Chapter 451: Christmas Gift

"Thinking back, when he came home four years ago and said he'd been dumped, I couldn't help laughing. A twelve-year-old falling in love and getting heartbroken? Hahaha…"

"What the hell are you laughing at? Even at that age he had more going for him than you." Kaname snarked. "What were you doing when you were twelve?"

"Sweeping floors."

"Huh?"

"Fine—laying the groundwork for organizing."

"…"

"Things were different back in our day. I didn't have the luxury to chase girls." He laughed. "Now it's an age of peace. Who knows how long that'll last."

"As long as you don't stir up trouble, the world will stay peaceful."

"That's not guaranteed. Sometimes history doesn't follow any one person's will."

He poured himself a drink.

"But thanks to Sousuke, peace is still holding. He's a critical part of maintaining global stability."

"You flatter me, instructor. I'm just running IW based on your original guidance."

Sousuke responded formally.

"I've traveled to many places with you, been through countless battles. It was only through those experiences that I came to appreciate peace."

"It's good you understand. Just keep doing what you're doing. If you get tired, find a successor."

"Yes… Instructor, Rinji will be eighteen in a couple years, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Should he take over IW once he's of age?"

"You want to retire?"

"It's about time. I've spent these past years abroad, barely had time with Kaname." Sousuke said. "And those geezers in the Elder Council… well, you know."

"Oh, for sure."

The IW Elder Council was made up of the original team Rinji's father gathered before founding the organization. During the war, they were fearless warriors. Now retired, most of them had seemingly lost their minds.

"You've worked hard."

Rinji's father raised a glass to Sousuke and continued.

"When that kid turns eighteen, go talk to him. But I'm guessing he won't want to take over. If you really want to retire, just find someone reliable."

"Understood… But is Rinji really unwilling to inherit an organization as massive as IW?"

Calling it "massive" was putting it mildly. IW had enough power to rival a continent.

"You know this was just a side project I built for fun back in the day. If that kid wants something like it, he'll build one himself." Rinji's father laughed. "I know him well. He's capable enough, but right now… he's just enjoying the easy life that peace brings."

"I see. If he refuses, I'll hold out for a few more years."

"Thanks."

"Not at all."

"Still, when I first learned your true identity, I was shocked," Hayashi said. "Back in high school, IW was already beginning to take shape, right?"

"Yeah, back then international law had a ton of loopholes. Exploiting them helped the organization grow."

"If not for that 1999 incident, we might've never uncovered you. But you've changed a lot since then—much calmer now."

"That's marriage for you. It changes a man."

He swirled the last of his drink in the glass, his thoughts drifting to the past.

"I spent my youth chasing my goals. She was always by my side. Now that I've achieved them, the rest of my life is for her."

Just then, he noticed the Amano siblings, who had been silent at the table the entire time.

Since they weren't even in high school yet, they had no way to join in the adults' conversation.

"Sorry about that. Listening to old folks ramble probably isn't very fun." He smiled and pointed to the next room. "If you're bored, feel free to head over to my kid's place. Young people always find things to talk about."

"It's fine, really."

Hina smiled and shook her head.

"I actually like it here. It feels… like home."

---

Just one room over, things had already settled down on Rinji's side.

Though he'd cooked the Christmas dinner himself, he hadn't made a lot. The four of them quickly finished the meal.

But the dinner wasn't the main event. The real focus was the post-meal gift exchange.

Due to Fusui and Karura's unique circumstances, their gifts couldn't be bought from just any store.

Rinji brought out a large, carefully wrapped gift box and handed it to Fusui.

"Here. This is for you."

"Thank you~ What could it be?"

She accepted it with a smile. Judging by its weight and size, she had a pretty good idea.

A sniper rifle.

"I really love this gift."

"I'm glad you do."

"But I didn't bring much to give in return."

Fusui leaned in with a sly smile.

"So how about I give you myself tonight?"

"No thanks."

"Tch~"

She figured she had little chance of getting into Rinji's room tonight.

If she wanted in, she'd have to outplay Hayasaka.

Unfortunately, even with her skills as a veteran assassin, Fusui was still no match for Hayasaka in strategy.

"Karura, this one's for you."

Her gift was much smaller, just a little box.

"Thank you!"

Karura didn't even care what it was. As long as it came from Rinji, she was overjoyed.

She immediately hugged him, pressing her chest right against his.

"I'm glad you like it."

He smiled, gently easing her off.

Lastly came Hayasaka.

She looked at him with quiet anticipation.

"I was thinking for a long time about what to give you. A one-of-a-kind gift is hard to find, but in the end, I could only come up with this."

He pulled a brooch from his pocket, embedded with a red gemstone, and handed it to her.