Chapter 16 : The Smile Behind the Mask

The red dot trembled slightly on Mekisa’s forehead.

Her mind raced—not in panic, but calculation.

If I speak too much, I lose.

If I stay silent, I might die.

Before she could answer

The intruder tilted their head.

“…Interesting,” the distorted voice murmured.

Their gaze had dropped

from Mekisa’s eyes to her ears.

The earrings.

Simple. Elegant. Handcrafted silver, shaped like falling light.

The intruder stepped closer, lowering the weapon just a fraction.

“These earrings,” they said slowly

“are designed by the unknown creator of Lustere Design, aren’t they?”

Mekisa blinked.

“That design disappeared years ago

” the voice continued.

 “Yet these…”

A short laugh.

“…are even better than Lustere’s current work.”

Mekisa’s heart skipped.

She noticed.

The weapon dipped another inch.

That was all she needed.

Her body moved before fear could argue.

She twisted sideways, knocking the weapon off-line, ducked low, and slammed her elbow into the intruder’s ribs. The figure stumbled back in shock.

Mekisa didn’t stop.

She remembered Yukiro’s voice

casual, teasing.

“If you ever can’t win by strength… win by timing.”

She swept the intruder’s leg, drove her knee into their arm, and twisted hard.

A sharp cry filled the room.

The weapon hit the floor.

Mekisa pinned the intruder down, knee pressed firmly against their shoulder.

“Who sent you?” Mekisa demanded.

 “Speak.”

Suddenly

“Ahhh! Wait—wait!”

The voice cracked.

“Mekisa sis—please! Don’t break my arm!”

Mekisa froze.

“…Sis?”

Her grip loosened just enough.

Slowly, cautiously, she reached up and pulled off the mask.

Dark hair spilled out.

Wide eyes. Familiar eyes.

“…Yumiko?” Mekisa whispered.

Lady Shizuka’s younger daughter stared back at her during dinner meeting.

Yumiko grinned, completely shameless.

“Tadaaa~” she said. 

“Surprise?”

Mekisa stared at her

then flicked her forehead lightly.

“Ow!” Yumiko yelped.

“What were you doing here like this?” Mekisa snapped. 

“Breaking windows? Pointing guns?”

Yumiko laughed weakly. “I thought it’d be impressive…”

Mekisa crossed her arms, unimpressed.

“Name,” she said flatly. “And the real reason you came.”

Yumiko’s smile vanished.

Her lips trembled.

“…You don’t even know my name,” she muttered.

Mekisa blinked.

Yumiko’s eyes filled with tears.

“Why don’t you know your sister name sis?” she burst out. 

“I’m your sister too!”

Mekisa sighed deeply.

“This family…” she muttered.

She released Yumiko completely and sat on the edge of the bed.

Yumiko sniffed, then suddenly started arguing back complaining, rambling, half-crying, half-laughing like a child who didn’t know how to be serious.

For a moment

Mekisa smiled.

Just a little.

Yumiko noticed instantly.

“There!” she said brightly. 

“That smile.”

Mekisa looked at her.

“I came because ever since you arrived,” Yumiko said softly,

 “you look so serious. I wanted to see that smile again. I wanted my sister to look like this.”

Mekisa was stunned.

For a second

She pulled Yumiko into a brief, awkward hug.

“…Thanks,” she said quietly. “But don’t misunderstand.”

She pulled back, eyes sharp again.

“I don’t trust you.”

Yumiko smiled.

“That’s fine,” she said cheerfully. 

“Then I’ll earn it.”

She leaned closer.

“I’ll tell you about the two unknown shareholders.”

Mekisa’s breath slowed.

The night wasn’t over yet.

But for the first time

It didn’t feel completely dark.

To Be Continue ~

Thanks for reading upto this 

Next chapter coming soon ~