True to its reputation as a major international hub, Narita Airport offers more than just flights. Conveniently connected to an AEON Mall, travelers can either take a leisurely 30-minute walk or hop on a shuttle to get there in under ten minutes.
Inside the mall, you'll find everything a traveler might need—whether it's food, souvenirs, clothing, or even a sit-down meal at one of the restaurants.
The only downside? Prices tend to be steeper than usual.
Brand-name items can cost nearly twice their normal market price, likely due to the mall's prime location and convenience.
But for Akifumi Nakui, price tags weren't something to worry about.
After all, she was using her husband's card. And in their household, money wasn't exactly tight.
Yor trailed behind Nakui, her eyes wandering curiously around the interior of the mall.
Compared to the sprawling shopping complexes of Tokyo that she saw when she stalks Mugiho and Mahiru, this one was modest in size—but what truly surprised her was the sheer variety of items being sold.
She had assumed the mall was just a convenient add-on to the airport, nothing more.
Yet here it was—full of unexpected treasures.
She stopped in front of a cutlery shop, her gaze catching on something shiny in the display. Sleek silver knives, elegant spoons, and—oddly enough—ice picks lined up neatly behind the glass.
"They even sell this here?" Yor murmured in surprise, her tone laced with intrigue.
She reached out and picked up one of the ice picks, weighing it in her palm. The handle felt light—too light for her preferences—but she twirled it with practiced ease, testing its balance.
"A bit light... but maybe it's sharp enough?" she mused.
Without realizing it, she slipped into a quiet trance, imagining precise strike points—the heart, the liver.
Her body moved on its own, slipping into a graceful rhythm. With a slight pivot, she began demonstrating fluid stabs and twirls, switching the ice pick from one hand to the other like a dance of blades.
To the passing shoppers, it looked like a performance.
A small crowd began to gather, their eyes wide with interest, assuming this was some kind of street act. They started pulling out their phones, murmuring in excitement.
Just then, Nakui turned around mid-sentence.
"Yor, the store is just around the—"
She paused.
Yor was no longer behind her.
Scanning her surroundings, Nakui's eyes widened as she finally spotted her in front of the cutlery store, ice pick in hand, dancing elegantly like a graceful assassin in the middle of a growing audience.
Nakui couldn't help but giggle softly. If this were the Yor from the past, she would've never done something like this.
Back then, Yor was always composed—never distracted, especially not when she was by her side as "Thorn Princess".
Deciding to indulge in the moment, Nakui casually made her way to the front of the growing crowd, joining the onlookers as if she were just another curious spectator.
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"Mom, that lady looks so cool! She's like a ninja!" a passing child exclaimed, wide-eyed with awe.
The innocent shout snapped Yor out of her trance.
Her eyes darted around, and that's when she realized a sizeable crowd had gathered in front of the store, all watching her intently.
'Oh no.'
Applause erupted from a few in the crowd who had enjoyed the unexpected "performance." To her horror, Yor spotted Mugiho's mother near the front, holding up her phone—recording. Her face flushed a deep crimson.
"She's so graceful! Is she a shrine maiden or something?"
"Maybe a professional fencer? Is there some kind of competition in Japan right now?"
"I bet she's a performer from one of those cultural shows!"
Questions and guesses flew from all directions, the crowd abuzz with excitement.
Yor, overwhelmed, stammered, "Um…"
Quickly, she placed the ice pick back onto the display, gave a polite and flustered bow to the crowd, and rushed to Nakui's side like a panicked kitten returning to its owner.
"I'm so sorry, Nakui-sama… I got a little distracted…" Yor murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nakui chuckled warmly at the sight of Yor's beet-red face. "It's alright, Yor. Honestly, that was kind of adorable."
She tilted her head slightly, teasing, "So, are you satisfied now? If you really liked that ice pick, I could buy it for you, you know."
"P-Please don't tease me like that…" Yor quickly raised a hand to shield her blushing face.
Nakui laughed again, light and melodic. "Okay, okay. Let's go then, before someone asks for your autograph."
Yor gave a small, flustered nod, following closely behind—her usual grace now replaced with shy steps.
By the time they reached the clothing store, Yor was already feeling drained from her earlier "performance." She trailed behind Mugiho's mother like a lost duckling, still reeling from the unexpected crowd and the embarrassment that followed.
"Sigh... I've been way too relaxed lately," she thought, her brows furrowed with guilt. "Maybe that's why they only see me as a bodyguard now. I'm probably not useful to anyone anymore…"
She shook her head sharply, trying to chase away the spiraling thoughts.
'No—no, Yor, get it together! Even if I'm just a bodyguard now, I have to take it seriously!'
She clenched her fists, trying to summon her resolve.
'Yes, this is all for Yuri. I work so that he can live a normal, peaceful life…'
But just as her motivation began to return, another thought crept in—quiet, uninvited.
The image of her little brother flashed through her mind, not as the little boy she used to care for, but as the man he had become.
Somewhere along the way, he had grown up... and she hadn't even noticed when it happened.
'Maybe… maybe no one needs me anymore.'
A soft voice pulled her back.
"Yor, look at this dress! Isn't it cute?" Nakui called out cheerfully, holding up a light, delicate summer dress with floral lace accents.
Yor blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. Her eyes landed on the dress in Nakui's hands, fluttering gently in the store's soft lighting.
The dress was a soft, snowy white—light as air and gently swaying with every movement.
It had a sleeveless design with thin, spaghetti straps and a modest, heart-shaped neckline.
The fabric was subtly textured, adorned with tiny embroidered floral patterns that shimmered under the store's lighting.
The hemline stopped just above the knee, giving it a youthful and breezy charm, perfect for warm days and casual outings.
Yor forced a polite smile.
"Yes…"
But Nakui caught the subtle shift in her expression and tilted her head, a hint of concern creeping into her voice.
"Yor, are you okay?"
"No, no, it's fine! It… it looks lovely on you, Nakui-sama."
Nakui giggled softly.
"Oh no, you misunderstood—this isn't for me." She held the dress up with a grin. "It's for you."
"Eh?"
Before Yor could protest, Nakui gently pressed the dress into her hands.
"Didn't I already tell you? This whole shopping trip is for you!" she said brightly. "Let me treat you. It's the least I can do to thank you for taking such good care of my son."
"You don't have to do that! The DA already paid me for that, you really don't need to—"
But Nakui didn't wait for her to finish. She turned to the nearby shop attendant with a cheerful tone.
"Excuse me! This girl would like to try on this outfit. Could we use a fitting room?"
The saleswoman gave a warm, practiced smile.
"Of course, ma'am! Is the young lady your daughter?"
"Wha—?!" Yor's face turned red in an instant. She frantically waved her hands. "You're mistaken, I'm just—"
"Yes," Nakui cut in playfully, latching onto Yor's arm. "We're doing a little mother-daughter bonding today. I wanted to buy my daughter something nice before heading overseas for work."
"That's wonderful, ma'am," the saleswoman beamed. "You've come to the perfect place."
The saleswoman glanced at the dress in Yor's hands, then smiled politely.
"If I may make a suggestion—summer has already passed. Perhaps she'd be more interested in clothing that suits the current season?"
She gestured toward a section of the store filled with layered outfits in warm, earthy tones that matched the hues of autumn leaves.
The display showcased cozy ensembles: long coats and jackets, neatly arranged in coordinated sets.
Popular fabrics like wool, corduroy, and cashmere were featured—offering both warmth and style.
Nakui's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Wow! Yor, let's go check those out!"
Yor glanced at Mugiho's mother, who was practically bouncing with enthusiasm.
She let out a quiet sigh, a fond one.
The moment reminded her of times spent with Eriri—how she would excitedly recommend books to her and Mugiho, always full of energy and opinions.
A soft smile crept onto Yor's face.
Without resistance, she allowed herself to be swept away, becoming Nakui's dress-up doll for the day.
Outfit after outfit—eight full sets in total—Yor tried them all.
Long-sleeved blouses, thick knit sweaters, flowy skirts, cardigans, lightweight jackets, and dresses paired with leggings or stockings.
Each look seemed to draw more praise than the last.
Then, she stepped out in a particularly striking ensemble: a red cardigan over a crisp white blouse, a pleated skirt, and sleek black stockings that hugged her legs just right.
Nakui's hands clasped together with delight.
"As I thought, Yor! You look amazing in that outfit!"
She turned to the saleswoman without missing a beat.
"Could we get everything she tried on, all in her size?"
The saleswoman's eyes lit up—not just with admiration, but with the sparkle of a hefty sales bonus.
'Yes! With this total, I can finally take it easy for the rest of the week!'
Of course, on the surface, she kept her flawless professional smile. Bowing politely, she replied,
"Of course, madam. Please wait just a moment while I gather everything in the proper sizes."
With that, she carefully picked up the neatly folded pile of clothes and disappeared into the back room.
"Nakui-sama, you really don't have to do this..." Yor whispered softly
Mugiho's mother simply pouted, puffing her cheeks slightly like a stubborn child.
"Yor, it's fine. You only have that one black dress, that old sweater, and a single shirt you wear when you go outside, right?"
"But... but these clothes are too nice to move around in. And that black dress is perfect for blending into the dark when working, and some of the bloo—"
Before Yor could start spilling details about her... profession, Nakui gently pressed a finger to her lips.
"Yor, we're still outside,"
"Ah!" Yor's eyes darted around in panic, scanning for any eavesdroppers. When she saw no one nearby, she let out a small sigh of relief. "I'm sorry..."
"It's okay, Yor," Nakui said with a gentle smile. "How about we sit on that couch over there while we wait?"
"Y-Yes..." Yor nodded shyly.
————————————————————————
Yor and Nakui sat together on the cozy couch, waiting for the clothes to arrive. The atmosphere was quiet—too quiet. Neither of them felt comfortable with the heavy silence lingering in the air.
"Yor," Nakui said gently, breaking the stillness. "When I asked you earlier… is there something bothering you?"
"N-No, nothing's—"
Before Yor could finish, Mugiho's mother reached out and gently took her hand, softly stroking it with comforting warmth.
"Yor," Nakui said with a kind smile, "even if I seem carefree like this… I'm still a mother. I can tell when someone has something weighing on their heart."
Her eyes met Yor's, calm and sincere. "If there's something troubling you… you can tell me."
Yor stared at Nakui's gentle face, and for a fleeting moment, her heart was carried back to her own childhood—back when her mother had been the safest place in the world. That same warmth now radiated from Nakui's hand, wrapping around her like a soft blanket. Her lips trembled.
"I…"
Taking a shaky breath, Yor finally opened up.
She spoke about the confusion that had been swirling in her heart.
How, the more time she spent around Mugiho, Eriri, Mahiru, and Mashiro... the more she began to wonder if she was truly needed anymore.
Her brother was already grown—strong, capable, holding a good job with a bright future ahead of him. He didn't need her protection like he once did.
And Mugiho...
Mugiho, who had been training with her over the past month, growing stronger day by day—closing the gap between them little by little.
All these thoughts swirled inside Yor's heart.
It made her wonder if everyone was slowly drifting away from her.
It made her believe that the blood on her hands, the stains of her past, made her unworthy to even stand beside Mugiho, Eriri, Mahiru, and Mashiro.
And deep down, the cruelest question echoed in her mind—did this world even need someone like her anymore?
Nakui listened in silence, her expression unreadable.
Then, without a word, she gently rested her head on Yor's shoulder.
"Yor… before I answer that question," she murmured softly, "Can I ask you something first?"
Yor blinked. "What is it?"
"Are you happy now... being by my son side?"
"Eh...?"
A faint blush colored Yor's cheeks at Nakui's unexpected question.
"U-Um… w-what do you mean by that?" she stammered, her voice flustered.
Nakui chuckled softly. "What I mean is... after spending almost a year with my son, how do you truly feel? I want you to think carefully—remember how you felt when you were with him, and the others around him.
Do you really believe that your presence brings no joy to anyone?"
"….."
She didn't know how to respond.
Her mind wandered back, back to the first time Mugiho had invited her over for dinner. Back when she'd first met Mahiru, Eriri, and Mashiro.
She remembered the quiet afternoons she spent at their place... even when there was nothing special to do. Reading the manga Mugiho had drawn.
Playing the silly games Eriri had recommended with that usual tsundere attitude. Laughing, smiling—moments she rarely had in her past life.
And yet...
"I still do," Yor said with a faint self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips.
"No one is truly happy. No one can be... not with someone like me around."
Her gaze dropped to her trembling hands, clenched tightly in her lap as if trying to hold herself together.
"These hands... they're far too stained with blood."
"If I stay by their side... if I stay by your family's side... all I'll bring is misfortune."
"Sigh" Nakui sighed softly as she listened to Yor's words about herself. "How did you get to that conclusion Yor?"
"Eh...?" Yor froze, her breath catching in her throat.
"You think that just because your hands are stained... you don't deserve happiness." Nakui's voice was gentle but firm. "But that's just running away, isn't it? Running from the kindness that's being offered to you. From the warmth you've finally found here."
"Do you really think the people who know about you are so fragile they'd break just because you're around? That our happiness is so weak it would crumble because of you?" Nakui shook her head softly.
Nakui knew how much this girl had suffered.
She had met Yor when she was just a little thing, clinging to her younger brother with uncertain eyes, the shadow of her violent family background darkening every step she took.
Nakui had always known this moment would come—the moment Yor would start doubting herself again.
Even though she was older than her son, Nakui firmly believed that Yor was the perfect match for him.
It wasn't just because of Yor's unwavering loyalty—but also because of her strength. Ever since Mugiho was born, Nakui had lived with a quiet fear for his safety.
She knew all too well how her husband's side of the family was always scheming, and constantly eyeing Mugiho's rightful place.
The future felt uncertain and... dangerous.
But if Yor was by his side, Nakui could finally breathe a little easier.
It wasn't that she cared who her son fell in love with—whether it was Yor or someone else—but deep down, she feared something far greater: if an ordinary person stepped onto the same battlefield that she and her husband had walked for years, they would be crushed.
Hurt beyond repair.
That was something she could never allow.
"..."
Seeing Yor fall silent, trapped in her own spiraling thoughts, Nakui decided to give her a little push.
"Yor," she said with a small smile, "If you're still felling uncertain, how about we make a little bet?"