Nanashi had known the child in front of him possessed the Dolphin Factor, along with an IQ well above 210. But even so, her calm and composed assessment of the situation caught him off guard.
In truth, he had arrived long ago.
He had even stood within the conference room.
Watching Seitenshi's furrowed brow.
Witnessing the apathy of the politicians.
Observing Kikunojou Tendo's performance in silence.
And yet, after suppressing his own presence, no one had noticed he was even there.
Nanashi: "How? You can think of it as a superpower. Or magic."
Kayo nodded. "I see."
She believed him—but only after making her own judgment.
The strange phenomenon, his appearance as an adult man rather than a cursed child, and the invisible cloak of disregard from those around them—none of it could be explained by ordinary means.
Only supernatural powers like psychic abilities or magic made any sense.
Kayo: "May I ask why you've gone out of your way to do this?"
She wanted to understand his reason.
She also wants to try to understand why the man in front of her can use superpower to get here and stop to talk with her.
Could it be the same as the masked man before, for the so-called Seven Stars heritage?
Nanashi: "You guessed wrong. I came here for you. I have no interest in the Seven Stars or its inheritance."
"Eh?"
Kayo's eyes widened in shock.
First, she was stunned by how he seemed to read her thoughts. Was that another ability?
Second, she couldn't believe his words—he had come for her?
Her, more important than the legacy of the Seven Stars?
Just an ordinary cursed child?
Kayo: "Why...?"
She tilted her head, genuinely confused.
Nanashi (grinning): "Maybe I just like cute girls."
Kayo: "But... I'm a cursed child."
Nanashi (serious now): "Sexual contact doesn't transmit the Gastrea virus. This has been scientifically proven through repeated studies."
"…!"
She was speechless.
He'd said something that shook her entire worldview.
This wasn't just some shallow lust.
It was actual attraction. For her.
A cursed child.
Carrying a virus within her.
Even if science had proven such things safe—
No one desired cursed children.
Her eyes trembled.
Kayo: "You're... so strange."
Nanashi (rubbing his chin): "Strange as in... handsome? Amazing? Powerful?"
Kayo (dryly): "More like... shamelessly narcissistic."
Pfft!
Nanashi couldn't help but laugh.
Even Kayo's lips curled into the slightest smile.
Their banter lifted the heavy atmosphere, breaking the tension.
Once the laughter faded, the conversation returned to reality.
Initially, Nanashi had only been curious about Kayo—drawn in by the events surrounding Black Bullet.
But after speaking with her...
He realized she suited him.
She was clever, calm, and composed.
Cute, but with a dry sense of humor.
His type.
And when Nanashi liked something—or someone—he didn't hesitate.
Nanashi: "Kayo, what do you say? Come with me. I think we'd make a great team."
She hadn't told him her name.
But she wasn't surprised he knew it.
After all, he was clearly a man of supernatural ability—able to suppress presence, read thoughts, perhaps even more.
Of course he knew.
But the sudden invitation still made her heart sink.
Her eyes drifted to the body beside her.
Her Promoter—the one who had just died.
Nanashi, sensing the weight in her heart, said nothing insensitive like:
"Well, he's dead. Might as well move on and team up with me."
He gave her space.
Let her decide for herself.
A long silence passed.
Finally, Kayo looked up and said quietly, "Your name."
Nanashi: "Nanashi."
Kayo: "Mr. Nanashi... were you serious about what you said before?"
She wanted to see for herself—whether this man truly didn't hate the cursed children.
Nanashi (proudly): "Of course. I genuinely like beautiful girls like you, Kayo. My sincerity is unmatched!"
He spoke each word with confidence and conviction.
So much so, she could feel the truth behind them.
"…"
Kayo's eyelid twitched.
That wasn't what she meant!
She only wanted to know whether he hated the cursed children.
Not whether he wanted to... have surrogate sex!
This was too much.
Even someone as cool-headed as her couldn't help but blush at how seriously and shamelessly he spoke, as if proclaiming a vow.
Her heart trembled. Her cheeks grew warm.
But she forced herself to suppress her flustered emotions and asked:
Kayo: "What is Mr. Nanashi planning to do?"
Because no matter how sincere he sounded—
She didn't believe he'd come just for her.
There had to be something more.
Even if she wanted to believe in his sincerity...
She needed to be sure he wasn't up to something dangerous.
Nanashi shrugged casually and said,
"I plan to have a simple chat with Seitenshi, eliminate the Gastrea virus, save all the cursed children, and then wipe out everyone with a dark heart."
"…"
Was he... serious?
Talking with the Seitenshi?
Eliminating the virus?
Saving cursed children?
Killing all those with evil in their hearts?
Simple?
Not a single one of those things was simple!
Kayo stared into Nanashi's golden eyes.
Eyes are the windows to the soul, and she tried to read his—searching for a hint of sarcasm, a smirk, anything that said he was joking.
But Nanashi didn't waver.
His gaze remained calm and steady, as if daring her to look deeper.
"…"
Kayo stayed silent.
This man—he was serious!
She could see it in his eyes. Pure and unwavering, like still water.
He meant every word.
A brief silence fell between them.
Seitenshi and the others had already left.
Even her Promoter's body had been taken away.
No one had noticed the two of them still standing there.
After a long pause, Kayo finally spoke.
"I understand, Mr. Nanashi. Please allow me to support you from now on. I'll do my utmost to help you achieve your goals."
Her expression was solemn.
Because she knew—every one of his goals was monumental.
But she had already made up her mind.
She would stand by this man who had spoken to her with such sincerity.
Unexpectedly, Nanashi placed a large hand on her head.
"What are you saying? I can handle all of that on my own."
"You just need to be happy, grow up into a beautiful girl by my side—eating, drinking, and enjoying life with me."
"But I—"
She opened her mouth to protest, but Nanashi cut her off with a grin.
"Also, stop calling me 'Mr. Nanashi.' From now on, call me 'Brother Nanashi.'"
"…Brother Nanashi."
The word felt unfamiliar on her tongue—intimate, even familial.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Hahaha! Come on, let's go see Seitenshi."
Without waiting, he scooped her up into his arms.
Kayo wrapped her arms around his neck, calm as ever.
But she whispered quietly,
"Brother Nanashi... I can walk, you know."
Nanashi blinked, and a playful grin crept onto his face.
"Maybe I just want to take advantage of Kajo?"
Her ears flushed pink, though her face remained composed.
"Speaking of taking advantage..."
He suddenly looked up with a straight face.
"I'm hungry."
"Pfft!"
She couldn't hold back the laughter.
"You're really saying that now? Hahaha!"
Still chuckling, he carried her away.
Back in the Meeting Hall...
The grand chamber was now quiet.
Everyone had left.
Kikunojou Tendo had already begun gathering manpower to recover the legacy of the Seven Stars.
Only Seitenshi remained at the ruling table, a deep sigh escaping her lips.
Her flawless, fair face was laced with exhaustion.
A new stack of documents landed on the desk in front of her before she'd even finished the last.
The recent incident involving a viral chat group and the backlash over the new Protogastric Law had already overwhelmed her.
And now—on top of everything—the Seven Stars legacy had been lost.
She didn't even know where to begin.
"You look troubled."
"Who's there?!"
Startled, Seitenshi looked up.
Standing before her was a man with black hair and golden eyes.
At his side was a young girl.
"Nanashi," he said flatly.
"Kayo," the girl added, her voice just as calm.
"Master Nanashi!"
Seitenshi stood up in surprise.
Kayo's eyes widened.
Master Nanashi...?
Even the most powerful figure in Tokyo—Seitenshi—addressed him with respect.
"Are the others not here?" she asked, referring to Lemuel etc...
"They've gone to exterminate the protozoa. Kisara is still at her house," Nanashi replied casually.
He walked forward and picked up the stack of papers on the table, flipping through them idly.
Then he looked up and asked,
"Have you found an answer to my original question?"
"…"
Seitenshi lowered her gaze.
She still didn't have an answer.
What was the right thing to do in a world consumed by darkness?
To her, the cursed children were still human. Their lives mattered—just as much as anyone else's.
Her dream was to build a world where cursed children had rights, and all people could live in harmony.
But now... she wavered, caught between confusion and helplessness.
Nanashi turned to Kayo.
"Kayo. What do you think of the cursed children's situation? As one of them, your voice matters."
Seitenshi also looked to her, eyes filled with quiet encouragement.
Kayo took a breath and spoke her truth.
"I think the situation is terrible."
"Even for those who become Initiators and live slightly better lives, most Promoters treat them like tools—replaceable when broken or dead."
"For those who can't become Initiators, survival itself isn't guaranteed."
"They can't work. They can't earn. They can't eat. They simply starve."
"And if they steal food to survive, they're beaten—or even killed—without mercy."
She paused, turning to Seitenshi with a deep, unwavering gaze.
"Cursed children don't live like humans... They live like Gastrea."
"…"
Seitenshi felt her chest tighten.
Pain. Guilt. A silent ache in her heart.
"I've already enacted the New Protogastric Law. It grants cursed children basic human rights. I believe things will change for the better."
Her voice was filled with hope.
"Oh? That hope's about to be shattered."
Nanashi scoffed.
He pulled a document from the pile and handed it to her.
"Take a look at this."
Seitenshi took the paper, eyes scanning the words.
Her expression froze.
"!!!"
It felt like a heavy blow to the chest. She cried out, voice laced with disbelief.
"Why is this happening?!"
The stark black text on white paper blurred before her eyes.
Regarding the law to restore the human rights of the Cursed Children, as outlined in the "New Gastrula Law" enacted by Seitenshi, the public opinion in the Tokyo District is as follows:
– In favor: 4%
– Neutral: 3%
– Opposed: 93%
Only 4% in support.
That meant only 4% of Tokyo's population viewed the Cursed Children as human beings.
What a horrifying statistic.
Later, a massive petition emerged—tens of thousands signing a joint proposal to abolish the law entirely.
"Who are you?! When did you get in here?!"
Before Seitenshi could react further, a squad of enforcers burst into the chamber.
Leading them was Takuto Yasuwaki, whose eyes, magnified by his glasses, gleamed with murderous intensity as he interrogated Nanashi and Kayo.
Damn it! How dare they approach Seitenshi so brazenly!
"Oh? This must be your captain of the guard," Nanashi remarked with amused interest, eyeing Takuto Yasuwaki.
"Yes. Please… do not harm them," Seitenshi said softly.
Nanashi's eyes narrowed, his tone cold. "It seems you don't know your people at all. What if I told you all your guards were murderers—would you believe me?"
The words sent a chill down Seitenshi's spine.
"You're the murderer!" Takuto Yasuwaki barked. "Trying to assassinate Seitenshi? Seize him—now!"
But he didn't move.
Instead, he waited for the others to act first.
Yet no one did.
Worse still—no one could.
Takuto Yasuwaki attempted to turn his head, to question what was happening, but realized with horror that his body wouldn't respond. Not even his voice.