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Akio was certain of one thing—there was no way the bio-virus in this world had reached such an apocalyptic level.
Not something that could infect the entire universe.
But it wasn't to be underestimated either. After all, even exorcists, onmyoji, and monsters—beings that stood far above ordinary life—could be infected. That alone was hard to wrap his head around.
This clearly wasn't some run-of-the-mill bioweapon.
He had underestimated this chaotic, rotten world.
The fact that it could give birth to a virus like this… it was almost unthinkable.
Then again, in a world already this messed up, maybe a nightmare like this wasn't so surprising.
Who even knew what kind of ingredients went into making something so twisted?
Akio turned to Miko. "In the future you saw, outside of Japan… did anywhere else suffer this kind of crisis?"
Miko Yotsuya shook her head. "No."
"Only Japan?"
"Mm."
Akio narrowed his eyes. Something didn't sit right. Only Japan? Nowhere else?
That was more than strange—it reeked of intention.
Could it be that some organization, some puppet master, was using Japan as a testing ground?
If so, then who were they?
The first name that popped into his mind was the infamous Umbrella Corporation.
The so-called protectors.
And when it came to unleashing bioterror, that company was second to none.
Coincidentally, their Tokyo branch was alive and well.
And where had the first outbreak started? In Chuangzhu City—the nearest city to Tokyo.
That was too neat a coincidence. Way too neat.
Maybe he should pay their branch office a little visit.
His eyes glinted as the decision locked into place.
"Alright. I get the picture."
He waved a hand, dismissing Miko and Hana Yurikawa with a reassuring smile. "It's nothing but a small incident. You two go on home—I'll handle this little problem."
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
Tōtsuki Academy.
Erina Nakiri stood in her kitchen, skillfully preparing a fish.
The door slid open and Hisako stepped inside.
"Milady."
"Perfect timing, Hisako. Tonight, I'm planning to make a pan-seared tender fish for Lord Akio. Come give me a hand." Erina didn't even look up as she spoke.
But Hisako didn't move to help. Instead, she said, "Milady… there's a girl outside Tōtsuki asking to see you. Her name is Saeko Busujima."
"See me?" Erina raised her head, her face unreadable. "Never heard of her. Don't tell me it's another overconfident wannabe cook begging me to taste their third-rate food."
"Not interested."
She had no time for nobodies. She was busy cooking for Akio—nothing else mattered.
Hisako hesitated, then added, "Milady, this Saeko Busujima doesn't seem to be a chef. She's the heir to a kendo dojo."
"…Hah?" Erina's hands stilled. A dojo heir? What business could she possibly have with her?
If it were a restaurant or even a hotel heiress, maybe it would make sense. But a kendo successor looking for a chef?
Was she hoping to hire her as a dojo cook?
That didn't make sense at all.
Before Erina could dismiss it, Hisako continued, "Milady… this Saeko Busujima is different. She seems to know your secret."
Erina frowned. "What secret?"
"She knows about the Gourmet Cells."
Erina froze.
That was impossible. Only three people knew about Gourmet Cells: herself, Hisako, and Akio.
Akio knew because of who he was. Hisako knew because Erina had told her personally.
But this Saeko Busujima—who had no connection to her whatsoever—how could she possibly know?
Unless… she too had entered the Gourmet Realm.
But Erina had never once seen her there.
Her curiosity sparked to life, though her hands never stopped working. "Fine. Let her in. I'd like to see for myself what kind of person this Saeko Busujima really is."
Hisako nodded and slipped back out.
Moments later, she returned, leading in a striking young woman.
Erina's gaze flicked up, appraising. At first glance, the girl was the picture of a Yamato Nadeshiko, refined and graceful.
Hardly the image of a kendo prodigy.
Her figure, too, was flawless—no less than Erina's own. In fact… perhaps even a touch beyond.
That was unsettling. Hard to believe.
But it was the girl's eyes that truly stopped Erina cold.
Saeko Busujima's gaze was like a blade drawn from its sheath, razor-sharp and lethal. Look at it wrong, and you could imagine yourself cut in half.
How could someone with the elegance of a Yamato Nadeshiko possess eyes like that?
For the first time in a long while, Erina found herself intrigued.
"Saeko Busujima, was it? Tell me how you know about the Gourmet Cells."
Saeko drew in a slow breath before answering, her voice calm but heavy with meaning.
"What if I told you… you're the one who told me yourself?"
"…Huh?"
Erina's expression twisted into disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Don't spout nonsense. I don't even know you. We've never met. Why would I ever tell you something like that?"
Saeko's lips curled into a smile—an eerie smile that shattered her graceful image.
In an instant, the gentle Yamato Nadeshiko was gone. What stood there was a shura, a grim reaper cloaked in beauty.
"I'm not lying… Commander."
"The truth is, you did tell me about the Gourmet Cells."
"Not here. Not now."
"But in the future—when human lives are worth less than ants, and the world is crawling with demons and the undead!"
"..."
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