Yuri's POV:
"I told Keifer, 'Straight to Hanamitchi residence.'"
Keifer:
"Got it, bud."
We sped down the road, the tension thick in the air. After a few hours, Keifer finally dropped us off in front of the residence.
We stepped out of the car.
Keifer:
"Let's meet at the base later."
Felix:
"Take care, both of you."
David was already passed out in the back seat, snoring softly after the chaos we'd just survived.
I held Y/N's hand tightly as we walked toward the front gate—bracing ourselves for whatever news was waiting inside.
Y/N looked so weak—like she could collapse any moment. I held her by the shoulders, keeping her steady as we stepped into the house.
Inside, my father was pacing back and forth in the hallway. The moment he saw us, he paused.
Dad:
"Oh, you two are here."
Yuri:
"Yes. What's going on? She's barely holding on."
Dad:
"Let her get cleaned up and eat something first. Yuri, come to my study room afterward."
I glanced at Y/N, her eyes heavy, her body leaning into me for support. Something was definitely off—and I had a bad feeling about it.
I scooped her up in my arms, carrying her bridal style up the stairs. She felt so light—too light—and it made my chest tighten. Quietly, I walked her to my room because her room hasn't been cleaned after she left
In the washroom, I filled the bathtub with warm water. The soft steam rose, fogging up the mirror.
She changed into a towel, and I carefully guided her inside. Slowly, I helped her into the tub, laying her down with care. I sat at the edge, letting her rest her head on my thigh as I gently washed her hair.
She murmured, voice barely a whisper,
"Thank you, Yuri…"
And just like that, tears rolled down her cheeks, blending with the water.
She continued in a faint whisper,
"Yuri… I can do…"
I placed a hand gently on her forehead, brushing away a damp strand of hair.
"Babe, just finish first, alright? I'll bring your food up here," I said softly, not wanting to overwhelm her.
She only nodded, too weak to say more. I watched her for a second longer, then quietly stepped out of the room, closing the door behind me.
I walked down to the kitchen and asked the maid to prepare something light.
After a few minutes, I carried a bowl of warm porridge and an energy drink on a tray.
When I reached the door, I paused for a moment—
She was already sitting on the bed, gently dabbing her wet hair with a towel.
My heart clenched at the sight.
So fragile. So quiet.
And yet, even like this, she was the strongest person I knew.
My grip on the tray tightened.
"Babe…" I whispered, almost afraid to break the moment.
I set the tray gently on the side of the bed and grabbed the hairdryer.
As I began to blow-dry her hair, she leaned forward without saying a word—
Her arms wrapped loosely around my waist, her cheek resting softly against my stomach.
She was that weak.
And yet, that close.
I let my hand stroke her damp strands gently as the warm air filled the room.
Once her hair was dry, I helped her sit up and fed her small spoonfuls of porridge.
She barely spoke, just quietly accepted it.
Then, I handed her the energy drink—
"Just a bit more," I said softly.
After she finished, I helped her lie back down and tucked her gently into the bed, brushing the strands from her face.
I stood there for a second longer, watching her—
Her breathing steady now.
Her lips parted just slightly in sleep.
Yuri leaned down, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Babe, I'll be back… just sleep for now, okay?"
Y/N gave a small nod, her eyes already heavy.
He cupped her face gently, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead—then to her lips, lingering for a second longer than usual, as if sealing a promise in silence.
"Rest, my love," he whispered.
And with that, he slowly stood up, casting one last glance before quietly leaving the room.
Hanamitchi Residence – Study Room
Yuri stood in front of the heavy wooden door and knocked.
"Come in," his father's voice called from inside.
Yuri stepped in, closing the door behind him.
"Dad, what happened?" he asked, his brows furrowed with concern.
Haru Hanamitchi hesitated, pacing slowly.
"Son… I don't know if this is the right time to say it, especially with her in that condition."
"Dad," Yuri stepped forward, voice sharp, "don't make me worry more. Please, just say it."
Haru turned to face his son, his expression heavy.
"Uncle Fernandez… is no more."
The words landed like a punch. Yuri stood frozen, his chest tightening.
"What?" he whispered, then louder, "What happened? Was it Renzo?! That fucking son of a bitch—I'll kill him myself!"
His voice thundered through the room, rage burning in his eyes. The air seemed to darken around him, tension filling every corner of the room as Yuri's fists clenched by his side, shaking.
Haru stayed silent, letting his son process the pain before speaking again.
Haru:
"Yuri, I've already started an investigation into Uncle Fernandez's passing… I can't say for sure if Renzo was involved. It might have been natural—but something feels off."
Yuri:
"Dad, please… just tell me everything. From the beginning."
Haru:
"Four days ago, right after you left for that deal… Fernandez had a stroke. A serious one."
He paused.
"Y/N didn't tell me directly. I think she was too overwhelmed. She tried calling you for three days straight, but you weren't picking up. She didn't eat, didn't sleep… just waited."
Yuri's fists clenched. He ran his hand through his hair, his eyes bloodshot with guilt and anger.
Haru:
"When she couldn't reach you, she finally called me… asking where you were. I told her you were safe, handling something important. I didn't want her to panic any more than she already was."
Yuri stood silent for a moment, chest rising heavily.
Yuri (whispering):
"She went through all that… alone…"
Haru:
"Then on the fourth morning, Fernandez's assistant told me she finally stepped out to the hospital canteen to get some food… She had refused to eat anything he brought for her the night before."
He let out a sigh, voice lowering.
Haru:
"She said she just wanted to walk a bit… clear her head. But she never came back."
Yuri's jaw tightened, his nails digging into his palms.
Haru:
"Later that day, we found out she'd gone missing. At first, we thought she fainted somewhere, but after searching the hospital's CCTV… there were no traces. Then Felix confirmed that her bracelet signal pinged from Renzo's territory."
Yuri (voice low and cracked):
"So while she was starving, grieving, and all alone… I was out there chasing deals."
Yuri's heart boiled — a deadly mixture of anger, guilt, and the crushing weight of responsibility. His fists clenched at his sides as his mind replayed every missed call, every unread message, and the image of Y/N's tear-stained face in that cold, dark room.
Haru (softly):
"Son… what should I tell her now?"
He paused, a sigh escaping him.
"How do I even begin to tell her her father is gone? That she lost everything… and she was alone through it all?"
Yuri shut his eyes tightly, holding back the ache in his chest.
Yuri (barely above a whisper):
"I'll do it… I'll tell her."
He looked at his father, voice steadier now.
"She deserves to hear it from me."
Haru nodded, the silence between them heavy and full of sorrow.
Back to Yuri's Room
Yuri stepped into the room quietly, careful not to wake her. The soft sound of her breathing was the only thing that filled the space.
He walked to the drawer, pulled out his pajamas, and headed to the bathroom.
The shower ran long.
His thoughts spiraled—How will I tell her? How can I break her heart even more than it already is?
When he returned, the lights were dim. He slipped under the blanket and gently slid his arm around Y/N's shoulders, pulling her close to him. She stirred slightly in her sleep, instinctively wrapping her arms around him. Her warm breath fanned softly against his chest.
Yuri closed his eyes, burying his face into her hair.
Tomorrow—he told himself.
Tomorrow, I'll hold her through it all.
Why her…?
Of all people… why does it have to be her who suffers like this?
His chest tightened with guilt, the weight unbearable. The one person he wanted to protect the most was the one hurting beyond words.
A single tear slipped from the corner of his eye, followed by another. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her hair, his lips trembling.
"I'm so sorry, babe…" he whispered so faintly, as if saying it too loud would shatter the fragile peace of her sleep.
"I should've been there."
She didn't stir—still safe in his arms, unaware of the storm inside him.