CHANGE -「Last Embryo」

Translation: Word (Microsoft), there are probably errors in the masculine and feminine pronouns.

Chapter 7

The lights of the city shone on the cobblestone streets as Senji and Leticia walked calmly. Italy had a unique charm, but what really stood out on that night was the strange sense of peace that floated between them.

Leticia, with a slight smile, broke the silence.

"You know... Sometimes I think about how ironic it all was."

Senji turned his head, not understanding what he meant. "What do you mean?"

"That the only reason we had Alice was because Jesus managed to make you change for a while."

Senji paused for a moment, with a tense expression. "… Tsk. It's not like I planned it."

Leticia let out a slight laugh, enjoying her reaction. "But you did it. Changed. You spent a hundred years without committing a massacre, without picking quarrels, without bringing destruction wherever you went."

Senji snorted. "I didn't do it for him. I did it because at that time... I just wanted to give it a try."

Leticia looked at him out of the corner of her eye with a certain sweetness in her expression. "Yes, you tried... and in that attempt, we ended up with a daughter."

Senji was silent.

Leticia continued, with a softer tone. "Jesus told me a few years ago that he was sad because you had become 'rebellious' again. He said you were like a child who couldn't sit still, who always had to challenge something or someone."

Senji's brow furrowed, and one of his eyebrows trembled visibly. "Did he say that about me?"

"Yes," Leticia replied, suppressing a smile. "Although he said it with affection. After all, he was the one who helped you take that first step."

Senji sighed, crossing his arms. "I don't understand why he still believes in me. Even I know I'm not worth it."

Leticia moved a little closer to him and, with a serene but firm tone, replied:

"Because, believe it or not, you did something valuable in that time. And I'm not just talking about not killing... I speak of what you created."

Senji looked away, knowing exactly what he meant.

"If Jesus hadn't helped you change, you would never have opened your heart enough for Alice to be born." Leticia smiled warmly. "You may have become a Demon Lord again, but that time you spent with us was real, Senji. No matter how hard you try to deny it."

Senji exhaled slowly, lowering his gaze to the cobblestone floor.

"… Hmph. I'm not denying it."

Leticia stopped in front of him, bowing her head with a mocking expression. "Oh? So what was that reaction from before? It seemed that someone didn't want to admit that Jesus was right."

"Tsk! Don't exaggerate," Senji growled, looking away. "I'm just saying that... It was a strange time in my life."

Leticia smiled. "A strange moment, but one that gave us something wonderful."

Senji didn't respond immediately. In his mind, the image of Alicia flashed by, her smile beaming and her way of speaking so carefree, so like her mother.

Finally, he sighed and continued walking.

"You keep finding ways to annoy me, huh?"

"Always," Leticia replied with a victorious smile as she followed him, enjoying every moment of that walk through Italy.

The night breeze enveloped the streets of Rome as Senji and Leticia finally made their way to their royal destination. The walk through the city had been a respite, a moment of calm before diving into the more serious matters.

Now, their footsteps echoed on the ancient cobblestones as they approached the Vatican, the heart of the Catholic faith in the outside world. However, what they were looking for there had nothing to do with religion... but with a secret that very few knew.

Arriving at the imposing St. Peter's Square, Senji folded his arms, looking indifferently at the massive columns that surrounded the place.

"Hm... It's funny. Despite everything that has happened, this place remains the same."

Leticia smiled slightly. "Some things in the outside world are constantly changing, but others remain unchanged, no matter the weather. Like this place... and like you."

Senji glanced at her sideways. "Is that another hint to make me angry?"

"Not at all," she said with an innocent expression. "But if you took it that way, maybe deep down you know I'm right."

He clicked his tongue, choosing not to answer.

The main entrance to St. Peter's Basilica was closed at that time, but they did not go there. Instead, they walked steadily into a less traveled passage, where a dark-robed figure was quietly waiting for them.

The man, who wore a rosary around his neck, bowed his head in a slight greeting.

"We were waiting for them."

Senji showed no reaction. Leticia, on the other hand, smiled politely. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Cardinal Mateo."

The old cardinal raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if the pleasure is mine, but I understand that this visit is not a coincidence. Come."

He beckoned them to follow him.

The three of them crossed a narrow corridor that seemed to be lost in the darkness. The lights were scarce, just a few torches placed on the stone walls.

"Nothing has changed since the last time," Leticia murmured.

Senji glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "How many times have you come here?"

"More than you can imagine."

The corridor descended on a gentle slope, taking them under the Basilica. It wasn't the first time Senji had toured hidden places, but even he recognized the importance of what lay beneath the Vatican.

The stone walls were widened into a circular hall with ancient inscriptions in Latin and Greek. In the center, a large metal door with golden symbols rested imposingly, radiating a slight vibration.

The Astral Gate.

It was a portal that connected directly to Little Garden, but it wasn't something that anyone could use. Only those with the Vatican's approval could cross it.

Cardinal Mateo approached the door, pulling out a small golden reliquary. He opened it carefully, revealing a blue crystal key inside, which glowed faintly as it came into contact with the door.

"The pope has authorized his entry," the cardinal said in a solemn voice. "But we must not forget that someone will participate in the war in his name."

Senji rested one hand on the structure of the door, feeling its energy pulsing under his skin.

"And who will it be?"

The cardinal was silent for a moment before answering.

"Young men of incredible abilities have been chosen to represent the Holy See in the War of the Solar Authorities."

Leticia cocked her head feigning interest, since she knew this information. "Hoh... Does the Vatican want to claim a solar authority? That's weird."

"The world has changed a lot, Lady Leticia," Mateo replied. "The pope has decided that we cannot stand on the sidelines."

Senji sighed. "Do what you want. It's not my problem."

Without waiting any longer, he pressed his hand against the Astral Gate, and it began to open, letting out an intense golden light.

The air around him vibrated with overwhelming power. No matter how many times Senji used that portal, the feeling was always the same: the weight of a completely different world on the other side.

Leticia smiled softly.

"It's time to go home."

With one last step, they both crossed the golden light, leaving the Vatican behind... and returning to Little Garden.

❅──────✧✦✧──────❅•

Seiren Private Academy - Japan

In the 1-D classroom, the eyes of the students fell on Kurumi Tokisaki and Kurome Tokisaki, the two newcomers who had already caused a stir with their mere presence.

Kurumi looked completely comfortable, resting her cheek on her hand as she smiled with an enigmatic air.

"Fufu~, how cute it is to see so many curious faces."

Beside him, Kurome was lazily munching on a taiyaki, paying no attention to the looks.

One of the girls in the classroom leaned over to another, whispering, "Don't you think Kurumi-san is incredibly beautiful?"

"It is! She looks like a European noblewoman."

The murmurs continued, but Kurumi elegantly ignored them. Instead, he turned his attention to Kurome, who was still eating as if nothing had happened.

"Ara~, you should moderate yourself a bit, Imouto. If you eat so much in class, the teacher might get upset."

Kurome sighed, swallowing the last bite. "They haven't told me anything yet."

Kurumi let out a light laugh. "What a spoiled girl."

Just then, the classroom door opened, and the teacher walked in with a stern look.

"Okay, enough talk. It's time to start class."

The students returned to their seats, although more than one continued to cast furtive glances at the newcomers.

In another part of the academy, in classroom 1-C, the other two new students Akame Tokisaki and Sawa Yamauchi were in a similar situation.

Akame, with her neutral expression and relaxed posture, sat down in the back row without saying much. She didn't seem too interested in socializing.

Sawa, on the other hand, was more open. He turned to one of the students and smiled confidently. "Well, I don't know about you, but I hope this school will be interesting."

A boy sitting near her tried to start a conversation. "Interesting in what sense?"

Sawa leaned over the desk a little with a smile. "Oh, you know, let there be some action."

The boy blinked, not knowing if she was talking about sports, fights, or something else.

Meanwhile, Akame watched the teacher without much emotion. The class was starting, and although he didn't show it on his face, he was analyzing everything around him.

His work in the Muramasa Clan didn't stop just because he was in the academy.

❅──────✧✦✧──────❅•

The school bell rang through the hallways as students walked out of their classrooms. Among them, Ai Hoshino walked around with a frown, his phone in his hand, reviewing information with unusual intensity.

"So... disappeared?" he murmured, his eyes narrowed.

Masachika, who was next to him, sighed. "I don't know what you expected. It's Senji. It's not going to leave clues as easily."

Ai ignored him, swiping the screen of his phone quickly. "But this doesn't make sense. There are no records of him leaving Italy by plane, or that he is in any hotel."

Julie, who was following them closely, spoke in a calm tone. "Maybe he just found one more method... discreet."

Ai turned her head sharply. "More discreet? Like what?"

Julie looked at her with a slight smile. "I don't know. But if you think too much about it, you'll go crazy."

Ai snorted, putting his phone away. "Don't underestimate me. I'm going to find out what he's doing."

Masachika watched her with a mixture of amusement and tiredness. "Whatever. Just don't get us in trouble."

...

Ai Hoshino stood in his room, the dim light of his screen reflecting off his eyes as his fingers typed rapidly. The rest of the world disappeared when it entered this state.

"Well... If there are no official records, then I'll have to look elsewhere."

I had learned long ago that the best way to track someone was to follow their digital shadow. Senji didn't use social media, he didn't have a phone he could easily track, and his movements always seemed to be erased as if they didn't exist.

But everyone left traces. Even him.

Ai redirected his IP with a VPN, jumping between servers around Italy, disguising his real location. Then, it accessed multiple CCTV networks in Rome, using vulnerabilities in its security. He could not enter all of them, but he could enter enough to reconstruct his movements.

One by one, he went through the spots where Senji had been detected.

And then he found it.

A video captured in a street lit by lanterns, showing his figure with his usual carefree attitude, walking unhurriedly. But what really caught his attention was the golden-haired, red-eyed girl next to him.

Ai narrowed her eyes.

"...Who the hell is she?"

He rewound the recording, observing every detail. The girl wasn't just walking alongside Senji... she was clasping her hand with his!

A tic appeared on Ai's forehead.

Is a girl going to beat me?!

He leaned closer to the screen, his eyes shining brightly as he tried to analyze the scene. The girl had a noble air, her golden hair reflected the light elegantly, and her expression showed absolute tranquility. As if it were the most natural thing in the world to be with Senji.

Ai felt a twinge in his chest.

"Wait... Since when does Senji allow that kind of closeness?" she muttered to herself.

He tried to calm down and continue watching, looking for more clues about the identity of the mysterious girl.

The footage showed Senji and the girl advancing through the streets of Rome, passing through several cameras until they reached St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.

And then...

Disappeared.

Ai rewound and played the recording several times. The last clear image he got was of Senji being guided by a shadow-shrouded figure. The person who took them past the square never showed his face, hiding in the darkness.

"… It can't be." Ai frowned. "How the hell did it disappear?"

He tried to access more cameras inside the Vatican, but even with his skill, the security levels were too high.

He couldn't see where Senji went.

He let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed.

"Tsk. This is not over."

He stared at the frozen image on his screen: Senji, walking next to the golden-haired girl, his hands clasped.

"… I'm going to find out who you are."

But what Ai didn't know yet was that this girl was much more than just Senji's companion.