When Hiyori saw Raven approach, her previously complaining expression immediately shifted to one of slight embarrassment, a reaction she hadn't displayed before.
"This is unprecedented. You're actually wearing clothes like this." Raven walked up to Hiyori, frankly sizing her up.
"I didn't want to wear it at all," Hiyori quickly retorted, her face showing reluctance. Tendo had inexplicably forced her to wear it.
"Speaking of which, who exactly is that old man?" Thinking about it, Hiyori asked Tendo.
"If I am the treasure of humanity, then he is the treasure of the world." Tendo started spouting nonsensical grand pronouncements again.
"Just try to act normal for once; you're being pretentious again," Raven couldn't stand it anymore. How can someone be so shameless?
"I am the man who walks the path of heaven, who rules over everything…"
"The Young Master has arrived!"
Just then, the butler proudly ushered Tsurugi Kamishiro inside. The butler was even holding a flower basket, constantly scattering petals in front of them, creating a strong sense of ceremony. Tsurugi walked behind him, completely accustomed to the spectacle.
"Oh, I didn't expect the birthday party to be so small," he complained, already being picky. "I've only ever held a party this small for my rabbit."
Just then, Tendo walked over, holding a plate of steak, and said to the butler: "I figured out how you seasoned it yesterday. Would you care to taste it?"
"Alright, I must also reach the pinnacle in the field of tasting." Tsurugi turned to take the dish from Tendo.
But Tendo pulled it away.
"Not for you. This is for the old man," Tendo stated bluntly, giving Tsurugi no face.
This completely stunned Tsurugi; he looked like an utter fool.
Raven, seeing this, just shook his head. To influence a naturally brutal Worm into behaving like this, Tsurugi's personality had to be exceptionally strong.
At this moment, Raven suddenly received a call. It was Misaki Yuzuki.
He stepped aside to answer it. "What is it? Decided to call me?" Raven said, holding his Faiz Phone to his ear.
His primary communication tool was now essentially the Faiz Phone. It could simulate any telecommunications carrier without a SIM card, allowing for calls anytime.
"Thank goodness! I finally got through!" Misaki sounded surprised and relieved. She had tried to reach him several times while he was away, but the cafe was closed and his phone was unreachable.
"You said you would help us. I need to ask for that help now," Misaki said seriously.
"I did say that. Tell me what you need me to do," Raven replied unhurriedly.
Hearing this, Misaki's hope immediately rekindled. She quickly told Raven what had happened to Kagami.
"That guy isn't recovered, but he ran out of the hospital again. He's definitely heading to that factory. Headquarters is planning to bomb the area, and he might get hurt," Misaki said, sounding very nervous.
"I understand," Raven answered calmly.
In truth, this crisis was more of an opportunity for Kagami. Although Raven didn't know why Kagami had to be fatally injured and die once to be recognized by the Gatack Zecter, it was a necessary process for him to undergo.
Just then, a figure walked in through the door. It was Shun Kageyama of the Shadow Squad. He had come to seek Tsurugi Kamishiro's help in dealing with the Worms in the factory.
"Is that you? Come to wash dishes again?" Tendo looked at Kageyama and seemed to enjoy harassing him.
After all, not long ago, Kageyama had used all sorts of underhanded tactics to achieve his goals. Kagami was one of the people whose morale Kageyama had almost shattered. That was why Tendo had taken special care of Kageyama during the few days he was still with ZECT. This still made Kageyama feel apprehensive.
However, Kageyama quickly thought, Tendo isn't the Captain anymore, and he left ZECT. He instantly grew bolder and ignored Tendo.
He walked up to Tsurugi Kamishiro and said, "Hey, time to work."
Tsurugi was currently employed by ZECT, receiving payment for every Worm he defeated.
"No, I haven't heard the song yet." Tsurugi's noble sense of ceremony was strong, and he was completely unmoved.
"The song?"
"The song celebrating my birthday." Tsurugi looked up from his meal, suddenly had an idea, and told Kageyama: "Perfect timing. You sing it. Otherwise, I won't move."
Kageyama's face instantly darkened. "Are you kidding me?" He didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of others again.
At that moment, the butler quickly pulled Kageyama aside and gently persuaded him: "The Young Master won't listen to anything when he's in a bad mood."
Thus, Kageyama was forced to compromise. Holding a lyric sheet for the birthday song, he sang with a strained smile, clearly feeling the humiliation of compromising for the sake of his job.
Raven couldn't help but sigh. Actors from the neighboring studios have it so rough here. They either play villains or cannon fodder.
To be honest, seeing Kageyama immediately reminded him of Ultraman Nexus and a popular meme image: The Doom of Kamen Riders.jpg, which showed Ultraman Nexus chasing after Kabuto, who was frantically running away on the ground.
Soon, the birthday party concluded. Tsurugi Kamishiro entered work mode, ready to kill Worms to celebrate his birthday. The butler paid for the meal with a silver fork. It was quite valuable, but it also showed they were truly out of money, almost at their wit's end.
After the guests left, Tendo also immediately departed, clearly worried about Kagami.
…
In the Worm-occupied factory.
Kagami, riding his motorcycle, broke through ZECT's blockade and recklessly rushed inside, determined to save a boy inside. He firmly believed the boy was not a Worm.
But the harsh reality quickly slapped him in the face. The boy was indeed a Worm. He had deceived Kagami only to delay ZECT's extermination plan so that all the unhatched eggs could hatch.
Now certain that Kagami was of no further use, the Worm transformed into its true form right in front of Kagami and personally stabbed him through the body.