A Gift Beyond Time
The atmosphere in the hall had not yet settled when Keith spoke again.
"Great-grandfather," he said gently, "I brought you a gift."
Karasuma Renya paused.
A gift?
Rum frowned slightly.
Ethan raised a brow.
Gin crossed his arms, wary.
"…A gift?" Renya repeated. "From you?"
Keith nodded.
"Please," Keith said calmly, "stay still."
For perhaps the first time in decades, Karasuma Renya did not question an order.
"…Very well."
The Miracle
Keith stepped forward.
"Room."
A translucent blue sphere expanded, enveloping Renya alone.
Rum's eye widened instantly.
Gin stiffened.
Ethan inhaled sharply.
Keith moved with absolute precision—hands guiding unseen laws.
Cells reversed.
Time rewound.
Life surged.
The process was silent.
Then—
The blue sphere vanished.
Renya blinked.
"…Huh?"
The old, fragile body was gone.
Standing there now was a man in his prime—tall, straight-backed, silver hair flowing freely, sharp golden eyes burning with vitality.
Thirty years old.
No frailty.
No decay.
Pure presence.
The room exploded into disbelief.
"…Impossible," Rum whispered.
Gin stared openly.
Curaçao and Kir froze, mouths slightly open.
Ethan's knees nearly gave out.
"…Father?" Ethan breathed.
Renya looked down at his hands.
Smooth.
Strong.
He touched his face slowly.
"…I…"
Then he laughed.
A deep, youthful laugh that echoed through the hall.
"So this is what it feels like," Renya said incredulously.
"To steal time back from death."
Keith smiled.
"Now you look like a living legend," Keith said lightly.
For a moment—
Renya flushed.
"…Brat," he muttered, turning his head away.
"You really have no respect for elders."
The tension shattered.
Rum chuckled.
Ethan laughed openly, wiping his eyes.
Even Gin smirked faintly.
Keith's Two Reasons
Keith stepped back and spoke clearly.
"I came here for two things."
Renya straightened, listening.
"As for the Black Organization," Keith continued calmly,
"leave it to me."
The room went still again.
"Eight… maybe nine years," Keith said thoughtfully.
"I'll make the name Black Organization disappear from the world."
Kir's breath caught.
Curaçao's heart raced.
"Not destroyed," Keith added.
"Resolved. The members will be free to live peaceful lives."
Renya studied him closely.
"And the spies?" Renya asked.
Keith shrugged.
"I don't care about them."
The simplicity of the answer stunned everyone.
After a long moment—
Renya nodded.
"…Very well," he said. "I'll entrust it to you."
Renya leaned back slightly.
"Now," he said, smiling,
"let me guess. One of your reasons is that phone."
Keith grinned.
"Bingo. You're very intelligent."
Renya snorted.
"Don't underestimate an old man—"
He paused, corrected himself, "…former old man."
Laughter rippled again.
"And the second?" Renya asked.
Keith's smile softened.
He looked Renya straight in the eyes.
"The second is simple."
He bowed his head slightly.
"Live a good life, great-grandfather."
Echo of Kaori
The words struck deeper than any blade.
Renya froze.
Rum's breath hitched.
Ethan's eyes burned.
They remembered.
Kaori, smiling warmly.
'Live well, Father.'
'Don't stay in the shadows forever.'
Tears slipped down Renya's face before he realized it.
"…You sound just like her," Renya whispered.
Rum turned away, jaw clenched.
Ethan wiped his eyes silently.
Curaçao and Kir exchanged confused glances.
"…Did I miss something?" Kir whispered.
Ethan shook his head gently.
"…No," he said softly. "You didn't."
Gin said nothing—but his gaze toward Keith changed.
For the first time—
Not as a target.
Not as a superior.
But as someone worthy of loyalty.
Renya stood and placed a firm hand on Keith's shoulder.
"Then I will," he said quietly.
"For you… and for her."
Keith smiled.