Sora rarely asked questions like this.
But today… there was something different in her eyes.
Curiosity.
Kamui's mother noticed it immediately.
I can't refuse her now… she thought softly.
"Mother…" Sora said, walking toward the window, her voice gentle yet filled with wonder.
"Can you tell me the story of the gods? And… why do we hide our surname 'Akuma'?"
She gazed up at the night sky.
A star was falling.
No… not falling.
Descending.
It glowed with a bright blue light, cutting through the darkness like a silent omen.
Her mother walked toward her and gently placed a hand on her head.
"…Alright, my dear. But this will be the last story I tell you."
A bright smile spread across Sora's face.
She quickly ran to her bed and wrapped herself in the blanket, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Her mother sat beside her.
"Sora… my little girl," she began softly, "you want to know why we hide our surname… Akuma."
Sora nodded.
Her mother's eyes grew distant.
"Long before time… there existed a single god."
"The One."
"He created the world… and everything within it."
"But… something went wrong."
"He began to corrupt."
"To stop himself… he split his existence into nine parts."
"Nine gods were born from him."
Her voice lowered.
"God of Water… Goddess of Earth… Goddess of Fire… God of Wind… God of Heaven… God of Hell…"
"…Goddess of Nature… Goddess of War…"
She paused.
Sora leaned forward slightly.
"And… Goddess of Wishes."
Sora's eyes widened.
"What's her name…?"
Her mother smiled faintly.
"Her name… is Beatrix."
A soft silence filled the room.
"We hide our surname 'Akuma'… because we worship her."
Sora blinked.
"W-why…?"
Her mother's expression turned serious.
"Because… she didn't stand with the other gods."
"The only one she stayed beside… was the God of Hell."
"And the others feared him."
"…Because he was pure corruption."
Before Sora could ask more—
Her breathing slowed.
She had fallen asleep.
Her mother gently tucked her in and left the room quietly.
3:00 AM
Kamui's eyes suddenly opened.
"…How long was I out?"
He looked at the clock.
3:00 AM.
"…Ah… not again."
He sat up, holding his head.
"Hey… you. The thing inside me."
"…Who are you?"
A calm voice echoed.
"I suppose… I should answer that now."
A soft light appeared in the room.
And then—
She revealed herself.
White wings.
A radiant smile.
A pure white dress that shimmered like moonlight.
Kamui froze.
"I… am Beatrix."
"The Goddess of Wishes."
His heart pounded.
"W-Why me?! Why did you choose me? What happened to you? Why do I have to become a god—?!"
"Enough."
Her voice cut through his panic.
"I chose you. That is all that matters."
"I will explain… when the time is right."
Kamui took a deep breath and calmed himself.
"…Fine."
He looked at her.
"I'll wait."
Beatrix smiled faintly.
"I have created a system for you."
"You can grant… or deny… any wish."
A glowing interface appeared before him.
Kamui lay back on the bed.
"…That's actually kinda cool."
Beatrix's eyes turned serious.
"But be careful."
"Every wish… has a cost."
Before she could say more—
Kamui had already fallen asleep.
She looked at him silently.
"…Did I choose correctly…?"
Morning
Sunlight poured through the window, painting the room in orange and red.
Downstairs, Kamui's mother prepared breakfast.
She walked to his room.
"Kamui, wake up. It's time."
A few minutes later—
Kamui came downstairs, stretching.
"Mom, what's for breakfast?"
She leaned close to his ear and whispered:
"I saved some money… If you're free today, take Sora to the amusement park."
Sora's eyes lit up instantly.
Kamui paused.
He knew.
That money… wasn't easy to save.
He smiled softly.
"…Then you're coming too."
His mother shook her head.
"If I go… who will earn money?"
Kamui didn't argue.
He just nodded.
🚿 Bathroom – System Activation
As water dripped from his hair—
A screen appeared before his eyes.
Beatrix's voice echoed:
"Accept… or deny."
A message appeared:
[ I want to be rich ]
Kamui frowned.
"…Why isn't the name shown?"
"If you knew who made the wish," Beatrix replied,
"you would judge them."
Two options appeared:
Accept — Decline
Kamui hesitated.
Then—
He pressed Accept.
"…What's going to happen to them?"
Somewhere else…
A small girl smiled innocently.
That person—
Was none other than Sora