Victor was caught off guard. “Yuu, what are you saying?” he murmured, wondering if his sister had said that just to ease the woman’s pain or if she was sharing something deeply personal that he didn’t know about.

William felt his heart tighten at this revelation. He didn’t know Yuu well, but he sensed that behind her words lay a deeper meaning - a story that ran much deeper than what had been shared.

“I will drive the boat to the shore,” the old man said, looking unsure of what else to say.

 

Yuu gently stroked the old woman’s hair. “Let’s go to a warmer place where we can talk and figure things out together.”

The woman suddenly pulled back, her eyes flaring with anger again. “Figure things out? You can’t bring back the dead, can you?!” she shouted, her voice trembling. “Why would you even want to help someone like me in the first place? I’m just a commoner, and you are clearly aristocrats - dressed well and with manners. I’ve had enough of their help! They’re the ones who caused me all this pain! I hope someone punishes those indecent elites!” she muttered bitterly. “People of high status are all the same. I’m just a lost cause.”

“No one is a lost cause,” Yuu said firmly. “You’ve just lost your way, and we’re here to help. You may see yourself as beneath us, but we’re only people, not gods. Labels don’t matter to me, and they don’t matter to these two men, either. If someone is in need, shouldn’t we offer a helping hand?”

Yuu took the woman’s hand in hers and continued, “someone once told me that we must find a reason to live and carry on the legacy of those we’ve lost. Troubles will always be around the corner, but we must find the strength to face them. I believe we are the right people for that.” She turned to William. “Aren’t we?”

William smirked at the mention of indecent nobles. Rising from his seat, he stepped closer. “Indeed, my lady. I am William James Moriarty, a crime consultant. I may not solve all your problems, but I can help you find the closure you seek, madam.”

For a moment, the woman looked stunned before letting out a sigh. “A crime consultant, you say? Fine. Let’s talk and see if you can truly help me.”

After the conversation, silence settled over the boat as it drifted toward the shore. Yuu held the woman gently, stroking her hair as they sat on the boat’s wooden surface. William and Victor sat on the floor as well, remaining quiet with their gazes fixed on the approaching cityscape.

As they reached the shore, William cleared his throat. “We’ll go to the manor to refresh ourselves. There, we can talk.”

The woman turned to him, her head slightly tilted. “Thank you for the offer, sir, but I would feel more at ease if we went to my home instead.”

“As you wish, madam,” he replied simply.

After thanking the old man, who wished them luck on their journey, William hailed a carriage. The woman gave the driver her address, and the four of them climbed inside.

“We haven’t properly introduced ourselves,” Yuu said as the carriage began to move. “As you know, this is William, I’m Yuu, and this is my brother, Victor. What is your name, madam?”

The woman shifted slightly in her seat, tilting her head as she felt their gazes on her. Finally, she spoke. “My name is Clara.”