Kaede stared at the numbers on the monitor, her thoughts in turmoil.
These poor children… they don't deserve any of this.
The door clicked open. A woman stepped inside.
"Yamada-sama?"
Kaede's eyes widened. She had never seen another woman here.
"Who are you…?"
The woman smiled softly, shutting the door behind her. "You must be Yamada's wife. My name is Osamu Yuki."
Kaede lowered her gaze to the floor, her voice trembling. "Yuki-san… what are you doing here? You know this place is cruel."
Yuki placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know. That's why I'm here. I… worked with Yamada to form the Ascendants Order."
Kaede's head shot up, tears filling her eyes. "Why?! Why would you create such a hell for these children?!" She clutched Yuki's hands in desperation.
Yuki's smile faltered. She looked away, guilt shadowing her face. "Yes… it was my idea. I wanted a future where children could surpass human limits. But I needed Yamada's influence. I never imagined he would twist my dream into this nightmare."
Kaede's voice cracked. "Even my child?"
Yuki nodded reluctantly. "Even yours. I designed the modifications… but Yamada pushed them to maximum levels. That's why so many… didn't survive."
Kaede rose to her feet, towering over her. "Then why didn't you stop him?! Do you know how much these children suffer?!" Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.
Yuki's hands tightened at her sides. "I couldn't. He seized control. He became untouchable."
Kaede turned toward the glass, watching children strain under brutal drills. Her expression hardened.
"Tell me… you know the genetic codes better than he does, don't you?"
Yuki hesitated. "…Yes. I even built a failsafe. A code that could alter their perception of Yamada. PM, I called it."
Kaede's eyes sharpened. "Then we'll use it."
Yuki froze. "Impossible! The coding room is off-limits. Don't tell me… you plan to confront him and buy time?"
Kaede smiled through her tears, her hands clenched. "It's all I can do. My last gift to these children."
"B-but—!" Yuki stammered.
Kaede fixed her tie with gentle hands. "Yuki-san. These children have lived too long in darkness. If we cannot free them, then we must at least be their light."
Yuki looked down, trembling. Kaede walked toward the door.
"Do what must be done," Kaede whispered, her voice steady. "Light the path… they deserve to choose."
And with that, she was gone. Yuki stood frozen in the silence, her fists clenched.
Kaijou… your mother truly is an angel.
Meanwhile, Kaijou sparred with Bakura, both of them panting as Hayami cheered from the side.
"C'mon, you two! Don't stop now—you're killing it!"
Bakura exhaled sharply. "I'm done. That's enough."
Kaijou chuckled. "Fine. It's past curfew anyway."
The door burst open. A faculty squad marched in, clearing a path. Yamada entered—dragging Kaede by the arm. He threw her forward.
Kaijou froze.
Yamada's eyes locked on him. "So. Kaede is the reason some children are falling behind. Comfort, is it?"
He yanked Kaede's hair back, forcing a cry from her. "You disgrace me, woman. I warned you to stay out of my way."
Kaede spat back, voice raw. "You think I'll sit idle while you torture children?!"
The room fell silent. Even Yamada blinked in surprise. The angel was furious.
His hand cracked across her face. "What you should have done was obey. But since you persist…" His smile twisted. "…I'll make an example."
Kaijou lunged forward, rage exploding—only for a dart to strike his neck. He crashed to the floor, vision spinning.
"Kaijou!" Hayami cried.
Yamada sneered. "See? They protect you because you're their light. But in here, light does not survive. Darkness forges strength."
He drew a knife from a guard's hand. Kaede gasped as he plunged it into her.
The children froze, horror locking their bodies. Kaijou forced himself upright, trembling, his vision blurred.
No… no…
Kaede collapsed, blood staining her white blouse.
"Remember," Yamada said coldly, letting her fall. "This is what happens to those who oppose me." He left without looking back.
"Mom! Mom!" Kaijou crawled to her side, shaking her body. His chest tightened, sweat rolling down his face.
Hayami covered her mouth, tears welling. "Bakura… that's his mother…"
Kaede raised a trembling hand, brushing the tears from Kaijou's eyes. "My baby… don't waste tears on me. Carry forward… live."
"B-but—!" His voice broke.
Her eyes dimmed. Bakura placed a hand on his shoulder. "…She's gone, Kaijou."
Kaijou closed her lids gently, his hands shaking. "…You gave yourself for me. For all of us. I'll carry your hope… until the day I destroy him."
He wiped his tears, his lips trembling into a broken smile. "Happiness was never meant for this place… but I'll make sure it lives on through me."
The staff dragged Kaede's body away, scrubbing her blood from the floor. The faint crimson stain remained. The mark of an angel.
In the shadows, Sora leaned against the wall, watching intently. His smile was sharp, cold.
So you've fallen too, Kaijou. Good. If I fell, then you must fall with me. That's only fair, isn't it?
Yuki watches from above, she had already injected the coding without arousing Yamada's suspicion.
"Kaede-san… your light won't fade. I've sown it in the code itself. And the one who carries your fire… will be the flame that burns Yamada's reign."