In the chat group:
Hiiragi Shinoa: "They're huge, and so white."
Stella: "???"
Stella: "Where exactly are you focusing?"
Hiiragi Shinoa: "On the person's body."
Stella: "… …"
Frieren: "@Rei Ao, why are those purple crystals growing on that person's body?"
gumi Kato: "Probably has to do with that virus Rei Ao ntioned."
Rei Ao: "Exactly. The 'Apocalypse Virus,' or 'Lost Christmas Virus,' a calamity of this world. Infected individuals crystallize, ultimately turning into purple crystals."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "A virus…can it really do that?"
Futaba Rio: "A standard biological virus shouldn't be able to. Unless it isn't a normal biological virus."
Rei Ao: "Indeed, it can't be called a virus in the usual sense. 'Alien energy' would be more accurate."
Kasuga Hijiri: "Alien? So it ca from outer space?!"
Rei Ao: "Pretty much."
Misaka Mikoto: "From what you're saying, it sounds incurable."
A quiet voice spoke up from behind:
"You managed to cure an Apocalypse Virus infection."
"You're awake." Rei Ao turned around.
It was Yuzuriha Inori, now conscious, looking much better in complexion.
She gazed at him gratefully. "Mm, thank you for saving ."
"No need to thank —it was just a trade."
"But your trade conditions are pretty vague."
Even after he saved her, there was no notification that the trade was complete.
"So what exactly do you really intend to do for you?"
"… …"
Yuzuriha Inori slowly produced a small test‐tube container.
"Void Geno."
Rei Ao wasn't surprised she'd acquired it.
What did surprise him was that Yuzuriha Inori handed over the Void Geno to him.
"For ?"
"Mm."
She nodded.
"Why?"
"… …"
Yuzuriha Inori didn't reply.
Rei Ao narrowed his eyes, gazing at Inori's wine‐red pupils. As though seeing sothing, he suddenly understood:
"So that's it. You want to beco Adam?"
"!!!"
A flicker of shock passed through Inori's once-calm eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
"Heh."
Rei Ao let out a short laugh, speaking evenly: "No need to pretend. You're not Yuzuriha Inori at all. Should I call you 'Eve?' Or… 'Ouma Mana?'"
"… …"
Inori's expression beca calm. Soon enough, the corners of her lips quirked in a smile that would be nearly impossible on the usual Inori's face.
"Aah~ as expected of the Adam I chose. Impressive indeed."
Now Inori's gaze held a hint of fascination as it landed on Rei Ao. Her entire deanor brimd with genuine personality, wholly unlike Inori's typical blankness.
"?"
Futaba and Rio watched in puzzlent; it looked like Inori had abruptly beco a different person.
"Heeey, Rei Ao‐kun, drink it, beco Adam. Then together we can create a new world."
Her eyes brimd with anticipation, daydreaming, and even seduction. She went so far as to press her body tightly to Rei Ao. He certainly wouldn't refuse such a pleasant sensation—
But the key matter was this Inori standing before him.
"Shouldn't we at least introduce ourselves before discussing that?"
"Okaaay~"
Inori batted her eyes mischievously, offering, "Nice to et you. I'm Ouma Mana."
"Rei Ao‐kun is so sneaky. You already knew, but still made say it."
Rei Ao was unaffected by her flirting, but at least he'd confird her identity:
Ouma Mana, Ouma Shu's older sister, the very first Apocalypse Virus patient, also known as "Eve." The virus seized her mories, her mind, even taking over her body.
"So how did you wake up? I recall you're supposed to be dormant now."
"It's because of your power, Rei Ao‐kun~"
The tip of Mana's crimson tongue licked her lips; the way she stared at Rei Ao was full of a certain feverish desire.
"… …"
Well, then. By using his magic to heal Inori, he'd inadvertently awakened her. And she was acting like a yandere enthralled by his strength—rather…stimulating.
"Adam, is it?"
The virus's reproduction requires Adam and Eve. Ouma Mana was that "Eve." But too bad for her, Rei Ao had no intention of being the virus's breeding container. Moreover, the figure in front of him was effectively coexisting with the virus, leaning toward the virus's control.
Rei Ao casually stowed away the Void Geno, then turned again to "Eve" with a grin. "Ouma Mana, you do realize that procreation isn't limited to so 'Adam and Eve' label."
"Mm?"
Mana gave a mont's pause.
"!!"
Suddenly her expression changed dramatically.
"How can this be?!"
She could no longer sense the Apocalypse Virus at all.
"What…did you do?"
Mana's voice carried complicated emotions upon regaining clarity beyond the virus's control.
"I haven't done much. I just helped you calm down. I'll properly show you what real 'reproduction' is later."
He spoke aningfully. Then, hearing footsteps, Rei Ao slowly turned.
It was Kuhouin Arisa, having tidied her clothes, along with the brown‐haired girl who'd tried to help her earlier. They ca over together.
"Sir, I'm Kuhouin Arisa, eldest daughter of the Kuhouin Group. May I have your na?"
"Rei Ao."
Kuhouin Arisa's eyes lit up—she'd been worried he might be hard to talk to.
"Rei Ao‐san, I thank you for saving my life."
From the outset, Arisa adopted a humble posture. But Rei Ao waved it off: "No need to thank . After all, you chose to give up everything, so that's what you deserve."
"Uh…"
Her expression shifted. Trying to maintain composure, she folded her arms with an air of pride.
"I'm the daughter of the Kuhouin Group. Anything you want, I can give you. Just na it."
With that one sentence, she essentially reneged on her original words.
"Ah."
Seeing this, Rei Ao shook his head in wry amusent.
"I assu Miss Kuhouin can understand plain speech. The price you agreed to pay is 'everything.' It's not a matter of naming what I want; rather, all you possess is mine."
"??"
Kuhouin Arisa's face paled. She'd repeatedly emphasized her status as the Kuhouin heiress, yet the man before her was utterly unmoved by it. Everything? No way she could allow that.
Her gaze turned cold at once.
"Mister, I need to remind you of the Kuhouin Group's power. Please don't force my hand."
This ti she wasn't even pretending; she went straight to veiled threats.
"Ha. Haughty, arrogant young lady—now that's a big misstep."
Saved and then throwing out threats. Frankly, that kind of personality wasn't Rei Ao's type. So he'd already classified her as soone who needed "discipline," sa as Ouma Mana just now.
~~~
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