Once a mobster, now Masachika Kuze

Takano stood frozen for a few seconds, absorbing Ryan's words. The idea of continuing her studies... even after everything that had happened... seemed too surreal to believe.

Clenching her fists, she finally broke the silence, her voice filled with disbelief and irritation:

"Don't try to fool me! How can you talk about helping me after everything you've done? You just killed several men from the defense force! How do you think the Tokyo government will handle this?"

She stepped forward, gesturing fiercely, her eyes locked on Ryan:

"We'll all be erased and swept under the rug as if we never existed!"

Ryan remained unfazed, raising a single finger as if he were about to lecture a disobedient student. His carefree expression made Takano's words seem irrelevant:

"I'll help you with your research, but obviously with some conditions. First: you're going to leave Rika alone. Other rules will come later, but they're not important right now."

He paused for a moment, letting a slight smirk cross his face as he closed his eyes briefly, savoring the tension in the air. Then, with an almost theatrical motion, he turned.

"Arona, may I ask you something?" he said casually, directing his attention to Arona, who appeared seated at one of the nearby tables. Her crossed legs and angelic smile created a bizarre contrast with the chaos around them.

"Anything, Sensei!" Arona replied enthusiastically, her voice so sweet it could melt ice.

Ryan took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure despite the "cuteness overload" she emanated.

"Is there a way to ensure that Takano remembers everything when I go back in time?"

Hearing this, Takano's eyes widened, her expression shifting between shock and disbelief. Her voice wavered as she tried to process what she had just heard:

"G-going back in time...? What are you talking about?"

Ryan deliberately ignored her question, keeping his attention on Arona, who raised a dainty finger as if about to make a grand revelation.

"Well... there is a way!" she began, with the enthusiasm of someone explaining a magical recipe. "But for that, Sensei, she'd need to have an energy link with you or with Yuno."

Ryan exchanged a brief glance with Yuno, who returned it with a mildly irritated expression. After a moment, he turned back to Arona and asked curiously:

"What do you mean, Arona-chan?"

Arona placed a hand over her mouth, hiding a mischievous smile before continuing:

"It's simple, Sensei. Yuno remembers everything because you two are soulmates."

Yuno turned red instantly, the blush spreading to her ears. She cut Arona off with a voice filled with irritation:

"Don't ever say something like that again... That's an order."

Arona, undeterred by the reprimand, continued in the same cheerful tone:

"Rika remembers because she's connected to the divine fortuity..."

Then, she cast a smug glance at Takano, who was still stunned, and concluded:

"But Takano? She has nothing connecting her to you."

Ryan adopted a thoughtful expression as Arona's words echoed. Takano, on the other hand, grew increasingly confused and irritated, unable to keep up with what was happening.

"Are you messing with me? Is this some kind of joke about my studies?"

Ryan turned to her, his gaze cold as a blade:

"No. I'm trying to find a way to help you. And you should thank Rika for that. So do us a favor, stay quiet, and just accept what we decide here."

Turning back to Arona, he asked:

"So, how do I create this link?"

Arona blushed slightly, covering her mouth with her hand as her expression took on a teasing air.

"Well..." she began, dragging out the word with an almost mischievous tone.

Ryan narrowed his eyes, immediately suspicious of where this was going.

"Well..." Arona continued, savoring the tension, "you could kiss her. That way, she'll have enough of your DNA in her mouth, and that should be enough to create the link when you return."

The room fell into a deafening silence. Ryan blinked a few times, processing the comment. Takano took a step back, her face shifting between indignation and utter confusion.

"Y-you've got to be kidding!" she exploded, pointing at Arona.

Ryan, on the other hand, let out a deep sigh, rubbing his face with his hands as if trying to erase the moment from memory.

"Arona-chan..." he began, his voice heavy with resignation. "Why does everything with you have to be so problematic?"

Arona simply laughed, satisfied with herself.

Rika and Yuno turned as red as tomatoes at the absurdity of Arona's suggestion. Ryan, however, took a deep breath, striving to maintain his composure, before replying with a skeptical tone:

"So, the issue is this so-called DNA connection? Fine, but why don't my relatives remember the returns?"

Arona burst into laughter, waving her hand in the air as she tried to catch her breath:

"No, no, Sensei! I was just joking!" she replied, still laughing, her eyes shining with satisfaction as she took in everyone's frozen expressions.

Yuno, however, was not amused. Her fingers gripped the edges of the table so tightly it seemed she might break it in half.

"Arona, this is no time for your jokes!" she scolded, her tone sharp enough to cut through the air.

Ryan, now with a stern expression, seemed equally unwilling to tolerate further provocations. Arona, sensing the seriousness in the air, scratched the back of her head, slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry, Senseis..." she said, softening her smile before straightening her posture. "Okay, now seriously..."

She looked directly at Ryan, her expression taking on an unexpected gravity:

"It's not going to be that simple, Sensei. For Takano to remember everything, you'll need to touch her and transfer some of your energy. That will create a sufficient connection to tie her to your return."

Takano, who had been adrift in the sea of confusing explanations, felt her anxiety grow. What on earth was happening?

Ryan turned to her, a sarcastic smile forming as he walked toward her.

"Well, now that we know we can make you remember... Let's talk about our deal."

Takano averted her gaze, frustrated, muttering:

"Deal? I never said—"

Ryan interrupted, grabbing her hand firmly. His voice was direct, cutting like a blade:

"Save us some time, Takano. You're smart enough to understand that this is your only chance to achieve that ridiculous dream of yours."

Her eyes widened, her heart racing as something strange and pulsating coursed through her body.

"But... how can you guarantee my research will be funded?" she asked, filled with doubt and distrust.

Ryan kept his tone calm but firm:

"That'll be the easiest part. Trust me, my family has more than enough influence."

He paused, his eyes fixed on hers as he added:

"Now, the part that matters to me: you will fully commit to curing the Hinamizawa syndrome. No involving Rika in your twisted plans. Your goal of 'proving yourself to the world' will happen, but it will be on my terms. Got it?"

Takano remained silent, her mind a whirlwind, but the weight of the decision felt overwhelming. With no other choice, she nodded slowly:

"But... what about the politicians involved in all this?"

Ryan shrugged, his voice steady and resolute:

"Leave that to me."

As he said this, Takano's hand, still held by Ryan, glowed faintly with a golden hue, like a mystical seal being etched onto her.

"That's enough, Sensei!" Arona exclaimed, her cheerful voice breaking the moment.

Ryan, ignoring the interruption, pulled Takano by the waist into an unexpected and bold embrace, leaning in to speak close to her ear:

"And remember this, Takano Miyo... I haven't forgiven you yet. So, you'd better start acting like an obedient little puppy from now on."

He released her immediately after, leaving her flustered and blushing. Takano, however, furrowed her brows and retorted in an irritated tone:

"Cut it out with the puppy talk!"

Ryan simply ignored her remark, turning toward Rika, his expression now clouded with a shadow of unease.

"I don't know, Rika... I still feel frustrated."

Rika tilted her head slightly, curiosity evident in her eyes:

"And what do you think is causing that frustration?"

Ryan scratched his chin thoughtfully before giving a dark smile:

"I'm not sure... I think I still need to take my anger out on her."

Rika frowned:

"Take your anger out? What do you mean?"

"Are you going to keep ignoring me, Ryan?" Takano asked, her irritation growing.

Ryan ignored the question, slowly turning toward her, the dark smile widening on his face.

"I think I know how I'm going to vent my anger..."

He raised the weapon he had taken from Takano, his voice low and laced with irony:

"Consider this your punishment for making Mini Miku suffer so much... Oh, and this gun is mine now. Got it?"

Before Takano could react, Ryan pulled the trigger repeatedly. The gunshots echoed through the room as he emptied the magazine without hesitation. Rika closed her eyes, covering her ears, while Yuno and Arona watched impassively, as if it were an ordinary routine.

When the final shot faded into silence, Rika opened her eyes and sighed deeply, her voice a mix of weariness and reproach:

"Was all of that really necessary?"

Ryan shrugged, indifferent:

"I feel a little better now."

Rika took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure, before softening her tone:

"Mii~ I'll forgive you... because I believe you'll truly manage to give everyone a happy ending. A real happy ending..."

She smiled, her eyes glistening with tears that threatened to fall.

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