Chapter 9
The night air had turned razor-sharp, the kind of cold that bites into the bone, but Marine felt none of it. To her, this moment was a miracle, as if the universe had finally decided to return every ounce of stolen joy back to her. With tears shimmering like pearls in the moonlight, she began to walk toward Ranzo.
Ranzo stood like a statue, his hands thrust deep into his coat pockets. His expression was unreadable, a calm void as he watched her approach. Suddenly, Marine's composure broke. She ran, her small hands clenching the fabric of his coat as she buried her face against his chest. The dam burst, and her voice came out as a broken sob.
"Please... just come home," she pleaded, her voice muffled by his coat. "I don't want you to be out in this cold because of me. I won't stay in your room, I promise. Just... please don't stay away."
Ranzo remained silent for a long moment. Then, with a sigh that carried the weight of a thousand secrets, he pulled one hand from his pocket and rested it gently on her head.
"Tonight isn't the first time I've been out late, Marine," he said, his voice a low, textured rumble. "Why do you care so much tonight? Why come out into the dark just to find me?"
Marine pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face looking up into his dark, shadowy eyes. "It's not just tonight," she whispered. "Every night you're gone, I can't sleep. I lie awake, wondering where you are, if you're safe, if you're okay. I wait for the sound of the door... and sometimes the whole night passes in that waiting. Tonight, I just couldn't take it anymore."
Ranzo looked down at the pavement, his eyes veiled in shadows. After a heavy silence, he spoke, his voice barely a whisper. "Why? Why am I so important to you?"
Marine didn't hesitate. She laid bare the truth that Ranzo spent every waking hour trying to deny. "Because you are special. No matter how much you pretend to be cold-hearted, I know the truth. You care about people, even if you hate admitting it. If you were truly a monster, you would have let me fall into that abyss instead of saving me. You have to accept it, Ranzo... you are a good man."
Ranzo didn't argue. He simply took her hand and began walking toward the house. "Let's go. Do Mom and Dad know you're out here?"
"No," she shook her head. "I slipped out without telling them."
They walked back in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken feelings. Once inside, Ranzo led her to his room. "You can stay here for tonight," he said, avoiding her gaze. "Take the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa."
Marine clutched her hands to her chest, a soft, genuine smile breaking through her exhaustion. "Thank you, Ranzo. Thank you for everything."
Ranzo didn't reply. He lay down on the sofa, closing his eyes, while Marine drifted off to sleep in his bed. But sleep didn't come for Ranzo. He stared into the darkness, his mind a battlefield of thoughts. I wish I never knew the truth, he thought bitterly. If I still believed she was my blood sister, these feelings would never have taken root.
The next two days passed in a strange, fragile peace. Ranzo's family was stunned by his sudden change in attitude; he was kinder, more attentive, and he even played games and shared smiles with Marine. But it was the calm before the storm.
The night of the mission finally arrived. The objective was simple yet dangerous: infiltrate Haru's birthday party and gather intelligence on his lifestyle and weaknesses. Sayohon, known to them as Lady Cold, had devised a brilliant cover. Ranzo and Sukome would play a wealthy married couple, while Sanko, with his short stature and youthful features, would be their son.
As Ranzo prepared to leave, Marine's voice stopped him at the door. "Going out again? But nothing happened today."
Ranzo turned, scratching his head with a practiced, nonchalant air. "Yeah, just a party with some friends at a bar. All guys, so I can't take you along." He lied with such effortless precision that Marine didn't suspect a thing.
"Okay," she smiled. "Can I stay in your room until you get back?"
"Sure," Ranzo replied, checking his watch. "Sleep if you get tired. I'm late." He stepped out, leaving her with a smile that would soon be tested by fire.
A short while later, a sleek car pulled up in front of the grand birthday hall. Inside were Ranzo, Sukome, and a very miserable Sanko. Ranzo checked his reflection, adjusting the high-quality prosthetic beard and mustache that altered his jawline. Sukome had gone all out with her makeup, looking breathtaking and radiant.
Sanko, however, was a different story. His front teeth had been slightly enlarged with caps, he wore thick, round glasses, and his hair had been parted severely down the middle. He looked like a caricature of a nerdy child.
When Sanko saw himself in the mirror, he let out a horrified shriek.
"What's wrong with you?" Ranzo snapped, turning around.
"Look at me!" Sanko wailed, covering his face. "You made me your son, fine! But why did you make me look like this? How am I supposed to walk in there?"
"It's a mission, Sanko!" Ranzo growled. "Deal with it. And remember, as long as we are inside, you call me 'Dad'. Understood?"
"Understood," Sanko muttered, defeated.
Sukome leaned in, a playful glint in her eyes. "And I can call you 'Sweetheart', right?"
Ranzo rolled his eyes, sighing in frustration. "Fine. If you have to."
"And you have to call me 'Darling'!" she added happily.
Ranzo's pupils dilated. The word felt heavy on his tongue. "Fine... Darling. But only for the mission."
They stepped out of the car. Sukome immediately locked her arm in Ranzo's. He stiffened. "What are you doing?"
"We have to look like a real couple, Sweetheart," she whispered. "The mafia has eyes everywhere."
Ranzo shifted into character, a charming smile masking his inner turmoil. "Of course, Darling. Let's go."
As they reached the entrance, the security guards stepped forward, blocking their path. One of them looked down at Sanko and frowned. "The kid can't go in."
Ranzo stepped forward, his aura shifting to that of a confident, wealthy father. "He's my son. Let him through."
The guard squinted, looking from Ranzo to Sanko. Something didn't add up. The kid didn't look like him at all. "I'm going to need to see a family photo," the guard said suspiciously.
Without missing a beat, Ranzo pulled out a wallet and showed a doctored photo he had prepared. The guard studied it, then nodded slowly. "My apologies. You may enter."
Sukome leaned into Ranzo, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "Hurry, Sweetheart. I want to get home early... I'm in a very good mood tonight."
Ranzo's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his face a mask of polite amusement. He turned to the guard. "We won't be long. We just want to wish the birthday boy and leave. Where is Haru?"
"On the stage," the guard pointed. "But you'll have to wait your turn to greet him."
They entered the hall, which was packed with the city's most powerful and corrupt elites. Ranzo's eyes scanned the stage, narrowing. "He's surrounded. This is going to take longer than I thought."
Sukome pressed her cheek against his arm. "You're right, Sweetheart. It looks like a long wait."
Sanko stood beside them, his head hanging low in embarrassment. Suddenly, a beautiful young girl walked up to him and tapped his shoulder. "Hey, why so sad?"
Sanko looked up, and his jaw nearly hit the floor. He had never seen someone so beautiful in his life. "Oh... uh... no, I'm just... standing here."
The girl laughed. "You're really weird, aren't you?"
Sanko gave a nervous, awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah... I get that a lot."
"I can see why!" the girl giggled and walked away.
Sanko slumped again. "Great. My one chance with a girl and she thinks I'm a freak because of this face. I wish I was dead."
Ranzo chuckled and patted Sanko's shoulder. "Be patient, 'Son'. I'll find you the most beautiful girl in the world one day, I promise."
Sanko's eyes widened. He grabbed Ranzo's hand, genuinely touched. "Now you sounds like a real Dad! Don't you forget that promise!"
Ranzo gave a sharp, confident nod. "I keep my word. I'll even arrange the wedding."
Sanko's eyes welled up with fake-but-real emotion. "Oh, Dad! You're the best!"
Ranzo and Sukome shared a laugh, but then Ranzo's eyes turned back to the stage, toward Haru. "Just wait. Once I get close to him, I'll charm the information right out of his mouth." He glanced at Sukome. "Darling, keep an eye out for Aroon."
"Anything for you, Sweetheart!" she chirped.
Ranzo turned his gaze toward the main entrance, his mind calculating their next move. But then, his entire world came to a screeching halt. His blood ran cold, and a cold sweat broke out across his forehead.
Walking through the doors, dressed in their finest attire, were his Mother and Father. And right behind them, looking confused yet elegant, was Marine.
Ranzo's heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. How could I be so stupid? he screamed internally. Haru invited every wealthy family in the city. My parents kept this from me... and they brought Marine! If they see me like this... if she sees me... everything is over.