After hearing her sister's voice, the face that had been blurry in her memory suddenly shifted, becoming clear and familiar again.
She hadn't noticed the slightly ill-fitting pajamas her sister had changed into yesterday, but now she finally realized.
"Shiho, you are…"
"An item created by the Lord."
Shiho lifted her hand and pushed back the brown hair covering her ear, revealing the silver glint of the newly acquired earring.
"As long as we keep wearing these earrings, when others see us, they won't think of Shiho Miyano and Akemi Miyano.
"For those with spirituality, we must be careful not to speak to them first, or we'll be exposed immediately. That's why it was only when I spoke that you recognized me, Sister.
"So, Sister, do you think there are people like us in that organization?"
Akemi didn't even need to think. She immediately shook her head.
"Impossible."
Yes, impossible.
Although Ren said that all things have spirituality, meaning every living being possesses it, if spirituality does not become a power one can control, then it is no different from life itself. You may possess it, but you cannot wield it.
Therefore, those who cannot become Beyonders are not qualified to use spirituality.
And the only way to become a Beyonder is through the Lord's grace.
Which meant that no one in the Organization could possibly track down the sisters now.
With this answer clear in her heart, Akemi finally felt sober.
She even shed tears she could no longer hold back.
After so many years of enduring, she could finally live under the sunlight with her sister.
"Don't cry yet. It's already 9:20. The Lord has already returned with the groceries. If we keep stalling, we'll end up delaying breakfast…"
Reminded by her sister, Akemi quickly restrained her emotions.
Knowing the exact time, she hurried to neaten her pajamas, then went out to wash up.
Soon, the two sisters were dressed neatly and entered the living room.
Akemi saw Ren smiling at her, a playful tone in his voice.
"You can finally rest easy now. How did you sleep last night?"
"Very well. I don't have to worry about the Organization anymore, and Shiho was rescued. This is a result I never dared dream of."
Akemi admitted her thoughts openly, without hesitation.
"Mm. I can tell from your expression that you're in good shape."
Ren nodded. Akemi now carried the air of a mature older sister.
"Now that you two have escaped, the Organization is in chaos. Their biggest secret has been exposed to the Police, and even the APTX formula has fallen into their hands.
"If nothing unexpected happens, both the Organization and the Police will begin keeping a close watch on you."
Both sisters understood immediately. The next stage would be the most troublesome.
Without protection, they would become targets of both sides in an instant.
"Because of the conflict between the Police and the Organization, our actions are now seen as the work of a third party. And the surviving researchers from that stronghold have already been detained. It won't take long before the disappearance of a key figure is confirmed.
"The Police will then deduce that their target is Shiho.
"From the researchers' statements, once they start investigating from Shiho, Akemi's identity will soon be exposed as well.
"At that point, the Police will conclude that Akemi, who vanished with Shiho, was the true instigator of the third party."
"When that happens, both the Police and the Organization will launch a full-scale search for you."
The sisters already knew this truth, which only made them feel all the more fortunate now.
Especially Akemi. She understood clearly that even if Gin had kept his promise to her, with her limited abilities she could never have truly protected Shiho.
Shiho also disliked her own talent because of this.
"That APTX again… Every time it's involved, misfortune follows."
Ever since she inherited responsibility for APTX, Shiho felt her life had been cursed with bad luck.
"Mm, you're right. But it may not be that APTX itself brings misfortune. More likely, your parents turned this misfortune into a way to protect you both."
"Eh?"
The sisters froze when the topic shifted to their parents.
Ren leaned his chin against the back of his hand, his eyes smiling as he looked at Shiho and explained slowly.
"Shiho, don't you think there are many researchers in the Organization? Surely there are scientists like you, maybe even ones far more accomplished?"
Shiho thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.
She had talent in biology and APTX research, surpassing her peers, but she was not the most outstanding among all those scientists. Younger researchers couldn't compare, but many older ones clearly surpassed her.
"Then why do you think you became Sherry in that Organization? You are excellent, but not the most excellent in this field."
Shiho fell silent.
"It's normal you don't understand. That APTX was jointly developed by your parents. After they disappeared, no other scientist in the Organization could continue the project. Not because they lacked skill, but because the APTX itself seemed to reject them. No one else could make progress.
"But you were the only exception.
"You not only continued the research, you even advanced it rapidly. That has to mean something, doesn't it?"
Shiho finally understood the real reason.
She had never thought deeply about it before, but now she realized that both her and her sister's paths had already been arranged long ago.
Why could she inherit APTX research while no one else could? The answer was clear.
"Beyonder characteristics… Is that the answer, My Lord?"
"Correct answer."
(To be continued.)