77. Too Many Coincidences, a Love-Struck Fool

After hanging up the phone, Karla immediately pounced on Akira Sawamura, her face full of curiosity and concern:

"Akira, Akira, is Chairman Metsudo really that close to my great-grandfather?"

"It's not just close, it's more like a life-and-death bond."

"Your great-grandfather dotes on you the most. He's a total great-granddaughter simp."

"If I weren't holding the Tai'a sword, I'd probably get ambushed by that old man every other day."

"He might even be watching Karla and me right now."

Everyone: ...

Is this guy for real?

"Now you know why I've been working so hard, right?"

"Being Karla's childhood friend is way too risky."

"Her family members are all crazier than the last."

"No, I have to go to the Wu family and beat up that old man to vent my frustration."

"Otherwise, all these years of fear would be for nothing."

"Akira, you're going to be disappointed."

"My great-grandfather has gone missing."

"He left a note three days ago saying he's traveling the world."

"So he's afraid you'll come beat him up."

Karla, with dark circles under her eyes, suddenly realized.

"Damn it! That old man ran away fast."

"I've always remembered how he used to scare me with his killing intent when I was a kid."

Akira gritted his teeth in anger. That shameless old man who bullied kids, just you wait.

I'll catch you someday.

"So my great-grandfather was that bad?"

"If I can't beat him up, I'll go beat up the rest of your Wu family."

"Sure, sure, let's go together."

Karla had no problem with her childhood friend going home to beat up her own family.

In fact, she clapped in approval.

Suddenly, Ryoko Yakushiji's phone rang again.

After answering, Kaede Metsudo's playful voice came through:

"Mr. Sawamura, I'm afraid I can't fulfill your little request."

"Chairman Metsudo, are you joking?"

"The problem is, this real estate project is a joint venture between the Nishikino, Totsuki, and Yukinoshita families."

"The Nishikino family is handling the sanatorium, the Totsuki family is in charge of the hotel, and the Yukinoshita family is managing construction and overall operations."

Pfft!

Akira couldn't help but spit out.

How could it be such a coincidence?

It's like the dragon king's temple being flooded by his own people.

"The Tai'a Sword Master is so domineering! He actually wants to bankrupt the Totsuki family."

Erina was the first to sneer sarcastically.

"Ahhh! If we go bankrupt, Alice and I are doomed!"

Leonora acted like a teenager, exaggerating her panic.

"Mom, can't you be a little more mature?"

Alice was utterly speechless at her childish mother.

"Wuwuwu! Akira, Alice is being mean to me again."

"And you have the nerve to cry to Akira!"

"I'm Akira's lover, why can't I?"

Leonora retorted confidently.

"Ahaha!"

The outsiders present couldn't help but let out awkward yet polite smiles at this outrageous personal revelation.

"Karla, aren't we good sisters who grew up together?"

"Of course."

Karla nodded without hesitation.

"Then, for the sake of our sisterhood, can you tie up my mom with your rope and gag her?"

Alice fully exercised her initiative, filially making her request.

Karla's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected such a good opportunity.

She'd long been annoyed at Leonora, who had even less shame than her own mother.

Akira's first time should have been hers.

But it was taken by an older woman.

Hehe!

Now she finally had a legitimate reason to get revenge.

Without hesitation, Karla's body vanished from Akira's back.

She appeared next to Leonora and began spinning around her.

Even afterimages formed.

Within seconds, Leonora was transformed into a standing, oversized caterpillar.

Alice, who had been waiting, quickly stuffed a prepared gag into her mother's mouth before she could call for help.

She even thoughtfully added a mask to cover it up.

Everyone: ...

"Chairman Metsudo, thank you for your trouble."

"I have to hang up now."

"Hahaha! No problem, I understand."

Kaede Metsudo hung up the phone with a laugh.

Akira didn't need to guess to know that if this got out, he'd become the laughingstock of Japan.

When Akira hung up, he saw the utterly ridiculous scene before him and couldn't help but吐槽:

"Alice, you're really filial."

Alice crossed her arms, standing in front of her mother, afraid that Akira would intervene. She glared at him with her crimson eyes and said angrily:

"Stupid Akira, if it weren't for the fact that Chisato and Karla combined can't beat you, we'd tie you up too."

"To stop you from going out and ruining girls' lives."

Akira: ...

He had anticipated this possibility, which is why he started learning martial arts from a young age.

"Leonora-nee, sorry, but I can't help you either."

"Karla's blocking me."

After saying this, Akira quickly changed the subject:

"Haruno-nee, tell your three families to restore Hikarizaka to its original state and withdraw from the project immediately."

"Otherwise, I'll have Yukino beat you up right now."

"Or have my nurses give you a thorough check-up."

"Understood."

Yukino Haruno felt bitter but quickly raised her hand in assurance.

This petty little brat always takes it out on her.

Don't I count as your childhood friend and big sister?

"Amamiya-nee, you can now explain Kaori and Marika's conditions."

"They both suffer from congenital genetic diseases caused by defects in certain key genes."

"The difference is that the Tachibana family has passed down this defective gene for generations."

"Interesting, very interesting."

Sayaka Amamiya explained excitedly:

"From another perspective, this key gene contains a special gene segment that can stably inherit talents."

"Amamiya-nee, what are you implying?"

"It could be of great help to the world's most advanced gene-editing research."

Sayaka Amamiya looked at the mother and daughter as if they were priceless treasures.

"Little Marika, right?"

"Your Tachibana bloodline is both a curse and a blessing from heaven."

"Let me be blunt."

"To many secret labs around the world, you and your mother's bloodline are the perfect lab rats."

"If exposed, you'll attract the attention of many nations."

"From now on, you and your mother should not leave Tokyo."

"If you want to disappear mysteriously and end up in some secret lab as a test subject, feel free."

Chika Tachibana was horrified by the immense threat Sayaka described and couldn't help but ask:

"Dr. Amamiya, what exactly is gene-editing technology?"

"It's the artificial intervention of an embryo's genes during the early stages of human development."

"Removing inferior genes and completely eliminating the possibility of genetic diseases."

"Most importantly, humans who undergo gene editing can become smarter, more beautiful, and far surpass ordinary people in physical ability."

"Their lifespans will also be extended."

"This is one of the most cutting-edge directions in genetic research today."

"Your bloodline could greatly advance this technology."

Sayaka's explanation left everyone present gasping.

If such superhumans were to emerge in the future, what would happen to the ordinary people of the world?

Would they be ruled by these new humans?

"Marika and I will not return to Kyushu."

Chika Tachibana shuddered.

She finally realized what her bloodline meant.

She had no desire to live the terrifying life of a lab rat.

"Akari-nee, may we stay with the Kujo family for a while?"

"Of course."

"Akira will definitely agree."

"He'd be happy to gain another childhood friend for free."

"Akari-nee, please be serious."

Akira said with a headache.

Akari-nee was just as mischievous as her sister, his mother.

"As for how to cure this genetic disease, I need to analyze the genes first, identify the problematic segments, and then develop a gene-repair drug."

"Each step will take a lot of time."

"It's impossible to cure it quickly."

"But I can ensure you live a full lifespan."

"Thank you, Dr. Amamiya. I'm deeply grateful."

"Unless we can find other healthy members of the Tachibana family who are related to you."

"That would significantly shorten the testing time through gene comparison."

"Dr. Amamiya, my branch is the only one left maintaining the noble lineage."

"I can't find any other relatives."

Chika Tachibana replied with a bitter smile.

"Young master, Dr. Amamiya, my real surname is Tachibana."

Tachibana, hearing this, couldn't help but reveal herself.

"What? Tachibana-nee, your surname is Tachibana?"

"I always thought Tachibana was your given name."

"We're really impressed."

"You didn't even know your own attendant's real name?"

The childhood friends couldn't help but吐槽.

This playboy's heart is way too big!

"If Tachibana-nee didn't want to say, could I have forced her?"

"No wonder Tachibana is so strict and serious."

"She really is a noble lady!"

"Kurokawa, do you believe I'll tape your mouth shut right now?"

"It's not a big deal anyway."

"Tachibana-nee, we're family! I'm so happy!"

"I've always dreamed of having an older sister."

Marika Tachibana couldn't help but hug Tachibana, rubbing her cute face against her.

Tachibana's eyes softened with a hint of warmth.

"Amamiya-nee, please continue."

"Finally, Ms. Kaori Miyazono, your genetic disease isn't as severe as Marika's."

"The reason your body is in this state is purely due to excessive medication and unhealthy habits since childhood."

"Why did you neglect your health and not cherish your life?"

Sayaka's voice suddenly became stern, her tone严厉.

She hated people who didn't value their own lives.

"If you had followed the doctor's orders and taken care of yourself, you could have lived at least until adulthood."

"Many people in this world suffer from various congenital diseases."

"Many have been given death sentences by doctors."

"Told they wouldn't live to adulthood."

"But many still stubbornly survive."

"Never giving up hope."

"And live normal lives, marrying and having children."

"With the help of genetic testing, they've even given birth to healthy children without genetic diseases."

"This is the miracle of life."

"As long as you don't give up on yourself, you can seize that slim chance."

"But you're different."

"Your body is now riddled with the damage from excessive medication."

"If your body were healthier, with the help of my new drugs, stabilizing this genetic disease would be no problem."

"You could live a normal life, marry, and have children."

"Just take daily medication and regular check-ups."

"No different from a normal person."

"But now your body has reached its limit."

"Any medication will only worsen your condition."

"Your current state is just a final flare before the end."

"At most, you have six months. At worst, three."

"You chose this path yourself."

Sayaka sighed with regret at the end.

It was as if she was mourning the fading of a beautiful, vibrant life.

"I can't save you."

Hearing this, the Miyazono parents hugged each other and cried.

Of the three families who came seeking treatment, only their daughter had no hope.

Why was fate so cruel to their family?

"I don't believe it."

Touma Kazusa was the first to lose control, tears streaming down her face as she shouted:

"Akira, you're so amazing, practically omnipotent."

"You must have a way to extend Kaori's life, right?"

"Kazusa, I'm not a doctor."

"Amamiya-nee is the professional."

"Kazusa, thank you."

"But I've accepted my fate."

"The reason I neglected my health was to experience things I never could in the time I have left."

Kaori Miyazono spoke calmly, comforting Touma Kazusa with a gentle tone.

"Kaori, shut up!"

"Don't think I don't know, the reason you ruined your health was for that jerk, Arima Kosei, right?"

"You love-struck fool!"

"What's so great about that four-eyed loser?"

"He's a weak, spineless coward who can't face his past."

"He already has a childhood friend, so why did he mess with you?"

"Why are you burning yourself out to light up some random guy's future?"

Touma Kazusa grabbed Kaori's wrist, shouting hysterically.

"Kazusa, I didn't, don't say that."

Kaori's pale face turned even whiter, as if her inner thoughts had been exposed, and she instinctively denied it.

"Kaori, Kazusa, is what she said true?"

Kaori's parents were devastated, their voices filled with despair and disbelief.

They had always thought Arima Kosei was Kaori's motivation to keep living.

"Did you ever think about your parents, your friends?"

"Kaori was learning the piano with me, but after seeing Arima Kosei's performance, she switched to the violin, dreaming of one day performing with him."

"If you wanted to perform with someone, my childhood friend could have helped you."

"He's a true genius."

"He caught up to my years of piano practice in just a few months."

"Any genius would feel inferior in front of him."

"Kaori Miyazono, you're just a love-struck fool."

"Admiration is the greatest distance in the world."

"Arima Kosei gave up the piano after his mother's death in middle school."

"And you, Kaori, wanted to help him overcome that trauma, even at the cost of your life."