The dark night blanketed the city. Within GHQ's Sixth District, a hail of rockets rained down on towering skyscrapers. Explosions tore through concrete and steel, sending up pillars of flame and smoke that lit the skyline in chaotic bursts.
Inside the main facility, confusion reigned. Members of Funeral Parlor broke through GHQ's defenses and stormed into the satellite control chamber. Just as Gai Tsutsugami prepared to use Kenji Kido's Void to manipulate the satellite core, a mecha burst through the wall—piloted by the deranged son of General Yang, who opened fire wildly with his machine gun.
Though Gai easily defeated him using his Void powers, several bullets had already struck the satellite control systems. Critical damage. The satellite began to lose orbit, drawn toward Earth—toward Tokyo. Communications across both GHQ and Funeral Parlor lines cut out, replaced by static and dread. Everyone knew what this meant.
A satellite traveling at second cosmic velocity—combined with Earth's gravity—was now descending at a speed and mass that could obliterate an entire city. If it crashed, Tokyo would be annihilated.
"Impressive, Tsutsugami Gai, leader of Funeral Parlor," said a cold voice from the platform above. A pale-faced man stepped into the flickering light—Segai. "To destroy GHQ, you're even willing to take Tokyo down with you. Well, I suppose someone like you could survive it—with your Void powers. Your subordinates, though? Replaceable, aren't they?"
"Don't make it sound like I'm the villain here," Kenji Kido spat bitterly, his young face twisted with defiance. "The one who triggered the satellite fall is you people—GHQ!"
"At this point," Segai replied with a sly grin, "it doesn't really matter who's right or wrong, does it?"
Gai stepped forward, his presence radiating authority. "I'll stop the satellite from falling. But you'll cease fire on my people." His voice was calm yet commanding, carrying the weight of conviction.
"Oh? Planning to use your own Void to destroy the falling satellite? Theoretically possible… but can you actually pull it off?" a familiar, elegant voice cut through the chaos.
Across the shattered bridge between towers, three figures emerged from the shadows. Leading them was Kurumi, wearing a deep crimson gown that shimmered regally even in the gloom. Behind her trailed Shu Ouma—trying his best to look composed, though his legs trembled beneath him—and the ever-dazed Inori.
Kurumi's wine-red eyes met Gai's golden ones, the air between them charged with tension. "The power of a Void differs from person to person," she said coolly. "To destroy a satellite, you'd need a Void capable of wiping out all of Tokyo in a single strike. Don't overestimate yourself."
For the first time, Kurumi openly challenged someone to their face. Thinking of the suffering she and Inori had endured these past few days, a quiet fury burned inside her. Yes, she had been the cause of some of it—but the root of it all was Gai Tsutsugami.
"Hmph. You're right," Gai admitted with a curt nod. "My Void alone isn't enough to destroy it. But someone else's is."
He strode past Kurumi, stopping before Inori. His tone softened just slightly as he extended a hand. "Inori, let me use your Void."
Inori's hands instinctively moved to her chest—but she took a step back, shaking her head. Kurumi-chan said my Crown belongs only to her. I can't give it to anyone else. Only Kurumi-chan can use my Void.
"Are you really going to refuse me?" Gai asked, his voice turning colder. "If that satellite crashes, everyone dies—including your precious Kurumi." He loomed over her, confident she wouldn't risk Kurumi's life. He had her cornered. There could only be one outcome.
"Kurumi-chan will die?" Inori's pupils dilated, her breath quickened. Her trembling hands slipped away from her chest. I have to protect Kurumi-chan.
"How pathetic," Kurumi said, her voice laced with venom. "To threaten a weak girl to get your way. How noble of you, oh great hero."
"Say what you like," Gai replied, glaring back at her. "Even if I'm hated forever, I'll still destroy that satellite—and save Tokyo."
"Such arrogance," Kurumi smirked. "You talk like you're the only protagonist here. You think you're the only one who can wield a Void?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously, the air around her thick with killing intent.
Gai turned his gaze toward Shu. "Then let Shu Ouma use Inori's Void. I don't care who does it—as long as Tokyo is saved."
His composure, his self-sacrificing words, his unshakable resolve—Gai's aura burned brighter than ever, his heroic facade unshaken even in crisis.
"So don't be so arrogant as to assume you know what I mean. Just because you can't do something doesn't mean others can't," Kurumi said with a dark, teasing smile. Her tone made Gai Tsutsugami frown in confusion. He had already calculated everything—Inori was the only way. There couldn't possibly be another.
"Segai, if Shu can solve this issue, can you erase all records about him? Let him return to a normal school life?" Kurumi turned to the smirking Segai, who had been silently watching the chaos.
"How could I refuse a request from Lady Kurumi?" Segai replied smoothly, giving a polite bow. Even before Gai, he gave Kurumi full respect.
"Kurumi... you're doing this for me?" Shu's pupils trembled as he looked at her, his heart pounding. She was even willing to turn against Gai Tsutsugami—just to give him another chance at life. His chest swelled with fierce determination.
"Shu, I've always known you were innocent. From the start, you've just been dragged into this unfair mess. I want to give you a chance to choose your own path again."
Kurumi's mischievous smile deepened. She was clearly enjoying herself, pushing Shu toward a destiny he couldn't escape. Double cards ready—thank you card and apology card on standby.
"Kurumi, please tell me what to do!" Shu's voice burned with resolve. Inside, he felt ready to die for her if that was what it took.
"Just use your Void, Shu. Let those who've called you useless see the truth—that just because they can't do something doesn't mean you can't. Prove with your own hands who the real failure is."
Her words were heavy with meaning. The hidden jab was clear. Shu couldn't help but feel a dark thrill inside. He wanted to show off before Gai, to make him see his worth. His heart pounded as anticipation grew.
Light gathered in Shu's chest. A radiant glow burst forth as a large, ancient sword appeared in his hands—but the blade and its sheath were bound by heavy iron chains.
"Kurumi, I've tried so many times. This sword won't come out no matter what!" Shu said in frustration.
Kurumi's smile was calm, knowing. "That's because you don't understand how to use your Void. Yours is the Void of Sin—a sword that must be fed by guilt and resentment to be unsheathed. Think of your feelings toward Yahiro and Gai."
"Yahiro betrayed me. And Gai—he drove me into this corner!" Shu shouted. The emotions he had suppressed for so long suddenly erupted. The chains binding the sword snapped like paper, and Shu drew the Blade of Sin at last.
Using precise targeting data, Shu aimed the sword toward the falling satellite's trajectory. "How do I launch the attack?" he asked.
Unknowingly, he was relying completely on Kurumi now.
Kurumi smiled gently. "Feed the sword with your sin, then strike with your heart of forgiveness. Think of me, Shu. No matter what I do wrong, imagine that you'll forgive me anyway. That forgiveness will grant you the miracle you need."
Her smile turned sly. A little psychological suggestion never hurts. From now on, every time Shu used his Void, he'd think of Gai's cruelty—and her kindness. How delightfully dramatic, she thought, a small thrill running through her.
"Kurumi..." Shu whispered. Her serene, gentle smile appeared vividly in his mind. He remembered her care, her understanding—her quiet compassion. His bitterness melted into warmth.
"I like you, Kurumi," Shu said softly.
That warmth, that affection—it surged through his hands and into the sword. The Blade of Sin flared with brilliant silver light, and a pillar of energy shot skyward, slicing through the sky. In an instant, the beam struck the falling satellite, shattering it completely.
Kurumi's eyes sparkled with delight. As expected of the savior chosen by the boss himself. His destructive power had already surpassed her own.
Sin and Crown—Shu Ouma and Inori. Your Voids are the twin blades that will shatter the will of Gaia... and save humanity.
Kurumi turned to Gai, smiling wickedly. "Gai Tsutsugami, consider this my formal declaration of rivalry. You've made me lose sleep these past two days—so you deserve a little punishment."
Then, softening her expression, she looked to Inori. "But not today. I'm still waiting for Inori to cook for me. Next time, though—we'll settle this."
Taking Inori's hand, Kurumi stepped gracefully into the glowing portal, vanishing from the platform. Shu followed behind proudly, his chest swelling with new confidence. After all, my Void had surpassed Gai's.