"...Mary? Is that you?"
"Dad...!"
Gaut, Mary’s father, called his daughter’s name in surprise. He turned toward her, his face still marred by painful bruises and cuts.
Catching her breath at the sight of him wrapped in bandages from head to toe, Mary quietly stepped to his side and looked down, her voice failing her.
"...You came. I’m a little surprised. I thought... I thought you hated me."
"It’s not like that... It really isn't..."
She didn't know how to answer. His words sounded so lonely, yet there was a faint trace of joy in them.
There had been times when she’d hated him, but the moment she heard his life was in danger, her resentment had vanished, replaced by a crushing weight of worry and fear.
In the end, it had all been nothing more than a childish rebellion. Drowning in the shock of her mother’s death, she had simply lashed out at her father.
Tears welled in her eyes as she remembered the despair she’d felt at the thought of losing her only remaining family.
"I’m so sorry, Dad! I... I...!"
"You have nothing to apologize for. I haven’t been able to look you in the eye since your mother passed, either. I’m a pathetic excuse for a parent."
"No, it was me. I was just running away from Mom’s death... and from you. I’m the one who pushed you away, and then—"
Mary’s voice broke, tears spilling over as she took the blame upon herself.
Deep down, she had always known. Every bit of it had been her own selfishness. She knew her mother would never have wanted revenge. She knew her father loved her. She even knew that the man behind the wheel of that car felt a soul-crushing regret.
Her own weakness had driven her to flee from her mother's death, to hate society, and to walk a path defined by resentment. If she had kept running, she would have eventually done something she could never take back.
She had almost betrayed everyone who loved her. She had almost become a common criminal, killing in the name of a twisted "justice." As the realization hit her, Gaut pulled her into a gentle embrace.
"It’s all right. It’s okay... Dad’s here. I won’t let you be lonely ever again."
"Dad...! I’m so sorry...!"
Mary sobbed, her face crumpled as she wept in her father's arms.
From the shadows by the door, Yugo watched them with a faint smile. Relief washed over him at the sight of their reconciliation. He was truly happy for them. After so much misunderstanding, they had finally found each other again.
They say that after the rain, the earth hardens. Even amidst the chaos, seeing the frost between father and daughter finally melt brought a genuine warmth to his heart.
Now, all that remained was to stop the rampaging members of the Society of Friends of the Night and Kurotobari himself. As he turned to leave, he saw Ryuga approaching with a grim expression.
"Ryuga? What’s going on?"
"I’ve uncovered Kurotobari’s true identity. I lack definitive proof, but I’m certain."
Yugo’s eyes widened. The revelation was as sudden as it was shocking. Ryuga continued speaking with calm intensity.
"If I’m right, he’s already on the move. I want your help to bring him in."
It was clear Ryuga intended for the two of them to handle it alone. Yugo was ready to agree, moved by his partner’s trust. But his gaze drifted back to the room where Mary and Gaut held each other. He hesitated, then spoke.
"Sorry, Partner. Could you handle that part alone? There’s something else I absolutely have to take care of."
Ryuga’s brow twitched for a split second at the unexpected answer, but he saw the resolve in Yugo’s eyes. He immediately broke into a smile.
"Don't ask me questions, Yugo. In times like these, 'I'm counting on you' is all you need to say."
"Yeah. Sorry. I’m counting on you, Partner."
"...Just go do what you have to do. Like the Hero Who Protects Peace and Freedom you are."
Yugo watched in silence as Ryuga walked away. Then, he turned and began to move toward his own mission.