mind wakes up smiling at 7 AM." Reina teased.
"Seriously..." Reina added, sipping an orange juice from her cup.
"It's almost suspicious." Reina continued.
Kitsune giggled.
Sakura leaned against the counter, coffee in har hand. Her smile unwavering. "I'm just....happy to wake up today."
Kitsune tilted her head. "Happy? Anything special happen?"
Sakura's smile grew a little more mysterious as she shook her head. "No, dear, nothing at all. Just feeling grateful. Some mornings are like that."
Reina squinted at her.
"Hmmm..still suspicious." Reina didn't give up.
But the teasing faded when Sakura's eyes fell on Arashi.
She noticed it immediately - the silence. The posture. The untouched food.
"Arashi-chan? What's wrong, my dear?" She asked gently, walking closer.
Reina, sensing her mother's concern, leaned back in her chair. "She's been like that since we got here, Okasan. Barely said a word. I tried getting something out of her but...nothing."
Sakura knelt beside Arashi's chair, placing a soft hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Sweetheart, are you feeling unwell?" She asked, feeling worried.
Arashi's lips trembled, but she didn't look at her mother. Her eyes were still staring ahead, as if fixated on something that wasn't there.
Kitsune put her spoon down. "Maybe she had a nightmare?"
Sakura's brows drew together.
"Arashi-chan, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?" She whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's face.
Finally, Arashi opened her mouth.
"It was Ray, and.....it was....terrifying..and barbaric." Her voice was low. Barely audible.