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"What's this important matter?"
Though clearly irritated, Kuroka restrained herself for Le Fay's sake.
"I have a few questions for you," Anos said calmly. "They're not just mine, Koneko wants answers too."
The lightness from before vanished from his expression. His eyes sharpened, steady and unwavering.
"Questions from Shirone?"
Kuroka's tails slowed slightly.
"Yes! Something important, I hope you'll answer me, Sister."
Koneko gathered her courage and spoke directly to Kuroka.
It was the first time she had ever expressed her will so openly to her sister.
"Oh my Shirone speaking her mind so boldly to big sister? I'm so happy I could cry, meow"
Kuroka covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
"Then I'll ask directly," Anos continued, smiling faintly. "Why did you kill your former master?"
"Simple~" Kuroka replied casually. "I didn't like him. For an evil nekomata like me, isn't killing someone you dislike perfectly natural?"
"Kuroka," Anos said evenly, "lying to me won't work, I can tell whether someone is being truthful."
"Hm?"
For a brief moment, Kuroka's eyes flickered.
Did he truly know she was lying?
Or was he bluffing?
"Are you really going to lie in front of your little sister?" Anos pressed.
As Kuroka's gaze shifted toward him, he gently rested a hand on Koneko's head.
Kuroka's eyes narrowed.
She understood now.
This man was dangerous.
Not physically emotionally.
He had been kind to Shirone And a wounded girl like her would cling to that kindness.
Unacceptable.
Girls were meant to be cherished properly, Perhaps she had been too late, but from this moment on, Kuroka decided she would raise Shirone's standards higher.
No more being fooled by sweet-talking boys.
"Is there something you can't say, Kuroka?" Le Fay suddenly spoke up, still bound. "If you won't say it, I will."
That had been part of the plan.
"It's not exactly unspeakable, is it?" Anos added with a faint smile.
"Kuroka, I think you've been completely played here~"
Bikou, resting his staff over his shoulder, burst into laughter without an ounce of sympathy.
He had already pieced things together, For now, he abandoned the idea of snatching Le Fay away with sheer speed.
"Mmmph—! Mmmph!"
Rias suddenly began writhing violently, trying to draw attention.
"Pfft."
With a sharp exhale, she spat the sealing talisman from her mouth.
"I know why…"
Now that she could speak, her expression turned solemn rather than frantic.
"The devil who adopted Kuroka belonged to the Naberius Clan. And the Naberius Clan… was secretly conducting illegal bioengineering and hybridization experiments."
Such experiments had once flourished under the Old Satan regime.
After the new generation of Maou took power, those corrupt remnants were purged.
Sirzechs was, by every standard, an exemplary Maou.
Once the truth came to light, the Naberius Clan was swiftly brought to justice. As his sister, Rias had learned parts of the truth.
After speaking, she glanced apologetically at Koneko.
She had never told her.
Like Kuroka, she had feared that Koneko would drown in guilt if she knew the full story.
Since Kuroka had willingly borne the blame, Rias had allowed it.
"If that were all," Kuroka said quietly, finally lifting her lowered head, "I would not have betrayed him."
Everyone waited.
The truth was one step away.
Kuroka knew exactly why things had reached this point.
Because of the man standing beside Shirone.
"So, Sister… what was it really?"
Koneko inhaled softly, Thanks to Anos' earlier warning, she had prepared herself for the truth.
"He wanted to use your body for his experiments."
Kuroka did not say more.
She did not speak of breeding, of ownership, of degradation.
Even this much would weigh heavily on Shirone's heart.
She did not want her sister to suffer.
"Sister…"
Though she had braced herself, a single tear slipped from Koneko's golden eyes.
It rolled down her cheek, warm at first—
Then cold.
No one spoke.
Not Anos.
Not Rias.
They gave the sisters their moment.
"At the time, I didn't have the strength to protect you while being hunted," Kuroka said quietly. "But now I'm stronger, I have reliable allies."
"So come with me, Shirone. I would never harm you."
It was the most honest thing she had said in a long time.
"I…"
Koneko hesitated.
The misunderstanding between them had been cleared But did that mean she should leave?
Even if Rias agreed, she did not want to become someone who betrayed her master.
In the time her sister had been gone, she had built a life.
Gentle Akeno.
Bright Kiba.
Her classmates.
And…
That slightly mischievous, yet dependable senpai beside her.
She was no longer the lonely stray kitten with nothing to lose.
"Sister… I want to stay here."
Her voice was soft but unwavering.
It was her decision.
"Is it because of the man beside you?"
Kuroka asked immediately, her brow twitching.
So that was it.
You found a mate and forgot your sister?
"Partly," Koneko answered honestly.
And did not look away.
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