My stepsisters are sexy demons, and I must protect them
Chapter 102: One last farewell gift

Chapter 102: One last farewell gift

Shin suddenly opens his eyes, awakened with a jolt.

His breath is heavy, just like when one wakes up from a terrible nightmare.

He looks around and realizes he’s inside a small medical room in HESPARC Brazil division—one he doesn’t recognize.

He’s the only patient in the room.

His body is hooked up to numerous machines and IVs, with tubes running everywhere.

The calendar says five days have passed since the mission ended—six days spent bedridden.

Instinctively, he tries to move his arm and legs.

He barely manages, but the pain is enough to make him stop right away.

But a new wave of pain strikes him even harder the moment he turns his head.

It’s not physical—it hits the one muscle left untouched during that brutal battle in what was once the Amazon Rainforest: his heart.

Kagura is sitting on a stool beside him.

She’s asleep, leaning forward with her head resting on Shin’s cot.

When he lowers his gaze, Shin notices traces of a pink, sticky substance all over his body—her healing saliva.

~Even after what I did to you... you’re still here, taking care of me... Do I really deserve this...?~

But Shin’s guilt becomes even more unbearable when the final moments before he lost consciousness come flooding back—

the image of Alexia pierced through her body, protecting her brother from Eskari’s attack so that Shin could deliver the decisive blow.

♡♡♡

●Two weeks earlier●

HESPARC U.S. Headquarters – Office of Deputy Director Alexia Kendrow.

«Are you planning to just stare at me the whole time? You’re messing with my concentration,» Alexia mutters, cheeks slightly red.

She’s seated at her desk, scribbling, signing, and stamping an endless pile of paperwork.

Shin sits across from her, fingers interlaced beneath his chin, staring at her without flinching.

«Maybe... but if my presence bothers you, just say it and I’ll leave you alone,» Shin replies with a teasing grin.

«T-That’s not what I said...» Alexia mumbles. «I’ll be leaving for Tokyo soon. I have something extremely important to discuss with the Deputy Director of HESPARC Japan—Hiroshi Matsumoto.»

«To Japan? What for? Wait... don’t tell me you’re saying this because you want me to ask if I can come with you? Well, actually, the idea of spending thirteen hours on a plane alone together doesn’t sound bad at all...»

Alexia huffs and clenches her teeth, her cheeks growing even redder.

«For the record, your son will be there too—he wants to stop by Ashiya—and it’s an official meeting. I’m not here to spill the details of our agenda to you! I can only tell you it concerns you. You’ll find out if the mission to kill Eskari succeeds. And anyway... what makes you think I told you just because of that?! I’m the Deputy Director of HESPARC U.S., and you’re just a washed-up ex-agent kicked out of HESPARC Japan! If I wanted you to do something, I could just order you!»

Shin shrugs.

«I don’t remember you being such a grumbler, you know? Seems like age made you crankier... or maybe it’s your role as Deputy Director...? Or maybe... it’s because you don’t get laid as much as you did when you were younger?»

Alexia explodes.

«H-How dare you talk to me like that, stupid Shin Tendo?! Keep it up and I swear by the God of Light I’ll cancel the meeting with Mr. Matsumoto! In fact, maybe I’ll really do it! Trying to do you a favor and this is how you thank me?! You damn perverted idiot!»

«Come on, come on, don’t be so dramatic. Anyway, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t come with you to Japan—I’m rusty, and I’d rather spend these days training properly before the mission. I can’t risk my favorite Deputy Director getting hurt. It would ruin my gentlemanly reputation.»

«Pff... let me remind you that despite everything, I’m still the fourth strongest agent in HESPARC U.S., right after Zayn, my brother, and Kellen. You should worry about your safety,» Alexia grumbles without looking up from her papers.

Shin’s expression softens, nostalgic.

«You know, spending these days with you, Chris, Kellen, Zayn, Jasmine... it reminded me of those three months at HESPARC Academy. Who would’ve thought that, twenty years later, you’d have climbed so high, so fast. Though, deep down, I always knew. You’ve always been a strong and determined woman. I think that’s what’s always drawn me to you.»

Alexia pauses for a second as she writes—her face turning even redder—then resumes her bureaucratic tasks.

«So then, that story about you and your brother...» Shin continues, curious.

«Yes, my brother and I love each other! Happy now?!» Alexia snaps. «I know everyone sees it as wrong, disgusting, but I don’t care! Is it so wrong to give up on loving someone just because we share DNA? Why should something so biological determine my feelings? In fact, there’s nothing more normal than loving someone you’ve grown up with, lived with, someone you know better than anyone else, rather than someone you met one night at a bar and will never truly get to know! Chris is the most important man in my life, I love him more than I love myself, and I’d give up everything for him! Even my own life!»

♡♡♡

~In the end, she was right... those weren’t just empty words. She truly loved him more than her own life... Alexia... you’ve left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled again... I don’t even want to imagine what Chris must be going through right now...~

With effort, Shin slowly lifts his torso.

He shifts into a half-seated position, his back resting against the headboard.

At that moment, his gaze falls on a sealed letter with a wax stamp, placed on the desk beside him.

The seal bears the emblem of the HESPARC Japan division.

Next to the letter, there’s a folded handwritten note, also sealed with wax—this time from HESPARC U.S.—with a pen-written message.

[Read this before the letter]

So, Shin reaches for the note first.

He breaks the seal and unfolds it completely.

[If you’re reading this note, it means the mission to eliminate the Cult of the Primordial Shadow member Eskari was successful.

But sadly, I’m no longer with you to celebrate this important triumph.

I promised that, if the mission succeeded, I would tell you the reason for my meeting with the Deputy Director of HESPARC Japan.

And I—was—a woman who always kept her promises!

If no one messed up my instructions, there should also be an official letter from the Japanese division along with this note.

Take it as my sincerest thanks for the valuable contribution you surely gave to the mission’s success, for everything you did before, and everything I know you’ll do in the future.

I ask one last favor—the most important one of all—and I won’t accept no for an answer: take care of Chris. I beg you.

If he loves me even half as much as I love him... I feel like crying just writing this... don’t leave him alone, please. No matter how strong he is, deep down he’s fragile.

I don’t want him to be alone for even a second.

That’s an order!

Ah, I almost forgot...

Shin, I love you. I’ve loved you since the first day I saw you. That’s why I want you to take care of my little brother...

And I know you’re probably smiling like an idiot right now—I don’t even know how I fell in love with a foolish womanizer like you, especially when I had someone as special as Chris by my side.

Life’s mysteries... with that, I think I’ve said everything I needed to. Now you can read the letter. Best of luck, from the bottom of my heart.

Goodbye, Shin.

—Alexia❤️]

Shin’s fingers grip the sheet tightly as he reads.

Alexia was right about the dumb smile—but he never imagined it would be paired with the heaviest, most swollen tears he’s ever shed in his life.

Then, carefully, he folds the handwritten note and places it on the nightstand.

He picks up the letter now—the one typed and far more formal.

[Deputy Director Alexia Kendrow,

First of all, allow me to thank you for your visit and the fruitful meetings we held.

Let me say I was pleasantly impressed by the determination in your words. It was a factor we considered with utmost seriousness.

Therefore, after careful evaluation, we confirm that your request—namely, the reinstatement of Shin Tendo as an official agent of HESPARC Japan, pending proof of his capabilities—has been approved.

We also confirm that the elimination of a member of the Cult of the Primordial Shadow is, without a doubt, more than sufficient proof.

Signed:

Ryuji Ishida – Director

Hiroshi Matsumoto – Deputy Director]

Until that moment, Shin had always been tormented by a single question—why had Alexia insisted so much, even flying personally to Rome, for him to lead that mission?

Shin had always given himself rather arrogant answers like,

"Well, obviously she realized my endless knowledge and leadership skills are essential for this kind of mission, and without me, she’d never become Director" or "Can’t blame her. I’d also feel safer with someone as charming and strong as myself at my side"

But it’s clear now that those megalomaniac thoughts weren’t even close to the truth—

truth that Shin only fully understands now, after reading those letters.