In a high-end apartment in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
"Someone wants to meet with me?"
Maya Yotsuba frowned at the email on her phone, her expression dark and unreadable.
"Although I anticipated my own information being leaked, first it was Abe no Seimei last night, and now an invitation from the SDS..."
"Hmph, the Cabinet's intelligence work is truly impressive."
As Maya Yotsuba's cold laughter echoed, a hinoki wood door connected to the hall opened with a faint creak. A gentle-looking woman with straight-cut bangs and long hair emerged from the room - bearing a striking resemblance to Maya.
"Your mental state is quite unstable right now, Maya."
Maya turned her head to look at the figure emerging from the room.
It was Miya Yotsuba, her twin sister - a Magician feared by the world for possessing the forbidden technique of Mental Structure Interference, which even the Yotsuba family considered taboo.
Yet unlike the fear others showed, Maya's attitude towards Miya was much more affectionate:
"I've told you before - stop peering into my mind, sister!"
"This time I wasn't peering into your mind."
Miya smiled as she walked over and sat beside Maya on the sofa, then glanced at the sleeping girl in the room who resembled them both.
Hearing this, Maya realised her emotions had indeed been too obvious.
She sighed and followed Miya's gaze to the peacefully sleeping Miyuki Shiba - her niece - before her expression turned serious:
"The child hasn't noticed anything unusual about us, has she?"
"No."
Miya picked up the prepared coffee before her and took a sip:
"I subtly interfered with Miyuki's mental body. She hasn't actually noticed any difference between me and the mother in her memories."
"That's good."
Maya relaxed slightly, then raised a hand to rub her temples:
"I don't want to turn against Tatsuya Shiba just yet - at least not until we've established ourselves in this world. His power is something we must preserve."
As she spoke, Maya turned to look at Miya, who continued smiling calmly despite the talk of using her own children, prompting Maya to remark:
"Honestly, sister, how do you manage not to feel awkward about this?"
"We're both just sixteen, yet suddenly we have two nearly seventeen-year-old children, and through Mental Interference, we've seen their memories of us raising them... Doesn't this embarrass you at all?"
"Hmm?" Miya tilted her head slightly, looking at Maya with mild surprise. "Actually, I find it quite fascinating."
"At least playing the role of Tatsuya and Miyuki's mother amuses me."
A playful smile curled at Miya's lips as she continued:
"After all, Miyuki depends on me, doesn't she?"
Hearing this, Maya felt a pang of understanding - her usually disliked sister had taken a genuine liking to Miyuki.
Which meant Tatsuya couldn't simply be disposed of as a dangerous tool.
After all, Miyuki cared deeply for her brother.
With this realisation, Maya sighed in resignation:
"You always manage to complicate things for me, sister."
"It's force majeure, really. Who could have predicted we'd be transported to another world and encounter our future children? As for complications..."
Miya gave a light laugh as she addressed her sister:
"That's exactly why I'm here to help you now!"
After speaking, Miya Yotsuba narrowed her eyes with a smile and said:
"Next, I'll be the one to meet that Hidden Management Department Director of the SDS."
"A master illusionist should naturally be dealt with by a master mental-type Magician, don't you think?"
"You're peeking into my memories again, sister..." Maya Yotsuba said helplessly upon hearing this.
'These little habits of constantly snooping into others' thoughts - only her younger sister could tolerate them. Anyone else would find you repulsive.'
Hearing this, Miya Yotsuba clasped her hands together and quickly apologised:
"Sorry, Maya, this is the last time."
"You mean the last hundred million times, right?"
Maya Yotsuba could do nothing about her wilful older sister and could only sigh.
"So, you're determined to meet that SDS Director Luo?"
"Is Maya worried the other party has ulterior motives?"
Miya Yotsuba simply responded with a playful smile:
"Do you really think anyone would have improper intentions towards a mother of two?"
Hearing this, countless retorts bubbled up in Maya Yotsuba's throat, but she could only suppress them and say:
"The two children on the household register are fabricated. Do you really think of yourself as their mother?"
"But no one knows that, do they?" Miya Yotsuba blinked her eyes.
At these words, Maya Yotsuba fell silent for a moment before replying:
"No, there's one person who does know – that individual suspected to be Abe no Seimei."
Miya Yotsuba's expression froze momentarily before she continued:
"Which is precisely why we need to test them, isn't it?"
"Test that SDS Director who suddenly wants to meet us, test that Hagoromo Gitsune in Kyoto."
"If they're truly connected and our abilities and circumstances have been completely compromised... then we might need to consider alternative arrangements."
The implication was clear – the Cabinet's power wouldn't be enough to protect the sisters.
While Maya Yotsuba wasn't fully aware of this, Miya Yotsuba understood perfectly.
After all, in Miyuki Shiba's memories, she vaguely recalled this younger sister being captured by hostile forces in the future and subjected to inhumane treatment.
Though Miyuki's unclear recollection meant Miya Yotsuba couldn't grasp the specifics, she was well aware of their lineage's unique nature.
Therefore, considering this, she needed to quickly find a force capable of protecting them both.
Whether this power came from within themselves or from external sources.
"In that case, I'll leave it to you, elder sister."
"Wait obediently at home for my good news, little Maya."
"Don't add 'little' before my name – you're only a few minutes older than me."
"Yes, yes, little Maya~"
Amidst the girls' cheerful banter, time passed swiftly.
...
8:00 PM.
Inside a café.
Luo Shu sat at the counter reading a newspaper when the doorbell chimed.
Ding-dong ding-dong~~
"They're here?"
Luo Shu picked up his coffee cup, his lips gradually curving into a smile.