Hadzuki Shiroa Affiliation: Maseitai Position: Leader of a faction within Maseitai Primary Objective: Revenge against Emu Hojo Related Individuals: Emu Hojo, Akiba Mizushima, Researcher Shiroa Hadzuki, Shigo Amakura, Katsuyo Obise Character Overview Rei is a leader of a faction within the Maseitai and harbors a deep-seated hatred for Emu Hojo. This hatred is rooted in events experienced at a past research facility and the grief of losing someone precious to her. In the research facility where Rei and Emu Hojo were once held, humans were treated as mere subjects or tools. In such an environment, there was one researcher who treated them as human beings: Shiroa Hadzuki. For the two living in that harsh facility, Shiroa was one of their few sources of emotional support. Her interactions with Shiroa are considered unforgettable memories for Rei. However, Rei believes that her beloved Shiroa was killed by Emu Hojo. This event became the primary catalyst for her resolve to seek revenge. Her actions are driven not just by simple hostility, but by the sorrow of losing a benefactor and an obsession with the past. Meaning of the Name Since Rei and the researcher Shiroa Hadzuki appear simultaneously in flashbacks, they are considered different people. Furthermore, because Rei identifies herself as "Shiroa Hadzuki," it is possible she has adopted her benefactor's name. If this interpretation is correct, the name may be more than just a pseudonym to Rei. She likely uses it to ensure she never forgets the person who treated her as human, or to keep that person's existence alive within herself. However, whether the reason for adopting the name has been explicitly stated remains unconfirmed at this time. Abilities and Combat Style Rei's most prominent feature in combat is a special magic involving a golden hourglass. While the sand is flowing, this hourglass causes a phenomenon that swaps dream and reality within a certain range. The hourglass itself is affected by this effect, making it difficult to destroy with conventional attacks. On the other hand, this ability is not unlimited; it continuously consumes magical power while active. Seekers can overcome the ability by stopping the flow of sand in the hourglass to corner Rei. Her strength lies not just in the magic itself, but in her tactics of using its mechanics to toy with her opponents. Role in the Story Rei is a major antagonist in the story. However, the background of her actions involves personal circumstances such as her past in the research facility and the death of her benefactor. Her obsession with revenge involves others and influences conflicts within the Maseitai. Summary of Character Rei is a person who carries the loss of her past and has transformed her feelings for her benefactor into a quest for revenge. If she is indeed using the researcher's name, the very act of calling herself by that name reflects her feelings for the lost individual. To understand her, one must look beyond her actions as an enemy and focus on the past and emotions that form the foundation of those actions.

Kaede Igarashi Affiliation: A faction of the Maseitai Position: Faction Leader Related Individuals: Kenji Fujiwara, Rei, Akiba Mizushima, Maki Kariyama Character Overview Kaede Igarashi leads one of the several factions within the Maseitai. The Maseitai is not a monolithic organization; it consists of various factions with different goals and philosophies. Kaede represents one such faction and must be distinguished from the faction led by Rei. Crucial to understanding Kaede's character is her relationship with Kenji Fujiwara. Kaede lost her parents at a young age and was subsequently looked after and supported by Kenji. To her, Kenji was more than just an ally; he was like family. For Kaede, who had lost her parents, Kenji was her emotional pillar and the one person she could rely on with peace of mind. Relationships with Allies Kaede's faction is characterized by the presence of allies who deeply admire her. They are not merely a group that follows orders; they care for her so strongly that they will act on their own judgment to save her in dangerous situations. In the final stages of the story, when Rei makes a decision to abandon Kaede, Kaede's subordinates refuse to follow that order and instead try to save her. This action demonstrates that organizational policy and individual emotion do not always align. At the same time, it suggests that Kaede is a precious existence to her comrades and that she has built a deep bond of trust with them. Role in the Story Kaede is a key figure involved in the internal conflicts of the Maseitai and the problems caused by Rei's actions. In the story, there are developments where she is captured or utilized while unconscious, with the situation moving forward regardless of her own will. The actions of her subordinates trying to save her create a backlash against Rei's judgment and serve as a trigger for surfacing the rifts within the Maseitai. In this regard, Kaede is not just a faction leader, but plays a role in highlighting the human relationships and emotions within the organization. Summary of Character Kaede Igarashi is a person who, despite losing her family in the past, maintains strong connections with Kenji Fujiwara and the comrades who admire her. Her story reveals the existence of personal trust and affection that cannot be explained by organizational goals alone.