Ilaya watched Nicole's car drive off. She turned her attention towards the restaurant. She looked at the place that had sheltered and comforted her with a sad expression. Then, she shook her head and she touched her chest
Ilaya brought down her arm as she made her expression happy. She soon walked towards the restaurant and before she even entered, she saw the closed sign in the door. She couldn't help but think
'It seemed that they're going all out. That's better too'
Then, she opened the door as she entered. She saw Mars and Owner preparing the place. The whole set up of the dining area was completely different in the usual arrangements. All the tables was put aside in the walls, and there's only a large table in the center
Ilaya also noticed that there's many decorations in the area like paper decorations and balloons. She looked at the surroundings and Mars soon noticed her. She excitedly said to Ilaya
"Ilaya! You've finally come! What do you think? It's pretty isn't it?"
Ilaya nodded as she greeted Mars and Owner. After she greeted them, she asked
"Yes. It's pretty. Are you the one who made these?"
Mars cough as she said embarrassingly
"Yes? I mean I made the balloons. The boss is the one who made those paper decorations. I don't even know how make them"
Ilaya turned to look at the owner and asked him incredulously
"You're the one who made them Owner? They're really well made! You're incredible!"
He looked at Ilaya and said to her
"Well, I tried to teach Mars, but her skills in making decorations are all over the place. So I gave up"
Mars then yelled at him
"Boss. You're the one who's bad at teaching! I'm not the problem!"
Ilaya laughed as she said to Mars
"It's alright nee-chan. I don't know how to make them either. So you're not alone!"
Mars grumbled at Ilaya
"Not you too little sister. But, at least I made the balloons. That counted for something, right?"
"Yes yes"
Ilaya said as she put her things in the chair. Then, she asked them
"So what can I do to help? It feel special if we all help to make the celebration a successful one"
Mars tried to say something, but Owner spoke first
"Alright. You can help Mars prepare the foods. I can finish decorating this myself. It's almost done anyway"
Ilaya nodded and she approached Mars before smiling and saying
"Let's go nee-chan. I can assist you again in the kitchen. Like the always"
Mars readily agreed as she said excitedly
"Alright! Let's leave this to the boss. He's mean to me anyway!"
Ilaya laughed as she said to Owner
"We're going to start preparing now. Are you sure you don't need help?"
Owner just waved his hand with the scissor and said
"I can finish this before you two even start to cook. Don't worry"
Ilaya nodded before heading towards the kitchen with Mars. Then, they heard Owner said to them
"Ahh. By the way, I invited a friend of mine to attend. You two don't mind that, don't you?"
Mars and Ilaya were startled and looked at each other. Based on their expression, they can both tell what each other is thinking
'"Boss/Owner had a friend!?"'
Owner looked at them and sighed as he said
"I have friends too. They're just busy and didn't know where I am"
Ilaya then answered easily
"Alright. We don't mind. The more, the merrier"
Owner nodded as he returned to his work. Ilaya and Mars turned around and entered the kitchen. They both wear an apron as they start preparing the ingredients. They talked as they work and they felt relaxed and comfortable
After about 10 minutes. Ilaya said to Mars
"Nee-chan. I'll excuse myself for a bit. I need to use the bathroom"
Mars, who's chopping meat said to her
"Alright. Take your time"
Ilaya nodded as she removed her apron. Then, she walked out of the kitchen as she headed towards the bathroom. As she closed the door. She leaned the wall as she closed her eyes. A tear streaks down her face as she felt something warm rise from her throat
She walked to the sink and she vomited
"Blurgh"
She stared at the copious amount of dark red blood without moving. Then she opened the tap as she washed her blood and washed her face. After wiping her face with a towel, she looked at the mirror to check if there's blood left. When she saw none, she opened the door as she walked towards the kitchen
She entered and put on her apron again. Then, she said happily to Mars
"Nee-chan. Let me do that. Focused on cooking"
Mars nodded and said to her while smiling
"Okay. Then you do this"
Ilaya nodded as she chopped the meat. As she's chopping, she thought
'I'm sorry Kyora. I have decided. I know I'm being selfish but. Compared to being all alone, I'd rather die from their love. For me, being able to survive without someone caring for you is a pointless existence'
…
Michizugawa was staring at the entrance of the restaurant and couldn't help but think
'If I retire, maybe opening a restaurant is not a bad choice'
He sighed as he walked towards the entrance as he grumbled
"Seriously, what's with him? Why did he invite me to their celebration?"
Michizugawa initially wanted to refuse, but upon learning that the victim of the serial killer was attending, he immediately agreed to attend. The matter of the serial killer is an important case. He really wanted to know what happened at that night
But, it was sidetracked by the 'Graveyard Operation'. As he thought of that, he became sullen. The police force was out of commission and still didn't manage to recover from the losses. Now, another fight was brewing because those criminal organizations are fully recovered by now
Only, the one that they will fight is the Yakuza. Who's ruthless and cunning. Those bunch had no morals and will do anything and everything to kill their enemies
'I guess that's the difference between criminals and law enforcement. We're shackled by the law and they're not'
Michizugawa opened the door and saw his old friend sitting at the counter as he cut paper decorations. He looked around and saw that the type of decorations is extremely familiar to him. He froze as he realized something
He looked at his old friend whose expression was melancholic and nostalgic. He couldn't help but thought
'Is this celebration really that meaningful to him? He even dug his old wound'
Owner soon noticed him as he said
"Welcome, Michizugawa. I thought that you're going to refuse at first. But you bit to the invitation immediately"
Michizugawa scoffed as he walked towards him. He then said
"I attended because you invited me for the first time in years. Also, I planned to take a look at the surviving victim of the serial killer"
Owner stopped his movements as he looked at him without saying anything. Michizugawa know what he's thinking as he waved his hand before saying
"I will not question her about what happened if that's what you're worried about. I meant what I said, just take a look"
Owner nodded as he said
"We're having a celebration. Don't forget that"
Then, Michizugawa sat in the chair in front of the counter before saying
"Old friend. These decorations…"
He didn't continue his words as he knows that his friend will get the meaning
Owner looked around the place as he smiled. Then, he said to Michizugawa
"I found a new one. My family"
Michizugawa nearly teared up when he heard his words. The heaviness of his heart vanished as he realized that his best friend is finally letting go of the past. And embracing a new future
He looked at his smiling face as he cut the papers. He wanted to asked something but before he do, Michizugawa heard his old friend said to him
"Help me cut this. You need to help too. That's what Ilaya had said"
Michizugawa swallowed the words that was coming up and became sullen as he grabbed the scissor and started cutting the papers
L