Past Trauma and Present Dangers

The chapter opens with a flashback, narrated by Kazumi.

We see a burning building. Flames crackle in the night. A 10-year-old Kazumi stands outside, frozen and horrified.

"I remember it all too well. The fire, the screams, and then... I could only crouch there, trembling, hoping someone would save me from what I caused."

The scene shifts to his nanny, a young woman of 23, her black t-shirt reading "UNEXPECTED" in bold white letters.

"She was the one who raised me. I was always the one being protected, never the one protecting. Maybe that is why I have been holding back. Afraid of losing control again."

The memory sharpens. Zaschi, his nanny, burns inside the house as Kazumi watches helplessly.

"But not this time," he vows. "Now, with people relying on me, I will save them all."

We return to the present. The Kazumi clone faces the Shivos creature.

The creature speaks. "You may call me Cionitar. Taken from evolucioni."

Kazumi raises an eyebrow but keeps his composure, buying time for the real Kazumi.

Meanwhile, the real Kazumi prepares. He creates grains of magnesium in a vial and lights it with a small flame. He tosses it. A small flashbang erupts, blinding the swarm of tiny Shivoses.

He rushes for the core. His blade slashes down but shatters on impact.

Kazumi curses and changes plans. He moves to free the girls, but one of the Shivos minions shrieks. The sound sends the girls into violent convulsions.

Kazumi freezes. Memories of Zaschi’s death rush back. His breath shortens. He falls to his knees, paralyzed.

Meanwhile, Sumato has locked away several infected girls.

He exhales. "What is taking Kazumi and Netsuka so long? Maybe I should..."

A sudden shriek fills the hallway. He speeds toward the noise.

Turning a corner, he sees Naomi under attack by the main Shivos.

"This is bad. Kazumi should be handling this."

The Shivos speaks. "Oh, you mean him?"

The Kazumi clone stumbles out, sludge pouring from its eyes and ears.

The Shivos taunts. "Enjoy your little sparring match."

It vanishes into the wall, leaving Naomi vulnerable. Sumato charges but is tackled by Viera, also infected.

He pushes her off. Looking around, he sees a rising tide of sludge and infected closing in.

"So that is how she was captured."

Sumato sighs and smirks. He drops his blade. "Well, I didn’t think the fight for takoyaki would end like this."

The sludge engulfs him, the clone, and Viera.

We switch to Netsuka. Shaken by her encounter with the entity, she enters the personnel lounge.

She finds Quiera packing.

She asks, "Where are you going?"

Without looking up, Quiera replies. "Didn’t Amelia tell you?"