It was around 6:30 PM, Yui and her friends had finished hanging out after doing their shopping. They were now walking back home together.
"Alright, we're going this way. Goodbye, you two!", Yuki said. Then, Yuki and Hana went their separate way leaving Yui and Sora together. "We should get to the station.", Sora said in a tired voice. Yui nodded.
They both headed to Shibuya Station together. While Sora looked like a deflated balloon from the exhaustion of hanging out, Yui looked completely fine. She was walking like usual wearing that expressionless face.
"Seriously, Yui... Are ya a robot or something? Do you secretly exercise a lot or something, a cutie like you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Sora."
Sora made a deadpan face expressing her annoyance. They both got into a train and started to chat while sitting next to each other.
"So what drew you into that Pain Machine hoodie of all things?" Sora bringing it up caused Yui to faintly smile. Yui looked annoyed again. "Seriously? That hoodie is what causes her to smile... All those jokes I've told her never did anything but goddamn Pain Machine is making her this happy!? I'm so offended! One time, I made a brilliant joke about Sukuna's right toe soloing Demon Slayer but it didn't do anything for her but this? THIS!?"
"I liked how the person on it looked.", Yui replied in a slight happy tone. Inside, Yui was genuinely excited to go home and try it on. She had never felt like this about something so trivial before.
"I don't like that anime, it doesn't give its women value."
Yui got serious hearing that. "What do you mean?"
"It's a Shonen so it's expected I guess but most of the female characters are sidelined a lot, they don't get to be strong or have any moment to shine."
"Is that why you hate it so much?"
"Yeah... the girls should be cool and awesome too!"
Yui looked away, stared into the window and said, "You're right. That's unfortunate but I still like the hoodie a lot. The design is appealing."
"The anime is what I don't like but if you like that hoodie, I'll like it too. I'm sure you'll look cute as hell in it." Yui faintly smiled again and said, "Thanks." Sora didn't get annoyed this time. "Geez... Why does she have to be so cute? Her and her little hoodie."
On that same train, a man was creepily staring at them.
"The next station is Shinjuku."
"Lets get off now." Yui nodded and followed behind Sora. As they two got off the train at Shinjuku, the man staring at them quietly followed.
They were both on the streets now walking home together, it was dark so it was a bit unsafe for 2 girls to be walking around but they weren't scared.
"We'll split off a bit from now. Stay safe, Sora.", Yui said in an emotionless voice even though her words conveyed concern.
"What are ya saying, Yui? It's me! Of course I'll be sa-"
SMACK!
Suddenly, Sora's wrist was grabbed by that man. Yui and Sora shocked, Sora much more than Yui.
Sora looked horrified even. "Muji-kun...?"
"SORA-CHAN! PLEASE TAKE ME BACK! I NEED YOU!" Muji was Sora's ex-boyfriend from middle school. The horrible experience with him is what caused her to eventually go to a girls high school.
"That's ridiculous! Get off of me!", Sora said in a voice that had a hint of fear. Her usual confident nature was falling apart due to the trauma she had related to Muji. Yui noticed and became extremely concerned.
"PLEASE! I'M FUCKING BEGGING YOU! CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I NEED YOU!? STOP BEING A BITCH AND JUST LET US TALK AND FIGURE THIS OUT!", Muji screamed terrifying Sora even more.
"Just... let go... Let go of me!"
"ARE YOU SERIOUSLY GONNA CONTINUE BEING A STUPID CRUEL BITCH! JUST HELP ME, I NEE-"
"Oi. Get lost, you animal." Yui's face was filled with determination and pure anger, an expression Sora was seeing on her for the very first time.
"HUH!? WHO THE HELL ARE YOU, YOU LITTLE BRAT!?", Muji shouted. His grip on Sora even tighter causing Yui to grow even more furious.
Yui's nails began to slowly grow and sharpen. She was ready to slice his throat.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU STARING AT, HUH!? WHO THE HELL EVEN ARE YOU!? IS THIS GIRL YOUR GIRLFRIEND OR SOMETHING, SORA!? IS SHE WHY YOU FUCKING LEFT ME, HUH!?"
Yui was about to pounce but right before she could, the black eagle emerged from the darkness of the night. It moved so fast it was blur to all 3. Muji's hand that was grabbing Sora was cut without him even noticing. He fell to the ground screaming in pain.
"AHHHHHH! WHAT THE FUCK!!!!"
Yui realized what happened and said, "Sora, let's go!" Sora nervously nodded and ran along with Yui. After getting far enough, they both stopped to get a rest. Sora was panting from both the fear and the running. "What happened...?"
"I don't know but it was good for us."
Yui slowly walked towards and gave her a warm hug. "It's okay, Sora. He won't come after us now." Sora nervously said, "Mhm..."
"I'll walk with you to your home to make sure you're okay.", Yui said in a confident voice to make sure Sora felt safe. Normally, Sora would decline but this time, she was so scared she agreed.
"Continue walking from here on your own for a while, I'll meet up with you soon."
"What...? Why?"
"Don't worry. He won't get to you cause he'll have to go through here first."
Sora didn't understand but seeing Yui suddenly be so confident and sure of herself made her agree with her. She nodded and left.
Under the light of the street lamp, Yui stood alone completely still as if waiting for someone's arrival.
"Master... Why have you come?"
The black eagle emerged once again and sat on top of the street lamp. It looked straight at Yui with its sharp eyes.
"I witnessed what you pulled earlier. Have you gotten too close to these humans, Yui?"
It spoke with an unnatural voice. The eagle itself wasn't actually speaking, it just opened its mouth and it was as if the voice was coming from somewhere else.
"I... No, Master. I was merely disgusted by that male human and couldn't contain my anger. I almost blew my cover and revealed myself to one of the humans I'm regularly in contact with. For that, I am incredibly sorry."
"Are you sure it was just that? Nothing else?"
"Yes, Master... I'm absolutely sure."
The eagle stayed quiet for a moment and emitted that voice once more.
"I'll deal with your little mishap some other time, there's a greater task to be fulfilled. Tell Shion and the others that yesterday's plan failed."
Yui bowed her head and said, "Yes, Master."
"Listen closely... Here's what comes next."