On the very day she returned home, after catching up with Kureo Mado and Akira Mado, Kasuka Mado decided she didn't want to rest any longer. Instead, she went to the CCG to resume her duties.
To avoid any unnecessary complications, Amaha Byakuya accompanied Kasuka Mado to the CCG.
In the CCG's records, Kasuka Mado was an Associate Special Class Investigator who had died in the line of duty eleven years ago.
Not everyone knew that Kasuka Mado had been resurrected by Amaha Byakuya, so when the relevant staff members saw Kasuka Mado, they all looked as if they'd seen a ghost.
"Ma... Mado... Are you Kasuka Mado?!"
Seeing Kasuka Mado before him, Marude Itsuki's eyes went wide with disbelief.
Marude himself had aged considerably compared to eleven years ago, but Kasuka Mado looked exactly the same as back then. He recognized her immediately.
Especially since that investigation mission where they'd unexpectedly encountered the One-Eyed Owl had been led by Marude himself...
"Yes, it's me. You must be Marude-san? You've changed quite a bit from back then."
Kasuka Mado nodded.
"Well of course—so many years have passed. I've definitely aged a lot."
Marude said immediately. "But the main thing is, weren't you already..."
"You mean I should be dead, right? That's correct—I was indeed killed by the One-Eyed Owl eleven years ago. But just yesterday, Byakuya resurrected me."
Kasuka Mado said directly.
"Resurrected...? Such a thing is actually possible?!"
Marude was even more incredulous.
Coming back from the dead... was that actually real?!
"I find it hard to believe too, but that's the truth."
Kasuka Mado said.
"Well... but when I think about it being something Director Amaha did, it doesn't seem all that strange anymore."
Marude laughed awkwardly.
After all, Director Amaha doing unbelievable things was far from a one-time occurrence.
Then, having calmed down, Marude suddenly spoke in a somber tone: "Back then... I led everyone else to retreat, leaving you alone to hold the rear. Ever since then, I've often wondered—if we had left a few more people to face the One-Eyed Owl with you, would things have turned out differently..."
"Why are you still saying such foolish things now? I was the strongest one in the squad at the time, and even I couldn't last more than a few moves against the One-Eyed Owl. Even if you'd all stayed, you would have just died together."
Kasuka Mado said bluntly. "Besides, I volunteered to stay behind. I've never blamed any of you."
"That's true. Otherwise you wouldn't have been the strongest female investigator."
Marude remarked with emotion.
"Don't say things like that. So many years have passed—I'm definitely not the strongest anymore."
Kasuka Mado smiled faintly.
Just then, Kiyoko Aura happened to pass by carrying some documents.
"Kasuka... Mado...?"
Looking at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar face before her, the normally composed Kiyoko Aura couldn't remain calm.
"Oh, isn't this Kiyoko?"
Kasuka Mado immediately greeted Kiyoko Aura. "Your skin and figure are so well-maintained. Even after all these years, you're still so young and beautiful."
In Kasuka Mado's eyes, Kiyoko hadn't changed much from back then.
Not only hadn't she visibly aged—looking like a young woman in her twenties—she had also become more mature and elegant.