«Mika. Yuzu. We need to talk — right now,» Ren orders firmly.
He looks so serious and strict that both of them obey without even asking why. They sit down on the sofa, while Ren and Iris stay standing in front of them.
Mika's emerald-green eyes, framed by her brown bob-cut hair, are locked on her brother. So are Yuzu's.
They listen to every word he says.
But his sternness soon gives way to sadness.
«I've never been good at sugarcoating things, so I won't. We're in danger, and what Yuzu witnessed last night is only the tip of the iceberg. For now, fortunately, the situation still seems under control, but it could spiral out of control at any moment. And when that happens, I don't know if I'll be able to protect you the way I always have. Since Mom and Dad passed away, I've done everything I could to make sure you could at least live a normal life… but unfortunately, I have to ask you two for some effort as well. You need to become stronger. That's all. Iris and I will do our best to keep watching you without stopping, but I'd feel safer if you were at least able to defend yourselves. That's why, starting tonight, you'll begin basic training to improve your succubus abilities. Before we start, do you have any questions?»
Only Mika raises her hand in response.
«B-Big brother… wouldn't it be easier to completely change our way of life and move to that vacation house in Rome? I've been telling you that since this whole thing started!»
«I talked about that with Iris just last night, and we'll consider it as a last resort. But from what I've gathered, the people watching us aren't amateurs, but a large organization — so big that not even their members know who's at the top. Moving would only mean postponing the inevitable, and for now I'd rather focus on making you stronger. If there are no more questions, I'll go straight to a practical demonstration of what you'll have to learn thanks to Iris's training.»
No one asks anything this time.
Ren pulls a large kitchen knife out of the cutlery drawer, extends his arm, and…
«B-Big brother, are you crazy?!» Mika screams.
Yuzu, on the other hand, nearly passes out at the sight of her brother's blood dripping onto the floor.
Ren uses the knife to cut his arm. Then he looks at Iris, and she nods.
Just like the night before, she starts licking the wound and covering it completely with that strange pink saliva.
The injuries he had suffered during the fight with Leon had been much deeper, and it had taken an entire night for them to heal completely. But a small cut like this heals in just a few seconds.
«I… I really love big brother and I want to do anything to help him, even train 24/7 until I'm exhausted! Until we're strong enough to kick those bad guys' asses! You think the same, right, Mika?»
Mika jumps off the sofa with sudden renewed energy.
«You can bet on it, Yuzu! Come on, let's start training right away!»
A gentle smile spreads across Iris's face — and Ren's as well.