Among the entire Tsukiyuki Clan, Auntie Fumiko could easily be considered one of the people Tsukiyuki Rio loathed the most. Fumiko envied everyone’s happiness. The sight of another person’s smile would remind Fumiko of her own past, causing her to completely lose control.
She never attended the weddings of her kin, yet she made a point of attending every funeral. At these funerals, she would put on a show, hypocritically shedding a few tears. In reality, after the funeral, she always left wearing a deeply satisfied smile.
“Rio, you cannot be allowed to find happiness alone.”
It wasn’t that no one had tried to rescue Auntie Fumiko from the shadows of her past. A distant uncle, who had lost his wife and shared no deep blood ties with Auntie Fumiko, took the initiative to pursue her. That distant uncle who tried to save Auntie Fumiko now lies in a psychiatric hospital, often raving madly and having attempted to jump from the building to his death three times.
After that incident, Auntie Fumiko became an existence within the family that everyone avoided at all costs. Yet, at the same time, Auntie Fumiko’s loyalty to the main family was undeniably genuine. The Yakuza organization under her command provided the main family with substantial annual income, granting Auntie Fumiko a status within the main family that few could hope to reach.
Still, Auntie Fumiko should know her place.
“Auntie Fumiko, if you defy me, there are plenty of people from the branch families ready to take your place.”
Winter mornings always carry a slight chill, but Tsukiyuki Rio never feared it. Aside from occasionally sleeping in because she cherished her time with Gao Sijin, she almost always rose early to practice Kendo. This seemingly delicate and slender young lady with an air of antiquity actually possessed physical abilities far exceeding her peers.
Morgana brought Rio a rice ball.
“Thank you for your hard work, Morgana.”
“Not at all, it is my great honor to serve as your driver, Young Lady Tsukiyuki.”
“Though you are European, you speak just like an Asian.”
Morgana smiled sheepishly.
Since childhood, her family had moved back and forth between Asia and Europe, so she had been well-versed in Asian culture from a young age, particularly fascinated by its art of subtle and indirect speech.
“Shall we depart now?”
“Yes, let’s go to Auntie Fumiko’s house.”
“We already paid a high-profile visit yesterday. Going again today might seem a bit…”
“It doesn’t matter. Auntie Fumiko may be a madwoman, but she still has her reason. She wouldn’t dare oppose me.”
“I will bring the car around immediately.”
Within five minutes, the black Mercedes-Benz pulled up before Tsukiyuki Rio. Morgana opened the door for her.
For Morgana, every moment alone with Tsukiyuki Rio was a crucial opportunity.
Sooner or later, she had to completely edge out Yu Qingxue and become the Head Maid.
When that happened, the Dantès Family would also be revitalized through her efforts, reclaiming its glory as a renowned and prestigious house.
“Morgana, I actually quite like girls with ambition.”
Sitting in the passenger seat, Tsukiyuki Rio suddenly spoke.
Morgana’s expression remained impassive as she continued driving, though inwardly, she was already somewhat pleased.
At ten in the morning, they were not far from Tsukiyuki Fumiko’s home in Setagaya when Tsukiyuki Rio’s phone suddenly rang.
She answered the call; it was from the main house.
“Hello, what is it, Mother?” Tsukiyuki Rio asked sweetly.
Her mother Tsukiyuki Senju’s voice came from the other end.
The mother and daughter connected on the phone, but compared to a typical mother-daughter relationship, Tsukiyuki Rio and her mother’s exchanges were more about work than familial affection.
Occasionally, they would also discuss major matters concerning the family together.
“Alright, I understand, Mother.”
“I truly didn’t expect this. Mother, please take good care of yourself as well.”
From answering to hanging up, the call lasted only about five minutes.
“How unexpected.”
“What happened, Young Lady Tsukiyuki?”
“Nothing major. Auntie Fumiko died yesterday.”
“What? The Tokyo Godmother is dead?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“What was the cause of death?”
“Murder.”
The death of Tsukiyuki Fumiko from the branch family was an event significant enough to send shockwaves across the entire city of Tokyo.
Yet, Tsukiyuki Rio remained completely unruffled. Her dark-red pupils didn’t even flicker.
“Young Lady Tsukiyuki, did you anticipate this?” Seeing the Young Miss so calm, Morgana grew puzzled.
“I didn’t anticipate it, but if Auntie Fumiko is dead, then she’s dead,” Tsukiyuki Rio said, gazing at the somewhat congested road ahead. “Whether sooner or later, it’s all the same. Auntie Fumiko was certainly capable, but far too unstable. The Tsukiyuki Family of the future has no need for a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment.”
“Right now, is Ms. Tsukiyuki Fumiko’s death a good or bad thing for the Tsukiyuki Family?”
“For the Tsukiyuki Family, it is naturally bad. The reason the major Yakuza groups in Tokyo remained in line was because Tsukiyuki Fumiko had the ability to suppress them. But with Tsukiyuki Fumiko’s death, those groups will undoubtedly begin to stir again. Humans have always been creatures driven by desire.”
Tsukiyuki Rio continued, “However, for me personally, it’s actually a good thing. This way, I no longer have to negotiate with Tsukiyuki Fumiko and can directly bring my younger cousin Uzuki back for Gao-kun.”
“Ah, in that case, it’s a good thing for Uzuki as well. Seeing that little girl yesterday, even I felt a bit sorry for her…”
“I didn’t expect Morgana to be capable of sympathy.”
Morgana laughed awkwardly and did not continue the conversation.
In the Seijo district of Setagaya Ward, several police cars were parked near the Mediterranean-style Western house. Police officers and forensic examiners had both arrived, surrounding Tsukiyuki Fumiko’s home in layers upon layers.
“Hello, may we enter?”
Flanked by a maid, Tsukiyuki Rio gracefully approached the murder scene.
Initially, the police barred Tsukiyuki Rio and her accompanying maid, Morgana, from entering. But soon, a phone call came through, and the young officer immediately and respectfully allowed them passage.
“This makes it a true burial site now.”
Tsukiyuki Rio walked into the house. The thick, pungent smell of blood filled her nostrils.
Over the years, a considerable number of innocents had met their end at Auntie Fumiko’s hands. From the very beginning, Tsukiyuki Rio had long anticipated that Auntie Fumiko would absolutely come to a gruesome end.
However, upon seeing Auntie Fumiko’s corpse, even she was shocked. The flesh was split open and torn, as if the entire body had been drenched in scalding oil. Many areas bore marks that looked like bites from a wild beast. One of her thighs had been crushed flat, its bone and flesh ground together into a paste-like pulp.
The only area still relatively intact was Auntie Fumiko’s face.
Even in death, those eyes were still bloodshot.
“Good morning, Auntie Fumiko.”
Beside her, Morgana had turned deathly pale at the sight of the gruesome corpse. But Tsukiyuki Rio’s expression remained unchanged. A faint, subtle smile even graced her lips.
