Eida floats above the water, eyes closed, hair drifting like silk.
Eida:
“Think of yourself as a bird… light… free…”
Sumire watches her, arms crossed.
Sumire:
“Himawari has insane genes.
Sarada is trained by the Moon Queen herself—Aira and her mother—
and you’re out here acting like the weak one?”
Eida flicks Sumire’s forehead.
Eida:
“Are all you humans like this?
Sarada doubts herself.
Himawari doubts herself.
Even you do.
It’s normal.”
Sumire freezes, surprised.
Sumire:
“…Thank you.”
Eida smiles softly — a rare, real smile.
Sumire summons Nue, forming a massive wooden-water golem.
Eida watches in awe.
So… this is what “normal” feels like.
Sumire drags Eida inside.
Sumire:
“Alright. Spill it. Do you love Yuta?”
Eida’s face turns red.
Eida:
“If heart racing when I see him counts…
If my whole body heats up when he’s around…
If wanting him to touch my lips and kiss me counts…
Then yes.
But I don’t know if it’s real love…
or Amado’s programming.”
Sumire sips her drink calmly.
Sumire:
“It still counts. You feel something.”
Eida’s smile fades.
Eida:
“Who would love me anyway?
I’m prideful… broken…
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
a cyborg.
And you’re having girl talk with me. Doesn’t it feel wrong?”
Sumire:
“You live alone, don’t you?”
Eida looks down.
Eida:
“…Yeah.”
Sumire:
“Then come eat with me.”
Eida tears up slightly and eats.
Aira, Sarada, and Eida play cards.
Aira:
“Winner gets to sit next to Yuta!”
Yuta stands behind them, sighing.
Yuta:
“…Please stop.”
Metal Lee gives a thumbs-up.
Metal:
“Yuta-kun is blessed!”
Mitsuki nods, fascinated.
Mitsuki:
“Truly… a rare organism.”
Ryouta appears behind Yuta, dagger at his neck.
Ryouta:
“I want my sister safe.”
Yuta sighs again.
Eida laughs loudly — her first real laugh.
Amado stares at a small, childlike android model.
Amado (muttering):
“I made a backup for Eida…
her system fits perfectly.”
He loads Eida’s backup into the model.
Amado:
“I’ll need Yuta’s chakra to activate it…
But if Eida is happy…
maybe that’s enough.
Maybe I don’t need my old plan.”
He sits back, conflicted.
Sarada, Himawari, Aira, and Chocho play tag.
Sumire waves Eida over.
Sumire:
“Come join us!”
Eida walks toward them, smiling brightly.
Eida:
“Girls!! I finally feel—… human.”
A shadow appears behind her.
Yaguri:
“Pathetic cyborg.”
STAB.
The blade pierces Eida’s back.
Her eyes widen.
Her thoughts slow.
Is this… because I tried to be human…?
Sorry, Aira… Sarada…
I can’t play anymore…
Sorry, Sumire…
I tried so hard…
to be human…
Her eyes turn gray.
Sumire screams and catches her, desperately trying to fix her.
Sarada freezes, tears pouring down.
Himawari drops to her knees.
A sound escapes her—
A deep, guttural growl that shakes the ground.
Himawari:
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—!!”
Two massive celestial dragons form behind her, roaring into existence
