Rika POV
Why…
Why is Brian here?
Why is he tied up?
Who…
Who did this?
"Brian…"
The name slipped from my lips before I could stop it.
A tight, sick unease crawled through my nerves, slowly draining the strength from my body.
My feet felt numb.
Like I was floating.
Like I wasn't really here.
My mother smirked and gently patted my back.
"What are you hesitating for, my sweet princess?"
I flinched and tightened my grip on the knife.
"Mother," I asked quietly, forcing steadiness into my voice,
"why is Brian here?"
I kept my face blank as I looked down at him.
His arms were bruised from the ropes.
His body trembled, weak from injury.
Blood stained his lips as he coughed beneath the blindfold.
I couldn't imagine what they had done to him.
How long he had suffered.
My mother wrapped her arms around my waist, her voice soft—cruel.
"Marlon chose him," she said lightly.
"He wanted to give you an unforgettable gift."
My heart slowed.
Then thundered.
Something inside me tightened—
stretched—
ready to snap.
A thousand questions flooded my mind all at once.
Why Brian?
He has nothing to do with this.
He's innocent.
Why hurt him?
Why drag him into this world?
If I hadn't gotten close to him…
would he still be suffering?
If Shinji were here…
would I even be standing on this stage?
What should I do?
What would Shinji do?
Shinji…
The cheers suddenly grew louder, pulling me back.
"Tell us the backstory!"
"You didn't choose a random bystander, did you?"
Their mocking laughter echoed.
Father clapped his hands, amused.
They were all the same.
They didn't care about justice—
only how deeply this would wound me.
"Gentlemen, calm down," my father said smoothly.
"I know you're eager for gossip—and so am I."
He turned toward Marlon.
"So let us hear from my nephew, who chose this precious lamb as tonight's sacrifice."
Marlon stepped forward, smiling.
"Gentlemen," he began,
"let me tell you a little story about this lamb."
His eyes flicked toward me, savoring my reaction.
"They met when Rika was seven.
He was fooled by her innocent act, believing she was just a simple girl."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
"He was always the one protecting her," Marlon continued,
"never realizing she could erase lives in seconds."
My teeth dug into my lip.
"To be honest…"
Marlon shrugged.
"I wanted to offer a sweet, young lamb as the sacrifice."
He paused, grinning.
"But taking a little girl would be boring, wouldn't it?"
My head snapped up.
"Isn't that right, my dear cousin?"
"Sweet little lambs are boring."
I stepped forward, rage flaring—
—but a sudden grip stopped me.
I looked down.
Brian.
Even restrained, even broken, he was holding onto my sleeve.
Whimpering.
Stopping me.
Marlon laughed softly.
Mother clapped, then leaned close and whispered:
"You heard him.
Do something unsightly, and next time we serve a sweeter lamb."
She kissed my forehead and stepped back.
I knelt and gently brushed Brian's hair.
His breathing steadied just a little, though I could feel him wincing.
"Brian," I whispered,
"you're welcome to hate me—even if I end up in hell."
"You didn't deserve this."
I raised my hand and unsheathed the knife.
My face was empty.
But deep inside—
I was still hoping.
Hoping to save him.
Hoping Shinji would save me.
I lifted the blade—
When a familiar voice echoed through the crowd.
"Ahhh… this is getting boring, don't you think?"
My hand froze midair.
That voice—
I would never mistake it.
"Shinji…"
Hope surged through me.
I turned—
And every trace of relief shattered instantly.
Shinji stood there, wearing a mask identical to the one worn by the men who had tried to kill me.