Haa...!
Watching the occasional cars pass by, the Shogun seemed somewhat lost in thought... The city at night lacked the daytime bustle, replaced instead with a trace of loneliness. Walking along the bridge, the distant lake reflected the city's brilliance, radiating multicolored lights—dreamlike and fantastical.
"Has it gotten colder?"
She rubbed her arm lightly and asked Inori, who was walking ahead.
"Mm... the forecast said it would cool down over the next few days."
Now changed into casual clothes, Inori answered promptly. A light blue short-sleeved jacket paired with a plain dress, her fair and smooth legs extended beneath it, her feet stepping in pale blue canvas shoes. At her ankles, the edge of white socks peeked out faintly.
As for the Shogun, she hadn't bothered changing—she had simply come out wearing her school uniform.
"Tsugumi... gets lonely easily."
Inori slowed her pace, walking side by side with her.
"I can tell... that child is very sensitive inside."
She nodded.
"Mio... if you have time, spend more time with her."
Inori looked at her.
"...What about you? Is that alright?"
She asked.
"Mm... I'm already satisfied as I am now."
A rare smile appeared on Inori's face.
...
The meeting point was along the street below a high-end hotel—near the seaside embankment. When the two of them arrived, the members of Funeral Parlor were already there, though fewer in number than usual.
"Ah... the deal just concluded."
Different from before, Gai was dressed in an elegant tailcoat suit, standing on the steps while speaking on the phone, occasionally responding with vague remarks.
"...I think OAU is quite interesting."
When he noticed their arrival, he nodded slightly in greeting before continuing his conversation.
"No... even so... the other party has proposed a condition. We'll discuss the details later. Mm... alright, that's it for now."
Beep.
He ended the call and turned to look at them.
"Thanks for your hard work, ladies."
He smiled.
"...Didn't expect you to have an outfit like that. Is this also part of being a wanted criminal?"
Looking at his appearance, she narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone teasing.
"Heh... running around with a gun alone won't change the world, Mio."
Gai shrugged casually in response.
"Mm-hm..."
She replied absentmindedly, too lazy to argue.
"Gai... did something happen?"
Inori got straight to the point.
"Ah... first—Tsugumi, is anyone tailing us?"
Instead of answering immediately, Gai turned and asked the girl operating a computer on the platform above the steps.
"Everything's clear~"
Tsugumi replied in a playful tone.
"Haa..."
She let out a speechless sigh.
"Then... let's get to the point."
Tap, tap...
Gai stepped down a few stairs, getting closer to them. His expression grew serious.
"There's been a problem. During yesterday's operation, someone witnessed us. If it were just nearby residents, it would be manageable—but... it seems to be an outsider."
His tone lowered.
"An outsider?"
She frowned slightly.
"...Yes, likely a student from the same school as you."
The same school? Tennoz?
Why would they even be in a place like that?
"Norma Gene."
Gai mentioned a term completely outside her knowledge. Then again, most complex things in this world were beyond her understanding.
"What is that?"
She asked.
"It's a drug that's been popular recently."
Inori answered for him.
"That's right. I suspect they were there for a drug deal and happened to pass by the battlefield. They probably saw you killing those GHQ soldiers."
"...You suspect?"
She picked up on the key word.
"Mm... strictly speaking, their purpose isn't confirmed. However, I found records on a trading network—someone from Tennoz High has conducted transactions. The other party is anonymous... using the alias 'Sugar.'"
"As I said before... although you were wearing a coat and hood at the time, there's still a risk of being recognized. So we can't ignore this matter."
Gai explained.
"So?"
"Simple. We find them."
Gai said bluntly.
"..." ×2
She and Inori exchanged glances.
"Searching for a needle in a haystack?"
She remarked dryly.
"Gai... could it be..."
Inori seemed to understand something.
"Mm... not quite. We have a more reliable lead, Mio."
Gai smiled, somewhat pleased with himself.
"Meaning?"
She asked.
"We use the Void to identify them. Of course, that's Inori's role."
He looked at the pink-haired girl.
"Understood..."
Inori nodded without hesitation.
"I see... now I understand. You have the ability to identify Voids, don't you?"
She finally folded her arms, narrowing her eyes as she looked at the man above, speaking with a hint of amusement.
After all, there had already been an example. Without knowing Daryl Yan's Void type, their previous operation wouldn't have succeeded so smoothly. In fact, his Void had been the key factor—meaning Gai had been certain it was that gun.
She didn't know how he identified them—by face? By contact?
"That's right. Talking with smart people really is convenient."
Gai smiled lightly.
"I can indeed sense Voids. Back then, I felt that person's Void. Under the current emergency laws, terrorists have no human rights. If the witness identifies you, neither you nor Inori will be safe."
His tone turned serious.
"I'm not afraid of them."
She looked away, sounding somewhat dismissive.
"I know your strength, but... don't forget, you're now a member of Funeral Parlor. At times like this, it's better not to confront them head-on. If war breaks out openly, it benefits no one. So, Mio... you understand, right?"
Gai stepped in front of her and lightly patted her shoulder.
"Haa... but let me be clear—if it comes down to it, or if I decide there's no need to hide, I'll step in and deal with them myself. Understood?"
She set her own condition in return.
"Mm... I promise you. But until then, it's better to keep a low profile. You chose us, and I'm glad—your power is far too great. It wouldn't be good if GHQ got their hands on you."
She didn't need him to tell her that... Even though she said those words, she had no intention of stirring things up so quickly. After all, there were people around her that she cared about. If things could be resolved peacefully, then so be it. Enjoying life was what mattered most.
"Later, I'll tell Inori the form of their Void. When the time comes, I'll be counting on you both."
...
"Haa... what a hassle."
Lying on the low table, the Shogun muttered in a muffled voice, looking almost like a sulking kitten.
"There, there~"
Inori reached out and gently patted her fluffy head.
"Haa~"
She let out another sigh.
"Mio, you've been sighing ever since you got back..."
Having finished up in the kitchen, Tsugumi spoke with a wry smile after hearing her sigh.
"Ran into something... it's troublesome."
She replied without lifting her head.
"By the way... shouldn't you two be doing your homework?"
Tsugumi suddenly thought of something and asked.
"..." ×2
The two of them fell silent in perfect unison.
"Was there homework?"
Inori asked bluntly.
"Of course there was~! Honestly... I can tell at a glance, neither of you pays attention in class... sigh, whatever... let's do it together later."
Tsugumi decided.
"Inori... do you think they really saw my face?"
The Shogun spoke openly to Inori without any attempt to hide it.
"Better to be cautious, Mio."
Inori replied.
"...It's strange. They just happened to see you... killing those GHQ soldiers..."
Inori lowered her gaze, murmuring softly.
"I'm more worried about whether they'll be targeted by those people—"
Crash!
"...!" ×2
At that moment, a sharp sound of shattering dishes came from the kitchen, instantly drawing both of their attention.
"Ah? Oh—s-sorry... I slipped."
Snapping back to her senses, Tsugumi saw the broken plate on the floor and hurriedly apologized. She then crouched down, trying to pick up the shattered pieces.
"I'll help you..."
The Shogun stood up and walked into the kitchen, crouching in front of her as they gathered the fragments together. However, she noticed that Tsugumi's hands were trembling slightly, as if she were afraid of something.
"..."
Seeing this, she gently grasped her wrist.
"!"
Tsugumi trembled, her face turning pale as she looked up at her.
"...What's wrong?"
She asked.
"...N-nothing..."
The other girl shook her head.
"You're afraid?"
She asked again.
"N-no... I... I was just startled by the sound of the plate, haha."
Tsugumi forced a smile, making an excuse.
"I see... it's alright. No need to be afraid."
She gently patted the girl's back, then helped finish picking up the fragments and threw them into the trash. Afterward, she turned away and began tidying up the kitchen for her.
"..."
Tsugumi pressed her lips together, her expression complicated as she recalled their earlier conversation. She hid her trembling hands behind her back, her face still pale.