Decisions in the Dark
A few minutes after Tomoko Suzuki left the chairman's office, the door opened again.
One by one, the people closest to Keith entered:
Grayfia, Kuroka, Gamma, Albedo, Chisato, Yor, Sylpha, Saya,
Chris (Vermouth), Eri Kisaki,
and finally Kir and Curaçao, who remained respectfully near the back after Renya, Ethan, Rum, Gin had already departed.
The atmosphere shifted the moment they noticed Keith's expression.
Not cold.
Not angry.
But resolved.
Vermouth was the first to speak.
"…What happened?" she asked quietly.
Keith leaned back against the desk, arms folded.
"She told me everything," he said.
"About Shiro Suzuki."
Every eye sharpened.
"He cheated on her repeatedly—with maids, with strangers. She endured it all in silence."
His voice lowered.
"She stayed for one reason only—to protect Sonoko and Ayako."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
Albedo's eyes darkened.
Kuroka's tail flicked angrily before she caught herself.
Yor's hands clenched slightly.
Grayfia closed her eyes in restrained anger.
Eri Kisaki's jaw tightened.
Vermouth exhaled slowly.
"…That woman has more strength than most men," she said.
Kir and Curaçao exchanged a glance—sympathy clear on both their faces.
Chris looked at Keith.
"So… what are you going to do?"
Keith's answer came without hesitation.
"It's simple."
He looked around the room, meeting each of their gazes.
"We expose Shiro Suzuki."
Silence.
"All of it," Keith continued calmly.
"Affairs. Abuse of power. Financial manipulation. Every scandal buried under his name."
Eri's eyes gleamed with professional focus.
"And then," Keith added,
"we guide public opinion—not with lies, but with truth—until Tomoko Suzuki can divorce him cleanly."
Yor nodded once.
"Clean removals. No unnecessary blood."
"No blood at all," Keith corrected gently.
"We're not criminals. We're just… honest."
Grayfia smiled faintly.
"And the daughters?" Sylpha asked softly.
"They leave Japan," Keith replied.
"With their mother."
Every single person in the room nodded.
The Suzuki–Amamiya Thread
Keith continued.
"There's more. Suzuki Group is the one that secretly propped up Kurosaki and Amamiya after the engagement incident."
That changed the air.
Vermouth's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Kir's expression hardened.
Curaçao felt heat rise behind her eyes.
Eri Kisaki's pen snapped in her fingers.
"…Those people," Vermouth said coldly.
"The ones who treated you like trash."
Keith only sighed.
"What happened to Harumi and Kazuto?" he asked.
Vermouth looked at him carefully.
"…They married."
For the first time that night, Keith blinked.
"…Married?"
Chris nodded.
"You heard it right."
Keith stared at the window for a moment.
Then exhaled.
"…I see."
No anger.
No regret.
Just indifference.
"I don't care," he said simply.
"They're irrelevant."
Assignments Given
Keith straightened.
"I'll start assigning duties."
Everyone focused instantly.
"Chris," he said, turning to Vermouth.
"You'll be Head of Runcandel Entertainment."
Vermouth smiled—slow, dangerous, pleased.
"Gladly."
"Kir," Keith continued,
"you have presence. Face value. Instinct."
Kir blinked.
"…You want me as an actress?"
"Alongside Chris," Keith said.
Kir hesitated—then nodded firmly.
"I'll do it."
"Curaçao," Keith said next,
"You'll work directly under me. Personal assistant."
Curaçao's eyes widened slightly—then she nodded with absolute loyalty.
"Yes."
Keith then reached into his coat and placed a device on the table.
A smartphone.
Sleek. Minimalist. Too advanced.
Every person in the room—except Vermouth, Kir, and Curaçao—froze.
"…What is that?" Gamma whispered.
"Our next revolution," Keith replied calmly.
"Runcandel Technology."
He turned it on briefly—just enough for them to feel it.
"In two months, we release the trailer."
No one questioned him.
They couldn't.
One Last Instruction
Keith looked at Eri Kisaki.
"There's one more thing."
Eri straightened immediately.
"I want Ran Mouri brought to France."
Eri paused.
"…Custody?"
"Yes."
She thought for a moment.
"Legal custody currently belongs to Mouri Kogoro," she said.
"But his income, lifestyle, and history make him vulnerable."
Keith nodded.
"Apply pressure—legally."
Eri exhaled slowly, then smiled.
"…I can do that."
Keith stood.
"That's enough for tonight."
He glanced at all of them.
"Let's go back to the mansion. Rest."
As they filed out, one thing was clear to everyone present:
This was no longer just a company.
It was a campaign.
And at its center—
Keith Argus Runcandel had begun to move the world.