This virus, which could be called a plague, spread rapidly through Japan’s advanced transportation network, infecting the three major metropolitan areas in just five days.
Osaka was the first to notice, with a new spike in cases of mild colds appearing in the statistics.
The next day, “thanks” to the Shinkansen, similar symptoms began to appear frequently in the metropolitan areas of Kyoto and Tokyo as well.
A new strain of influenza?
Or…
Just as Japan’s disease control departments began to raise their alert, an unexpected department stepped forward — the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu.
“This is a supernatural disaster. It should be under the jurisdiction of our Special Phenomenon Response Headquarters…”
That’s what the director told the Cabinet — when the news broke, everyone thought the people at Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu had finally been driven mad by all the bizarre incidents.
But, various test reports did indeed prove that this virus was anything but ordinary.
Pathogen Detection, Serological Test, Molecular Biology Test, Imaging Examination — none revealed any trace of a virus. White blood cell counts remained normal, and bacterial infection was also ruled out.
There were clear physiological symptoms and Epidemiological Features.
There were symptoms and transmission, but the pathogen couldn’t be detected.
Of course, it was possible that detection technology hadn’t reached the standards necessary for this new virus, or that interference, window periods, or other issues were involved.
However, the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu gave only one reason:
Aether Dispersion Monitoring Technology detected that the Runaway Energy of all infected individuals was suppressed, showing as negative on detection instruments.
And traditional epidemics wouldn’t affect Runaway Energy.
This was the real reason Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu reacted so quickly and tried to overstep its authority into disease control.
This reason alone was enough for the Cabinet to give them the green light… In any case, if a massive outbreak occurred, they could shift the blame to Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu.
This matter seemed huge and serious.
But in the current Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu, it only ranked fifth among ongoing incidents — after all, there were no death cases yet.
The top four were all heavyweight issues.
TOP4: The Research Analysis Room was cooperating with Curtain Cluster members to reverse-engineer black technology rescued from GPRI Bases across Japan.
Some of it was beyond common sense… To the point where the Research Analysis Room had started tracking statistics by casualty rate.
TOP3: GPRI remnants in Sapporo, Hokkaido, proactively contacted Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu, requesting help from the Japanese government — it was hard to believe they were from the same organization as Kawasaki’s group.
Of course, this might be because the main mission of the Sapporo Base was to seal a giant monster.
Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu quickly used its connections, reached out to the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and requested heavy firepower.
They hoped the Seventh Division stationed in Hokkaido, and their Type 10 Tanks, could handle the monster. After all, Ultraman had never appeared in real life.
TOP2: Information about the movements of the Saint Organization had been intercepted, suggesting major actions might occur in Japan in the future, but for now, it remained shrouded in fog.
Along with it, information about Heart Worms was spreading among ability users.
Any day, this pile of kindling might erupt into flames.
TOP1: Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu was out of money.
Still in its expansion phase, with new members joining daily and branches being established everywhere — running out of money at a time like this… It was a disaster.
The next morning, Jiang Jian Yue tossed and turned on her bed, feeling miserable, as she received these updates from Morita Aoya. Despite herself, she let out a sigh of relief.
The whole world is busy, while I’m lying comfortably in bed recovering.
How wonderful.
The selfish Jiang Jian Yue’s fevered mind went fuzzy.
After sending these updates, Morita Aoya also mentioned that he’d gotten sick too.
“Drink more hot water.”
Jiang Jian Yue reflexively sent this loving and caring message to Morita Aoya, then curled up under the blanket.
Her consciousness floated in a burning fog, with only the blurred glow from the ceiling swaying in her vision.
Every breath brought a faint sting.
The blanket was her only fortress — but also a steamer. Sweat soaked through her thin nightdress, sticking it to her skin.
Blankets feel so safe… I want to marry my blanket.
“Marriage… Marriage…”
She murmured unconsciously, as strange, comforting fragments flickered through her mind… A certain reassuring embrace?
The thought was hazy, fleeting, yet she chased after it in the chaos.
“Bloodstain (same pronunciation as marriage)?”
Suddenly, a low and familiar boy’s voice echoed abruptly.
Jiang Jian Yue jerked awake, forcing her heavy eyelids open.
Only a blurred patch of color filled her vision.
She struggled to focus — the boy’s tall figure was tense, radiating nervousness.
Golden eyes, impossible to ignore, emerged as the light sliced through the gap in the curtains, illuminating him.
Yuki Asahi.
Jiang Jian Yue’s mind went blank, even forgetting her discomfort for a moment.
An indescribable panic instantly wrapped around her heart, making her already labored breaths feel suffocating.
Why is he here?
At this time?
“…Yuki?”
Her voice was hoarse, thick with congestion and illness.
She tried to sit up, but her weak limbs could only drag her uselessly against the pillow.
Her fingertips curled unconsciously, gripping the edge of the blanket as if it were her last defense — and in reality, it was, since her nightdress was practically glued to her skin.
“Senpai…”
Seeing her awake, Yuki Asahi’s eyes flashed with delight, then were quickly overtaken by awkward panic.
He instinctively tried to step forward, but stopped abruptly, as if realizing his own impropriety, a flush rising rapidly on his face.
He stood awkwardly in place, fists clenched tightly.
“I’m sorry… I disturbed your rest… But I was really worried, so I… came over on my own…”
Damn you, Morita Aoya… Didn’t you say the area was included in the “embassy zone”?
How did Yuki Asahi get in so easily!
And I didn’t even get a notification!
My nightdress… It’s too thin, I can’t let Yuki Asahi see it.
“Get out.”
Jiang Jian Yue’s voice was soft, but it carried an unmistakable icy authority.
She did her best to maintain her usual aloofness and dignity — an adult’s pride couldn’t allow her to show weakness at a time like this!
But the weakness from the high fever, and the physiological tears at the corner of her eyes, gave her words a fragile edge that could make anyone’s heart tremble.
Compared to yesterday, her illness had worsened.
Yuki Asahi’s body stiffened, his expression hurt.
But facing the sickly Jiang Jian Yue, he took a deep breath, as if making a decision.
Instead of retreating, he nervously took half a step forward — Don’t come any closer!
Taking advantage of someone’s weakness isn’t the act of a gentleman!
His gaze was fixed on her fever-flushed cheeks and the sweat-dampened hair clinging to her forehead.
“I’m sorry, Senpai. I know this is offensive… But I… I can’t leave you alone.”
His voice was exceptionally low, yet filled with the stubbornness of youth.
“Mr. Morita… and Akimoto-senpai both fell ill. Downstairs is a bit chaotic…”
Huh?
Akimoto Miki and the others got sick too?
What a terrifying virus… But why are you fine?
Is this the power of a protagonist?
Even plagues avoid you?
He spoke rapidly, afraid of being interrupted, his eyes full of genuine concern.
“I told Hattori-san downstairs… that I had something very important to discuss, and I had to see you. It’s… It’s about the answer to that question in the LINE group yesterday! I… I have new ideas! Very important!”
The hastily invented excuse sounded clumsy, and the boy was so nervous he almost bit his tongue, yet his gaze stubbornly refused to look away.
Jiang Jian Yue felt her temples pounding.
Important question?
Yesterday’s stupid either-or choice?
At a time like this?
Do you even know what timing is?
I want to crack open this idiot’s head to see what’s inside!
However, at this moment, she didn’t have the strength to expose his awkward lie, nor to sternly drive him out.
The dizziness from the high fever swept over her again, making her vision darken and her body tremble uncontrollably.
“Ugh…”
A suppressed whimper escaped from between her clenched lips.
She curled up tighter instinctively, pressing her forehead to the cool pillow, seeking comfort.
Her slight movements and fragile groan were like a needle stabbing deeply into Yuki Asahi.
In an instant, rules, distance, tension — all the messy things — were thrown to the wind.
Almost by instinct, he dropped to one knee beside her, his burning gaze fixed on her.
“Senpai! You’re really suffering, aren’t you? Do you want some water?”
He looked around frantically, spotting a water glass and thermos on the bedside table — Jiang Jian Yue, who didn’t usually like drinking water, had obediently drunk hot water because of her illness.
He immediately reached for the glass. It was icy cold to the touch.
His brows furrowed as he quickly opened the thermos, relieved to find warm water inside.
Mixing the cold and hot water, he tested the temperature with the back of his hand, and, after confirming it was just right, brought the cup to her lips.
“Senpai, have some water. It’s warm.”
His voice was barely above a whisper, gentle and cautious.
His arm hovered at a delicate distance, as if wanting to steady her but not daring to touch.
Jiang Jian Yue’s mouth was indeed dry, her throat burning.
She forced her eyes open, seeing the cup so close and the boy’s tense jawline — and those golden eyes full of worry.
The words of rejection stuck in her throat, melting into a faint “Mm.”
She turned her head slightly, sipping in small mouthfuls, unable to suppress a sigh of relief as her lashes trembled.
Yuki Asahi held his breath, watching her drink as if she were the most sacred being in the world.
His movements were gentle to the extreme, terrified she’d choke.
“Do you… do you want more?”
Seeing her stop, Yuki Asahi asked quietly.
Jiang Jian Yue shook her head weakly, closing her eyes again as more cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
Yuki Asahi set down the cup, his gaze settling on her flushed cheeks and furrowed brow.
As if possessed, he quickly pressed his fingertip to her burning forehead.
The cool touch vanished in an instant, but it jolted Jiang Jian Yue in her haze, as if a weak electric current had shocked her.
If you want to look, then just look!
But don’t touch, damn it!
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