Yuki’s voice piped up, slightly defiant. – ‘Anyway… before you ask, I want to ask something.’

She spoke hesitantly. “Maa… please tell me. Is there any method to change Kairo Energy? I mean… permanently?”

Miko blinked. “Huh!? Why are you asking that? Well, no… wait… there is a method.”

Suddenly, her body trembled. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Her expression turned clouded, her mind clearly overwhelmed.

“Maa? What happened? What is that method?” Yuki asked in concern.

Miko stood still, thoughts racing. ‘If what Yui and Yuki said is true… then those children… wait, why would they do something like that!?’

“Maa?”

Her voice came out firm. “I won’t tell you.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, she slammed her hand on the table. A faint purple aura pulsed around her body. “Why are you asking this kind of question!? How do you know about him!?”

Yui flinched. – “Hey, please don’t say anything rash now…”

Yuki stammered inside. – ‘Why is maa… so angry!?’

Miko’s voice rose, still seething. “Yuki, you told me earlier—when I used my ability to talk to your mind—you said, ‘It’s invading privacy,’ right? Then how can you invade someone else’s privacy without their permission!?”

Her voice cracked, sadness leaking into her fury. “Do you know how people feel about Sensemitters who can enter minds without permission? When I first discovered my ability, I was excited. I talked to people without understanding how they felt. I used to say things like ‘Hey, how are you?’ or ‘Are you surprised?’ or ‘Do you like my ability?’”

Her hands clenched tightly.

“They didn’t answer me directly. They just looked at me strangely. Uncomfortable. Like I was something creepy. Someone said to me—‘It’s not your right to do that.’ That’s when I understood… I’d only use my ability for emergencies. Even when ordered, I’d only agree if it felt right.”

Yuki’s voice dropped, filled with regret. “Maa… that wasn’t my intention.”

Miko’s eyes sharpened again. “Then what was your intention? You’re digging into someone’s past! I don’t know how you know this much… but I can say for sure—it’s not right.”

Then her voice echoed deeper inside Yui’s head, filled with restrained fury. – { Hey, Yui. Tell me. Did I raise you like this? Yuki doesn’t know… but you have to say it, right? }

Yui stayed quiet. – “...”

Yuki’s voice followed, soft and regretful. – ‘Maa… Yui told me not to ask. I was the one who insisted. Please don’t scold her.’

Miko’s reply rang inside with stern warmth. – { You’re telling me not to scold my daughter, Yuki… I already think of you as one. But my daughter wouldn’t do something like this. }

She turned away slightly, her voice lowering. “Everyone has a past. They have their reasons for not sharing it.” Her gaze hardened. “I don’t want to believe they did what you’re thinking… but even if there’s a 50% chance, it’s still wrong. Promise me—you won’t talk about this topic outside. I won’t either. And… I think you also have a past, right?”

Suddenly, a distorted word echoed in her head. [“Hey, Bi⬛”]

Yuki froze. Her body stiffened, eyes wide with terror. With a faint tremble in her voice, she whispered, “I… I promise.”

Miko narrowed her eyes. “Really?”

Yuki lowered her head, her voice carrying pain. “I also have a past I don’t want to talk about. So I have no right to dig into someone else’s.”

Miko’s tone softened, but stayed calm. “Even if you didn’t, you still wouldn’t have the right.”

Tears welled in Yui’s eyes. “Okay… I won’t talk about this topic outside. And Yui had no part in this.” She paused, hesitant. “But… can I at least talk to that guy? He appeared in my dream. That’s why I asked all those questions…”

At that moment, Yuta walked in, humming casually.

“Mmm mm mm mmm… mm nuvvu thinamantene…

Mmm nenu vaddhantana…”

(*My regional language song spoof)

Miko snapped. “Hey, Yuta. Come and sit.”

Yuta blinked in confusion. ‘Huh? Why is Mom so angry? Did I do something wrong? I was just humming a song…’

She gave him a look that froze him on the spot. “Come. Sit.”

With immediate fear, Yuta gulped and sat stiffly in the chair beside Yui.

– { Yui. Say something. Why are you silent? }

Yuta activated mind voice art. – Hey, Neesan… Why is Mom angry?

– { I’m listening, Yuta. }

A cold sweat ran down his back. A chill climbed his spine. He gulped again. ‘Why is Mom using her transmitting ability…? She usually never does that.’

Miko turned toward her, “Okay, Yuki. You can talk. Maybe he knows something. You said he came into your dream, right? I don’t know about that much… but you still can’t interfere in that matter.”

Yuta blinked, realization dawning slowly. “Now I understand… Hey, Yuki. You only came to this world a few days ago, and you’re already falling for some guy?”

“Huh!? What are you even talking about!? Stop saying weird things!”

Miko let out a subtle, amused smile. “Yuta, what are you talking about in this situation?”

“But you’re talking about some guy… and dreams. So doesn’t that mean—?”

Yuki snapped, her voice rising. “Hey! You don’t even know the topic! And by the way, how can I fall while being in this body, you idiot!?”

Yuta blinked. “Oh, that’s right… then who?”

Miko narrowed her eyes slightly, speaking with a trace of frustration. “Why? Are you trying to dig too?”

Yuta shrank back nervously. “Huh!? N-No”

Miko raised an eyebrow, and Yuta offered a forced smile. “Nothing, Mom. It’s not my right.”

Miko turned to Yui. “Yui, speak now. I’m not angry with you.”

– “...”

Yuta tilted his head. “Ohh… is this about Neesan?”

Miko slowly shifted her gaze toward Yuta, her right eye glancing sideways.

He raised his hands defensively. “Mom, please don’t look at me like that! I don’t know the situation—and I don’t want to know if it’s personal!”

Yui grabbed his ear and pulled. “What’s personal, you idiot? Mom, sorry… I’m responsible for Yuki’s actions. If I had told her seriously not to do it, maybe she would’ve listened.”

Miko sighed. “Okay. That topic is over. But I still don’t understand why he comes into her dream…” She looked at Yuta. “And you, Yuta—don’t talk about anything now and you don’t need to know.”

– ‘Give control to me.’

– “Huh? I won’t. If you ask something weird again, Mom will get angry. Let’s stop this matter. I’m being serious now.”

– ‘Please… just one time.’

Yui sighed. – “Shit… don’t act like I’m locking you up. Okay. Just don’t do anything weird.”

Yuki’s voice returned. “Maa… please don’t get angry.”

– “Hey… what do you want to ask?”

Yuki hesitated, then asked, “Then what do you think? Is there a reason why that guy came into my dream?”

Miko folded her arms, her tone even. “How can I know? There are so many things in this world without answers. I think even he doesn’t know why.”

Yuki nodded. “Okay… Please don’t get angry again.” Then with a teasing voice, she added, “Yui felt scared, you know? She’s still nervous now. I kind of want to feel that. Would you scold me like that too?”

Miko raised an eyebrow. “Huh!? You want me to scold you!?”

With a gentle smile, Yuki whispered, “In my childhood… there was no one to raise me like you.”

Miko’s expression softened. She nodded slowly. “Well… Yuta, now you can talk.”

– “Thanks.”

– ‘It’s okay.’

Yuta rested his chin in his palm. “Hmm… That happened, huh?”

Yui scoffed. “What did you find, idiot? Anyway, you better perform well in the tournament. Mom’s coming this year.”

Yuta groaned, puffing his cheeks. “Haa… I know. You don’t need to remind me.”

– “See this guy’s attitude?”

– ‘Well… it’s fine, right?’

*******

(1 day remaining to the Tournament)

Sakura stood near the entry gate, her eyes scanning for anyone arriving. From one path, Ren and Kazuma stepped into the Capital City. From another, Hisagi approached alone.

“Da… ah…”

Ren glanced her way. “Call me whatever you want. I don’t feel weird about it.”

“Okay… but I feel weird. What should I call you? Ken, or Senpai?”

Kazuma teased her, “Call him Master too. What’s the problem? Or… do you want to call Ken directly?”

Sakura puffed her cheeks. “Okay, okay… I’ll call him Master. So Mas—ahh… but I’ve called him Dad for so many years. How can I call?”

Hisagi raised a hand. “I’ll call both of them Master.”

Sakura rolled her eyes. “You don’t have any problems! But me—ugh. Whatever. Hey, Ken! Let’s go that way. There’s still one day before the tournament. And by the way, Master, where are you going?”

Kazuma chuckled. “First of all, you’re calling Ken your friend now. Uh… well, I don’t mind.”

“I’m just calling him with love and affection.”

*******

Kingdom – Capital City

Various teams operate within the Kingdom. Among them was the Controllers Team, stationed in key locations, adjusting white screens and lifting crystals to nearby towers for live telecast setups.

Each of them wore the standard Ninja Uniform when on duty:

Inner: Obsidian black colour.

Outer coat: Deep gray, muted crimson colour, with pockets for scrolls and maps.

Arm & Hand Gear: Fingerless gloves.

Lower Body: Flexible combat trousers, equipped with pouches for smoke bombs, kunai, and shurikens.

Footwear: Open-toe sandals.

Ren, Kazuma, Hisagi, and Sakura walked together into the Capital City, quietly observing the streets, the bustling workers, and the Controllers in action.

As they passed a busy square, one of the Controllers, adjusting a large floating crystal, suddenly faltered. The sun flashed in his eyes, blinding him momentarily. His Kairo Threads, normally invisible… slipped their grip.

The massive crystal began to fall toward the people below.

“Hey! What are you doing!? Control it properly!” someone yelled.

Ren stepped forward swiftly. He raised his hand, calmly uttering, “Float.” The crystal steadied, then slowly descended to the ground with a gentle thud.

“Uff… nothing happened,” Ren said quietly.

The Controller, who had nearly caused the accident, exhaled in relief and turned toward him. His skin was a smooth ivory tone, and he appeared around 27 years old.

He called out loudly, “Hey! You’re a Controller, right? Thanks for helping!”

Ren nodded lightly. “Yes. It’s okay. Don’t thank me. You’re working hard for everyone.”

The man jogged over to him. “Um… but I don’t think I’ve seen you around the Capital before.”

Ren replied in a calm tone, “I don’t live in the Capital. This is my first time coming here.”

“Huh? First time? Then… are you here to participate in the tournament?”

“Yes.”

A bright smile lit up the Controller’s face. “Maybe I won’t get to see your performance, but… best of luck!” He extended a hand politely. “By the way, what’s your name?”

“R… Ken,” Ren replied calmly.

“Oh, Ken? My name is almost similar—Kenzo,” the Controller said with a bright grin. “Nice to meet you.”

He extended a hand. Ren shook it briefly, and Kenzo gave a quick nod before heading back to his task.

Hisagi leaned closer, tilting his head. “Huh? Controller? Master, what is that?”

Ren raised a brow, then explained simply, “Controllers control specific types of insects, and they use Kairo Threads to manipulate objects. They help in transport, construction, lifting heavy things… things like that.”

“K-Ken… I know you don’t have a combat-type… so you’re a Controller?”

She glanced away towards Kazuma, then added with a hesitant smile, “But still, Master, you’ve got to tell us the full details after we win.”

Ren shrugged. “So what? I’ve been living peacefully. I know a few basic arts… Every type is useful at some point.”

“O-Okay, K-Ken… uh, maybe I need some time to call you directly by name…”

Kazuma listened to the exchange silently, his expression unreadable.

*******

(1 Day Remaining to the Tournament)

“Hey, Kaizen—you brought your daughter along? That’s rare,” a voice called.

Kaizen gave a light sigh. “She insisted… even fought with me about it.”

A nearby man grinned. “A nearby man grinned. “Hmm… Hina, you want to see the tournament this year with that much curiosity?”

Kaizen (30 years old, with a slightly muscular build and medium fair skin. Faint scars marked his arms. His shoulder-length black hair was loosely tied back, and calm, observant eyes watch everything around him. He wore a dark-gray tunic with long sleeves, simple dark brown pants, and a small pouch tied at his waist for essentials.)

Hina (9 years old. Small and cute, with chubby cheeks, a playful spirit, and big, sparkling eyes full of curiosity. She wore a red-pink tunic and light brown shorts.)

Kaizen offered a slight nod. “Well, Daikin-san, we’ll get going. You probably have important work to do.”

Daikin (40 years old, with a dark goatee and faint scars on his forehead. His deep voice matched his base tone, and he wore the standard ninja uniform with practiced ease.)

Daikin smiled wide. “Where will you go? Come with me! ...Hmph, your ability level was close to mine even when you were younger. I want to hang out with Hina too.”

Kaizen raised a brow. “Are you… concerned about my ability, Daikin-san?”

Daikin rolled his eyes dramatically. “Hey, I just want to play with Hina, that's it! Why would I be concerned, you idiot punk?”

Kaizen gave a dry look. “How can I tell? You’re the head of the Sensemitters team.”

Author’s Note:

Thank you for reading this chapter. I appreciate your support and hope you continue to enjoy the story.