I just hope to live a leisurely life in the world of anime.

So I cut off my eye with a knife. Later, I met Brother Anshu, who helped me with treatment and encouraged me, even though my eye couldn't be cured...

But now, because of Brother Anshu, everything I face is imprinted in my mind.

The little girl, who was not good at lying, surprisingly told a lie.

"Tong-chan is a cursed child?!" Sima Weizhi's eyes widened, failing to notice the major flaw in why she cut off her own eyes and then had An Shu treat them.

"Yes, yes, will Miori-chan hate me?" Because of her identity, An Tong felt somewhat inferior, and her voice was already choked with emotion.

Sima Weizhi didn't respond, but looked at her with a hesitant gaze, after all, her father had just died at the hands of Gastrea!

"Miori-chan, do you really hate me..." Her voice trailed off, and An Tong was on the verge of tears.

Sima Weizhi was taken aback, then quickly hugged her, "No, I love Hitomi-chan the most!"

"Huh?" The little girl lifted her head from her arms, looking a little confused, but mostly happy.

"It's not Hitomi-chan's fault, so why hate her? If you could, who would want to be a cursed child?" Sima Miori comforted her.

"Mmm!" The silver-haired little girl nodded emphatically and hugged Sima Weizhi.

Perhaps most people in Tokyo don't see things as clearly as this little girl. An Shu, who had just returned, happened to see this scene outside the door. Without disturbing them, she turned around to tidy up the place where they would sleep that night.

She breathed on her hands to warm them. Although the weather in Tokyo was cold, there was always someone who could bring you a little warmth. An Shu took off her trench coat and threw it on the sofa.

Chapter Six: Heavenly Child

(On the same afternoon, in the office of the Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.)

"Lord Kazukage, news has come from the front-line Self-Defense Forces that a Stage 3 beetle-like Gastrea has infiltrated the area," a man reported after knocking on the door and receiving a response, before entering the office.

"Can you pinpoint its location?" Tendo Kazumitsu asked calmly, setting down his teacup.

"We're almost at West Street," the subordinate replied respectfully.

Tendo Kazuhiro waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

After the servant closed the door, Tendo and Hikaru asked the three men beside them, "Hyuga, Gentsuke, and Heijin, what do you think?"

"What do you mean, how do you see it?" The three were somewhat puzzled, and Tian Tong Xuan Zhuo asked.

"This is a golden opportunity! Hasn't Father always wanted to expose our Tiantong clan? If we take this chance..."

Tendo Kazuhiro adjusted his glasses and didn't say anything more, but none of the people present were fools.

The three exchanged a glance, some surprised and doubtful, but mostly disheartened.

"Kazuhiro, are you crazy? That's your biological father!" Hinata Tendo asked in a low voice, unable to believe it.

"We only have one chance. If we miss it, our entire Tiantong clan will be finished!" Tiantong and Guang slammed their fists on the table, appearing somewhat deranged.

……

“But what about Grandpa…” The three of them were somewhat tempted, after all, he was just their uncle, not their parents.

"It's alright, even if Grandpa finds out, he won't make things difficult for us because of a few dead people!" He waved his hand. "So it's decided then?"

No one spoke.

"Have you become mute?" Tendo Kazumitsu straightened his collar.

"Hyuga, you go and stall Grandpa. Gencho, you go and put pressure on the Self-Defense Forces who are staying behind so that they will delay their deployment. Heemin, you are in charge of clearing a route to evacuate the masses!"

"And I'll go find Hiruko Kagetane to lure the Gastrea over. You only get one chance, don't hesitate any longer!" He slammed his hand on the table, gave another sharp shout, then opened the door and walked out.

The three people remaining in the office exchanged glances, stared silently at the still-steaming teacups, and finally one of them spoke up: "Let's go..."

…………

"Kisara-nee, it's so late, shouldn't we go back? Besides, I heard a Gastrea has sneaked in, it's not safe outside now." A boy of about ten years old called out to a little girl with long black hair, following behind her.

"Well! It's alright, Rima-kun. It's rare for you to come out and have fun. You're either learning carving or politics from Grandpa every day, aren't you tired?"

"And this is East Street, Gastrea are found on the edge of West Street." Kisara Tendo turned around and asked with a smile.

"That's what they said, but..."

"Whoosh—whoosh whoosh—"

The cries coming from not far away made the two of them change their expressions. "How could this be? Isn't this the central area? How could Gastrea appear here?" Tendoki had an ominous premonition.

"Kisara-nee, look! Fire! Fire!" Rentaro Satomi shouted, pointing in the direction of the Tendo family's house.

"Damn it, Father and Mother!" Tendo Kisara was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening. He shouted and ran home, leaving Rentaro behind.

Rentaro didn't hesitate any longer and quickly caught up with Tendo Kisara.

…………

A certain alley.

"Here, your payment. Did you set the fire I asked you to set?" Tendo Kazuhiro handed a small box to the strange man in front of him, who was wearing a burgundy tailcoat, a top hat, and a white smiling mask.

"Put it down." The man took the box, but didn't open it to look inside; he just weighed it in his hand.

A little blue-haired girl behind him tugged at his clothes, pointed at Tendo and Hikaru, and said, "Daddy, Daddy, I want to cut him, is that okay?"

"No, my foolish daughter, they are our guests." He then bowed to Tendo and Hikaru. "I'm sorry, my foolish daughter has caused you trouble. If there are any similar tasks in the future, please be sure to entrust them to me."

"Ugh, Daddy's so annoying!" The blue-haired little girl pouted, looking a bit unhappy.

"Tch, come on, you're not someone just anyone can afford to hire! But your daughter is quite cute. I'm curious what you look like under your mask."

"Daddy, Daddy, he said I'm cute!" The blue-haired little girl was excited, and her eyes immediately reddened.

"A cursed child?!" Tendo Kazuhiro was stunned.

Without answering his question, Hiruko Kagetane adjusted his tall hat, grabbed Hiruko Kohina, and said, "Tendo-kun, see you next time!" He leaped high onto the roof and disappeared in a few flashes.

"Hmph!" With a flick of his sleeve, Tendo and Hikaru also walked out of the alley.

…………

"Dad! Mom!" Kisara Tendo called out from in front of his house.

"Mogen? Mogen, run faster! There are Gastrea! Run!" The voice came from inside the wall.

"Whoosh—" The gastrulator's call mingled with the sound.

"Damn it!" Tendou Kisara kicked the door open and barged in.

"Kisara-nee!" Rentaro, who was right behind her, quickly sent a message to Kikunojo Tendo, and then followed Kisara Tendo inside, afraid that something might happen to her.

"Ah—" As they approached the backyard, Kisara, running too fast, tripped and fell to the ground, letting out a scream.

The Gastrea, which was lying on a small building, was startled by the sound, noticed her, and jumped toward her.

Inside the small building, Tendou Kisara's father peeked out and happened to see this scene. He opened the door and jumped.

"Hidden Bullet - Black Sky Wind!" He kicked the Gastrea in the side, and before the Gastrea could react, he turned around and kicked it again.

"Hidden Bullet - Mysterious Nest!"

He kicked the Gastrea away, stopped moving, caught his breath, and shouted to his daughter behind him, "Hurry up! Its shell is too hard. Have you seen any Self-Defense Forces on the road?"

“Uncle, no!” replied Rentaro Satomi, who had just arrived.

Damn it, the images of several people flashed through my mind. Gastrea had appeared in the center, but the Self-Defense Forces hadn't even been mobilized yet. There was no need to say more.

"Inside, you quickly take Kisara and go to the back mountain to find Tendou Shuki and Master. No, it's no use looking for Tendou's family now. In short, you and Kisara must leave here quickly!"

"No, I won't go, Daddy." Tendo Kisei stubbornly sat on the ground, rubbing his sprained ankle. "Where's Mommy?"

"Your mother has been killed by this monster, Kisara! Listen to me, go! Don't distract me, Rentaro, take her away!" Kisara's father shouted. There was no time for explanation. He lowered his body slightly, assumed a fighting stance, and stared at the increasingly impatient Gastrea.

"Hurry up, Sister Kisara! You're not helping and you'll only make Uncle worry!" The person inside helped Kisara up and backed away.

But Kisara wasn't stupid; he just kept his eyes fixed on his father's back.

"Whoosh—" Sensing that the two were about to run away, the mutated large rhinoceros beetle took flight and swooped down toward the two children.

"Damn it!" he cursed, leaping high into the air and unleashing a powerful kick: "Hidden Bullet - Mysterious Nest!"

The Gastrea tilted slightly in mid-air, then suddenly spun around, its massive horn striking Kisara Tendo's father and slamming him into the ground.

On the ground, Tendo Kisara's father, who had fallen from a height, coughed up blood, but he had no time to rest. He sprang to his feet and leaped again, kicking out once more.

The Gastrea seemed to have learned its lesson; its legs, having timed their attack perfectly, prepared to grab him out.

Already in mid-air, he had no choice but to change tactics on the spot, pressing down with his foot and ramming the opponent with his shoulder: "Rainy Cage Bird!"

The impact broke one of its legs.

The gastrulator became even angrier after feeling the pain. It grabbed him with its remaining limbs, swung its head, and whipped its tentacles across his body, breaking his spine.

He wasn't dead yet, but he kept coughing up blood. His head slumped weakly to the side as he looked at Kisaragi and Rentaro, who hadn't gone far, and with his last breath, he shouted, "Run! Run!"

"Father! Father! Let me go! Let me go!" Tendo Kisara cried out, pounding on Rentaro's back. If it weren't for Rentaro's intervention, she might have already rushed over.

"Kisara-nee, hurry up!" Rentaro grabbed her waist and pushed her backward.

At that moment, Gastrea grabbed Tendo Kisara's father and threw him into its mouth.

Upon witnessing this scene, Tendo Kisara cried even more heartbreakingly, shouting his father's name.

"Where is he?" The voice coming from the doorway was somewhat old, yet full of authority.

Tendo Kikunojo! Rentaro recognized it.

"Here! Here!" Rentaro shouted with difficulty.

The Gastrea, having eaten the human, became even more excited. Upon seeing two more nearby, it sprayed brown liquid from its mutated tentacles.

Rentaro, who had been watching its movements, didn't want to know what the liquid was. He shoved Kisara aside and rolled on the spot, but it was too late!

Some of the liquid splashed onto the two of them: Tendo Kisara's waist and Rentaro's right side, with a few drops even getting into his left eye. Like concentrated sulfuric acid, it corroded their bodies, making a horrifying hissing sound.

After all, she was just a child, and she was in great pain. She fainted as soon as she had a chance to react.

Just before Rentaro fainted, he happened to hear the old man shout, "Tendo Draw Sword Technique—"

Chapter Seven: Starry Eyes

"So, because Hitomi couldn't sleep, she felt more comfortable sleeping in my arms, so she secretly climbed on top of me and slept with me all night?"