A Cold-Hearted Person (5.5K)

The entire family fell apart like that. Does it matter?

Why should you endure such cruelty?

It was for this reason that, persuaded by her brother Naoto and for their mother's sake, she compromised. However, her Britannia ultimately led her to join her brother's resistance...

"What a complicated family situation..."

After listening, Mahiro sighed slightly.

Before coming here, he had considered countless reasons, perhaps Kallen wanted to continue the topic from last time.

Unexpectedly, she revealed her biggest secret and past to me.

Although he knew the reason for Kallen's quarrel with her mother, and also knew why her mother insisted on staying at the Stadtfeld's house.

But things took an unexpected turn.

After saying all this, Kallen remained standing behind him, her hands clasped in front of her, looking every bit the sheltered young lady.

Although Kallen was very masculine on the battlefield, in ordinary times, her years of aristocratic education had a great influence on her.

However, her tone gradually softened from grief and indignation, and her gaze into the distance was filled with memories.

Scenes from the past reappeared before my eyes.

"I was so stupid... Watching my mother being cursed and punished for the smallest things, while she just stood there grinning like an idiot, I thought she was only after the family's wealth and wanted to fawn over her old lover, which was why she endured all this trampling on her self-esteem... But who knew, who knew..."

As Kallen spoke, her eyes reddened. She sniffed, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes haphazardly, and bit her lip tightly.

If she had a second chance, she would definitely protect her mother properly.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in this world, but starting over seems possible. I remember someone's Geass ability...

Mahiro didn't speak, nor did he offer any words of comfort. He simply took a handkerchief from his pocket and, with Kallen's slight trembling, gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Mahiro didn't take the tear-soaked handkerchief back; he simply placed it gently in Kallen's hand.

"Thank you... thank you!"

I was treated with kindness and gentleness again.

Perhaps, besides her mother and her Naoto brother Naoto, the only person who truly treats her like a girl is the person standing in front of her.

"Mr. Mahiro, may I lean on your shoulder for a moment?"

"Certainly."

Mahiro stood there smiling, motionless, letting Kallen lean closer.

"So warm..."

This feeling of warmth was something she hadn't experienced in a long time, and it felt much more real than the heating devices in the mansion.

Thump! Thump!

The strong, powerful sound of a heartbeat echoed in her ears.

However, while enjoying this brief moment of comfort, Kallen also caught a faint, refreshing fragrance, a quiet and profound scent like that of a grassy forest.

The source of that smell was actually the handkerchief in her hand!

"It smells wonderful! What perfume is this? I've never smelled anything like it before."

She held the handkerchief to her nose and sniffed it gently.

The flavor wasn't strong; rather, it was fresh and delicate, capable of calming the mind.

"That's not perfume, it's Alpha's natural body scent."

"Alpha?"

"The one you saw was the girl with long blonde hair, who was always accompanied by a woman with light blonde hair."

Now that you mention it, Kallen does remember.

There really was such a person. Was that person originally called Alpha?

The name is so strange...

But--

"I never imagined you, teacher, were such a playboy, not even sparing your own subordinates."

Kallen pulled away from his embrace, tilted her head back, and glared at him with dead fish eyes, complaining resentfully.

After all, they even have such intimate items as handkerchiefs that retain their body fragrance.

But Mahiro denied this claim.

"No, that's not a subordinate, that's my family member."

"Family?"

"That's right, there are a total of 700 girls in the entire Shadow Garden, and they are all my family."

"7,700 girls?!"

Kallen was shocked. She knew that everyone except Mahiro was a girl, but she didn't expect there to be so many of them.

But then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she burst into laughter through her tears, giving him a playful glare and saying, "What kind of Shadow Garden is this? Let's just call it the Shadow Harem!"

"If that's what you think, that's fine too."

Mahiro shrugged indifferently.

Seeing that Kallen had calmed down, he got back to the main topic.

"Speaking of which, what are your plans next? To accompany your mother through her healing process while also participating in the Black Knights' operations?"

Kallen's answer was naturally "YES," and she nodded emphatically.

No matter what, she would not give up her work with the Black Knights. No matter how determined she was, she was determined to drive the Britannia out of Japan and overthrow the unequal and tyrannical rule of Britannia!

But surprisingly, she then extended her hand to Mahiro, inviting him with a solemn expression:

"So, Mr. Mahiro, can you help me, can you help us?"

"Wow, so they've got their eyes on me now."

Mahiro stroked his chin and smiled slightly, "Helping you is no problem. Not to mention overthrowing Britannia, even helping you unify the world is no problem. But what can you give in return, Kallen?"

You must understand, everything in this world has already been secretly priced; there's no such thing as getting something for free.

"Any."

Kallen said firmly, her eyes burning with determination.

Seeing her mother hospitalized due to contraband, Kallen's desire to overthrow the regime had never been stronger.

Even if I burn myself to ashes and turn into flames, it doesn't matter!

"That's really a good price."

Given Kallen's beauty, offering herself was a price well worth it.

But--

"Koukouwalu!"

"Huh? Why?!"

"Because you're just acting on impulse, think it over carefully, young lady. Don't let a momentary decision lead to a lifetime of regret."

Regret, for life...?

A look of confusion crossed Kallen's face. By the time she came to her senses, Mahiro had already left the hospital.

When she returned to the ward, the doctor and nurses had already finished examining her mother, explained the precautions, and then left.

In the pristine white hospital room, only Kallen remained, sitting alone by her mother's bedside, gazing at her.

I told her about interesting things that happened at school, and shared some happy memories from the past.

Unfortunately, her mother would no longer respond.

"Please wait for me."

Kallen placed her hands on her knees and bit her lip.

"Before Mom is discharged from the hospital—I will definitely change for you. I will change back into a world where Mom and I can live an ordinary life. So, so..."

Overwhelmed by her emotions, Kallen's throat tightened, and she could no longer utter a sound.

At this moment.

Whether by chance or some kind of miracle, the mother's hand, which had been resting on the blanket, moved, as if sliding off the blanket, and gently landed on Kallen's lap, touching Kallen's hand.

"!"

"... come on."

She seemed to hear her mother's voice. When Kallen looked up, she found that her mother's eyes had opened at some point, but there was no focus in her pupils, as if nothing could be reflected in them.

Stunned, she simply stared ahead, her gaze seemingly transcending the boundaries of time and space, landing on the little girl who had returned with her brother Naoto from the slums.

"Go for it... Kallen, my daughter..."

A glimmer of light appeared in Kallen's eyes, and tears streamed down her face as she nodded.

"Yes, I'll do my best."

Kallen didn't wipe away her tears, but let them slide down her face.

"I will definitely do my best!"

Even if it's just for her mother, she is determined to overthrow that despicable empire, no matter the cost!

Chapter 269 A Cold-Hearted Person (5.5K)

A week has passed since the Refrain incident. Under the dual blows of overt and covert investigations, all Refrain secret channels and merchants flowing into Tokyo have been thoroughly investigated and dealt with.

Perhaps knowing that their actions would bring about great disaster, Southeast Asia actually stopped transporting Refrain from Kyushu to the Area 11, and even restrained themselves in other concession areas.

Naturally, all the citizens of ELEVEN attributed this achievement entirely to the Black Knights.

ZERO and his Black Knights became incredibly popular in Area 11, becoming the sole hero in the hearts of Eleven, with their influence even rivaling that of Japan's premier resistance organization— the Japanese Liberation Front.

However, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. It was precisely because of ZERO's overly conspicuous actions that Cornelia, who had taken a break from her busy work, prepared to take action against the Black Knights.

But before that, Cornelia felt there was something else she needed to do...

"What?! Governor Cornelia and Lieutenant Governor Euphemia of Area 11 are coming to visit Ashford's school festival?!"

Lelouch's voice echoed in the Student Council room.

After receiving the news from President Milly, he looked shocked and somewhat panicked.

If it were just Euphemia coming, Lelouch could understand, since Euphemia li Britannia has always loved such lively events. Plus, with Yotsuba Mahiro also here, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her to attend the school festival.

But Cornelia, that woman...

I seem to have no connection with these things at all.

Could it be because...?

Lelouch glanced to the side, frantically Yotsuba Mahiro, but unfortunately received no response.

Yotsuba Mahiro was with Nina, watching a nuclear fission simulation experiment on her computer.

Through fission, a chain reaction is triggered, causing the Sakuradite to undergo an antimatter annihilation reaction.

Lelouch didn't understand these things.

All that is known is that, seemingly after the incident at Lake Kawaguchi, Nina became particularly clingy to Yotsuba Mahiro, completely unlike her previous timid self, and gradually became bolder, frequently inviting Yotsuba Mahiro watch such experimental simulations.

Moreover, Nina's face would blush faintly every time Yotsuba Mahiro approached.

Even though Lelouch didn't understand these matters of love between men and women, he could tell that Nina seemed to have a crush on this unconventional teacher.

However, upon hearing that Euphemia was coming, Nina's blush seemed to deepen, and her expression became somewhat excited...

"Hey Lelouch, aren't you getting a little too excited? While it's true that big shots like the governor are rare, something seems off about you, Lelouch."

"Yeah, yeah, what's wrong with you? Lulu..."