Tokyo, Setagaya District.
Situated within a long-established residential area for the wealthy, the Yukinoshita family had purchased a property here.
Inside the villa, the true head of the household sat calmly.
Yukinoshita Yukino's mother was a genuine strong woman—graceful, mature, and composed. The kind of person whose calm seemed to overflow at the slightest touch. Her hands moved steadily as she ground the tea foam, slow and precise, without the slightest tremor.
Not far away, Yukinoshita Yukino sat upright.
Her posture was flawless. In front of her mother, she dared not show even the faintest hint of impropriety.
On the coffee table before them, a projection screen displayed real-time surveillance footage.
On the screen—
Yukinoshita Haruno.
Yukino frowned, anxiety clearly written across her face.
She could not understand it.
Why would her mother allow her sister to get involved in something so reckless?
Currying favor with religious figures—And doing so in a situation that might very well cost her life?
Was it really worth it?
"…Is it worth it?" Yukino finally asked.
The hand grinding the tea slowed slightly.
"Yukino," her mother said calmly, "you still have much to learn from your sister."
The dissatisfaction in her tone was unmistakable.
To ordinary people, the Yukinoshita family was already wealthy.
But in the eyes of the true upper class?
They were nothing more than a white glove—useful, but replaceable.
And Yukino's mother was ambitious.
Otherwise, she would never have left the comfort of Chiba Prefecture to expand the Yukinoshita family's influence into Tokyo.
Everyone understood what that meant.
A local rich family leaving the countryside, hoping to climb into the capital and transform into a phoenix.
Had she succeeded?
Obviously not.
And even in the future, she would not.
Because the cake was limited.
If Yukinoshita wanted to climb higher, someone else would have to fall.
Who would be so selfless?
No one.
That was why Yukinoshita remained in Setagaya, not Minato.
As for why Haruno had taken such a risky step—
First: the Metropolitan Police Department was not as dangerous as rumors suggested.
Second: in the eyes of the elite, Yukinoshita was already a joke. Since they were mocked regardless, why not roll a little deeper in the mud? If the bet paid off, even a joke could turn into opportunity.
Third—and most importantly—
The Yukinoshita family had no background in Tokyo.
No roots.
So if they had none—
They would find one.
"Chitanda. Religion. The Metropolitan Police Department."
These three forces, combined with Yukinoshita, made four factions watching the Metropolitan Police Department tonight.
The police needed no explanation.
If favored by the government's blade, fortune would naturally follow.
Religion was even more terrifying.
Japan was a land steeped in belief, and religious forces naturally clustered together. Once intertwined, they became a behemoth even the zaibatsu could not ignore.
And Chitanda—
Do not be fooled by the image of a quiet rural landlord.
Landowners controlled the true lifeline of Japan.
Food.
Like religious groups, landlords protected one another fiercely. Anyone foolish enough to underestimate them would see food prices collapse the very next day.
Thus, Haruno did not truly value Takeda Mitsue herself.
She was merely a convenient medium.
What mattered was showing these three forces that Yukinoshita was willing to stand with them.
"Hehehe… truly an outstanding young man…"
Another villa in Setagaya District.
The same surveillance footage played on a large projection screen.
Several elderly men watched in silence—some indifferent, some visibly astonished.
Among them, the religious faction centered on Hashimoto Kyoaki.
The last great Onmyoji of the modern era.
A man who had reconstructed the long-dismantled Onmyoji system and reclaimed the ancient title of Four Departments Official.
An old man in his late seventies.
Opposite him sat the head of the Chitanda family, representing the landlord class, with Chitanda Eru seated quietly beside him.
The Chitanda patriarch showed no hint of carelessness.
This old man was extraordinary.
A Four Departments Official was not a title bestowed lightly.
The original Onmyoji system had long been dismantled—only to be revived under Hashimoto Kyoaki's command.
Rumor had it that he once shared a close relationship with Takeda Mitsue.
Behind Hashimoto—
Takeda Mitsue's son and daughter-in-law stood stiffly.
One flushed red with embarrassment, unable to speak.
The other wore a sour expression, clearly wishing her mother-in-law would vanish from the screen.
This was nothing less than public execution.
Takeda Mitsue's behavior was dragging the entire family into disgrace.
Nearby, a high priest and an archbishop cast narrow-eyed glances toward them.
Clearly displeased.
Could she not live quietly and sell a favor to the Metropolitan Police Department?
Why create such a spectacle now?
If she were not a respected senior, verbal attacks would already have begun.
The daughter-in-law quietly stepped away from her husband.
Distance meant safety.
Her expression darkened.
She was certain of one thing—
This footage would spread.
The upper class might not care.
But rivals of the religious factions?
They would happily seize upon this stain.
Takeda Mitsue would become famous.
And her son and daughter-in-law would be dragged down with her.
Divorce had already crossed the daughter-in-law's mind.
Such was society.
Absurd. Cruel. Normal.
The son understood why Hashimoto Kyoaki had summoned him.
Protection.
As long as the old man stood there, his family would not be implicated.
Then—
"It's starting."
Every gaze snapped to the screen.
Whether mocking or anxious—
Takeda Mitsue was undeniably the center of the stage tonight.
Inside the Metropolitan Police Department—
Megure Juzo wanted to ask only one thing.
What the hell is going on?
The perimeter was airtight.
Hidden cameras covered every angle.
And yet—
BOOM—!!!
A deafening explosion shook the room.
Yukinoshita Haruno's heart nearly stopped.
Explosion?
Gunpowder?
Had the killer gone completely insane?
On the screen, the wealthy man in Isolation Room One screamed in terror.
A massive hole had appeared in the corner of the sealed room.
But outside—
Nothing.
No intruder.
No weapon.
Only scattered rubble—and the perfectly normal scenery beyond the building.
Where was the murderer?
Where did the attack come from?
"It's not over yet."
Takeda Mitsue's calm voice made Haruno's unease deepen.
Haruno glanced at her again and again.
That expression—
Too calm.
As though she had already seen this outcome.
As though she were merely following a script she understood all too well.
Haruno clenched her fists.
Her thoughts were in chaos.
It seemed that—
The truth was drifting further and further away from what she had imagined.
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