Beep-beep... Not long after getting into the car, Kurumi's communicator chimed again. This time, the message came from her agent, Major Segai.
"Miss Kurumi, Yahiro Samukawa has secretly taken Jun Samukawa away."
"What must come, always comes," Kurumi said, turning off the communicator. Then she looked at Inori sitting beside her, her lips curling into a sly smile. Inori, hurry up and mature... I can't wait to pluck you.
"Kurumi-chan's gaze... why does it feel so aggressive?" Inori's cheeks turned red under Kurumi's stare. Nervous, yet secretly delighted, she fidgeted with her fingers.
That night, the communicator rang again. As expected, the caller was Shu Ouma.
"Kurumi-san, I'd like to ask for your help," Shu said, his face on the holographic display filled with anxiety and unease.
"It's about Jun Samukawa, isn't it? I heard that Yahiro took his brother away. Yahiro doesn't have many friends, so when cornered, the only person he could turn to was you," Kurumi said calmly.
Shu's expression first showed surprise, then turned to excitement. "Kurumi-san, since you already know... would you help me hide Jun?"
Kurumi narrowed her eyes slightly. Her expression remained serene, but a faint spark of excitement flashed in her wine-red pupils.
"Shu-kun, do you know Yahiro's Void?"
"Yes, it's a pair of scissors. I've drawn it out before."
"That Void exists to sever Jun's life. If you continue to involve yourself in their affairs, the one who ends up hurt... will be you, Shu-kun," Kurumi said softly, her tone composed and clear.
In the projection, Shu looked shocked, but after a moment, he lowered his head and said quietly, "May I still ask for your help, Kurumi-san?"
"I understand. You can come—I'll come to meet you," Kurumi replied, closing the communicator. Her lips curled into an amused smile.
"To willingly step into pain... Shu-kun, have you really grown, or are you just forcing yourself to act strong?"
The will of the world, in some sense, stood above even the Will of Alaya and the Will of Gaia. Even with Kurumi's intervention, GHQ eventually found Jun Samukawa—and he still died by Shu's hand, cut down by Yahiro's Void scissors.
"Why? Why did GHQ come at this exact moment? Right after I contacted Kurumi-san, they showed up!" When Kurumi arrived, Shu's expression was on the verge of collapse, his pupils unfocused and trembling.
"What do you mean by that? Are you accusing Kurumi-san of leaking information? That's too much, Shu-kun! I know Kurumi-san—she would never betray anyone," Arisa scolded angrily.
Kurumi, however, didn't seem the least bit offended by Shu's suspicion. Her voice remained calm as she said, "Shu-kun, I understand. In a situation like this, it's only natural for you to doubt me. But I want you to remember—your Void is a sword, one that can harm others and yourself. Without the resolve to bear pain, that sword will never reach its full potential."
The lifeless pupils in Shu's eyes flickered faintly with light again—but it was a light born of suffering. He fell to his knees, clutching his head, crying in anguish.
"Why? Why do I have to be the one with this power? I never wanted it!" After what happened to Jun, Shu had begun to fear his own ability.
"Shu-kun, since you possess this power, you should see it as your duty to save the world," Arisa said earnestly. She recalled what Gai Tsutsugami had once told her—there were only three Void Genomes in existence. And now that she knew the end of the world was approaching, it was only natural to assume that such power existed to save it.
"Save the world? I can't even save my own friends! I thought I had changed, but in truth, I'm still the same weak, cowardly fool I've always been!" Shu broke down crying, his voice shaking.
"Shu!" a girl cried out, rushing toward him. It was Saji, the classmate who had long secretly admired him.
Worried about Shu, she had been quietly following him all along, witnessing the entire process of his heart breaking apart.
Beep-beep... The communicator chimed once again. This time, it was GHQ's Supreme Commander—General Yan—calling.
"Miss, Shuichiro Keido and the Pathogen Stone have been located. But we're under attack by the Funeral Parlor."
"I understand," Kurumi replied, closing her communicator and silently stepping into her car.
"Funeral Parlor? What's going on? Why would they want to seize the Pathogen Stone? Don't they understand how dangerous that thing is?" Arisa's thoughts ran in frantic circles, overwhelmed by the revelation.
"Let's head home first. There's a ticking time bomb waiting there."
Back at her residence, Kurumi maintained a calm expression as she told Inori and Arisa to rest. Then, alone, she entered her own room.
"Don't move!"
As soon as she stepped in, she was greeted by the sight of the cat-eared girl, Tsugumi, aiming a pistol straight at her.
"My, my! Naughty little kitten—causing trouble again while I'm away," Kurumi said with a sweet, amused smile, showing no hint of fear. She walked casually to her bed, lifted her skirt slightly, and sat down elegantly.
Tsugumi sneered. "I never imagined it—you're the true power behind GHQ. The one who founded it. Codename: Angel. Hah, how shameless. Someone like you doesn't deserve that title."
"So, you've figured that out. Do you really think a mere handgun can deal with me?" Kurumi asked lazily, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers, her smile openly teasing.
"I came prepared. I've planted explosives in this room. One press of this button will blow up the entire house. Maybe you'll survive—but Inori definitely won't." Tsugumi raised a small controller with a cold grin.
"You're playing with fire," Kurumi said softly, watching the little cat girl with calm eyes.
"I never expected to leave alive today. Gai is fighting GHQ right now. I want you to order them to retreat—and hand the Pathogen Stone over to him."
"So you're threatening me?" Kurumi's smile grew faintly impressed. "You've got guts, little kitten."
"If you still care about Inori's life, then do as I say," Tsugumi said firmly, her eyes unyielding. This was both a threat and a gamble—she was betting on Kurumi's affection for Inori.
Kurumi tilted her head slightly, her voice sweet as honey. "I refuse."
"Hahaha..." Tsugumi suddenly laughed, though her laughter was full of hatred and bitterness.
"Filthy humans—all emotions are lies! Sooner or later, Inori will be hurt by you. Rather than let her suffer in the future, I'll let her die now—with her heart still pure!" With a pained expression, Tsugumi's finger hovered over the detonator button.
"Stop."
Kurumi's voice echoed suddenly—but now it was colder, prouder, and filled with authority.
"What kind of joke is that? You think saying 'stop' will—" Tsugumi began, but then she froze. No matter how hard she tried, her finger wouldn't move to press the button.
"My voice carries absolute command. You cannot disobey it," the cold, confident voice repeated. Tsugumi's eyes widened in shock. That voice—it was strangely familiar.
She looked up—and instantly turned to stone.
Kurumi's twin black ponytails had transformed into flowing silver hair, adorned with a blue orchid hairpin. Her black gothic dress was gone, replaced by a blue-and-white singer's outfit. Her alluring, white-stockinged legs crossed elegantly, exuding an aura of regal dominance. Kurumi had transformed—into the form of Miku Izayoi.
Clatter... The pistol slipped from Tsugumi's trembling hand, followed by the detonator. Her face flushed deep crimson, her eyes shimmering like liquid glass.
"Angel-sama..." she breathed, her body trembling uncontrollably as if overwhelmed by an electric current. Her knees pressed together, and her small frame quivered like she had reached some dizzying peak.
"Come here," said Kurumi—in her Miku form—patting the spot beside her on the bed. Her tone carried command, authority, and seductive grace all at once.
Each of Tsugumi's hesitant steps was unsteady, her entire body trembling. By the time she reached the bed, her face was flushed to the point of steaming.
As she carefully sat down, Miku-form Kurumi could clearly hear Tsugumi's rapid heartbeat. Reaching out, she gently lifted Tsugumi's chin, making her meet her gaze. "Lively little kittens are adorable," she said with a teasing smile, "but when they keep scratching, it can be... troublesome."
"I'm sorry, Angel-sama," Tsugumi whispered, her voice small and full of guilt. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Angel-sama? Who said you could call me that?" Kurumi said with a haughty smile, watching the cat-eared girl's tears slide down her cheeks.
She caught one with her slender fingers, then traced it across Tsugumi's lips before gently pressing a finger to them. "You're too cute for such formal titles. Call me Onee-sama instead."
"Eh..." Tsugumi blinked in surprise, then blushed even deeper. Her voice turned soft and shy as she whispered, "Onee-sama..."
"That's a good girl. And now, little kitten—do you still think I'd hurt Inori?" Kurumi, still in her Miku form, smiled playfully, sliding her finger from Tsugumi's chin down to her neck, resting it lightly atop the zipper of her tight outfit.
"Onee-sama would never hurt anyone," Tsugumi replied, her entire face burning red, her heartbeat thundering in her chest. Embarrassed yet full of anticipation, her breath trembled as she awaited whatever might come next.
Ziiiip... The sound of the zipper lowering filled the air.
Moments later, a cat-eared girl dressed in a Gothic Lolita outfit stood before Kurumi.
"Onee-sama, I changed into the pretty dress like you wanted," Tsugumi said softly, lowering her head, her voice tinged with disappointment. Her expectations had been too high.
"When it comes to black-haired lolis, gothic style is a must," Kurumi—still in Miku form—said with a light laugh, pulling Tsugumi's small hand. With a gentle tug, she drew the startled cat girl into her arms, holding the petite body close and settling her onto her lap.
"Onee-sama..." Tsugumi murmured, her face glowing red once again as she inhaled the elegant scent of orchids. Her heartbeat echoed in the quiet room like a drum.