Chapter 35: Hospital

“I don’t know either…”

Ephnel lowered her gaze thoughtfully.

“I used to think it would be nice to learn how to bake and become a pastry chef. Later, I thought finding a relaxing job would be good too. It would be even better if I had endless money, at least then I could buy endless sweets.”

“Eek? It’s all about sweets?”

“Without sweets, I’d turn into a withered, rotten tree branch.”

Ayse blinked with a peculiar expression.

Yonomikenami had told her the “little secret” that Ephnel loved sweets, but Ayse had never had the chance to verify it, nor had she ever imagined the depths of Ephnel’s affection for them.

From the looks of it, her sweet tooth was a serious condition.

And…

“Senpai Ephnel, you’re not going to continue being an idol?”

“Nope. Well… I’m not very good at handling that kind of thing.”

Ephnel smiled and shook her head.

“Ayse, let me ask you… if the person you respect and admire the most, what would your reaction be if you suddenly discovered one day that she wasn’t as wonderful as you imagined?”

“Of course I’d be very disappointed.”

“Is that so…”

“But, maybe it wouldn’t matter.”

“Why?”

Ayse thought for a moment.

“The reason is simple. In the end, why do I admire her? That’s what I should be concerned about. If I was drawn to her charisma, then maybe I’d overlook her other aspects, like if she’s bad at her studies or is actually a delinquent…”

“A delinquent, huh…”

“N-N-No! Of course, of course! It doesn’t have to be a girl! I-I was just giving a random example!”

Ayse waved her hands in a fluster.

“Anyway, because everyone has a different perspective, you can’t just jump to conclusions. You’d never know without actually trying, of course!”

“Is that so.”

Ephnel raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, spreading her fingers.

The heat spread across her palm, light leaking through the gaps between her fingers.

After the sun disappeared, her vision was filled by the white clouds and azure sky.

Such a sight could only be seen inside the Sakahi.

“Ayse, I’ll leave the report to headquarters to you and Canary.”

“Eek? Aren’t you going back, Senpai? Is it because of handover work?”

“Something like that.”

Below the venue, the Special Disaster Section’s vehicles and personnel had arrived.

The “Apostle” girl had already surrendered her “Holy Relic” and disarmed, but they couldn’t be careless.

Without a thorough scan, they couldn’t rule out the possibility that she was carrying other lethal weapons.

So, when Ephnel took over the fight against the Whale-type Erosion Organism, she had left the girl in the custody of two other Agents.

Afterward, as per headquarters’ orders, Ephnel would hand the “Apostle” girl over to the Special Disaster Section.

She would be detained as a valuable clue and source of intelligence for the investigation into the unknown force she belonged to, awaiting investigation and interrogation.

“But I also have one important thing I have to do.”

Ephnel stood up and took a deep breath, her gaze directed toward the distant horizon.

For Ayse, the battle here was over.

But for Ephnel, many things were just beginning.

If what the “Apostle” girl said was true, then now was not the time for Ephnel to stop and rest.

If the secret she had been protecting all this time was to be revealed, if Yukina was to find out everything.

Then Ephnel wanted to be the one to tell her, with her own mouth.

Perhaps Yukina would be disappointed, would be at a loss, but no matter what, Ephnel would accept everything about her.

Her hand was the one thing Ephnel would never let go of.

“I see… Then please don’t worry, Senpai. Leave the combat report for headquarters to me and Canary!”

“Thanks, both of you.”

…

United Hospital, Inpatient Department, Special Care Unit—

Ding-dong.

The elevator doors slowly slid open.

Bright lights filled her vision.

Yukina stepped out of the elevator with an uneasy heart and gently twitched her nose.

The pungent smell of antiseptic medicine wafted over her, the scent filling the air making her feel uncomfortable.

This was the Special Care Unit, a specialized area used jointly by the United Hospital, the military, and the city government.

After the major disaster five days ago, it had become the medical department for the Order Organization.

It was strictly managed; without the access card Canary had given her, she would never have been able to get here.

There weren’t many people around.

Compared to the noisy lobby downstairs, her first impression of this place was quiet and desolate.

Nurses and doctors walked by quickly, murmuring to each other in low voices, holding clipboards and medicine.

Occasionally, someone would glance her way.

Yukina shrank back a little.

To be honest, Yukina wasn’t used to the atmosphere of a hospital; the oppressive feeling was something she couldn’t adapt to.

“Why did Miss Ephnel ask me to come here…”

Yukina muttered to herself, the worry in her heart refusing to go away.

If Ephnel had brought her here to fulfill her earlier promise, did that mean her brother was in a hospital room here somewhere?

But… why here…

And before, too.

Why had her brother gone into the staff corridor? Who was the girl with him?

What had this brother of hers, who always came home injured, been hiding from her…

More than resentment, what Yukina felt now was a desire to see her brother.

She just hoped he was okay.

Yukina didn’t dare to let her thoughts run wild any longer and hurried to the nurse’s station.

She clutched her phone with its shattered screen and looked around.

For some reason, this area didn’t even have windows.

It relied on an air conditioning system for ventilation.

All she could see were white walls, the tiles pristine, exuding the unique coldness of a hospital.

Yukina pursed her lips, hesitantly looking for the room signs.

“Excuse me, are you Miss Shiomi?”

A nurse suddenly appeared in front of her and asked.

“Eh? Y-Yes…”

Yukina carefully lowered her voice and was met with a kind smile.

“Miss Ephnel asked you to come, didn’t she?”

“Um… y-yes…!”

“Then please come with me.”

The nurse’s friendly and gentle attitude made Yukina a little nervous.

The nurse walked ahead, heading straight for the end of the corridor, and led Yukina to a hospital room.

She lifted her gaze and saw the name “Fuurin Shion” neatly written on the door plate.

It wasn’t her brother’s name…

Despicably, Yukina felt a sliver of relief rise in her heart, but it was immediately replaced by bewilderment—this name, could it be Miss Ephnel’s real name? Was Miss Ephnel injured?

“Miss Ephnel is waiting for you. You can go in.”

“Thank you for showing me the way…”

With that, the nurse gave a small smile and left.

Yukina stood hesitantly in front of the room, her emotions rising and falling.

The smell of disinfectant made it hard for her to breathe.

Watching the nurse disappear around the corner, Yukina furtively pinched the hem of her clothes and wiped at a few stains on them.

Then, she hurriedly neatened herself up from her hair to her collar to her cuffs, and then sniffed her sleeve.

There was a faint smell of sweat.

Yukina’s expression immediately turned distressed, and she grew even more hesitant.

She should have brought some perfume with her.

Yukina’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

She pursed her lips, feeling anxious for a long time before she finally raised her hand.

Knock knock—

“Ex-Excuse me… is Miss Ephnel here?”

…