Chapter 72: The Truth
Looking at Kazumi’s calm and serious expression, Fukada Akihiko waved his hand directly, and two black shadows opened up from beneath their feet, sucking them both in.
The momentary feeling of weightlessness did not fluster Kazumi. Familiar with Fukada Akihiko’s abilities, Kazumi knew that this was a shadow space constructed by his abilities. At least within this space made of shadows, Fukada Akihiko had absolute control, so they usually discussed any important matters within it.
“Hmm, I’ve left a mark in your shadow, and I can sense it when you’re in danger.”
Fukada Akihiko responded, raising his hand to create two soft sofas in the empty black space and ushering Kazumi onto them.
“What’s wrong? Were you discovered by Warhammer and the others? And that troublesome guy Dragonji was also there, so I didn’t reveal myself immediately.”
Fukada Akihiko sat on the sofa, rummaged in the darkness, and actually took out a tea set and snacks, meticulously arranging them on the table made of shadow energy in front of him, and asked.
“Well, something unexpected happened…”
Kazumi sat in place, looking at the snacks her past self used to like arranged on the table. She understood this doting father, Uncle Fukada, a little more. Without being polite, she picked up a small bag of snacks and opened it to eat, as eating plain rice balls all day had been quite torturous.
“Unexpected? Are you talking about that little girl from the Hishiyama family? Do you want Uncle to help you…?”
Fukada Akihiko clasped his hands on his lap and spoke with ill intent.
“That would be too obvious!!”
Hearing Fukada Akihiko’s unreliable suggestion, Kazumi couldn’t help but raise her voice. If something happened to Hishiyama Minako again at this time, she would likely be more than just suspected.
“Hahahahaha, no, no, Uncle is just joking. Little Kazumi, you need to study hard at school and can’t get involved in such things.”
Seeing Kazumi’s amusing reaction, Fukada Akihiko couldn’t help but laugh heartily, but his expression remained serious.
“However… she will have to pay a price for saying something like that!”
“Uncle Fukada, you handle it as you see fit…”
Kazumi picked up a shrimp cracker and put it in her mouth. The faint salty taste spread in her mouth, and she replied to Fukada Akihiko with a somewhat indifferent tone.
Whether it was due to her physical condition or because Hishiyama Minako’s words attacking her family were indeed too much, even when Fukada Akihiko half-jokingly and half-seriously offered to kill Hishiyama Minako, Kazumi’s heart remained unmoved.
Instead, she was seriously considering the impact such an event would have on her.
[Is it because of my abilities? My past self would never have such an attitude towards a human life!]
Lowering her head to look at the faint skull on her wrist, Kazumi fell into contemplation.
In fact, Kazumi had vaguely sensed it within the first few days. The abilities and bodies of psychics interacted and influenced each other. As mentioned before, fire-attribute psychics were often hot-tempered, and healers were usually gentle and kind.
And Kazumi, who possessed the ability of the [Black Hall], was also subtly influenced by her ability. At first, she thought the changes brought about by her ability were just the reduction in daily sleep time, which she considered a rather beneficial side effect.
But gradually, until today, Kazumi confirmed that the side effects brought about by her ability also included the lack of her human side, emotional indifference, lack of concern for surrounding matters, and disregard for life, all of which were unconsciously influencing Kazumi’s considerations in her actions.
Previously, Kazumi thought her almost computer-like calmness and thinking ability were due to her innate scholarly physique. Now she finally confirmed that all of this was brought about by her ability.
However, Kazumi didn’t think this change was bad. In her previous life, she had suffered enough from her kind and cowardly nature. Countless times she had wanted to force herself to become someone who would do anything for profit, but due to her personality, she could never do such things.
Now that she had come to a new world and was essentially destined to walk a villain’s path, it was best to have such ideas and ways of thinking.
It’s just that…
[Why is it that every time I see Sato Shinichi, I turn into a love-struck fool!!!]
The thought of Sato Shinichi’s silly face appearing in her mind for no reason, Kazumi angrily slammed the table in her mind.
“Kazumi, Kazumi?”
Fukada Akihiko’s call pulled Kazumi out of her imaginary state. She came back to her senses to see Fukada Akihiko looking at her with a questioning expression.
“What, thinking about that kid again?”
Seeing Kazumi’s dazed expression, Fukada Akihiko revealed an understanding smile and said teasingly.
“N-no way!!”
Hearing Fukada Akihiko’s teasing, a few traces of panic flashed across Kazumi’s face, and she stammered her reply.
“What about you, Uncle? Aren’t you being pursued? Why do you have time to come see me?”
“Your uncle is very strong, you know. If I were easily caught by those guys, how could I be an executive in the organization!”
Seeing Kazumi trying to change the subject, Fukada Akihiko also smiled and let Kazumi continue.
“Then… was the police station also arranged by you?”
Kazumi agreed with Fukada Akihiko’s statement. As an executive of the [Dark] Organization, he would definitely not be easily caught, especially since Kazumi knew at least some of his abilities. At the very least, if he wanted to leave, no one could stop him.
“Police station? Did someone from there come to investigate you?”
Kazumi’s question surprised Fukada Akihiko, because in his opinion, even if she was related to him, it shouldn’t have led to the police station investigating her.
“Yes, they even used a lie detector, but they didn’t find anything. Were these arrangements made by your side?”
Fukada Akihiko’s reaction also surprised Kazumi. She had originally thought that all of this was his plan to help her avoid exposure.
“No, we still don’t have the ability to extend our reach into the police station. But they shouldn’t be able to find anything on you.”
“Hmm? Why?”
Kazumi raised her head and looked at Fukada Akihiko with some confusion. But Fukada Akihiko grinned and said proudly.
“Because you, from beginning to end, have never joined the [Dark]!”
