We’re back with Volume 20! It’s been a long wait, and I hope you can understand due to the many issues and my busy schedule these past few months. Thank you to everyone who waited—your support means a lot. I hope you enjoy this volume as well. Cheers!
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Enjoy~
ED: LonelyMatter
Prologue
──My destiny was sealed the moment I opened my eyes.
The crystallization of humanity’s negative emotions—a force capable of destroying everything—was my destiny. I was born with the power of “Evil.”
I never questioned it nor harbored any resentment.
I simply followed the path laid out for me.
It felt only natural to be used by “Evil” and lead humanity to ruin.
I believed this fate would remain unchanged until the day I died, but this guy, Yuuya, changed my destiny.
With his foolishly kind heart, this fool took the blow meant for me, who was inside Yuti, with his own body.
At first, I tried to take over Yuuya’s body too.
But I couldn’t.
That was because inside him, there was absolutely no negative emotion, like the hatred I needed to amplify my power.
I was genuinely surprised, wondering if someone like this even existed.
Furthermore, now that I was inside Yuuya, I couldn’t escape. A life of being forced to spend time with him began.
Initially, I thought I would take over his body at the first opportunity, but he was such a “normal” human being that the idea seemed ridiculous.
Of course, since he was hosting me and had acquired various other powers, his body was practically monstrous. But in his demeanor, he was just an ordinary young man you’d find anywhere.
He’d get surprised, depressed, or happy over trivial things. This was a side of him that none of the people captivated by the power of “Evil” and met their ruin had ever shown.
Yet, regardless of his own disposition, Yuuya kept getting dragged into all sorts of trouble.
That was why I decided to become his strength and fight alongside him.
…It was then that I realized the power of “Evil” doesn’t necessarily lead to destruction.
Any power depended on how it was used.
I had simply been predetermining my own destiny.
“Hmm…”
I quietly opened my eyes.
…Was I asleep again?
Lately, I’ve found myself being overtaken by this mysterious drowsiness constantly.
But it was not an unpleasant feeling.
I just know that something was changing inside me.
Then, the drowsiness hit me again right away.
…Well, whatever.
As long as my change became a source of strength for this guy…
Thinking of Yuuya, who changed me, I drifted off to sleep once more.
＊＊＊
I defeated the mutated shadow that had taken the form of Iris-san and the others.
With everything that had happened—finding out that Yuzuki-kun, or rather Yuzuki-san, was actually a woman, being asked by Yuzuki-san’s father to marry her, and Oki-san falling out of the sky—my brain was at its limit.
“Wh-what’s going on? Seriously, what in the world is happening?”
As I said this, rolling my eyes, Oki-san, who had landed gracefully with a soft thud, ran over to me.
“Yuuya-kun, are you okay!?”
“Y-yes, I’m fine, but…”
Oki-san rushed toward me with incredible force, grabbed my shoulder, and checked my condition.
At that moment, Yuzuki-san’s father looked at Oki-san with a puzzled expression.
“Coming down from the sky… Who exactly are you?”
Noticing the sharp gaze of Yuzuki-san’s father, Oki-san stepped away from me and bowed respectfully.
“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Oki, director of the Special Mutation Countermeasures Bureau.”
“The Special Mutation Countermeasures Bureau…”
“I believe that’s a government agency, isn’t it?”
“We’ve crossed paths a few times before, but this is the first time we’ve actually met face-to-face.”
Upon hearing Oki-san’s words, everyone’s eyes widened slightly.
Then, Oki-san explained the circumstances that had brought them to this location.
“We detected a mutation equivalent to level 4 in this area, so we were dispatched immediately to handle it. However, judging by the situation, it seems the problem has already been resolved, thanks to Yuuya-kun.”
“Hmm… So you all knew about Yuuya-dono as well?”
“Of course. Therefore, it would be in your best interest not to get any strange ideas.”
“Huh, government lackeys acting all cocky…”
The atmosphere was starting to feel tense, making me uncomfortable.
…I’d already had enough on my plate as it was. I really didn’t need a fight to break out right now.
As I was thinking that, something suddenly came to mind.
“Oh, right! Everyone’s still waiting for me!”
Right—I’d come to this shrine for the New Year’s visit with my friends from Ousei Academy.
On top of that, I’d only told everyone that I was going to the restroom.
“Sorry! My friends are waiting for me, so I have to go now!”
“W-wait! I need your answer to what I was asking earlier!”
“──We’ll take care of the cleanup here, so don’t worry about it, Yuuya-kun! You can go back now!”
“Thank you so much!”
Yuzuki-san’s father started to say something, but Oki-san cut him off, so I gratefully left.
I hurried back to the group, making full use of my Presence Detection skill, and Lexia-san noticed me.
“Ah, Yuuya-sama! You took a while, didn’t you?”
“Are you okay? If your stomach’s bothering you, please don’t hesitate to let us know.”
Since I had been in the restroom for so long, Kaori had been worried that I might be feeling unwell.
“I-I’m fine. Thanks for your concern.”
“Well, with this many people around, the restrooms must be crowded. Everyone, don’t push yourselves too hard, okay?”
When Ryo said that, everyone agreed, saying, “You’re right.”
Ph-phew… It seems they’d accepted the fact that I was gone for so long—at least for now.
Just as I was feeling relieved, Luna and Yuti quietly approached me.
“Hm? Wh-what’s wrong?”
“…So it was you after all.”
“Huh?”
“Confirmed. Yuuya, you’ve been in a fight.”
They found out!
They totally figured it out.
As I grimaced involuntarily at their words, Luna explained.
“I sensed the aura of battle for just a split second. That aura was fleeting, though, and vanished immediately. But if something dangerous like a battle were to happen in a place like this, it’s easy to imagine that Yuuya is involved.”
“Agreed. There’s no other possibility.”
What is that? That’s so sad.
All I want is a peaceful everyday life. Does that mean “battle” equals “me”? That’s the worst.
But, since it’s the truth, I couldn’t argue.
It seems that it’s now a done deal that I was the one fighting. The conversation with the two of them continued.
“Still, since you returned safely, does that mean the problem’s been resolved?”
“W-well, sort of. I’ll give you the full details later, but Oki-san came and is handling the aftermath.”
“I see. In any case, it’s quite a hassle to deal with so early in the new year.”
“H-hahaha…”
All I could do in response to Luna’s words was offer a wry smile.
＊＊＊
Just as Yuuya had safely reunited with Lexia and the others…
Teruyoshi, who had stayed behind, fixed a piercing gaze on Oki.
“You… Why are you getting in my way?”
“Ara, what exactly are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb! Because of you, my Komyouin family missed a golden opportunity to connect with Yuuya-dono!”
As Teruyoshi shouted this in a fit of rage, Sougen Kagurazaka, standing beside him, spoke up, looking confused.
“As for me, I’d like Teruyoshi-dono to explain this to me.”
“What?”
“Teruyoshi-dono, you introduced Yuzuki-dono to me as your son. But, judging by what you just said, isn’t she actually your daughter? Why on earth did you tell me such a lie? Could it be that there’s something else you’re hiding from us?”
“W-well…”
Teruyoshi, who had forgotten all about Sougen the moment he saw Yuuya, was caught off guard and flustered by this direct hit to his weak spot.
Since Yuzuki, the person directly involved, couldn’t say anything about it either, silence fell over the room. Noticing this, Oki let out a sigh.
“Sigh… I don’t know what happened between your two families, but that’s not the point right now. Since you two faced it head-on, you must have experienced it firsthand. Just how dangerous that mutation was…”
“Hmm… From the way you put that, do you know something?”
Sougen asked, having reluctantly backed down. Oki nodded.
“Yes, since we’re on the subject, let me share some information. The mastermind behind this commotion is a group known as the Underworld Society.”
“Underworld Society? Never heard that name before…”
“Yes, we only just managed to get that information on our way here.”
“What do you mean?”
“While we were observing this mutation and heading toward this location, we received an urgent message from one of our overseas members. That’s how we heard about the Underworld Society.”
In fact, Oki had received a message from headquarters while en route.
The message came from a member named Sakaki, who was stationed overseas. There had been a spate of sudden, similar mutations occurring abroad, and Sakaki had obtained intelligence suggesting that an organization called the Underworld Society was behind them.
“The exact number of members and their objectives are unknown, but it seems they’ve been lurking in the shadows of society for years. Believe it or not, they appear to possess the technology to artificially induce mutations.”
“What!?”
Everyone present’s eyes widened at Oki’s words.
“That’s absurd. Mutations usually occur naturally in places where strong grudges linger, but to artificially trigger them…”
“No, wait a moment. Now that I think about it…”
“Do you know something?”
Teruyoshi muttered in disbelief as Sougen seemed to recall something. Oki asked him with a serious expression.
Then, Sougen opened his mouth, tracing his memories.
“This goes back to before I became the head of the family. My father, the previous head, once told me that long ago, there was a clan that tried to control demons and mutants to rule the world.”
“! I’ve heard that story before, too…”
Teruyoshi recognized the story Sougen was telling but immediately shook his head.
“But I’ve heard that it was deemed a dangerous ideology and eradicated from Japan’s underworld long ago. Above all, it was likely passed down as mere tall tales. It’s doubtful that the story is even true.”
“That’s true. While it has been established that mutations are more likely to occur in places where strong grudges linger, the idea of controlling the occurrence of mutations by human hands is still hard to believe.”
Listening to the two men, Oki nodded with a serious expression.
“I see. There’s such a story… But from what I’ve heard, the Underworld Society seems to be connected to what you two are saying.”
“Hmm… I can’t believe such an organization actually exists.”
“In any case, it seems those people are involved in the recent increase in mutations. We are currently taking urgent measures, but we would very much like to enlist your help and that of the other members of the noble families.”
“Hmm… If that is the case…”
“We will be sure to contact you if anything comes up.”
──And so, a cooperative relationship was established between the Special Mutation Countermeasures Bureau and the secret noble families of Japan.
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