CHAPTER 4: THE MEANING OF A SMILE

After the news that shook Yuki, she became curious—why had her sister turned into such a monster? On the television screen, Masahiro Suzuki was being secured by the authorities, while Yuki herself was declared a fugitive throughout Japan. Suzuki, with her fake tears, defended her sister in front of the cameras.

“I don’t know what my sister was thinking to the point of killing our father. She must have been under immense pressure about becoming the next Queen, and also from being forced into a marriage she didn’t want.”
Suzuki said before the media.

One reporter asked,

“Then will you be taking the empty throne?”

“I don’t know. Let the elders and the council decide. I have no right to interfere with their decision.”

Her answer made the public wonder whether she would become the next Queen.

Meanwhile, on social media, the tag #CaptureTheFirstPrincess went viral.
Police, soldiers, and even the SSFA were deployed throughout Japan, conducting massive inspections.

Yuki lay weakly, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Then the door opened.

“Kisaragi, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to guard the tower?”
said the child’s mother.

Kisaragi—a muscular brown-skinned woman with green eyes—entered the room with a gaze full of hatred. She approached the iron bars where Yuki was held and slammed her fist against them as if venting all the pain inside her.

“You’ve seen it, haven’t you? This is what we’ve felt all along—oppressed, betrayed. And you? You sat comfortably in your royal seat. Don’t expect you could ever understand our suffering.”
Kisaragi’s voice trembled with anger before she began to cry.

“Because of you… I lost everyone I loved inside that truck.”

She screamed,

“DON’T THINK YOU’RE SAFE JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE BEHIND THESE BARS! I WILL WATCH YOU. IF YOU TRY TO ESCAPE, I WON’T HESITATE TO KILL YOU!”

She was consumed by anger, and her mother tried to restrain her. As the child opened the door, Ark entered the room.

Kisaragi, still emotional, immediately saluted Ark.

“What’s the commotion here?”
Ark asked her.

“Forgive me… I may have been too emotional. I’m furious at her for taking my family away.”

Ark sighed.

“I’ve told you, haven’t I? I trained you to control your emotions. What’s the point of a marksman who cannot control their own patience?”

“Then I apologize and am ready to accept any punishment.”

“No need. Go to the location assigned by the Deputy Commander.”

Kisaragi left, and Ark approached Yuki, who was still crying.

“Nee… I have a question for you.”

Ark didn’t answer.

“Does everyone hate me?”

Ark stayed silent and sat down.

“Answer me…”
Yuki cried.

Ark unlocked the iron bars.

“Princess, come out. I want to show you something.”

Yuki turned, shocked —
The man she had been looking for was standing right in front of her.

She immediately hugged Ark.

“Kamito… I knew you would come to save me.”

“Kamito?”
the mother said, confused. Ark gestured for her not to reveal his real identity.

“It’s alright, Princess. From now on, you’re safe.”

Ark removed the chain cuffs from Yuki’s hands and led her outside, where she saw the full Resistance camp.

Everyone was busy with their own tasks:
some were cleaning their weapons, some were practicing shooting, others sparring.

But one sight surprised Yuki the most—
the children.

So many children, playing happily.
Laughing freely.
Smiling without fear.

A real smile… not the forced one created by the Saints.

They played soccer, ran around joyfully, and the Resistance members helped entertain them.

“Is this what Mother meant… the true meaning of a smile?”
Yuki thought.

Here, she saw no discrimination—only happiness and freedom.

“Look, look! Ark-sama has arrived!”
The children joyfully ran to Ark.

Yuki froze.

The one who saved her…
wasn’t Kamito.

It was Ark—the man smiling warmly with the children.

“Have you eaten?”
Ark asked them.

“Yes! We ate a lot so we can be like you someday!”

“No, you must become someone else. Don’t be like me.”

“Eh? But I want to be a leader like you!”

“No. You must become something far better than I am.”

Yuki approached him.

“Um… Kamito—no… Ark…”
she said nervously.

“I want to ask again… what is the meaning of a smile for everyone?”

“What kind of silly question is that?”

“Please answer me.”

Ark explained:

“A smile is a signal of peace that requires no declaration. It opens hearts and closes the distance between two strangers.”

As he walked, he continued:

“A smile is hidden courage. It is a sign that even when storms strike, the spirit inside you refuses to give up.”

“The meaning of a smile is a simple reminder that true happiness is not something you seek, but something you create from small moments filled with gratitude.”

Yuki’s eyes widened.
Those were her mother’s exact words.
Perfectly.

And finally, Yuki made her decision.

“Ark… With this, I, Masahiro Yuki, decide to join the Resistance. Whether you like it or not, I will help you with all my strength—even if it costs my life.”

Her declaration felt like it split the air in the camp.