It was just another day at school for Monika. She woke up, bathed herself, got dressed and left. The idea of visiting Shujinkou's home to check on Natsuki crossed her mind, but she dismissed it.

She believed that Natsuki likely wanted some space until arriving at school and she also knew that it was highly likely that Sayori would have the same idea.

When she arrived at school, she had hoped to have run into the two but they were nowhere to be seen. The bell rang, cutting her search short and Monika took her usual seat.

As the lesson began, Monika found herself thinking the same thought as always. I wonder if there'll be any change with Shujinkou today.

After that, she would give her full attention to the lecture.

However, something different happened that morning. Her phone vibrated in her pocket with a message.

Her complexion became as pale as a ghost the moment she gazed upon that message.

"Teacher!" Her hand shot up like a rocket and she began begging for a speedy release. Her classmates all shared the same looks of confusion as she gathered her possessions and left the classrooms.

"Please respond quickly. Please respond quickly."

Monika repeated herself whilst composing a response and even after sending it. It was surprisingly comforting, even if it was just a little bit.

By the time she was out of the school, she was distraught over the lack of any new messages.

"What is going on?" she asked aloud.

Consumed with worry, Monika tapped the side off her phone for no reason more than for something to do. Could this be real? If it is then…

Monika stopped herself upon hearing footsteps. Yuri walked up to her, breathless.

"What's wrong?" Monika asked with concern.

"…Did… Did you get the message too?" Brushing off her friend's concern, Yuri asked her own question between rapid pants.

Monika nodded her head.

"Do you think it's really something serious or…?" There was some doubt in Yuri's eyes, a feeling Monika could relate to.

"I don't know… But I think it's already clear that we can't ignore the possibility," Monika pointed out.

With that established, the two made their way to the location they were called to.

…

"Do you sense a foreboding atmosphere too?" Those were the first words out of Yuri's mouth once they've arrived.

Monika did in fact sense it and the wide-open door only added to the anxiety that came from the tense air.

It was then exasperated when the two heard a couple of crashes coming from inside. Their concern drew them inside and the moment they crept past the door—

"Dad… No…!"

They heard Natsuki pleading for something not to happen. As they drew closer, they saw something horrifying.

Kaen had once again had Shujinkou with his grip and seemed to determine to finish what he started. With one mighty throw, he sent Shujinkou's body hurdling down the stairs.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl, as if giving everyone a moment to appreciate the cruelty on display.

The sight reminded Monika of something similar happening to her the night before Halloween.

A simple shove was all it took for it to seem like the end. Everything that they had been through, all the personal struggles and strifes, all for it to end on a whim.

The cold, hard ground was calling, happily greeting her end. But at the last moment, someone kept that ending from happening. At the moment she need help, Shujinkou had caught and saved her from that fall.

It was because of that moment that when the time came to return the favor, Monika showed no hesitation.

She jumped before him and, opening her arms wide, Monika caught Shujinkou in a tight embrace before they hit the ground.

"Looks like I just made it," she said, sighing in relief.

"Is he okay?" Yuri hurried towards them, worriedly inspecting Shujinkou from head to toe.

"I think so."

Never before did Monika think she could ever repay the favor Shujinkoiu did for her.

"Monika!" Natsuki's voice spurred her out of her trance, leading to Monika to notice a literal descending threat.

Kaen was hurdling towards her, his outstretched foot begging to smash into Shujinkou's back.

"Yuri!"

Monika mustered up all of her remaining strength and quickly threw Shujinkou into Yuri's arms just before Kaen's foot sunk into her stomach. It felt like her skin was receding further back than it ever could without breaking and the escalating pain only allowed her to let out an inaudible scream.

The shock and pain were so great that the only part of her body she could move was her arm to cover the site of impact.

A single drop of sweat crawled down Yuri's cheek. Monika had effectively been paralyzed by Kaen's last attack and she was Natsuki didn't seem physically able to help.

The current situation would not yield a favorable outcome, a fact that Yuri was well aware of.

"Hand him over," Kaen demanded as he stumbled toward them. It was met with an instantaneous glare from the maiden. He couldn't believe someone with a demure appearance could give such an intense stare.

Yuri held Shujinkou closer and shook her head. At the same time, she felt something bubbling up inside. She needed to protect Shujinkou – That was the only thing that mattered now.

It was that determination that led her to bring Shujinkou even closer and turn around, taking the brunt of Kaen's kick.

They were sent tumbling, but she made sure no serious harm came to Shujinkou.

"Give him," Kaen demanded once again.

"No," This response had earned Yuri another kick and like before, she made sure she took the brunt of the attack.

This cycle continued over and over, but even when it felt like her body may snap in two if she took anymore, she refused to give Shujinkou up.

"Stay away…" Yuri muttered.

Her vision was blurry, and she struggled to even get on her knees. Her chest was on fire, the sight of Shujinkou lying on the ground only seemed to fuel it. She could hear Kaen's footsteps getting louder as he approached, and she wasn't sure what to do if she couldn't take it anymore.

What would happen to everyone if she were to fall now?

Even with her hazy vision, she could still tell his focus was squarely on Shujinkou. It served as a dreadful reminder that she was the only thing standing between Shujinkou and certain doom.

"BACK OFF!"

With a nearly animalistic roar, Yuri plunged a knife into the teeth marks on Kaen's right leg. Droplets of a warm red liquid splattered across her face as the knife went ever deeper. This, along with a manic look on her face made it seem like a demon struck Kaen instead of a young lady.

She breathed heavy breaths as the reality of the moment sunk in. There was no hesitation in her movements - Stabbing Kaen was easy, a fact that horrified Yuri.

"Wh-What did I…?"

It wasn't like on Devil's Night. For a moment, she felt she had no control over her actions.

"You son of a-!"

Kaen grabbed Yuri by her long hair. So many tiny strands were fighting to stay attached to her as she was forcibly pulled away from Shujinkou.

He then pulled her knife out from his leg and tossed it her way. It missing her by just a hair's length was something that could only be described as a miracle.

With his final obstacle out of the way, Kaen was-

"Coming through!"

In perfect position.

A bike came flying over Yuri. On top of it was Mali and, with her usual smile of innocence, jumped off before sending it careening into Kaen.

Yuri was stunned. Not just by the stunt Mali had just pulled but by her disheveled and damaged appearance. "Mali? What happened to you?"

"Ah, just got into an argument with Natsuki's papa." Mali gingerly rubbed her right arm as she took note of Yuri's own injuries. It produced a chuckle out of her. "I think you've seen firsthand, how he can get. Anyway, how's Senpai?"

Before an answer could be given, the two heard several feet coming down the stairs. Sayori was the first down and helped Monika on her feet.

"Mali, you are okay!" Sayori chirped.

"I told you to let the one that can handle the pain do it. Though I guess you all can handle some pain yourself, huh?" Mali said in her usual teasing manner.

Was that a compliment? Natsuki climbed down the stairs with Hiro, shocked by what appeared to be genuine praise from Mali despite the tone of her voice. "Where's my dad?"

Mali pointed to her right. "Over there. I drove a bike into him."

"You what!?"

"Ah, I hope the bike isn't too-" Mali suddenly ducked, narrowly avoiding the bike that was flung at her. "Oh. That's going to make it harder to explain later."

Her attention was drawn to the man she had deliberately rammed into, impressed by his resilience. "You really don't know when to stay down, hu-?"

Before she could finish, Mali collapsed on the ground. Her consciousness having left her, Mali was no longer able to defend herself physically or verbally.

After the surprise attack she had just pulled, Kaen was livid. Like a wild bull seeing red, he charged at Mali in a blind rage. He raised his fist in retribution, but it was immediately stayed by some unknown force.

When the haze caused by his anger cleared, he realized what stopped him was someone who bore a resemblance to Hiro.

"Mom…?" Hiro gasped, marveling at Hisa's sudden appearance.

Hisa didn't respond. She exchanged glances with everyone there, taking note of all the injuries that were inflicted on them. She also took notice of her comatose grandson and Mali's unconscious body lying beside her. "Hiro… Is this what I think this is?"

"Mom…"

"Let me rephrase my question. Is this guy the reason why you're all hurt and my grandson is sprawled across the floor when he should be in his bed?"

Hiro couldn't say, but Hisa knew what her silence meant.

"What do you want, lady?" Kaen tried to wrench his hand away from Hisa but was stunned to discover that he couldn't.

"Lady Hisa. Mother of the woman you beat, Grandmother of the the young man that can't defend himself and self-designated caretaker of my girls," Hisa introduced herself coolly, increasing the pressure of her grip with each assertion.

What? Grandmother? Kaen couldn't believe someone old enough to have grandchildren was holding him in place.

He once again tried to free his hand from Hisa's grip, but to no avail.

"Let me ask you something. What would you do if you were in my position?" Hisa asked.

"Let me go!" Kaen demanded.

"Pretty sure that's not what you would do. I think it'd be more like this." Hisa said this before slamming her head into Kaen's own. The sensation was familiar – she was sure she had broken his nose.

"Am I right? Or would you do something else? Like this?"

Hisa swiftly pulled Kaen towards her, giving her an easier chance to sink her knee into his abdomen.

"Is this a good example?"

Hisa kept her icy gaze on Kaen, watching him desperately gasp for air.

"Am I wrong? Would you try something like this then?"

She firmly placed her hands on Kaen's shoulder and drove her knee into his most intimate place.

"Well?"

Kaen dropped to the ground, giving Hisa a chance to dust herself off. Even with him groveling on the ground, Hisa's expression hasn't changed.

For most who bore witness, it was uncanny to see someone usually calm and affable to look down on someone with such piercing, yet emotionless eyes.

"…ou…!"

"What was that?" Hisa leaned in closer to Kaen, like a parent coming closer to a child. She was mocking him in her own subtle way.

"Screw you!"

Hisa nimbly dodged Kaen's punch and lined her fingers together. With a quick strike at just the right place, she was able to send a jolt of pain up Kaen's right arm.

The pain was indescribable, but that wasn't the most terrifying part — his arm was hanging limp and he couldn't move it.

"It's not just about brute force. It's also about getting in at just the right spot for maximum damage. That's the secret to fractures, you know," Hisa explained matter of factly.

Kaen haphazardly threw another punch with his remaining arm. Instead of dodging, Hisa effortlessly brushed it away with her right hand. In the midst of his confusion, she was able to hold his arm and ram her left elbow into hit, rendering it useless.

She continued to unmerciful assault by dropping to her knees and sent her fists flying into Kaen's knees, forcing him to grovel beneath her.

"Outmatched and unable to defend yourself. Does that seem familiar?"

Kaen couldn't move a muscle. Was Hisa really as old as she claimed? Could someone who dismantled him so easily really be so strong when she was as old as any other grandmother?

The reality behind his situation sank in and he trembled.

"Scared, huh? I'm sure familiar to you too, though I don't imagine you ever thought you'd be on this side of it."

Hisa casually stood up and dusted off her clothes.

"I hate to kick you when you're down, but I need you to sleep now, so…"

Hisa raised her right foot, aiming it right at him. It was the last thing Kaen saw before she dropped it.