Tsurugi Hitomoshi's mission was simple, kill Kyoko Kirigiri.

The target was meeting with her grandfather, Fuhito Kirigiri, at a Future Foundation base, a fifty-story tower located on a remote island. The air was breathable, but the sky was still red with The Tragedy's pollution. Tsurugi, former Ultimate Rock Climbing Athlete, climbed alongside the tower undetected, heading for the top.

As he approached the roof, two helicopters landed. Tsurugi peeked over the edge. Kyoko came out of one, and Fuhito came out the other.

The elder Kirigiri's hair had whitened with age. His face was softer-looking than one might imagine for a master detective, not that appearances mattered. He had a small bushy beard and mustache. He wore glasses over pale brown eyes, and he wore a white dress shirt. He also carried a black dress cane.

Tsurugi may have expected a long overdue reunion between grandfather and granddaughter to be more emotional, but both Kirigiris eyed each other with stony faces.

"Grandfather," Kyoko said.

"Kyoko," Fuhito said.

"… it's good to see you unharmed," Kyoko said unemotionally.

"Likewise," Fuhito said just as flatly.

A long silence came. Tsurugi half-expected them to say 'good talk' and go off on their separate ways, but the helicopters left without them, leaving the two alone on the rooftop.

Alone, except for the assassin hiding under their noses.

The Kirigiris walked quietly towards the edge of the building, towards Tsurugi. They were making this too easy. Tsurugi hadn't forgotten his last encounter with Kyoko Kirigiri. He'd held the girl's life in his hand, mere moments away from quenching it forever. Kyoko hadn't been his target back then, but this time was different. This time, Kyoko wouldn't escape.

Nothing personal, of course. Tsurugi just hoped it would be a kill worthy of his talents.

"Did you learn anything useful?" Kyoko asked.

Straight to business, huh? Tsurugi respected that.

"Nothing much, I'm afraid," Fuhito said. "I had practically no contact with the outside world during my captivity. Even I was at a loss as to means or motive of my abduction. You can imagine my shock when I learned of the mass extinction event that had occurred."

Fuhito had said that, but he didn't sound shocked at all.

"It was a shock to me as well," Kyoko said calmly. "I must confess, I came close to losing all hope when I learned of The Tragedy."

"Yes, indeed." The first hint of emotion appeared on Fuhito's face, a wry smile. "But Naegi-kun pulled you out of that despair, did he not?"

Kyoko's lips parted slightly. "You watched the broadcast."

"Yes, and…?"

Kyoko's brow furrowed. "I told you not to."

"Yes, and did I agree to your demand?" Fuhito challenged.

"No, but…" Kyoko sighed. "Damn it, Grandpa."

"Even had I agreed, there were many other ways to learn what happened. Quite unavoidable, really, given my relation to you. Not a small number of people have asked me questions about you, and about the Kirigiri family." He sighed wistfully. "We are no longer in the shadows."

Kyoko looked away in shame. "I'm sorry."

"Don't blame yourself," Fuhito said. "Enoshima is the one who exposed us, not you. Look at me, Kyoko."

As Kyoko obeyed, Fuhito firmly met his granddaughter's eyes. "Why, exactly, did you not wish me to see the broadcast? Did you fear that I would disapprove of your actions?"

Kyoko shook her head. "Quite the opposite."

"Ah." Fuhito nodded. "That was a bit of a grey area you were in. Technically, you had no client, and therefore, no obligation to investigate. You were free to act as you saw fit."

Kyoko folded her arms and turned her head away. "Yes, without a client, all a detective has is self-satisfaction."

"And what was the object of your self-satisfaction?" Fuhito asked.

"… to stop a mass murderer," Kyoko said. "At any cost."

Fuhito hummed. "Then you acted as a Kirigiri should."

Kyoko's expression was dark. "Yes, I knew you'd say that."

As the Kirigiris paused tensely, Tsurugi waited patiently, biding his time for the perfect moment.

"Sorry to disappoint you," Fuhito said. "I would say more on this topic, but we're not here for that, are we?"

"… correct," Kyoko said. "I –"

"You've come to seek my blessing, have you not?"

Kyoko blinked. "What?"

Fuhito rested both hands on his cane and smirked. "My blessing, for your relationship with Naegi-kun, of course."

Tsurugi was surprised to see Kyoko's face flush slightly pink, the equivalent of screaming for a Kirigiri. "N-no, that's not –"

"I saw that video too. Never in my life had I seen such emotion from you. Granted, I am to blame for that, but I don't begrudge you for it. Even we Kirigiris are human, after all. I was rather emotional myself the day I confessed to your grandmother. There's no shame in -"

"That's not why -"

"Especially that kiss. I could feel all the passion you –"

Kyoko clenched her teeth. "Stop messing with me."

Tsurugi almost smiled at the sight of Kyoko getting a taste of her own medicine. Karma for all those times she had teased Naegi.

Fuhito chuckled. "Yes, yes, let's get to the real reason why we're here. I don't imagine you called this meeting merely to discuss my time in Towa City, am I wrong?"

Kyoko pursed her lips. "You're not wrong, but I was worried about you, Grandpa. Every day, I feared for your safety. I truly am glad that you're alright."

A shadow of a smile remained on Fuhito's face. "No need to worry about an old timer like me. I'm satisfied with the life I've lived. I would much sooner ensure your safety than concern myself with my own."

A hint of vulnerability filled Kyoko's eyes. "But I want you by my side, at least a little longer. I… don't have much family left."

"You've found family, haven't you?" Fuhito asked, though it was more of a statement. "And not just Naegi-kun. I would say all of the classmates you survived that hell with are family to you."

With a thoughtful stare, Kyoko nodded. "I suppose you're right. In fact, I think all of my classmates are family." Her brow furrowed. "Except for her, of course."

There was a long pause before Fuhito spoke again. "You've arranged for us to meet in person. You have something you need to tell me face-to-face. A simple phone call or electronic communication would be too impersonal. It's not related to my captivity, nor does it concern your potential relationship with Naegi-kun. Most likely, you have some grievance against me."

Kyoko broke eye contact. "Why don't you tell me? Sounds like you have it all figured out."

"No, no, you'll need to help me from here. There's too many possibilities to narrow it down."

Damn, that's brutal, Tsurugi thought.

With a deep breath, Kyoko firmly fixed her gaze back to Fuhito. "My mother. Why didn't you let me see her?"

Now Fuhito was the one averting his gaze. "You know why."

Tsurugi sensed drama. Perhaps a good opportunity to strike would come soon…

Kyoko bit her lip. "Was that really worth it to you? Is there no room for exception in our creed?"

Every wrinkle on Fuhito's face was filled with sadness. "What do you want me to say, Kyoko? 'Sorry?' Is this something a mere apology can fix?"

"I… I don't know what I want from you," Kyoko admitted, "but I know what I want to say." Her violet eyes burned brightly. "What you did… was wrong. I should have been there for Mother. I shouldn't have abandoned her, not that you gave me a choice."

Fuhito stared off into the distance. "So that's how you feel. A product of your time with Naegi-kun?"

Kyoko's fists tightened. "Don't bring him into this."

Fuhito exhaled slowly. "Don't get me wrong. I was only making an observation." He turned back to face his granddaughter. "Have you changed your mind, then?"

Kyoko stared in silence for some time.

"Well?" Fuhito tilted his cane towards her. "Do you still wish to be a Kirigiri? If you intend to renounce it, I won't stop you."

Despite biting them, Kyoko's lips quivered. "I should reject it. What you've done should be beyond forgiveness. I should despise you for it, but I…" Kyoko grimaced. "I can't."

Fuhito raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's stopping you?"

"… pride," Kyoko said. "I understand now how flawed our family creed is. Some things are too precious to be sacrificed, not for something like detective work." Her clenched fists trembled. "I've made so many mistakes. I should have seen my mother before she died. I shouldn't have hated my father for standing against you. I should have done everything I could to save Makoto that day. And yet, I…"

Kyoko shakily inhaled and exhaled. "I'm still proud. I'm proud of the skills you've taught me. I'm proud of the cases I've solved. I'm proud of all the good I've done. Detective work does not come before all else. I'm more than what you've taught me to be, but no matter hard I try, I…" Her voice cracked. "I can't. I just can't. I can't let go."

To Tsurugi's surprise, a sob escaped Kyoko's lips. "I-I… I'm so confused. I think… I was confused since Mother died, but I've never felt so torn until now. I will never again put detective work over family, and I… I want to have my own principles. If I'm going to put my life on the line, I want it to be for more than just a commission. I want…"

Kyoko fell silent. Whatever she was going to say next remained unspoken.

The younger Kirigiri's monologue was alien to Tsurugi's ears. More than just a commission? Tsurugi was not unlike a Kirigiri. He was an assassin who fulfilled his contracts without any personal feelings, except for pride. He took pride in his ability to conquer the hardest cliff of all, human life. He had never imagined wanting anything else, yet here the Kirigiri heiress was, trying to move beyond the destiny her family had forced on her.

Tsurugi wasn't sure how to feel about that.

No, he couldn't feel anything. Kyoko Kirigiri was a target. Nothing more.

Fuhito breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly. "And you're certain that's what you want?"

After a moment of hesitation, Kyoko nodded. "Yes."

"Yet you still wish to call yourself a Kirigiri?"

Kyoko frowned. "I… I know it sounds strange. It's as if I don't want to be a Kirigiri anymore, but I also do? I'm aware that it's contradictory. I don't really know how to explain it."

Fuhito shook his head. "What you're experiencing is not an uncommon phenomenon. During my travels, I've met several types of people who are proud to be citizens of their country, but are not proud of their country itself. Likewise, you can be proud to be a Kirigiri, yet take issue with the Kirigiri philosophy. Perhaps what you seek is not to discard your Kirigiri pride, but to redefine what it means to be a Kirigiri."

Kyoko's eyes trembled as if she were on the verge of tears. "I do still want to be a Kirigiri." Her gloved hand clutched her chest. "But who am I kidding? I know you can't accept me like this. I know you won't… consider me family anymore." Her teeth clenched. "I know what you have to do."

But did Fuhito have the strength to do it?

Of course he did. Fuhito was a true Kirigiri, and in a few moments, Kyoko would no longer be the same. She was going to die as just 'Kyoko.'

Brutal, but that wouldn't stop Tsurugi.

Fuhito gave his granddaughter a long, pensive stare. "I have dedicated my life to protecting our family's traditions, but even I can see the writing on wall. I have accepted that you will be the last Kirigiri."

What? Is he really going to…?

Kyoko's jaw dropped. "Wh-what do you mean?"

The expression on Fuhito's face was somber, yet gentle. "You may not be a traditional Kirigiri, but as long as you wish it, I will still recognize you as family."

Kyoko covered her open mouth, her eyes glistening. "G-Grandpa… you really…?"

With a sigh, Fuhito gazed upon the red ocean. "Just like you, I was born into this family. It was a legacy passed down generations before my time. There were moments where I, too, questioned our family's creed. I will not make excuses, but the decision to keep you from your mother was… not an easy one. I don't blame your father for condemning it."

"… I shouldn't have blamed him, either," Kyoko said. "Yet, I'm still glad I didn't go with him. I have many regrets, but being a detective will never be one of them. I…" She sniffled. "I'm s-still proud to be a Kirigiri! Even if it's wrong, I never want to let go of my pride! The day I stop being a Kirigiri is the day I die!"

Had it not been for that video of Kyoko and Naegi's confession, Tsurugi wouldn't have believed that Kyoko had been capable of such emotion. More importantly, he could feel the perfect opportunity growing closer…

"S-sorry," Kyoko stuttered. "I'm not hiding my emotions very well, am I?"

Fuhito smiled. "It's okay. Right now, you don't have to."

With wet eyes, Kyoko ran towards her grandfather and embraced him.

"I love you, Grandpa."

"I love you too, Kyoko."

This was it. The perfect moment. Tsurugi leapt over the edge and charged at Kyoko like a bull. He closed in on his prey and reached out his hand, ready to seize Kyoko's neck and –

BANG!

… what?

Blood dripped down Tsurugi's right arm. A bullet had torn through his shoulder. In the blink of an eye, Kyoko had whipped out a pistol from an underarm holster and pointed it straight at Tsurugi. Her gaze was ice cold, betraying no hint of her emotional display mere seconds ago.

Tsurugi's arm went limp. Kyoko had been quicker on the draw since their last encounter. No matter! He still had –

BANG!

Another bullet shot through his other arm. It was just a scratch! Tsurugi continued his charge and –

BANG!

His right leg went limp. So what?! He wobbled towards his target and –

BANG!

With both legs and both arms shot, Tsurugi fell face first onto the floor, powerless to move.

He felt Kyoko's boot turn him over, and he found himself staring down the barrel of Kyoko's gun.

"Shall we call it a draw?" Kyoko asked.

Standing next to Kyoko, Fuhito looked down at Tsurugi. "Excellent shooting, Kyoko. Johnny Arp taught you well."

"Thank you, Grandpa," Kyoko said, taking neither her cold eyes nor her gun off Tsurugi.

Fuhito let out an amused huff. "The fool thought he could sneak up on us, because we were getting 'emotional.'"

"But that's my secret, Grandpa. I'm always emotional." Kyoko's stoic gaze pierced through the defeated assassin. "Grandpa, I recognize this man."

Fuhito cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? Friend of yours?"

"This is Tsurugi Hitomoshi-san, former Ultimate Rock Climbing Athlete."

"Ah, the one who almost broke your neck."

"That's right."

"I'm not normally the type to hold a grudge, but…" Fuhito violently jabbed his cane into Tsurugi's neck. "That's for my granddaughter."

Tsurugi wheezed in immense pain. He felt as if his own neck was going to break like his many victims, but he didn't feel fear. He never felt fear.

Kyoko narrowed her eyes, her gun still trained at Tsurugi's head. "Who sent you?"

"I'm n-not telling you shit!" Tsurugi croaked.

Fuhito folded his arms. "Oh, dear. An uncooperative witness."

"No matter," Kyoko said. "I asked, but I don't think there's any mystery here. Hitomoshi-san is a known assassin working for the Remnants of Despair."

That much was true, but…

"Why target you?" Fuhito asked.

Kyoko hummed. "I am the Fourteenth Division Head, so it's only natural that the Remnants would try and take me out. If I had to hazard a more specific guess, I'd recall what the Ultimate Imposter said during Naegi-kun's trial. They had wondered how Naegi-kun would react if I died. I suspect they were trying to answer that question."

Well, shit…

"Regardless," Kyoko said, "I doubt we'll get anything from Hitomoshi-san. He's much like us, an assassin who puts his work above all else. He will die before betraying his client."

"Quite so," Fuhito said. "In that case, I believe all we can do is fulfil his destiny."

"Indeed, Grandpa. I'll take care of it."

Kyoko holstered her gun and dragged Tsurugi towards the edge of the tower.

Wait, she was seriously going to…?

No… no, no, no, no! Something primal welled up inside Tsurugi. He didn't want this! He didn't want to die! He flailed and struggled desperately but uselessly as Kyoko dragged him closer and closer to his demise.

Fuhito titled his head. "Oh? Does he still have some fight in him?"

Kyoko looked back at Tsurugi. Her cold eyes were the embodiment of death. "Something to say, assassin-san?"

No, Tsurugi couldn't give in. Just as they had said, Tsurugi took pride in his work. He would never betray the client to save himself. He would kill the target or die trying. He…

They stopped. Kyoko began to kick him over the edge…

"Wait!" Tsurugi screamed. "I'll talk! I'll talk! Don't kill me!"

Kyoko shot him a devilish smirk. "Too easy."

Wait, was she just…?

Kyoko forcefully tugged Tsurugi's arm back and threw him onto the roof. He landed with a thud, his bullet wounds screaming in pain. Kyoko and Fuhito lorded over him like tyrants, asserting total dominance over their predator turned prey.

"Perhaps he will be useful after all," Fuhito said.

"Perhaps so, Grandpa," Kyoko said.

"We really must thank the Remnants for sending us such a gift."

"Yes, Grandpa. Very thoughtful of them."

"However, I must say that interrogation was never my favorite part of the job."

"Nor is it mine, but I know someone who loves it."

"Oh?"

"Let's send him to Sakakura-san."

… Tsurugi finally accepted that he was capable of fear.

Ding, dong!

"Bell rung by: Makoto Naegi."

Good, he's here. Kyoko moved towards the door. She reached for the handle, ready to let…

She stopped herself.

Could she really be sure it was him?

"Is that you, Naegi-kun?"

A confused voice answered. "H-huh? Yeah, it's me."

It was Makoto's voice, but what did that prove? She and Makoto had both encountered more than their share of imposters.

"Prove it," Kyoko ordered.

"P-prove it…? Uh…" After a pause, the voice spoke again. "Alter Ego is our friend."

Kyoko blinked. "What?"

"Remember? You said that inside the bathhouse locker room. There were no cameras, and we were alone. You and I are the only ones who know."

Oh, that was right. Kyoko had said that, and no one but Makoto knew about it. That confirmed it. This was the real Makoto.

"Your turn," Makoto said.

Kyoko's mouth fell open, surprised yet proud that Makoto had returned her challenge. Despite asking him first, she was woefully unprepared to answer. Kyoko wracked her brain. Surely, she could think of something only the two of them knew. They were close, weren't they? If Kyoko couldn't pass this test, what kind of friend would she have been?

There should have been countless ways to prove herself, but the stress of the sudden challenge made her draw a blank.

Umm…

Come on, there's no shortage of options and you know it. Just pick something.

Uh…

Oh, what about...?

It wasn't a happy example, but…

"In the headmaster's private room," Kyoko said, "you were the one who guessed my father's password. I had spent more time than I would like to admit trying to open it myself, but you cracked it immediately. Again, there were no cameras in that room, and we were alone. Only you and I know about this."

"Kyoko…"

She frowned. "I shouldn't have needed you for that, but thank you."

"… okay, I believe you," Makoto said.

Kyoko opened the door and allowed Makoto into her quarters. As Kyoko closed the door behind him, Makoto turned to face her. "So…"

Kyoko grabbed his wrist and threw him down onto the floor. She made sure he didn't hit the ground hard enough to injure him, but it was just enough to leave him winded. As Makoto gasped in confusion, Kyoko held his arm against her leg. If she wanted to, she could snap it in a single motion.

Makoto looked up at her in exasperation. "Wh-what are you doing?"

Kyoko let go of his arm and pressed her hands against her hips. "You need to work on your self-defense, Naegi-kun."

Makoto blinked, still confused. "What? But I know it's you."

"Not the point," Kyoko said. "I need you to be ready for an attack at any time."

"That's…" Makoto nodded in acceptance. "Yes, Kirigiri-sama."

… oh, God. Hearing Makoto call her 'Kirigiri-sama' felt so wrong. Yes, she was his boss, but since they were also involved romantically…

Please don't remind me.

But Kyoko needed to be his boss for just a little longer. "I'm assigning you more combat drills. With myself, as well as other trainers. I'm also assigning more security to protect you. I don't want you going anywhere by yourself. Understood?"

Makoto frowned at her. "Is something wrong?"

As Kyoko pursed her lips, Makoto stood. "First you test me at the door, and now this? What happened, Kiri?"

Kyoko felt reluctant to tell him, but she owed him the truth. "Earlier today, someone tried to kill me."

Makoto's jaw dropped in horror. "Wh-what?"

Kyoko's eyes were more serious than ever. "And I fear they will come after you as well. You need to be ready."

Kyoko hadn't forgotten what the Ultimate Imposter had said. At first, the Imposter had claimed killing Makoto would just make him a martyr, but in the guise of Nagito Komaeda, they had expressed interest in killing Makoto to fill Kyoko with their twisted idea of hope. The Remnants would have stopped at nothing to force either Makoto or Kyoko to move on without the other. Both of them were prime targets.

"You're right," Makoto said, full of determination. "I need to get stronger, so I can protect you."

"To protect yourself," Kyoko retorted.

"And you," Makoto said. "And everyone, but especially you."

Kyoko sighed. She knew that was how Makoto was, and she couldn't deny that it made her heart skip a beat. She just prayed that Makoto wouldn't end up like…

She would never let that happen.

"Who was it?" Makoto asked.

"Just some Remnant assassin," Kyoko said. "Actually, by some twist of fate, it was one of the assassins I told you about, Tsurugi Hitomoshi. He tried to kill me just like last time, but I was able to defeat him."

"You defeated him?" Makoto looked at her sharply. "Where was your security?"

Ah, that…

Kyoko ran a finger through her hair. "Well, I wasn't alone. I was with… my grandfather."

Makoto's eyes widened. "Oh, you…?"

Kyoko nodded.

"… how did it go?" Makoto asked.

The recent memory flashed through Kyoko's mind. Her confusion over her identity, her fear of confessing that confusion, her elation when Grandfather had accepted her, despite her changed views. She had been confused for so long. She was still confused, really, but Makoto had given her the courage to finally confront her grandfather. Thinking about this made her feel a rush of affection for the wonderful boy.

It got the better of her. She pulled him close and hugged him tightly.

"It went well," Kyoko whispered. "All thanks to you."

"Huh? I didn't do anything."

She laughed. Makoto sounded just like Yui. "You're the one who suggested it, were you not?"

"I guess, but –"

She squeezed him tight, pressing their chests together. "But nothing. You've helped me so much, Makoto."

Makoto finally wrapped his warm arms around Kyoko. For the moment, that was all Kyoko wanted. Just a tender moment with the boy she… was fond of.

Just admit it already.

She heard that in Yui's voice.

Be happy, Kirigiri-chan.

No, not yet.

This was a step, but… not yet.

Eventually, Kyoko broke the hug, and she explained her talk with Fuhito in more detail. How Kyoko had expressed her anger over the death of her mother, but still loved her grandfather. How even though Kyoko had strayed from the Kirigiri creed, Fuhito still recognized her as one. How, despite everything, Kyoko still took pride in being a Kirigiri.

"To be honest, I'm still a little confused," Kyoko confessed. "But even if I'm no longer a traditional Kirigiri, I still want to see myself as one. Does that make sense?"

Makoto scratched the back of his head. "It is confusing, but I think I get it. Even if they've made mistakes, you love your family, right?"

"That's part of it," Kyoko said. "I do love my grandfather, and my father. He's still a coward, mind you, but I love him anyway." She sighed. "However, I will be the last Kirigiri."

Makoto titled his head. "Oh, do you not want children?"

What? Kyoko was caught off guard. Why is he asking…? "Oh." She cleared her throat. "What I mean is that if, hypothetically speaking, I were to have children, I wouldn't raise them like Kirigiris, nor would I encourage them to continue the legacy or anything like that. The Kirigiri legacy will die with me."

"Hmm." Makoto looked at her thoughtfully. "Your legacy wouldn't die, though. I'm sure any children you have would love you and look up to you."

Kyoko felt herself growing uncomfortable with this topic. Time for a classic tactic, redirection. She held a finger to her lips. "Do you want children, Makoto?"

He immediately blushed profusely. "W-well, not now, but maybe someday?"

Kyoko folded her arms and smirked. "You sure? We could get on that. Just say the word."

Makoto smirked back. "Okay, off with your clothes."

Kyoko chuckled. "Ah, guess even you weren't falling for that one." Her own cheeks flushed pink. "Maybe someday, I'll consider it…"

Makoto shyly nodded. "Y-yeah, maybe someday…"

That was her honest answer, but Kyoko didn't want to dwell too much on a future that may never come. For now, she wanted to focus on…

Well, she hadn't summoned Makoto to discuss the present, either.

Kyoko sat at her desk. "So, with all that out of the way, shall we continue the story?"

"Ah, yeah." Makoto sat across from her, knowing exactly what 'story' Kyoko meant.

"After parting ways with Yui-oneesama…"

AN: I'm curious how this one will be received. It was tough for me to decide how to depict Fuhito. Even after a seven volume series dedicated to Kyoko, we never got to see much of him. I've seen him characterized all over the place. Some portray him as an unrepentant monster who abused Kyoko into being a soulless shell (example: Ultimate Soft Boiled Detective by Weirddancer14), while some depict him as actually being a pretty chill guy (example: The Yearbook by HopeyMcHope).

Both approaches are completely valid, since we have so little to go on. I decided to try a more nuanced take. There's no denying that the Kirigiri family is severely dysfunctional, and it's important for Kyoko to realize that, yet something about Kyoko abandoning all her pride in being a Kirigiri just doesn't sit right with me. To me, it feels like disrespecting her own agency and will as a detective, if that makes sense. Detective work is a serious responsibility, yet Kyoko's own happiness is important, too. It's difficult to find the right balance there.