Naki: “What are we going to do about Najun now?”

  Noiji: “We need to find a way to remove that thing without damaging his brain.”

  Naki: “But how is that even possible?”

  The group is sitting inside the turbo carriage. Due to the damage to the vehicle, they can no longer travel at full speed and are falling behind. The rest of the group is traveling by car.

  Noiji: “Since it’s just us here, I’ll say it clearly. I originally wanted to tell only my brothers, but since one of them can’t respond, I have to share it with more people.”

  Noiji places Najun’s head on her lap and gently strokes his hair. Her eyes grow watery as she looks at him.

  Noiji: “As you all know, we have to bring Najun back. On my way to the capital, I met an interesting man.”

  Before continuing, she drinks some water and clears her throat.

  Noiji: “His name was Shachio.”

  Saku and Naki look at each other, exchanging glances. Kogiri also catches Noiji’s words, turns around, and lets the carriage drive itself. The name sounds dangerously familiar.

  Naki: “Let me guess… he looked exactly like Father.”

  Noiji: “Huh? How did you know that?”

  Naki: “We met that man as well on our way to the capital. He tried to kill us at first because he thought we were vandals or something.”

  Noiji: “Oh. Well, he greeted me politely and guided me through the forest.”

  She exhales proudly and smiles, clearly pleased with her much better treatment by Shachio.

  Saku: “What about him?”

  Noiji: “Right, that’s what I wanted to tell you. If you met him, then you know he was searching for his wife and his child.”

  Everyone nods and listens carefully.

  Noiji: “He told me that he and his wife planned to give birth to the child in the forest, but at the last moment they decided on a hospital.”

  Saku: “I don’t want to be rude, but what does this family story have to do with healing Najun?”

  Noiji: “If you listen until the end, you’ll understand.”

  Noiji: “You see, I have a theory. What if Shachio and our father, Aihara Sakiko… are the same person?”

  Naki’s eyes widen, and his mouth opens.

  Naki: “W-what… what are you saying?”

  Noiji: “You heard me correctly. My theory is that Shachio and Father are the same person.”

  Kogiri: “How would that even be possible?”

  Noiji: “Some people suffer severe mental damage. Sometimes they develop alternate personalities or suppress certain memories.”

  Naki: “But Father was in the capital while you and we were on the road.”

  Noiji: “Father has an extremely powerful Birth Ability. He can move very quickly from point A to point B.”

  Saku: “What if your theory is correct?”

  Noiji: “If it’s true and the personality is stuck in the past, then Father is talking about the birth of one of us. If I’m right, it might be Najun’s birth.”

  Everyone looks at Najun with uncertain expressions.

  Naki: “You mean that if he was talking about Najun’s birth, we could find out what really happened back then?”

  Noiji: “Exactly. All doctors and nurses present were found dead. Father arrived several days later and found Najun barely alive. It’s a miracle he survived.”

  Naki: “But what if it wasn’t Najun’s birth? His exact birthplace is unknown for some reason. And what if it wasn’t Father with a suppressed personality?”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Noiji: “You won’t know until you try. Besides, it’s a hospital, so we might learn more about Najun’s condition there.”

  Kogiri: “As if they could actually do anything?”

  Noiji: “Hospitals are rare. And if Father and Mother trusted this hospital, then it’s very likely a good one.”

  Saku: “Hmm, that actually makes sense.”

  Noiji: “Of course it does. The idea came from me, after all.”

  Noiji: “I have another request. Saku, Kogiri… I ask you to support us on this mission.”

  Saku and Kogiri look at the girl asking for help, confused. Such a humble request doesn’t suit her personality.

  Noiji: “My goal is to find Mother and make either Naki or Najun the head of the family. To achieve that, I need help.”

  Naki: “But why Najun or me? Don’t you want to become the head yourself?”

  Noiji: “I’m not saying I’d hate becoming head. I just believe it would be easier and more important for the two of you.”

  Naki: “Explain that more clearly, please.”

  Noiji lets out a loud sigh.

  Noiji: “You’re both men, and you’ll automatically receive more respect, even though I could wipe the floor with both of you. Also, it’s my duty as the older sister to protect and support my younger brothers. I’ve always stood in second place.”

  Saku looks at Noiji with a questioning expression.

  Saku: “I understand that older siblings usually look after their younger ones, but I don’t understand putting your own future and goals second every time.”

  Noiji: “You have a younger brother, don’t you? When it comes to his future, you’d do anything to help him. I’m not obsessed with becoming the head, so I can focus on helping my brothers instead.”

  Saku looks down. She still doesn’t fully understand how Noiji can say and do such things. Her relationship with her own younger brother isn’t nearly as strong as Noiji’s bond with hers.

  Naki: “Thank you, Noiji, but you don’t have to make so many sacrifices for Najun and me.”

  Noiji: “Don’t exaggerate. I’m not sacrificing my life or anything. I’m just helping you achieve your dreams. Who becomes head in the end isn’t my decision.”

  Noiji kisses Najun on the forehead and peacefully closes her eyes.

  Noiji: “Kogiri, please stop here for a moment.”

  Noiji: “We need to leave here to reach the hospital. I’d like to continue by carriage, but the others mustn’t notice that we’re gone. At least not right away.”

  Kogiri: “Alright, let’s move.”

  Noiji: “You’re coming too?”

  Kogiri: “Uh, yes. Shouldn’t I?”

  Noiji: “That’s not what I meant. I’m just surprised you want to come even though you’re not a family member and it’s not strictly part of your job.”

  Kogiri: “Protecting you is my duty, so I’m definitely coming.”

  Noiji nods in satisfaction and steps out of the carriage. The tribunal provided a wheelchair to transport Najun. Naki and Kogiri follow her out, but Saku remains inside.

  Noiji: “Saku?”

  Saku: “Sorry, everyone, but I can’t go on another adventure right now.”

  Kogiri: “Why not? What’s wrong?”

  Saku: “I’ve been thinking about Noiji’s words…”

  Noiji: “Don’t develop a complex over the big sister thing. Everyone expresses love differently.”

  Saku: “It’s fine. But thinking about it now, in times like these—when my mother is dead and my father is missing—I should be there for my little brother. My isn’t in a great state either so I should really, really go home.”

  Naki: “You might be right.”

  Saku: “I’m really sorry, but I have to go home.”

  Noiji goes back into the carriage and hugs Saku.

  Noiji: “Do what you want. Don’t feel guilty or bad about anything. I hope you can build a good relationship with your brother. If you need advice, call me.”

  Saku thanks her warmly. Noiji leaves the carriage, and it drives off.

  Noiji: “Alright, let’s go…”

  ???: “And who exactly is trying to ditch their duties here?”

  The group looks down the road and spots a handsome young man with long blond hair and shining blue eyes.

  Zackory: “You know you’re not allowed to do this. Let’s catch up with the others immediately.”

  Noiji: “You’re welcome to catch up with them alone. We’re leaving.”

  Zackory: “You don’t ignore a knight, little schoolgirl.”

  Noiji: “Watch your tongue, wannabe knight.”

  Zackory clutches his chest and looks down.

  Zackory: “I am a true knight. How dare you speak to me like that?”

  He draws his sword and presses it against Noiji’s throat.

  Zackory: “Do we understand each other?”

  Noiji: “No.”

  Noiji’s eyes widen as she counters his attack with a vibrating strike of air. Multiple vibration waves fly toward Zackory. He blocks them with his knight’s sword and steadily advances.

  Noiji: “A knight should have a firm stance.”

  Zackory loses his footing due to a vibration wave and falls.

  Noiji: “You either let us go… or you come with us.”

  Zackory: “Never.”

  He gets up and runs in a circle around Noiji, exploiting a moment of distraction to attack again.

  His sword swings vertically toward Noiji, but she blocks it again with a vibration.

  More sword strikes follow, but Noiji’s mysterious vibration shields repel every blow. Then she makes his armor vibrate.

  Noiji: “A knight who can’t even defeat a little schoolgirl. How sad.”

  Zackory’s vibrating armor immobilizes him. She taps his forehead and sticks out her tongue.

  Noiji: “You’re really annoying.”

  Zackory: “A knight’s duty is to protect people. Even idiots like you.”

  Noiji: “I’m serious. Come with us. Whether you like it or not, you’re coming. We’ll just ignore the fact that your statement made no sense.”

  Zackory: “It really didn’t.”

  Kogiri: “I’m not sure if this is a good idea.”

  Noiji: “Zackory has no interest in becoming the head. Quite the opposite—he wants to leave the family. Right?”

  Zackory stands up and sheaths his sword.

  Zackory: “That’s true.”

  Noiji: “I’ll explain everything on the way. For now, just know that we may have found a way to locate our mother and help Najun.”

  Zackory: “What do I get out of this?”

  Noiji: “Fame. Respect. A chance to become independent. And more.”

  Zackory thinks intensely, then decides to come along.

  Zackory: “I’ll come as a supervisor, but don’t think I trust you blindly. I’m only coming because…”

  Noiji: “You’re curious?”

  Zackory: “Uh… maybe.”

  Noiji laughs and starts explaining everything. Together, they enter the forest that houses a mysterious hospital.