Nagae Estate – 6:30 P.M.
Riku's POV
After performing PHANTOM PAIN in front of Lyrical Lily, I asked for their feedback. Haruna and Kurumi praised the instrumental—Haruna calling it "majestic but dangerous," Kurumi describing it as "the kind of song that makes your heart race." Miiko's take was simpler: action-packed. But Miyu... hers was something else entirely.
She said the melody painted a vision—a worn-down temple beneath a blood-red sky, where three silhouettes stood. A towering woman with a single horn, another small one shackled by chains with twin horns on her head, and a third whose right arm was bound in white bandages, hair tied in buns on both sides.
The moment she described it, I froze. Yuugi, Suika, and Kasen-san... she'd seen the Three Oni of Old Gensokyo—from sound alone. Haruna and the others were just as stunned. When I asked how she made that connection, Miyu said she linked the lyrics to the instrumental emotion. And when I pressed her on how she even knew the lyrics—she said she memorized them after reading them once.
Haruna explained that Miyu has photographic memory. That one in a thousand kind of ability. I couldn't help but chuckle in disbelief. Miyu—quiet, observant Miyu—holding a gift like that.
By the time we finished talking, the clock was creeping toward six. Marina had just returned, so I told her I'd drive Lyrical Lily home myself. I gathered their addresses and took the wheel. Each drop-off ended with polite bows from their parents, thanking me for bringing their daughters home safely.
By the time Miyu and I got back to the estate, the sun was gone. The house lights glowed warm against the dusky garden. As we stepped inside, Sakurako was already waiting by the entryway.
"Welcome back, Riku-sama, Miyu-sama," she greeted with her usual grace.
"We're back," I replied, loosening my tie. "Mind taking our bags to our rooms?"
"Of course." She smiled faintly, then added, "Ah—Rinko-sama and Ako-sama are in the living room."
"Oh? Rinko's back. And she brought Ako-chan?"
Sakurako nodded and disappeared down the hall with our bags.
When we reached the living room, I saw Rinko and Ako sprawled on the couch, looking half-dead. Kazehana returned from the kitchen just in time, carrying a tray with two glasses of milk.
"Welcome back, Riku-sama, Miyu-sama," she said with a bow.
"Thanks," I replied, blinking. "...What in the world happened here?"
Rinko groaned and lifted her hand in a lazy wave. "Welcome back... Riku, Miyu-chan... I brought Ako-chan along, hope that's alright..."
"Yo..." Ako-chan mumbled, face-down on a pillow. "Riku-nii... Miyu-nee..."
Miyu tilted her head. "You two look like you ran a marathon."
"You were supposed to play NFO with Yukina and the others, right?" I asked, stepping closer. "So what happened? Did you get wiped by a raid boss?"
Rinko gave a weak laugh. "No... worse. Me and Ako-chan tried something that was either genius... or the dumbest thing we've ever done."
Miyu crossed her arms, amused. "We've got time before dinner. Let's hear it. You tell yours, we'll tell ours."
"Deal..." Rinko exhaled dramatically.
We sat down opposite them. Miyu recapped our earlier session with Lyrical Lily—the feedback, Miyu's vision, everything. Rinko's eyes widened more with each sentence, and even Ako-chan lifted her head a little when she heard about Miyu's photographic memory.
When it was their turn, Rinko and Ako-chan took a deep breath.
"So..." Rinko began slowly. "We thought we'd try something new in NFO. We entered a dungeon to build better coordination and trust."
"That doesn't sound bad so far," I said cautiously.
"Yeah, except—" Ako-chan interjected, "—we decided to switch avatars."
Miyu blinked twice. I think I did too.
"Wait. You entered a dungeon using each other's accounts?"
Rinko nodded, looking oddly proud and defeated at once. "Mhm."
"And... you thought that would help you understand each other's playstyles?" Miyu asked flatly.
"That was the plan..." Ako-chan sighed.
I leaned forward, rubbing my temples. "Alright, humor me. Who used whose account?"
Rinko began counting on her fingers. "I was using Imai-san's. Ako-chan took Yukina-san's. Imai-san used Sayo-san's. Sayo-san used mine. And Yukina-san... used Ako-chan's."
I stared at her. "This is going to end badly, isn't it?"
"In spectacular fashion," Rinko said dryly. "It was... a disaster."
Miyu and I exchanged a glance. "Eh?"
"What happened was," Rinko continued, "Ako-chan and I took a while to load into the dungeon. By the time we arrived, the others were already fighting the floor boss. And, well..."
I raised a hand. "Let me guess. They were completely out of position."
Rinko looked like she wanted to laugh and cry at once. "Exactly. Sayo-san—who's normally our tank—forgot she was using my mage account. She charged straight at the boss."
Both Miyu and I winced. "Ouch."
Rinko buried her face in a pillow. "I almost screamed when I saw her try to 'shield bash' with a staff."
I chuckled nervously. "Alright, what about the others?"
Ako-chan sighed. "Lisa-nee did fine... but Yukina-san..."
Miyu leaned in. "What about her?"
Ako-chan hesitated, then said, "She almost dropped my grimoire... for an herb."
I spat out my drink. Miyu coughed beside me. "She what?"
Ako-chan nodded miserably. "She thought it was junk loot. I had to grab her avatar and stop her before she confirmed the discard."
Even Rinko couldn't hold back a laugh this time. "It was chaos. Absolute chaos. But somehow, we cleared the boss. It was messy, but we did it."
"Lucky the dungeon was only level forty," Ako-chan added. "So no major penalty on death."
"That's still brave," Miyu admitted. "If you'd tried that on your actual level range, it'd be a massacre."
I leaned back, grinning. "No wonder you're both mentally fried. Teaching Yukina and the others how to use your classes must've been hell."
"You have no idea," Rinko muttered. "Though Imai-san and Sayo-san caught on fast once we explained the roles."
Ako-chan nodded. "Still, I didn't realize being a bard was that tough. You're basically managing the whole team's rhythm. Timing buffs, supporting combos—it's like conducting a live orchestra mid-battle."
"Same for healers," Rinko said, stretching her arms. "You're constantly monitoring health bars, tracking enemy aggro, predicting who'll take the next hit. It's stressful just thinking about it."
I smiled. "Every class has its burden. Some create openings, some protect, some connect everything together. But when everyone syncs... that's when real magic happens."
Rinko's tired eyes softened at that. "Yeah. Guess so."
Before the conversation could drift further, Nazuna appeared at the doorway, her usual gentle tone cutting through the room. "Riku-sama, dinner is ready."
"Thanks," I said, setting down my glass. "Tell the others we'll be there in a minute." Then I turned back to Ako-chan. "You're welcome to join us, by the way."
Her face lit up instantly. "Really? I'd love to!"
"Then it's settled," Miyu said, standing and brushing off her skirt. "Let's not keep them waiting."
We all got up, Rinko still moving like she'd run a marathon, Ako walking beside her with a grin that didn't quite hide her exhaustion.
The dining hall greeted us with the warm scent of food of the highest quality. The long table was already set—silver gleaming against fine porcelain, soft light reflecting on the dishes. The sound of gentle chatter filled the air: Marina talking with Aizawa about tomorrow's schedule, Sakurako setting down the last set of utensils.
As we took our seats, I caught a glimpse of Miyu smiling faintly to herself. The day had been long, strange, and unexpectedly fun. Between her insight into PHANTOM PAIN and Rinko's ridiculous dungeon tale, the evening carried a quiet balance—a reminder that life inside and outside the music never really separated.
Somewhere in that moment, surrounded by laughter and steam rising from the food, I felt it—the calm before whatever storm awaited next.
Several minutes later
Riku's Room – 8:30 P.M.
Riku's POV
Dinner ended quietly, the kind that settles into comfortable warmth after a long day. Ako-chan, still lively despite the chaos of earlier, asked if someone could take her home. Before I could even open my mouth, Kazehana offered. She took the address, tossed her keys in her hand, and left with Ako-chan on her motorcycle—engine growling, tail lights disappearing into the night.
Once the noise faded, I made my way upstairs. Tonight was one of those rare nights when I didn't have to think too hard about anything—just me, my chair, and the screen. The match between OG and Tundra was about to start, and I wanted to catch it live.
A few minutes later, it was over. A clean 2-0 sweep. Tundra crushed them.
I leaned back, sighing as the post-game desk rolled through replays. "Well... can't be helped. Skitter was just too damn good this series."
Then I checked Twitter. OG's official account had just posted one word: 'welp'.
I couldn't help but facepalm. "They're taking it like champs, at least." A dry chuckle slipped out before fading into a sigh. "I might've jinxed them earlier today, though. Should've known better."
As I waited for the next match—Team Liquid versus Gaimin Gladiators—my phone buzzed. Alice.
"Yo, Alice," I greeted, leaning forward to answer.
"Good evening, Riku-kun," she said, her tone soft but brisk. "I called because one of my staff told me you placed a fabric order at my store."
"Yeah. I did that yesterday."
"Perfect. The fabric you requested will be ready for delivery next week. Is that date fine for you?"
"That works. Go ahead."
"Then I'll bring it myself," she added, a smile almost audible through her voice.
I nodded to myself. "Appreciate it. By the way, Alice—did you get an invitation from the Moriya Shrine?"
"I did," she replied lightly. "And I'll be attending. I assume you're going as well?"
"Yeah. I'll bring my sister and my fiancées."
A brief silence followed before she chuckled. "Fiancées? Oh, right—you're engaged now. Congratulations, Riku-kun. I can't wait to see Sanae's reaction."
I smirked. "Knowing her, she'll probably jump for joy. Literally."
"Ufufufufu~ I can already picture it," Alice said. "Anyway, that's all I needed. I'll see you soon. Good night, Riku-kun."
"Good night, Alice."
The line clicked off just as the casters announced the start of the next series. I leaned back again, letting the crowd noise and commentary fade into the background hum of the room. The lights from the monitor flickered against the walls, a rhythm of blue and white. Another long day winding down.
The next day
June 15, 2021 – Tuesday – 12:00 N.N.
Hanasakigawa Girls' High School Grounds
After the matches ended last night, I got a call from Kaguya. Apparently, she wanted a one-on-one duel in Dota. Her Void Spirit versus my Earth Spirit. I didn't turn her down.
Three rounds later, she was already cursing in disbelief.
"Three–zero," I said, grinning at the monitor. "You should've banned Earth Spirit."
"Next time..." she muttered darkly.
After that satisfying thrashing, I called it a night.
Morning arrived with faint sunlight seeping through the curtains. The routine followed—breakfast, gym, shower. The rhythm of normalcy was a rare kind of peace. Rinko and Miyu had begun to adapt well to the estate; they were finding their rhythm too. Aya and Hatate had long since made themselves at home, almost like they owned the place.
By the time I got to school, the day felt settled. Classes passed without incident. The air outside was warm but not heavy—good enough for lunch on the grass.
I sat with the band girls, Mafuyu, and Kaguya. Youmu was at Yuyuko-san's side as always, while Remi, Flan, and Sakuya had claimed the rooftop again. A few blankets spread across the grass kept our uniforms from getting dirty, and the soft hum of conversations surrounded us.
Halfway through a rice ball, something shifted in the air. Subtle but sharp—like the faint pull of static before lightning. My eyes met Kaguya's immediately.
"...You felt that?" I whispered.
"I did," she replied under her breath. "Someone's using a concealment spell."
Rinko blinked, looking between us. "Riku? Kaguya-san? Is something wrong?"
"Nothing serious," Kaguya said smoothly, though her tone was sharper now. "Just that someone... unexpected entered the school grounds."
That caught Sayo's attention instantly. The student council trio turned toward us.
"Someone entered?" Sayo frowned. "If that were true, the teachers would've been notified—unless..."
Arisa finished for her. "They came here uninvited."
I looked toward the treeline. The energy pulse was faint but persistent. Whoever it was, they weren't trying to harm anyone—just making an entrance.
"Precisely," I said quietly. "And you can drop the concealment. We already know you're here."
A light, teasing voice echoed above us.
"Looks like you haven't lost your edge, Riku-chan."
A shimmer passed through the branches, and the spell faded away. There, perched on a thick branch, was a petite girl in a short purplish-blue dress with a frog print along the hem. White detached sleeves hung loosely from her arms, a soft contrast to the wide-brimmed hat atop her head—two round frog eyes stitched on top.
She had medium-length blond hair, clear grey eyes, and an amused smile. The moment she leapt down, she landed in a crouch—balanced low, like a frog about to spring.
"Yo, Riku-chan! Kaguya-chan~!"
It was a little surreal seeing her here of all places. "It's good to see you, Suwako-sama," I said, offering a small bow out of habit.
Rinko's eyes flicked toward me, and Sayo stiffened slightly beside her — probably caught off guard by the honorific. Can't blame them. You don't just call someone "-sama" unless they've earned it.
Kaguya tilted her head, folding her arms. "Why are you here in Hanasakigawa, Suwako? From what we know, you rarely leave the Moriya Shrine."
The small goddess just grinned, rocking on her heels like a mischievous kid. "Well, I got bored. Kanako doesn't mind when I take a stroll now and then, and Sanae said I could do whatever I want as long as I don't make a ruckus."
Kasumi blinked, confusion written all over her face. "Senpai, who is she?"
"Everyone," I said, gesturing toward the frog-capped deity, "this is Moriya Suwako."
She scratched the back of her head, eyes half-lidded with a relaxed smile as the eyes on her hat blinked once. "Greetings~ I'm Moriya Suwako~ Goddess of the Moriya Shrine~"
The chopsticks in half the girls' hands hit the blanket at the same time. I sighed quietly and snapped my fingers without anyone noticing, forming a faint, transparent barrier around us — soundproof. The last thing I needed was the entire school grounds hearing what was about to happen.
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!?!"
Yep. Called it.
Arisa pointed in disbelief. "Riku-san! Is she really telling the truth?!"
"Yup," I said, calm as ever. "She's a bonafide goddess."
Eve's eyes practically sparkled. "To think that I would meet an actual goddess in the flesh... it's an honor to meet one from ancient times!"
Rinko looked thoughtful. "So she's... Suwako-sama?"
Sayo blinked a few times, studying Suwako's small form. "I expected her to be... a bit more mature."
Suwako-sama chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, I can transform into an adult, but I prefer this. Fewer responsibilities in this size."
Before anyone could comment, a familiar blur of gold and green leapt across the table.
"Kokoro—"
Too late.
Kokoro wrapped her arms around Suwako-sama in a crushing hug, nearly toppling both of them over. "Suwako-samaaaa!"
Suwako-sama laughed heartily, patting her on the head. "Still going strong with the hugs, huh, Kokoro-chan?"
"Mhm! It's been so long too! Sorry I haven't visited the shrine recently!"
"No worries," Suwako-sama replied, her voice softening. "You've had your hands full. I get it."
The sight almost made me smile. Suwako-sama might look like a playful trickster most of the time, but she's got a soft side for the people she watches over.
Hagumi blinked at the two of them. "Kokoron, you know her?"
"Yup!" Kokoro grinned brightly. "I met her when onii-chan and I visited the Moriya Shrine back then!"
"That checks out," I said, leaning back. "Anyway... aside from the whole 'doing whatever you want' part, I'm guessing there's another reason you came here, right?"
Suwako-sama's grin widened. She'd been waiting for that question. "Yup! And it's about the party."
"Party?" Tae echoed.
"The Moriya Shrine's throwing one," Suwako-sama explained, hopping up to sit on the table like it was the most natural thing in the world. "A little celebration for our arrival back in Gensokyo. We sent out invitations to our friends. Not everyone can make it though... and we've got a tiny problem."
I crossed my arms. "What kind of problem?"
She twirled a strand of her hair, smiling sheepishly. "Well, we got word about your engagement—congrats, by the way—and Sanae got a bit too excited when she heard the news."
Kaguya sighed before I could say anything. "Let me guess..."
"Yup." Suwako-sama's shoulders slumped. "She overdid it. Ordered double the amount of ingredients we were supposed to use."
I raised an eyebrow. "That's it? Can't you just—oh, wait. Yuyuko-san's not coming, huh?"
"Exactly."
"Eh?" Kaguya and I said in unison.
Suwako-sama shook her head. "She wanted to come, but she's got an important meeting that day."
Kaguya tapped her chin. "That's rare for her. Well, if Yuyuko's out, who's confirmed to go? Me, Eirin, Udongein, Riku, his sister, and his fiancées will be attending."
Suwako-sama nodded. "The Koumakan girls will come—it's a night party, so that's a given. Komeiji, Hinanawi, and Hakurei are confirmed too. Maybe a few others, depending on their schedules."
I frowned slightly. "Even with that crowd, it still won't be enough to finish all that food, huh?"
She sighed dramatically. "Yeah... so I figured, why not invite you girls too?"
Kasumi blinked. "Eh? We can come to the party too?"
"Of course!" Suwako-sama said, her hat eyes blinking cheerfully. "You're Riku-chan's friends, so you're good in my book. I'm sure everyone will welcome you. That is... if you're free on Friday."
She paused mid-sentence, then turned to me with a mischievous look. "Oh, right—almost forgot. I stopped by Otonokizaka earlier. Aichi-chan wanted me to tell you he's looking for you after class."
"Aichi?" I frowned slightly. "I mean, I'll have time before I head to CiRCLE. What's this about?"
"He didn't say," Suwako-sama replied, hopping off the table. "Just told me to tell you to meet him at the Hinanawi Mansion. Said he wanted to give you something."
I rubbed my chin. "Hmmm... alright. I'll go after school then."
"Perfect." She stretched her arms above her head. "I said what I came to say, so I'm outta here~ See you Friday, Riku-chan~!"
And just like that, she skipped out of the the school grounds, humming a carefree tune that made everyone watching question reality itself.
Misaki exhaled slowly. "You know... for a goddess, she's really carefree."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "That's Suwako-sama for you. Anyway, she said you girls should come to the party too. Got any plans?"
Kasumi glanced at her bandmates, then sighed. "Well... we'd love to, but... we can't."
Saaya nodded apologetically. "We were invited to perform at one of the live houses outside the city. Apparently, our performance at CiRCLE got us a little bit of reputation."
"So you decided to take my advice then," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.
Rimi looked bashful but proud. "Hm... we want to make you proud too, senpai, by performing outside of CiRCLE."
"I'm already proud," I said, leaning forward slightly. "And I'm sure you'll perform amazingly out there. Just focus on having fun."
Then I turned to the others. "What about HaroHapi and PasuPare?"
Chisato spoke up. "We've got the week off, so we can go."
Aya-chan added, her voice still a little subdued, "Yeah... and the agency's still under repairs, so there's not much we can do right now."
Kokoro puffed out her cheeks. "We can't come to the party either, onii-chan! Emu invited Hello, Happy World! for a collaboration with Wonderlands x Showtime at Phoenix Wonderland!"
"That's actually pretty great," I said, a genuine grin spreading. "It's a shame you can't come, but do your best out there, okay?"
"Hai!" she said brightly, throwing up a peace sign. "I'll give it my all and make everyone smile!"
I looked over at Misaki. "I'm counting on you to keep an eye on her."
She sighed, deadpan. "Don't need to tell me twice."
"Good."
Then I turned to Sayo and Rinko. "What about Roselia?"
Sayo thought for a moment before nodding. "We might actually be able to go. We've got a lot of free time right now."
"Really? I thought Yukina's voice was better now."
Rinko shook her head. "We got a call from her doctor earlier. He said she needs another week of rest if she wants to use her voice freely again."
"Ouch." I winced. "Guess that means Roselia's in."
They both nodded.
I took a few minutes to explain where the Moriya Shrine was located, along with a few travel details so they wouldn't get lost when the time came. By the time I finished, our plates were empty, and the conversation had mellowed out to small talk about schoolwork and stage setups.
The bell rang soon after, cutting the moment short. The soundproof barrier dissipated quietly as I stood up.
"Alright, let's get back to class," I said, grabbing my bag.
Kasumi gave me a small nod. "Got it, senpai."
As we walked back to the classroom, I found myself glancing toward the cafeteria doors where Suwako had disappeared earlier. For someone who always plays around, she never shows up without reason.
A party, huh? If Suwako's taking the trouble to invite mortals to a divine gathering, something tells me this won't be just another evening of food and music.
Still... for now, I'll take it as it is — a calm before the next storm.
-----------
Hinanawi Mansion – Nagano Prefecture
5:30 P.M.
Riku's POV
Once classes wrapped up, I told the girls I'd be heading to the Hinanawi Mansion by myself. Rinko immediately frowned, saying it wasn't right for me to go alone. Sayo backed her up, of course. But after a bit of back-and-forth, I managed to convince them I'd be fine. Rinko finally agreed—but only after making me promise to take care of myself. I gave her my word.
Sayo had asked where the Hinanawi Mansion even was, and when I said "Nagano Prefecture," everyone just stared at me like I'd said "the moon."
Outside Tokyo—it's a bit of a trip, I know.
I stopped by the estate first to change out of my uniform. Something comfortable but still formal enough in case the visit turned official. Before leaving, I let Marina know she'd be in charge until I got back. She nodded, though I caught that subtle glance she gives whenever she's worried but doesn't want to show it.
Instead of wasting half a day on the local trains, I took the Shinkansen. Eight hours cut down to less than two—it was an easy choice. The train's hum was steady, rhythmic, almost hypnotic against the window's soft reflection of passing countryside.
While I had the time, I sent a quick message to the Afterglow and Raise A Suilen group chats. Suwako-sama's invitation, the date, the location—everything. They deserved the courtesy.
Didn't take long for the replies to come flooding in.
Ran: Unfortunately, we can't come. Dad needs me for a flower session right after school this Friday. Moca's got a dentist appointment. Tsugumi's got work, and Tomoe and Himari are scheduled for a ramen vlog that day too.
Chiyu: Appreciate the invite, but we can't. We got an offer for a small band tournament in Osaka this weekend—too good to skip. We'll use it to build our name outside Kanto, so we're taking the night train Friday. Oh, and about your engagement—only PAREO and I know. I'm not telling the rest until after the event. Rei would completely lose focus if she found out now. Also, send my regards to Sanae.
I sighed, leaning back in my seat. Figures.
Afterglow and RaS—out. That left Pastel*Palettes, Roselia, and the trio of Tina, Mafuyu, and Miyu. A smaller group, but manageable.
The bullet train cut smoothly through the landscape, the sun lowering into a soft amber haze. By the time the announcement for Nagano played, I'd already dozed off for a bit. The moment I stepped out of the station, the cold mountain air hit different—crisp, clean, almost nostalgic. It reminded me faintly of Gensokyo's higher ridges.
I hailed a taxi, giving the driver the address. He blinked when I said "Hinanawi Mansion," then gave a short nod.
Yeah. People knew the name.
The ride took about twenty minutes. When the mansion came into view, even I had to whistle under my breath.
The Hinanawi Mansion was enormous—a traditional Japanese estate infused with subtle modern architecture. Three stories tall, painted in a pristine white accented with red pillars and golden trim that caught the dying sunlight. The front garden stretched wide, full of sculpted pines, gravel paths, and a koi pond that shimmered faintly in the breeze. It wasn't just wealth—it was heritage, centuries old, and still standing proud.
I walked up to the gate and pressed the intercom.
"Who is this?" came a familiar voice, filtered slightly through static.
"Aichi, it's me," I said. "Suwako-sama told me you wanted me to come, so... here I am."
"Ah, you're here. Hold up, I'll open the gate. Meet me by the garage, will you?"
The gate buzzed, sliding open with a smooth hum. I stepped through and made my way inside the property.
A worker in uniform guided me through the courtyard toward the right wing of the mansion, where the garage sat. When I got there, Aichi was already waiting.
He waved me over, standing beside something large—very large.
What stood next to him wasn't a car. It looked like a massive black ring, about twice my height, its circumference reinforced by silver-white frames that curved elegantly like ribs around it. And at the center, nested between polished struts and reinforced plating, was what looked like the body of a motorcycle.
It didn't take me long to recognize the design philosophy.
"Wait... this looks like—"
"Jack Atlas's D-Wheel from 5D's?" Aichi grinned. "Pretty close."
I blinked, walking around it in awe. "Well, I'm here and... what exactly is this?"
Aichi gestured toward it proudly. "This—" he said with a spark in his eye, "is the Universe Ring."
"The Universe Ring?" I repeated. "You built this yourself?"
He shook his head. "Nope. Nee-san did—back when you were still with OG. She worked on it in secret at the family's private lab."
That tracked. Aichi's sister was a mechanical genius, borderline obsessive with her projects.
"What kind of fuel does it run on?" I asked, leaning closer to inspect the frame.
He glanced around, then lowered his voice. "Promise me you won't tell anyone what you're about to see."
The shift in his tone pulled my attention immediately. I straightened up and nodded once. "Alright. You have my word."
Satisfied, Aichi stepped to the side and unlatched a panel near the back of the bike's chassis. The compartment hissed slightly as it opened—and what I saw inside made my breath catch.
A single, glowing cube sat there. About the size of a football, radiating a faint pink light that pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat. The air around it shimmered faintly, bending the light ever so slightly, like it carried its own gravity.
"What the hell..." I muttered under my breath.
Aichi quickly sealed the compartment shut. "Can't leave it open too long," he said quietly. "Might attract unwanted attention."
I stared at him. "Aichi... what was that?"
He crossed his arms. "That's what we call Sakuradite."
I frowned. "Sakuradite? Never heard of it."
"That's because it's only been known to a few," Aichi said. "It was discovered ten years ago during one of the Hinanawi family's expeditions near Mount Fuji. The reason it never reached the public eye is because of how unstable it is."
"Unstable?"
"Yeah. The first discovery team tried to mine some of it. One swing of a pickaxe and—boom." He snapped his fingers. "Massive explosion. The entire site got wrecked. Dozens injured, luckily there were no fatalities. But it was enough to scare everyone off."
I took a moment to process that. "And yet... you have one sitting inside a machine in your garage."
Aichi smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "That's the result of years of trial and error. We developed a way to extract Sakuradite safely, without triggering an explosion. The process is ridiculously complex—takes an entire lab and months of calibration—but it worked. And once we finally got a stable sample, we started testing its potential."
I folded my arms, studying him. "And? What can it do?"
Aichi hesitated. For a moment, I could tell he was weighing his words. Then he sighed. "Father told me this in confidence... but I think you deserve to know. Sakuradite is about ten times more efficient than nuclear power."
My jaw went slack. I stared at him, half-expecting him to laugh and say he was joking. He didn't.
"If that's true," I said slowly, "then this isn't just some hidden mineral. This could rewrite the world's energy balance."
"Exactly." His expression darkened. "That's why the Celestial Families and His Majesty agreed to keep it under wraps. If it ever went public, every nation would fight over it. Governments, corporations, private syndicates—none of them would hesitate."
I nodded grimly. The implications were obvious. "If it were Japan's main power source... Okuu would be out of work," I muttered, only half-joking. "And if it ever fell into the wrong hands..."
"World War III," Aichi finished for me. "Yeah. We've thought about that too."
Silence filled the garage for a moment, broken only by the soft hum of the Universe Ring's dormant systems.
Aichi eventually spoke again, his voice lower. "After that discovery, the royal council made it law. Anyone who exposes information about Sakuradite to the public... is executed. No exceptions. That's why we keep it strictly in the Hinanawi's care. We mine, refine, and store it. No one else touches it."
The name Sakuradite lingered in my head long after Aichi's explanation. The thought of a single mineral holding that much power... it felt absurd. Yet, staring at the faint pink glow bleeding from the cracks of that cube, I could almost feel the hum beneath the metal frame. Like the air itself was vibrating, waiting to be set loose.
"I think that's for the best," I said, arms crossed as I studied the closed engine casing. "With the Hinanawi's ability to manipulate the earth, getting Sakuradite should be easy pickings. But—" my eyes narrowed, "—why did I see that cube in the engine of the Universe Ring?"
Aichi brushed his bangs aside, his usual calm unshaken. "That cube's one of nee-san's experiments. Her first success in refining Sakuradite."
"Refining?" I echoed.
He nodded. "She managed to strip away the mineral's unstable core, turning it into something denser, purer. According to her calculations..." A small, proud grin broke through his composure. "That one cube can keep the Universe Ring running for roughly five hundred years."
I let out a low whistle. "Five hundred years? That's not energy—that's borderline divine."
Aichi chuckled. "Well, she is a Celestial, after all."
That was fair. Tenshi always had a talent for bending the line between science and miracle until you couldn't tell which side of creation you were standing on.
"So," I said after a moment, "you dragged me all the way out here to show this off?"
He smirked. "Not exactly. I called you here because I want you to have it."
My jaw slackened. "...Excuse me?"
"I'm serious," he said, tone unflinching. "Nee-san built this for you, Riku. I figured... I should be the one to hand it over. Besides," he shrugged, "I've never liked motorcycles."
That caught me completely off guard. "Say what? Since when? I thought you loved riding."
"I did," he admitted with a helpless smile. "Until nee-san started dragging me around on her joyrides. She'd hit three hundred kilometers per hour without blinking, and I swore off bikes the day she tried to race a Shinkansen."
I couldn't help but laugh. Yeah, that sounded like Tenshi—reckless, radiant, and completely oblivious to mortal speed limits.
"I get it," I said finally, still smiling. "Since you're that persistent, I'll take it off your hands." I circled the one-wheeled machine, running a finger along the sleek white plating and black carbon frame. The design looked simple at first glance, but there was a pulse beneath it—like a heartbeat. "One thing, though. This thing street legal or am I gonna get arrested the second I ride out?"
Aichi waved it off. "It's street legal. Nee-san had it checked by the government several times. The only restriction is: don't go over sixty kilometers per hour past the limit—unless it's an emergency."
"Good to know," I muttered. "Guess I'll be saving that speed for when the world's on fire."
He laughed quietly, then gave me a faint smile. "By the way, congratulations on your engagement."
So word had reached him. "You heard, huh? Thanks. Do Honoka and the others know?"
"I told them," he replied, tone softening. "Umi, Maki, and Nico were furious. Honoka, Rin, Hanayo, and Nozomi were just curious. Kotori didn't say anything—she just stared at me like I'd grown another head. But Eli..." He paused. "She's been spacing out lately. Days now. You know something, don't you?"
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I do. But it's up to her if she wants to tell you. Still..." I met his gaze. "If you want to understand what's eating at her, ask her about what happened before TI10 started."
Aichi raised a brow but didn't press. "Alright," he said quietly. "I'll wait for her to open up."
The air between us settled into a comfortable silence—the kind that comes from mutual respect rather than the need for words. Finally, he gestured toward the bike. "Enough talk. Take it for a spin."
I grinned. "Don't have to tell me twice."
Stepping closer, I mounted the Universe Ring. The seat molded to my frame instantly, like it recognized me. Before I even touched the ignition, the machine began to hum—then roared softly to life, the sakura-colored light glowing through the frame like veins under skin.
"It activated on its own?" I blinked. "I just sat down and—"
"That's another feature nee-san added," Aichi interrupted. "Only someone at the level of a Celestial family head can activate it."
That made sense. "So, if someone tried to steal it—"
"They'd be staring at a dead shell."
"Smart." I smiled faintly. "Tenshi really thought of everything."
The engine's low thrum deepened into a smooth, rhythmic purr. It didn't sound mechanical—it sounded alive. The Sakuradite cube within began to float, spinning slowly in mid-air as streams of pink energy circled around it, forming intricate patterns that danced across the garage walls.
Aichi whistled. "You look like you're sitting on a star."
"Feels like it," I replied, gripping the handlebars. "Alright... let's see what this baby can—"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The explosion tore through the calm like a thunderclap, shaking the ground beneath us. The shockwave hit hard enough to rattle the garage doors, sending tools clattering off their hooks.
"What the hell!?" I shouted, instinctively shielding my eyes from the flash that followed.
The Universe Ring's sensors flared to life, projecting readings across the HUD. Magic energy levels spiked violently—foreign, unstable, and powerful enough to register even through reinforced shielding.
Aichi's eyes widened. "Riku... that surge—"
"Yeah," I said, pulse spiking. "It's not like the one from last weekend. This... this feels different. The magic signature—it's alien. Aggressive."
My stomach tightened. Whoever—or whatever—had caused that blast wasn't human.
The scent of ozone filled the air, followed by the low rumble of another tremor. Outside, birds scattered in a frenzy. The evening sky, once pale gold, now shimmered faintly with violet streaks that shouldn't exist in nature.
"This can't be good," I muttered, scanning the horizon through the open garage gate. "Aichi, you said I should take this for a spin, right?"
He didn't bother answering. Instead, he pressed a button on the side of the bike's console. With a hiss, a small hover platform extended from the Ring's frame—complete with a stabilizing handlebar. Aichi stepped onto it, locking in with a practiced motion.
I blinked. "Wait—you hate motorcycles."
He shrugged. "Only when nee-san's driving. With you, I trust the ride."
A small grin tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Then hold on tight."
I twisted the throttle. The Sakuradite cube inside flared brighter, rotating faster until it became a sphere of light. The garage floor cracked beneath the sudden surge of pressure as the Universe Ring lifted slightly—hovering for half a breath before slamming forward in a burst of speed.
Meanwhile, the streets of Nagano...
Aichi's POV
The Universe Ring hummed a ghost-note beneath my boots as Riku pushed the throttle. For a moment I forgot where I was—garage lights, the metallic scent of oil and ozone, the thrum of something impossibly small and wired to a sakura-colored heart. Then my phone vibrated in my pocket and reality snapped back into focus.
"Reimu-san, this is Aichi," I answered, keeping my voice low against the wind.
Her reply was efficient, clipped like a blade. "Good thing you answered. You felt that surge of magic power, right?"
"We did. Me and Riku are on our way to check it out," I said.
"Very well," Reimu-san answered. "I'll inform the others and we'll calm any citizens in the area. If whoever you encounter is hostile, you have my permission to use spells. Detain them for questioning. If they resist with full intent to kill, you're authorized to eliminate them."
Those last words landed like iron. I nodded without thinking. "Understood. We'll call with an update."
I ended the call and looked sideways at Riku. He kept his eyes forward, jaw set. "Riku," I said, "Reimu-san just told us: use spells if needed, but try to keep the targets alive. Lethal force only if they attack in earnest."
He flicked a thumb in acknowledgement without taking his focus off the road. "Got it. Hang tight. I can feel that the magic's weakening. We need to hurry."
The Ring took us there faster than any wheel should have, as if space thinned in its presence. By the time we reached the location the night was already thick; a stray moonlight tried to pierce smoke. We stopped in a side street, shut the Ring down, and slipped off. Riku summoned it with a flick of his finger—one moment a whirling giant in the garage, the next a simple ring around his middle finger, humming faint and concealed.
"You can summon it from the ring now," I told him. "Keep it on you; if something goes wrong you can bring it back in a heartbeat."
He tucked it away and nodded. "Thanks."
We moved soundlessly—my boots on gravel, Riku's footsteps a measured echo. I had the Sword of Hisou already drawn; the metal felt familiar and heavy in my hand. Riku—lightning fringing his form like a halo—cast a bounded field around us before we approached the warehouse. I left the sound barrier as-is; he was right to be cautious. No point inviting a crowd.
The building looked like something out of a forgotten industrial era—corrugated metal, a yawning roll-up door, half the roof caved in. Smoke licked the sky above it. When we slowed near the entrance I felt it: four sets of intent, thick and wrong. Not human. Something predatory in the way the air around them tasted—like copper and old rot.
I reached for telepathy; muttered to Riku without moving my lips. You felt that too, right?
Too obvious, he answered. Not hiding it. Demonic—if I had to name it.
I kept my muzzle calm, though my heart beat a rockier cadence under my ribs. Demons. Not many things made that word fall easy. The folklore around them always read like a carnival mirror—distorted, dangerous. What was worse was not the demons themselves, but who they were cornering.
We crept closer on bent knees and soft steps, until the voices inside slipped into focus.
"You're the real piece of work," one man spat, voice silk-coated with malice. "Thanks to you, we can't go back—so why not stay and rule?"
"Right," another said, lacing his words with venom. "No satans to stop us, no exorcists. This world will bend."
I stiffened. If they thought the absence of the usual guards meant a free hand, they were making a grave mistake.
Riku's fingers tightened at his side. He whispered, Let's get closer. I want to hear every word.
We edged toward the doorway and peered around the rusted frame. Four men—no, not men. Their clothing was too fine for street criminals: tailored coats in midnight colors, accessories that glinted with strange sigils. Around them drifted an aura that didn't belong to the human world; it pressed at me like an itch I couldn't scratch.
And in the center, held like a prize and beaten down, was a woman. Beautiful in the way a photograph can lie—long black hair split as if a breeze stayed caught in it, hazel-gold eyes that flared with a cat's slit. Her shoulders were bare beneath a black kimono; a yellow obi bound her waist; beads clinked at her throat. And, unmistakable, impossibly real—soft cat ears on her head, two tails emerging like silk ropes behind her.
My stomach dropped. A nekomata. Not just any stray yokai, and I can feel that her magic power is faint.
The sight made my blood go cold.
One of the four leaned in, expression ecstasy-smooth. "You could be more useful than you realize, Kuroka. With your power sealed and your spirit quieted, you'll be perfect." The man's grin revealed too-white teeth. "Imagine the bloodlines, the children. They will be potent."
A chill crawled up my spine.
Riku's eyes went stone-hard; his voice flattened, near inaudible as a thought. Aichi—don't do anything drastic. I have a plan.
He pressed his hand against my shoulder—an anchor. I felt the hum of the Ring at his finger, in his chest. I'm listening, I telepathed back.
Kuroka's POV
I had rehearsed a dozen endings in my head, none of them pretty. Bound, bruised, and cut off from the subtle currents that usually hummed through my hands, I lay on cold concrete and listened to the devils talk about a future that involved me like I was a commodity. My body felt threadbare—senjutsu, yojutsu, even the ordinary spark of magics I lean on were leached dry. It was the kind of helplessness that shames pride to silence.
Kuroka, remember pride, I told myself. Breathe. Keep thinking.
But when their voices edged toward things that made my whole being curl with something uglier than fear—plans of "breeding" and dominion—my thoughts folded inward. Memory came like small, sharp knives: Shirone laughing under a paper moon, the way onee-chan tucked hair behind her ear, how love had once been a simple, defiant thing. For half a breath I let the fantasy of a clean ending take me—quiet, quick, merciful. I mouthed apologies to shadows that weren't listening. Shirone deserved better than this. Hell, I deserved better than this.
Then lightning tore the air.
It wasn't the tinny pop of someone rigging a spell. It was raw, hungry, a blade of white light that seared the dust in my lungs and made the warehouse breathe around it. I opened my eyes to see two silhouettes step into the slurry of smoke and broken wood.
The first boy—shorter, sharp—carried a sword with an orange blade that caught the light and fractured it. He wore a little hat with two peaches stitched on top; he looked somehow ridiculous and absolutely dangerous. The second was the kind of presence that makes a cat flatten its ears and count exits—tall, dark-violet hair, eyes woven from red and gold. Lightning laced his clothes and pooled around his boots like a waiting thing. Every fiber of him smelled of storm and scaled things. Dragon-scent. Cold and hot at once.
A voice—soft, steady—cut through the chaos. "Are you okay?"
My throat was a cage. I tried to shift and felt the ropes cut into my wrists like ice. "I... I can't move," I croaked. Shame burned bright. I was supposed to be the predator, not the prey.
The blue-haired one smiled like someone had told a private joke. "Don't worry. You're safe. I'm Nagae Riku, and this is my friend Hinanawi Aichi. We'll take care of things here."
They sounded like they meant it. My hands twitched at the idea of trusting—an old reflex sharpened by every betrayal and grudge—but the way the violet-haired boy's lightning drummed under his skin, the way Riku's voice held a steady edge, they felt less like strangers and more like axes you could lean your back against.
"Careful," I rasped, because it was honest. "They're not your ordinary devils."
Riku tilted his head. "Devils, huh? Aichi—want to let off some steam?" He grinned, that feral, confident grin that says something's about to break, but in a good way.
"Thanks," Aichi said—and there was a tightness in the word that told me he'd fought before, and he liked it less than he liked the victory.
The moment Riku told Aichi to take on the devils alone, I nearly snapped upright. My body screamed in protest, but it wasn't pain that froze me—it was disbelief. Four devils, the kind of monsters that even mid-level exorcists avoided unless they had death wishes, and this lightning-eyed boy had just told his friend to "handle them."
The devils didn't appreciate the gesture either. Their faces twisted from shock to fury in seconds.
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" one roared, his aura flaring red.
"They're just a bunch of pathetic humans!" another sneered, already gathering demonic energy in his palm.
"Impossible! If they are humans, how did they sneak in without us noticing?!"
"Maybe they've got Sacred Gears!" the last one barked, his gaze darting to the sword on Aichi's hip.
Sacred Gears...? My ears twitched at the word. Wait—don't tell me these two don't even know what Sacred Gears are? Just what kind of world did I land in?
Riku just blinked, a flicker of irritation passing through his eyes. "I don't know what you are, or who you serve, or what the hell a 'Sacred Gear' even is," he said flatly. "All that matters is—you four are coming with us."
Aichi stepped forward beside him, his stance calm but commanding. "As the next head of the Hinanawi Family of the Celestial Families, I will stop you here! Your crimes and your intent to harm this woman won't go unanswered!"
Celestial Families? The name felt foreign yet ancient, like something tied to divine lineage. Their energy didn't smell demonic or angelic—something older. Raw, balanced.
The devils scoffed. "You think a pair of humans can challenge us?" one hissed.
Another grinned, his canines glinting. "We're the elite servants of Shalba Beelzebub! You'll regret crossing us!"
My blood ran cold. Shalba Beelzebub?! So they were part of the Old Maou Faction after all. This wasn't just a stray group—they were remnants of the faction that tried to revive the chaos of the Underworld.
But when I looked at Riku and Aichi again, any concern I had faltered. Their eyes weren't afraid—they were calm, almost too calm. The kind of calm that came from power, not ignorance.
Riku's voice cut through the tension, low and steady. "Human, huh? Who said that we're human?"
The devils paused, confused. "What do you mean by that?"
Riku didn't answer. Instead, he took out a small ofuda—an old paper talisman—inscribed with celestial script that hummed faintly in the air. Lightning arced between his fingers as a long naginata formed in his left hand, the blade etched with glowing runes.
His energy surged—dense, commanding, alive. The air thickened like the sky before a typhoon.
Riku's expression hardened. "Thunder Sign: Origin of Thunder!"
He hurled the naginata skyward, and it split into a storm of lightning-forged copies, each tracing arcs of blue light through the air. The weapons moved with impossible precision, homing toward the four devils like guided wrath. The devils scattered, teleporting and sidestepping the strikes, but the attacks followed with eerie intelligence—forcing them to defend rather than advance.
"They're not ordinary humans—they're mages!" one shouted, firing off a volley of black energy spheres.
The blasts screamed toward us. Riku extended his arm, his scarf unraveling into threads of light that danced like silk in a hurricane.
"Fish Sign: Sunfish Aegis!"
The scarf expanded outward, morphing into a massive glowing barrier shaped vaguely like a sunfish—odd, almost comical, yet beautiful in its shimmering defiance. The devils' blasts slammed against it and fizzled out, leaving nothing but fading sparks. When the barrage ended, the shield folded back into cloth, rewrapping itself around his neck as if nothing had happened.
Aichi smirked. "You really went with that name?"
Riku exhaled through his nose. "It works. That's all that matters." Then his tone sharpened. "Aichi, change of plans. You take the two on the left; I'll deal with the ones on the right. They've chosen their path—we're free to eliminate them per Reimu's orders. I'll catch up once I've secured her."
Aichi gave a curt nod. "Understood." Magic power flared under his boots as he dashed forward, drawing his sword in a single clean motion. The orange blade left a trail of molten light as it met the first devil's claws. Sparks burst from the impact, the clash echoing like a cannon.
Before Riku joined the fight, he turned to me. His voice softened just slightly. "Before I go—Fish Sign: Bivalve Dome."
At his command, multiple strips of his scarf detached and spun into the air, glowing with soft, pale light. They wove together, forming a translucent dome that enclosed me completely. I could still see through it—the fabric shimmered like glass under moonlight—but I felt its warmth, a barrier woven not just from magic, but from intention.
"Stay there," he said, eyes steady. "You'll be safe inside. Leave the rest to us."
He didn't wait for my response. His body blurred, lightning cracking through the air as he launched himself into battle beside Aichi.
Inside the dome, I could feel every pulse of their energy. Riku's lightning had rhythm—swift and elegant, each movement measured but devastating. Aichi's swordplay, by contrast, was force and grace in harmony, his strikes carrying a celestial weight that distorted the air around him. They moved like they had fought side by side a hundred times before—each one anticipating the other's rhythm without needing to look.
The devils roared, hurling torrents of black fire and compressed demonic energy. The air trembled under the pressure, the sound deafening even from behind the barrier. But Riku and Aichi pressed forward, their spells intertwining—storm and sword, thunder and flame—until even the devils started to falter.
And me? I could only watch. My heart pounded harder than it ever had in any battle I'd fought myself.
I had met countless strong beings in my life—angels, dragons, even gods. But these two... these weren't just strong. They were something else entirely. They fought not out of arrogance or rage, but purpose. Every move they made was deliberate, clean, and protective. Especially him.
Riku.
As lightning painted his silhouette, I felt it—that strange, unshakable pull deep in my chest. Maybe it was gratitude. Maybe admiration. Or maybe something far more dangerous.
In that moment, watching him move through the storm he commanded, I realized something that startled even me.
That night, in that ruined warehouse of another world, I had met Nagae Riku—the man I would one day devote myself to.
And my future husband.
3rd POV
With Aichi...
The sharp crackle of energy echoed inside the abandoned warehouse as Aichi charged head-on toward the two remaining devils. Their howls filled the air as they unleashed a volley of dark orbs in rapid succession, each one hissing through the air like poisoned arrows. Aichi weaved through the onslaught with fluid precision, his blade flashing like silver lightning as it sliced the orbs clean in half, dissipating them before they could even reach him.
A faint grin tugged at his lips. "Is that all you've got? I've been dodging things like this since I was ten."
"Why, you inferior human!" one of the devils snarled, rage distorting his face.
Aichi didn't even flinch. "Don't compare a Celestial like me to mere humans."
"Celestial?!" the other spat, brow creasing. "The hell's a Celestial supposed to be?"
"You won't get the chance to know." Aichi's tone cooled, his voice lowering to a calm that was almost eerie. "Because this ends in one strike."
He inhaled slowly, the air around him trembling as spiritual energy gathered at his fingertips. The Sword of Hisou glimmered faintly before he slid it back into its sheath. His stance lowered—feet apart, eyes locked, body still as the calm before a storm. The devils paused, momentarily confused.
"Hisou: Blazing Celestial Slash!"
The sound of steel meeting air resounded like a thunderclap. Aichi moved faster than their eyes could track, a single blur of light and flame. The Sword of Hisou ignited with reddish-white fire as it tore through the first devil's chest. The creature staggered backward, clutching at his wound—yet when he looked down, there was no blood, no visible injury. A mocking laugh escaped his lips.
"Is that it?!" he barked, smirking through his labored breath. "For a second there, I thought I was—"
He froze.
Aichi's hand rested calmly on the hilt of his sheathed sword, his expression unchanging. "The Sword of Hisou doesn't cut the body," he said, voice almost pitying. "It cuts the soul. The flames it carries burn according to the weight of your sins. And you... being a devil... your sins are immeasurable."
The words hit like a curse. The devil's laughter broke into a guttural scream as reddish-white fire erupted from within his chest, spilling out through his eyes and mouth. The flames devoured him entirely—body, essence, and all—leaving nothing but drifting ashes in the air.
From within Riku's barrier dome, Kuroka's breath hitched. Her eyes widened, disbelief painted across her face. A high-class devil—one of Shalba Beelzebub's own—was annihilated in a single move. She could feel the purity of the flames even from her distance, a kind of divine burn that went beyond normal magic or senjutsu.
Aichi turned without pause. The second devil was already charging up another barrage, fury and fear mixing in his aura. But before he could even lift a hand—
"Earth Sign: Keystone Coffin!"
The ground beneath the devil's feet rumbled violently. Thick stone shot upward, encasing his legs before he could react. Two massive slabs materialized on either side of him, rising like ancient monoliths. He struggled, clawing at the encasing rock, but the earth itself refused to yield.
Aichi extended both arms to the sides, his eyes narrowing as a faint orange aura surrounded his hands. Then, slowly, deliberately, he began bringing his palms together.
The slabs groaned as they began to move—closer, closer—grinding through the air with an unearthly weight. The trapped devil's panic turned to horror as the stones closed in, his screams echoing off the warehouse walls.
"Stop! STOP—!"
Aichi's fingers met.
The slabs slammed shut with a bone-crunching impact, and the sound that followed was brief, final. The walls of the coffin trembled once before crumbling to dust. What remained inside was... nothing recognizable.
Aichi exhaled deeply, lowering his hands. His breath was steady, though his shoulders sagged slightly from exertion. "Guess that's two down," he murmured, eyes shifting toward Riku's side of the battlefield.
Meanwhile with Riku
The warehouse trembled with every blast as two devils unleashed a storm of magic bullets at Riku. The air buzzed and cracked with energy, each orb carrying enough demonic power to obliterate a human several times over. Yet Riku stood at the center of it all—calm, eyes closed, feet shifting lightly across the dusty floor as he slipped between the incoming shots with impossible precision.
"How is he dodging our attacks with his eyes closed?!" one of the devils roared, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Doesn't matter! Just keep firing!!" the other shouted, his voice rising with panic.
They kept up the barrage, a relentless cascade of explosions that filled the room with smoke and the stench of ozone. But Riku's movements never faltered. Each sidestep, each tilt of his head, was effortless—almost lazy. What the devils didn't realize was that Riku wasn't fighting seriously. He was training.
The hum of magic around him, the subtle shift of air before a blast, the rhythm of footsteps against the floor—he was feeling it all. Every sense sharpened with focus as if the world itself slowed down to match his pace.
After several minutes, the last of the magic bullets fizzled out. The devils were panting, nearly drained of power. Riku, on the other hand, hadn't even broken a sweat. He opened his eyes, red irises gleaming faintly with electric light.
"Not bad for target practice," he murmured, rolling his shoulders before stepping forward. The floor cracked under the faint pressure of his stride.
Before the devils could react, Riku blurred—closing the gap between them in a single flash of lightning. He raised his left hand, lightning dancing between his fingers, and smirked.
"I'm taking a page from your book, Marisa." His voice dropped low, almost reverent.
"Thunder Sign: Thunder Dragon – Howling Spark!"
The air split open.
A colossal beam of lightning erupted from his palm—eight meters wide, roaring like a dragon unleashed. The shockwave tore across the warehouse, shattering walls and blowing back debris in all directions. Riku dug his heels into the ground, skidding back slightly as the blast poured forward with divine fury.
The devils screamed, their forms swallowed in the blinding light. The attack wasn't ordinary lightning—it carried the sacred essence of divine power, a force inherently poisonous to beings of darkness. Their bodies began to crumble from the inside out, ash dissolving into the wind before their cries even faded.
When the torrent finally died down, the silence that followed was deafening. Only the faint crackle of residual electricity lingered in the air. The two devils were gone—no trace left but scorched marks on the concrete.
Riku exhaled slowly and snapped his fingers. The dome made of floating scarves that shielded Kuroka shimmered briefly before dispersing into particles of light. She lay there in stunned silence, her golden eyes wide as she tried to process what she'd just witnessed.
A few moments later, footsteps echoed through the ruined space. Aichi emerged from the dust, the Sword of Hisou now sheathed at his side. His calm expression matched Riku's, though his uniform was flecked with ash.
"Riku," he called out, a small grin tugging at his lips. "That was a new spell, wasn't it?"
Riku turned, still brushing faint static from his hand. "Yeah. Took some notes from Marisa after our spar years ago. She wasn't happy about me copying it, though."
Aichi chuckled, glancing over at the mess he'd made. "Figures. Guess she's got a point—you perfected it a little too well."
Riku's gaze shifted toward Aichi's battlefield. One of the devils' bodies was flattened beyond recognition, stone fragments scattered across the ground. He let out a quiet sigh. "Well, at least one of them's still in one piece... more or less. Eirin-san might find this interesting to study."
"Assuming there's enough left to study," Aichi replied dryly.
They both shared a faint, knowing smile—the kind that only comes from countless battles fought side by side. But their lighthearted tone faded when their eyes turned toward Kuroka. She was still lying weakly on the ground, body trembling from exhaustion and lingering pain. Her gaze flickered between the two young men—half in awe, half in disbelief.
Aichi's expression softened. "We should see to her. She's barely hanging on."
Riku nodded. "Yeah. And we'll need answers. Whoever sent her here... this isn't random."
He stepped closer, his lightning dimming as he crouched beside Kuroka. She looked up at him, still too weak to speak. Her pupils widened slightly when she met his eyes—eyes that carried not cruelty or judgment, but calm strength.
"Rest easy," Riku said, voice low but firm. "You're safe now. We'll handle the rest."
As the sound of fading thunder rolled through the night outside, Aichi glanced toward the broken doorway where moonlight spilled into the ruined warehouse. The battle was over, but the questions it raised were only beginning.
Both Celestials exchanged a final nod before turning their attention fully to Kuroka. Whatever came next, it was clear this encounter was the start of something far larger than either of them anticipated.
To be Continued...
Spell Cards Used: 5
Fish Sign: "Sunfish Aegis"
Spell Type: Defensive Spell Card
Target: AOE
Danmaku Type: N/A
Element: Water
User: Nagae Riku
Fish Sign: "Bivalve Dome"
Spell Type: Defensive Spell Card
Target: AOE
Danmaku Type: N/A
Element: Water
User: Nagae Riku
Hisou: "Blazing Celestial Slash"
Spell Type: Offensive Spell Card
Target: Single Target
Danmaku Type: Slash Bullet
Element: Fire, Metal, Star
User: Hinanawi Aichi
Earth Sign: "Keystone Coffin"
Spell Type: Offensive Spell Card
Target: Single Target
Danmaku Type: Heavy Bullet
Element: Earth
User: Hinanawi Aichi
Thunder Sign: "Thunder Dragon - Howling Spark"
Spell Type: Offensive Spell Card
Target: AOE
Danmaku Type: Laser Bullet
Element: Wood, Star
User: Nagae Riku