Part 42: I'm Sorry, I Know I Was Wrong

tucking her small hands in.

She didn't even have the courage to point at the Demon.

Just seeing Su Youzi's crimson eyes and the upward curve of her lips.

The girl seemed to recall... herself transformed into Anomaly: Nightmare Singer, Su Youzi holding her wrists.

Then the Demon smiled and said, 'I'm going to eat now.'

Her toes curled up beneath the covers.

Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi shivered, biting her lip. The girl's eyes, which could only be described as pitiful, darted between Soga Ishikawa Iribe and Su Youzi, who wore a devilish grin.

Is this my real father?

Is this even my real father?

Give me back all the previous warmth!!!

In front of Su Youzi, Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi trembled, and... didn't dare to struggle.

"Eh?"

"Is that so?" Su Youzi asked with a look of interest, gazing at Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi, who was clearly stunned, looking like a kitten about to cry.

She knew--

Of course, that was impossible.

The arrogance the girl displayed yesterday was not fake.

When she came to apologize last night, she was crying buckets, which couldn't have been just because she felt wronged.

Otherwise... in the Dream.

She wouldn't have been bullied like a mute cat.

Her feelings for me are definitely not what Soga Ishikawa Iribe said.

That she intentionally jumped in front of me to get my attention out of admiration.

But--

Su Youzi looked at Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi's ghost-like expression upon seeing her.

She knew very well... that the girl definitely remembered last night's Dream clearly.

She must remember the process of how I saved her from the Abyssal Anomaly and what happened afterward, very clearly.

So... isn't that interesting?

Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi tucked her small hands in, looking pitiful and on the verge of tears.

"Save..."

"Help..."

"Make yourself stay away from this Demon."

Just seeing Su Youzi, Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi felt like she couldn't even stand up.

"Please--"

"Be a father!!!" she pleaded with Soga Ishikawa Iribe, her eyes full of entreaty. The girl's pitiful appearance was a stark contrast to yesterday's arrogance and defiance.

"I'll be very obedient from now on."

Soga Ishikawa Iribe looked at Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi and felt increasingly that there was no problem.

He didn't know how terrified Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi had been yesterday morning.

Nor did he know what kind of vengeful desire had driven the girl to wait for Su Youzi at the dormitory entrance until late at night.

In Soga Ishikawa Iribe's opinion, if his pampered little princess didn't have a real fixation, why would she endure so much suffering just to apologize?

"This..."

Could the nonsense I spouted have actually hit the mark?

Could it be that the tricks his Madam read about in novels were actually learned by Little Kiyomi?

She's really quite foolish.

In Soga Ishikawa Iribe's view, if you like something, you have to strive for it.

That kind of approach wouldn't win anyone over.

But... he looked at the sincere gaze Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi directed at him.

Soga Ishikawa Iribe had never seen his rebellious daughter so sincere before.

This made things a bit difficult for him.

In terms of status, it wouldn't be a loss for Little Kiyomi to latch onto Miss Youzi.

In terms of strength... although everyone said Miss Youzi had disgraced the Soga Family.

But... having seen Su Youzi's grades in her Mixed Martial Arts class and other practical combat courses, Soga Ishikawa Iribe understood.

Even with just physical techniques, a girl's future is bound to be brilliant.

Only the poor rely on mutations.

The young lady from the Soga Main Family, with the backing of the Technology Department, can achieve what a Physical Enhancement Ability User can.

What's more... the Soga Family's foundation isn't just the Technology Department.

Her future will undoubtedly be full of light.

As for the fact that both of them are girls, with how advanced the Technology Department is now, who cares about that?

The only problem is whether Miss Youzi will take a liking to their pampered girl, and... Miss Toyura's opinion.

But--

Since it's what little Kiyomi desires!

Soga Ishikawa Iribe, under Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi's tearful, pleading gaze, put on an expression that said she understood everything.

Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi felt as if she saw the light of heaven.

It's good that Dad understands.

Quick, find an excuse to take this demon away.

No... it's fine even if you take me with you.

Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi would rather go to the Fourth Action Department for an investigation than watch this demon smile at her.

"Naturally!" Soga Ishikawa Iribe patted her chest. "Little Kiyomi likes Miss Youzi so much."

"Look at little Kiyomi's name."

"Kiyomi Tachibana."

"This is destiny."

Soga Ishikawa Iribe comforted Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi with her eyes, which were filled with fatherly love as immense as a landslide.

"Don't worry--"

"Dad... will always support you!"

Actually, he never thought about Yuzu or Kiyomi back then.

It was just that his wife and Madam from the Main Family had a good relationship, so he vaguely named their daughter Kiyomi.

Boom boom boom--!

The sun was shining brightly outside, but a haze fell over the girl's dazed, crimson eyes.

She trembled, trying to bite her lower lip.

But in front of Su Youzi, Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi was so soft that she didn't even have the strength to bite her lip.

Seeing Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi's pitiful state, Su Youzi smiled happily.

Although she wasn't crying rivers of tears.

But... this scene of quiet tears streaming down her face, as if she had been played with and broken, was much more likable than any haughty young lady.

[Ding--]

[Recruitable Operator detected.]

[Recruit?]

[...]

Hearing the familiar intelligent machine female voice prompt, Su Youzi hesitated instead.

Even though she had bullied the girl thoroughly in the dream.

But... a contract.

Su Youzi truly felt it was something that needed careful consideration.

Because... Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi hated her.

Soga Ishikawa Iribe, looking at Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi's tear-streaked face, suddenly felt that she might have misunderstood her daughter's intentions.

She was about to speak.

"Uncle Iribe, can you close the door?" Su Youzi turned to look at Soga Ishikawa Iribe.

"I want to ask Sister Kiyomi some questions."

"Sure!"

Under Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi's expression of "You've shocked me. Are you my dad or her dad?", Soga Ishikawa Iribe readily closed the door.

Compared to the Fourth Action Department.

What could the young lady from the Main Family do to little Kiyomi in broad daylight?

Miss Youzi wasn't like Miss Toyura, who could directly crush a person's spirit.

Miss Youzi's ability was just "Telekinetic Ability."

Thump--!

The room was suddenly left with only Su Youzi and Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi.

Despite the warm sunlight, the girl felt the air was frigid.

Without even tidying her hospital gown, she knelt and curled into a ball before Su Youzi, apologizing.

Although... Su Youzi always felt that an apology posture like this...

Would have more sincerity if the clothes were neatly folded and placed aside.

Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi watched wide-eyed as Su Youzi sat down by her bedside.

The girl, sitting sideways in the sunlight, was truly beautiful.

Like an angel.

But... in Soga Ishikawa Kiyomi's eyes, Su Youzi was entirely a vision of the girl from Bare Fruit sitting on a black Thorn Throne, looking down at her.

Her Mental Domain... ever since it forcefully tried to intrude from that terrifying Throne and descend.

It had already been branded with an indelible mark of Domination.

"I'm sorry... Miss Youzi..." her voice trembled with tears.

She knew she was wrong.

She truly knew she was wrong!!!

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