Everything that had just happened felt like a tragically beautiful dream, layered with countless shades of emotion.
Miko collapsed onto the velvet carpet, breaking down in tears. She had never imagined that the moment of reunion with the only love of her life would be so brief.
And now, his soul, Murasaki's soul, along with all the unfortunate souls of the Kamakiri family… had all vanished.
Mina stood frozen, watching her mother cry uncontrollably, calling her father's name like a prayer. She felt an overwhelming ache and regret—for the one and only moment she had ever reunited with her father.
And seeing her mother in such pain reminded Mina of herself when she had loved—
Sad, passionate, and intense.
They truly were mother and daughter.
But Mina did not have time to dwell on it.
Suddenly, Duyen rushed forward and threw herself into Mina's arms, making her blush and feel dizzy.
"Huh? Duyen?"
Mina couldn't suppress the happiness of being embraced by the person she loved. Instinctively, she hugged Duyen tightly.
"Everything… is over now, isn't it?" Mina whispered.
Duyen smiled brightly, happiness lighting up her face. At that moment, nothing else around them mattered anymore.
"Mina… I'm so glad you're safe…"
Feeling Duyen's shoulders trembling, Mina knew she was crying. Mina let out a soft breath, wearing a faint yet fulfilled smile. She buried her face into Duyen's shoulder.
"Yes… but I could never have done this without you, Duyen. Duyen… I love you. I truly love you…"
Duyen flinched slightly. She leaned back a little to look at Mina more clearly. Her cheeks and the bridge of her nose were flushed—whether from crying, embarrassment, joy, or pure emotion.
With her divine sight, Duyen could see through Mina's true nature, even though Mina's aura had changed—even though she was no longer human…
But none of that mattered anymore. Duyen smiled softly.
Mina was still Mina.
Always Mina—the one Duyen had once fallen deeply in love with. Still the same beautiful Mina from those days.
Her eyes trembled with emotion, as if she could see Mina's younger self even now. Her lips parted.
"Mina… I—"
But Mina's finger pressed gently against her lips. Mina shook her head slightly.
"You don't have to say anything in a rush, Duyen… I understand your heart. You have feelings for Shana too, and I know that. And I respect that. I just hope you understand this… I won't give up. Not until the day you accept me. As long as you allow me to stay by your side, to love you and take care of you… one day, you'll love me the way you love Shana, won't you?"
Mina's question snapped something inside Duyen. Her hands tightened on Mina's shoulders. Mina tried to smile through her tears. But these were no longer tears of sorrow or jealousy. They were tears of happiness. Because after everything—Mina had loved, was loving, and would always love.
An eternal love, strange and unchanging.
Duyen wanted to answer that. After everything they had been through together, she understood Mina. She had watched her grow, change. She had seen her at her weakest, most out-of-control, most insecure.
And she wanted to tell Mina—Her feelings had never faded. If anything, they had grown deeper. Duyen was about to say it—
But the sound of Shana's high heels approaching made Mina's eyebrow twitch slightly. Even her smile stiffened. Shana looked at the two of them holding each other, a graceful smile on her lips—but beneath it lurked a dangerous threat.
"Well, well… how affectionate~"
Duyen startled and instinctively tried to step back. But Mina's arm tightened, locking her in place. Duyen blushed. She could clearly feel Mina's mischievous hand wandering over her body—deliberate, possessive.
…Right.
Mina was still Mina.
Duyen could only give a helpless laugh, pleading softly, "Don't, Mina… haha… that tickles…"
Of course, Shana was irritated.
But instead of exploding in anger, she pouted cutely, her cheeks slightly flushed. She suddenly acted as if she were about to cry and lunged at them.
Pushing Mina's hand aside, she squeezed herself in between them.
"Not fair! I want to hug Duyen too!"
Duyen was crushed between the two of them, barely able to breathe.
"Ah! Calm down! My lungs are getting squished!"
Mina gritted her teeth, struggling with Shana using both hands and feet—she even kicked her enthusiastically.
"Get away, you damn fox!" Mina snapped, pulling Duyen toward her.
"Hey! Go look at yourself first!" Shana, just as enthusiastically, shoved Duyen's face into her chest.
They spun Duyen around like a toy, leaving everyone else stunned.
Dao and Nayeon clung to each other, trying not to burst out laughing. Even Miko stopped crying, overwhelmed by the sight of Mina arguing with Shana over Duyen.
"Get away, you stupid fox! Believe me, I'll chop you into five pieces!?" Mina snapped fiercely.
Despite her tone, Miko could see the joy hidden beneath it. It was the first time she had ever seen this side of her daughter. For 26 years, she had only known a silent, suffering, cold Mina—filled with resentment toward her.
Everything had come to this point because Miko had been too strict. She thought she was protecting Mina.
But in the end…
And Haruna too—Miko felt deeply guilty toward her as well.
She wiped her tears with the sleeve of her furisode.
In the end… everything was over.
Hwang… my love… I can finally come see you…
A dangerous thought flashed through her mind. But then—The lively voices of the girls pulled her back.
Nayeon and Dao suddenly jumped into the group.
"Hey hey! Don't forget about us! Duyen is my best friend!" Nayeon shouted, trying to squeeze through Duyen's arm.
"Mina! I was so scared!" Dao burst into tears, hugging Mina's head tightly.
Mina froze, stunned—but she couldn't bring herself to be annoyed at her friend. Meanwhile, Shana shouted loudly, her eyes glowing blue.
"Hey! Stop it already! You've had plenty of time with Duyen! She's mine! Nayeon, I forbid you!"
Haru, Hasuko, and the others stood with hands on their hips, laughing loudly.
Haru commented, "Who would've thought our noble Lady Shigonami would argue like this with humans?"
Hasuko just shrugged, sticking out her tongue.
"Maybe Lady Shigonami should learn that Duyên isn't hers alone anymore."
Shana angrily pointed at them.
"What are you commenting for!? Shouldn't you be on my side right now!?"
But instead of backing down, they laughed even harder. Meanwhile, Yu stood still, watching the five of them together. Her face showed no emotion, but her fingers unconsciously stroked the hilt of her sword.
Her gaze lingered on Nayeon—then turned away. And in truth, Nayeon noticed. She chuckled softly and waved at Yu.
Yu looked surprised.
The five girls stopped and all turned toward her. Their gazes were gentle, warm.
"Come here, Yu!" Duyen called out.
Yu's eyes widened slightly. She hesitated. But she couldn't stop herself from walking toward them.
Nayeon and Dao eagerly pulled her in, and everyone wrapped her in a warm embrace. Yu blushed faintly.
Then Nayeon suddenly said, "Did you know Yu is actually the youngest among us?"
Everyone fell silent. Then Duyen exclaimed in surprise.
"Really!? Yu is the youngest!?"
Yu "seemed" shy as she nodded. They all looked at each other—Then simultaneously started patting her head like she was the youngest sibling in a family.
The affection made Yu break into a radiant smile. It was the first time anyone had seen her smile.
And she was beautiful—like spring after winter.
But when she noticed everyone staring, that rare smile disappeared. Duyen became flustered.
"Ah—no, I mean… you can smile? Your smile just now was really pretty. Can you smile again?"
Yu tilted her head, slightly confused. Then she tried. Or rather—Her expression twisted awkwardly, as if she couldn't tell whether she was smiling or in pain.
Shana covered her mouth, turned away, and burst out laughing.
"Oh my god! You call that a smile!? I'm dying!"
Yu didn't understand what she had done wrong. She tried again—forcing out another "smile." This time, it was even worse.
Even Mina had to press her lips tightly together to stop herself from laughing, while Duyen waved her hands frantically.
"Okay, okay! We won't force you anymore!"
While everyone was still caught up in the moment, Amuro suddenly appeared beside Mina. Mina immediately put on her usual serious expression.
"My lady, all of the guards have been eliminated. The entire mansion system is now under our control—"
Before Amuro could finish speaking, a sound echoed—someone collapsing to their knees.
It was Tomi.
Her face turned pale, lifeless, as she muttered in disbelief,
"No… that's impossible…"
Mina only glanced at her with clear contempt before turning back to Amuro.
"And what about those people?"
Amuro shook his head. A trace of pity flashed in his eyes.
"Those people… are beyond saving. There's no way to restore them to how they were. At best, they might live another year. At worst… only a few months."
Mina had already expected that answer. She simply closed her eyes lightly. Something caught in her throat.
Everyone present understood exactly who they were talking about…
Some things had already ended—But the consequences left behind…Those were the sins of this cursed family.
And perhaps, they were something Mina would have to bear from the moment she accepted this heavy position.
Yet Duyen saw it differently. Her eyes were still filled with hope.
"We can still find a way. We have to save them."
Her words immediately snapped Mina back. Shana, on the other hand, wasn't surprised at all. She let out a soft laugh.
"Well, considering what the three of us are capable of now… it's not entirely impossible."
"The three of us?" Mina frowned slightly.
She didn't like the idea of working together with Shana at all. But all three of them had changed—gained strange, abnormal abilities.
If they worked together… would it actually be possible?
In the end—Both of them loved Duyen enough to cast aside all past grudges.
But not everyone could accept that.
Mina glanced at Tomi—Only to be startled when the woman suddenly grabbed a gun. Duyen panicked and shouted,
"Hey! Wait!"
But Tomi had already gripped the gun tightly. Hiroshi was shocked. He rushed out from behind the curtain, trying to get to his mother.
But Tomi shouted loudly as she swung the gun around. Everyone froze. Tomi was breathing heavily. Her eyes were bloodshot, trembling.
She could pull the trigger at any moment. Logically speaking—She couldn't harm Mina or any of the girls standing there. Tomi knew that.
Suddenly, she burst into hysterical laughter. Miko looked at her younger sister, murmuring with sorrow,
"Tomi…"
Tomi glanced at Miko, her lips twisting into a painful smile.
"So this is how it all ends… huh, Miko? Who could have imagined it? Our mother…"
Miko lowered her head. Tomi suddenly shouted, her eyes snapping toward Mina.
"What are you waiting for!? Kill me already!"
"Mom!" Hiroshi cried out, rushing forward.
"Don't come any closer!" Tomi shouted.
Her gaze locked onto Mina, her lips trembling but filled with a twisted resolve.
"This is how the Kamakiri family does things… Now Mina is the new head. Cleanse the house! Kill me!"
"No!"
Duyen shouted, stepping forward as if to stand between Mina and Tomi. But Tomi snapped angrily,
"Outsiders have no right to interfere! Mina! What are you waiting for!? Kill me!"
Mina stood before a difficult choice—and Tomi's extreme demand. But Mina could see it clearly. In Tomi's eyes, there was only bitterness from defeat—
Not regret.
Mina took a deep breath to steady herself and spoke calmly,
"Yes, I am now the new head of the family. But we will no longer follow the old rules…"
"Huh?" Tomi frowned, confused.
"That means all the extreme laws of the Kamakiri family… are abolished from this moment on."
"No… that's impossible…"
For some reason, Tomi could not accept this outcome. Mina could easily kill her. Mina had become terrifyingly powerful.
And yet—
She was sparing her?
Then what had Tomi done all of this for?
Mina turned to Hiroshi.
"Cousin, take Aunt Tomi to another room so she can calm down."
Hiroshi was startled, not expecting Mina to address him directly. He hurriedly obeyed.
But in the next instant—Tomi raised the gun to her own head.
Bang!
The gunshot rang out, shaking everyone to their core. Blood streamed from Tomi's temple as she collapsed to the floor.
"MOM!?"
Hiroshi screamed in horror. He rushed forward, grabbing her body, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Mom! Don't leave me! Mom! Mom! Say something! Please!"
Everyone stood frozen, their faces drained of color. Even Mina couldn't believe that Tomi had chosen such an extreme end. Miko could only shut her eyes tightly.
Too much death had happened in a single day.
Everything was drowned in sorrow.
Duyen broke down in tears, throwing herself into Shana's arms. Mina lowered her gaze, utterly powerless.
So in the end—Aunt Tomi would rather choose death than live under the same roof as her.
Mina looked down at her hands—Still stained with blood. Her own… and others'.
No one truly knew what she was thinking. Duyen slowly stopped crying and fixed her gaze on Mina.