Kitty Killer Wasn't Born Cold

Though she remained silent, those faint dark circles under her eyes were practically deafening... As for whether they would end up resembling Kal'tsit's, that would depend on whether Medic's Action Reserve Team plan could get off the ground smoothly.

"Back to the point, the biggest reason people refuse to join Rhodes Island is that they cannot accept having their identities as the Infected exposed, let alone the fact that they would need to appear in public and work as the Infected... Although every Rhodes Island branch employs Infected personnel, most of them have not disclosed their condition. Instead, they choose to live as ordinary people by relying on the suppressants distributed to them...

"Even though headquarters offers better pay than the local branches, simply knowing that working at Rhodes Island headquarters requires them to wear an Oripathy symptom-monitoring ring is enough to make them reject it..."

"Huh? There are people like that?! Medic, didn't you tell them Rhodes Island has ordinary people too? You're not Infected yourself, are you? Didn't you explain that to them?"

"However, among those who rejected Rhodes Island's invitation, some countered with, 'If you don't have Oripathy, why are you wearing a monitor?'..."

"This... Isn't that just being unreasonable?! If you work and live in an area with an Oripathy risk, of course you need to wear a monitor. Otherwise, if your condition worsens..."

Seeing Blaze, the driver, grow more agitated than the person actually involved after only a few words, Medic had no choice but to pat her shoulder and calm her down before wrapping up the topic.

"Yes, that is the greatest obstacle in their hearts as well... 'What if I get sick, or my condition worsens?'...

"Right now, places like Columbia and a handful of factories are recruiting people under the banner of treating Infected workers well, but facts have proven that those who actually follow through are few and far between... Rhodes Island has only just been registered, and even the Landship meant to serve as the company's public face has yet to be completed. What can we use to convince them that we truly will honor our promises?... That is how a crisis of trust arises."

"But these three are willing to join Rhodes Island."

Su Sulo pulled the subject back to her goal. Medic used one hand to stroke Blaze's cat ears and soothe the angry big cat, while secretly giving Su Sulo a thumbs-up with the other... Only then did they realize that Blaze, as a member of the action team, was such an emotional person and could become so easily agitated over issues involving the Infected.

It was wonderful that Su Sulo had managed to redirect the conversation, allowing Medic to continue explaining the full background of the mission.

"Yes, they are willing to join us... And this began half a year ago.

"According to the report from the Leithanien branch director, Stewart and Adnachiel, who were traveling at the time, encountered an accident above the snow line in the mountains. Their friend, Miss Meli, who was also working locally, crossed more than ten kilometers of mountainous terrain on a snowboard... She first descended the mountain and used all her savings as collateral to rent a car... That was on a snowboard that was already nearly broken... Then she entered the city where the Intercity Network was located and finally contacted Rhodes Island for help by phone.

"Apparently, the process was extremely difficult. Treatment for the Infected is quite expensive these days, and many medical institutions hung up immediately upon hearing that Meli was merely an employee at a scenic area and a member of the ski rescue team. Public hospitals also stated that they would not accept Infected patients... By the time she found Rhodes Island, she was even delirious... Saying things like, 'I don't care what happens to me, just please help my friends'... Things like that."

Su Sulo: "It sounds... so difficult..."

Medic: "It was more than just difficult. When the local Rhodes Island emergency medical team found her afterward, she had frostbite, fractures, sprained joints, and abrasions all over her body... According to her account at the time, she took five hours to descend from the accident site above the mountain snow line to the car rental place below... Local staff said that distance would take more than eight hours even by car."

"...So she was an experienced rescue team member... To go that far for her friends is admirable... How are they now?"

While Blaze was sighing in admiration, Nana withdrew her hand and turned another page in the document she was holding.

"After half a year of treatment, the three of them have recovered from their severe injuries... The two boys' Oripathy has been brought under control through treatment from the local Rhodes Island team, while Meli was fortunate enough not to contract Oripathy.

"But their current circumstances are not good... Because Miss Meli's very conspicuous door-to-door pleas for help made the matter widely known, the major local companies and lower levels of the government all learned that one of the three had Oripathy.

"The two boys... Adnachiel and Stewart are travelers, so that is one thing. But Meli lost her job at the scenic area because of her very public actions, and the ski rescue team dismissed her as well... All three are currently in severe financial straits.

"Although the local Rhodes Island branch has waived as much of the medical cost as possible... Medication... especially half a year's worth of Oripathy suppressants, is clearly beyond what three young people can afford."

At that point, Medic shrugged helplessly.

"Though Kal'tsit told me... not to treat the Reserve Action Group plan as recruitment with some objective in mind, but as aid... The fact remains that the only people currently willing to enter Rhodes Island are those who have nowhere else to go.

"If the Landship were officially completed and we had the 'face' of a first-rate corporation, I could probably do much more... But for now, let us bring those two patients and that brave young woman back to the island. Honestly, asking an office with only five people total to suddenly take on three critically injured patients, two of whom have Oripathy... is obviously too much of a burden."

As the atmosphere in the vehicle visibly improved, Medic turned another page in her file.

"Now that we have covered the situation in Leithanien, let us discuss our own... The three people we will be transferring this time are severely injured patients who have spent half a year recuperating. Two males, both Infected, and one female who only recently had her cast removed... What we can confirm is that they have basic mobility. What concerns me more is their psychological state... Su Sulo, when we made rounds together before, you always seemed to keep a straight, expressionless face. Would you like to try showing a little warmth?"

Medic's words startled the pink-haired Little Fox. Su Sulo immediately shook her head and waved her hands in refusal.

"No, no! I already look young, so if I don't keep a serious expression, I won't have any of the steadiness a doctor ought to possess... It's not like you, Medic, where you can tell how capable someone is in surgery the moment you get your hands on them..."

"Hmm... Then Blaze..."

The moment she suggested sending Blaze to build rapport, Medic immediately recalled Blaze's overly enthusiastic cuddling when she had first boarded the Landship. Kitty Killer was worried that Blaze's ever-present, excessive enthusiasm might have the opposite effect.

After all, for people anxious about their surroundings, enthusiasm that was too intense could burn them like a raging fire... Thinking of this, Nana suddenly remembered Kal'tsit's cold treatment when she had first arrived at Rhodes Island.

Had Kal'tsit also considered such things when she placed her in the relatively quiet medical area and allowed her to cling to Little Cat's side?

Shaking her head, Medic returned her attention to the current mission.

"Forget it, I'll do it myself... Besides, I'm not Infected, so this can also demonstrate some of the company's policies regarding the Infected..."

"Medic, can you handle it? Don't put on that official business face the moment you arrive. It would be bad if the newcomers misunderstood us..."

Hearing Blaze's doubts, Medic, who had shown little expression all along, took a small mirror from her shoulder bag. She used a makeup pencil to draw a few strokes around the corners of her eyes and cheeks, then closed the mirror and looked at Blaze through the rearview mirror with a professional smile.

"How could that be? I'm so warm, yet I understand boundaries... In terms of professional ability, I'm at the top level in Leytonson City. What do you think? Don't I look much more approachable now?"

As Medic made a V-shape near the corner of her eye, Su Sulo seemed deeply interested in her makeup technique. Blaze, who had neither experience with nor thoughts about such matters, fell mysteriously silent for a moment.

"Frivolous... It feels a little disgusting. Can you go back to being the original Medic, the one who looked quiet but reliable?"

"...I merely applied eyeliner to make my smile more engaging... This is standard makeup for commercial activities."

Though she said that, seeing Blaze's discomfort, Medic still took out a wet wipe, wiped her face, and reapplied skincare products.

"Anyway, it looks like the communication work falls to me... Su Sulo, you will serve as the accompanying doctor, ensure the newcomers' condition, and remember to protect yourself... Blaze, your role in the team is security. I need not mention basic matters like keeping your weapon with you at all times...

"Most importantly, you may have doubts about my judgment, but any explanations can be discussed afterward. My orders must be carried out completely... In return, I will be responsible for your safety and for the mission itself... I will still reserve your right to complain about me to Kal'tsit afterward... But if you have any objections to my authority as team leader, you had better raise them now."

Su Sulo: "...So formal... Is this what Columbia agents are like?"

Blaze: "'I will be responsible for your safety'... Ahh, Medic, you really are the type to casually say weirdly cool lines when people aren't paying attention. I might fall for you, Little Cat~"

"Because I have indeed experienced leading a disobedient team before... The ending of that mission was regrettable as well..."

"Oh, oh! Is this an agent story? What happened in the end?"

Seeing Su Sulo's eyes sparkle, Medic spread her hands helplessly.

"It's classified... But overall, it was also a crisis of trust caused by mutual distrust... The enemy exploited the opening, and the mission nearly failed."

Blaze: "Then how do Su Sulo and I compare to your teammates from that time?"

Seeing that Blaze seemed to care greatly about whether Medic trusted her, Medic smiled faintly again. Unlike the professional smile painted on by cosmetics, Kitty Killer's smile this time did not make Blaze feel anything strange.

"Of course, I trust you..."

After all, in the girl's eyes, they—and Rhodes Island—were fundamentally very simple.

Other than Rhodes Island, what organization would take in victims of a politically significant tech company and injured agents... What other organization would accept losses for three people, sincerely treat their Oripathy, and provide for them?

"Then... my trusted friends, let me finish explaining the operation plan. To enter Leithanien as quickly as possible, we will take turns driving today... Once we reach the city, we will rest briefly, pick up the employees, and return to the Landship... Is there anything you find inappropriate?"

""No!""

"Then Blaze, step on it~"

PS: This is the part I wrote halfway yesterday and halfway today... I'll continue writing in a bit... It's still early. I won't fall asleep again!

Matilda's Melancholy

Matilda felt that she no longer needed to be afraid of anything.

The small Feline had met friends her own age in this new place. With Amiya's encouragement and guidance, she had met many more new friends... It was only that her new friends all had very strange attitudes toward their own families.

Her father, who had always been away, had now returned to her side. Those powerful arms would defeat every enemy for her.

The brothers who had grown distant from her ever since she started school had returned to her side as well. Their arms protected her at every moment as they had when she was little, standing in front of her.

Her mother, who had always been working overtime, had returned to her side. Her arm led her forward, and when necessary, her mother would lift her up and carry her over dangers or obstacles. Both the touch and warmth were exactly as Matilda remembered.

Her sister, who claimed she was preparing for exams but had actually vanished, had returned to her side too. It was like how her sister used to clean her ears when she was little: whenever her sister's hand covered her ears, her connection to her family became incomparably clear...

Although things were different from before, and Matilda now had to wait for Nana to be beside her if she wanted to speak with her family... Her family was still by her side, so Matilda's life seemed not to have changed much...

No, perhaps there had still been some changes.

Now, it seemed every decision had to be made by Matilda herself.

Whenever Nana was not by her side, it meant that no one who could point her in the right direction was by her side.

Matilda was not afraid of the silence around her... But it still made her uneasy.

When she opened her eyes, she found that unlike Medic, who always adjusted Little Cat's bedside lamp to a dim yellow glow, Kal'tsit preferred bright, shadowless treatment rooms.

Kal'tsit believed that a bright environment would reduce a child's wariness toward an unfamiliar room, but what she had not expected was that lighting similar to the Loken Water Tank Laboratory had dragged Matilda's mood below a certain threshold from the very beginning.

Fortunately, Little Cat's mind was connected to Amiya's... The two children, close in age, shared joy and endured sorrow together. With the rabbit quietly comforting her at Kal'tsit's side, Little Cat did not claw at the ceiling light strips with her little paws, which could sweep away an entire level of the Landship in one strike.

Instead, the cat raised a hand to cover her face.

"...Too bright..."

"Is that so... I'm sorry. When the light that illuminates darkness lacks restraint, even warm flames can burn people... Just like the technology within you... It appeared on this land in the worst possible form..."

Shaking her head, Kal'tsit sorted through the data while speaking to the two children beside her.

"The Loken Williams I knew was not someone impatient for quick success or utterly devoid of conscience... But he still made this... choice that will stink for ten thousand years... It is lamentable."

"Loken Williams... I know that name... Nana and my family both told me not to think about him, but he always appears in my memories... Those are painful memories. Even in dreams, I can clearly feel those machines cutting into my brothers and me..."

In only a moment, the fur on Little Cat's tail visibly puffed up after being dried by the warm air blower. Electricity generated by Telekinesis crackled over the girl's clenched fist. An invisible hand in the air formed a fist, compressing the air and triggering the monitoring alarms... Kal'tsit simply turned them off while collecting data, and only Amiya hugged Little Cat comfortingly. The pressure in the air instantly vanished without a trace.

"I will make him feel that pain... If bad people are to understand how terrible the things they have done are, they must hurt... At least hurt as much as we did."

After saying that, she wiped the imaging gel from her body. The naked Little Cat raised both hands and let Amiya pull clothes over her. The interaction reminded her of Cole again... But having her mother's hands float her through the air did not let her hear her mother's voice.

Little Cat looked around, then pursed her lips slightly.

"Where is Nana?"

"Medic has gone to carry out her own plan... If she succeeds, she will bring you new friends when she returns."

"...New friends? I don't want new friends. I want Nana... I already have Amiya as a friend, so it doesn't matter if I don't have any new friends... Please let Nana come back... Daddy and Mommy's voices are all with Nana."

Seeing Little Cat stubbornly demand Medic's return, Kal'tsit and Amiya exchanged a look. The latter's eyes were full of helpless uncertainty, while Kal'tsit's gaze... held exhaustion mixed with resignation.

Originally, Kal'tsit had believed that Amiya's presence could ease Little Cat's pathological dependence on Medic... After all, the two little ones had gotten along so well over the past few days.

However, the other girl's reaction finally confirmed something for the green Feline: the necromantic game played by Rhodes Island's black-and-white cat pair was clearly not as simple as mere psychological issues.

Yet unlike the aggression that nearly overflowed from Little Cat whenever Williams was mentioned privately... When Medic was mentioned, not only did the abnormal fluctuations in her mental state vanish, even the distinctive brain waves indicating the activation of the Mind Link and Telekinesis calmed down.

It seemed that Medic was Matilda's personal sedative. Even merely mentioning her verbally was enough to erase most of Little Cat's mental issues.

This characteristic seemed, in Kal'tsit's medical records... to have some sort of... similarity to Medic's own condition.

Both had made the other person the support of their lives. Medic could stabilize her mind through Little Cat and begin working like a normal person... Now that it had been confirmed the reverse was possible as well, did that mean she could keep these two dangerous individuals safe at the same time through nothing more than a simple exchange of words?

Thinking this, Kal'tsit held her medical record and considered her phrasing.

"...Matilda, do you know what happened to you?"

"I know. Painful, bad... an experiment... Something very terrible happened to me."

"What happened to Medic... to Nana, was just as terrible... Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the eye she accidentally injured during that incident, but that was actually only a glimpse of Nana's psychological problems."

"Her heart? My sister seemed to have said... something similar..."

Seeing Matilda's worried gaze, Kal'tsit did not know who the "sister" Little Cat referred to was, but she felt that she had found the right direction for resolving the black-and-white cats' psychological issues.

Whether they were the product of Williams's experiment or a killing machine created through laws and Witchcraft by that woman... Either one, taken alone, was a heavyweight individual whose existence could not be ignored on this land.

If the two were independent of one another, then handling the aftermath of the Loken Watertank Incident would be difficult.

But now that they shared concern for each other... Kal'tsit could use that as an anchor, binding these two monstrous "children" to each other emotionally... so that they could at least become "people."

"Your arts have the effect of a Thought Chain Ring. Can you feel it? Nana is actually in great pain..."

Faced with Kal'tsit's topic, Little Cat, who had no voices from her "family" to guide her, could only shake her head. Matilda uneasily poked her fingers together, her voice low.

"When I'm with Nana, my family's voices appear too... That is... the peaceful time that only comes at night each day... I... never paid much attention to Nana herself..."

"So... that truly isn't an illusion shared by you two... It is some kind of 'Dead Soul' constructed through arts..."

With another sigh, Kal'tsit felt the situation had grown more complicated. Fortunately, the idea of using Medic to calm Little Cat still held true.

"It is normal that you did not notice... According to Nana's examination report, she has a constitution that cuts off emotions and thoughts... What you can feel from her should all be the thought feedback from the Dead Souls of your family that she has 'stored.' That is why you feel familiar when you are close to Nana and believe your family is still by your side... There is nothing inherently wrong with that, and I am not blaming you. But Matilda, have you considered what kind of harm this causes Nana herself?"

"Harm? Me... harming Nana? How could I hurt her?"

Seeing Amiya gently hold Little Cat's hand in comfort, Kal'tsit chose to mercilessly expose the feelings Nana had kept hidden from this child all along.

"First, let us talk about the eye injury you left Nana with... In my view, while the matter itself was an accident... she probably gave up trying to dodge at the time, which was why she was injured. Otherwise, based on my understanding of her, a child who had only just acquired unfamiliar powers could never hurt her, no matter how hard they tried.

"Matilda, I am going to teach you a psychological concept called Survivor Syndrome... It refers to the guilt survivors of a tragedy feel toward the dead.

"And Nana has always been immersed in the deaths of your mother and sister... the only friend she ever had and the first person who treated her kindly... Nana believes their deaths were all her responsibility... And as a result, she has turned raising you into shackles for herself."

Matilda: "...I... Have I become Nana's... burden?"

Seeing that the emotional groundwork had been laid sufficiently, Kal'tsit wrote a few lines in the medical record and continued.

"You do not have to be... At the end of the day, the living should live like the living... Certainly, you can communicate with the Dead Souls through Nana and feel as though they still live by your side... But in reality, your guardian now is Nana, Rhodes Island operator 'Medic'... Everything about her is being shattered by that guilt, and she is forcibly pouring it onto you...

"If this twisted affection were directed at an ordinary child, raising someone spoiled and extravagant would not be much of a problem... But Matilda, you are not an ordinary person."