Page 390 of Mercy Written in Blood

Haruki looked at him.

"Not today."

"The other bloodlines are searching."

"Then your priority is stopping them."

"Our priority includes understanding what they seek."

"And ours includes ensuring a child is not turned into the next Archive."

Mori closed the file. The conversation had reached its true boundary. Not secrecy against disclosure. Control against consent. The same argument wearing a new body.

Mina placed both hands on the table.

"The Unveiled can relocate them."

Riku's mother looked at her.

"No."

Mina absorbed the refusal.

"We have safe houses."

"So does everyone who wants something from him."

"I don't want—"

"You brought people to the Casino."

Mina's face tightened.

"I didn't know Isao would attack."

"You knew Sota wanted a confrontation."

"Yes."

"And you came."

Mina looked towards the damaged white band.

"Yes."

Riku's mother sat again. Her voice softened.

"I believe you wanted to help."

That was worse than accusation. Mina looked away.

Haruki watched the exchange. Leadership had once meant resolving uncertainty before others could see it. Knowing the answer. Providing direction. Accepting the loneliness required to make choices no one else could carry. He no longer believed that. Perhaps he never truly had. He had simply confused isolation with responsibility because solitude protected him from being overruled, disappointed or left.

Now Renji sat beside him. Ken waited at the door. Akiko monitored him without pretending it was not personal. The Family had continued during his unconsciousness. Not perfectly. Not without danger. But it had continued. Harukidid not need to own every answer for the room to remain his responsibility.

He looked towards Riku's mother.

"What do you need?"