He was in the bathroom with her. As part of their routine, they brushed their teeth in front of the mirror. Kaede glanced sideways at Shiro.
She hadn't stayed with him all night. She left after a while because she got sleepy, and the coffee got cold in the process—but that wasn't the problem right now, according to Kaede.
"Shiro… do you sleep well?"
She raised her gaze slightly to look at him.
"Why? Do I have dark circles or something?"
Shiro lowered his eyes so he could look at her.
"No, it's nothing. Just curiosity."
Kaede gave up very quickly. She simply decided to trust his word. Shiro glanced at her while spitting into the sink.
"Have you thought about that thing with Akira coming?"
"Huh? He's already on his way. Mizuki sent a message."
After that, silence lingered for a while. They both finished brushing their teeth and stepped out.
"Shiro, have you tried your ring yet?"
She looked at him with a smile, tilting her head slightly. Shiro looked in the opposite direction, toward the hallway.
"I only touched it a little this morning."
"Well… Mizuki prepared a simulation so Akira doesn't accidentally kill us or something… honestly, I think she's exaggerating!"
He remained silent, listening to Kaede's comment.
"Kaede, I… I'm going to sleep. Wake me up later before they arrive…"
Shiro walked toward the door of his room. Kaede followed behind him.
"You're going to sleep?"
"Yes… I'll sleep for a bit."
Shiro left without saying anything else, closing the door behind him. Outside the room, Kaede let out a calm sigh and walked away.
Shiro lay in bed with the blanket covering him. This time he slept with steady breathing, his face relaxed and distant under the faint light coming through the window.
Which… was cloudy again today.
[…]
Time passed.
And for no apparent reason, this time Shiro was able to sleep well—though in reality, the way he had been acting these past few days didn't reflect how he looked while sleeping.
In that dark room, almost the entire space was dimly illuminated by her screen. She stared at it with her gray eyes, typing almost automatically.
She blinked and checked her phone. Then she quickly switched the screen window.
Through the cameras, she could see two people waiting at the entrance of Department 9 for authorization.
Outside Department 9, Akira stood calmly. A faint smile appeared on his face as he looked toward the camera.
Mizuki frowned slightly when she saw his companion, but she granted them entry anyway.
…
"Shiro… Shiro!"
His sleepy state prevented him from thinking clearly. He opened his eyes slightly.
"Well… I'll tickle you!"
Kaede said this while already poking his ribs.
Shiro felt the tickling and jumped slightly on the bed, but Kaede didn't stop. Laughing softly, she continued as if it were a game—until they ended up falling off the bed from moving so much.
Outside the room, in the hallway, Yuzuki leaned against the wall near the living room, calmly watching the entrance. Mizuki stepped out of her room with the same empty expression as always.
"Is that guy really supposed to come?" Yuzuki said.
"Not just him… I think they're already outside. It won't take long…"
Mizuki walked calmly down the hallway until she reached the exit door.
When she opened it, she simply saw her guests and let them in.
Akira Hinokami entered, about to greet them politely—when Yuzuki suddenly struck the wall beside him.
"What are you doing here, Hikaru…?"
Akira glanced sideways. The anger came from his companion: his older brother and Sage of Department 1, Hikaru Hinokami.
Hikaru showed a slightly egocentric smile—but not enough to feel insulting.
"I came to talk with your Sage about a few matters. I'm just taking advantage of Akira's visit to this… building."
Hikaru glanced at Akira, who simply nodded.
At that moment, Hikaru and Mizuki walked away together.
Shiro stepped out of his room sluggishly, sighing. Behind him, Kaede laughed softly and lightly tapped his back with her hands.
Both of them turned their heads and saw Akira and Yuzuki.
Akira smiled warmly when he saw them.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Shiro."
Yuzuki observed the situation from the corner of her eye, blinking before sighing and deciding to speak.
"Mizuki suddenly got busy. I'll take you to the simulation. It's on another floor."
Yuzuki walked past the younger Hinokami. He raised his hand quickly in greeting before following her.
"It makes sense that you'd keep equipment like that on another floor. I suppose it takes up a lot of space."
Akira said this, trying to start a friendly conversation.
Kaede lightly tapped Shiro's shoulder, smiling proudly—but not mockingly.
"Let's show how strong we are, even if it's just another simulation!"
"So…"
She sat down, relaxing her feet while looking slightly forward.
"What did you want to talk about, Hikaru Hinokami?"
Mizuki asked in a somewhat serious tone.
Across from her in the dimly lit room sat the Sage of Department 1, wearing a faint smile that reflected confidence.
Blond hair. Light blue eyes. Pale skin. A smile that felt slightly forced.
"Don't play dumb. You knew I'd come before I even decided to."
She calmly looked away.
"Is that so? You don't know what goes through the building's mind, do you?"
Mizuki spoke in a passive tone, as if the Sage's words carried no weight.
[…]
"Maybe that's true, Mizuki, but… it's impossible for you to hide from the boss that this Mimosa guy has a Walker card!"
The older Hinokami's tone changed—more serious now, and angrier. It sounded forced, but necessary.
"As far as I remember, Guidebook number three says we should talk about it. Not that we must give every detail."
Mizuki replied coldly.
"W-who even reads those books?!"
"You don't? A Sage is required to. Should I report you?"
"You can't report me. Besides… it's a Walker card! That's completely different!"
Hikaru leaned forward slightly.
Inside the simulation room, Yuzuki pressed buttons and moved small levers.
Her movements were somewhat slow.
Beside her, Akira watched with a small smile, as if learning while observing.
Shiro stood slightly apart, leaning against a pipe. On his hand, the ring was firmly attached as if it would never come off unless someone tore it away.
He moved his hand slightly, looking at the three buttons.
"The first was extension… the second… retraction?"
"The third is retraction."
Yuzuki spoke from afar.
Shiro felt uncomfortable that he couldn't even mutter to himself without someone hearing him. Someone was breathing near his shoulder.
"Kaede… what exactly are you doing?"
"Nothing. I'm just trying to relax more than usual! I always like trying!"
"Oh, by the way, Shiro—what does that button do?"
Kaede leaned closer curiously.
"Uh… the second button was…"
"Anchor."
Yuzuki answered from across the room, pressing another button before crossing her arms.
She nodded calmly toward Akira.
He kept smiling faintly as he looked at Shiro and Kaede.
"I'll enter the blue capsule. You two go to the green one. Please don't hold back inside."
His warm tone lingered as he calmly walked to the capsule, sitting down inside and relaxing his body against the glass.
Yuzuki pressed a button, sealing the capsule.
Gas immediately began filling it.
Kaede excitedly grabbed Shiro's hand, eager to start immediately.
As she watched them pass by, she glanced at a nearby button.
"Should I disable pain…? No, they'll be fine."
Yuzuki pressed another button as Shiro and Kaede entered their capsule.
Kaede deliberately leaned against Shiro as their bodies dropped into the simulation.
Another press of a button—
And everything began.
Mizuki and Hikaru sat in silence, staring seriously at one another.
Hikaru sighed.
"Fine… only because you're one of the few I actually like among those disgusting third-rate Sages, I'll let this one slide."
Mizuki remained silent.
"You know… I still remember years ago. You had just arrived—against your will."
"…Tha—"
Mizuki suddenly stopped speaking and quickly looked behind her.
Rising from her seat, she saw something through the large window.
A shadow—like a sack thrown by the wind—was falling with violent speed, accompanied by the humming roar of a turbine heading straight toward them.
Mizuki's eyes widened.
"Watch out!"
A male voice shouted.
Behind her, the older Hinokami summoned his fiery red card and pulled out an almost completely black mask, throwing it forward.
The mask positioned itself in front of Mizuki just as the impact struck.
The windows shattered.
Furniture flew across the room.
The floor trembled.
A second impact followed.
Dust filled the air, stealing Mizuki's vision. She quickly retreated.
As the smoke cleared, the clash became visible.
A massive greatsword clashed against the mask.
The weapon was held by a shadow taller than an average human, wearing a knight's uniform completely engulfed in darkness.
The mask held the blade back.
But it seemed to have the advantage.
The mask quickly moved back toward Hikaru's left hand.
He stared at the shadow with visible disdain.
The shadowy figure slowly formed itself more clearly—as if this were natural to it.
Tall.
Arms strong enough to wield that oversized greatsword without effort.
A body very similar to a human's hidden beneath knightly armor.
A hood acting like a cloak.
Its sword began glowing red-hot.
Hikaru kept his gaze fixed on it, slightly nervous.
"What do you think, Mizuki…? Is it a crystallized one?"
Mizuki calmly stepped beside him.
"It looks more like a shadow creature… but I have no records of something like this."
The creature began circling slowly to the right, carrying its massive sword in one hand with ease.
Hikaru mirrored the movement from the opposite side.
Mizuki followed carefully, stepping around debris.
"Mizuki, what do you think of it? You're smart—analyze it or something."
"…I'm not a machine, but… it looks more human than a crystallized one."
"Good… do you have a plan?"
"I don't see another option but to fight, Sage."
Hikaru glanced sideways and sighed before stepping forward.
"Well, you leave me no alternati—"
Before finishing the sentence, the greatsword-wielding entity vanished into the shadows.
In an instant it appeared before Hikaru.
With a small leap, it kicked him violently toward the opposite wall.
His body slammed into the concrete, cracking it.
Without pause, the creature launched itself again through the dust.
But just before striking—
Its sword swung backward, splitting a small yellow missile in half.
Mizuki had fired it.
She raised one hand as yellow fire cards appeared.
Her face remained serious.
"Advance…"
she murmured.
From each card, a small missile shot toward the creature.
The entity simply cut them apart one after another while walking toward Mizuki.
She didn't move.
She only watched it steadily.
Below the building, people in the distance looked toward the residence entrance.
One floor of the building had been destroyed.
Under the shadow of a tree, a black-haired woman watched calmly while closing the book she had been reading.
"…I don't dare interfere. If my brothers are upstairs, it should be quick. I'll wait for the main department or something. If they show up, I'll help them…"
The middle Hinokami sighed calmly.
"Well… theoretically the simulation shouldn't have problems with this…"
Yuzuki said, trying to reassure herself.
She looked forward.
A screen descended slowly between two small pillars, revealing the interior of the simulation.
Inside was a room replicating the real world.
An enormous sandy ground.
In the distance, large stone walls covered with vines.
Akira stood calmly, analyzing the environment.
He looked toward Shiro and smiled gently.
"Fight with everything you have. Don't worry!"
Kaede grinned challengingly beside Shiro.
"You too!"
Akira chuckled lightly and raised his left hand.
Floating platforms and pillars emerged from different parts of the area.
"This is for you, Shiro."
More and more appeared.
Shiro looked slightly serious and nervous.
Beside him, Kaede kept smiling wider and wider as she watched him—her way of showing confidence.
"Alright… this ring. I only know the basics. It's my first time using it… but I don't think it'll be complicated."
Shiro tried to reassure himself internally.
But he couldn't stop trembling slightly.
Kaede grabbed his hand firmly.
"Just tell us when to start, Akira!"
Akira laughed softly.
"Well then… if you insist…"
He lightly clenched his fists under his gloves to gather strength.
But before he moved—
Kaede suddenly dashed forward.
Shiro had no choice but to follow.
They started running.
"Starting like that when I know your weaknesses isn't ideal…"
Akira said calmly.
Kaede jumped and summoned her card.
It shot toward Akira and exploded mid-flight.
She smiled.
"I recommend you don't lower your guard."
Akira's voice sounded behind them.
Before either could react—
Akira lightly kicked Kaede's shoulder.
Despite the minimal force, she was launched away, letting go of Shiro's hand.
Shiro gasped for breath as he looked upward.
He tried using the ring, releasing a thread like an uncontrolled whip toward a pillar.
It attached easily.
But he pressed the wrong button.
The thread retracted.
"W-wait… I'm sure it was the third one…"
He began falling rapidly.
Kaede rushed back and grabbed his hand before repositioning.
Akira was already there.
He appeared so fast Shiro couldn't see where the attack came from.
"I can't react…"
Shiro thought.
Kaede threw her fist forward to block Akira's.
But the clash lasted less than an instant.
Both Kaede and Shiro were blasted backward, rolling across the sand until they slammed against the stone wall.
Kaede quickly got up and grabbed Shiro's right hand to help him.
When they stood again, Akira was nowhere to be seen.
Kaede searched for him.
Then she felt a faint tickling sensation.
She threw a card in that direction.
It exploded instantly.
The blast pushed them away.
"I should at least keep track of him with my eyes…"
Shiro thought while searching.
"I'm impressed you detected my attack. I'll have to raise the level."
Akira's voice echoed from every direction.
Impossible to locate.
Kaede turned around.
Not seeing him, instinct made her look the opposite way.
But Shiro suddenly pulled her toward him with all his strength, dodging Akira's fist that appeared from nowhere.
"I… saw him for a moment…"
Shiro thought.
With one last effort, he used the ring to shoot upward toward a pillar.
But Akira grabbed his leg at the last second.
"You should be faster, Shiro."
Akira pulled him down to the ground again.
Shiro struggled to keep from falling while Kaede supported him.
The two stood up again, holding hands in front of Akira.
"You'll see… we're just getting started."
Kaede said before rushing forward again.
"My body isn't made for extended fights…"
Mizuki moved through the rubble, retreating from the shadow creature while using her card to keep it away.
"He could have killed me already… what does he want…?"
In an instant, the creature moved like the shadow it was.
It appeared in front of Hikaru and raised its greatsword.
Before the blow landed—
Hikaru's mask deflected it.
The mask returned to him through the debris.
"Wait… think about this again."
Hikaru's voice came from behind the dust.
The creature split its attention between them.
Mizuki quickly stepped back.
"No… you have no idea what you're starting."
The creature began walking toward Hikaru.
"You really have no idea how bad this will be…"
Countless reddish cards surrounded the room.
From them emerged a blizzard of snow forming rapidly around the shadow creature.
The entity raised its sword to cut through everything—
But Hikaru burst out of the dust and slammed into it.
The mask clashed with the greatsword.
They stared at each other.
Even though the shadow creature had no visible eyes.
Hikaru retreated, moving through the shadows to confuse it.
Then he launched himself again for another clash.
She moved through the dark hallways, hearing the distant sound of a greatsword striking again and again.
"I don't know who the intruder is… but I won't let them escape."
She continued walking.
Up the stairs.
Through another hallway.
"Taking those three out of the simulation would take too long. I'd rather let it be automatic… and if Akira protects those two, even better for me."
She summoned her black card.
Purple flames wrapped around its edges.
Slowly she drew her sword from it, raising it in front of her eyes.
"They can leave when the fight ends."
The blade glowed faintly.
"Until then…"
Her gaze hardened.
"I'll handle it."
Yuzuki said with determination.