Karasuma Residence — Pieces Chosen, Shadows Set
Silence lingered after Ethan finished speaking.
It was Rum who broke it.
"I will send someone first," Rum said calmly.
Vermouth raised an eyebrow.
"Who?"
"Curaçao."
Vermouth's expression shifted slightly.
"Isn't she the one with color–grapheme synesthesia?" Vermouth asked.
"She forgets things easily."
Rum nodded.
"She does."
"Then why her?" Vermouth pressed.
"She's the same age as Hidemi," Rum replied evenly.
"And she's useful."
He paused.
"The other two I'll send later."
Renya looked up.
"Who?"
"Akemi Miyano and Shiho Miyano."
The room stilled.
Ethan and Vermouth spoke at the same time.
"…Our sister's children?"
Rum nodded once.
"Shiho's intelligence rivals Elena," he said.
"In some aspects, it surpasses her."
Renya closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
"…Approved."
Vermouth exhaled slowly.
"So the children are being moved toward him," she murmured.
Vermouth's Choice
Renya turned his gaze toward Vermouth.
"You won't go?" he asked quietly.
"You love him."
Vermouth didn't deny it.
She smiled faintly.
"Not yet," she said.
"After a few years… I'll meet him properly."
Renya studied her.
Then nodded.
"Very well."
The Organization's Game
Ethan leaned back, crossing his arms.
"There are many spies inside our organization," he said flatly.
Renya smiled coldly.
"We know."
Rum continued, unfazed.
"We closed our eyes on purpose."
Ethan's lips curved.
"So you're using them."
"Yes," Rum said.
"We feed them false information."
Renya added calmly,
"And instruct Gin to eliminate a few agents every now and then."
Ethan laughed softly.
"Codename reshuffling… misinformation… letting spies think they're winning."
He looked at Rum.
"Whose plan was it?"
Renya tilted his head slightly toward Rum.
Ethan shook his head in disbelief, then smiled.
"Big brother," he said, amused.
"You're ruthless."
Rum puffed his chest slightly.
"If I don't do it," he replied,
"my younger brother and sisters will be left cleaning up the mess."
Ethan laughed openly.
The two men fist-bumped.
Rum stood.
"Drink?"
Ethan grinned.
"You bet."
Hidemi's Curiosity
While the adults moved to the side, Hidemi remained seated beside Renya.
"Grandfather," she asked softly,
"what is Keith good at?"
Renya chuckled.
"Where should I start?"
"He cooks better than professionals," Renya said.
"He understands finance like a veteran CEO."
"And he wields a sword like he was born with it."
Hidemi's eyes sparkled.
"…That's unfair."
Vermouth leaned over, smirking.
"Careful, girl," she teased.
"That dragon already has too many admirers."
Hidemi flushed.
"I—I was just curious!"
Vermouth laughed quietly.
The Board Is Set
As laughter echoed faintly through the Karasuma residence—
Plans were finalized.
Pieces were chosen.
And far away, in Europe—
Keith Argus Runcandel continued building his empire,
Unaware that allies, weapons, and fate itself
were already moving toward him.