For six years Naoki lived as Kentarou Yoshizawa in Geneva, he was one of the connections between the Rossini Syndicate and the Yomiyama Group.
The exhibitions in Europe that Kouichi had were not due to his talent, Kouichi knew that the Shinozaki family was going to kill him, so he decided to bring Kouichi to Europe.
This was also known to the Shinozaki family, who planned the attack at the place where Kouichi would have an exhibition.
Naoki, as it were, made Kouichi an offer he could not refuse - he could accept and go on living, or die.
It was a tough choice for Kouichi, however, he preferred to live.
He had to destroy all evidence of this -that he was alive, and also faked his death.
Once this decision was made, Naoki arranged for Kouichi's death to be plotted, he knew perfectly well what it would more or less look like.
He still loved Mei, despite the fact that she was Kouichi's wife, but he did not want her to suffer after Kouichi's death so he decided to betray Rossini, in this way.
On that August day there was a huge explosion in Geneva, the entire building where Kouichi's exhibition was to be held completely collapsed, however, paramedics failed to find Kouichi's body - there was a possibility that his body could no longer be identified.
In fact, Naoki had put Kouichi's wallet in the pocket of one of the guests, and later through this the Swiss police erroneously determined that Kouichi Sakakibara had died.
Initially, Rossini also recognized the fact that Kouichi was dead, anyway, he cared little until he learned about his nephew – Giorgi Palmieri.
Naoki tried to blame it on Petrov - one of Rossini's underbosses.
Since then, Naoki's reputation has declined with Rossini.
Throughout Europe, Naoki and Kouichi were liquidating people linked to Rossini.
They moved from city to city, from country to country like ghosts.
None of Rossini's men managed to track them down, and no one knew that Kouichi was alive.
After Akihiko Shinozaki's death, it seemed that Kouichi might have secretly returned to Japan, however, then Naoki was captured by Petrov's men in Munich.
Kouichi having a debt of gratitude to Naoki decided to rescue him, Naoki was tortured, however he did not break down despite the piercing pain, his childhood experiences allowed him to withstand even the worst tortures.
Kouichi was spotted, and the plan to eliminate almost the entire Rossini Syndicate.
While being tortured, Naoki devised a plan to get rid of Petrov, which he and Kouichi later carried out.
As time went on, people with closer ties to Rossini were killed, even Hartmann, who traded weapons from Europe to other corners of the world, including Japan.
Soon it was time to kill Rossini himself, despite the difficulties Rossini was killed, and only people who were not high up in his Syndicate survived.
Kouichi was able to return to Japan.
Misaki was not blamed for any of the murders she was accused of, nor did her parents know about her "earnings" she had accumulated working for Chitose Minamiyashiki.
However, she could not understand why Naomi decided to forgive her, despite all the wrongs she had done to her, her forgiveness had an effect on her, however - she was a better person than before, she was getting better at dealing with her aggression problems, and she was deepening her relationship with her sister.
Mei, afterwards, felt a kind of relief; after Kouichi's death, she had a guilty conscience that she would lose many people important to her again, just as she lost her sister 28 years ago.
Mei once again came out of her gloomy shell - at least for her loved ones.
Although Kouichi still loved her, they decided to divorce after learning about the whole events in Europe.
Mei stayed in Yomiyama, where she ran a store succeeding Kirika.
Misaki decided to stay with her mother as she studied at École d'Yomiyama.
Naomi decided to return to Tokyo and live with her father, who had changed jobs.
3 years later, when Naomi was finishing her 3rd year of high school, two men knocked on the door of her family home in Tokyo.
Man: Mr. Kouichi Sakakibara?
Kouichi knew it was his last moments, he sensed it from the strange accent in which one of the men spoke, it was not Japanese, which only confirmed his fears.
Kouichi: Can I help you with anything?
Kouichi replied with confidence hoping that this was not the worst case scenario.
Man: I have a few questions for you.
The man grabbed for something in his pocket, after a moment it was clear it was a gun.
Kouichi threw himself at him and started fighting for his life, or at least he wanted to stage it that way.
After a few moments, the other man looked around and shot Kouichi after which they both tried to flee the scene.
However, they were caught by the police.
Kouichi Sakakibara died at the age of 46,
He could not be saved by the doctors, he died in an ambulance.
His funeral was also held soon, with Mei attending, along with Misaki.
Mei was neither sad nor cheerful, she felt only nostalgia.
After the ceremony, Naomi remembered one of her father's requests "just in case."
Naomi: Mom... dad wanted you to read this as if... you know...
Mei: I know, if he had been killed.
Without saying a word, Naomi handed the letter to Mei.
Mei was neither sad nor cheerful, she felt only nostalgia.
After the ceremony, Naomi remembered one of her father's requests "just in case."
Naomi: Mom... dad wanted you to read this as if... you know...
Mei: I know, if he had been killed.
Without saying a word, Naomi handed the letter to Mei.
"Mei,
If you're reading this, then I have passed away.
Do you remember our first fateful encounter in that cramped elevator? I recall how somber you looked, your spirits shattered by your sister's passing...
You could say that I fell in love with you at first sight, but less so.
I remember the first time you smiled at me...
It was a really strange but somehow wonderful feeling for me.
I thought, at the time, that it was an unprecedented sight...
I remember how we got through the curse in 1998.
And also how unhappily you fell in love with Naoki...
When Muneyoshi-kun disappeared, I didn't want to take advantage on you...
I held back until we went to college.
I remember our first official "date."
At the time of writing this letter, I was reminded of all our happy moments.
I remember how our baby girls were born.
It was until quite recently wasn't it?
When did the 18 years pass?
Mei, I don't know if you realize how important it is that at this moment you are not alone.
I absolutely do not regret what I did in 2007, even though I have now reaped the repercussions,
Despite the fact that I accomplished a terrible thing.
I wish you to live the rest of your days in peace.
Farewell, Mei."
Mei understood the meaning of Kouichi's sacrifice, she smiled sadly , tearing the letter apart and throwing it in the trash.
Naomi and Misaki did not understand the gesture of their mother, who then went up to them and hugged them to comfort them.
Mei: Naomi, Misaki...
You are safe now...
Your father was a wonderful man...
Even though he wasn't always like that...
However, know that you are already safe...
Nothing is threatening your lives...
And that's why he sacrificed himself for you...
The end.
(I plan to write a "fixed" version of my fan fiction trilogy in the future, stay tuned).