Fugaku shuddered violently, his face turning from deathly pale to ashen.
Izumi came up behind them, walking a little slower than the other two. She stopped in front of Mikoto, her brows drawing together.
"Do you mean Lord Yongye?"
"I doubt he'll agree."
"Yongye puts justice first and compassion second! Besides, exterminating a clan is such a serious crime that even his help might not be enough."
Mikoto stared at Izumi's innocent, admiring face for a moment, then looked away toward the half-open wooden door at the end of the corridor.
"We have to try."
Her voice was softer than before, but her resolve had not wavered.
Izumi pressed her lips together, then relaxed them.
"All right. I'll go too."
"Maybe Lord Yongye really does have a way."
Mikoto turned back to Izumi. A storm of emotion churned in her eyes, but she said nothing.
She turned and headed down the corridor. Fugaku followed, walking more slowly than usual, each step so unsteady his legs seemed ready to give out. Izumi brought up the rear, her ponytail swaying lightly behind her shoulder.
The three of them crossed the corridor and entrance hall, climbed the stairs, and stopped outside the Deputy Director's office.
Mikoto raised her hand and knocked twice.
"Come in."
Yongye's voice came through the door, as languid as ever.
She pushed it open and went in, followed by Fugaku and then Izumi.
Yongye sat behind his desk, his chair tipped slightly back and his hands folded on the desktop. He glanced at the three of them in the doorway, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"Well, look at this crowd. Here to pick a fight with me?"
Mikoto stood before the desk, her arms at her sides and her hands clenched unconsciously into fists. She took a deep