"You really went overboard this time, my dear Darling No. 2."
"Did I? It felt pretty tame. I barely even tried."
In the basement morgue of Magata University's affiliated hospital, Mahiro savored coffee brewed over an alcohol lamp, the chill of the room clinging to him.
Across from him, Muroto Sumire lounged in her usual attire—a tight-fitting outfit beneath her white lab coat—propping her chin on one hand while toying with her wavy hair. Her tone was teasing, laced with amusement:
"Total annihilation of the naval fleet, 30% losses for ground forces, countless electronic devices fried by electromagnetic radiation, economic damages in the tens of billions. Oh, and since the glacial formations in Tokyo Bay won't melt, the region's climate has been semi-permanently altered..."
Stirring her bubbling beaker of coffee, she recited the aftermath of the Scorpion battle like a shopping list.
"Really? That's all? I was hoping to cripple Tokyo for at least half a year."
Mahiro clicked his tongue in disappointment, making it impossible to tell whether he was joking or dead serious.
"Still, if it's a miracle, isn't it normal to pay some price? There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. It's much better than being killed by Scorpio, isn't it? What's more... trading such a small price to eliminate a Zodiac-class Gastrea is an absolute bargain no matter how you look at it."
"Hmm... a miracle, you say?"
Sumire smiled meaningfully before turning her gaze to indicate something. "If killing Scorpio was the miracle you created, then what about that child? Whose miracle is she?"
Following the doctor's line of sight, Mahiro saw a naked girl lying on a cold dissection table not far away.
She appeared to be around six or seven years old. Like the abandoned Cursed Children, she looked extremely frail. The only noticeable difference was her short blue hair that covered one eye.
This was the child Mahiro had found at sea after Scorpio's body disintegrated, whom he then brought here along with the syringe.
"Over 630,000 Gastrea factors in her body, yet she maintains human form despite an infection rate exceeding 50%. Young man, you've truly created an extraordinary miracle."
Sumire approached the dissection table, her fingers lightly tracing the girl's body as an enigmatic smile played on her lips.
This girl was far more astonishing than the slain Scorpio.
According to Mahiro, she was the remains left behind after Scorpio's destruction.
Yet both she and Mahiro knew—this girl was Scorpio itself!
Though unbelievable, even Muroto Sumire had been startled when she first reached this conclusion.
"How is she now?"
"Currently, her vital signs are stable. The Gastrea virus infection rate shows no signs of increasing, and the damaged nerves in her brain are repairing. However, I can't predict when she'll wake up."
The doctor's assessment matched Mahiro's own analysis. The reason for her unconsciousness was the mental freeze caused by the Cocytus's influence.
Yet remarkably, the girl's spirit already showed gradual signs of revival.
Perhaps this was simply the incredible vitality of a Stage V entity—even its consciousness could reactivate...
Or perhaps because he had gifted Seitenshi a miracle, the world had repaid him with one in return...
At this thought, an involuntary, heartfelt smile appeared on his face.
"Boy, how about sharing a bit of your mercy with the people of Tokyo Area once in a while?"
Sumire suddenly blurted out.
At some point, she had already settled back into her swivel chair, legs crossed.
The tight pencil skirt accentuated the plump curves of her thighs.
Her long, toned legs were tightly wrapped in sheer black pantyhose, the slight upward curve outlining an alluring silhouette.
"Doctor, are you trying to plead for those people?"
After admiring her legs for a while, Mahiro finally withdrew his gaze and stood up from the chair, looking down at Sumire with a piercing stare. "Do you really think those people deserve my mercy?"
"You look just like Tendo's vengeful ghost," Sumire met his gaze, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She knew Kisara's past well—and Rentaro's too.
But precisely because she understood Kisara's suffering, she compared him to a vengeful spirit.
There was just one thing. Though she knew where Mahiro's hatred for Tokyo Area stemmed from, she still didn't quite understand.
Would someone really go so far as to oppose an entire region for the sake of those children?
"I don't see any problem with that," Mahiro picked up his jacket from the table, slipping it on as he spoke. "Isn't the Lost Generation just a bunch of vengeful ghosts too? So what's one more?"
"Your ideals are the complete opposite of Rentaro's."
Sumire seemed to have already seen through his thoughts, sighing as if in lament. "I think the two of you will inevitably clash over this someday."
"So what? If I can't even overcome obstacles like this, how can I set my sights on the entire world?"
Turning his back to Sumire, he finished putting on his jacket and spoke again before she could respond. "I've got to attend Seitenshi's victory banquet soon, so I'll take my leave. Oh, and Doctor, I've left the Stage Five blood samples here. I'll leave the rest to you."
"And that girl—take care of her for now."
"You really are a heartless bastard... Don't forget my payment!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll remember. You shameless old hag."
Amid Sumire's grumbling and sighs echoing from the basement, Mahiro left the hospital and headed straight for the Holy Palace.
Several days had passed since the appearance of the Scorpion. The chaos of that night had gradually settled.
Just as the doctor had said, due to the intense electromagnetic radiation from the Fourth Phase Transition, many electronic devices in Tokyo Area had been fried.
And under the influence of the glacial remnants, the climate had undergone a semi-permanent change.
The once sweltering weather had now turned refreshingly cool.
As for the exact temperature in Tokyo Bay, Mahiro didn't know, but the breeze reaching him was pleasantly chilly. Even when the heat returned in the coming days, he probably wouldn't need air conditioning.
The glacier he had frozen had even become an artificial spectacle.
"You're late!"
The moment he arrived, he saw Kisara in a formal dress standing at the entrance of the banquet hall, hands on her hips, her slightly displeased gaze carrying a hint of reproach.
Her current demeanor was completely different from when she had returned to the office a few days ago.
Back then, Kisara had given him a big hug, only to blush afterward and claim it was just a nominal embrace to thank him for fighting for the Tokyo Area.
Honestly, President Kisara's reaction had been quite amusing.
Of course, little Enju and Asaka had also been present at the time. Enju had expressed great dissatisfaction with Kisara's actions, while Asaka's gaze at him was filled with resentment and reproach.
"Mahiro-sama, you big idiot!"
In the blink of an eye, she charged at him at an almost invisible speed, crashing into his chest like a bulldozer without saying a word.
The girl buried her face in Mahiro's chest, neither lifting her head nor letting go, her voice choked with tears as she scolded him.
She blamed him for not taking her along.
And for doing something so dangerous.
He could have just run away... What if he had died?
But with Seitenshi, Kisara, Asaka, Enju, and the children of Arcadia behind him, how could he possibly flee?
"Hey, your expression looks a bit strange!"
Kisara suddenly interrupted his reminiscence, and Mahiro smiled. "Not at all. I was just thinking how beautiful you look in that dress today."
Though he was covering up his distraction, there was no denying Kisara's outfit was indeed captivating.
The long dress, adorned with ruffles like a bouquet of black roses, clung to her delicate frame, accentuating her graceful curves. The off-shoulder design perfectly exposed her collarbones, their paleness accentuated by the black of the dress.
Her hair was also tied up high with a black ribbon.
Black itself carried an air of mystery and nobility.
And for today's banquet, Kisara had even swapped her usual action-friendly boots for high heels—a rare sight.
"If only you dressed like this more often instead of always wearing that uniform. Such a waste of your amazing figure and face."
"Don't be ridiculous, idiot! That would cost money, you know?"
Kisara muttered softly, still the same old miser even now that she had money.
"Besides, today's special. I got up early to prepare for this banquet. I don't usually have this much free time."
As she spoke, she naturally straightened her posture, causing the peaks beneath the sheer black fabric to bounce slightly.
Hiss—
Were they really that bouncy?
Perhaps only Mizuki could rival her in that department.
"As for you, didn't I tell you? Today, Seitenshi-sama is personally holding a medal ceremony for the mercenaries who distinguished themselves in battle. You were supposed to dress properly!"
"Aren't I dressed properly?" He glanced down at his attire.
It was a tailored suit, after all.
"At least wear a tie, seriously! You're as troublesome as Satomi. Stay still—I'll fix it for you."
Before he could react, Kisara was already in front of him.
Her hands, clad in elbow-length black gloves, reached for his collar, fastening his shirt buttons before pulling out a gift box from her handbag. Inside was an expensive tie.
"Consider this a gift for defeating the Scorpion..."
That was what she said.
Then she took out the tie and began tying it for him.
However, in the process, the distance between them had already become uncomfortably close.
Perhaps it was because Kisara had applied perfume today, but her natural scent was more intoxicating than usual, a sweet fragrance that teased his senses.
Even she herself didn't seem to realize just how intimate their current posture was.
If Mahiro merely lowered his head slightly, he could easily glimpse the full curves of her chest through the off-shoulder dress.
"I think we're standing a bit too close," he remarked.
"Don't interrupt me. Honestly, why is tying a tie so difficult?"
Well, let him take that back—Kisara had noticed the awkwardness between them, her fair cheeks gradually flushing pink.
Her hands also unconsciously tightened their grip, tugging harshly at the tie.
"I can't do this. This kind of work isn't for me."
Kisara had nearly twisted the tie into something resembling a bow, but just as she was about to give up, Mahiro suddenly took hold of her hands.
"Don't just give up so easily, President Kisara," he sighed, then guided her hands like a puppeteer, maneuvering them around his collar.
First, he undid the tangled knot, then, following his memory, carefully crossed and tightened it properly.
"See? It's done. You were just too nervous, President Kisara."
"...Isn't this basically you tying it yourself?" Kisara muttered. "And if you knew how, why did you make me do it?"
"Wasn't it your request?" Mahiro spread his hands innocently.
"...Never mind."
Kisara decided not to dwell on the topic any longer and instead pulled out a pocket watch from her handbag.
"It's time. Listen carefully—I've already told you before, but I'll say it again. Essentially, this ceremony is cutting into Seitenshi-sama's precious administrative time, so everyone has an unspoken agreement to keep it as brief as possible."
"So when she asks you questions, answer only with 'yes' or 'no.' Keep it concise, and absolutely do not ask anything in return. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Good answer."
After Kisara's repeated warnings, Mahiro, as her companion for the evening, took her arm and finally stepped back into the white marble halls of the Holy Palace.
However, just as they crossed the threshold, Kisara suddenly turned to him with a gentle smile and said, "I've said it before, but I want to say it again—thank you, Mahiro-kun, for everything you've done for us."
This time, he didn't answer, merely returning her smile in kind.
At the same time, the grand doors behind them closed, and they followed the attendant deeper into the palace.
Ahead, a curved marble staircase stretched before them, draped in a red carpet, with Seitenshi sitting gracefully atop the throne at its peak.
The room was vast, its ceiling towering high, flanked by honor guards while elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies mingled around tables.
"Mr. Mahiro, welcome."
Clad in pure white, Seitenshi rose from her throne and descended the steps with a radiant smile.
Though this wasn't his first time meeting her—nor even his first time seeing her up close—he had to admit that her beauty was far more majestic in person than through any screen.
As pure as a saint, it was a completely different feeling from Kisara's unadulterated darkness.
It was said that the queens of the Holy Chamber were renowned for their beauty, and the current Seitenshi before them was the most beautiful of all generations.
"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend this banquet."
"You're too kind, Lady Seitenshi."
"So, as the savior of the Tokyo Area, how do you feel?"
"Nothing special. Just make sure to pay me on time."
The moment these words left his mouth, Kisara below the stage was immediately bombarded with countless gazes, as if reproaching her for how she trained her employees—clearly just a bunch of rude people.
Kisara herself couldn't help but facepalm.
Even so... even if the payment hadn't been settled yet, such words shouldn't be said in this kind of setting.
Still, deep down, she truly believed Mahiro was very reliable. Even now, he hadn't forgotten about the payment.
Completely unlike a certain Satomi!
"Hehe, Mr. Mahiro is as humorous as ever. Of course, we won't go back on our word regarding the payment. The full amount will be settled once the banquet concludes."
Humorous?
Not at all. These were his genuine thoughts. But since they were already prepared to pay, it was fine to treat it as a joke.
"However, having someone of your caliber in the Tokyo Area brings me great honor as its leader. Mr. Mahiro, thank you for everything you've done for the Tokyo Area. I hope you will continue to fight for it in the future."
Seitenshi had originally wanted to ask, "Will you continue to give your all for the Tokyo Area?" But she couldn't bring herself to say it and rephrased it instead.
Based on past interactions, Seitenshi had come to understand his personality.
Perhaps it was narcissistic of her to think this way, but sometimes, appealing to him as herself rather than as the leader could motivate Mr. Mahiro—though more often than not, it was money that did the trick.
And many times, Mr. Mahiro didn't care at all about her status as the leader.
Just like now—
"Thank you for your praise, Lady Seitenshi."
Mahiro gave a slight bow.
The gentlemen below were in an uproar. By all accounts, one should perform a knight's kneeling salute here, yet Mahiro had merely given a slight bow?
This was disrespectful to Seitenshi!
How utterly arrogant!
Thoughts like these bubbled up among the crowd.
But Seitenshi paid no mind, gracefully stepping forward with raised hands and solemnly declaring:
"Gentlemen, have you all heard? The hero standing here will continue to fight for the Tokyo Area henceforth."
"—Defeating Zodiac 'Scorpio,' defeating former IP Rank 134, Hiruko Kagetane and Hiruko Kohina, and eliminating three mechanized soldiers from the Five Wing Syndicate. Based on these achievements, in agreement with IISO, I hereby recognize this military merit as 'Special First-Class Merit' and decree that the IP ranking of Civil Security Officer Yotsuba Mahiro shall rise to 134th."
Though not entirely pleased, the audience below still applauded enthusiastically.
Seitenshi then turned her gaze to Mahiro with a smile.
"Mr. Mahiro, do you accept this decision?"
"It is my honor."
Seitenshi chuckled playfully and continued in a low voice, "A rise from 970th to 134th—such a rapid climb is likely unprecedented in history. It might even make the Guinness World Records."
"However, I must apologize. I have not publicized your miracles but instead sealed the information. Mr. Mahiro, I hope you won't hold it against me?"
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