“With an explosive sound, Chambords forcefully skewered the birthday present from below.
The wrapping and ribbons were torn and the box itself was ripped to shreds. But the boy’s expression remained unchanged and he raised his small hand. A cheap pocket watch fell into it. He wrapped his hand around the silver device and grabbed the fluttering card between his index and middle fingers.
Happy birthday, Kanou Shinka.
A girl who was no longer among the living had given him this celebration of life and acknowledgment of his existence. He held that proof up like a blade as he spoke. “You’re welcome, Frenda.”
He shed his old skin and shattered the mask of “Aihana Etsu”. The boy became a man. He was Kanou Shinka and no one else.
He would not waste this celebrated life and name. To struggle against the world, he faced his true enemy.“
- New Testament: To Aru Majutsu no Index Volume 13
