Kisara lay on the hospital bed, a needle inserted into her rolled-up sleeve, connected to the dialysis machine beside her.
The steady, intermittent chanical hum echoed softly in the white-walled room.
"Sorry... I got carried away. You had to see at my weakest, ugliest state."
Kisara murmured, offering a frail smile.
Lately, she had been running around gathering evidence to bring down the Tendo family, even skipping her regular dialysis sessions. She thought her body could handle it, but in the end...
She had exposed her most vulnerable side.
"It's nothing."
Mahiro sat on a nearby chair, quietly peeling an apple with a small knife. He sliced off a piece and popped it into his mouth under Kisara's gaze.
"This is still way better than when I first t you—passed out on the street from hunger. That was the first ti I'd ever seen soone faint from starvation."
"..."
Kisara turned her head away in embarrassnt, a sickly flush coloring her pale cheeks.
"That hurts, doesn't it?"
"I'm used to it..."
"I rember it's diabetes that caused your kidney failure, right? Ever thought about a transplant?"
Mahiro chewed on the apple, savoring its juiciness.
Though this world was post-apocalyptic, the dical field had advanced surprisingly far due to the Gastrea virus—far beyond the current level of technology.
Whether it was a kidney transplant or restoring kidney function, neither should be particularly difficult.
At the very least, Muroto Sumire had the capability.
"No, I'll pass."
Kisara shook her head, slowly sitting up on the bed. Her slender fra leaned lightly against the headboard.
Her eyes fixed on a point in the air as she reached out, slowly clenching her hand as if grasping sothing intangible—her obsession with revenge.
"This pain belongs to alone. I've decided to dedicate my life solely to erasing every last Tendo from this world. If I forget this pain, I'll forget my revenge too. So no."
It wasn't hard to understand.
Kisara's parents had been killed for trying to expose the Tendo family's corruption.
Having witnessed it firsthand, Kisara had been planted with the seeds of hatred—using this physical pain to sear the mory of vengeance into her mind.
But the problem was—
"If you want to endure hardship for revenge, that's fine. But with a body like this, how do you expect to take on the Tendo family? Just with the scraps of evidence you have?"
With a flick of his wrist, Mahiro tossed the stack of docunts Kisara had shown him earlier back onto the bed in front of her.
"Even with Tendo Kazumitsu's na attached to these things, given the Tendo family's power in the Tokyo area, I don't think they'll be of much use. They could easily push out a scapegoat at any ti, just like during the Hiruko Kagetane incident."
"At worst, they might even cut ties with Tendo Kazumitsu and discard him as a sacrificial piece."
Kisara remained silent, her head lowered as she stared at the file folder before her. anwhile, Mahiro cut another slice of apple and casually tossed it into his mouth before speaking calmly:
"I think, President Kisara, you'd be better off recuperating your health and using those swordsmanship skills you've honed over the years to raise a rebellious blade against the Tendo family. After all, storming Chang'an is easier than testing into it."
"I know."
At that mont, Kisara suddenly lifted her head, a faint, sorrowful smile hanging at the corner of her lips.
"Thank you, Mahiro-kun. But I'm not as foolish as you think. These pieces of leverage were only ever ant to threaten Tendo Kazumitsu—I never intended to use them to bring down the entire Tendo family. I just need to secure an opportunity to kill him."
"And then what? Will killing Tendo Tendo Kazumitsu be enough for you?"
Mahiro spoke calmly, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips—though the smile carried a hint of mockery.
"If I'm not mistaken, your target is the head of the Tendo family—that old man, Tendo Kikunojou, right? But do you really think your broken body can take him on?"
As if that were possible.
Even Kisara at her peak would likely stand little chance against that old bastard.
Let alone dragging around a half-crippled body.
"If you really go up against them, and your body suddenly fails like it did today, no one will be able to save you."
At his words, Kisara lowered her head again, her dense bangs obscuring her face. The only thing visible was the slight tightening of her lips as she bit down on them.
How could she not understand what Mahiro was saying?
Her body was in such a wretched state—to put it bluntly, it was practically half-useless.
If she pushed herself to the limit, her body would probably only hold up for four moves.
After four moves, defeat was inevitable.
But... there was truly no other way.
Her current life was far too peaceful—so peaceful it was sothing she had once dread of, so peaceful she could almost forget her vengeance.
If she lost this pain, she was terrified that one day, she might forget her hatred.
Then what aning would there be in her continuing to live in this world?
At this thought, a struggle and hesitation surfaced in Kisara's eyes.
Mahiro could clearly sense the wavering emotions emanating from the girl.
So he stood up and stepped forward, saying, "Since you're so set on revenge, President Kisara, why not hear my suggestion?"
"?"
Hearing this, Kisara abruptly raised her head, only to find Mahiro already standing right in front of her.
The distance between them was so close they could feel each other's breath, so close she could almost see the fine hairs on his skin.
And those deep, pitch-black pupils were like black holes, as if they could swallow her whole.
Under normal circumstances, her face would have flushed with embarrassnt—after all, a man was standing this close, close enough for her to feel the intense, overwhelming masculine presence.
But this ti, she was oddly calm.
So much so that she nodded almost as if possessed.
"What... suggestion?"
The mont she spoke those words, the girl already knew—she had been bewitched by that hatred, controlled by it.
But she was willing.
As long as she could take revenge on the Tendo family, she was willing to sacrifice anything—even this body of hers!
"Good. That's the right answer. I like it."
For the first ti in a while, he uttered those words again, the smile on his lips brimming with malice.
He leaned in slightly.
Thinking he was about to do sothing, the girl gently closed her eyes.
But what she felt next was the warmth of his breath against her ear, along with his words.
"If you trust , then find a way to heal your body. I promise you—within half a year, I will completely destroy the Tendo family."
"R-really...?!"
Kisara's eyes flew open as she asked in disbelief.
No, of course she believed Mahiro had the power to destroy the Tendo family. After all, no matter how strong the Tendo family was, could they possibly be stronger than the Scorpio?
Not to ntion, she had heard how Mahiro had deflected Tina's sniper shot and how he had erged victorious in his battle against her.
Setting aside his almost magical abilities, both his skill and strength were at the absolute peak of human capability.
What she doubted was rely Mahiro's motive—after all, he had no grudge against the Tendo family...
"It's true."
Mahiro smiled faintly and stood up, moving away from Kisara to sit back in his chair.
"Of course, it's fine if you don't believe . I can give you ti to think it over. But once that ti is up, don't bla for not letting you board this ark of revenge."
The six months weren't for his own preparation but for those children.
Within that half-year, he had to find a way to accelerate his plans—at the very least, he needed to bring all the children in the Tokyo Area under the shelter of Arcadia.
After all, Seitenshi's benevolence had allowed many Cursed Children to remain hidden throughout the region.
"Well, I've said my piece. I should be going now. Rember to call once you've made up your mind—I'll be waiting."
With that, Mahiro left the hospital with Tina.
The pristine white room returned to its initial silence, leaving only the sound of machines running.
And the sound of a girl lost in thought.
After leaving the hospital, he took Tina back to Arcadia.
He planned to bring so gifts before paying a visit to Seitenshi at the Holy Palace.
But the mont he stepped through Arcadia's gates, he was t with an unexpected sight.
A stretch limousine was parked by the roadside, and a young girl holding a lace parasol in one hand was playing with the children.
Dressed in a white gown resembling a wedding dress, her strikingly beautiful face wore a gentle smile.
In the entire Tokyo Area, only one person would dress like this—Seitenshi.
But how had she found this place?
As he pondered this, Seitenshi noticed him and began walking over.
"It's been a while, Mr. Mahiro."
As always, she began with polite greetings before cutting straight to the point—
"I ca to discuss sothing with you."
...
Silence fell over the café in District 39, Arcadia.
"P-please enjoy."
A child in a maid outfit trembled as she placed cups of coffee on the table, then quickly bowed and hurried away.
She and her friends huddled excitedly in the kitchen, whispering among themselves—though their eyes were fixed on Mahiro.
They seed thrilled.
Seitenshi, seated across from him, thanked her before lifting the cup with her white-gloved hands and taking a delicate sip. Her eyes brightened slightly.
"This coffee is delicious."
"Right?"
Mahiro propped his chin on one hand, looking sowhat smug as he gazed outside at the slightly rundown streets and the newly renovated buildings. He murmured,
"This café, and all the shops outside—the kids set them up themselves."
"Themselves?"
Seitenshi looked surprised. "Not with your help, Mr. Mahiro?"
"No, I don't have that ability either." Mahiro smiled, listening to the rustling sound of trees swaying in the wind outside the window.
"This is entirely the result of these children's own efforts."
Led by Kanae, the other children had pooled their various talents to work together—the purpose being to give these kids sothing aningful to do.
After establishing all this, Kanae had even gone so far as to issue special currency that could only circulate within Arcadia.
But ntioning this made Mahiro both amused and slightly embarrassed.
Because the banknotes they used were modeled after Japanese yen, simply replacing the portrait with his own face.
It felt like a public execution.
This was also Kanae's idea, claiming that having his portrait on the bills would prevent counterfeiting.
After all, in the eyes of these children, he was nothing short of a god.
What an absurd reason...
"It feels... almost like a country of its own..." Seitenshi also gazed out the window, watching the busy children with a smile as she mused.
Hearing this, Mahiro paused for a mont before teasing:
"Then, Lady Seitenshi, you wouldn't hold it against , would you? Building a nation for Cursed Children right in your territory."
"Not at all."
Seitenshi's reply made him glance at the girl in surprise.
"Rather, I'm grateful to you, Mr. Mahiro. You've provided these holess children with a safe haven."
"So you're admitting that Tokyo Area is unsafe?"
"..."
Seitenshi's smile froze for a mont. She took a slow breath, as if wanting to puff her cheeks in dissatisfaction like a child.
But upon recalling the current state of Tokyo Area, she gave up.
She fell silent.
Her hands, resting on her lap, unconsciously gripped her skirt.
Yet after a mont, she slowly released it and let out a soft sigh, forced to acknowledge his words.
"You're right, Mr. Mahiro. Under my incompetent leadership, Tokyo Area does indeed have many dark corners—places even I... am powerless to change."
Surprised by her admission, Mahiro turned to study her fair, delicate face and asked, "So does that an you failed in what we discussed last ti?"
"Yes."
Seitenshi nodded frankly.
After their last eting, she had thoroughly investigated and uncovered many irregularities.
There were nurous instances of feigned compliance and falsified reports, with so connections seemingly leading back to Shiko Tsunekazuichi, who managed the Varanium mines.
But without concrete evidence, she could do nothing against the Shiko father and son.
After all, they had Tendo Kikunojou backing them.
Seeing her so dejected, Mahiro waved his hand. "Forget it. I expected this outco. So, Lady Seitenshi, there's no need to look so disheartened."
"Let's change the subject. Who's that timid little girl beside you?"
Indeed, the table wasn't just occupied by him and Seitenshi.
Aside from Tina accompanying him, there was another girl seated beside Seitenshi, wearing a witch-like pointed hat.
Her long white hair was tied with a purple ribbon into a single ponytail that draped over her chest.
It was her timid deanor, coupled with the brim of her hat obscuring her face, that made it impossible to see her features clearly.
When he ntioned it, Seitenshi seed to rember belatedly. She first whispered a soft apology, then gently patted the girl's back in encouragent.
"Ah..."
As if startled, the girl practically leaped out of her seat.
Realizing she had overreacted, she then nervously bowed deeply to them.
"S-sorry! I-I-I'm Midori Fuse. I'm a cat-type Cursed Child, and I'm good at scent divination!"
Seitenshi added for her:
"I t her on my way here. She wanted to co to Arcadia, so I brought her along."
"Is that so?"
Mahiro stood up from his seat in surprise, crouching down in front of the girl and gently pressing a hand on her hat.
"Hello, Midori Fuse. I'm Yotsuba Mahiro. I'm sorry for startling you earlier," he said softly.
"I-It's okay... Actually... It's my fault..."
Midori nearly buried her face into her chest and under her hat.
Just as he rembered, the girl was still as timid and shy as ever.
His impression of Midori was as vivid as that of Kanae.
Possessing feline genes—perhaps that was why her personality resembled a kitten's, and her speed was remarkably fast, second only to Enju.
Her fingers also had retractable claws.
Beneath her hat, she even had a pair of adorable cat ears.
But because of this, her erosion rate was also alarmingly high.
"45.32%..."
Mahiro frowned slightly. Using his "Spirit Eyes" to trace information, he had already uncovered all of Midori's secrets.
Even in Arcadia, no child had a higher erosion rate than Midori Fuse—not even Enju.
Fortunately, the improved Suppressant developed by Muroto Sumire was quite effective.
He also felt relieved that Midori had willingly followed Seitenshi here.
Otherwise, he would have been at a loss on how to bring this cat-eared girl over.
As he pondered these thoughts, Midori peeked out from under her hat, cautiously studying him. But the mont their eyes t—
She imdiately shrank back again.
So adorable.
After observing Midori for a while and letting her return to her seat, he stood up and signaled to Tina that it was her turn.
Tina understood imdiately, rising from her seat and stepping forward to stand before Seitenshi. Clutching the hem of her skirt tightly, she bowed deeply and said:
"It's a pleasure to et you, Seitenshi-sama, leader of the Tokyo Area. I am the forr IP Rank 98, codenad [Black Wind]—Tina Sprout. I was the sniper previously hired to assassinate you."
"I deeply regret my past actions and sincerely apologize. I will accept any punishnt you deem fit. I only hope you can find it in your heart to forgive , Seitenshi-sama."
Seitenshi was startled by her words, raising a hand to cover her mouth in shock.
Her gaze flickered between Tina and Mahiro.
She was utterly overwheld by disbelief and astonishnt.
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