The rusty doorknob turned, and the door was pushed open. The decayed door gave a piercing creak, flakes of peeling paint scattering onto the ground.
Kotori frowned, clicking her tongue in irritation, then stepped onto the rooftop of the building.
She was now standing on top of an abandoned high-rise located in the southern part of Tenguu City.
Kotori had no particular interest in exploring ruins; for her, helping Shidou with his dates was far more important.
The reason she had come to such a remote location, however, was not without cause.
"—I've been waiting for you for quite some time, Kotori."
A girl who had been standing there for a while greeted her.
Indeed, when Kotori had woken up that morning, she found a note stuck to her bedroom window — one that listed a time, place, and was signed with Mana's name.
Because of that, she hadn't even had time to give her brother his usual "morning candy punishment"; she'd hurriedly tied on her black ribbons and boarded the Fraxinus.
"Hmph."
Kotori let out a low hum through her nose, not bothering to hide her displeasure.
"Honestly, what kind of dump is this? If you're going to ask me out somewhere, at least have the decency to prepare some good tea and cake."
"My apologies," Mana said with a faint smile, "but I thought it best we avoid prying eyes."
"Fair enough, but I still don't like it. Anyway—what do you want from me?"
"I just wanted to have a little chat—with you, as Shidou's sister."
At hearing Mana call herself Shidou's sister, Kotori flicked her hair back and narrowed her eyes sharply, unflinching.
"What's your goal here? Calling me all the way out to this place—what's your game?"
Mana met Kotori's stare without wavering, as if the two were locked in a silent contest to decide who was more worthy of the title 'sister.'
"—I'm not planning to report what's happening between you and Shidou."
"Oh?"
"On one condition: have your brother cut all ties with Ratatoskr immediately."
Kotori's brows furrowed at that.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Yesterday, to stop Mana from provoking Genie (Shura), Kotori had teleported her to the Fraxinus, which had already exposed Ratatoskr's existence. So she wasn't surprised that Mana knew about them.
"I mean exactly what I said," Mana replied, her tone sharpening. "In fact, that's what I should be asking you, Kotori."
Her eyes grew even colder.
"Why did you let Big Brother do something so dangerous? Forget the manifestation device—he doesn't even have the power to protect himself, and yet you're sending him directly to confront Spirits. Are you telling me that, to Ratatoskr, Big Brother is just a disposable pawn?"
"So what—you think we should point guns at the Spirits we're trying to talk to? Would that count as dialogue to you? Or are you saying that's what you think a conversation means?"
Mana's glare sharpened further, her voice rising in anger.
"Don't joke with me! What do you take Big Brother for? If I hadn't been there that time, he would have been killed by Nightmare! And that's not even counting Genie (Shura) standing beside her!"
"..."
Kotori fell silent.
But her silence only made Mana grit her teeth harder, misunderstanding it as indifference.
"Kotori—no, Itsuka Kotori! You've already lost the right to call yourself his sister. I won't leave Big Brother in the hands of someone like you."
"!!!"
Kotori's cheek twitched, unsure whether it was from anger as a sister or something deeper. She lifted her lollipop staff defiantly.
"Oh, really? So, since I've 'lost the right to be his sister,' what exactly do you plan to do?"
"I'll take him back. I'll protect him myself."
Hearing this, Kotori frowned deeply.
"Don't make me laugh! Are you planning to hand Shidou over to that vile corporation, DEM? Or do you actually think you—with your strength—can stand up to Genie (Shura), who's targeting him?!"
As she spoke, Kotori shrugged.
"Wait—how do you know about that...?"
"I've got a very capable friend, you see. Seems like we both have our fair share of intel on each other."
Kotori said fearlessly. Mana let out a slow sigh.
"—Fine. Since the cards are on the table, there's no point hiding it anymore. You're right—I'm not actually a member of AST. I was temporarily dispatched there by DEM Industries."
After saying this, her eyes turned sharp again.
"However, I won't deny what you said about Genie (Shura)—that's my own lack of strength. But when you call DEM a 'vile corporation,' I can't just stand by. At the very least, they took me in when I'd lost my memory. They gave me a reason to exist. For that, I'm grateful."
"...Are you serious? You must be insane."
"? What's that supposed to mean?"
Kotori sensed something strange in Mana's tone and frowned deeply.
"Don't tell me... you don't know? That your body's been modified?"
"My body... modified? What are you talking about?"
Mana's expression froze in shock. Kotori swallowed, her voice trembling slightly as she forced herself to stay calm.
"No wonder... No wonder you're like this..."
"What are you mumbling about? Speak so I can understand—"
Before she could finish, both Kotori's and Mana's phones began ringing simultaneously.
Clicking her tongue impatiently, Kotori pressed the call button.
"What is it?"
"C—Commander! We're detecting a massive Spirit reaction at Raizen High School!"
"What... did you just say...?"
Kotori glanced at Mana. Judging by her expression, she'd received the same report.
"Let's call a temporary truce. We deal with the Spirit first."
Mana didn't argue and immediately dashed off.
---
Tenqi Sanluo slowly opened her eyes, finding herself on what appeared to be a school rooftop.
"My, my... I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly, Miss Tenqi."
Standing nearby, Kurumi was preparing something and greeted her with a soft smile.
"Another clone, huh."
Tenqi curled her lip and glanced around.
Everywhere sunlight touched, the school grounds were covered in pitch-black shadows.
"What are you doing this time?"
"Oh, just preparing a little fun game to play with Shidou."
"Him again? Didn't you find a chance to devour him yesterday?"
Tenka narrowed her eyes, clearly doubting Kurumi's sense of efficiency.
"That would've been far too casual. To consume Shidou properly, one must do it with a bit of ceremony."
"How troublesome... you really are the perfect example of a pampered lady."
Tenka sounded bored and was about to leave in search of entertainment elsewhere in Tenguu City.
But Kurumi noticed her movement and, after a moment's thought, said with a teasing smile:
"Oh, by the way—I invited Shidou to meet me here after school. Would Miss Tenka care to join us?"
"Not interested. You two can have your little back-and-forth; I'll come by after it's over."
"He mentioned you this morning, you know."
The moment she heard that, Tenqi—who had been about to fly off—landed back on the rooftop.
"What did he say about me?"
"Oh, pretty much the same thing he told me."
Tenka frowned, turning toward Kurumi with clear suspicion. "Stop playing games. Just say it."
"How dull," Kurumi sighed softly. "He said he wanted to save me... and that he'd save you as well."
At that, Tenqi's eyes lit up with sharp intrigue.
"He really said that?"
"Of course. Would I dare lie to you, Miss Tenqi?"
Kurumi wasn't exactly a trustworthy person, but when it came to Tenka, she knew better than to deceive her.
"...That boy—Itsuka Shidou, right?"
"That's correct."
"Is he an idiot? Or is he just naive enough to say something like that on pure impulse?"
"It seems not. He knows your codename and title—'The Most Savage Spirit.' There's no way he doesn't understand what you've done."
"...Heh. Interesting. Very interesting indeed."
Tenqi gave up her plan to leave, walking over to Kurumi and sitting down beside her on the rooftop edge.
"Then I'll stay. Let's see how this little show plays out."