[A/n: I just couldn't wait to post this one. Final chapter will be posted by next week! I think that one will have a lovely ending.]

Days passed since they gave Miri up to her mother. The three assassins fell into a depression of some sort. Kazuki moved around slowly, Rei gamed all night, while [Y/n]...

She refused to leave her room. She refused to eat, to go out, to do anything. She laid cuddled with one of Miri's plushies that she refused to let go of.

She knew soon she would have to go back to the Suwa Manor and eventually marry Rei. The thought of having Rei as her husband would normally make [Y/n] all fuzzy and happy, but now, [Y/n] didn't think she could go through with it.

If she didn't, it would be a betrayal to the organization, and she would be killed. [Y/n] couldn't care less what happened to her at this point.

She stared at the wall that hung Miri's Mother's Day gift to her. It was a picture of Miri in the middle of what looked like [Y/n] and Misaki, handing Miri's hands. "Miri..." She cried.

~~~

Rei stepped out to smoke. "Haven't see you smoke in a while." Kazuki said.

"You're the one who told me not to get the smell on Miri." Rei said, "Or was it, [Y/n]...?"

Kazuki had a worried look. "She still hasn't come out?" He muttered.

"Not willingly." Rei said, "I had to feed her in bed."

They sat in silence for a moment. "Never realized how quiet it was here when Miri's not around." Kazuki said, "Total silence except of the sound of your game."

"You're messing up your cooking a lot now too." Rei said.

"If you don't like it, feel free to order in." Kazuki said.

"I did before." Rei muttered, "I hope... I hope Miri's eating right."

"No worries. I'm sure she is." Kazuki said.

"I think [Y/n] and I'll go back to my dad in the new year." Rei said, "He told us to come back."

"Yeah... not like there's much reason for us to stay together now."

"You can have to apartment." Rei said, "Use it however you want."

"Nah, think I'll find a smaller place." Kazuki said as he began to walk away, "This is way too much apartment for just little ol' me... I can't even remember what life was like before Miri."

"Kazuki..." Rei said and he tossed his lighter to his friend, "Take it." Rei walked inside.

"This is your parting gift?" Kazuki muttered, looking at the lighter.

Meanwhile, with Miri, Misaki placed a plate in front of Miri. "Hamburg steak!" Miri cheered.

"You like Hamburg steak, don't you?" Misaki asked.

"Yes! Thank you for the food!" Miri said and began to eat, "Mama, this isn't the one you always make."

"It's better than that cheap one, isn't it?" Misaki asked, "I worked hard to make it right. Go on. Eat your veggies. I'm going to work hard to make up for everything you had to go without."

"Okay!" Miri said and ate some more, "I like this one, too!"

"What did you do in daycare today?" Misaki asked.

"Today, we practiced singing!" Miri said, "Did I tell you? Anna-chan's scary when she plays piano!"

"Is she really?"

~~

[Y/n] sat, curled up in her bed, hugging Miri's stuffed animal. Her eyes were puffy from crying. Her room was dark and a mess. She didn't care to clean. She didn't even know what time it was. There was a knock at her door.

[Y/n] didn't answer. Rei opened the door while dressed in his suit with his hair up. He saw that [Y/n] was awake. "I'm leaving." Rei said, "My father wants us to return, and I'm going to tell him we will."

"I'm not going back." [Y/n] muttered.

Rei's eyes widened a bit, "What?"

"Tell my mother and the Boss that I'm not returning!" [Y/n] shouted, "They can kill me if they please."

"Don't talk like that!" Rei said, and [Y/n] threw her stuffed animal at him. Rei caught it.

"I'm not doing it anymore!" [Y/n] yelled, throwing anything she could get her hands on, books, pencils, brushes, knifes, while Rei dodged them, "I refuse to marry a man who doesn't love me! To hell with the organization! To hell with my mother!"

Rei grabbed [Y/n]'s wrist to stop her from throwing another book, and he pinned her to the bed. "Let go of me!" She struggled.

"What's gotten into you?"

Tears filled [Y/n]'s eyes. "Haven't I made it obvious?" Her voice cracked, "I-I've been in love with you for years. I didn't come to find you for the organization... I wanted to find you because I love you and wanted to be with you... even if it was just as your work partner."

[Y/n] covered her crying face with her forearm. "You don't love me in that way, and you're only marrying me because the boss told you to. So what's the point?"

Rei let go of [Y/n] wrist. He placed his hand on her cheek, wiping her tears. "I never said that I didn't love you."

"You never said you did!" [Y/n] whined.

Rei placed his forehead on hers. "I love you, [Y/n]. I'm just... afraid." He muttered, "I'm afraid of what my father would do if he found out my feelings for you. But... I can't allow you betray the organization like this." He sounded weak, "Please... come back with me." He pleaded.

"Rei..." [Y/n] muttered, and she cried more, "I can't..."

"Why not?" Rei looked hurt, and he got off of her.

[Y/n] got up and walked over to her desk, stepping over the trash and the object that were thrown. She reached in the drawer, pulling up a big folder of documents.

[Y/n] sat down presenting it to Rei. He looked through them. Charts and tests dating back almost 4 years around the time their marriage was announced.

"I've kept it a secret from my mother and the boss. I can't have children, Rei." [Y/n] said, curling into a ball, "I can't give the Suwa family the next heir, and I can't have a baby."

Rei placed the folder to the side. "It doesn't make a difference." Rei said and placed a hand on her cheek, "All I care about is you. I'm sorry I can't give you what you've wanted most."

"It's okay..." [Y/n] muttered.

"I still want you by my side, as my wife." Rei leaned forward and kissed her, "Please."

"...Okay." [Y/n] said, "I'll get packed."

"Thank you." Rei said and gave her another kiss.

~~

Rei stood in front of his father at attention. "You with to return?" Shigeki said.

"Yes, Boss." Rei said.

"Good. You will henceforth remain by my side and learn my business. Everything I was given from the Suwa family, I give to you." Shigeki said, "Everything, in the manner it has always been. You and [Y/n] will continue the bloodline of assassins."

Meanwhile, Miri finished her performance for her mother. Misaki clapped. "You're very good." She said, and Miri ran over to hug her mother.

"Anna-chan and Hinata-chan said I'm good too!" Miri said.

"You're a singer's daughter. Of course you are!" Misaki said and began to put Miri's clothes away.

"Mama [Y/n], Papa Kazuki and Papa Rei said I'm good too!" Miri said and laid on the floor, "When are they gonna come get me?"

"Miri...Those people aren't really your parents." Misaki said.

"Papa Kazuki and Papa Rei are my papas, though. And Mama [Y/n] is my mama, too!" Miri said, "Papa Kazuki is good at cooking. Papa Rei is good at game! Mama [Y/n] is good at singing like you, Mama! She taught me how to draw, too! Sometimes they make me eat mushrooms, though. But I still really love my papas and Mama [Y/n]! I wish we could all live together!"

Misaki hugged Miri with tears in her eyes. "Mama?"

"I'm sorry I made you feel so lonely." Misaki said, "But don't worry. I'm going to change. I'm going to be a mother you love."

"I do love you, Mama!"

Back with Rei, the boss continued to talk with him. "Before you learn the business, there's something that must be done." Shigeki said, "You haven't closed the book on all your affairs." He pulled out a photo of Rei eating with Miri, [Y/n] and Kazuki.

Rei looked at it the photo and his eyes widened. "You haven't cut those pointless ties." The boss said, "You're trapped there, like a child at a storefront window, staring at a toy he cannot have. In time it will become a shackle, and lead to disgrace for the Suwa name. But there's no need to worry. I'll purge it for you."

The overwhelming sense of worry made it hard to breath for Rei. "Please, don't hurt Miri!" Rei said as he bowed.

"Don't debase yourself like this."

"I'll carry out any job you give me. I'll kill anyone you ask for! [Y/n] and I will give you the next heir! Just leave Miri-"

"This fixation is the problem." The boss said.

"Boss-"

"Rei! You are the Suwa family's heir. In order to preserve our history and bloodline, I will rid you of all distractions. That is my duty as the current head of the Suwa family."

Rei glared and left the boss' office. Rei called Kazuki. "Yeah? Hey. What is it?"

"Kazuki! Where are you?"

"Uh, on my way back from Kyu-chan's..."

Go to Miri, now! Please. Hurry!"

Then he called [Y/n].

[Y/n] stepped out of the shower and got dressed in t-shirt and sweatpants. She sighed, looking at Miri's Mother's Day drawing. She noticed her phone was ringing. "Hello?" [Y/n] answered, putting the art in her pocket.

"Miri's in danger!" It was Rei, "Please hurry!"

[Y/n]'s eyes widened, and she grabbed her gun. She ran as fast as she could down the stairs. [Y/n] found Kazuki's keys on the counter.

She took his car. Floored the gas, driving as fast as she could while calling Kazuki for Misaki's address or contact.

~~

Misaki closed the door to her and Miri's bedroom when her phone started vibrating. Then there was a ring at her door. "Coming." She said and walked to the door.

"Who is it?" Misaki asked.

"Package delivery."

"A package?" Misaki repeated.

"It's from 'Kurusu'."

"More of Miri's thing?" Misaki questioned and opened the door. As soon as she opened the door, Misaki was shot in the stomach. She fell to her knees.

Ogino grabbed Misaki by the hair. "You may be feeling confused." He said, and Misaki smacked his hand away and tried to run.

"'What's happening? Why me?'" Ogino said, "A very natural question. You haven't done anything wrong. My client feels no hatred towards you. Or towards your daughter. He merely requires your death."

"Miri..." Miri muttered as she tried to reach for the door to her room.

"I've answered your question your question. Now, tell me your last words." Ogino said, pulling out the little book that he carried around.

Kazuki kicked open the door with a gun in hand. He aimed at Ogino, who easily stopped him. Ogino knocked the gun out of the way and kicked Kazuki in the stomach.

Ogino aimed his gun at Kazuki, but the blonde threw the mini heater at Ogino and ran across the room.

His eyes widened, seeing Misaki bleeding out on the ground. Ogino wrapped his hand around Kazuki's neck. "Kurusu Kazuki..." Ogino said, "You're one of my targets as well, but..."

Kazuki pointed the gun at Ogino's head, but Ogino shot Kazuki in the shoulder. Kazuki screamed and dropped his weapon. "Wait your turn. I need to hear her last words first. Then the girl's."

"You might not have...so much time to waste..." Kazuki said, "Ever heard of the cops?" He showed his phone, "I hear they keep the peace...and uphold justice, or something like that..."

"Every bit the hack the materials suggested." Ogino muttered, "No matter. I'll be over soon."

"Nah, it's over for you now." Kazuki said pointing a finger gun at him.

"What do you expect to accomplish with that?" Ogino questioned, pointing his gun at him.

"I'm just the brains of the operation. Now, Rei!" Kazuki said, and Ogino turned around with his gun ready.

Kazuki grabbed his gun and tried to shoot at Ogino, but he missed and Ogino dug his thumb in Kazuki wound.

"A pointless act."

"Was not!"

Sirens were heard outside, and they heard someone running up the stairs. "This is the police! Drop your weapon!"

"Time's up." Kazuki said.

"Damn you." Ogino glared and stomped on Kazuki's face, "I'll leave the woman's word to you. Look after her final moments. I'll happily hear your own words when the time comes. Cower in fear in the meantime."  Ogino jumped out the window and left.

"Kazuki! The real cops will be-" Kyutaro saw Misaki in Kazuki's lap.

"Hey! Wake up already!"

Rapid footsteps run up the stairs, and it was [Y/n] with a gun in hand, struggled to catch her breath. She saw that Misaki was shot. "Shit..." She muttered, running over to her.

The wound was fatal. "Miri..."

"Don't die, damn it! You're gonna make Miri cry!" Kazuki said.

"That's right! Her Christmas party is coming up... You have to be there!" [Y/n] said, putting pressure on her wound, but the bleeding would stop.

"Miri's in...that room there..." Misaki said, weakly.

Kyutaro walked into the room to see Miri fast asleep. "Hurry." Kyutaro said and went to get Miri.

"We have to go! You're coming with us and Miri." [Y/n] said.

"Please...protect Miri."

"Don't talk like that!" [Y/n] said, trying desperately to make her bleeding stop.

"It's a parent's job to protect their kid!" Kazuki yelled at her.

"And tell her...that I'm sorry. I couldn't make it to her Christmas party."

"Cut it out!" Kazuki said, "Hey! Don't leave Miri all alone! She needs parents! She needs a family!"

"You're her mother! You want my forgiveness then don't just give up like this!" [Y/n] shouted at her.

Kyutaro came out with Miri and her things, "[Y/n], Kazuki...."

Misaki reached for her daughter. "I was a selfish mother... to the end..." Misaki cried, "Miri..."

She died in Kazuki's arms. [Y/n] clutched Misaki's shirt. "Damn it..." She muttered with tears in her eyes. They heard sirens. "Let's go." Kyutaro said, "It'll get messy if we stay here."

[Y/n] reached into her pocket and pulled out Miri's art. She placed the paper on her chest, and they left.

[Y/n] followed Kyutaro in Kazuki's car. Kyutaro took them to a safe house. "Is this place yours, Kyu-chan?" Kazuki asked.

"The Suwa family knows where my home is." Kyutaro said, tucking Miri in on the couch, "This is more like a safe house. It should be secure for a while."

"And Rei?" Kazuki asked.

"I told him." Kyutaro said, and on cue, Rei knocked on the door. "Where's Miri?" He asked as he burst through the dooand saw her asleep on the couch, "She's alive."

"Miri is." Kyutaro said. Rei looked at [Y/n] who stood out on the balcony, starring up at the stars. He could still see the dried blood on her hands. "But her mother..." [Y/n] looked out of it with dull eyes like a doll.

"Did Miri- Did she-" Rei asked.

"She didn't see. She doesn't even know her mom is dead yet." Kazuki said, and they fell into the silence.

"I'm sorry." Kyutaro said.

"Sorry for what?"

"I knew the boss was investigating Rei's life. That's why I took Miri away from you and returned her to her mother." Kyutaro said, "I thought if I ended your relationship, the boss would leave her alone. I underestimated him. This is all my fault."

The men looked at [Y/n], who seemed to be taking it the hardest. She hasn't spoken to them or even acknowledged Rei.

"Miri will need food when she wakes up." Kyutaro said, "So will you." He walked to the kitchen. Kazuki and Rei joined [Y/n] on the balcony.

"What do we do now?" Rei asked.

"We'll eliminate all traces of Miri." Kazuki said, and Rei's eyes widened, [Y/n] had no reaction, "We'll make it look like she died and wipe out every trace. Then we'll stick her in an orphanage somewhere far away. We'll take her somewhere no one can get to her, then stay out of her life forever. We belong to the underworld anyway. We can't protect Miri, and we damn well can't make her happy."

"No..." [Y/n] muttered, looking at Kazuki blankly, "I'm going to take care of Miri. Like her mother wants."

"I want to take care of Miri, too." Rei said.

Kazuki chuckled, "Don't be stupid. What can you even do?"

"I couldn't do anything. I didn't even try." Rei said, "I refused to face reality, ran away from my father, rejected love... I was little more than a breathing statue. I was okay with that. But now I've learned... That's people's hands feel warm." Rei held onto [Y/n]'s hand, and her eyes widened, "That there are places that feel nice to stay."

"Stop it!" Kazuki said.

"What good will it do to leave Miri on her own?" [Y/n] asked, "We'd be no better than when her mother abandoned her. She needs us!"

"How could we take Miri's parents from her and just forget, without doing anything to make up for it?" Rei said, and Kazuki grabbed Rei by the collar.

"We..." Kazuki yelled, "We can't be part of Miri's life anymore!"

Rei glared. "You're wrong. We have to protect her. Think. What can we do to help Miri? You're the brain between us, remember? Kazuki!" Kazuki's eyes widened at Rei determined look, "We can change. This time, we'll make Miri happy!"

"Mama?" They heard Miri.

[Y/n]'s eyes softened as the [e/c] color seemed to be coming back. "I'm going to wash my hands." [Y/n] walked to the bathroom. Since [Y/n] came back, she took Miri from Kazuki and held her close, Miri smiled in her sleep. "Mama..." She muttered.

[Y/n] smiled a little. "We take turns tucking her in, Rei." She scolded, "She likes stories with the different voice, not every character can sound the same."

"Don't skip out on taking her back and forth to daycare." Kazuki said.

"Same with tooth-brushing after the bath." [Y/n] added.

"[Y/n] and I will cook, but you need to help clean. Give [Y/n] a break sometimes." Kazuki continued.

"No washing dishes until the dry ones are put away. And when you run the vacuum, move anything out of the way first. Don't just vacuum around things." [Y/n] said, "Kid follow their parents lead."

Rei stared at them in shock for moment then he smiled. "If you're gonna argue for it that hard, at least respect the household rules. And don't make me a third wheel all the time!" Kazuki said, and [Y/n] grinned.

"Okay." Rei said, and [Y/n] laid Miri back down on the couch, "Is game time-"

"One hour per day!" [Y/n] and Kazuki said.

"No way!" Rei said.

Kazuki, Rei and [Y/n] walked into the kitchen. "What is it?" Kyutaro asked.

"Kyu-chan..." Kazuki said, "Looks like we're out of the hitman business."

"We're gonna see how family life treats us." [Y/n] said with a grin.

"Really?" Kyutaro said putting his hand on his hip.

"We're going to be Miri's parents." Rei said.

"You're going to follow through on that false relationship, bearing the weight of your sin?" Kyutaro questioned.

"It isn't going to be a false relationship. This time, we're gonna be a real family!" [Y/n] said with a determined smile.