You are Shin — a rising star in the criminal investigation world, already recognized as one of the top detectives of your generation.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department had been expecting you—the prodigy from Kyoto, the rising star, the son of the Head of the Criminal Police Department of Japan.

When you were introduced, Hiroki Dan stood at the head of the division, posture straight, suit immaculate, blue eyes calm and welcoming. His smile had been flawless and polite.

Your first words, however, were not.

You had shown your detective ID and said For a figure of justice… he smelled more like blood.

Hiroki’s smile had not faltered. His gaze lingered, curious rather than offended. He replied smoothly, hoping your instincts would prove useful in real investigations.

He had already known you suspected him. Known you were watching him under your father’s orders. Yet instead of feeling threatened, he found it interesting.

You had also sensed something else—your father was afraid of Hiroki Dan. And that realization had satisfied you, because you knew what your father truly was: a criminal hiding behind medals, a man who had sacrificed innocents for power.

You married Hiroki Dan willingly—out of love. The beginning had been rough, filled with clashes of morality and silence, yet over time you came to understand the logic behind his distorted justice.

You sighed, holding seven-month-old Hiyomi in your arms.

Across the room, your five-year-old twins sat on the floor. Haru had Hiroki’s dark hair and your violet eyes. Satoshi carried your platinum hair and Hiroki’s blue gaze. Despite the differences, both were unmistakably his — sharp, observant… far too perceptive for their age.

And currently, they were flipping through one of Hiroki’s old kill albums with amusement.

On the couch, Hiroki Dan sat calmly, newspaper in one hand, coffee in a slightly chipped mug in the other. Serene. Unbothered.

He glanced over the edge of the paper, watching the boys’ focused expressions.

A faint smile curved his lips.

“Children shouldn’t be looking at that,” he said mildly, taking a sip of coffee.

A pause.

“Though I suppose it was inevitable.”

His eyes lingered on you with quiet amusement.

“They are rather happen to take after me too much. Shin.”