Children Are Better When You Have Them Yourself

"Virtual reality interaction... realistic firearm parameters... you want to use it to train troops?"

This genius in the game development world, after a moment's thought, guessed Kevin's purpose.

However, he showed no discomfort whatsoever; instead, a faint interest flickered in his eyes.

What happens next is still unknown, so Kevin didn't discuss the topic much, instead recalling the group of frightened children around him recently.

"If the development is successful, I hope to give away a dozen or so closed beta test accounts..."

"Also, I want to personally decide the male and female leads for the promotional videos of both games..."

He really looks forward to seeing the Konno Sisters and Asuna Yuuki in their dashing swordsman outfits, Shino Asada as a cool sniper holding Hecate.

These compensations should be enough to heal their emotional wounds.

The path that belongs to you is yours to walk.

"Marketing and promotion are your business; do whatever you want with them. Rinko and I are only responsible for the game's development..."

Seemingly persuaded by Kevin's frank and open discussions, Akihiko Kayaba finally relented and nodded slightly in agreement to cooperate.

"Alright, welcome to the SCP Foundation's game development department..."

"Someone will come to contact you both in a while. For now, I wish you a pleasant stay at the Gofuin."

Kevin smiled and extended his hand, lightly shaking hands with Akihiko Kayaba to signify the agreement to cooperate.

"You're going back?"

Akihiko Kayaba noticed Kevin getting up and instinctively asked his temporary partner a question.

"Of course, the goal of absorbing you two cash cows into the SCP Foundation has been achieved. Now I have other tasks to do and will work even harder."

"For example, going back to form a band, writing lyrics, and composing music, etc..."

Kevin stretched at the doorway and turned to look at Akihiko Kayaba. The commander's smile was both pleasant and strange; he seemed to be enjoying the busy process.

What an interesting guy, not at all unlikeable...

Akihiko Kayaba watched as the mixed-race youth in motorcycle gear put on his helmet and climbed over the wall to leave the courtyard, shaking his head slightly, as if he were seeing off a familiar friend on his journey.

While the gaming prodigy was momentarily distracted, his fingers were suddenly gripped tightly. The delicate touch and familiar warmth made him hurriedly turn around and bend down.

"It's alright now..."

With Rinko Shinjo raised her arms and gently embraced the man buried in her chest. She then patted Akihiko Kayaba's back with her fingers and whispered something comforting.

"So, you're not as strong as you seem after all... Senior..."

As Akihiko Kayaba's shoulders twitched slightly, Rinko Shinjo seemed to see the most beautiful scene, smiling gently and happily.

Under the warm sunshine, the couple, who had stepped out of the void and rediscovered reality, embraced quietly.

Meanwhile, outside the wall, Kevin popped two mints into his mouth, humming a unique melody as he strolled along.

Virtual reality interactive technology is almost in hand. With this, the SCP Foundation can mass-produce a capable elite force while reorganizing the Umbrella Corporation.

Although this vacation was full of ups and downs, it was also very rewarding.

Meanwhile, the Gofuin family.

Akitsugu Gofuin was meditating in the bamboo hut, carefully reviewed the intelligence in his hand again. Then, he took off his reading glasses and frowned as he asked the old servant beside him.

Is the information reliable?

The old servant bowed in response, his attitude humble.

"Yes, Master."

"The Ōshima Laboratory went missing last night and is now under lockdown; no one can contact any of its employees."

"Furthermore, we've heard that some of the tycoons in charge of this project are organizing people to investigate the situation inside."

Upon hearing this, Akitsugu Gofuin's face, which resembled the bark of an old tree, relaxed, and the corners of his mouth gently turned up.

"Go and fetch the sake I obtained from Nara Miwa Shrine, and also tell the kitchen to prepare some snacks to go with it."

The old servant looked at the sun, somewhat puzzled.

"Master, what's going on?"

The old fox, Akitsugu Gofuin, narrowed his eyes, smiled broadly, and his gaze was dark and profound.

"Drinking... watching a play..."

Since the mood has been set on, why hide it? Celebration is a right only the Winner have.

The [Void Songstress Project] requires not only a large workforce but also substantial financial support.

Now, this project, which was barely hanging on, is clearly on the verge of bankruptcy. This will likely bankrupt some people, and the political and economic legacy they leave behind will naturally be inherited by those with virtue.

Next came the feast where the Winner would divide the spoils, and he, the Akitsugu Gofuin, wanted to choose the biggest piece.

After all, they are the ones born on their own land, with ties to their country and family.

P. S.: Anyone interested in the sweet moments Rinko Shinjo Akihiko Kayaba?

Chapter 199, Section 210: Children are always best when they're born of oneself.

Two days later, in the lobby of Croft's small apartment.

Kevin was holding a notebook, leaning back on the sofa deep in thought, a slightly off-key humming flowing from his lips.

Yuzuriha Inori, who was standing to the side, was intently taking notes. With her amazing musical talent, she not only reproduced the melody that Kevin remembered, but also had a flawless grasp of the vocal style.

The children, gathered around the small table, couldn't help but applaud and cheer, their adoring gazes falling upon the pink sprite "hibernating" in the center.

"I've only experienced this kind of awe once before, at a large concert, and I heard it was a renowned artist who had studied in Vienna. Yuzuriha Inori actually did it with just a cappella! This kid is a genius!"

Asuna Yuuki had taken music lessons, looked on with admiration, gently smoothing Yuzuriha Inori's long pink hair and carefully braiding it, while occasionally nuzzling the pink-haired girl in her arms.

"Mmm, that sounds nice!"

The remaining children's praise was simple and direct.

After all, most of them have never suffered from various "interest classes" because they either suffer from illness and have no time or are poor and lack financial resources.

Naturally, their aesthetic appreciation of music is limited to whether it sounds good or not, and whether they like it or not.

"Hey, I did all the composing, lyrics, and post-production! Can't you show some respect for the original creator?"

Exhausted, Kevin slumped over the table, weakly raising his hand in protest.

At that moment, Yuzuriha Inori, who was standing to the side, suddenly leaned out and pecked Kevin on the lips.

Is this... how you show respect?

An eerie silence fell over the scene. Their bewildered gazes fell upon the seemingly unaffected girl, their expressions somewhat blank.

"Fruit flavor... orange... delicious..."

After everyone was stunned for three minutes, Yuzuriha Inori, who was more than a beat slow to react, rolled her pink tongue, then raised her hand to gently touch her cherry lips, and pointed at Kevin.

"Teacher Kevin, you bought new flavors of fruit candy again, and you've been secretly eating them yourself!"

Angela suddenly realized, and a hint of dissatisfaction showed on her tense little face.

"Eat too much sugar, or you'll get cavities. If your old man finds out, he'll beat me to death with a slipper!"

On the surface, Kevin protested his innocence, but in reality, he was sweating bullets. Yuzuriha Inori's intimacy with him was getting out of control.

When I get back this time, I must find her a biology teacher as soon as possible so she can get some proper health education.

Otherwise, if he keeps launching surprise attacks every day, he'll either become Oni Chichi or eventually make a fool of himself in front of everyone.

"No! I have to try!"

Angela pointed to Kevin's bulging pockets and then to the corners of his lips, seemingly eager to try both things.

"I... want it too..."

Konomi Konno's voice started loud and then faded, her expression turning somewhat dejected as she thought about her status as an AIDS patient.

"Then... whoever grabs it keeps it!"

Angela giggled and rushed into Kevin's arms to explore, while turning back to Konomi Konno to invite her to join in.

The little girl, her worries turning to joy, immediately cooperated by straddling Kevin's waist, while Yuzuriha Inori, feeling threatened, also joined the fray.

"Oh my god! Someone please help me out, or at least carry them away..."

Kevin was ticklish, so he curled up and looked around for help with an expression that was both crying and laughing.

"It's rare that they're having so much fun, so why don't you join in?"

Aiko Konno picked up her teacup, sipped her honey-infused black tea, and shook her head with a smile.

"Mr. Kevin is very popular with the children..."

Asuna Yuuki watched the three little girls frolicking and searching for treasure on Kevin's body, her expression filled with envy.

As the youngest child in the family, she had always longed for a younger brother or sister to tease.

Or, having your own child wouldn't be bad either...

A strange idea took hold in Asuna Yuuki's mind. This sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, whose imagination had been awakened, began to construct the prototype of her future husband in her mind.

He doesn't need to be too handsome, but at least his face should be gentle so as not to frighten children...

Someone with a good temper, a certain level of literary cultivation, and someone you can get along with...

Has a sense of responsibility and security, and enough patience to listen...

Ideally, one should be creative and have a knack for finding beauty in life...

Gradually, Asuna Yuuki found that the image of her husband in her mind was becoming clearer and clearer, as if it were overlapping with someone in front of her.

The moment the facial features became clear, Asuna Yuuki subconsciously glanced at the man on the sofa, begging for mercy under the children's onslaught.

The girl's gaze snapped back as if she'd been electrocuted, her heart racing and her cheeks burning.

However, Shino Asada was holding a cup of coffee, didn't seem to have such complicated thoughts as her friend.

Since discovering someone's secret, fear and panic have become her main emotions when facing Kevin.

As for what exactly she was worried about, she herself didn't know.

"I surrender! I surrender! Buy, buy, buy! I'll buy whatever I want to eat, okay?"

Finally, under the abuse of the three girls, Kevin raised his hands in surrender and hurriedly made a bunch of promises with a bitter face.

"Knock knock knock..."

Jill, clutching the documents, leaned against the carved wooden door and gently knocked.

The three children who had been playing with Kevin hurriedly got up, sat down properly in a row, and then left one after another, led by Shino Asada and the others.

"Are you trying to coax these kids again, Boss? Are you interrupting your intimate moment?"

Jill reached out and helped the commander up, then sat down beside him with a slightly mocking smile.

"Make fun of your boss, or they might dock your pay!"

Kevin took the handkerchief Jill handed him, wiped the drool stains off his cheeks, and chuckled irritably.

Of his Oldest One three confidantes, Alice was the absolute authority in combat within BSA Team A, possessing overwhelming power.

In addition to Kevin's admiration for her, he needs to be more serious and respectful when he's around her.

Lara, the Countess who loves adventure and excitement, is not only a part-time advisor but also provides him with a steady stream of financial support.

Although she was one of his strongest supporters, this woman was unpredictable when she went crazy, so dealing with her was almost a constant battle of wits, like dancing with a thorny rose.

On the other hand, Jill, a steadfast implementer and an unassuming adjutant, was overshadowed by the former two.

It is precisely this ordinariness that makes their interactions extremely casual, like friends who can talk about anything, or like friendly neighbors who have lived together for many years.

"Okay, if I ever go hungry, I'll bring 'Rose' to your house for meals every day and you'll support me..."

"Rose" was the warhorse he gave to Jill. Since it was an elegant lady, the policewoman naturally gave it a very beautiful name.

Kevin took the document and casually flipped through it. His usual sharp tongue made Jill grit her teeth in anger.

"Oh, you even brought groceries to my door. Why are you being so polite?"