8:59 AM — Upper Monastery Chamber, Main Hall
The petals still drifted faintly across the floor, clinging to the splintered wood like pale snow. Kaito stepped forward, boots scraping against the blood-streaked floorboards, and bent down over Dalton's bisected corpse.
The man's lifeless eyes stared up at the vaulted ceiling, mouth slightly open, blood pooling thickly beneath him. Kaito's fingers moved quickly, searching the dead man's pockets. He found it tucked inside a worn leather wallet—
A card. Matte black. Stamped with the faint, unmistakable insignia of Nexus Corporation.
Kaito held it up, his jaw tightening.
"...Nexus?" he muttered, voice barely above a growl.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Soen and Kagen entered the hall, their robes torn from the earlier fight, their expressions drawn tight with fatigue.
Kaito didn't look up immediately. He held the card between two fingers, staring at it for a moment longer before finally raising his head, voice low but sharp.
"What the hell is going on here?" he demanded, his voice sharp and low.
But before either of them could respond—
A scream cut through the monastery.
It was high and terrified.
Rika's voice.
Everyone froze for half a heartbeat before breaking into motion.
Kaito didn't hesitate. He surged to his feet, bolting towards the sound, everybody else followed.
9:02 AM — Upper Chambers, Corridor outside Ayame's chamber
They burst into the corridor to find chaos.
A swarm of monks crowded the doorway to Ayame's chamber, their faces pale, voices low and urgent.
"Move!" Kaito barked, shoving his way through the crowd. The monks parted, startled.
The scene inside the room hit like a punch to the chest.
Sunlight poured through the open balcony doors. The air was still — too still.
And there, silhouetted by the light—
Ayame stood on the balcony railing.
Barefoot. Fragile. Trembling.
For half a second — he stopped.
Huh?
That girl…
His jaw clenched.
Mizukawa?.
He didn't say it aloud. Just stared, as today's headlines flashed in front of his eyes.
"Ayame!" Rika called, frozen a few feet away. "Please—come down. Don't do this!"
Ayame didn't look at her.
"Don't come near me!" she snapped, voice shaking. Her gaze flicked to the drop below — dizzyingly far. The wind pushed at her light frame.
Rika took a cautious step forward.
"Ayame, don't—"
"Don't stop me!" Ayame screamed. Her voice cracked as tears spilled down her face.
"I'm the reason for all of this! Grandpa—everyone—it's because of me! If I jump, it ends!"
The hallway fell silent.
The monks were frozen in place, afraid to move, afraid to breathe too loudly. Rika couldn't take her eyes off the girl.
And then—
Footsteps.
Steady. Calm. Unhurried.
Kaito.
He walked past the monks. Past Rika. His eyes locked onto Ayame.
"So that's it?" he said, voice cool.
Ayame flinched.
"S-stay back!" she cried, barely balancing on the railing.
Kaito didn't stop.
In two smooth steps, he was at the balcony.
And then—
He shoved her.
Gasps erupted from the monks.
Ayame screamed as she fell.
And just as the scream peaked—
She stopped. Jerked violently in midair.
Kaito was leaning over the edge, one foot braced on the railing, arm extended.
His fist clenched tight in the back of her dress.
Ayame dangled above the void — feet kicking, hair whipping across her face.
Kaito spoke.
"So that's how it is?" he hissed.
Ayame sobbed, clutching at his arm.
"You think your grandpa would've wanted this?"
"I… I ruin everything," she gasped. "Everyone around me—"
"Shut up."
Kaito's voice snapped like a whip. "You think dying makes it better? You think it fixes anything?"
She trembled. Silent.
He leaned in, eyes locked with hers.
"Say it. If you really want to die—say it out loud. Look me in the eye… and say it. I'll let go."
Gasps rippled through the room.
Rika's eyes widened in horror. The monks behind her, stunned.