"Don't get any closer! He seems to attack anyone who approaches him." Yahiro Samukawa quickly stopped Hare Menjou, helping Souta move carefully away from Shu Ouma.
"But what about him? He looks so pitiful..." Hare said worriedly as she looked at the beggar crouched by the wall. For some reason, her heart ached terribly just seeing him.
"He's too aggressive. Let's notify GHQ and let them handle this," Yahiro suggested cautiously.
Just then, the ever-naive Inori tilted her head in confusion—then began walking straight toward Shu Ouma.
"Inori, don't go! You'll get hurt!" Souta was the first to shout, his concern amplified by the fact that he was one of Inori's biggest fans.
But his worry was misplaced. Inori didn't touch Shu at all; she stopped right beside him.
Tilting her head, Inori's eyes were full of question marks. She sniffed lightly—and then, to everyone's shock, she suddenly lunged forward. Souta and the others froze; there was a wall right in front of her!
But something strange happened. Inori didn't hit the wall. Instead, she seemed to break through a gust of wind—and fell into someone's arms.
"Are you a dog? You could even smell that?" Kurumi scolded playfully as she pinched Inori's soft cheeks, her tone equal parts rebuke and affection.
"Kurumi-chan!" Inori's pink eyes sparkled with joy. Kurumi-chan's scent was sweet—of course she could recognize it.
"Kurumi-san, why are you here?" Hare Menjou asked, puzzled. Kurumi had appeared out of nowhere—how was that even possible?
"I've been here all along—or rather, I've been following him for the past week." Kurumi's gaze shifted toward Shu Ouma. The Sin within him had already been completely absorbed by his Void. It was time to awaken him.
"Him? Who is he?" Yahiro frowned, glancing at Shu. He had a vague suspicion. He had never heard of Kurumi paying attention to any man—and there was only one who had ever been close to her.
"You can see for yourself." Kurumi gestured toward Hare Menjou. A silver light burst from Hare's chest, forming a small void, from which a white bandage floated gently into the air.
"What... what is this?" Hare gasped in shock. There was a bandage inside her body? How had she lived her whole life without knowing that?
"So, you can use people as tools too?" Yahiro's expression darkened, anger flickering in his eyes.
"You're wrong, Yahiro. Your Voids were made for you from the very beginning. The power they hold is determined by your own hearts," Kurumi said with a sly smile, her crimson eyes narrowing mischievously.
"For example, Hare's Void exists to heal—it can restore anything broken. Souta's Void is a camera—it can open any closed door."
Her smile grew sweeter, her wine-red eyes gleaming playfully. "And Yahiro's Void is a pair of scissors—ones that sever burdens. Anyone, even family or friends... if they become a burden, those scissors can cut off their lives. Personally, I quite admire that kind of Void. But pretending to be innocent while pushing your sins onto others—that, I don't admire at all."
Yahiro's pupils contracted sharply, and he lowered his head in silence.
"Hare, use your Void to heal him. You might find yourself feeling true joy from it," Kurumi said softly, her tone calm but serious.
Hare glanced at the disheveled Shu crouched in the corner, then nodded. She guided the bandages to wrap around him. A white glow enveloped his body—his dust and grime vanished, and his torn clothes were restored. Only the stubble on his chin remained, a sign of his true state.
"Shu!" The Void fell from her hands as tears streamed down Hare's face. Without hesitation, she ran toward him. The moment she realized that this pitiful beggar was Shu Ouma, her heart clenched with unbearable pain.
"Wait! Shu's condition is unstable—don't get too close or he might attack you!" Souta warned nervously. But even after Hare Menjou knelt down and gently pulled Shu Ouma into her arms, he didn't lash out at her.
"That doesn't make sense... why did he only attack me and Yahiro?" Souta asked in shock.
"RP issue," Kurumi replied casually.
"RP?"
"Reputation points—your luck."
"No way, it's not about luck! It's because Shu values girls over friends!"
"Boy, you've found the truth." Kurumi smirked. After the brief exchange, she crouched beside Hare and placed a photograph in front of Shu.
Slowly, the emptiness in Shu's eyes faded. Light returned to his pupils. He moved, lifting his hand with trembling fingers to take the photograph.
It was a picture of summer—three people laughing together. Yet, in truth, there had been four. Gai Tsutsugami had taken the photo, so he wasn't in the frame.
"Haruka..." Shu's tears began to fall. His eyes, once lifeless, were now clear and bright—like those of a newborn child.
Kurumi's expression softened. "Shu-kun, I have a rather unreasonable request... please, grant it. I need your strength. May I ask you to take up your sword and fight for me?"
"Kurumi-san, that's too cruel! Shu's already like this—why force him?" Hare shouted through her tears. Her heart ached so much she could barely breathe; all she wanted was to protect him.
"Hare." Shu took her hand, smiling gently as he shook his head. His smile was soft—like a warm breeze. That tender expression seeped quietly into Hare's heart. Shu had changed. He had become truly gentle.
"I understand. I'll fight. Not just because Kurumi-san needs my strength, but because many others do too. I want to respond to their hopes." With a calm, peaceful smile, Shu took Hare's hand and stood.
Kurumi noticed how his smile resembled that of Yuu, the Blade of the Broken Sword—a pure smile, filled with warmth. The King had matured. Only the coronation remained.
"Shu-kun, do you know where to go?" Kurumi asked with a knowing smile. Everything was in place. The virus's next awakening would mark the true final battle.
"I can guess. It's probably somewhere full of my childhood memories." Stroking the stubble on his chin, Shu chuckled softly. "But before that, I'd like to clean up first. This beard doesn't suit me."
"Of course. Shu-kun, your time is your own," Kurumi said with a graceful nod. She took Inori's hand and headed home, while Shu walked in the opposite direction with Hare.
"Shu, you're holding my hand..." Hare murmured shyly, her face turning bright red.
"Can't I? I just wanted to hold your hand," Shu replied with a gentle smile. Hare's head instantly filled with heat.
"I-It's not that you can't... I just didn't expect you to suddenly become so... bold," she stammered, clutching her chest as her heart raced with joy.
"Have I changed? Maybe. I just want to follow my heart—and cherish what's important to me." Holding her hand tightly, Shu smiled softly. "Hare, you are my final treasure."
Sweetness filled her heart, then melted into a warm ache. Hare no longer felt shy; instead, she squeezed his hand tightly in return.
Winter, 2039. On the eve of Christmas, the temperature dropped sharply. Snow began to fall in thick white sheets, blanketing the world overnight.
Perhaps only Tokyo and the coastal regions were truly covered, but humans always imagined what they couldn't see—believing the whole world shared the same snow.
The beach was layered with snow, waves lapping at the shore, melting the flakes into tiny ice crystals that drifted back to sea.
On that snow-covered beach stood a thinly dressed girl. Despite the biting cold, she didn't shiver at all.
"Mana." A gentle voice spoke behind her.
The girl furrowed her brow and replied without turning around, "You're not the one I'm waiting for."
...
Inside a warm, well-lit living room, a girl in a black gothic short dress and twin ponytails sat on the sofa, reading a book. A steaming cup of red tea sat on the table before her.
She wore glasses—purely for style—Kurumi in her scholarly mode. On the couch beside her, a pink-haired girl lay curled up, her head resting on Kurumi's lap. It was the legendary lap pillow.
The door opened softly, and a maid entered, holding an umbrella. She guided a guest inside, then quietly closed the door again, stepping back into the snow.
"Kurumi-san, I hope I'm not disturbing you." Seeing Inori asleep, Shu lowered his voice.
"Not at all." Kurumi closed her book gently and shook her head.
Sitting across from her, Shu spoke seriously. "Kurumi-san, something's wrong. I can't summon my Void anymore."
"It's still there—just invisible for now. Don't worry." Kurumi lifted her teacup and took a delicate sip, tilting her head with a small smile.
"Shu-kun, may I ask you for a favor?"
"That smile... doesn't make me feel at ease," Shu said warily.
Kurumi set down her tea and replied, "It's nothing troublesome. Today is apparently an important day for Ayase Shinomiya. She went out early this morning. I'd like you to accompany her—she shouldn't be wandering alone."
"All right... but how do I find her?" Shu asked as he stood. Tokyo was still in disarray; the residential zones were unstable. He couldn't help but worry about Ayase.
"I'm not sure. Leave it to fate." Kurumi tilted her head slightly, smiling as she watched him walk to the door. "Shu-kun, I think you've realized it too—your heart can no longer feel hatred or jealousy. A King must carry many burdens."
"Yeah... I'm aware of that." Shu opened the door. A gust of wind carried snowflakes inside, making him squint.
"Go out tonight. It's already Christmas."
As he walked alone through the falling snow, Kurumi's voice echoed softly in his heart. Christmas again... Sister, ten years ago, none of us reached out to save you. But tonight... I will not make the same mistake.