"Father's base held far too many secrets. We all came from there."
Inside Giantwood Tower, Number Seven turned to her elder sister, Number One, and spoke in a subdued voice.
They looked very similar, but Number One's features were sharper.
Number Seven sighed and asked:
"Is Ah Mu still alive?"
"You think I'd kill him?" Number One frowned. "Is that really what you think of me? Do you think I had something to do with Father's death too?"
By now, everyone else had been cleared out, and Number One's voice echoed through the empty lobby.
Number Seven turned away and said:
"Sister, you should know that out of the seven of us, I'm the one who wants the least to do with power. Otherwise, I wouldn't have volunteered to go to the border and stayed there for eight years. Our family matters more to me than all the scheming that comes with chasing fame and fortune."
After a pause, Number Seven softened her tone:
"Ah Mu is eighteen now. It's been far too long since our family got together. I'd like us to gather just once and hold a coming-of-age celebration for him."
Number One fell silent at that, lowering her head as though weighing something.
Number Seven pleaded:
"It's something I promised him, too. I don't want to break my word."
"I've heard your proposal." Number One raised her head, her tone flat. "I'll pass your suggestion along to the others."
"Sister, why brush me off with that kind of official line?" Number Seven's expression turned bitter.
As far as she was concerned, all this needed was Number One's approval.
But Number One still refused to give it.
Number Seven couldn't help asking:
"Ah Mu... how is he doing now? Have his eyes been cured?"
"Unfortunately, although I've been