At a bar lounge near the top of Yokohama Bay Hills Tower, overlooking Yokohama Port, a couple sipped ruby-red wine, the night view their backdrop.
"This year's new wine is quite good," Toshikazu Chiba said.
"I'm not much for wine's taste. Sorry to waste your treat," Kyoko replied.
Kyoko, dolled up in makeup and a dress instead of her usual plain look, smiled alluringly. Toshikazu, a police inspector, waved his free hand nervously.
"No, this wine's from the private winery here. They serve it fresh, not tied to release dates… It's not that expensive…"
"How lovely to have it fresh!" Kyoko swirled her glass, tilting her head with a coy glance. Toshikazu forced a strained smile.
"Glad you like it. Thanks to you, Fujibayashi-san, we've made progress on this case. This is my small token of gratitude."
"We're even, Inspector. I couldn't ignore them either."
"As a Fujibayashi? Or… Sorry, my mistake."
Kyoko's sharp, sober gaze reminded Toshikazu of their deal: no prying into her background. Odd, since he already knew she was from the prestigious Fujibayashi family, granddaughter of Retsu Kudou, a Ten Master Clans elder. Yet, the condition hinted at deeper, untouchable secrets.
"By the way, Inspector, is 'gratitude' the only reason you invited me tonight?"
"What!?"
"If you're willing, I'd like your company tomorrow too."
"Y-Yes! I'd be honored!" Toshikazu saluted, blushing at Kyoko's smile.
"Thank you. Shall we meet at 8:30 AM at Sakuragicho Station?"
"…Morning?"
"Tomorrow's the National High School Magic Thesis Competition at the International Conference Center. Didn't you know?"
"I did, but…"
"I want to cheer for a boy I know competing."
"Oh…"
Toshikazu's face screamed "that's not what I thought," having misread her invitation as "tomorrow night." Kyoko, reading him effortlessly, kept her smile unshaken.
"Also, please ask your subordinates to join. CADs, armed devices, and live firearms would help."
"Fujibayashi-san, that's…"
His sulky expression turned stone-cold, as if doused with ice water.
"Of course, I hope nothing happens," Kyoko said, sipping her wine calmly.
On competition day, Tatsuya and Miyuki arrived at the venue without incident, only to face trouble immediately.
"Onii-sama, shouldn't you do something?" Miyuki asked.
"Do I have to?" Tatsuya replied, grimacing.
Miyuki nodded regretfully. Ahead, Erika and Kanon were locked in a tense glare-off.
"What's going on?" Tatsuya asked.
"Morning, Tatsuya-kun!" Erika chirped.
"Shiba-kun, can you talk some sense into this stubborn princess?" Kanon snapped.
"(Not 'you too,' but 'you'…) If you're leaving it to me, I'll handle it."
Kanon, perhaps unaware she was dumping the issue on Tatsuya, agreed and left promptly.
"I can guess what happened," Tatsuya said, sitting on a lobby sofa with Erika and Leo.
"You don't have to clash head-on, Erika."
"Sorry for troubling you, Tatsuya-kun…"
"No need to overdo security. Just help if something happens."
Surprised by Erika's compliance, Tatsuya smiled knowingly.
"Help… Got it," Erika said.
"If you're free before it starts, swing by the green room. No need to be shy, we're friends."
Erika and Leo, catching his drift, chuckled silently.
"I'll stop by later," Erika said.
"Alright, Miyuki, let's go," Tatsuya said.
"Okay."
As Tatsuya and Miyuki headed to the green room, a woman watched from the shadows. Haruka, there not as a teacher but as a public security agent, had been assigned to investigate Tatsuya since April's incident. She'd protested it was beyond her, but her objections were ignored.
Just as she was about to give up, a visitor arrived at First High's green room—not a high schooler, not a college student, but someone Haruka's age. Someone familiar.
Using her public security camera, Haruka confirmed the visitor's identity via image search.
"…Electron Sorceress… Why First High's green room?"
Kyoko, a Second High graduate with no apparent ties to the Shiba siblings, visiting First High's green room instead of her alma mater's puzzled Haruka. Could Kyoko hold clues to Tatsuya's secrets? Haruka discreetly peered into the room.
Note: Erika and Leo have their spats, but Kanon and Erika's glaring matches and bickering are something else…
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