Chun-Li was completely dumbfounded. She had never imagined things would turn out like this.
My father was resurrected just like that?
"An illusion? No, what is going on here exactly?"
Her voluptuous body swayed and she nearly collapsed to the ground.
She simply couldn't believe it. Her first instinct was to suspect that Ryuji had slipped something into the tea or food but no matter how she circulated her qi through her body and examined herself again and again, she found no sign of poisoning at all.
So, she instinctively turned to another explanation: some kind of illusion-based superpower. Her many years as a criminal investigator weren't for nothing; she had encountered quite a few criminals skilled in mental or psychic abilities.
"Chun-Li…"
Her father, Dorai, stared at his daughter in shock. Overcome with emotion, he rushed forward and pulled her into his arms.
He had always felt he'd neglected his daughter during his life and only regretted it upon his death, realizing that he hadn't spent enough time with her.
All of Chun-Li's vigilance and defensive thoughts vanished in that instant, because Dorai felt too real.
So real that she didn't even dare to consider the possibility that he might be fake.
"Alright, you two can go outside and verify whether this is real or not," Ryuji said casually, waving his hand. "For example, check whether this is some illusion of mine or something. One hour should be enough, right?"
He gestured for Dorai and Chun-Li to leave.
But he didn't forget to add a warning.
"But, you both know what should and shouldn't be said, right?"
He smiled as he looked at the father and daughter.
Chun-Li didn't say anything. Her mind was still in a state of confusion and doubt. But Dorai, sensing the remaining length of his own lifespan, nodded.
"I understand."
Ryuji's ability was terrifying, something that could be used in countless ways. Having struggled at the bottom of society for so many years, Dorai understood one thing clearly: if Ryuji's power were exposed, he couldn't say what others might do, but an enraged Ryuji could easily kill his daughter.
Even if it were just to extend someone's life by a few days, there would absolutely be people willing to send his daughter to her death just to curry favor with Ryuji.
Besides, he only had one hour of life left. There wasn't even enough time to spend with his daughter, let alone do anything else.
"I understand."
Dorai nodded again, then led Chun-Li, who looked as if her entire worldview had collapsed, out of the room. Ryuji also noticed that Chun-Li's hands were searching over Dorai's body, clearly trying to confirm whether this body truly belonged to her father.
For example, scars and similar identifying marks.
"I'll go keep an eye on them."
Hanzo thought for a moment, then volunteered to watch the father-daughter pair. As he stood up, he glanced at Mai's parents.
"You two and Mai prepare the meal. We've finally reunited, so let's all have a nice meal together."
He could tell that Ryuji had something he wanted to say to Tifa.
"Mhm."
Mai's parents nodded with clear understanding. They stood up and left together with Hanzo, while Mai shook her head at her parents.
"Um, you all go ahead and prepare first. I have some things I need to talk to Ryuji about and more importantly, Miss Tifa probably needs my explanation too."
Mai spoke with a smile, but when she looked at Ryuji, there was a hint of grievance in her eyes.
She still hadn't slept with Ryuji yet!
And he'd already gone and hooked another woman!
Mai simply couldn't tolerate that!
Her parents didn't say anything and quietly left together.
Once only the three of them remained in the room, Tifa spoke up impatiently.
"Mr. Ryuji, do you... do you really possess the ability to resurrect people?"
Tifa asked excitedly, her voice trembling as she spoke. She couldn't help but think of her father and mother.
Her father had sacrificed so much for her, only to die at Sephiroth's hands in the end. Her mother, meanwhile, had passed away when Tifa was just eight years old.
If it were possible, she wanted to see them again, even if only for one hour!
She wanted to tell them that their daughter was doing well. And if possible, she even wanted to ask Ryuji if there was any way to resurrect her parents completely, allowing them to truly live again.
This was the first thought that would occur to anyone whose loved ones had died in a disaster upon hearing or witnessing the ability to resurrect people. So Ryuji wasn't surprised by Tifa's question.
And he had done this deliberately.
He wouldn't kill innocent people just to obtain a woman's body, but saving the dead in order to win a woman's heart was something he could do.
"Yes. As I said before, there's a price. Resurrecting someone consumes my own lifespan. Reviving a person for a certain length of time costs me the same amount of my lifespan."
Although conceptual lifespan is a different matter entirely.
"So, strictly speaking, I won't use this ability casually."
Ryuji glanced at Tifa. Unless it was someone like Mai or Tifa—cases that were essentially canonically locked in or someone like Chun-Li, who simply couldn't accept a harem, Ryuji wouldn't use this kind of method.
Because it could very easily backfire.
Just like with Mai, if he hadn't revived her parents and grandfather, he could've slept with her tonight.
But after resurrecting them, he now had to gain trust instead, and might even end up facing new problems.
For example, parents who valued reputation more than their child's feelings might create annoying situations like arranged marriages.
After all, becoming a parent doesn't require passing any kind of exam.
"I understand…"
Tifa nodded, pressing her lips together. Still, she couldn't help but feel curious.
"But why did you say that the way to send me back… might be something I wouldn't accept?"
She really was curious. When Chun-Li had been present earlier, she hadn't been able to ask. But now, she wondered if Ryuji would be willing tell her.
"Well… how should I put it. I suggest you wait for a while. If it still doesn't work then, we we can see whether another method is feasible. After all, this method… requires quite a big sacrifice from you."
~~~~~~~~~~
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