Chapter 92: The Relationship Between Sisters?
In the open-air hot spring.
Nagi was made uncomfortable by the curious, envious, and incredulous gazes of the other girls in her grade.
It was as if she were a rare animal being scrutinized.
But it was understandable.
With her pure and cute appearance, gentle and considerate personality, and perfect performance in both academics and sports, Nagi was the epitome of a high-ranking beauty. Combined with her well-developed figure, which gave off an inexplicable allure that both boys and girls could sense, she was indeed a sight to see as she soaked in the hot spring enveloped in thick mist.
It wouldn’t have been an exaggeration to call her a piece of art that required a fee to view.
Especially after some girls learned that Nagi’s romantic relationship with Kanade was merely a pretense.
They had no choice but to reassess the black-haired girl before them with the eyes of a “rival.”
However, the more they scrutinized, the more they lost confidence in themselves.
They simply couldn’t fathom how to defeat this girl and take the boy she had her sights set on.
…..
“Thank you, Manaka-chan~”
“You’re too polite. Alright, don’t move around.”
Unable to withstand the girls’ stares, Nagi hurriedly followed behind Manaka as they left the open-air hot spring.
To properly dry and manage Nagi’s long, sleek hair, Manaka quickly picked up a comb and a hairdryer.
“It feels like we’re back in the old days~” Nagi was referring to when she used to study acting at Manaka’s house.
Back then, Nagi often helped Manaka dry her hair like this.
“Yeah, Mom always said we looked like sisters.” Manaka continued the conversation.
“Then I’m the big sister?!”
“… How could there be such a troublesome big sister?” While combing through Nagi’s silky hair, Manaka pretended to casually reply, “No matter how you look at it, I am the big sister, right?”
“I feel like you are more like a mom than a sister, Manaka-chan… Ouch,ouch,ouch! Are you mad, Manaka-chan!?”
It seemed that even Manaka, who always maintained an indifferent demeanor, had a pure heart and would feel angry when called “mom” by her peers.
“Anyway~ if we’re sisters, then I’m definitely Nagi-chan’s big sister!” Manaka concluded.
“I—I got it! So, don’t pull my hair—”
While pretending to be weak, Nagi secretly observed Manaka’s slightly blushing cheeks after making that statement.
After all, since last year’s stage play incident, her relationship with her brother “Renji” had reconciled.
As an outsider, Nagi could tell that she probably liked Renji.
If both of them could survive and meet again in the future.
Perhaps she and Manaka could really become “sisters” after all…
“… A little sister, huh?” Nagi softly thought to herself.
…..
…..
In the pristine hospital room.
The star ritual incident that occurred in Kawano City had reached a conclusion.
As the “vessel” for this incident, Amano Tsubasa had deeply connected with the extraordinary world.
Therefore, the academy no longer intended to hide its plans from her.
After Tsubasa woke up from her coma.
She was met by an ACE officer sent by the academy, who conducted a series of risk assessments on her.
The result showed that both her body and spirit were in excellent health.
Even though the forbidden star ritual had summoned the end, it seemed to have no negative impact on her soul.
To extract useful information about this incident from Tsubasa, they informed her of the true face of this world.
They also conducted a comprehensive examination of Tsubasa’s current condition.
According to the examination results, there were still remnants of the Shadow of the End in her body.
In other words, she was now a special being, half human and half fantasy creature.
Her bodily functions were superior to those of an average person, and she could use the abilities of the Shadow of the End.
She was undoubtedly an “ability user.”
……
Tsubasa could no longer remember how many times the academy had come to find her.
She had basically revealed everything she knew, except for information about “her.”
It seemed that the academy had also grown weary of the endless questioning.
This time, Tsubasa was informed in advance that today would be the last time they would come to speak with her.
Thus, Tsubasa deliberately wore a hospital gown and sat weakly on the hospital bed, creating an atmosphere of fragility and helplessness.
She hoped to gain a bit of sympathy during this conversation.
Tsubasa quietly watched the man who had come to comfort… or rather, interrogate her.
“Your father has recovered, and his health is stable.
“Although he was used by the remnants of the Star Clan, the chaos and impact he caused were too serious. Other organizations will likely take over investigations regarding your father to assist.”
“Yeah, I understand… Thank you.” Tsubasa lowered her head in proper etiquette to express her gratitude.
She had some understanding of the disaster caused by her father from her memories.
Although his intentions were to “revive” her mother.
He agreed to let the Star Clan sacrifice an entire city’s residents as offerings.
From any perspective, it was a mistake that couldn’t be overlooked.
Thus, to some extent, they were willing to spare her father’s life and let him atone for his actions.
Tsubasa was immensely grateful for this.
—Were all the efforts she made over the years to save her father in vain?
—In the end, was she destined to return to a state of loneliness…?
Fragments of “memories” that did not belong to her flashed through Tsubasa’s mind.
These were the precious memories left to her by her “revived” mother.
—Brother…
That brother whom she thought had died.
Unexpectedly, he was still alive in this world, albeit in a surreal manner…
“Do you have any clues about this incident, Miss Tsubasa?” asked the man in a suit standing before her bed.
“I’m sorry, I’ve already said everything I know…” Tsubasa had dealt with the morally dubious adults of the Amano group since childhood, so in moments like this, she could skillfully present an expression of sincerity and innocence.
She had no intention of revealing that her brother was still alive.
The fragments of her memory regarding her brother—“Hikari”—were incomplete.
Hikari, the Elemental Sovereign, Master, and the End…
These terms tangled chaotically in her mind.
However, knowing the Star Clan’s motive to resurrect ‘Hikari.’
Her brother being alive should definitely not be known by anyone else.
—Brother?
—No, perhaps now I should call her….. Sister?
Tsubasa recalled that “girl” who had descended upon Kawano City together with the storm—
Star Palace Nagi.
Tsubasa could hardly believe how close she once was to her brother.
What she initially sensed from Star Palace Nagi as a “mask,” was this the underlying meaning behind it?
Even aside from the absurd supernatural phenomenon of her “brother” suddenly becoming a “sister.”
Who would have thought that the “independent,” “brave,” “intelligent,” and “strong” brother her mother spoke of was actually a pure and cute high-ranking beauty who had always been attached to her childhood friend, completely defenseless against others and unconsciously enticing her childhood friend?
—So what is going on?! Brother!? Are you a pervert and a shota lover!?
At the end of this conversation.
What Tsubasa received was a transfer notice.
Because of the residual abilities of the “Shadow of the End” in her body, she was invited by the academy to transfer to the “Artificial Academy Island – Ark Academy.”
“Before that, do I still have time to move freely?” At the last moment, Tsubasa called out to the man who was about to leave the hospital room.
“I want to say goodbye to my….. friend.”
The man turned his head to look at the weak girl lying in the bed, revealing a gentle smile: “Of course, that’s fine.”
“The formal transfer procedures will probably be completed within a week.”
“Thank you.” Tsubasa replied politely.
—A week, huh?
Tsubasa slowly turned her head to look out the window at the star-filled sky.
