DON'T ASK ABOUT MY PAST

Yuki’s voice piped up, slightly defiant. – ‘Anyway… before you ask, I want to ask something.’

She spoke hesitantly. “Maa… please tell me. Is there any method to change Kairo Energy? I mean… permanently?”

Miko blinked. “Huh!? Why are you asking that? Well, no… wait… there is a method.”

Suddenly, her body trembled. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Her expression turned clouded, her mind clearly overwhelmed.

“Maa? What happened? What is that method?” Yuki asked in concern.

Miko stood still, thoughts racing. ‘If what Yui and Yuki said is true… then those children… wait, why would they do something like that!?’

“Maa?”

Her voice came out firm. “I won’t tell you.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, she slammed her hand on the table. A faint purple aura pulsed around her body. “Why are you asking this kind of question!? How do you know about him!?”

Yui flinched. – “Hey, please don’t say anything rash now…”

Yuki stammered inside. – ‘Why is maa… so angry!?’

Miko’s voice rose, still seething. “Yuki, you told me earlier—when I used my ability to talk to your mind—you said, ‘It’s invading privacy,’ right? Then how can you invade someone else’s privacy without their permission!?”

Her voice cracked, sadness leaking into her fury. “Do you know how people feel about Sensemitters who can enter minds without permission? When I first discovered my ability, I was excited. I talked to people without understanding how they felt. I used to say things like ‘Hey, how are you?’ or ‘Are you surprised?’ or ‘Do you like my ability?’”

Her hands clenched tightly.

“They didn’t answer me directly. They just looked at me strangely. Uncomfortable. Like I was something creepy. Someone said to me—‘It’s not your right to do that.’ That’s when I understood… I’d only use my ability for emergencies. Even when ordered, I’d only agree if it felt right.”

Yuki’s voice dropped, filled with regret. “Maa… that wasn’t my intention.”

Miko’s eyes sharpened again. “Then what was your intention? You’re digging into someone’s past! I don’t know how you know this much… but I can say for sure—it’s not right.”

Then her voice echoed deeper inside Yui’s head, filled with restrained fury. – { Hey, Yui. Tell me. Did I raise you like this? Yuki doesn’t know… but you have to say it, right? }

Yui stayed quiet. – “...”

Yuki’s voice followed, soft and regretful. – ‘Maa… Yui told me not to ask. I was the one who insisted. Please don’t scold her.’

Miko’s reply rang inside with stern warmth. – { You’re telling me not to scold my daughter, Yuki… I already think of you as one. But my daughter wouldn’t do something like this. }

She turned away slightly, her voice lowering. “Everyone has a past. They have their reasons for not sharing it.” Her gaze hardened. “I don’t want to believe they did what you’re thinking… but even if there’s a 50% chance, it’s still wrong. Promise me—you won’t talk about this topic outside. I won’t either. And… I think you also have a past, right?”

Suddenly, a distorted word echoed in her head. [“Hey, Bi⬛”]

Yuki froze. Her body stiffened, eyes wide with terror. With a faint tremble in her voice, she whispered, “I… I promise.”