"Mom, why are you picking me up again!"

Koga Shie was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice Mizuho's arrival, and the sudden words startled her.

"You're early today, Mizuho."

Although startled, Koga Shie didn't have much of a reaction. After recovering, she lovingly patted Mizuho's head and looked around, realizing that someone who is usually with them was not present today.

"Where's Yuki? Why isn't she with us today?"

"She's on duty today. I told her we'd wait for her at the school gate."

Holding her mother's hand, Mizuho looked towards the direction of the teaching building.

— Why did someone come out of the school gate first instead of waiting at the duty station for her?

This question naturally flashed through Koga Shie's mind, but she didn't ask it out loud.

"Oh..."

Koga Shie simply responded. She guessed that Mizuho was worried about waiting alone and came out first to accompany them. So she didn't delve further into this topic and happily accepted Mizuho's kindness.

Usually, when the mother and daughter were together, they would talk about mundane family matters, such as what to eat for dinner, which supermarket nearby had a big sale, or that a new dessert shop opened that supposedly had good flavors... These were the usual topics they would chat about.

But today's topic was different.

"Hey, Mom, I've found out that there's a mastermind behind Akatobi."

In the chaotic environment of the school gate with people coming and going, Koga Mizuho said this in a volume only she and her mother could hear.

This made Koga Shie, who had relaxed, tense up again.

The excessive protection Koga Shie showed towards Mizuho was because of this. She found out that Mizuho was investigating the behind-the-scenes scheme of Akatobi and ordered her to stop, but Mizuho was still determined to seek the truth.

"Mizuho, didn't I tell you to stop getting involved in this matter!"

Koga Shie's voice was also low, but her nervous and angry emotions made this statement strongly impossible for Mizuho to ignore.

"I know you're worried about me, Mom... but I can't just ignore this matter."

Mizuho was not intimidated by her mother's tough tone. Although her voice trembled a bit, she still insisted on her opinion and stance.

"Akatobi has been arrested and sentenced. Even if he was not the mastermind, it's been so long since the incident. Let's let it go and not take unnecessary risks, alright?"

Koga Shie's tone was almost pleading, and this change in attitude made Mizuho unable to firmly reject her mother's opinion. She could only respond with a vague "Hmm."

Mizuho understood the danger of this matter and knew that her mother was trying to protect her, but what she couldn't tolerate were those individuals who directly or indirectly harmed her family and friends. After the matter was settled, they could continue their lives as if nothing had happened.

Evil must be punished. If heaven doesn't bring down punishment, she will find a way herself.

Mizuho knew her own power was insignificant, and she knew this better than anyone else. However, there were many powers in this world that she could seek help from, and there were also those who were willing to be helped.

The Koga Mizuho who once lost trust in this world regained her trust after being rescued by a certain boy and found back the warm emotions she had discarded.

It is because of this that she cannot tolerate those individuals who have committed heinous acts.