Kaoru entered Matsuda's office with his usual unhurried stride, but the atmosphere shifted the moment he pulled out a small box from his pocket and set it on the desk. Matsuda, engrossed in reading a report, immediately froze at the sight of it. His expression turned serious.
"You found it?" Matsuda asked, his eyes fixed on the box.
"Yeah, by chance," Kaoru replied in a calm tone. "Towako gave it to me as a gift."
Matsuda's gaze sharpened. "Does she have any idea what kind of artifact she handed over?"
Kaoru shrugged, taking a seat across the desk. "How could she? When I got it, it looked like an ordinary dorodango. But when I broke it open, I found this." He opened the box, revealing a small seed emitting a soft glow.
Leaning back in his chair, Matsuda's face shifted to a mix of awe and caution. "Kaoru-san, you understand how valuable this is, don't you?"
"Of course," Kaoru replied nonchalantly. "Shinmara's been searching for it. Isn't this what she referred to as the Yggdrasill Seed? So, why don't we just hand it over to her? Wouldn't that solve the problem?"
"No!" Matsuda straightened up immediately, his tone stern with warning. "It's far too dangerous to hand something this significant over without careful consideration—at least, not without negotiation."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow, a sly smile forming. "Oh? So, you want to use this as leverage, then?"
Matsuda sighed, rubbing his temples. "Caught red-handed, huh? I can never hide anything from you."
"Obviously." Kaoru leaned back in his chair, his grin growing wider. "We're both capitalists, Matsuda. I can see your intentions a mile away."
Matsuda chuckled softly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. But think about this, Kaoru-san. This seed isn't just another artifact—it has the potential to reshape the world. If we hand it over too easily, we lose the chance to ensure its use aligns with our interests—and, of course, to secure proper compensation."
Crossing his arms, Kaoru stared at the seed inside the box, his expression thoughtful. "I get your point, Matsuda. But you also know this could backfire spectacularly. The longer we keep this, the more likely we'll attract the attention of people far more dangerous than Shinmara."
Matsuda nodded slowly. "True. Which is why we need to tread carefully. Shinmara's presence offers an opportunity—either to forge an alliance or to ensure this artifact isn't misused in ways that could harm us."
Kaoru sighed, closing the box and slipping it back into his pocket. "Alright. But I'll handle the meeting with Shinmara. I don't want this turning into a messy bargaining session that jeopardizes our relationship with the Kijin of Frost."
Matsuda gave a small, knowing smile. "Of course. I have full confidence in your negotiation skills, Kaoru-san. You have a way of dealing with people like Shinmara that doesn't require much talking."
Standing up, Kaoru fixed Matsuda with a sharp gaze. "Remember, Matsuda—if we're going to play with something this significant, we need to be ready for the consequences. I won't let this world's safety be compromised for the sake of small gains."
Matsuda nodded, though his smile remained laced with intrigue. "Understood, Kaoru-san. You know I respect your principles, even if I tend to… interpret them more flexibly."
Kaoru turned and began walking toward the door. "Let's see how this meeting goes. I hope you're right about this, Matsuda."
As Kaoru left, Matsuda leaned back in his chair, a faint smile lingering on his lips. "Kaoru Rasputin… You always think more about the world than yourself. And that's exactly what makes you so compelling to work with."
---
Kaoru strode down the hallway toward the virtual training room, a facility the Taimanin used for combat simulations. Despite the heavy, soundproof steel door, he could feel faint vibrations hinting at intense activity within. Whoever was inside wasn't holding back.
His curiosity piqued, Kaoru entered the control room. As someone with exclusive access to the department's systems, he didn't need permission to check who was using the facility. Upon stepping inside, the large monitor displayed the training room's interior.
Inside, Kaoru immediately recognized the figure—Onisaki Kirara.
Kirara, a renowned Frost Kijin descendant, was training with fierce determination. She wore her distinctive Taimanin attire—provocative yet functional—designed to maximize her agility and movement. Kaoru recalled their first meeting, when he had silently scoffed at her bold outfit choice. But watching her now, he had to admit that she wielded her freedom of movement with masterful precision.
In the virtual room, Kirara battled against bio-simulated creatures that resembled a grotesque blend of oversized insects and reptiles. Her Frost Kijin heritage was evident in her mastery over ice magic. Each gesture of her hand conjured razor-sharp spears of ice that struck with unerring accuracy, piercing her foes without mercy. The arena slowly froze over, reflecting her absolute control over her element.
"She's impressive," Kaoru muttered, folding his arms as he observed Kirara's every move. He recalled their previous conversation, where Kirara had confessed her desire to grow stronger to protect something precious to her.
Kirara leapt high into the air, unleashing a barrage of strikes that obliterated the final simulated creature into a flurry of digital particles. As the battle concluded, the room fell silent, leaving Kirara standing amid the frosty remains of her conquest.
Kaoru activated the intercom, his voice cutting through the quiet. "Well done, Kirara. But don't you think you're taking this a bit too seriously for routine training?"
Kirara, catching her breath, jolted slightly at the sound of Kaoru's voice. She turned toward one of the room's corners, where the intercom camera was mounted. "Kaoru-san? Were you watching me?"
Kaoru chuckled, pressing the button to open the training room door. "Not watching—just curious. This place is usually empty at this hour."
As the door slid open, Kaoru entered with his usual calm demeanor, his eyes scanning the frosty battleground. Kirara stood tall, wiping sweat from her brow, and offered him a faint smile. "I just felt the need to train harder. You know as well as I do—this world never runs out of threats."
Kaoru nodded, his hands in his pockets. "True. But I didn't expect you to be using the same room that I nearly destroyed once."
Kirara raised an eyebrow, recalling the stories she'd heard. "So the rumors are true? You wrecked this room?"
Kaoru shrugged, a sly grin on his face. "Let's just say I got a bit carried away. But seeing how well you're using it now, I have to commend you. Your control over ice is remarkable."