A Father's Resolve
(The air is thick with tension as Kujuro stands frozen—his instincts screaming to act, but Rumi's presence keeps him measured. Ayane's fingers still hover near the child's hair, her crimson-painted lips twisted in a mockery of warmth.)
Kujuro (voice low, steel beneath silk): "Ayane… step away."
(His Seishu hums at his fingertips—restrained only by the fear of collateral damage.)
Ayane (tilting her head, amused): "Or what? You'll fight me here? With your precious daughter watching?"
(Rumi clutches her crayon tighter, sensing the danger but not understanding it yet.)
Kujuro (tensing, struggling to control his anger and protectiveness): "This is not the time or place for this."
(Ayane's amused smirk deepens.)
Ayane (taunting, her eyes gleaming with cruelty): "Ah, but isn't it?"
(Her fingers twitch, and Rumi stiffens—sensing the shift in energy.)
Ayane (leaning over, feigning innocence): "So, what are you drawing little one?"
(Kujuro shifts his body, keeping himself between Ayane and Rumi—his eyes narrowing.)
Rumi (fidgeting nervously, holding up her crayon sketch of a puppy): "U-um… a puppy."
(Ayane's gaze flicks to the drawing, her head tilting with curiosity.)
(The rooftop is silent except for the whistling wind as Ginjiro stands motionless, his violet eyes glowing faintly behind his tengu mask. Rinze lounges against a rusted ventilation unit, spinning his dagger lazily between bloodstained fingers.)
Rinze (grinning without humor): "How much longer do we wait?" (The blade catches the dim city lights—red reflections dancing across its edge.)
Ginjiro (voice distorted by his mask, cold and clipped): "Until she signals."
Ryo (suddenly tensing, his eyes widening): "…No."
(Tenjo glances at him, immediately sensing the intensity of his reaction.)
Tenjo (sharply, eyes on Ryo): "What is it? What do you feel?"
(Ryo's grip on his sword tightens, his mind racing to piece together the source of his unease.)
Ryo (voice low, the words coming out in a rush): "I… I'm not sure. There's something... a shift in the energy—like... like a ripple."
(The others sense the edge of fear in his words. Tenjo's eyes narrow, his own senses sharpening.)
Shin (eyes narrowing, his voice cautious): "What kind of ripple?"
(Kota looks between them, picking up on the mounting tension.)
(Ryo's voice is barely above a whisper, but the weight of his words sends a chill through everyone present.)
Ryo (urgent, eyes dark with realization): "My family—they're in danger."
(The air itself seems to still. Tenjo immediately steps forward, expression grim.)
Tenjo (sharp and commanding): "Then we move. Now."
Ryo (voice hardening, conflicting emotions in his eyes): "I… I can't involve you all. This is my family. My responsibility."
(Tenjo shakes his head, his gaze unyielding.)
Tenjo (firm, but understanding): "We're a team. We protect each other, remember?"
(Shin watches, sensing the internal struggle within Ryo.)
Sora (adamant, a fire in her eyes): "We're helping, too!"
Haru (nodding, her expression equally resolute): "We won't stay behind."
(Ryo looks momentarily surprised—and touched by their determination. Tenjo gives a slight nod of approval.)
(Sachi fixes Ryo with a firm, unwavering gaze—her usual tough demeanor softening ever so slightly.)
Sachi (her eyes sincere, her voice steady and sure): "We're in this together."
(Ryo's surprise is palpable, his stoic facade cracking slightly. He nods, appreciative of her unwavering support.)
(Ayane's cheerful facade drops immediately—the cold, ruthless gleam in her eyes resurfaces.)
Ayane (voice dripping with malice, her tone mocking): "Time flies when you're having fun." (She lets go of Rumi, the false affection suddenly replaced by something cruel and calculating.)
(Rumi looks between them, sensing the sudden shift in energy.)
Ayane (smirking coldly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation): "Game's over."
(Her prosthetic arm shifts, whirring softly as she grips the Kizugami blade. The once cheerful scene takes a sudden, deadly turn.)
Kujuro (voice low, protective rage in his tone): "Ayane… what are you doing?"
(Rumi clings to his leg, sensing the dangerous shift in the air.)
Ayane (voice cold, mocking as ever): "Isn't it obvious?"
(She turns her gaze to Rumi, a sinister gleam in her eyes. Her blade hangs loosely at her side.)
Kujuro (voice tight, his protective instinct flaring up): "If you harm her, I'll kill you."
(His fingers crackle with restrained energy—a warning and a promise in that single statement.)
(Ayane lets out a slow, deliberate laugh—her voice dripping with false innocence as she tilts her head mockingly.)
Ayane (fake pout, theatrical sigh): "Ooooh~ So violent for a family man." (Her grin sharpens, predatory.) "But that just makes it more fun."
(Kujuro's jaw clenches—his patience wearing dangerously thin.)
Kujuro (eyes darting, his mind racing for options): "Damn it…"
(His instincts scream for action, his fatherly protective instincts warring with the knowledge that his blade is locked away—a choice made to keep his past life as a Hunter hidden.)
Kujuro (murmuring, to himself): "Not like this…"
(Ayane watches him closely—a sinister satisfaction lighting up her eyes.)
(Ayane's words hang heavy in the air—Kujuro stiffens, the title of "Hoten" striking him like a physical blow. His past is now laid bare before his daughter.)
Rumi (eyes wide, confused and scared): "...Daddy?" (She looks up at him, unknowingly witnessing a side of her father she never knew existed.)
Kujuro (voice tight with resignation and fury): "Ayane… you've crossed too many lines."
Ayane (smiling cruelly, unfazed): "Oh, but I've only just begun."
Kujuro (voice sharp, his composure shattering): "Don't you have any sense of morals?"
(Ayane just laughs—her indifference chilling to the bone.)
Ayane (shrugging nonchalantly): "Morals are for the weak." (Her gaze locks onto Kujuro.) "You should know that better than anyone."
Kujuro (urgent, eyes darting between his daughter and Ayane): "Rumi, run!"
(Kujuro pushes her away, putting himself between them. His energy crackles to life, the air thickening with impending conflict.)
Ayane (smile widening like a snake toying with its prey): "Ah, here we go."
(Ayane feels Kujuro's change—a shift in the air that reveals his recognition of her blade's abilities.)
Ayane (eyes narrowing, her grin predatory): "So you remember."
(She readies her blade, circling Kujuro slowly.)
(The air grows deathly still as Ayane's smirk widens—her fingers sliding along the hilt of her blade, poised for release.)
Ayane (chanting, voice a haunting melody):
"Dance for me, Kuroito no Ayatsuri— [Black Thread Puppeteer]."
(Her Kizugami Blade glows an eerie violet before dissolving into countless razor-thin threads—each one humming with lethal intent. The battlefield itself seems to tense in anticipation.)
Kujuro (gritting his teeth, recognizing the danger immediately): "So this is how you plan to play…"
(His body tenses—father and former Hunter warring within him as Rumi watches in terrified awe.)
⛓️💥🌌🪖 End Of Chapter Fifty Eight