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As the two girls sized each other up, Sayaka approached from the side. The War Dancer clasped her hands in front of her, her legs fidgeting nervously beneath her short skirt. With flushed cheeks, she spoke in a soft, shy voice:
"G-good evening, Bokue."
What?!
Already on edge, Asagi's eyes widened as she stared at the archer. What was with that shy greeting and blushing attitude? Weren't they mortal enemies just a few days ago?
Could it be...
"Ahem! Let me interrupt before this turns into a social hour—I have business to discuss."
Natsuki stepped between the four of them with a light cough, turning first to La Folia and Sayaka.
"I'll cut to the chase. Questions later. First, regarding Kanon Kanase's custody. Aldegyr has been requesting her return, but Itogami Island can't agree to that just yet. Kanon remains under observation, and I will be her temporary guardian. Once the observation period ends, we will reconsider Aldegyr's request, likely with relaxed conditions."
"I see." La Folia's expression showed a hint of disappointment. This was the reason she had come to Japan; failure would make the trip a waste.
Natsuki then turned to Bokue. "There's another matter—regarding Kanon's body. You'll need to take responsibility for it from now on."
"Hmm?" A look of confusion crossed Bokue's face.
Before he could ask what "take responsibility" meant, the silver-haired girl sitting on the operating table stood up. She padded over barefoot, hands clasped, a serene smile on her face.
"According to Miss Natsuki's examination, your draining the angelic power allowed my consciousness to return. However, the spiritual circuits in my body still exceed the ascension threshold, causing spiritual power to accumulate inside me. I need you to clear it out regularly, Big Brother, to prevent the angelic power from controlling me again."
Kanon bowed deeply to him.
"Please take care of me from now on, Big Brother."
Bokue: "..."
Well, now he understood.
Since the silver-haired girl was still wearing the loose hospital gown from the operating room, when she bowed, Bokue got an eyeful of the modest curves beneath her collar. Fortunately, neither Kanon nor Asagi seemed to notice.
After the explanation, Natsuki cleared her throat. "That's all I had to say. If you have any questions, now is the time—"
Buzz buzz~
A phone's vibration echoed through the quiet room. Bokue checked his pocket and saw a familiar name: Yuuma.
"Sorry, I need to take this." He held up his phone apologetically and stepped aside. "Hello, Yuuma? What's up... huh? Um... what? What? WHAT?!"
His voice grew louder and more shocked with each word. "Wait, hold on, what do you mean you're Nagisa using Yuuma's body and phone? Just... stay put, I'm coming right now."
He hung up and returned to Asagi's side. "Um, Asagi, stay here for a bit. Something's happened with Yuuma, and I need to check on it. Call me if anything comes up."
"Eh? Tokoyogi?" Asagi blinked in surprise.
Before she could respond, a suddenly tense Natsuki approached them. "Wait, what did you just say? What's your friend's name?"
"Tokoyogi Yuuma."
With those final words, Bokue vanished in a flash of teleportation.
The gothic lolita stood frozen, her mind racing. "Tokoyogi? It's actually Tokoyogi? This... how is this possible?!"
"[Query]." Astarte approached, her voice monotone. "Director, are there any new instructions?"
"No need..." Natsuki started to shake her head, then stopped. "The only instruction is for all of you to stay here. Don't wander off. This place is safe. I need to leave immediately—I'll explain when I return."
Purple magical energy rippled as chain-like teleportation circles flashed, and Natsuki vanished as well.
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In a hotel suite.
Bokue stared in amazement at the short-haired girl on the sofa. She looked exactly like Tokoyogi Yuuma but spoke with Nagisa's distinctive mannerisms.
"So you really are Nagisa?"
"Yes, Big Brother. You have to believe me, even though it sounds unbelievable..." On the opposite sofa, 'Tokoyogi Yuuma' pressed a small fist to her chest and nodded sweetly.
This was... peculiar.
Tokoyogi Yuuma had always given off a vibrant, tomboyish energy. While she had her feminine moments, she was usually rough around the edges. Nagisa was also cheerful but far more reserved in her daily life—except, of course, when she wasn't. The result was a tomboy who had suddenly discovered her feminine side, paying careful attention to her posture and speech. It wasn't bad, just... unreal.
Whoosh—
A teleportation circle suddenly opened in the living room, and the gothic lolita's petite form dropped gracefully through.
Natsuki had completely lost her usual composure, rushing to Bokue's side with her eyes fixed on the girl.
"So who are you really? Nagisa or Tokoyogi Yuuma?"
"Eh? Miss Natsuki, you're here too... But yes, I am Nagisa." 'Tokoyogi Yuuma' nodded.
"Then prove it. Tell us something only you and this guy would know." Natsuki jerked her chin toward Bokue.
"Well..."
Proving her identity should have been easy. But for some reason, the request made the short-haired girl's cheeks flush pink as she bashfully looked away.
"Do I really have to say it? It's a bit... inappropriate." After all, it seemed that everything only she and her Big Brother knew about was... well, that kind of thing.
Seeing her reaction, Natsuki covered her face with her hand.
That reaction confirms it... Damn it, how is this possible?
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