Chapter 162: She is my sister.

“Are you really okay?”

“Mhm.”

Being pressed, Ephnel’s mind once again flashed back to the memory of being pinned under Yukina last night.

Her cheeks, as if they had been steamed, quickly became scorching hot.

“But you look…”

“Don’t worry. If something’s wrong, I won’t force myself.”

Continuing this discussion would surely go on forever, and Ephnel didn’t want to lose her dignity in front of her subordinate after already losing it in front of Yukina.

She immediately cut off Yonomori Nami and took the initiative to ask:

“More importantly, is the Commander here?”

“Ah? The Commander isn’t here…”

Yonomori Nami replied.

“She’s over at the internal affairs department right now, but she should be back soon. If you need something from her, Ephnel, I can pass on a message.”

“No need, I’ll just wait here.”

Reception room.

“You look a little tired. Are you alright?”

—As it turned out, Masaki Hinaki’s first words upon seeing her were also this.

Faced with Masaki Hinaki’s worried and concerned gaze, Ephnel let out a deep and helpless sigh.

Yukina, who was by Ephnel’s side, holding her hand, stifled a laugh.

“I’m fine…”

“If you’re not feeling well…”

“Alright, let’s not talk about this.”

Seeing that this topic was about to be dragged on again, Ephnel reacted quickly and cut off Masaki Hinaki’s words.

“I came to see you about the matter from two days ago. And also… I need to ask you to handle Yukina’s identity registration.”

Ephnel glanced at Yukina, their intertwined fingers held tightly together.

“Oh? You’ve decided?”

“Yes… I think it’s time to take this step.”

Masaki Hinaki showed a hint of surprise.

Looking at the gauze covering Ephnel’s right eye, she seemed to want to say something but held back, sighing softly before her gaze fell on Yukina.

Since they had arrived, Yukina had been sizing her up, intentionally or not, and she, in turn, had been paying a little more attention to this younger sister whom her friend held so dear.

She discovered with some surprise that, compared to when she had seen her at the temporary command post a few days ago, the feeling Yukina gave off was a little different.

As for what exactly had changed, Masaki Hinaki couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but the feeling was genuine.

Masaki Hinaki prided herself on being a good judge of character.

If a few days ago at the temporary command post, this little girl who had cried her eyes out had only given her the impression of a “very beautiful” craft object, the Yukina of today gave Masaki Hinaki the fleeting sense that she “already possessed the makings of a ‘blade’.”

Masaki Hinaki gave Yukina a deep look.

“I’m surprised you can say something like that.”

“Let’s not bring up the past. In any case, I’m counting on you for Yukina’s registration.”

“If you say so… hmm, then should she be registered as your direct subordinate?”

“For now, yes. I’ll be responsible for Yukina’s affairs.”

“No problem.”

Agreeing readily, Masaki Hinaki’s gaze shifted to Yukina.

She smiled and said, “Little Yukina, although this isn’t our first time meeting, let me introduce myself again. I’m Masaki Hinaki. As you can see, I’m the commander here.”

“Um… although we’ve met before, I haven’t formally introduced myself… I’m Shiomi Yukina, Naoko’s younger sister. Please take care of me from now on!”

Yukina also introduced herself, once again carefully observing the “young girl” before her who was even a little shorter than she was.

Masaki Hinaki’s appearance was clearly that of a middle school student, yet she was the actual commander and chief of the Order Organization.

Although she had met Masaki Hinaki a few days ago, at that time Yukina was still immersed in the grief of Ephnel’s serious injuries and hadn’t paid much attention to anyone else.

Now, finally meeting this legendary commander face-to-face, Yukina was amazed by Masaki Hinaki’s appearance.

But precisely because of this, Yukina didn’t feel the oppressive aura unique to those in power from her.

The feeling, like being with someone her own age, made Yukina less nervous than when she had first met Fushihara Ayaka.

“Naoko?”

Masaki Hinaki tilted her head suspiciously, looking curiously at Ephnel.

“You?”

“Me.”

Ephnel pursed her lips, her gaze shifting to the side.

“My name is now Yanase Naoko. You can call me that from now on.”

“It’s quite… fitting for you?”

Realization dawned on Masaki Hinaki.

Naoto, Naoko.

It was indeed an interesting substitution.

Without dwelling on Ephnel’s name any further, Masaki Hinaki showed a gentle smile and looked at Yukina.

“Little Yukina, or perhaps, ‘Fifina’… it’s my honor to be able to work with you and your sister from now on. However, although your sister and I are technically superior and subordinate, in reality, your sister is a more important friend to me. So you can be like your sister and not be so formal in front of me; just call me by my name. Or, you could also call me ‘big sister’.”

“Hey, she’s my little sister.”

Ephnel suddenly interjected with dissatisfaction, pouting and emphasizing the word “my.”

Masaki Hinaki shot Ephnel a flippant glance and retorted, “A friend’s little sister can’t also be a ‘little sister’?”

“That’s different!”

“What’s the difference?”

“After being discharged, has your body been recovering well?”

“It’s no big deal. Walking around isn’t a problem, and the doctor said I should be fully recovered in a few days.”

“I see…”

Masaki Hinaki glanced at Ephnel, her gaze falling on the gauze covering her right eye.

She pursed her lips and sighed softly.

“You need to get well soon…”

“Don’t worry.”

Masaki Hinaki led Ephnel and Yukina towards her office.

Along the way, Masaki Hinaki briefly explained the relevant work and matters of an Agent to Yukina and also updated Ephnel on the work progress of the past few days.

“Our researchers are still working around the clock on experiments related to the Angel and the Apostles… Nishizaki Yuki is in charge of this matter. By the way, she’s been very worried about your condition.”

“Is she alright? I heard she was discharged, but I didn’t see her downstairs just now.”

“She’s been at the research institute these past few days. Her injuries have recovered somewhat, she’s much better than before, so you don’t need to worry too much. It’s just that she’s been overworked these past few days, so I ordered her to take a day off.”

“I see…”

Ephnel nodded.

“I was hoping to see her.”

“Speaking of which, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“It’s not a big deal… Hanasou Kotone—is that her name?”

Masaki Hinaki said, her expression looking a bit strange, but then she smiled again.

“Anyway, the little girl who saved Nishizaki Yuki’s life last time is now staying by her side as her assistant.”

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