Make Them Love Me Or They'll End The World-Chapter 131: The Choice

"Y-you want us to join?! Are you serious!" Milly’s voice cracked, her surprise filling the otherwise quiet medical ward.

Akio’s grin didn’t waver. The Supreme Commander’s aura was impossible to ignore, her confidence radiating like a second presence in the room. "Of course I’m serious," she replied, her tone smooth but commanding. "I would love to have talent like you two. You’d be in my personal squad, trained directly under me. You’d learn more than this branch could ever offer you, not saying that they don’t teach or anything..."

Milly’s breath caught. Her eyes shimmered with excitement, but when she turned, she noticed Kira. Unlike her, Kira hadn’t reacted. No wide-eyed excitement, no giddy grin. Just silence.

Kira’s gaze lingered past Akio, locked on the curtain as if the walls themselves offered answers. Inside, her mind was burning. Join Akio’s squad... the strongest of the strong. A chance like this only comes once. Who wouldn’t want it? But her thoughts spiralled elsewhere. If I go... I leave Kentaro. I won’t be near him. I won’t be able to protect him. Not if I’m stationed in Tokyo under Akio’s command.

Her chest tightened. Do I chase strength... or stay close to the one person I can’t lose?

"Kira?" Milly tilted her head, her voice softer, trying to break through the trance. "What about you?"

Kira blinked, finally snapping out of her spiral. Both Milly and Akio were staring at her now, expectant. For a moment, she hesitated, then lowered her head. "I’m sorry, Supreme Commander Akio," she said quietly, her voice even but trembling at the edges. "I... I don’t know if I’m suited to join your squad."

Milly’s eyes widened, her grin faltering. But she understood instantly. This wasn’t about ability. It was about Kentaro.

Akio, however, only smiled. She reached out, her hand ruffling Kira’s hair like a mentor with a promising pupil. "Don’t worry. Take your time. I don’t expect an answer today. What I don’t want is for you to rush into a ’no’ and regret it later. Think on it, Kira. I’ll be waiting."

Kira’s head shot up, her eyes wide. She’ll... wait for me? She had expected dismissal, maybe even a reprimand. But instead, Akio’s words carried certainty, as though she had already decided Kira belonged with her.

Beside her, Milly smiled warmly, almost like a proud sister. And with Kira’s choice, Milly’s path became clear. She wasn’t going to abandon her friend.

"I’m sorry too, Supreme Commander," Milly said, bowing her head slightly. "It’s a great honour, one we’ll probably never get again... but if it means leaving Kira behind, then I can’t."

For the first time, Akio chuckled, a low, genuine laugh. "Ah, I like that about you two. These days, soldiers chase strength and glory for themselves. They forget that hunting Alberlines isn’t a lone fight. It’s teamwork. But you two... You remind me of what Cradle should stand for." Her voice carried passion, her grin sharp.

Both Kira and Milly sat straighter, their eyes lit with determination. "Yes, ma’am!" they shouted together.

Akio nodded, satisfied, and rose to her feet. For a moment, it seemed the conversation was over. Kira exhaled silently, relief loosening her chest. She didn’t bring up Kentaro. Maybe she doesn’t know...

But then, Akio paused. Her hand brushed the curtain before pulling it back. She turned, her gaze landing squarely on Kira. "Ah, yes. I almost forgot."

Kira froze.

"About that boy... Kentaro Takamiya." Her words were slow, deliberate. "It seems he’s very much alive. As I’m sure you already know."

The blood drained from Kira’s face. Her eyes jumped ever so slightly, just enough for Akio to catch.

Akio’s eyes narrowed, her presence pressing heavier into the room. "Mizuno. From what I’ve seen, you attend the same college as him, don’t you?"

Kira’s throat went dry. She swallowed hard, sweat prickling her forehead. Beside her, Milly shifted uncomfortably, her own eyes flicking to Kira in worry.

"Yes," Kira said softly. "I do. We’re in the same college."

Akio hummed, her gaze sharp. "Interesting. Then tell me... do you have any connection to him? Friendship? Relationship?"

Kira’s heart skipped. What do I say? Husband? Boyfriend? Partner? Her thoughts spiralled. No. That would expose too much.

"H-he’s... an acquaintance, he’s in the same class as me." She finally said. Her voice was steady, but her lips trembled. "We’re in the same class, that’s all."

Milly’s jaw dropped slightly, hiding her surprise. Acquaintance? No Husband? After everything? She wanted to laugh, but the tension was too thick.

Akio studied her for a long moment, then finally nodded. "I see. Well, regardless, I want you to keep an eye on him. We cannot move just yet, but we will stop him. No matter his age, no matter his innocence, he’s dangerous. And he cannot be allowed to grow unchecked."

Her glare shifted, no longer on Kira but between both girls, like a weight pressing down on them.

Kira bit her lip, her words burning in her chest. He’s not dangerous! He’s not the threat, it’s them, it’s the Alberlines, it’s everything else... But she didn’t speak. To defend him now would be suicide.

Milly nodded quickly, and Kira forced herself to do the same.

"Good," Akio said softly. "A world without Alberlines will be a world without fear." And with that, she disappeared behind the curtain.

The tension snapped instantly, as a string pulled too tight. Kira collapsed back onto her bed, her eyes burning. "He’s not a bad guy," she muttered under her breath. "It’s not his fault. It’s theirs."

Milly sighed, turning onto her back. "Leave it, Kira. Arguing won’t change anything. You know what you want. Don’t let anyone’s words pull you off course."

Kira closed her eyes, her tone flat but edged with steel. "They’ll all know eventually."

Silence followed. Only the muffled voices of doctors and other patients gave the ward any life.

But then Milly spoke again, her tone softer. "So... will you actually join Akio’s squad? I know Kentaro’s part of this for you, but imagine how much stronger you’d get."

Kira hesitated. She thought of Kentaro’s smile, of his stubbornness, of the promise she made to herself to never let him slip away. But she also thought of Akio’s power, the opportunity to grow strong enough to protect him herself.

"I don’t know," she whispered at last. "Maybe. I’ll think about it."

Milly smiled faintly. "Just so you know, if you don’t go, I don’t go. I’m not leaving you behind."

Kira blinked at her, surprised. "...So this is your way of telling me to go?"

"No!" Milly sat up, flustered. "I’m just saying, I won’t do it without you."

A rare smile tugged at Kira’s lips. She tilted her head toward Milly, her voice flat but her eyes warm. "Don’t worry. I was only joking."

Milly pouted, flopping back onto her pillow. "Geez, you’re so mean sometimes."

The two of them settled into silence again. But unspoken between them was the truth that this choice, this offer, was not going to fade quietly. And whether they were ready or not, their answer would come far sooner than either expected.