"So... you're telling me you're actually Miss Sakuya?" Ruby stared at me, her eyes wide with disbelief as she processed the woman sitting before her.
I didn't look like the elegant maid she knew. I was Yukari.
"That's right. Though, for now, you can just call me Yukari," I replied smoothly, tilting my head back to take a long, unrefined sip from my beer.
Ruby's gaze drifted from my face to the state of the room. "And you're saying I've become a Spirit?"
"Yep," I popped the 'p' lazily, leaning back against the sofa.
"I want Miss Sakuya back!" Ruby suddenly exploded, gesturing wildly at the mess. "You're the polar opposite of her! She's the definition of professional, and you? You're lazy, messy, and clean up these cans! They're everywhere!"
She wasn't exaggerating. The apartment was full of empty aluminum. With a tired sigh, I waved a hand. A dark, jagged tear in reality a Gap rippled open in mid-air. With a flick of my fingers, the cans levitated as if pulled by an invisible string, marching in a neat line into the void.
"There. Done," I said, the Gap snapping shut behind them.
Ruby huffed, settling down slightly. "So, what's the plan?"
"Well, I need to switch back. I'm hunting for information on our target, and that means I need to meet with Shidou."
The moment his name left my lips, Ruby's expression shifted. Her face twitched, her lips curling into a knowing, mischievous smirk.
"Oh... I get it," she grinned, her eyes twinkling with misplaced realization.
"It isn't what you think," I said, my voice flat.
"Keep telling yourself that."
I didn't give her the satisfaction of a further rebuttal. "I'm turning back."
A brilliant, blinding light erupted from my center, consuming the room. When the glow faded, the lazy blonde was gone. In her place stood the silver-haired, poised perfection of Sakuya Izayoi.
"It won't take long," I said, adjusting my cuffs. "Ruby, stay here and rest."
As I stepped out of the apartment, a stray thought crossed my mind. I wonder if I could separate myself? If I have two identities, could I eventually manifest both Sakuya and Yukari at the same time? It was an intriguing possibility, one I filed away for a later.
I had only been walking for three minutes when I spotted him. Shidou was standing in a small crowd likely the other Spirits. I raised a hand in a brief, professional wave. The moment he saw me, he broke away from the group and ran toward me, looking frantic.
"Sakuya! I've been looking everywhere for you. I thought you'd gone missing!"
"Well, I am here, am I not?" I replied, my voice cool and composed.
Shidou hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, yeah, but... I went to the apartment you were staying at. There was another woman there. Do you know her?"
My eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't know who you're talking about. More importantly... were you spying on me?"
Shidou froze, his face turning a bright shade of crimson.
He began to panic, waving his hands dismissively. "I-I am so sorry! It wasn't my idea! It was Kotori! She's the one who ordered the surveillance. I hope you can forgive us!"
He bowed deeply, nearly doubling over in apology.
"You're forgiven. This time," I said.
Before he could offer further thanks, a loud, rhythmic growl echoed through the air.
Everyone turned toward Tohka Yatogami, who was sheepishly scratching her head.
"Oops... sorry," she giggled.
Shidou laughed nervously, turning back to me. "So, Sakuya, do you want to join us? We're headed to this amazing restaurant Tohka found."
I felt a pang of annoyance. I don't have time for a date. I need the location of Isaac Westcott. He could be anywhere.
"I'm sorry, I can't," I said, turning on my heel. "I have matters of importance to attend to."
"Such a buzzkill," someone muttered from the group behind him.
I didn't bother to look back. I had a person to hunt.