Ikuma, aware of her feelings, mumbled, “We’ll have to let her be for a while.” He signaled with his eyes to the butler and the maids. That was the only thing he could do for Washu.
In the dilapidated school’s library, Washu stared at the spot where Mikamo used to sit.
Yes… I’m a liar…
She thought back to his words. She now understood what he meant. Jurai, Seniwa, and the Academy. The most powerful countries and institution in the universe. Blocked by those three obstacles, she could not even leave the Academy, much less go to Seniwa. The people she cared about the most were now beyond her reach.
I can’t do anything about this the way I am right now. Washu was all too aware of her own helplessness. She curled up on the chair and looked at the jewels on her pendant. Ripping it from around her neck impulsively, she tried to throw it, but her anger suddenly dissipated, and she slumped down into the chair. The jewels slid out of her hand onto the floor.
How many hours did she stay like that? The sun had set long ago. She remained motionless, staring blankly at nothing.
“Washu-chan…” There was the old woman, standing before her. Weakly, Washu turned to her. The old woman sat down next to the empty shell of Washu and said, “Don’t be silly. You know you should cry at a time like this.”
Fat tears tumbled from Washu’s eyes, which had moments ago been as blank as a doll’s. She started sobbing and clutched the old woman like a small child. She cried out for the first time, awkwardly at first, unable to find a voice. But once she started, her sobs continued unabated, and she wailed her heart out.
How long had it been? Washu awoke to the morning sun shining in her face. She had cried herself to sleep. The old woman had stayed by her side all night and was asleep herself, leaning against a sofa. Washu got up and draped the blanket that had been placed over her on the old woman instead.
“Thank you, Nana.”
Washu realized that she had taken on a child’s form. She had transformed while crying in her sleep, but she did not feel like turning back. She noticed the fallen jewels beside the sofa and quietly scooped them up. “Heh. I don’t know who you are, but you can’t keep me down.”
There was no use brooding. I can’t do anything right now. But… Washu was forming a plan. She started to run and then tripped on her own baggy clothes. “I forgot about my outfit…”
It had been two nights since Washu holed herself up in the library, and Naja had not been able to sleep. She was sitting, spaced out, on the sofa in her lab.
“Guess who?!” Someone covered her eyes from behind.
“Washu-chan?!”
“Ding ding ding!!”
Naja turned around and opened her eyes wide at the sight of Washu. “But you’re so…”
“Are you surprised? You knew I had powers.”
“That’s true, but… Ohhh.” Naja sighed in relief and hugged the small Washu.
“I’m sorry I worried you.”
“I thought you didn’t like me anymore,” Naja said.
“It’s not your fault. But you should wipe that snot off your face.”
“Oops, sorry.” Naja stepped away and blew her nose.
“Say, Naja… I want to see Mikumo,” Washu began, once Naja had calmed down.
“What?”
“I wish I could have him back. But right now, I just want to see him… That’s all.”
“But Mikamo-kun is…”
“I told you, I want to see Mikumo, my son.”
Naja stared at Washu in stony silence.
“If I could just have that life back… The three of us, a family. Living our normal, routine lives… Aren’t I terrible? It was like that, just a few days ago… But I’ve accepted this new reality already.”
“But that’s…”
“But I’ve realized that I have a family, too, and a place I call home. So I understand how hard the decision must’ve been for Mikamo.”
“Thank you. It’s good to hear that,” Naja was grateful that Washu considered her a member of her family.
“Besides, I can easily imagine what Mikamo’s parents will do to him, showing up with a baby in tow.” Washu glanced sidelong at Naja. “An engagement announcement as soon as he returned home, I suppose. Right, Naja?” She was in complete control of this conversation. A twelve-year-old girl was scolding a grown adult. It was a strange sight. “But I’m worried about how Mikumo will be treated.”
“…” It was true, there were no guarantees. Naja thought that Mikumo’s treatment would be up to Mikamo and the influence he had.
“If only I had the kind of power that no one could gainsay…” Washu muttered. Naja felt the same. “Anyway,” Washu continued, “I’ve got something to ask of you. Could you introduce me to an Academy grad student?”
“I can’t do that. I know what you want to do, but they won’t be so easily…”
Academy grad students were chosen from among those who completed their respective departments’ coursework. They became the heart of Juraian scientific and technological research. But the sum total of the Department of Philosophy’s technology was so varied and complex, no one grad student could grasp it all. There wasn’t even an individual with that much knowledge in the military.
And, to top it all off, the Academy grad students were so proud that nobody could control them.
“It’s all right! I only want you to introduce one person to me.”
“…?”
“Actually…” Washu stealthily whispered into Naja’s ear.
“Washu-chan…you’re so wily.” said Naja. And yet, her face broke into a smile.