I forced a calm, brotherly nod, keeping my expression neutral. "Sister Yuko… of course. Let's go outside and talk. I can show you around the neighborhood a bit—clear the air."
She scoffed loudly, a bitter sound that cut through the room like a whip. Without another word, she shoved past me, her shoulder clipping mine hard enough to sting, and stormed out the front door into the fading evening light.
Marina and Julie exchanged subtle glances—they knew precisely what this confrontation was about, the tangled web of relationships and secrets—but neither showed a trace of worry. They trusted my ability to navigate the chaos, to bend it to my will.
I followed Yuko outside, the door clicking shut behind me. She strode ahead with furious purpose, her posture rigid, shoulders hunched forward as if carrying the weight of betrayal.
She refused to glance back, but I could see the telltale redness rimming her eyes, tears welling but stubbornly held back—pride warring with pain.
