"Ex-lover"

As Ryuji and Kojima prepared to leave the Mistress's presence, the tension in the air was palpable. The weight of the agreement they had just made hung heavy on Ryuji's shoulders, and he could feel his anger simmering just beneath the surface. He wanted nothing more than to leave this eerie, suffocating place and begin the task that would bring him face-to-face with Ray Shigeyoshi, the Dawning Devil. But as they bowed deeply to the Mistress, and unexpected sound pierced the silence, the quiet, almost imperceptible creak of the sliding wooden door.

Ryuji's eyes snapped toward the door as it slid open, revealing a figure shrouded in a flowing pink kimono, her face obscured by a fox-like mask adorned with delicate patterns of cherry blossoms.

The Lady in Pink had arrived, her presence mysterious and enigmatic as ever. But she wasn't alone.

Flanking her were two women, both cloaked in shadows. The dim light barely touched them, but Ryuji immediately recognized one of them, an all too familiar face that sent a jolt of rage through his veins.

It was as though time slowed down. The woman who had once been his lover, the one who had been a significant part of his life before everything fell apart, stood before him. Memories flooded Ryuji's mind, memories of passion, betrayal, and heartbreak. His fists clenched involuntarily, his nails digging into his palms as he fought to keep his emotions in check.

The other woman remained in the shadows, her identity unknown to him, but that was of little concern to Ryuji at this moment. All he could focus on was the sudden reappearance of the woman who had once meant to him.

The Lady in Pink took a step forward, her presence commanding the room.

"Mistress, I bring these women as Kojima-san requested." The Lady in Pink announced, her voice, soft yet laced with authority, broke the silence.

"These two women will assist Ryuji-kun to defeat the Dawning Devil as soon as possible." The Lady in Pink.

Ryuji's eyes darted to the Mistress, who remained shrouded in darkness. His mind raced with questions, his anger rising with each passing second. Why was she here? Why had the Mistress brought his ex-lover into this secretive meeting, and how did she even know her? The anger he had been trying to suppress surged to the forefront, and he couldn't himself any longer.

"Why the fuck is she here?" Ryuji spat, his voice sharp with barely controlled fury.

"Mistress, why did you bring her here? What is she doing in a place like this, and how do you even know her?" Ryuji added.

The Mistress remained silent for a moment, her figure unmoving in the shadows. The silence was deafening, stretching the tension in the room to its breaking point. Ryuji's eyes burned with a mixture of rage and confusion as he waited for an answer, his breathing heavy.

Kojima, sensing the volatile situation, placed a firm hand on Ryuji's shoulder, a silent warning to keep his emotions in check.

"It was Kojima-san's idea, Ryuji Takahashi." Finally, the Mistress spoke bluntly.

Before Ryuji could react, Kojima's spoke.

"Ryuji-kun, Mistress, forgive me, but I thought it would be wise to bring these skilled and fine women here tonight. Given the nature of the task ahead, their presence and assistance might prove beneficial." Kojima reasoned.

Ryuji's head snapped towards Kojima, a mixture of shock and anger flashing across his face. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Kojima had brought them here, especially her, without even consulting him? His blood boiled at the thought.

The Mistress, hidden in the shadows, did not immediately respond. Her silence was as intimidating as ever, and the room seemed to grow colder.

"Kojima-san, I won't tolerate this next time. It is not in your place to make such decisions lightly." Her voice emerged from the darkness, smooth and measured.

"Of course, Mistress. My humble apologies if I overstepped. I believed the two women's assistance will help Ryuji-kun hasten his task ahead." Kojima uttered. He bowed even lower, his expression contrite.

Ryuji couldn't hold back any longer. His eyes locked onto the Mistress, but his words were directed at Kojima.

"Why the fuck would you bring her here? This has nothing to do with her, nothing to do with these bitches!" Ryuji yelled.

The Mistress's cold gaze turned towards Ryuji, though her face remained hidden in the shadows.

"Yell again and I will have your tongue cut in half, Ryuji Takahashi." The Mistress uttered, cold and deadly.

Ryuji silenced his mouth, his fists clenched at his sides, his body taut with barely suppressed rage.

Kojima, sensing the rising tension, stepped forward, attempting to diffuse the situation.

"Ryuji-kun, listen. The Mistress and I have reasons. I thought your ex-lover's involvement might give you an edge, something to motivate you even further."

Ryuji's glare shifted to Kojima.

"Motivate me? You think dragging my shitty past into this fucking mess will motivate me? You have no idea what you've done, old man." Ryuji fired back, his voice dangerously low.

The Lady in Pink watched silently, her masked face revealing nothing, while the woman who had been part of Ryuji's past remained quiet, her expression unreadable. The other woman, still shrouded in mystery, stood at her side, observing the scene with detached interest.