Tokyo, Shinjuku.

The colorful neon glow of Kabukicho had nothing to do with the hospital; in here, everything was shrouded in cold white.

Thanks to Ito Otome's efforts, Emily was successfully rescued, but her current condition still wasn't great.

Her tongue was numb; she couldn't get a single word out.

She couldn't move her body at all.

The effects of the drug still lingered in her body, viciously gripping every organ, leaving her with only a barely movable index finger—and she even needed Katerina to move the keyboard for her so she could type what she wanted to say.

She tapped the Enter key with her index finger, and the computer let out a mechanical voice, "Bastards, I'm definitely going to tear Institute No. 47 to the ground.

Those bitches can all go to Hell for me!"

She lay there, her small palm-sized face unable to show any anger because of the drug's effects, stiff and blank.

But the look in those azure blue eyes, together with the voice from the computer, left no doubt about the fury burning in her heart.

Who would get it?

Perfectly fine one moment, just had a cup of tea, and then suddenly went from a healthy four-limbed person to a patient whose whole body was paralyzed, with only a twitch of her index finger to move.

Morimoto Chiyoda stood by the bed. Dressed in an ordinary office lady outfit, she still exuded a strong mature charm, like the tempting sweetness of summer watermelon.

She folded her arms; a small smile flashed across her delicate oval face as she said softly, "Okay, I've already started digging up evidence for you. As soon as we find something solid, we'll move on Institute No. 47 right away.

If we don't find anything, you are not allowed to act on your own.

You should understand this yourself: we Treasure Users aren't the same as normal people. What keeps society stable is us following the rules and not doing anything out of line."

She stressed this point, in case someone got so blinded by rage they lost their mind.

Emily couldn't speak, so she anxiously tapped at the keyboard with her index finger, "I don't give a damn about any of that, I want them dead! 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Kill kill kill kill!"

After venting like that, Emily finally calmed down again and typed, "Has Riki not come to see me?

I literally took the hit for her."

"She called me and said she's busy today. She'll come visit when she's free."

Morimoto Chiyoda shrugged, then couldn't resist pinching Emily's cheek again, smiling with squinted eyes. "Honestly, you're pretty cute like this.

Like a doll people can play dress-up with.

Just looking at you makes my inner child act up. I kind of want to change your outfits and play house with you."

Emily's index finger flew across the keys. "Katerina, hurry up and kick this pervert out for me."

Her blue eyes went round, radiating the anger inside.

Morimoto Chiyoda chuckled, pulled her hand back, and said, "Alright, I'll stop disturbing your rest. See you."

Watching Morimoto Chiyoda's retreating back, Emily couldn't help pondering how she should catch Institute No. 47 slipping up.

As for whether Aozawa was Dio or not, that could naturally wait; right now, Emily only wanted revenge on No. 47.

Lying in bed like this was not a pleasant experience at all.

She even needed Katerina's help just to go to the bathroom.

She refused to get a catheter. She'd rather have Katerina help carry her there.

Anyway, the woman had plenty of strength; carrying her around wouldn't tire her out.

Damn it, Institute No. 47, just you wait!

Emily swore to herself that once she got better, she'd make every last one of them "eat peanuts."

...

October 24th, Tuesday.

Early in the morning, Ayatsuki Ayaka couldn't wait to put on her Hot Girl makeup and tie her hair into a single ponytail.

She put on the Brilliant High School uniform, tugging the short skirt up to the proper Hot Girl height.

As for stockings, she thought for a moment, then chose a sheer black pair.

Stuffing her very shapely feet into her shoes, Ayatsuki Ayaka picked up her schoolbag, slung the rectangular wooden case holding her Noble Phantasm onto her back, and shouted with boundless energy, "I'm heading out~"

"Have a safe trip."

Her mother's gentle voice floated out from inside.

Ayatsuki Ayaka tossed that to the back of her mind and dashed out of the house, all excited.

The morning light was bright, and the air carried a hint of autumn chill.

Many of the trees in the yard were already starting to shed their leaves.

On her way to school, she met up with Miyahara Kaoru and Takahashi Saeko.

"Hehe, I'm a celebrity now. I bet the moment I get to school, there'll be a huge crowd begging me for my autograph."

Just imagining herself being welcomed at school like a movie star made Ayatsuki Ayaka feel a surge of smugness.

Seeing the corners of her mouth lift, Takahashi Saeko reached out and pushed them back down, snapping, "With your dog-scratched handwriting, you think your signature is worth showing anyone?"

"H-hey, don't talk nonsense!"

Ayatsuki Ayaka rebutted, cheeks flushed, and tried to argue, "That's wild cursive, okay? Do you even know what wild cursive is?

You don't, right? That's some profound calligraphy!"

"Sorry, I actually do know a thing or two about calligraphy."

Takahashi Saeko replied lazily.

Ayatsuki Ayaka's eyes went wide; she said in surprise, "Saeko, you totally look like the type who'd never practice handwriting. How could you possibly know calligraphy?"

"Then take a look at my practice pieces."

Takahashi Saeko took out her phone, unlocked it, and opened the gallery. Inside were photos of her daily calligraphy practice. "You think becoming a top-tier Hunter is easy?

To make sure I win every time, I've studied all kinds of things. My interests are broad, so I can find common ground with most people.

I can even chat a bit with hardcore gaming nerds."

"That's so cool."

Ayatsuki Ayaka stared in shock, feeling like all her close girlfriends had hidden talents, while she was the only useless one.