《Web of Fate》 chapter 1 The Veil Between Us The city gleamed with the cold, blinking lights of civilization. Towering skyscrapers stretched arrogantly toward the heavens, their shining walls a testament to humanity¡¯s pride and ceaseless ambition. Below, the streets were alive with a frenetic energy, but within an unremarkable apartment, there was only stillness. A young man sat hunched at his desk, his dead eyes fixed on the pale glow of his computer screen. His chest rose and fell in a shallow sigh as he tilted his head back to stare at the cracked ceiling of his lonely apartment. ¡°... So this is it, huh?¡± His voice was flat, almost numb, but a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips. ¡°At least¡­ I get to do what I want, even if it¡¯s just for the last time.¡± Hoshino Isamu was going to die. ¡°Those motherfuckers!¡± he suddenly roared, his voice cracking under the weight of his rage. He threw himself onto his bed, fists slamming into the mattress over and over again. ¡°They picked me because I¡¯m a fucking loser! Because no one cares if I die!¡± His voice grew hoarse as he screamed into the stale air of his room, his body trembling from anger and despair. Just as he buried his head into the pillow, his phone buzzed, piercing through the suffocating silence. For a moment, he hesitated before snatching it from the bedside table. ¡°Hello? Mom, what do you want?¡± His words were laced with venom, though a trace of exhaustion softened them. On the other end of the line, his mother¡¯s voice was cheerful, almost oblivious to his mood. ¡°Isamu! I just wanted to remind you to sleep early tonight. I¡¯ll be coming by tomorrow morning to get you for your wedding. Congratulations, by the way!¡± she chirped, as if announcing a joyous occasion. Isamu froze, his grip tightening around the phone. ¡°... Wedding,¡± he repeated bitterly, the word tasting like ash on his tongue. ¡°Oh, and your brother Hiro will be there too!¡± she continued brightly. ¡°He¡¯s even bringing his new girlfriend, so make sure you look presentable for once, okay? I want you to make a good impression!¡± ¡°Yeah. Sure, Mom,¡± he muttered, his voice hollow. Before she could say more, he hung up and tossed the phone onto the bed, slumping back with a dead-eyed stare at the ceiling. The weight of her words pressed down on him, suffocating and inescapable. In this twisted present, humanity shared its world with an alien race¡ªthe Arachnis. Towering, spider-like creatures from the stars, they had made contact years ago, offering humanity advanced technology and interstellar knowledge. At first, it seemed like a miracle, but the relationship soured when humanity learned the price of coexistence. The Arachnis, most of whom were female, sought to interbreed with humans. Initially, some men volunteered, drawn by curiosity or greed. But when none returned, the truth emerged: Arachnis females instinctively devoured their mates after copulation. What began as outrage eventually twisted into pragmatism. Governments brokered a grim deal to maintain peace: every two years, a human male would be selected as a "groom" for an Arachnis bride, sacrificing himself to preserve the fragile alliance. Compensation flowed to the family of the chosen¡ªa small fortune, enough to blind even the most moral to the horrifying fate of their loved ones. And now, it was Hoshino Isamu¡¯s turn. Born into an unremarkable family, Isamu had always been the "spare," overshadowed by his successful older brother, Hiro. When his parents won the cursed lottery that determined which family would provide the next groom, the choice was obvious. Hiro, the golden child, was untouchable. Isamu, the disappointment, was disposable. ¡°Congratulations,¡± his mother had said. Isamu closed his eyes, but sleep didn¡¯t come. Tomorrow, he would stand before an alien bride¡ªa creature with too many eyes and legs¡ªand offer himself as a sacrifice. His fate was sealed: violated, devoured, and forgotten. All he could do now was wait.
Morning comes and the hot glow of sunlight pierced through the thin curtains of Isamu¡¯s apartment, waking him from a restless slumber. He groaned as he sat up, his body heavy with exhaustion. The dark circles under his eyes, remnants of a sleepless night, felt like shadows of his impending fate. ¡°Ugh¡­ just one day,¡± he muttered to himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair as he shuffled toward the bathroom. Today was his wedding day¡ªa day when a man and woman were meant to become one, in sickness and in health, till death did them part. The thought was laughable. There would be no ¡°till death.¡± Death was the promise. Standing in front of the mirror, Isamu caught his reflection. His face was pale, his beard unevenly shaved, and his hair looked like a mess of unkempt wool. He stared for a moment before letting out an empty chuckle. ¡°Maybe the Arachnis will take one look at me and change her mind,¡± he thought bitterly. But the fleeting glint of hope faded as quickly as it had come. His fate was sealed. Appearance didn¡¯t matter to the bride he was meeting today. As he splashed water on his face, a memory surfaced¡ªAiko Haruka. His childhood friend. For a moment, his reflection softened, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. ¡°If this were a normal day, if I weren¡¯t marrying a monster, maybe¡­ it would¡¯ve been her,¡± he murmured. ¡°Does she even remember me?¡± The thought brought a subtle warmth, but it was smothered by the cold weight of reality. He was going to die. A sharp knock at the door snapped him back to the present. ¡°Isamu! Are you ready?¡± His mother¡¯s voice came from the other side, cheerful yet impatient. ¡°Just a second,¡± he called, suppressing a frustrated sigh.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. After quickly finishing in the bathroom, he opened the door to find his parents flanked by five government agents in dark suits, their presence imposing. The sight of them struck a chord¡ªprotection for the "groom," as if they were guarding a national treasure. Or perhaps just a sacrificial lamb. ¡°Why do you look like that?¡± his mother exclaimed, her brows furrowing in irritation. ¡°Your eyes are so dark, and¡­ sniff¡­ did you even bathe today?¡± ¡°I was going to, but you showed up early,¡± Isamu replied dryly. ¡°Well, hurry up! There are important people at the ceremony today. You need to look at least somewhat dignified¡ªfor your brother¡¯s sake!¡± his father added with a scolding tone. ¡°Why can¡¯t you be more like him?¡± ¡°Always with the brother comparisons,¡± Isamu thought bitterly but kept his face blank. ¡°Whatever,¡± his mother cut in, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°You can wash up at the apartment near the venue. We¡¯ve already picked up your montsuki hakama for the wedding!¡± Her cheerful tone was nauseating. The agents ushered them into a sleek limousine waiting outside. Isamu stared out the window as they drove, the city blurring past him, its bustling life carrying on without a care. No one outside knew, or cared, that today he was walking to his death. They arrived at an apartment near Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuya. Inside, he washed himself, donned the traditional montsuki hakama, and allowed a makeup artist to conceal his dark circles. When he saw himself in the mirror, he barely recognized the man staring back. For a moment, he looked like a proper groom¡ªa man on the verge of starting a new life. But he knew better. Because today, Hoshino Isamu was going to die. Minutes later, they arrived at the shrine. It was packed with people¡ªcelebrities, politicians, businessmen, and even Arachnis dignitaries. A crowd gathered near the entrance, cheering and clapping as Isamu stepped out of the car. The noise was overwhelming, the applause deafening. For a fleeting moment, he felt a strange sense of purpose. Perhaps dying like this¡ªhonored and celebrated¡ªwasn¡¯t the worst way to go. But that moment shattered when he spotted a familiar face in the crowd. ¡°HEY, ISAMU! OVER HERE!¡± It was his brother, Hiro, waving enthusiastically. By his side stood a woman Isamu recognized instantly. ¡°Aiko?¡± The name escaped his lips, barely audible over the noise. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s your brother and his girlfriend!¡± his mother said, stepping out of the car beside him. Hiro approached, grinning. ¡°I wanted to introduce you to my girlfriend¡ªthough, I guess you already know her. Aiko!¡± The world tilted beneath Isamu¡¯s feet. His childhood friend, the girl he had once imagined a life with, was now his brother¡¯s girlfriend. ¡°Yeah, sorry I didn¡¯t tell you earlier,¡± Hiro continued, scratching his head sheepishly. ¡°I¡¯ve been so busy with work¡­ but you and Aiko stopped dating years ago, right?¡± Isamu clenched his fists, a thousand bitter words forming in his throat. But he swallowed them down, forcing a strained smile. ¡°Yeah¡­ we stopped dating a long time ago.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Isamu,¡± Aiko said softly, her voice trembling. ¡°I didn¡¯t know how to tell you after¡­ after you were selected.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he said quickly, cutting her off. ¡°I understand. Let¡¯s just go, Mom.¡± He didn¡¯t look back. He couldn¡¯t. At the shrine¡¯s entrance, the koshiki-sha led the bride to him. She emerged slowly, towering over the gathered crowd. Her height was staggering¡ªeasily nine feet¡ªwith eight delicate legs that moved with surprising grace. Her carapace gleamed a pure, iridescent white under the sunlight, each movement reflecting a strange, ethereal beauty. The crowd hushed as the shrine¡¯s ceremonial drums began to beat, their deep, rhythmic echoes reverberating through the air. Isamu stood at the entrance of the shrine, flanked by his parents and the solemn government officials who had escorted him. Around them, the dignitaries and guests shifted their attention, all eyes drawn toward the shinzen kekkon¡ªthe sacred wedding about to unfold. The shrine¡¯s atmosphere was heavy with the mingling scents of fresh pine, sandalwood incense, and the faint sweetness of cherry blossoms. The majestic gates of Meiji Jingu loomed overhead, a towering testament to centuries of tradition. The priestess, clad in immaculate white robes with scarlet accents, motioned for the procession to begin. Isamu¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of dread and resignation tightening his throat. His parents walked a step behind him, their faces unreadable, though his mother occasionally glanced at him with forced encouragement. The Arachnis bride followed at a deliberate pace. Her towering, elegant form moved with a grace that silenced even the whispers of the curious crowd. Her eight legs barely made a sound against the stone path, their sharp points stepping carefully as though she were mindful of the fragile humans around her. Her veil was a fine, silk-like fabric that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, cascading down her face and draping her shoulders like a gossamer curtain. Isamu¡¯s eyes flicked toward her but quickly darted away. There was something unnerving about her, yet something that made it hard to look away. The rhythmic sway of her steps and the regal way she held herself gave her an otherworldly presence¡ªmonstrous, yes, but undeniably captivating. They passed through the torii gates, the crowd following at a respectful distance. The shrine¡¯s inner courtyard was adorned with hanging shide¡ªpaper streamers that fluttered gently in the breeze. The sound of a shamisen joined the drumbeats, its melancholic melody weaving through the air, adding a haunting beauty to the solemn occasion. At the center of the courtyard stood a low, ornate altar adorned with offerings: sake bottles, rice, and fruits. Two priests, their expressions calm and ritualistic, waited near the altar, while a third stood ready to conduct the ceremony. Isamu was led to his place before the altar. His movements were stiff, each step heavier than the last. His palms were damp, his breathing shallow, but he forced himself to keep going. The Arachnis bride followed, her massive form casting a shadow over the polished stones. The priest raised his arms, calling for silence, and began the opening chants, his voice resonating like a low hum. Isamu barely registered the words, his mind clouded with the weight of the moment. He glanced to the side, where his parents stood, their faces now a mix of pride and unease. He felt a hollow ache in his chest. The priestess stepped forward, carrying two cups of sake. She presented one to Isamu and the other to the bride, who delicately extended one of her segmented arms to take it. Her movements were precise, almost graceful, as though she had practiced this human custom many times. Together, they lifted the cups in unison and drank, symbolizing their union. As the chanting continued, the priestess placed a folded paper before the bride. Slowly, she extended one leg to touch it¡ªa symbolic gesture of her vow. Isamu mirrored the motion, bowing low to the ground as he offered his own vow. When the ritual steps were complete, the priest turned to Isamu. ¡°It is time,¡± he said solemnly, motioning toward the bride. Isamu stood frozen for a moment. His heart hammered in his chest. He had prepared himself for this moment, yet every fiber of his being screamed at him to run. The bride stepped forward, towering over him. She moved with a strange delicacy, as if aware of the weight her presence carried. The veil shifted slightly with the breeze, but her face remained hidden, shrouded in mystery. The priestess approached the bride and gestured to the veil. ¡°With this unveiling, the two shall truly meet,¡± she intoned. Isamu clenched his fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He could feel the collective gaze of the crowd burning into him, waiting for his reaction, waiting for the moment he would see the face of the being who would take his life. The bride raised a clawed arm, her movements slow and deliberate. The silk veil glimmered faintly as she began to lift it. The crowd leaned in ever so slightly, the air thick with tension. Isamu held his breath, his pulse thundering in his ears. In that moment, time seemed to stretch unbearably, the world narrowing to just the two of them. The veil hovered, suspended, just before the moment of revelation. Chapter 2 A Union Beyond Worlds Chapter 2 A Union Beyond Worlds To Isamu''s surprise, what greeted him was not a hideous monster but a beautiful young lady with pale skin as snow and lips as red as roses. Her four purple eyes glimmered under the sunlight like stars in the night sky. ¡°Huh?¡± Isamu muttered, his confusion written all over his face. He had prepared for something grotesque, yet the figure before him was strangely elegant. Apart from the extra eyes and faint iridescence of her skin, she could almost pass as human. The bride tilted her head slightly, extending a segmented arm toward him, not threateningly, but almost shyly. ¡°Let us proceed,¡± the priestess said, gesturing for them to approach the shrine. The Ceremony The priestess began the San-san-kudo ritual, handing Isamu a small lacquered cup of sake. His hands trembled slightly, but he drank without hesitation. The bride followed, her claw-like fingers surprisingly delicate as she raised the cup to her lips. This was repeated twice more, each time symbolizing the growing unity between them. Next came the exchange of oaths. The priest recited prayers to the kami, invoking blessings for their union. Isamu repeated the words with a steady voice, though his mind raced. The bride spoke in a melodic yet otherworldly tongue, her tone solemn. Together, they presented tamagushi¡ªbranches of the sacred sakaki tree adorned with shide paper streamers¡ªto the shrine, offering their prayers to the kami. The priestess clapped her hands twice, signaling the ceremony¡¯s completion. Departure As they descended the shrine steps, the crowd applauded politely, though Isamu couldn¡¯t miss the murmurs of curiosity and unease. His parents approached briefly, his mother whispering, ¡°You did well, Isamu. We¡¯re proud.¡± Pride. The word felt hollow. A black limousine waited for them at the foot of the shrine. ¡°Your honeymoon suite has been prepared,¡± a government agent informed them. Inside the vehicle, silence hung thick between them. Isamu stared out the window, unsure of what to say, until the bride spoke softly. ¡°You seem... surprised.¡± He turned to her, startled. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to look like this.¡± Her lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°And what did you expect?¡± Isamu had no answer. The limousine sped through the city streets, but his thoughts remained tangled. The ceremony was over, but the reality of their union loomed ahead, heavier than ever. Afterwards, the couple stopped at a fancy hotel for the night. Inside, Isamu¡¯s parents were already seated at a dining table in the hotel¡¯s private lounge, chatting animatedly with Hiro and his girlfriend, Aiko. The room was lavishly decorated, with warm golden lights, elegant floral arrangements, and fine porcelain tableware. Isamu¡¯s mother beamed when she saw them arrive. ¡°There you are, Isamu!¡± she exclaimed, standing up with exaggerated enthusiasm. ¡°And this must be your lovely bride!¡± The bride stepped forward gracefully, bowing slightly in the traditional Japanese manner. ¡°It is an honor to meet you, my name is Kumoha Hikari¡± she said softly, her four glimmering purple eyes lowering in a show of humility. Isamu¡¯s father eyed her curiously before clearing his throat. ¡°Ah, well, she certainly seems¡­ refined,¡± he said, though his tone betrayed a hint of unease. His gaze flicked briefly to her segmented legs beneath her flowing dress, but he masked it quickly. They all took their seats at the table, with Isamu and Hikari sitting across from his parents. Hiro and Aiko, seated nearby, exchanged knowing glances. ¡°So,¡± his mother began with an overly cheerful tone, ¡°Hikari-san, when do you think you¡¯ll be giving us grandchildren?¡± Isamu nearly choked on his drink, his eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°Mom!¡± he snapped. Hikari¡¯s cheeks flushed a soft lavender, her blush faintly visible against her pale, snow-like skin. She fiddled with the hem of her dress, clearly flustered. ¡°I¡­ I hadn¡¯t thought that far ahead yet,¡± she admitted, her voice quiet but sincere. Isamu blinked in surprise. The sight of her embarrassment, her very human reaction, caught him off guard. He had expected her to respond with cold indifference or a sharp, alien tone, but instead, she seemed genuinely bashful. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be shy!¡± his mother pressed on, leaning forward eagerly. ¡°You two are married now, after all! Isn¡¯t it natural to think about these things? I¡¯ve been waiting ages to be a grandmother.¡± Hikari glanced nervously at Isamu, who looked as though he wanted to sink into the floor. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a bit soon to discuss such matters,¡± she said diplomatically, her voice still tinged with embarrassment. ¡°Don¡¯t pressure them, dear,¡± Isamu¡¯s father chimed in, though there was a smirk on his face. ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll figure things out in time. Right, Isamu?¡± Isamu gritted his teeth. ¡°Yeah. Sure.¡± The conversation took a sharp turn when Hiro leaned back in his chair, a smug grin on his face. ¡°Well, speaking of weddings, Aiko and I are already talking about ours,¡± he said, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend. ¡°We¡¯re thinking of having it at the end of next year, maybe even at Meiji Jingu Shrine like yours, Isamu. It¡¯d be perfect, wouldn¡¯t it, Aiko?¡± Aiko smiled, though her expression seemed slightly strained. ¡°Y-Yeah, perfect,¡± she agreed, glancing briefly at Isamu before looking away.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°Isn¡¯t that wonderful?¡± their mother gushed. ¡°Hiro, you¡¯ve always been such a good planner. And Aiko, dear, you¡¯ll make such a beautiful bride!¡± Isamu clenched his fists under the table, his nails digging into his palms. The weight of the conversation was suffocating. Here he was, sitting beside his alien bride, facing endless questions about grandchildren and marriage customs, while his parents and brother acted as though everything was normal. But it wasn¡¯t normal. He was going to die. And yet, they were celebrating as if this were just another family dinner. ¡°Excuse us,¡± Isamu said suddenly, standing up and pulling Hikari with him. ¡°We¡¯re¡­ tired. It¡¯s been a long day.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be so rude, Isamu,¡± his mother scolded, but he didn¡¯t stay to listen. Hikari followed him silently as they left the dining area and returned to their hotel room. Once inside, Isamu slammed the door shut and leaned against it, letting out a frustrated sigh. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he muttered, not looking at her. ¡°For what?¡± Hikari asked gently. ¡°For¡­ all of that,¡± he said, gesturing vaguely behind him. ¡°For my parents, for my brother, for this whole situation. It¡¯s ridiculous.¡± Hikari tilted her head slightly, her glimmering eyes studying him with quiet curiosity. ¡°You have nothing to apologize for, Isamu. It¡¯s not your fault.¡± Her calm tone and the sincerity in her voice caught him off guard again. He turned to face her, finally meeting her gaze. Despite everything¡ªher alien features, her towering form¡ªthere was a warmth in her expression that he hadn¡¯t expected. ¡°Still,¡± he muttered, ¡°it¡¯s just¡­ hard. All of it.¡± Hikari stepped closer, her movements deliberate but soft. ¡°I understand,¡± she said simply. For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension in the air gradually easing. Isamu didn¡¯t know what to make of her. She was nothing like the monster he had imagined, and that realization left him more conflicted than ever. ¡°Get some rest,¡± he said finally, his voice quieter now. ¡°We¡¯ve got a long day tomorrow.¡± Hikari nodded, her delicate blush returning as she turned toward the bed. Isamu watched her for a moment before sitting down on the couch, his thoughts a tangled mess. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to her¡ªand this situation¡ªthan he had first believed.
The next morning, after a quiet breakfast, Isamu and Hikari made their way to a cable car that would take them up the mountain overlooking Tokyo. The air was crisp and cool as the cityscape gradually gave way to dense forests, the bustle of urban life fading into serene quiet. Hikari seemed unusually quiet, her hands folded neatly on her lap. Noticing this, Isamu finally asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You seem nervous.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­¡± Hikari hesitated, looking out the window at the towering peak ahead. ¡°Mother is¡­ unique. I hope you¡¯ll keep an open mind.¡± Isamu raised an eyebrow, but before he could ask further, the cable car slowed as they reached the summit. Perched atop the mountain was an enormous structure resembling a ship, but its alien design made it hard to tell if it was a vehicle, a home, or something else entirely. The hull shimmered like spun silk under the sunlight, and strange, delicate carvings of web-like patterns adorned the exterior. Despite its otherworldly appearance, the immediate surroundings stood in stark contrast¡ªa tranquil Zen garden surrounded the ship, with carefully raked gravel, moss-covered stones, and potted earth plants arranged with painstaking care. The soft rustling of the wind through bamboo completed the serene picture. As they walked up the path, they saw a figure kneeling in the garden. Lady Arashina, her massive spider-like body unmistakable, moved gracefully as she tended to a small bonsai tree. Her clawed hands, incongruously gentle, adjusted a branch while her mandibles clicked softly, almost as if she were humming to herself. Isamu froze, bewildered by the sight. ¡°They don¡¯t eat plants,¡± he thought, his mind racing. ¡°Why would she even have a garden?¡± Lady Arashina looked up and smiled warmly. ¡°Ah, you¡¯ve arrived,¡± she said, her voice smooth and welcoming. Rising effortlessly, she bowed slightly, gesturing for them to approach. ¡°I apologize if I startled you. I was just finishing up.¡± Isamu, still struggling to reconcile the towering Arachnis with the calm, maternal figure in front of him, muttered, ¡°Uh¡­ It¡¯s fine. I just didn¡¯t expect¡­ this.¡± Lady Arashina chuckled, motioning to the garden around her. ¡°It must seem strange to you. Most of my kind have little use for such things, it¡¯s true. But this garden is not for survival¡ªit¡¯s for memory.¡± ¡°Memory?¡± Isamu asked, confused. ¡°These plants were my husband¡¯s passion,¡± she explained, her tone softening as she gestured to a row of potted chrysanthemums. ¡°He was human, like you, and he taught me the beauty of caring for life beyond our own needs. After he passed, I kept this garden to remember him. Each flower, each stone, holds a memory of the time we shared.¡± Isamu blinked, taken aback. The juxtaposition of the alien ship and the earthly garden suddenly made sense. This place wasn¡¯t just a home¡ªit was a monument to a love that transcended species. ¡°Humans sure leave their mark everywhere,¡± he muttered. Lady Arashina tilted her head slightly, regarding him with those soft amber eyes. ¡°Indeed, they do. And not all marks are burdens to bear. Some are gifts.¡± Hikari, standing beside him, looked down shyly. ¡°Mother, please, you¡¯ll embarrass him.¡± With a smile, Lady Arashina led them into the ship. The interior was just as strange as the exterior¡ªwalls glimmered faintly, as though alive, and the faint scent of lavender hung in the air. Yet, there were familiar touches: wooden furniture, traditional Japanese scrolls, and family portraits, including one of a much younger Lady Arashina with a kind-looking man. Isamu recognized the man¡¯s features faintly in Hikari. Once seated with tea, Lady Arashina¡¯s warmth and humor quickly dissolved Isamu¡¯s earlier nerves. She began recounting tales from Hikari¡¯s youth. ¡°Oh, there was a time when Hikari insisted on weaving the largest web in the entire clan,¡± she said, her voice brimming with mirth. ¡°She ended up getting tangled in her own threads and had to call for help. It was hours before we got her free!¡± ¡°Mother!¡± Hikari groaned, covering her face in embarrassment. ¡°That was ages ago!¡± Isamu couldn¡¯t help but laugh, his initial discomfort melting away. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d hear about an Arachnis stuck in a web.¡± Lady Arashina grinned. ¡°She may act dignified now, but she was quite the little troublemaker.¡± The mood shifted as Lady Arashina¡¯s gaze drifted to the portrait of her late husband. Her voice grew softer, more wistful. ¡°Hikari takes after her father. Her gentler features, her curiosity¡­ He was a remarkable man. He knew the risks of being with me, but he chose love over fear. It¡¯s a courage I¡¯ll always admire.¡± Isamu¡¯s smile faded, a pang of guilt twisting in his chest. The mention of Hikari¡¯s father reminded him of his own fate. He glanced at Hikari, who seemed lost in thought, then back at Lady Arashina. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Lady Arashina said suddenly, breaking the silence. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to bring up painful memories. I know your circumstances are difficult, Isamu.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ fine,¡± he muttered, though he wasn¡¯t sure he believed it. She leaned forward slightly, her many eyes studying him with a depth of understanding that made him uncomfortable and comforted all at once. ¡°You have every right to feel the way you do,¡± she said gently. ¡°But I hope you¡¯ll also allow yourself to see the joy in the time you have. Love, however brief, is never wasted.¡± As they left the ship and made their way back down the mountain, Isamu found himself unusually quiet. The warmth of Lady Arashina¡¯s words lingered in his mind, challenging the bitterness he¡¯d held onto so tightly. The Arachnis were supposed to be monsters, but everything about them¡ªHikari, her mother, even the strange ship-garden¡ªwas teaching him something he hadn¡¯t been ready to accept: the world wasn¡¯t as simple as he thought. And maybe, just maybe, neither was his fate.