New Year’s Day.

‘This year, I was not invited to the annual New Year’s greetings at Hisame-sama’s residence.

No, I might never be invited again.

Because Raito was taken in.

Perhaps because of that, this year I was invited instead to a private gathering hosted by Ryuko-san.

At a party venue inside a large building, I was taken around by Ryuko-san to make New Year’s greetings to executives from affiliated companies.

Japan Beer, Yotsubishi, all companies everyone has heard of.

I even received business cards from executives at Asahi Motors and Oyama Pharmaceuticals.’

Kurato seriously wondered if he should make business cards for himself too.

‘After that, Ryuko-san beckoned me to follow her and we entered the president’s office. She had me sit on the sofa and then immediately spoke with a slightly stern expression.’

“Kurato. Withdraw from the All-Japan C-rank Tournament.”

Her words were filled with firm resolve, unlike her usual carefree tone.

Kurato replied with tension.

“May I ask the reason?”

“You stand out too much.”

That was her only answer.

Even so, it was more than enough.

“I understand. I will withdraw.”

Kurato bowed his head smoothly.

Seeing him like that, Ryuko-san narrowed her eyes as if probing him.

“You’re surprisingly obedient. I thought you’d insist on entering the C-rank tournament no matter what. You want to enter the Special Zone for Raito’s sake, don’t you?”

“Yes. That is true, however…”

Kurato told Ryuko-san everything about the trouble after the finals without hiding anything.

Ryuko-san nodded in understanding.

“I see. Outside the Special Zone… the Special Police don’t have full control, so there are many old-fashioned lawless groups. This time, it was good that the Byakko Society still had some sense of decency, but it’s not good for you to stand out any more outside the Special Zone. If you’re unlucky, harm could come to those around you.”

“Yes. I believe you are right.”

When Kurato nodded, Ryuko-san covered her mouth with her folding fan.

‘Hm? For some reason, she seems to be laughing.’

When Kurato looked up at her, unable to understand her mood, Ryuko-san spoke.

“Well, I was a little disappointed. I thought we would argue about this. In the end, I was even prepared to bring up Raito.”

“About Raito? What do you mean?”

“I have a message from Raito for you. He said, ‘I don’t want big brother to stand out too much.’”

‘Doesn’t want me to stand out? What does that mean?’

Kurato asked further.

“When he said ‘big brother,’ what exactly did he mean? Is Raito currently standing out and troubled because of it?”

Ryuko-san lowered her gaze slightly.

“Yes. He is standing out. After all, he is a male A-rank and on top of that, a top-tier Cryokinesis user. Even if he does nothing, he stands out. Especially among girls his age, he’s receiving endless passionate approaches, or so his older sister told me.”

“That’s…”

‘Isn’t that enviable in a way? Basically, that means he’s extremely popular, right?’

But Raito is shy.

Being approached by strangers must be extremely unpleasant for him.

And too much of a good thing is still too much.

Being too popular is tiring.

When he said “big brother,” I feel like he meant that he doesn’t want me to go through the same hardship.

Kurato recalled what happened after the national tournament.

The way women with crazed eyes rushed toward him was terrifying in a different way than zombies or monster stampedes.

When he imagined Raito being in the same situation, Kurato’s expression naturally darkened.

He looked up at Ryuko-san, who still wore a worried face.

“Um… after all, I think it would be better if I entered the C-rank tournament.”

At Kurato’s words, Ryuko-san’s eyes widened and her expression stiffened.

“…What do you mean?”

“I want to enter the Special Zone as soon as possible and stay by Raito’s side. I think he must be having a very hard time right now. I… I want to be with him and lessen that burden even a little.”

‘Compared to an A-rank, it might be a drop in the bucket. But perhaps I could attract some of the attention myself.’

Hearing Kurato’s thoughts, Ryuko-san’s expression softened.

“So that’s what you mean. Then you can rest assured. We are handling it properly.”

“Handling it?”

Ryuko-san nodded proudly.

“We’ve assigned bodyguards from our household to Raito. B-rank girls his age guard him completely, from inside the school to the moment he returns home. As long as they’re there, no girl will be able to approach Raito. Also, it’s not finalized yet, but an engagement with a young lady from an A-rank family is being arranged behind the scenes.”

‘Bodyguards and an engagement!?’

“That’s… an incredible story…”

Kurato was stunned.

It felt like the small Raito had suddenly climbed two or three steps up the ladder of adulthood.

It made him feel a little lonely.

“With a noble fiancée, those intense attacks from before won’t happen anymore. So you can relax and come to the Special Zone properly after becoming C-rank.”

“Y-yes. I understand.”

Kurato left the president’s office feeling somewhat relieved.

He walked through Ryuko-san’s company building.

He really wanted to ride his skateboard, but that would be dangerous inside the building.

Besides, he had to be considerate of Karan-san, who was walking with him.

“Karan-san, thank you very much for today.”

Kurato turned and thanked Karan-san, who was following half a step behind him in her butler attire.

She had escorted him to the president’s office as his guard.

Originally, she had been dispatched from the Makishima family as security for the party, but she went out of her way to assist Kurato in the middle of her duties.

Looking up, he saw her gazing down at him gently.

“Not at all, Kurato-sama. Even inside the company, we cannot allow a man to walk alone in the Special Zone.”

From her words, Kurato felt he caught a glimpse of how unusual the Special Zone was.

But did that apply to him too?

Raito’s class would certainly be at risk of kidnapping.

But Kurato is only D-rank, so he probably isn’t in that much danger.

If he were handsome, there might be a different kind of worry, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.

He has a perfectly ordinary face.

As Kurato smiled self-deprecatingly, he heard small, hurried footsteps approaching.

Light, cute footsteps, but somehow rushed.

When Kurato turned his gaze—

“Kurato-kun! Oh, thank goodness. I made it in time before you left.”

A beautiful, bell-like voice and an angelic smile descended upon him.

“Mizuha-sama! Why are you here… I mean, Happy New Year.”

The next head of the Makishima family, Makishima Mizuha-sama, came running up.

When Kurato bowed and raised his head, the angel before him blushed slightly and smiled shyly.

“Yes. Happy New Year. And congratulations on winning the national tournament!”

Saying that, Mizuha-sama took Kurato’s hand and gently shook it up and down.

It seems she hurried all the way here just to congratulate him.

“I was invited here today as the next head of the family by Ryuko-san. When I heard you were here too, Kurato-kun, I really wanted to congratulate you in person.”

‘So that’s why.’

From this year on, Kurato would no longer visit the main Makishima house.

Which means he would no longer see Mizuha-sama either.

That alone was sad enough, but he never imagined she would go this far for him.

They had only exchanged a few words each year until now.

“I’m very happy to hear that from you, Mizuha-sama. Outside the Special Zone, it wasn’t even much of a topic.”

Kurato smiled broadly and squeezed her hand slightly.

What he said was neither humility nor exaggeration.

After the tournament, hardly anyone at school talked about it.

Partly because outside the Special Zone, people don’t feel positively about abilities.

But also because another big incident had happened.

In any case, only Yanagi-san, Keita and a few classmates praised Kurato.

Even Kurato felt a little lonely.

But now, it was all made up for.

With Mizuha-sama’s smile, his heart felt full.

Now is the perfect chance.

“Mizuha-sama, how is Raito doing? Has he been causing trouble for the main family?”

Kurato released her hand and asked what he was most worried about.

From Ryuko-san, he had only heard about Raito’s surroundings.

Mizuha-sama tilted her head cutely.

“Hmm, let me think…”

She seemed to be recalling Raito’s situation.

“…I don’t think there’s been any trouble. Raito-kun is working very hard at his lessons.”

It seems Raito is studying not only school subjects, but also noble arts.

Piano, dance and calligraphy.

When he grows older, more will be added.

Perhaps flower arrangement, tea ceremony, or even horseback riding.

The prince Kurato once met in a previous world, studied swordsmanship and imperial studies as well.

“Thank you, Mizuha-sama. I’m relieved to hear Raito is doing well.”

When Kurato bowed slightly, Mizuha-sama waved her hand.

It was probably time to take his leave.

But when Kurato raised his head, Mizuha-sama was no longer looking at him.

Her smile had stiffened slightly and her gaze was fixed ahead.

“Um… sister.”

‘Sister.’

Mizuha-sama was looking up toward Karan-san.

Kurato followed her gaze and looked up at Karan-san.

But Karan-san had erased her expression and quietly bowed.

“Mizuha-sama. I am Karan, head butler of the Makishima family.”

After saying that, Karan-san closed her mouth in a straight line.

She clearly had no intention of saying anything more.

Mizuha-sama seemed to understand and looked sadly at Karan-san, then turned back to Kurato.

“…Well then, Kurato-kun. I have to return to the venue. Goodbye.”

Saying that, Mizuha-sama left as if fleeing.

Her retreating back looked as though she were crying.

Kurato naturally looked up at Karan-san beside him.

Karan-san is Mizuha-sama’s sister.

Which means she is Hisame-sama’s eldest daughter.

Looking closely, she really does resemble Hisame-sama.

Her eyes and mouth look even closer to Mizuha-sama’s.

Then her gaze turned toward Kurato.

“…Is something the matter, Kurato-sama?”

Her voice was perfectly calm.

As if her conversation with Mizuha-sama had never happened.

There were many things Kurato wanted to ask.

About her attitude toward Mizuha-sama.

About why the second daughter became the next head.

But—

“No. Nothing.”

Kurato decided to act as if nothing had happened.

Interfering in such tangled relationships would only complicate things further.

Like a fishing line that’s become hopelessly tangled.

The two walked in silence to the underground parking lot.

Luxury cars worth tens of millions lined up waiting for their owners.

Among them, one modest car sat alone.

Yanagi-san’s car.

Seeing it, Kurato turned and bowed to Karan-san.

“Thank you very much for seeing me off.”

“Please take care on your way home.”

She bowed as usual.

Kurato nodded, then remembered something.

She is part of the main family.

And as head butler, she must often interact with Raito.

“Please take good care of Raito for me.”

He said it with the intention of asking about Raito again next time they met.

But—

Karan-san’s expression changed.

The same mask-like face she had when facing Mizuha-sama.

‘Oh no. Is this a minefield too!?’

Kurato broke into a cold sweat.

But before he could think how to defuse it—

“…You really are close, aren’t you…”

Karan-san murmured.

Her expression looked sad.

Kurato answered.

“…Yes. We are brothers.”

He stepped forward into the storm.

Into danger.

If merely mentioning Raito made her react like this, then she must be just as troubled as Mizuha-sama.

Perhaps by talking like this, the tangled threads might find a way to unravel.

“Brothers… is it…”

Karan-san exhaled softly, sadly, as if resigned.

Then she looked straight at Kurato, strong flames burning in her eyes.

“Kurato-sama. This society is built upon abilities. A person’s status changes based on ability. Those with high rank gain power and superiority is determined by type. That is the law of this world. From birth, a person’s worth is decided against their will.”

What she said is, in a sense, true.

People are not equal.

Much is decided at birth.

Talent, appearance, environment, history.

All of them external factors unrelated to effort.

And in this world, on top of that, there are abilities.

“Someone as wise as you surely understands. But I will say it anyway. You and Raito-sama are different. You stand in different places and walk different paths. An A-rank, a top-tier species, is a person of another world. A character from a story who will no longer walk with you. Therefore…”

Tears welled up in Karan-san’s eyes.

“So you no longer need to worry about your brother.”

She knelt down to meet Kurato’s gaze.

‘I see.’

Perhaps she too lost her right to inherit because of her ability.

Such things often happen in noble families.

But—

“Does having more mana make someone important?”

“…Kurato-sama, that is—”

“Does being top-tier mean being superior?”

Kurato pressed.

Karan-san looked at him sadly.

“That is… how this world is.”

A world ruled by abilities.

A world divided by those who have and those who do not.

That is the common sense of this world.

But that common sense is wrong.

Seeing Mizuha-sama and Karan-san suffer like this is unbearable.

Unacceptable.

And yet—

“Karan-san. I know.”

Kurato affirmed her words.

That ability is the core of this world.

That differences in ability mean differences in life.

Then Kurato turned his back to her.

Seeing his back, Karan-san spoke.

“Kurato-sama…”

“Karan-san.”

Kurato turned only his head.

“If I can prove it… will you face Mizuha-sama?”

“…Prove what?”

Kurato looked up at the ceiling.

“That there is no difference between abilities. That there is no wall dividing people.”

Then he stepped forward.

“That there is no limit ceiling in this world.”

He continued walking.

Feeling her gaze on his back.

But he did not stop.

Because he felt he had found what he must do.

If exterminating bugs is Kuroto’s (his original name) mission, then breaking through the wall of common sense is Kurato’s role.