The midday sky was a clear blue above the rooftop of Neopjevan School. After managing to drag Kira all the way up there, Nielza looked completely exhausted.
"I can't believe… COUGH!COUGH! …your behavior COUGH! …earlier,"
she said between coughs, clutching her chest.
"You pulled me way too hard. Sit down and rest," Kira said as he took a seat on the only chair on the rooftop.
Nielza sat down and slowly regulated her breathing. She took several capsules from the pocket of her school blazer and swallowed them.
"Your regular medication?" Kira asked.
"Yeah… sorry. After taking my medicine, I need to eat first, so—"
"Want my food? I made two on purpose. This way we can talk while eating, right?" Kira said with a smile, offering her a homemade cheeseburger.
"…You really planned all of this, didn't you?"
"Yep. Exactly."
"I'm surprised. A rough-looking guy like you can actually make a good hamburger…" Nielza said flatly.
"Is that a compliment or an insult?"
"Both. So—what do you want to talk about?"
"About the victims of Apathy Syndrome around Neopjevan School. You're investigating it too, aren't you?"
"Is that any of your business?"
"No. It's connected to my main objective as well."
"Liar. If you really wanted to save your mother, you should be focusing on finding the clan leader behind the Malaya Bank robbery!"
"I already investigated that with Aigis's help. According to her, there were two other robberies at different banks besides Malaya Bank two days ago."
"What?!"
"The banks were Independent Bank and Citi Bank. The results were horrifying. Everyone inside those banks was afflicted with Apathy Syndrome, and all the cash reserves were completely stolen."
"…How cruel," Nielza muttered angrily.
"Do you understand what I'm saying, Nielza? I can't stop all of them on my own. The only way to end this chaos is to find and kill the clan leader. And for that—I need your help. I need you, Nielza."
"Oh? So you think that by helping me solve this, I'll just become your partner and help you achieve your personal goal? How selfish. Don't be naïve in front of me!"
"Well… at least that answers my first question. I trust you, Nielza. I remember how you were willing to help me when I healed you during the Malaya Bank fight."
"T-That was just a coincidence! I was just caught up in the moment!"
"Even if your words are sharp, I believe you're a good person—someone who doesn't forget a debt."
"W-What is wrong with you?! Saying something that naïve to my face! I hate it when someone my age talks like that!" Nielza snapped, her face flushing red.
"I'm twenty-one. Does that mean you liked what I said?"
"You—?! Twenty-one?! And you still talk like that… aghhh! Why do I always act like this only when I'm with you?!"
"Maybe because you trust me too," Kira said with a grin.
"Stop grinning!"
"For now, I'll help you deal with Konets Sveta-related incidents. I promise I'll stay with you until we finish this," Kira said seriously.
"W-Why…?"
"Huh?"
"Why do you go out of your way for other people's problems…?"
"Because I need you to help me save my mother."
Nielza froze, her face burning red.
"…Do you have a fever? Your face is red. Let me check—" Kira leaned closer, examining her face.
"D-Don't look at me!" Nielza snapped, turning away.
"Oh—sorry. Um… if you're not feeling well, maybe we should talk about this later—"
"…Your promise," Nielza cut in.
"…Yeah?"
"I remember your promise. If you ever betray it, I'll be the first one to kill you in Konets Sveta. Remember that," she said sharply, staring straight at Kira—only to turn away again moments later, blushing.
"Thank you, Nielza. Alright then, let's start the investigation now. Aigis—you can appear."
A red sphere of light suddenly appeared before them. It glowed brightly and began to take shape, forming the figure of a woman—Aigis.
"A successful negotiation, Sir Kira. I admire your determination to unite the strength of multiple Engill representatives," Aigis said approvingly.
"Hah! You're mistaken, Aigis! I only agreed for mutual benefit—nothing more!" Nielza scoffed.
"Lady Nielza is very skilled at hiding certain feelings."
"Aigis! I-if you keep talking like that, I'll never help either of you! Never!" Nielza protested hurriedly.
"Hahaha! You two really are close," Kira laughed.
"…Close my foot, Kira!" Nielza snapped.
"Uh—just kidding. Alright, Aigis. Please show us all Konets Sveta events that occurred within a two-kilometer radius of Neopjevan School, from September 19 to September 26, 20XX."
Aigis closed her eyes and focused. A massive transparent dome inscribed with white hieroglyph-like symbols expanded outward, covering the entire Neopjevan School area within a two-kilometer radius.
When Aigis opened her eyes, she gazed up at the blue sky, seeing layers of past Konets Sveta events unfolding in her vision.
"Wow… can anyone else see this?" Nielza asked in awe.
"No. Only Engill and their representatives can," Kira replied.
"Sir Kira. Analysis complete. Five Konets Sveta incidents detected within a two-kilometer radius centered on Neopjevan School's principal's office.
The first event occurred westward, 1.8 kilometers away, at 17:10. Two victims: Keigo and Hongo.
The second occurred southeast, 0.6 kilometers away, at 14:00. One victim: Luna.
The third occurred south, 0.5 kilometers away, at 09:10. Three victims: Dodi, Rudi, and Susi.
The fourth occurred northeast, 0.3 kilometers away, at 13:10. One victim: Zia.
The fifth occurred north, 0.5 kilometers away, at 13:40. One victim: Vesely."
"Incredible… how can you know all that in such detail?" Nielza asked, amazed.
"Engill possess the ability to observe and record events that occur during Konets Sveta. However, my analysis is limited to a two-kilometer radius from the designated center point. At the basic level, Engill can only determine when and where an event occurred, along with the names and number of victims."
"So… does that mean Engill know the names of every human they encounter?" Kira asked.
"Yes, Sir Kira. From our perspective, we can see the names or the common appellations people use for one another. This allows us to choose suitable human representatives. Unfortunately, this ability cannot be used while Konets Sveta is active."
"Now I understand why you knew my name when we first met. If that ability worked during Konets Sveta, this investigation would be much easier. That aside—Nielza, do you recognize any of the victims Aigis mentioned?"
"Four of them—from the third and fifth events. I witnessed those incidents myself, before I became Aliniere's representative," Nielza replied quietly.
"…When did those events occur?"
"The third event happened on September 21, and the fifth on September 23. They felt strange to me. I saw them perfectly fine, then seconds later, they collapsed and were afflicted with Apathy Syndrome."
"When Konets Sveta occurs, time in the real world stops. That's why, when time resumes, the victims immediately fall into Apathy Syndrome," Aigis explained.
"Can you explain more about the third and fifth incidents? Specifically—what were the victims doing beforehand?"
"In the third incident, Rudi, Dodi, and Susi were on the school field during physical education class. They were running laps when they suddenly collapsed simultaneously."
"Oh… the school field. What do you know about them?"
"They were members of the student council. There were rumors that they became targets because, as council representatives, they opposed Lumina's charm vendors operating around the school."
"…Interesting. What about the fifth incident?"
"That…" Nielza hesitated, her expression darkening with sadness.