"Erina, for the next few days, you and Hisako should come here more often. I'll walk you through what you need to do."
Senzaemon Nakiri sounded both helpless and amused.
"Huh? Grandpa, how do you even know about this kind of thing?"
Erina Nakiri stared at him, genuinely confused. In her mind, her grandfather stood so high above everyone else that others only ever tried to curry favor with him. How could someone like him possibly understand the etiquette of approaching others first?
"Erina, never underestimate the world. The Nakiri family is powerful, yes—but only within Japan. The moment you step outside, our influence drops dramatically."
Senzaemon sighed.
"Your mother serving as a Special Executive of the WGO all these years, paired with the rise of Nakiri International... that's the only reason our family even has a voice on the global stage."
He shook his head. At home, the Nakiri family was practically royalty. But internationally? Completely different.
The Nakiris were still expanding. If they wanted to keep growing, then taking the initiative and building good relationships was a required skill.
Erina didn't understand these things yet—and Senzaemon hadn't planned to push them on her. After all, he was still here. And even if he wasn't, Azami was there too. There was no need to force such heavy responsibilities on her just yet.
And beyond that, the flaw of the God's Tongue loomed over everything. If her God's Tongue ever spiraled out of control, what good would all this worldly knowledge be? That was why Erina's experience in these matters was practically zero.
Hisako Arato knew more than Erina—but even she didn't know much. She never needed to butter Erina up; their bond had long surpassed that of real sisters.
"I understand, Grandpa. I'll bring Hisako whenever I'm free."
Erina nodded immediately. Right now she was anxious to build a connection with Kael—her mother's fate depended on it. She refused to place all hope in someone else and do nothing.
After Erina left, Senzaemon forwarded the digital test report to Mana Nakiri and called her, telling her to read it first and call him back afterward.
At WGO Headquarters, both Mana Nakiri and Ann were buzzing with curiosity after hearing the results of Kael's Divine Hearing test had arrived.
Ann quickly printed and bound the report. Even though she was dying to read it, she restrained herself and delivered it straight to Mana.
"It looks like the rumors were still underestimating it. This isn't just a Special Ability rivaling the God's Tongue... it completely surpasses it."
Mana Nakiri's calm expression twisted more and more as she flipped through the report—surprise, then shock, then disbelief.
"Lady Mana, is Divine Hearing really that overwhelming?"
Ann couldn't hold back anymore. She hadn't read the report, but judging from Mana's tone, it was clear they had still underestimated Divine Hearing.
"Read it yourself. Honestly, I thought I was dreaming."
Mana handed her the report with a faint smile. Her mood had improved dramatically. Before, when she looked at Kael, she only saw a faint sliver of hope—a tiny light in the darkness. Weak, but still a light.
But now? This wasn't just hope anymore.
Mana Nakiri had made up her mind—she had to build a strong relationship with Kael. Anything that could help her escape the torment of the God's Tongue was worth pursuing.
"This report is incredible. His Divine Hearing already exceeds your God's Tongue."
Ann finally understood Mana's reaction. She herself was stunned.
It was hard to imagine such an absurd Special Ability even existed in the world.
"Ann, make sure none of this leaks. If the news gets out, it'll be impossible to build a relationship with this walking treasure."
Mana warned her calmly. She knew Ann wasn't the type to gossip, but better safe than sorry.
"Understood, Lady Mana."
Ann knew exactly what would happen if this report spread. Every major culinary family would lose their minds. And if Divine Hearing could be inherited? Not a single family would ignore the chance to produce their own Mana Nakiri.
After that, Mana called Senzaemon back.
"I take it you've finished reading. With the probability of the God's Tongue flaw being cured this high… have you thought about what comes next? How will you face Erina? And what will you do about that man?"
Senzaemon's voice deepened.
In this entire ordeal, Erina was the most innocent one. Her mother abandoned her, and her father targeted her—forcing trauma onto a child who didn't deserve any of it.
Now there was finally a chance to cure the God's Tongue.
But afterward? Then what?
The Nakiri household was already shattered.
"I'll apologize to Erina when I return. Whether she forgives me or not… that's her decision. As for Azami… I need time to think."
Mana exhaled, weary. She felt only guilt toward Erina. Now that a cure was within reach, nerves began to claw at her.
Because being cured meant she would have to face the daughter she abandoned.
She hadn't fulfilled even the bare minimum of what it meant to be a mother. She had hurt her own child deeply. Of course she was scared.
Apologizing was the least she could do—regardless of whether Erina forgave her.
But when it came to Azami, her certainty faltered.
Forget the twisted ideas Azami had forced into Erina. Forget locking his own daughter in dark rooms.
After Azami disappeared from the family, Mana had still kept tabs on him—and on Erina.
Azami's private life was a complete mess. His relationships with two of his own Special-Class Officers were especially ugly. When Mana first read those reports, she was stunned. In her memories, Azami Nakiri wasn't that kind of person at all.
But as she dug deeper into his past, uncovering how he spiraled into self-destruction after Joichiro Saiba crushed him…
Mana found herself speechless.
The more she learned, the more her headache grew.