Chapter 40 What Lies in Front of Us
"…"
Perhaps for the first time since his creation, Hei is not answering the calling not because he does not want to answer, but because he does not know how to answer.
Seeing the familiar yet strange girl in front of him, the Black Reaper finds himself losing his ability to formulate a proper reply.
Looking deep into the girl's eyes, something inside Hei's mind seems to be disconnected, but something else becomes, at the same time, very connected.
"Bai."
That is the best you can do? Just "Bai"? How can one not be bothered by this detached reaction? For someone who is literately your sister, how can you not address her with her actual name upon the first reunion? How can you not react with more concern in your voice?
Walking casually toward the Black Reaper, the young girl slowly allows herself to raise her arms to the level of Hei's mask.
Yet, the imperfect clone does not imply any form of resistance upon the sudden close encounter.
Tenderly yet firmly, Bai raises her hand to come into contact with the edge of the pale mask. Placing her hand on Hei's left cheek, the girl closes her hopeful eyes for a small moment, and reopens them with a tiny glimpse of disappointment flashing under the reflection of the stars.
Swiftly, her right hand swings to her right side, bring the Reaper mask away from the man in front of her.
Under the light rays of the night sky, Hei's face can be limpidly observed. The narrow eyes reflecting the peaceful insight of knowledge are completely exposed to the young girl.
"You are not Hei."
"…"
Looking at the disappointed girl, the Black Reaper decides to keep silent at the sudden discovery.
"But there is nothing I can do."
There is definitely disappointment in that statement. Perhaps it is rather cruel for a young girl to discover that her long-lost brother will never be seen again, while a replacement who is not a fully functional human is now her predetermined family; however, disappointment is not the main idea of her expression – it is the resignation residing in her voice that can fully indicate her sadness.
She has been waiting.
Waiting for a long time.
When she finally experiences that day where the person for whom she has been waiting is right in front of her, she realizes that he is long gone.
Perhaps that is fate.
Fate is always so unforgiving.
Disregarding her thoughts, Bai refocuses on the Black Reaper again, and proceeds to her duty.
"You have noticed that the fluctuation of your experiment has created something extraordinary."
"…"
Remaining soundless, the imperfect clone expresses a small nod to Bai's assumption.
"The power of Izanagi, or Shion, as he is known, is the source of creation. It is he who brought us into this unfamiliar world."
Turning at the Black Reaper again, the young girl continually to explain what is meant to be conveyed from the very beginning.
"Yet you do see, we are not fully incorporated in this world. Or, as you may say, we are not really living beings."
"…"
"Your experiment was flawed on the very last step. When they thought they had full control over Shion's power, they were wrong."
"Feasible."
Commenting on Bai's explanation, the Black Reaper sees the logic inside her argument, and advances toward his own words.
"If the power of Izanagi was used correctly, then my sensory cortex would be complete."
Blinking her eyes, Bai tried to cover herself with thoughts, but soon fails to contain her ideas from the Black Reaper.
"Precisely. This is why you are not Hei."
Harsh words. Does Hei care? Probably not. Since his creation, he always knew that he was not the real Li, but this does not concern him, because the missing part of sensory cortex in his brain does not allow for worrying to take place.
Finishing observing the young girl in front of him, Hei turns his head toward the night stars, and indulges himself in deep thoughts once again.
"We have a problem."
The voice of his supposed sister is coming into his ears again, but he is not going to turn his head when he is consumed by analytics.
"The power of the Izanami, it is still active."
Fiercely snapping out of his own thoughts, the new input from the girl is an external factor that must be calculated into all of his future plans.
"Yin?"
"You have seen her."
"…"
"That is… rather fortunate."
Silently marching forward, the young girl continues her normal gestures, hinting the Black Reaper to follow suit.
"The power of Izanami. The definition of death, of destruction, and of the end of everything. Once it is out in the world, it is meant to forever terminate whatever foundation on which we stand and exist. Right now, the power has a host, and this host is providing it a place of rest. When it is still asleep, we can still stand, but once it awakens, everything that Shion worked to build will be destroyed, and everything in your current world will become ashes."
"…"
"Use your logic, we all know that the best line of action. As the Black Reaper –"
She pauses, a small dash of dejection finds itself in her eyes, but then it is wiped away in the next second.
"You must eliminate it before it is too late."