[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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Tayuya grabbed Miku and leapt out of the window! Behind them, Kidomaru quickly formed a hand seal, and flames erupted, engulfing the small room.
Miku's heart clenched in panic. 'No! Shouko is still inside!'
She wanted to call out to Shouko, to warn her to escape, but her voice wouldn't come. She opened her mouth repeatedly, straining to make a sound, yet no words emerged.
Tayuya frowned at the sight. "You can't even speak? No resistance at all? What a waste. I don't understand why Orochimaru-sama ordered us to bring someone so useless back."
'"Useless..."'
That single word struck Miku like a dagger, making her pupils shrink. 'Yes... She's right. I am useless.'
Labeled as worthless by countless others, she had always relied on the power of the spirits to support her. Her songs, adored by millions, were a lie.
But now, the girl who had just shown her warmth and kindness was about to die. And Miku couldn't even call for help.
'Why? Why am I so useless? Why am I such a waste?'
Her heart screamed in desperation. 'Creator, if you can see me now, please! Help me just this once! Even if it's only to let me shout a single word—just one word!'
Miku struggled to speak, her mouth opening again and again, but something seemed to grip her throat, silencing her. In the past, she would have given up. But not now.
'Shouko can't die! She just found her voice—how could she die? And I haven't sung for her yet. I can't let her die!'
"Save… Save… Help… Someone, help us!"
To her astonishment, her voice finally broke through. She cried out, her desperate pleas ringing out into the night. But there was no relief in her heart—only fear for Shouko's safety.
Suddenly, a cool droplet landed on her skin. Surprised, Miku looked up.
More droplets followed, and in moments, a heavy rain poured down, extinguishing the flames. The inferno that had consumed the room was gone.
The sudden downpour startled the Sound Four, who stood nearby.
"This rain… something's wrong!" Tayuya muttered, alarmed.
A calm yet commanding voice rang out. "Of course, it's not normal. Who gave you the audacity to commit arson and murder in my world?"
Startled, the Sound Four immediately assumed a defensive stance. But what could they do against this overwhelming presence?
'"Thunder's Breath: First Form—Thunderclap and Flash."'
A bolt of lightning streaked through the air, and Alexander appeared behind them. In the blink of an eye, all four collapsed to the ground, incapacitated. Miku, too, was finally freed from their grip.
"It seems I arrived just in time," Alexander said with a gentle smile, turning to Miku. "Congratulations on finding your voice."
But Miku didn't respond to his words. Instead, she turned anxiously toward Shouko's room.
Seeing her distress, Alexander raised a hand, silently channeling the sealed elven power back into Miku. Light enveloped her, and she transformed back into the radiant singer she once was.
Without a moment's hesitation, Miku flew to Shouko's room. Upon finding her unharmed, Miku let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness… she's okay," she whispered.
Alexander appeared beside her and nodded. "Indeed. You saved her. If you hadn't called for help, I wouldn't have arrived in time."
Miku shook her head. "No… She's the one who saved me."
Turning to Alexander, she offered him a bright smile. "Thank you as well. Without you, I wouldn't have experienced so much… and grown stronger."
Alexander chuckled. "I'm honored to hear thanks from someone who famously hates men. So… have you stopped hating men now?"
Miku hesitated, then said with a smirk, "I don't hate all men… just most of them. But you… you're different."
Alexander scratched his head, unsure how to interpret her words. "Why do I feel like I'm being insulted somehow?"