I shook my head slowly. “No.”
“She set up two women's health clinics in the district that provided abortion services and other things. She also set up adoption agencies and orphanages on the outskirts. When she died, the businesses withered away."
My chest tightened. “Had I known about them, I would have kept them going.”
“Still. . .” Hiroko nodded. "Usually, a woman with her power would just sit back on her throne and count her diamonds. Look at her crowns. Enjoy her wealth. But that wasn't what your mother was about. She always wanted to care for people, to love them, and take care of as many people as she possibly could."
My heart warmed. A grief I'd been holding back since the night my mother died rose within me.
Hiroko reached over and put her hand on mine. "I see that in Nyomi. The way she cares. The way she wants to help.”
I shivered.
“You picked well, Kenji. Your mother would be proud of that too."
I swallowed hard and nodded because I didn't trust my voice.
The helicopter descended lower, and I looked out the window.
Tokyo was below us now.
We were flying over water first. Islands dotted the bay, and I could see boats moving slowly through the waves. But as we got closer to the city, the mood in the helicopter changed.
Everyone went quiet and looked out the windows at the new view of Tokyo.
Fuck.
Dark smoke still hung over parts of the city. Thick black clouds still rose from the warehouse district and spread across the sky.
The fires that had been put out days ago, still had lingering smoke.
And people were still on the ground. Tiny figures moved through the rubble. Cleaning crews. Emergency responders. They were still working to clear the debris from the bombs I'd ordered.
The rest of Tokyo was untouched, but there was a heaviness in the air now. A sense of dread that hadn't been there before.
I'd done this.
I'd brought war to Tokyo.
And now I could see the cost of it.
I checked my brother and saw Hiro staring out the window with his hand holding his knife.
And then I remembered that this war was about healing his broken heart and saving my Heart.
I scanned the helicopter.
For my brother and Tiger. . .I would bomb the fucking city again and again.
The Claws were silent. Even Toma had stopped grinning.
Reo turned around in his seat and looked back at me. Our eyes met, and I saw the weight of what we were doing reflected in his gaze.
Holy fuck,his expression said.
I nodded.
The helicopter banked again, and we started descending toward a building.
