Story:

“Kicho—” Peach began.

“Our Danna-sama was killed by Mitsuhide?” Kicho’s voice broke over the name. “At Honnō-ji? That sneaking, smiling—”

She swallowed, then jabbed a shaking finger at the page.

“A hundred Mitsuhides could not defeat him! He has Saru! Mataza! The whole Oda clan! He has—”

Us.

The word never quite emerged.

Violet’s face had gone pale. Her hand rested beside the book, fingers spread flat against the table, and

Peach recognized the effort behind that stillness. Euphy was holding herself motionless because she did not trust what she might do otherwise.

“When I return,” Kicho said, very softly now, “I will tear that man apart.”

Peach released a long breath.

Then she stepped between their chairs and closed the "Biography of Oda Nobunaga".

Kicho looked up.

For an instant, relief moved across her tear-streaked face.

Then accusation replaced it.