Screams rang out as Sagira lunged to catch him. The maids rushed in, pale and panicked.
Irie knelt beside her son.
"You are very lucky to have a son like this," she said, her voice sharp with pain. "He is devoted to his faith. If you ever feel shame… let it be now."
"Call an ambulance!"
Within minutes, red lights flared outside the mansion gates. Sanichi was loaded onto a stretcher, barely conscious. Irie climbed into the ambulance, gripping her son's hand tightly.
Zen'no stood in the hallway, unmoving. His small figure cast a long shadow in the dim light. He watched silently as the ambulance doors closed, and the sirens screamed into the night.
The silence left behind was suffocating.
A Watchful Presence.
Later that night, Zen'no sat curled on his bed, knees to his chest. His face was blank, but his eyes held oceans of emotion. In the next room, Sagira's voice trembled as she sang softly to his baby sister, Yiina.
The door creaked open.
His Guardian stepped inside, knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I wanna go home…" Zen'no whispered. "I don't wanna be here anymore. I'm scared. It all started because of me."
"I know," the Guardian said softly. "But do not grieve. Your father will be okay—I promise you that. Your Lord has shown him mercy."
Zen'no let out a small yawn, his eyes heavy with sleep. The Guardian guided him under the blankets, tucking him in like a father might.
As the boy drifted into slumber, the Guardian rose silently and turned his gaze toward the window.
In the treetops, a pair of glowing, malevolent eyes stared back.
Without a word, the Guardian extended his arm across the side of the bed. His hand opened into a claw-like shape—fingers curled with silent intent. He clenched his fist once—
—and the demon outside vanished.
Nothing but silence remained.
Two weeks later…
The news finally reached them—Sanichi Hashino's condition had improved, and his arm had fully healed. Sagira decided they should visit him in the hospital.
However, their plans were met with resistance.
"Where are you going?"
Gou barked, slamming his cane down on the floor as he stepped in. His eyes burned with fury, his face tightened into a deep, furious scowl, his age and anger showing in every wrinkle.
"I'm… going to visit your son," she said softly, clutching her handbag with trembling fingers. "It's been two weeks since I last saw him. I've missed him very much."
"No one leaves this house—especially that child of yours!" he snapped, his voice rising. "I regret that you ever became my son's wife. He's finally recovered, and now you'll injure him again… Stay here! I'm not letting you see him. If you resist, I swear I'll—"
SMACK.
A sudden slap echoed through the room.
His wife stood tall, her palm still raised, lips quivering. "Even now? You're still holding onto this grudge?" Her voice cracked with anger and sadness. "We are old. Any day now, one of us could be the first to go. And you're still like this? When will you change?"
The old man glared, nostrils flaring, then turned with a growl. "Tch…" He stormed away, the echo of his cane tapping harshly on the wooden floor.
The elderly woman exhaled, visibly softening, and turned to her daughter-in-law.
"You can go now. Take your son. Don't worry about him—I know how much you love him."
Her gentle smile trembled with emotion.
Tears spilled down Sagira's cheeks as she bowed slightly.
"Thank you… thank you so much for allowing us to visit him."
"That's nothing," the grandmother said, her eyes moist. "You are my son's wife. You have every right to see him. He always talks about you… he misses you too."
Sagira couldn't hold back. She threw her arms around the old woman.
"Thank you, Grandma."
They released each other slowly. Sagira turned to her child with a soft smile.
"Let's go, sweetie. Your father is waiting for us."
They boarded the car. As the engine hummed to life, Sagira glanced in the rearview mirror. Grandma stood by the gate, waving with both hands.
Sagira smiled and waved back, her daughter mimicking her joyfully.
At the hospital, they approached the front desk.
"Excuse me. Which room is Sanichi Hashino in?" Sagira asked politely.
The receptionist flipped through her chart.
"Fourth floor, Room 43."
"Thank you."
They entered the elevator. Zen'no held his mother's hand tightly, his other hand clutching the hem of his shirt.
At Room 43, Sagira peeked through the glass panel. Her breath hitched—Sanichi was sitting up, looking out the window.
She gently pushed the door open.
"O Honey…" he gasped, eyes wide in disbelief. "You came. I didn't expect to see you. Was it… my father? Is that why you haven't visited?"
Sagira nodded solemnly, walking over with Yiina in her arms.
"Yes. All the time."
Sanichi sighed and shifted on the bed.
"I'm sorry about him. He's just… protective. He's always been like that—overbearing when I'm hurt. Even as a child."
"I know," she murmured, setting Yiina gently beside him on the bed. "But thank God your mother stood up for me. That's how we're here now."
Sanichi pulled Yiina into his lap and held her close, his eyes misty.
"I missed my little angel… wait—where's Zen'no?"
A soft sniffle answered him. Zen'no stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Father… I'm sorry. I… it's my fault you got hurt." Tears streamed down his cheeks. "I'm really, really sorry."
Sanichi smiled warmly and stretched out his arms.
"Come here, son. Don't cry."
He rushed to him, burying his face in his chest. Sanichi embraced him tightly, one arm around each child.
After a long moment, Sagira sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on Sanichi's leg.
"The house feels so empty without you. We've missed you… so much."
Sanichi looked up. His face softened.
"I missed all of you too."
Zen'no wiped his eyes.
"It's my fault… You got hurt."
Sagira stroked her son's back, her voice firm but kind.
"You can't keep blaming yourself, sweetie. What matters is that you're safe—and your father's healing. We carry each other, remember?"
Sanichi gently took her hand.
"You always knew how to speak to our hearts." He kissed her forehead. "I'm lucky you're my wife."
She smiled faintly.
"Me too. My love… how's your condition?"
He gave a grateful nod.
"All praise belongs to God. I'm fine now. My wounds are healed. I should be discharged tomorrow."
"That's wonderful news."
Then, Sanichi's expression turned curious.
"Son… I'm going to ask you again. Where did you get that crown from? And where did you go when you vanished for a whole week?"
Zen'no's eyes darted between his parents, his brow furrowed.
"I… I don't know, Father. I was playing with Captain Zoom while you were talking. I ran down the hallway and then—everything went blank. I don't remember anything after that."
His parents exchanged a worried glance.
"That's all?" Sanichi asked gently.
Zen'no nodded.
"Yes, Father. Are you mad at me?"
Sagira placed a hand on his shoulder.
"No, sweetie. We're not mad. But I've noticed something… When someone tries to grab the crown intentionally—it slashes. But if you get close to it naturally, like this…" she mimed a reaching motion, "…it doesn't."
Sanichi nodded slowly.
"I noticed that too… There's something strange about that crown. I don't know if it's some kind of cursed object or just a defensive mechanism that happened to me—but it almost seems like it's acting on its own. I've come to the conclusion that if someone else accidentally touches it, it could seriously hurt people. We need to find a way to stop that from happening… especially now that you have a little sister."
Yiina looked up with wide eyes, confused.
"Me… hurt? Nini? Nini doesn't play anymore. He's been sad for a long time… Why are you sad, Nini?" She reached up with tiny arms. "You can hug. Hugs make the bad go away."
Zen'no forced a smile.
"I'm not sad, Yiina… I'm okay." He looked down still carrying the guilt in his heart.
Sagira pulled Yiina close.
"We don't blame you, sweetie. Don't carry that guilt." Her voice softened. "Actually, I've been thinking… since you wore the crown, has anything strange happened to you? Any dreams?"
Zen'no shook his head.
"No, not really, Mother."
"How about when you sleep? Does it bother your head?"
"No… It's strange, and I don't feel it. When I lay down, I can feel my pillow like normal. It's like the crown isn't even there."
Sagira looked thoughtful.
"That is strange… I feel sad, sweetie, that you're carrying this burden even though none of it was your fault. But we have an idea."
Zen'no's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Sanichi smiled, gently.
"Yes. Tomorrow, once I'm discharged, we'll visit a company. One that might help us figure this out—for you, and for everyone's safety."