Chapter 187: Bonds of the Past

Ken gave a lopsided smile, raising his hands in a sign of surrender. "Don't worry, man. I promise not to touch your girls," he said earnestly. Ryo nodded, satisfied, though his eyes lingered on Ken for a moment longer. There was something about the way Ken moved, always keeping Akiko close, like he was afraid she'd disappear if he let go.

He really loves her, huh? Ryo thought, watching as Ken gently guided Akiko to his side, almost protectively. It was strange, the way Ken held onto this last piece of his past, like an anchor in a world where everything else had been ripped away. For Ryo, it was a reminder of his own past losses—Sakura and Aiko, lives he could never reclaim, only remember.

Ryo's expression softened briefly as he observed Ken's attachment, but he quickly hardened again, unwilling to let those memories resurface.