Chapter 268: Kallen's Determination
Life has its dreams, each with their own brilliance.
Kallen felt she had finally understood the true meaning of these words. Her mother hadn't been yearning for wealth and status, nor had she been hoping for her former lover to return to her.
She simply wanted her daughter to live a better life...
"This is the special ward of Tokyo Settlement's best hospital. With your mother staying here and receiving proper care, she'll recover her health soon. However, since the contraband substances caused some neurological damage, complete recovery will likely take some time."
"As for school, I've already arranged a long leave for you. Spend this time accompanying your mother—it will help with her recovery..."
In the pristine white hospital room, Kallen's mother lay quietly on the bed, a faint smile gracing her weary face as if she were having a pleasant dream.
Beside the bed, Kallen sat in a chair wearing her Ashford Academy uniform, holding her mother's hands in her own while gazing at her with tender eyes.
Her mother's fingers were rough, the skin covered with calluses. As Kallen traced the faint wrinkles, waves of guilt and sorrow washed over her.
Her mother had sacrificed so much for her, yet she had been blind to her mother's struggles and had even blamed her instead.
Whether as a daughter or simply as a human being, she felt she had been truly awful.
Still, thanks to him—thanks to this teacher who seemed somewhat unreliable yet always taught her so much—things were different now.
If he hadn't continually guided her, helping her understand herself and recognize her mother's hardships, she probably still wouldn't have realized how many burdens her mother had been carrying silently.
And this immense debt of gratitude—one that outweighed even the sky itself—was something she could never repay in this lifetime.
Kallen slowly raised her head, her eyes settling on the slender figure standing by the window.
The sunlight outside was brilliant, and a gentle breeze drifted through the half-open window, lightly rustling the carnations the man had brought.
Her red hair fell across her eyes, and Kallen reached up with feminine grace to tuck the strands behind her ear.
Her entire field of vision was now filled with that man's figure.
It was hard to believe that Shadow—who had faced the Knights of Rounds at Lakeside without flinching, who had sent Britannia forces running with their tails between their legs—was also Yotsuba Mahiro, who played the role of the somewhat unorthodox teacher at school, and yet possessed such thoughtful and gentle qualities.
Not only had he resolved all the hospitalization issues for her mother, but he'd even had the presence of mind to bring flowers for the patient.
What an incredible person he was...
So different from ZERO. Though she didn't know how he managed his disguises, he never seemed to be hiding in the shadows. Even when his true identity was discovered, he would openly acknowledge it.
...What was this man's true objective?
Could it really be just as he said that day—merely a passing interest?
Probably not...
Kallen was lost in her thoughts, completely unaware that Mahiro had already approached her side.
"Hey, are you listening? Snap out of it!"
A hand waved in front of Kallen's face, finally bringing her back to reality.
"Ah, sorry, I was spacing out, Mahiro-sensei."
Slightly bowing her head in apology, Kallen looked somewhat embarrassed.
"Sigh, forget it. I understand how you feel. But it's alright now—we discovered it early, so your mother still has a high chance of recovery. I've already made arrangements for your mother, and you don't need to worry about other matters. I'll handle everything for you."
Mahiro spoke words of comfort to Kallen.
But then he continued as if complaining, joking lightly:
"But you'll have to explain things to ZERO yourself. Otherwise, your Black Knights and that ZERO guy might think I've kidnapped their precious Knightmare pilot."
.....
Listening to Mahiro's chattering, Kallen suddenly burst out laughing.
"What's so funny? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, I just think... which side is the real you? Sometimes you're frighteningly cold, sometimes frivolous like a playboy, sometimes like a great philosopher... but sometimes, you're an exceptionally gentle person."
"What if I told you that all these sides are me? Through all these aspects combined, they form the existence known as Yotsuba Mahiro."
"....."
Kallen chuckled softly. For some reason, her tense mind gradually relaxed. Just talking with him like this made her feel inexplicably happy.
"Alright, you should spend more time with your mother now. I'll head back to school first."
As Mahiro turned to leave, Kallen stopped him.
"Um... please wait, Mahiro-sensei. Could you come with me? There's something... I want to tell you."
"Huh? What can't be said here?"
"Just come with me already!"
Kallen glanced at her mother lying in the hospital bed, then looked up at Mahiro. Thinking about the secret she wanted to reveal, the strong-willed girl shyly turned her head away.
Seeing the girl's expression, he certainly understood there was something inconvenient to discuss here.
So Mahiro nodded and followed Kallen out of the ward.
The girl brought him to the hospital rooftop. Under the gentle breeze, Mahiro leaned on the rooftop railing with his hands, watching the people coming and going below.
"Sensei, I want to share a secret with you..."
Kallen spoke quietly and softly, her eyes gradually filling with memories of the past.
For Kallen, there was only one place that could be called her "hometown."
It was a small fishing village.
Until a few months before Britannia went to war with Japan, Kallen had lived there.
But after that, she kept moving from place to place, mainly because of her identity—she was a child born from a Britannian and a Japanese.
However, even as anti-Britannian sentiment grew stronger around her, Kallen was rarely bullied or teased by other children.
One reason was that she wouldn't allow others to do so. Though it might sound strange, despite being a girl, she was stronger than other children.
She would mercilessly beat up anyone who dared to speak ill of her, even if they were boys.
Through this method, she made them understand that she was both Britannian and Japanese.
But unfortunately, even though she excelled academically at school, the teachers didn't think highly of her—all because of her mixed heritage.
Thus, her constant moving from place to place was due to the affairs of adults.
The one enduring unbearable suffering was her mother.
Wherever they went, there were always people whispering behind their backs, criticizing this woman who had borne a child for a Britannian. Since they weren't formally married, the criticism grew even harsher.
Yet what Kallen hated most was her mother's weakness.
"Am I an obstacle to you, Mother?"
Kallen had once confronted her with this question directly.
At that time, her mother weakly smiled and hugged her without saying a word, which only made Kallen's heart grow colder.
Why didn't she clearly deny it? Why wouldn't she speak to me? Could it be that she couldn't give a negative answer because she truly felt that way? Was she unable to talk to me because it was the truth?
If you think I'm an obstacle, then you shouldn't have given birth to me in the first place!
Deep inside, Kallen silently protested.
After the war ended, the situation worsened even further.
Without Britannian citizenship, her mother couldn't enter the Britannian concessions.
Even more tragically, there was no place for her in the Japanese residential areas either.
With no job and no home, they could only rely on her brother's meager earnings to scrape by.
Her mother never left the house—or rather, the shabby shack without even a proper door.
Every day, she stayed inside the dim little room, gazing at the only humble shelter she couldn't bring herself to abandon.
And so, the final place they ended up was the Stadtfeld Family.
Of course, Kallen herself was strongly opposed.
"I absolutely refuse to go!"
Have you forgotten what the Britannians did in Japan? How much misfortune they brought upon our family?
Don't you know how shameful it is to accept the pity and charity of Britannians?
Moreover, only I would be formally recognized.
What about my brother?
What about Mother?
Is it acceptable for our entire family to be torn apart like this?
Why should we accept something so cruel?
For this reason, persuaded by her brother Naoto and for her mother's sake, she eventually compromised. Yet deep down, her loathing for Britannia drove her to join her brother's resistance army...
"What a complicated family environment..."
After listening, Mahiro sighed softly.
Before coming here, he had considered countless reasons—perhaps Kallen wanted to continue their previous conversation.
He never expected that she would confide in him her deepest secrets and past.
Though he knew why Kallen was at odds with her mother and why her mother stubbornly remained with the Stadtfeld Family,
he hadn't imagined the circumstances would be so convoluted.
After revealing everything, Kallen remained standing behind him, hands clasped in front of her, embodying the demeanor of a sheltered young lady.
Though Kallen displayed remarkable courage on the battlefield, in daily life, years of aristocratic education had profoundly influenced her.
However, her tone gradually softened from the previous grief and indignation, her gaze into the distance gradually filling with memories.
Scene after scene from the past resurfaced before her eyes once more.
"I was such a fool... Watching my mother being cursed at point-blank, punished over trivial matters, yet she always stood there with that foolish smile. I thought she was just coveting this family's wealth, wanting to beg for mercy from her old flame, which was why she endured these tramplings on her dignity... But who would have known, who could have known..."
As Kallen spoke, her eyes reddened. She sniffled, randomly wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes with her hand, biting her lip tightly.
If she could have another chance, she would definitely protect her mother properly.
It's just a pity that there are no "ifs" in this world—though it seems second chances might exist, remembering someone's Geass ability...
Mahiro didn't speak, didn't offer words of comfort, only silently took a handkerchief from his pocket and, while Kallen trembled slightly, gently wiped away her tear stains.
The tear-soaked handkerchief wasn't taken back by Mahiro; instead, he softly placed it in Kallen's hand.
"Th...thank you!"
She was being treated kindly again.
Perhaps, aside from her mother and her deceased brother Naoto, the only person who truly saw her as a girl was the one before her now.
"Mahiro-sensei, may I lean on your shoulder?"
"Of course."
Mahiro stood there smiling, not moving a muscle, allowing Kallen to lean against him.
"So warm..."
This feeling of warmth was truly long overdue for her, more tangible than the heating system in the mansion.
Thump! Thump!
A strong, powerful heartbeat echoed in her ears.
But while enjoying this brief comfort, Kallen caught a faint, delicate fragrance—a serene and profound scent reminiscent of grassy forests.
The source of that scent turned out to be the handkerchief in her hand!
"It smells really nice. What perfume is this? I've never smelled it before."
She brought the handkerchief to her nose and gently sniffed it.
The scent wasn't strong but rather fresh and elegant, capable of calming one's mood.
"That's not perfume; it's Alpha's body fragrance."
"Alpha?"
"You've seen her—that girl with long golden hair, always accompanied by a woman with light golden hair."
With that reminder, Kallen recalled.
There was indeed such a person. So her name is Alpha?
What a strange name...
But—
"I never expected you to be such a playboy, Sensei, not even sparing your own subordinate."
Klean pulled away from his embrace, looked up, and stared at him with dead-fish eyes, complaining resentfully.
After all, he even had something as intimate as a personal handkerchief carrying her body fragrance.
But Mahiro denied this claim.
"No, she's not a subordinate; she's my family."
"Family?"
"That's right. The entire Shadow Garden, all seven hundred girls, they are all my family."
"Se-seven hundred girls?!"
Kallen was astonished. She knew that aside from Mahiro, everyone else seemed to be young girls, but she never expected there to be so many.
However, as if struck by a thought, she suddenly broke into a teary laugh and shot him a coquettish glare, saying, "At this point, why call it Shadow Garden? You might as well call it Shadow Harem."
"If that's what you think, it's fine by me."
Mahiro shrugged indifferently.
Seeing that Kallen had calmed down, he returned to the main topic.
"By the way, what are you planning to do next? Will you accompany your mother through her recovery while still participating in the Black Knights' operations?"
To this, Kallen's answer was naturally "YES," accompanied by a firm nod.
No matter what, she would never abandon the Black Knights' cause. No matter how uncertain the path ahead, she was determined to drive the Britannians out of Japan and overthrow Britannia's oppressive and unequal rule!
Surprisingly, she then extended her hand toward Mahiro, her expression serious as she made a solemn request:
"So, Mahiro-sensei, will you help me? Help us?"
"Oh, so you're setting your sights on me now."
Mahiro stroked his chin and smiled faintly. "Helping you is no problem. I could even assist you in unifying the world, let alone overthrowing Britannia. But what can you offer in return, Kallen?
You should know, everything in this world comes with a price tag hidden in the shadows. There's no such thing as a free ride."
"Anything."
Kallen's eyes blazed with determination.
After seeing her mother hospitalized due to contraband, Kallen's desire to overthrow the regime had never burned so fiercely.
Even if it meant her body turned to ashes in the flames, she would not hesitate!
"That's certainly a tempting offer."
Given Kallen's beauty, offering herself could be considered a sufficient price.
But—
"I refuse!"
"Eh? Why?!"
"Because you're just acting on impulse right now. Think it over carefully, young lady. Don't let a momentary decision lead to a lifetime of regret."
A trace of confusion flickered across Kallen's face. By the time she regained her composure, Mahiro had already left the hospital.
When she returned to the hospital room, the doctors and nurses had finished examining her mother. After explaining the necessary precautions, they left.
In the stark white room, only Kallen remained, sitting alone by her mother's bedside, watching over her.
She recounted amusing stories from school and shared happy memories from the past.
But sadly, her mother would never respond again.
"Please wait for me."
Kallen placed her hands on her knees, biting her lip tightly.
"Before Mother is discharged—I will change things for you. I'll restore the world where Mother and I can live ordinary lives. So, so...…"
Overwhelmed by surging emotions, Kallen's voice choked in her throat.
At that moment.
Whether by chance or some miracle, her mother's hand, resting on the blanket, moved. As if slipping from the covers, it gently fell onto Kallen's knee, touching her hand.
"!"
"....."
She seemed to hear her mother's voice. When Kallen looked up, she noticed her mother's eyes had opened at some point, yet there was no focus in her pupils—as if they could reflect nothing at all.
In her daze, she simply gazed quietly ahead, her line of sight seemingly piercing through the boundaries of time and space, settling upon the little girl from the slums of the past—the daughter who had returned with her brother Naoto after finding food.
"Keep going... Kallen, my daughter..."
Glimmers of light shone in Kallen's eyes as tears continuously streamed down her cheeks. She nodded.
"Yes, I will keep going."
Kallen didn't wipe away her tears, instead letting them flow freely down her face.
"I will definitely keep going!"
Even if it was for her mother's sake, she would overthrow that detestable empire, no matter what the cost!