My eyes snapped open, my heart pounding against my chest. It had been a dream, or maybe a nightmare. The words that had been spoken were my own, but they felt like they came from another, lost soul. It was as if I was trapped in a place where my only voice was mine, yet it wasn't mine.

My body felt immense pain, so much so that I couldn’t move a muscle. But I had to get up, as I was in an unknown area and I didn’t have my equipment with me. As I was trying to get up the door knocked. And a woman's voice came, asking to see if I had woken up.

Lying down again, I pretended to be asleep. I could hear footsteps getting closer to me. Suddenly, a hand reached out and touched my shoulder. Without hesitation, I swiftly turned around and grabbed the person's throat.

“You might want to lose the grip of your hand Ryusuke.”

“Marino? How are you here? What is this place? What’s going on?”

“Take a moment to calm yourself. I was worried about your safety so I started following you until I saw that you were injured. That's when I helped you up and brought you here to this quiet and abandoned mansion where you can receive medical care.”

Marino began to explain how he discovered me and how he found this mansion and brought me here. As he told me this, I inquired about the old man who was with me and had been injured. I got up in anger as Marino informed me that the old man, Maro, was downstairs receiving treatment.

“Ryusuke, don’t try to get up. You need to rest”

“Rest? I don’t need to rest, Marino. I want Maro dead. He betrayed my trust.”

“He saved you Ryusuke. If not for Mr. Maro, you would have ended up dead. Or worse you would have ended up in prison.”

“What then are you expecting from me? Simply do nothing but sit around. Marino, I am going to murder him. The screams of the individuals are still fresh in my mind. I feel like killing myself just thinking about the dread.”

“It was beyond your power to change the circumstances. It was impossible to halt the train and save those people. You are mistaken if you continue to believe that you might have even been able to rescue one or two lives. It was written that they had to die. That was where those people's stories ended. Now I want you to rest. Then a while I want to introduce someone.”

After talking to me and providing some comfort, Marino exited the room. I had decided to remain until I was fully recovered. However, I began to feel as though Yukimura's words had taken hold of me, convincing me that I would fail this time and not make it to the next day.

For some brief period, I was unable to fall asleep or relax, so I just kept wandering the room. Marino provided me with some medication and painkillers, but I kept getting an unsettling sensation that something was bound to happen. Something alarmingly large. Nevertheless, I continued to remind myself over and over again that my objective was to dispose of Yoshida Itsuki and Hachiro Makoto.

As the days passed, I found myself feeling increasingly anxious and unsettled. Despite my best efforts to stay calm and focused, the sense of unease continued to grow, leaving me feeling trapped and uncertain about my future. With each passing moment, I couldn't help but wonder what would become of me if I stayed in this state of mind for much longer.

As my wounds began to heal, I noticed the scars that were left behind as a reminder of my defeat. Gradually, I started to regain my strength and energy to fight back. I began to release my pent-up frustration, which resulted in loud noises and breaking things around me.

“Ryusuke, what on earth are you doing? Please stop this nonsensical behavior right now”

"I need you to back off, Marino. Just for tonight, I want to let loose without you hovering over me. After this, you need to go to the cave and stay there. I can't take your constant chit-chat and need some space to finish what I started."

“What do you mean by what you started? You didn’t do anything Ryusuke, you need to calm down and let those scars heal.”

"I have had enough rest and I feel the need to leave right now Marino. I understand that you may have concerns or objections, but at this moment, I have made up my mind and I am determined to go. I need to do this for myself. Regardless, you will be a burden to me."

 "Burden? I can't believe you're calling me deadweight. After all the sacrifices we've both made and everything we've gone through together, this is how you choose to show your gratitude towards me. Is this how you repay someone who's always had your back and supported you?"

After hearing those words from Marino, I glanced at him. It appeared as though I had unintentionally called him something that disappointed him. He remained silent, looking down at the ground and avoiding eye contact with me. The look on his face was unforgettable, conveying a deep sadness and disappointment that felt like a mixture of poison and disgust.

"I'm sorry, Marino. I know I said some hurtful things earlier, but please understand that I didn't mean any of it. The truth is, ever since the last mission, I feel like I've been cursed. It's like everything I touch turns to destruction. I destroyed the only place you called home, and people lost their lives because I failed to save them. And even when I tried my best to keep you safe, threats still managed to find their way to you. I'm truly sorry for all of this, and I don't know what to do to make things right."

I conveyed these words to Marino as I approached him, and I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of remorse. I knew I had to make things right with him, so I placed my hand on his shoulder and apologized from the bottom of my heart. Marino has always been more than just a friend to me - he's my brother. However, I realized that to improve myself and my brotherhood, I needed to show my trust in him. And so, I took a deep breath and opened up to him, sharing my thoughts and feelings in hopes of building a stronger bond between us.

“*sigh* You saved me from a dark path Ryu. I do not care what happens to me. I know for a fact that whenever I am in trouble you will be there. I know… that no matter what circumstance or hell I am in, you will be there to save me as you have always been. So please stop crying. It’s been a long time since I saw you cry but it’s gonna make me cry too.”

Marino looked at me while smiling as he said those words and we both laughed while looking at each other. To think this is how we both were. Brothers not of blood but still together as one.

“Come now, Ryu. There are some people here to meet you and something important to tell you. And whatever happens, do not draw out your weapons under any circumstances. Keep yourself calm and composed.”

As I left the room, Marino walked beside me, both of us proceeding down a silent corridor. The walls were adorned with portraits of various kinds - some were adorned with exquisite paintings, while others contained photographs of individuals. Strangely, I found myself recognizing some of the individuals in the pictures, despite having no recollection of ever meeting them before. It was a surreal experience as if I had been in this place before, but my memory of it was hazy and distant.

“Marino, what is this place? These pictures on the wall look somewhat familiar, but I can’t quite place them in my mind.”

“Ryu, I understand that you may be feeling a bit worried. However, I assure you that all will be cleared to you after we reach the hall. I want you to trust and believe in me. Soon the reality of the the situation will be revealed to you and you need to process that.”

Marino appeared confident and his previous expression of happiness faded away. However, what followed next was unexpected even for me. Upon entering the hall, I noticed Maro sitting on a couch, calmly sipping tea while nursing a broken arm from his previous jump. His head and chest were bandaged, and his cane rested next to him.

As I approached Maro, two guards stationed on either side of him caught sight of me. Their faces were contorted with fear, and their fists were clenched tightly at their sides. The atmosphere was tense, and beads of sweat dripped down their foreheads as they stared at me with trembling eyes.

"Please refrain from touching him, gentlemen. As you are well aware, he is not one to be trifled with and I am sure you do not want a repeat of the last incident. I remind you to show respect and keep your distance.”

Maro abruptly raised his hand, signaling to the guards to halt their advance towards me. I stood rooted to the spot, my heart pounding in my chest, unsure of what was about to happen next. Maro, still standing behind the table, placed his cup down and stepped out from behind it, his movements slow, yet purposeful and confident. His eyes bore into mine, and I could sense the tension in the air as he made his way closer to me.

Despite wanting to lash out and punch him with all my might, I remembered my promise to Marino to remain calm and avoid any altercation. So, I stood there, clenching my fists by my side, feeling the anger and frustration building within me.

“Please forgive me for what I did on the train. I couldn't see any other way. I will accept any punishment you give me, sir.”

As Maro's words hit me, my frustration boiled over and before I could think, my hand had clenched into a fist and I unleashed a punch with all my might. The force of the blow connected with Maro's face, sending him flying to the ground with a sickening thud. The anger I had been holding onto for so long had finally been released, and at that moment, I felt a sense of relief.

"I have already given you punishment, Mr. Maro. It is now time for you to stand up and face the consequences of your actions. As for you, lady, I kindly request that you reveal your face so that we may speak face to face. I believe in open and honest communication, and I find it difficult to trust or connect with someone who hides behind a mask."

While assisting Maro to stand up, I noticed a woman looking at the large portrait in front of her, with her back facing towards me. I spoke the words to Maro and turned my attention towards the woman.

"Life is an enigma, Mr. Ryusuke. At times, you may find yourself content and fulfilled, while at other times, you may be plagued with a sense of incompleteness. This is the essence of what the grand portrait seeks to convey - the ever-changing and unpredictable nature of human existence, and the constant quest for meaning and purpose that accompanies it."

"Excuse me, may I know who you are? And how did you come to know my name?"

As I approached the woman, my heart began to race in anticipation of what she might say. Maro, who had been blocking my path, moved aside and gestured for me to go speak with her. The guards who had been standing nearby also stepped away, leaving the woman alone and vulnerable.

As I took each step closer to her, I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. I had to know who she was and what information she possess that was causing everyone to act so strangely around her.

Despite my growing curiosity, I tried to maintain a calm demeanor as I finally reached her. I paused for a moment, taking in her appearance and trying to gauge her reaction to my presence.

As I carefully took off the owl-looking mask from her face, I was struck by the uncanny resemblance she had to the portrait I had seen hanging in Yoshida Itsuki's grand mansion. She was a striking figure, dressed in a sleek suit that hugged her curves perfectly, with her hair cascading down her shoulders in gentle waves. Despite her mature demeanor, her face appeared youthful and radiant, as if untouched by the passage of time. It was a surreal moment, as if the portrait had come to life and was standing right in front of me.

“How are you doing my dear? It’s been quite a long time.”