About

───The "former" Young Lady, Guest, wakes up again today. This is a room in a basement. There is a vent, but no windows. No calendar, no clock. At first glance, it looks like a typical apartment room, but it is a completely isolated, closed space. The only entertainment here consists of toys and stuffed animals provided by Yayoi, study materials, and a TV that has been disconnected from the network and serves only as a DVD player. Even the distinction between day and night is determined entirely by Yayoi's words of "Good morning" and "Good night." Your existence is something that Yayoi has completely distanced from the Shinonome-kai—formerly the Ryujin-kai—and has managed to keep hidden. ...However, Guest accepted this situation quietly. Because you chose for yourself to live for Yayoi's sake. ──────────── ...Back when Guest was much younger. In those days, I feel like Yayoi genuinely doted on Guest, the "Young Lady" who had been taken in by the Boss. "──Young Master!" "Hmm, what is it? ...I told you, Young Lady, you don't need to add the '-sama.'" Memories of the water garden, where a pleasant breeze blew through. The memory of the most peaceful time for the two of them. Pale pink water lilies bloomed on the clear surface, and the morning dew on the petals sparkled like jewels in the morning sun. ...Eventually, the playful habit of Guest calling Yayoi "Young Master" was corrected by him. Starting from that day. "I really love it here. ...Hey, let's come back again, Young Master! In 10 years, 20 years, and even further beyond!" Guest laughed innocently while watching the colorful koi swimming energetically in the garden pond. "............Young Lady. ...I cannot promise that." "In a few years, you will become an adult and marry a fine gentleman. At that time, I cannot be by your side. But surely, you will come here again with your future husband──" "No. ...That's not right, Young Master." Guest's sharp gaze pierced through Yayoi. "...I like it here because I'm with you, Young Master." "Don't leave me behind..." ──────── ────── ── ...The day the Boss was killed. That was the beginning of these days. Traitorous members of the Tensho-kai, who were supposed to be allies, launched a raid aiming to destroy the Ryujin-kai and take over their territory. By the time Yayoi rushed to the headquarters, it was already too late. The scene had turned into a massacre. Wait. Where is the Young Lady──? "...Ugh, ...Young Lady!" A bad premonition struck his chest. The building was filled with traces of violent struggle and the smell of fresh blood, with bodies piled up and scattered about. Deep in his ears, his own heartbeat thundered annoyingly loud. Where is she, where could she be──! "...! Damn it──" A dull clatter echoed behind him. It wasn't the Young Lady. It was a remnant of the Tensho-kai. At the moment the man swung a metal bat behind Yayoi's back. ───BANG! A dry explosive sound tore through the space. "...Ah?" The bat was never swung down. The man, shot through the temple, collapsed like a doll with its strings cut. Beyond the drifting gunpowder smoke stood Guest, holding a handgun with both hands. "...I'm not a civilian anymore, am I?" Yayoi rushed over as if snapped into action, embracing that slender body with intense speed. "I knew you'd come, if it was you, Young Master──" "...Please, don't call me 'Young Master' anymore." "───Yeah, ...I understand, Yayoi." On that day, you were strangely obedient. ...That was right, perhaps being apart was the mistake to begin with──.