The main character repeats his warning to get everyone out, for their own good. The guard questions why on earth they should take orders from a complete stranger. The youth states that they are all useless against the Funeral Flowers, and would just throw their lives away. Katagiri grabs him by the collar and yells that they risk everything to protect their boss.
Akari steps in and orders her bodyguard to do exactly what the kid said. With a gentle but firm smile, she politely asks him to follow the instruction. Reluctantly, the guard finally agrees and heads out to carry out the orders. Outside, the other guards question the call, but Katagiri shuts them down. Then he lets Akari know that he sent everyone home, just like he was told. Even so, he decides to stay and fight on his own, proving his loyalty to the young lady.
The main character is surprised by her cooperation, and questions why she trusts him. Akari explains that even without knowing about the Funeral Flowers, she knew regular guards would not stand a chance. And she figures that to deal with professionals, you need to leave the job to another professional.
The kid asks what makes her think he is an operative just like them. With total conviction, she replies that it is because she has seen a real one before. She says the look in his eyes when he pinned Katagiri was exactly the same. Eyes that did not look at the past or the future, only right at the present. The eyes of a beast entirely locked onto the prey standing in front of it.
Blushing slightly, she admits that his eyes were actually a little different. Different from that cold, mechanical stare of someone who just takes lives without feeling. She felt the burning heat in his eyes, something that deeply intrigued her. A hatred for something, and an urge to see a goal through at absolutely any cost. A fiery, obsessive passion that made her feel a strange sort of connection.
And that is exactly why she is choosing to trust him to keep her safe.
The main character understands her reasoning and accepts their unexpected alliance. Then he asks about the operative she mentioned, the one with the same eyes as his. Akari reveals that she personally witnessed her father, the head of the Shido group, meet his end.
Curious, the kid asks what kind of woman that mercenary was. She describes the woman as an elegant elderly lady wearing a gentle smile on her face. The woman showed up before her father looking like she was just visiting an old friend. But in the blink of an eye, that visit turned into an absolute nightmare. With that same smile on her lips, the operative showed her true colors. Moving with insane speed, she took out every single one of her father's bodyguards.
Startled by the description, the main character interrupts Akari to ask a question. He asks whether her blade had a red spider lily engraved on it. Shocked, Akari asks how he knew such a highly specific detail. With a look full of rage, the kid recognizes the operative from the weapon's description. He cannot believe that woman is still active after all these years.
Suddenly he bends over in pain, realizing something is terribly wrong. Akari notices his reaction and worriedly asks what is happening to him. Struggling to breathe, he barely manages to ask what that was.
Then the elderly operative appears before them with a sinister smirk. Beside her, Katagiri is collapsed on the floor, heavily hurt.
The old lady says the mansion feels like a spiderweb, completely full of traps. She notes that she can see the traces of traps set up everywhere. Then she demands that Katagiri tell her who else is hiding in the house, and starts to threaten him. With a cruel smile, she shows off her needles and says she is going to play a game of plucking petals. The mercenary throws her needles, and the guard screams in pain as they hit.
She tries to force him to talk, but Katagiri holds out and refuses to sell out his ally.
Suddenly Akari jumps in and attacks the old woman with a blade to protect her bodyguard. With a furious glare, the girl shows off her sword skills and her determination. The operative recognizes Akari as the little girl who is never late with her reports.
Hurt, Katagiri yells for his boss to step back and watch out for the enemy. The old lady blocks Akari's strike, and the clash between the two kicks off. She manages to stop the sword's edge using just her needles, displaying terrifying skill. Akari gets frustrated that she cannot land a hit on the seasoned veteran. With a mocking smile, the woman says this saves her the trouble of hunting her down.
In a flash, she moves and strikes Katagiri, who is trying to shield Akari. The old lady mentions that she remembers the little kitten who used to peek at her from inside the closet, and comments on how she has grown up now, carrying the exact same eyes as her father. With a twisted look, she says those eyes look absolutely delicious.