"Mr. Ansel, you mentioned earlier that I seemed to have some special ability."
Nine had unconsciously grasped Ansel's hand. She lowered her head with a slightly embarrassed and regretful smile. "I'm sorry, that might have been your misconception. Perhaps... understanding your inner thoughts isn't my talent after all."
"It's just that among those around you, only I have been watching you constantly, that's all."
Around Ansel of Hydral, there had never been anyone who could abandon themselves entirely for him.
Everyone needed to have their own thoughts, ambitions, desires. Only such vibrant and independent individuals were qualified to follow Hydral.
And among these people... how could there possibly be someone who would invest their entire being into Ansel, forever watching him without caring about anything else?