Once a mobster, now Masachika Kuze

Ryan stared at Takano with an empty, almost disdainful look as he processed everything she had said. Rika remained silent, absorbing every word, until her voice finally broke the air, cold as winter:

"Very interesting story... You sought approval in a system that never cared about you."

Before Takano could respond, Ryan let out a dry laugh and interjected:

"But you're not the only one in the world who goes through this, you know?"

His voice carried a tone of cruel indifference as he continued:

"Now, I want you to clarify a few things for me."

Ryan tilted his head slightly, a gesture that mixed curiosity with a veiled threat.

"Earlier, when I went to look for Irie, I found a boy on a stretcher. He mentioned his name... Houjou Satoshi."

The impact of the name was immediate. Rika's eyes widened, and she looked down at the ground in disbelief, murmuring almost to herself:

"So that's where he was..."

Her voice was low, but laden with surprise and sorrow. Ryan ignored her reaction, keeping his focus on Takano.

"I recognized the surname. He's Satoko's brother, isn't he?"

Rika's silence was answer enough, but Ryan pressed on relentlessly:

"Irie told me he's in this state because... there is no cure for the syndrome."

Takano narrowed her eyes, her voice tense as she responded:

"We are still analyzing the stages."

Ryan maintained his cold expression, insisting firmly:

"But is there any possibility of a cure?"

Takano averted her gaze, hesitant, before responding with a cold tone:

"There might be..."

Meanwhile, Irie, who had remained silent until now, murmured in a weak, almost imperceptible voice:

"I... need... help..."

Ryan completely ignored him, staying focused on Takano like a predator refusing to release its prey.

"What have you discovered about the disease so far?"

Takano took a deep breath, her irritation evident, and retorted acidly:

"Why should I give you those details?"

Without hesitation, Ryan pointed his weapon directly at the folder Takano held so tightly. His voice became even colder, dripping with menace:

"Because if you don't tell me, I'll read everything in there myself and then send your 'treasure' straight to hell."

Takano felt her chest tighten, cold sweat dripping down her neck. She hesitated, but the look on Ryan's face made it clear he wasn't bluffing. With no alternatives, she began to speak, her voice dragged and bitter:

"Some progress has been made. We know how the disease starts... It's not directly contagious, but nearly all the inhabitants of Hinamizawa can develop it. The trigger can be extreme stress or, in the case of those who leave the village, there seems to be a greater susceptibility to the disease."

Ryan closed his eyes for a moment, processing the information. The tension in the room was almost tangible, and the silence that followed seemed to weigh heavily on everyone present.

He opened his eyes again but said nothing, his expression serious as he reflected on everything Takano had just revealed.

Ryan continued probing Takano, analyzing every word that left her mouth. He sought to understand how useful she could be, but his patience was quickly wearing thin.

Yuno, who had remained silent until now, lost her composure. In a hurried tone, she interrupted:

"Isn't that enough, Ryan? This woman has nothing more to offer. It's clear she's not going to help beyond this."

Ryan sighed deeply, adjusting his hair with a casual gesture. His voice carried disdain:

"Yeah... you're right, Yuno. I think we've heard enough from this blonde."

Morbidly, he raised his hand, pointing the confiscated M1911 directly at Takano's head. The cold metal of the barrel and Ryan's merciless expression sent a shiver down Takano's spine. Her eyes began to fill with tears, and her mind was flooded with thoughts of defeat.

"Forgive me, Grandpa... I won't make it..."

But before the deafening sound of the gunshot could echo, Rika's voice broke the silence with unexpected calm:

"Ryan... I don't want it to end like this."

Takano looked up in surprise. Rika was holding Ryan's arm gently but firmly enough to prevent any movement. Ryan kept the gun raised but looked at Rika coldly.

"Do you have any idea what you're saying, Rika?" he asked, his voice direct, almost impatient, but still aiming at Takano.

Rika gently tugged on his arm, her voice gaining rare firmness while maintaining her cute, innocent tone:

"I've been thinking... Ever since you told me who was behind all this."

She turned her melancholic eyes to Takano, who looked confused and fragile.

"I finally see a happy ending for me... for all my suffering. But remember when I said that hatred fades with time? And that I wouldn't know how I'd feel until I saw this person in front of me?"

Ryan slowly looked at Rika as she continued:

"I still feel hatred for Takano... but I also feel pity."

Yuno rolled her eyes, impatient with what she was hearing, but Rika went on, ignoring her reaction:

"I want a perfect ending... I'm sorry, Ryan... but even for her."

Ryan let out a dark laugh, lowering the gun slowly.

"Rika... You're over a hundred years old, but you still talk like a little girl at times like this."

He ran a hand through her hair, a gesture oscillating between affection and exasperation.

"Killing her now wouldn't change anything. It would only give a momentary reprieve to my hatred. But you know how this works. When everything resets, I'd have to kill her again. Look at her, Rika. This woman would never give up on what she wants. She's driven by it."

Takano, trembling, maintained a determined look as Ryan stared at her. His voice was cold but direct:

"Are you sure you want to save this woman?"

Rika averted her gaze, hesitating for a moment, when Hanyuu's soft voice echoed:

"Auauau~ It's hard to admit, Rika, but Ryan is right..."

Taking a deep breath, Rika gathered her courage and raised her eyes to Ryan. Her voice was filled with emotion as she asked:

"What would the kind Ryan I once knew do?"

The question hung in the air, heavy as an anchor. Ryan remained silent, the phrase reverberating in his mind. He wrestled internally, trying to answer the question now haunting him: "Ryan... or Masachika? Who defines who I am now?"

He looked away, staring at the ceiling for a moment. The sound of Irie's low groans on the floor and the distant ticking of a clock seemed to synchronize his thoughts.

Finally, he broke the silence with a grave and serious voice:

"Takano Miyo... Can you still continue your research?"

Takano, hesitant, only nodded, confused and distrustful. Ryan continued, impassive:

"I'm going to give you one chance. And you will thank Furude Rika for the rest of your life."

Takano's eyes narrowed in surprise.

"What...?" she managed to murmur.

Ryan approached, his firm steps echoing in the room. He pointed at the folder Takano held so tightly, causing her to breathe heavily, fear etched on her face. Even as she tried to pull back, clutching the dossier, he touched it deliberately.

"I'll have someone finance your research. But it will be to save Satoshi... and truly help people."

Ryan's nearly lifeless eyes met Takano's. His voice was sharp as a blade:

"But... you will be a good little dog. And you will commit no more atrocities."

The silence that followed seemed to suffocate the room as Takano absorbed the decision that, even coming from an enemy, was her only chance at redemption.

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