The Caged Canary - Kaguya Sumeragi

Whether it was Britannia soldiers, the Japanese Liberation Front, or their Black Knights.

They are either someone's children or someone's parents.

Regardless of who is killed, the end result will always be the breaking up of one family.

But--

"But that's precisely why we have to go to war. Faced with an unreasonable enemy, only by resorting to force can we protect your homes, your families, and those you want to protect."

Britannia, however, happens to be that irrational enemy.

As the world's leading empire among the three great powers, it has extended its plundering claws to the entire world.

Kallen listened to his words, her cherry lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but just as she was about to speak, she seemed to have figured something out, her eyes became firm, and she nodded vigorously.

"I see!"

Yes, to protect our homes, to protect our families, to protect our friends.

They had no choice but to raise the banner of resistance; otherwise, how could they possibly drive away these villains who had invaded their homeland?

Just by talking?

It's important to understand that weak nations have no diplomacy, let alone those that are colonies of defeated nations.

Only fists can drive the other person away!

Only...

"Thank you for your help again, teacher."

A hint of gratitude appeared in Kallen's eyes, along with a gradually emerging mix of indescribable emotions.

Nighttime.

The private Ashford Academy was quiet and dark under the cover of night, except for the villa located deep inside, which was still brightly lit.

When Mahiro returned to the room, CC was already asleep.

Since the Battle of Narita ended, and after that detailed exchange, the relationship between CC and him underwent a subtle change.

CC has reduced the frequency of her sarcastic remarks towards him, and she rarely calls him "little devil" anymore, but instead addresses him by his name more formally.

Even their gazes were often fixed on him.

I don't know whether this change is good or bad...

After all, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

However, just as he sat down on the sofa to rest for a while, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Knock knock knock..."

"Come in, Lelouch."

"Mahiro from the frequency of the knocking, I don't even need to think to know it's that guy Lelouch," Mahiro said, yawning.

If it were Nunnally, the position would be lower and the touch would be gentler.

As the door opened, the person who walked in was indeed Lelouch, but he was not wearing the ZERO suit or the school uniform, but rather his everyday clothes.

"Oh, isn't this our dear young master Lelouch? What have you been up to all day? We haven't seen you anywhere." Mahiro teased him slightly and gestured for him to sit down.

"Don't joke with me, teacher. I had some business to attend to with the Black Knights today, and when I got back I found that Nunnally had a slight fever... but she's much better now."

Lelouch didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly opposite him.

He glanced back at the witch lying on the bed, and finding her fast asleep, he paid her no further attention.

Instead, he took a letter from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table.

"Nunnally has a fever? I really didn't know that. I'll go check on her in a bit."

"Yes, thank you for your help, teacher."

The two continued their conversation, while Mahiro picked up the letter from the coffee table, opened it, and glanced at it briefly.

"This is... an invitation from one of the Kyoto Six Houses?"

Chapter 279 The Confined Canary - Kaguya Sumeragi (5.1K)

The Kyoto Six Houses refer to the six families: Taizo Kirihara, Gyobu Tatsuki, Kōbōin Hidenobu, Tosai Munakata, Yoshino Family, and the Kururugi Family.

They were an organization formed by the six major zaibatsu that controlled the economic lifeline of old Japan.

After the invasion of Japan, Genbu Kururugi died and Suzaku Kururugi disappeared, leading to their withdrawal from the Kyoto Six Houses.

The other five companies then formed cooperative relationships with Britain, ostensibly helping the Empire while secretly supporting Japan underground resistance organizations, such as the Japanese Liberation Front and the Red Moon Resistance Army.

However, after the Battle of Narita, the Japanese Liberation Front had completely split, and most of its main members had been captured. This forced the Kyoto Six Houses to abandon the Japanese Liberation Front and seek other paths.

"So, those old geezers have pinned their hopes on the Black Knights?"

"No."

Lelouch refuted his statement.

"This invitation isn't just for Zero of the Black Knights, but also for Shadow of the Shadow Garden. It seems the Kyoto Six Houses are more eager to see you than I am, teacher."

"Oh?"

That's quite unexpected.

Not only do they want to discover ZERO's true identity, but they also want to meet him in person?

"Since you want to see me, then let's meet!"

After a moment's thought, Mahiro came to this conclusion with an air of nonchalance.

Perfect timing, I can discuss the Sakuradite mine with these old fogies.

Then let's bring Gamma and Alpha along. As a business genius, isn't this the perfect opportunity for Gamma to be present in situations like this?

Moreover, he still remembered that there was an interesting little girl in Kyoto Six Houses...

An image of a lively girl with long, straight black hair appeared in his mind.

And so, he and Lelouch finalized their itinerary.

But...

"There's one more thing, Lelouch."

Just as Lelouch got up to leave, Mahiro suddenly called out to him.

"You knew that all the Student Council members went to the funeral today, right?"

Upon hearing his words, Lelouch's expression froze for a brief moment, but he quickly recovered and nodded.

"Yes, Kallen told me that she asked the Knights for leave today under the pretext of attending a funeral."

And what about you?

Mahiro cut to the chase, asking, "You should know who that funeral was for, right? Do you have any thoughts on it?"

"No. Teacher, you should know me. From the very beginning, I had no way out but to keep going, no matter if the end of this road is heaven or hell... From the very beginning, I abandoned that cowardice."

As if speaking to himself, Lelouch was eager to explain himself and left just as quickly, getting up from the sofa opposite him and walking out of the room.

Without the slightest pause.

Whether Lelouch regretted it or not, and what he did after leaving, is something only he himself knows.

However, it's fairly easy to guess that he's probably gone to some secluded corner to lick his wounds.

After all, even wild beasts can get injured.

"Teacher, is that you?"

"I didn't expect you to guess that, Nunnally."

After Lelouch left his room, he also visited Nunnally under the cover of night, as promised.

I never expected to be spotted by this lovely girl as soon as I entered.

"Giggle..."

Nunnally covered her mouth and giggled sweetly, her laughter incredibly adorable.

After a while, she said softly again:

"But teacher, it's so late already. Why are you here instead of sleeping? Is there something you need?"

"Yes, I heard you were sick, so I came to check on you."

Mahiro moved a chair and sat down next to Nunnally's bed.

The bright moonlight shone through the window and fell directly onto the bed.

Hearing the noise, Nunnally slowly propped herself up, got out of bed, and exposed half of her body.

She was wearing only a thin, plain-colored nightgown, and the moonlight shining on her body shone through the fabric, casting a hazy shadow of her figure.

Although delicate, it was inexplicably alluring.

Mahiro politely looked away, then heard Nunnally speak:

"I'm fine now, teacher. I felt much better after taking the medicine and having a nap."

Nunnally smiled gently, and there was indeed no sign of discomfort on her face.

Seeing this, Mahiro nodded in satisfaction.

"That's good, it's good that you're alright. Otherwise, your Lelouch would have been worried sick."

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but when Lelouch was mentioned, Nunnally's expression stiffened noticeably, and after a moment, a hint of sadness and disappointment appeared on her face.

"What's wrong? Why do you look like that? Did someone bully you? Tell me, and I'll help you get revenge... Was it that Lelouch? I'll go beat him up for you right now."

Without Mahiro twice, Mahiro immediately got up to go find Lelouch.

Regardless of whether Lelouch bullied her or not, the older brother is definitely the one primarily responsible for making his sister show such an expression.

"No, teacher, please wait... ah--"

Seemingly realizing that Mahiro about to leave, Nunnally quickly reached out to grab him by the bedside, but because of this action, her hand missed and her whole body uncontrollably fell towards the ground.

However, the expected pain and cold did not come. Instead, she felt as if she had fallen into a warm embrace, and a strong masculine scent enveloped her.

Strangely, she didn't feel shy or uncomfortable at all; on the contrary, she felt exceptionally at ease.

"Teacher Mahiro..."

"Sigh, be careful! What if you fall and get hurt?"

"I'm so sorry..."

Nunnally lowered her head and apologized to him softly.

Looking at Nunnally's frail appearance, what could he say?

Of course I'll forgive her.

"Alright, this won't happen again. I'll help you back to bed."

He said he was helping her up, but he actually picked Nunnally up in a princess carry and put her back on the bed.

A pair of smooth calves dangled and swayed in mid-air.

Nunnally then grabbed his clothes tightly with her small hands and snuggled closer to him.

Even after they were back in bed, she still showed no sign of letting go.

"Nunnally?"

"Teacher, can I lean against you like this for a little while?"

Nunnally clung to his clothes as if she were being affectionate, but her voice held a hint of pleading.

"All right."

Mahiro did not refuse, but gently put his arm around Nunnally's delicate shoulder.