Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

Rei was speechless at Kohinata Mirai's actions, but having already been lenient enough, she decided not to continue and quickly let go.

"Ugh... I'm sorry, I just did it instinctively."

When her self-deceptive thoughts were exposed, Kohinata Mirai felt a little embarrassed, not understanding why she had just done such a stupid thing.

"...It doesn't matter. Anyway, things have come to this. Now that you know all that, there's no need for you to keep insisting. This is your home, so you can stay here and I'll go back by myself."

Ignoring the other person's explanation, Lingyi continued speaking while patting herself down and smoothing out the clothes that had been used as a body pillow for a night.

"I understand……"

Kohinata Mirai knew that she was already lucky enough to know so much, and all she could do was follow Rei's arrangements.

"Yes, that would be best..."

Rei was somewhat relieved by Kohinata Mirai's cooperation, but just then, a message that appeared right in front of her interrupted her.

"what happened?"

Drawn by Rei's interrupted words, Kojima instinctively asked Mirai a question.

Then, she saw that Lingyi's expression, which had just relaxed a little, changed slightly, and she looked at her with a slightly clenched teeth expression.

"Ha, see for yourself. Congratulations, you've got what you wanted."

Without much explanation, Zero directly found a communicator, copied the message onto it, and tossed it to Kohinata Mirai, who looked puzzled.

【Hello, esteemed lady, this is truly remarkable; I have never seen data reaching this level of intensity before.】

With such intense data as a reference, there is no doubt that I can create what is arguably the most perfect linker to date, making Ms. Kohinata's compatibility with the Divine Beast Mirror almost identical to that of a first-class compatible trainer.

[Also, I'm really curious, what method did you use to get the area of ​​'warm feelings towards helping others' so active last night?]

[Hmph, but let's talk about that later. Right now, as a genius, I'm going to create the ultimate Sane, the Linked One, worthy of the title of hero.]

His words, which were a chaotic mix of nonsensical jargon and technical terms, were surprisingly easy for Kohinata Mirai to understand.

Upon seeing these messages, Kohinata Mirai understood why Rei had that expression.

She hadn't had any expectations beforehand; it was just an experiment to get closer to a zero-clothing excuse, but it actually succeeded.

"Ha, Hinata, sometimes I really want to see what your brain is made of. I've never encountered this kind of value when I was collecting data in the United States."

Seeing that Kohinata Mirai had almost figured it out, Rei gave this opinion with a helpless expression.

Based on past experience, it is undoubtedly very difficult to get human emotions to reach such outrageous levels.

This is why she let things develop this way; she believed that no matter how much Yueyi tried to provoke her, the machine she chose to produce with increased power was the most probable solution.

She truly never expected that those brief, insignificant experiences from the past could evoke such intense emotions in Kohinata Mirai after so many years.

"Hmm... I should be happy to have more time, but I'm still a little ashamed."

Kohinata Mirai clutched her chest, her face flushed, and said...

After all, quantifying emotions so directly was still a bit embarrassing for her, who was somewhat introverted.

"Kohinata, you don't need to care so much about this kind of thing. This kind of data is just data. It only has research value and no emotional guidance value."

You need to understand that humans are changeable beings. A momentary flutter of the heart simply means your emotions are more volatile, so you don't need to care so much about these numerical values.

Having regained her composure from the unexpected situation, Lingyi rubbed her temples and comforted Kohinata Mirai in this way.

Whether these words were meant to reassure Kohinata Mirai that she didn't care, or to persuade herself, only Rei herself knew.

【What kind of excuse is this? You should know how I feel about you, Lingyi, yet you're still making up these kinds of reasons.】

However, this can't be blamed on Lingyi. If it weren't for her mental illness, she wouldn't need to keep her emotions so...reserved.

Kohinata Mirai felt a little resentful about Rei's "comfort," but she quickly realized that it wasn't Rei's true intention.

If it weren't for my own actions that caused her to develop such a serious mental illness, their relationship wouldn't be so complicated now.

However, even knowing this, I don't have enough power to solve it, so I'll wait until I get back and discuss it with Hibiki and the others.

For now, well, let's continue to seize this rare opportunity and cherish the time.

"...Okay, I understand, but I still need to say that I need to guide you for a while longer, Rei."

Having considered this, Kohinata Mirai put on her usual warm smile, took Rei's hand, and said this.

Chapter Forty-Six: Simple Chat

After explaining things properly to her aunt, Kohinata Mirai returned to the secret base with Rei.

[While reducing the danger level is difficult, I will adjust Linke's relic to the extent possible so that it will not cause permanent damage to your body while you are working.]

Upon returning, Zero gave this explanation before leaving Kohinata Mirai's side to work with Dr. Will on technical adjustments she couldn't understand.

As for Kohinata Mirai herself, she was assigned to a room and looked after by Tsukuyomi Chō and Akatsuki Kirika, who had nothing else to do for the time being.

Inside the room, Kohinata Mirai is quietly reading a magazine she uses to relax at her desk, while Akatsuki Kirika is sitting on the bed, staring intently at her, seemingly intending to keep an eye on her.

"...Don't look at me like that, relax a little, I won't run away."

After a while, under the watchful eye of Akatsuki, Kohinata Mirai closed the book with some discomfort.

"Those who are good at running away won't say they're good at running away from death."

Xiaoqiege, sitting cross-legged on the bed, remained vigilant.

"Alright, since that's the case, how about we have a chat? I can't stand being stared at like this anymore."

Seeing this, Kohinata Mirai had no choice but to put down the book in her hand and make a suggestion.

"I will not betray the information here, Death."

Without compromising, Xiaoqiege tried her best to put on a serious expression, but her actual performance wasn't quite up to par.

Is that so?

Kohinata Mirai felt slightly helpless in the face of the other party's unyielding attitude.

Chirp

Just as their conversation was getting a little awkward, the door opened, and Tsukuyomi appeared outside, carrying several open bottles of drinks.

"Adjust!"

Breaking free from her serious demeanor, Xiaoqiege smiled and waved to the door.

Earlier, Tsukuyomi suggested that they go get some drinks to drink when the guards were bored, and they had just returned.

"Kiri-chan, this is your drink. Hinata-neechan, would you like some too?"

Nodding in response, Tsukuyomi handed the drink to Kirika and casually asked Hinata Mirai if she wanted some.

"Thank you, Death!" "Thank you."

The two accepted the drinks. Xiaoqiege, who quite liked sweet drinks, couldn't wait to gulp down a few mouthfuls, while Xiaoyinxiang Mirai placed the drink bottle on the table first.

"Kiri-chan, what did you and Hinata-neechan just talk about?"

After handing over the drink, Tsukuyomi asked.

"Tune in, she was just trying to spy on us, Death." "She just felt uncomfortable being watched and wanted to have a chat."

Xiaoqiege briefly recounted what had just happened, while Xiaoyinxiang Mirai provided an explanation.

"Cutie, there's no need to be so nervous. She's weak and won't cause any trouble for Zero-chan. It's okay if she says anything."

"I understand Death."

After learning what had happened, Tsukuyomi moved to sit next to Akatsuki, and her comforting words helped Akatsuki relax.

"So, what does Kohinata-neechan want to talk about?"

Tsukuyomi turned her head and asked the future of Kohinata, who was sitting in front of her desk.

"Can I ask? I want to know how Lingyi met you, what your relationship is, and how she has been all these years."

When it came to a common topic of conversation, Kohinata Mirai went straight to asking the two people in front of her about things related to Zero.

"Hmm... I can tell you, but in exchange, can you tell us how you met Rei-nee?"

"Wait, Tiao, can we really say that? Won't it cause trouble for Lingyi-jie?"

"Kiri-chan must also be curious about Zero-chan's relationships with other people when we didn't know about them."

"Hmm...it is indeed Death."

After considering Tsukuyomi's question to the future, Tsukuyomi agreed on a condition of exchange, and at the same time persuaded Akatsuki Kagura beside her.

"I can too, and I'll also talk about what I know."

Kohinata Mirai had no objections; for her, it was always good to know more about Rei.

"Since that's the case, let me speak. If you ask me, my feeling about Sister Lingyi is that she's reassuring. However, when I first met her, I thought she was dead like us!" After preparing herself mentally, the talkative Xiaoqiege took the lead in speaking.

It was a cold building devoid of any warmth. She and many other children, not very old, were collected from all over the country and transported to this unfamiliar place.

Here, perhaps by chance, Xiaoqiege, who had forgotten her own birthday, and Tsukuyomi, who had forgotten her past, met and became closer.

"Don't be afraid...no, it won't hurt, I'll protect your death."

"Kiri-chan, you're scared too, aren't you?"

"Xiaoqie Song, Tsukuyomi Tune, it's your turn, come over here, don't waste time."

There is no warmth in the daily routine here. Every day is like this: following the instructions of unfamiliar adults, I am injected with or drink strange medicines, and my body is scanned by machines I don't understand.

"Phew, see? There's nothing to be afraid of in death!" "Go for it, Kiri-chan!"

In this unfamiliar environment where they had no relatives, huddling together for warmth was the only way the two could alleviate their anxiety.

Soon, after a rather tense and frightening day, the two relaxed and observed the children around them, just like themselves, in a corner. This was the only thing they could do.

"Chee-chan, over there... I don't think I've seen her before?"

It was under these circumstances that Tsukuyomi saw for the first time a figure with long platinum blonde hair, who seemed to be a little older than her.

"Yes, it really is Atsushi, the newcomer... Excuse me, were you also brought in? My name is Akatsuki, what's your name, Death?"

Immediately after being reminded by Tsukuyomi, Akatsuki Kirika, who had always been very proactive since childhood, stepped forward and curiously struck up a conversation with the girl she had never seen before.

However, Xiaoqiege's enthusiastic words did not receive an immediate response from the other party. It wasn't until she got close enough that the other party seemed to realize something and turned around to look at her.

"Hey, don't you like it when people talk to you, Death..."

When she finally faced the other person face to face, Xiaoqiege couldn't help but shudder.

Even though the other person didn't seem to be much older than her, she didn't feel the same fear and unease as her peers from them.

From her perspective, this unknown platinum-blonde girl seemed to lack any of the emotions a human being should have.

"...Phew, it seems it's still not smart enough, and there's room for improvement in distinguishing the direction of speech."

Before Xiaoqiege could say anything more, the platinum-blonde girl pretended to be thinking, and then muttered something to herself that Xiaoqiege couldn't understand.

"Who exactly are you, Death?"

"Cut sauce, she's wearing the same clothes as those adults."

Xiaoqiege was still somewhat puzzled, but the more composed Tsukuyomi had already noticed the biggest difference between the girl in front of her and them.

“You are very smart. Indeed, I am not one of you experimental subjects. I am someone who was entrusted to look after you. As for my name, Lingyi.”

Without showing any joy or sorrow, Lingyi directly revealed her identity to the two people with their different expressions.

"Death?!"

Upon hearing about this, Xiaoqiege was so frightened that she was completely at a loss.

She never expected that the girl, who didn't look much older than them, would actually be the same person as those adults who looked so frightening.

"There's no need to be afraid. If you cooperate with the experiment, I won't make things difficult for you. Also, I have other places to familiarize myself with. See you later."

After calmly explaining this, Lingyi ignored the two frightened people and silently turned and left.

This was the first time the two had met Lingyi, and it left a deep impression on their young minds at the time.

However, what happened next made the two of them realize that this so-called profound impression seemed to be somewhat superficial.

"Hey, did you know that the higher-ups have assigned a little girl who looks like she's still in elementary school as a researcher?"

"Ha, was he sent in by some big shot to get some experience? Can a kid this age even handle multiplication and division?"

Those who got in through connections are corrupting the organization's spirit.