The dazzling sunlight pierced through the gaps in the blinds like blades of light, stabbing mercilessly at Raku's eyelids.
"Ugh…"
Raku let out a groan like a salted fish flipping over, trying to lift his eyelids, only to find it was a monumental task that could drain all his strength. His throat was dry as if he had swallowed a handful of sand, and his limbs were so heavy it felt as though they had been filled with molten lead.
Every cell in his body screamed in protest, declaring a strike after being pushed past its limits.
At last, he managed to pry his eyes open a sliver.
What entered his vision was a field of stark white. White walls, white bedsheets, and a blindingly pale ceiling that made his eyes ache. The air carried the reassuring yet slightly nauseating scent of disinfectant.
So this is… being alive?
"Big bro, you're awake?!"
A surprised shout rang out beside his ear, followed by the harsh screech of a chair scraping against the floor.
Rikka, who had been dozing off on a stool nearby, shot up to her feet. Her silver-white long hair was still a little messy, and her eyes were red, clearly from keeping watch for a long time.
The moment she saw Raku open his eyes, she practically threw herself to the bedside, her azure eyes filling with tears.
"Don't freak out like that…" Raku forced a weak smile, his voice sounding like it was dragged out of a broken bellows. "My heart's not great. Even if I didn't die, you'd scare me to death."
"Sorry, sorry! I was just too worried!" Rikka quickly wiped her eyes, breaking into a tearful smile. "I thought you were about to go downstairs and play a revival match."
"Don't curse me. I can't afford a revival match in a place like that. I'm not that addicted to cards."
Raku tried to move his body a little, only to realize that aside from moving his eyeballs and lips, he was basically useless.
Just then, the handle of the ward door suddenly turned with a crisp click.
The door was pushed open, and a man in a black suit uniform walked in. His build was as imposing as an iron tower. He didn't carry the restraint of an ordinary visitor; every step he took was steady and forceful, the aura of someone long trained. The metallic "KC" badge on his chest gleamed sharply under the sunlight.
"Greetings."
The man stopped three steps away from the bed and gave a slight bow, his tone polite yet carrying an unyielding firmness.
"My name is Akihiko Tsuruno, Captain of the Special Operations Unit of the Kaiba Corporation Security Department."
Raku was momentarily stunned.
Kaiba Corporation? Why are they here?
"Raku Hisetsu." He gave his name. "But… Kaiba Corporation? What do you want with me? Don't tell me riding a Kaiba-exclusive helicopter comes with a Kaiba-exclusive medical bill."
Akihiko did not smile at his joke. His sharply defined face remained professionally stern.
"You jest. All medical expenses have already been fully covered by Kaiba Corporation. In fact, our purpose here is to understand what happened at the top of the tower at that time."
He took out a black metal rod resembling a recording pen from his pocket and pressed it.
"Our monitoring satellites detected an extremely intense surge of Spirit World energy at the top of the central tower yesterday evening. Based on residual biological signal comparisons at the scene, you and your younger sister were at the core of that energy outbreak. Of course…"
Akihiko paused, his sharp gaze sweeping across Raku's face.
"This is not an interrogation, but a transaction. As long as you are willing to truthfully tell us what you witnessed at the time, Kaiba Corporation will pay a considerable sum as an information fee.
"Naturally, if you are unwilling, we will not force you."
Not willing, and it's fine? That sounds too good to be true… Raku didn't believe it at all.
Saying he knew nothing or refusing to answer would basically write "I'm suspicious" across his forehead.
He needed to provide an explanation. One that would satisfy them while removing himself from suspicion.
Tell the truth.
That was the best way to deal with experts in lie detection. As long as every sentence was true, even if only half was told, the "truth" pieced together would still be flawless.
Raku spoke directly without a hint of hesitation or guilt. After all, what he was saying wasn't false; there was no reason for him to feel the slightest bit uneasy.
"I agree to this transaction."
He stared at the ceiling, his gaze slightly unfocused.
"In fact, we were attending Teacher Thorne's lecture at the time. From the bits and pieces Teacher Thorne mentioned, we deduced that the source of the crisis was in the center of the city."
"So my sister decided to go resolve it. Yes, just like a hero.
"And to be honest, I don't like that." Raku glanced at Rikka.
Rikka hesitated as if she wanted to speak, as Raku continued, "But I'm also very proud, because it shows my sister is by no means weak."
Raku spoke the most straightforward thoughts in his heart at this moment.
"Unlike her, I'm afraid. I want to hide and wait for things to pass.
"However, that's not an option. She's my sister, so I chased after her."
Raku's words grew smoother and smoother. If Akihiko had some doubts at first, by now he believed most of it. There wasn't the least hint of guilt when Raku spoke… he sounded just like he was casually chatting, and he was deeply direct.
The likelihood of him lying was very low.
"When we arrived at the top of the tower… it was chaotic.
"Before, suddenly, a massive energy outbreak occurred there, and I lost consciousness because of it."
That was also the truth. Raku didn't tell a single lie.
He really had passed out due to dealing with the energy outbreak. How the other side would interpret it was up to them.
"After that… you already know the rest. I woke up here."
Akihiko listened, the eyes hidden behind his sunglasses seemingly scrutinizing every twitch of muscle on Raku's face.
After a moment of silence, he put away the black metal rod, and the businesslike sternness on his face eased barely.
"I understand. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Raku."
He gave another slight bow, his movements so precise that not a single flaw could be found.
"Your testimony is enormously helpful in assessing the risk level of this incident.
"In three days, the agreed compensation will be delivered to your residence.
"Additionally, the doctor has said that your condition is not serious; just excessive exhaustion, and a period of rest will suffice."
After speaking, he turned and walked toward the door.
Abruptly, then, the moment his hand grasped the handle, he paused.
"By the way, the way your younger sister protected you in the ruins… carries the White Dragon spirit that Kaiba Corporation upholds."
Leaving behind that meaningful remark, the burly man in black pushed the door open and left. The white door closed once more, shutting out that oppressive presence.
Only after the footsteps in the corridor had fully disappeared did Raku collapse onto the pillow like a deflated balloon, letting out a long breath of turbid air.
"Phew… dealing with people like that is more exhausting than playing cards."
"Big bro…"
Rikka, who hadn't dared to interrupt the whole time, leaned closer with some concern and asked in a low voice.
"You just… fooled them about that matter?"
"Everything I said was true, wasn't it? Stop slandering your brother all the time. I rarely lie."
"You're so bad, prison bro." Rikka smiled at the guy on the hospital bed who was grinning mischievously.
"Alright, alright, you're grinning like a fox that just stole something.
"Hurry up and get me something to eat. I'm starving." Raku said weakly.
"You really know how to order people around." Rikka muttered, but her body got up on its own.
"My treat. Use my card. Buy whatever you want."
"I've never seen anyone as wise and mighty as you, big bro!"
The girl who had been full of disdain just a moment ago changed her expression. Her azure eyes practically sparkled with stars.
She happily grabbed the black card and skipped out of Ward 5F-A12-03 like a cheerful little sparrow.
The moment she stepped out, her gaze swept over the tightly shut door of Ward 02 next door.
A "No Visitors" sign hung on that door, giving off a cold, unwelcoming feeling.
"That room seems to have been occupied since midnight yesterday, right? Another victim of that disaster?"
Anyhow, Rikka didn't think much of it; filling her salted fish brother's stomach was the top priority right now. Humming an unknown tune, she walked toward the elevator.
Meanwhile, behind the closed door of Ward 02, there was a suffocating silence.
Aside from the steady beep-beep of the monitoring equipment, it felt cut off from the noise outside.
Sasori sat in silence by the bedside like a statue. His signature black leather jacket was still stained with dust that hadn't been cleaned off in time, making him look somewhat disheveled, yet his golden slit pupils were exceptionally clear.
On the hospital bed, Yumi lay asleep. Her light green long hair spread across the white pillow like some kind of dormant plant. Her face was so pale it was nearly transparent, and only the faint rise and fall of her chest proved she was still alive.
Sasori stared at that rising and falling curve for a long time, then somewhat awkwardly turned his head to the side, as if unaccustomed to such an overly quiet atmosphere.
"Tch."
He seemed like he wanted to say something, but stopped. The fingers resting on his knees unconsciously tapped out a rhythm.
After a long time, as if he had finally made some kind of decision, he turned his head back again, crossed his arms, and spoke in his usual tone, sounding like he didn't care about anything.
"Yesterday… I still didn't manage to stop it in time."
His voice was very soft, yet it sounded especially clear in the empty ward.
"A lot of people were still hurt. Just like that rainy night three years ago… I couldn't save you, and I couldn't truly save anyone.
"That Hisaki Kuga… although I was the one who finished it in the end, if it weren't for that guy named Raku, I probably wouldn't have even had the chance to bring you out."
At this point, he let out a self-mocking laugh, a trace of loneliness flashing in his eyes.
"Anyway, if you were awake right now, you'd definitely scold me harshly… 'idiot Sasori,' right? So while you're still asleep, I'll say this apology first."
He paused, stood up, and walked to the window, looking out at the city that remained bustling with traffic despite having gone through a disaster.
Sunlight fell across the side of his face, outlining those cold, sharp features with a layer of gold.
"But don't worry."
When he turned back again, that familiar arrogant and domineering Sasori had returned.
"I've grown a lot these past few years. I'm no longer that kid from three years ago who could only hold his head and cry in the rain. Arcana… that trash organization that treats human lives like nothing and reduced you to this."
He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking sharply.
"I'll uproot them. In my own way… even if I have to tear them apart with my teeth, I'll still rip them to shreds."
After saying this, he gave the girl on the hospital bed a deep look; so complex it was impossible to understand.
Then, he turned decisively and walked out.
He left the ward, planning to head to the rooftop to get some air and clear his mind. But just as he turned the corner of the corridor, he ran straight into a figure hurrying back with two large bags of takeout.
"Oof!"
Rikka was startled by the sudden figure, nearly sending the spicy hot pot in her hands flying.
When she got a clear look at the purple-haired boy with a fierce expression in front of her, her good mood vanished.
"You?!"
The girl immediately took a step back, guarding the takeout behind her. In her impression, this Sasori was one of the full-on villains who had threatened them below the tower before.
"What are you doing in the hospital?! Here to watch the aftermath? Does seeing the destruction you caused give you some kind of twisted pleasure?!"
"Hmph."
Sasori glanced at her, with no intention of explaining anything.
"Think whatever you want. I'm not interested in correcting the thoughts of the weak."
He took a step forward, intending to walk past her and leave; however, after only two steps, he suddenly thought of something and stopped.
The scene from the top of the tower yesterday surfaced in his mind again… he had seen it: Raku had activated an unknown Spell Card to stop the Spirit World gate from opening.
Though he didn't want to admit it, he… did owe him a favor.
"Hey."
Without turning around, he called out to Rikka, who was about to glare at him angrily.
"Catch."
A black card case traced a precise arc through the air, flying straight toward Rikka.
"Eh?!"
Rikka hurriedly freed one hand and caught it.
"Pass along my regards to your reckless brother. Tell him I look forward to dueling him."
Sasori turned his back to her and waved a hand. His silhouette looked especially solitary under the pale hospital lights.
"What is this? Hush money?!" Rikka looked baffled.
"Not everyone is worthy of that."
The boy's voice came from afar.
"One who carries firewood for the masses must not be left to freeze in the wind and snow. Take that line to that idiot."
After saying that, he disappeared without looking back, vanishing into the stairwell leading to the rooftop.
Rikka stood there blankly for a long while before finally coming back to her senses.
"What the heck…"
She pouted, then lowered her head to look at the black card case in her hands.
Carefully, she opened the lid.
In that instant, a deep purple glow seeped out from within the box.
"This is…
"Shaddoll?!"
...
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