Rinji and the Shinomiya family.

Because of what happened four years ago, there was an irreconcilable grudge between them.

If back then Rinji had met the Shinomiya family, especially the main house, the first thing he would have done was press a gun to their heads and pull the trigger.

Because of Amano's death, Rinji had brutally killed the executives of the company involved and burned the Shinomiya estate to the ground.

To vent his rage, he personally watched many fall in pools of blood.

To the Shinomiya family, Rinji was a lunatic. From their understanding of the world, no one but a terrorist would ever do such a thing.

What they feared was not his strength in battle, but his willingness to turn madness into action, and the powerful force that stood behind him.

Even now, the name Takamine remained taboo in the Shinomiya family. The survivors from four years ago didn't even want to hear it.

But fear was useless.

Rinji, who should have left Japan four years ago, had returned, and now planned to move against the Shinomiya family again.

"Four years ago, I didn't pay much attention to you."

Rinji set the two glasses down, filled them with red wine, and pushed one toward Un'yo.

"I heard when a missile hit your family's shrine, you happened to be nearby, even got injured."

"…Yes."

"Do you want me to apologize?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Hearing that, Rinji chuckled, picked up his glass and gestured to him.

Though afraid, Un'yo finally picked up his glass too.

Their glasses clinked with a crisp sound, and they each took a sip.

Setting his glass down, Rinji said, "There are things I won't say too much. From now on, you don't need to contact Shinomiya Kaguya for business. Just contact me directly."

"Ah… understood."

"I know you want to fight for position in the Shinomiya family. Your two older brothers are much stronger than you, but in my eyes they're nothing. Just know what you should and shouldn't do."

"…Yes."

Un'yo understood. He probably had no chance at the head position, but as long as he performed well, even if he failed, he wouldn't end up too badly.

"Good. You seem to have a lot of questions. Today's a chance, I'll answer some."

"…"

Indeed, Un'yo was full of questions.

Four years ago, just seeing Rinji could have cost him his life, yet now he could speak with him so calmly.

Judging by Rinji's demeanor, he had no intention of harming him now.

There were questions he wanted to ask, but also questions he knew better than to touch—like Shirogane 's so-called "arrangements" (which didn't actually exist).

"At New Year when I returned home, I sensed something strange," Un'yo said. "Hayasaka was constantly questioned by the main family about her relationship with you, and my eldest brother was very interested too. You and Hayasaka are…"

"In a relationship."

"…I thought so."

That was huge news.

The Hayasaka family had always served the Shinomiya family for generations. If their daughter was tied to Rinji, that meant the Hayasaka family would no longer need to bow to the Shinomiya family, perhaps even break free entirely.

Un'yo wanted to call Hayasaka and her mother traitors—one betraying him, the other betraying Kaguya.

But he didn't dare. Hayasaka was Rinji's girlfriend now. If he angered him, his skull could be smashed without hesitation.

He didn't believe this lunatic had truly reformed. His calmness now was likely just surface-deep.

Watching Un'yo feign composure, Rinji said coolly, "I know what's in your head. I won't make a move on you now."

He took out a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled.

"Do you know what I went through after leaving Japan four years ago?"

Un'yo shook his head.

He only knew Rinji later worked in IW's combat department, but not the details.

"After I left Japan, I didn't go straight into the combat department. First I went to New York, then back and forth between the battlefield and America."

Rinji spoke.

"The elders there couldn't control me. I did a lot of bad things, sold weapons, killed people, living with ammo and alcohol every day. If not for my obsession with Ai, before coming back to Japan I might've even messed around with women."

Ash fell to the floor, his eyes carrying memories of those days.

"Whether it was war or alcohol, I only wanted to forget my hatred and loss in Japan four years ago. And I did, but… even though I found a place where I truly belonged, the life I got wasn't fulfilling."

He looked at Un'yo.

"Do you know why your family survived four years ago?"

"…I don't."

Indeed, if Rinji had gone a little further then, the Shinomiya main house would have had no survivors.

He didn't distinguish between peaceful society and battlefield, nor cared about consequences.

"Because I saw Ai's eyes."

"…"

"When I stormed your estate with a gun, I saw her frightened eyes… I realized she couldn't recognize me anymore, or maybe didn't dare to."

Rinji let out a hollow laugh, inhaled deeply, and blew out smoke rings.

"I knew the blood-soaked man was the real me, but even so, I still hoped… to become someone Ai could approve of."

That was the thought left behind after the Yomiyama incident during winter break.

He wasn't only capable of killing—he could also save.

Even someone like him could become a hero.

Snuffing out the cigarette, Rinji continued.

"So you see, the reason you're still alive after my return is thanks to Ai. It's because of her you live today."

"Because I want the next time I see her, what I hold is a bouquet, not a weapon."