"We failed to seal Sakuya, but we can't dwell on that now," Kotori's voice crackled through the earpiece, sharp and commanding. "Our priority has shifted. We have to seal Miku Izayoi."
Shido stood frozen, the hem of a frilly skirt brushing against his knees. He felt a draft in places he never intended to feel one.
"Now, Shido, move out," Kotori urged. "Go and get Miku's attention."
"Kotori... why do I have to wear this?" Shido hissed, tugging desperately at the bodice of the dress.
"Shhh! It's all part of the plan. Just do your best!" Through the comms, he could practically hear her smug grin. "Go out there and show the world your beauty, Shiori-chan!"
Meanwhile with our team.
"I have your beer," Sakuya said, her voice a calm anchor in the room. She placed the chilled can on the table, but before it could even settle, a gap in reality tore open beneath it. The beer vanished, reappearing instantly in Yukari's hand.
"Goodie!" Yukari chirped, popping the tab with a satisfying hiss.
"I've also been followed," Sakuya added.
Ruby's head whipped around, eyes wide with surprise. Yukari, however, didn't even blink. "Oh? By whom?"
"A girl under Miku Izayoi's control. I encountered her earlier."
Yukari took a long sip of her drink, her gaze drifting toward the ceiling. "Best to ignore her for now. No sense in raising suspicion right now."
As the two talked, Ruby's gaze bounced between them like a spectator at a high-stakes tennis match Sakuya, then Yukari, then Sakuya again.
"Anyway," Sakuya sighed, "I'll bake some cookies."
At the mention of sweets, Ruby began to jump repeatedly, her excitement practically radiating in visible waves.
"Sakuya, make me some ramen too," Yukari called out, already reaching for another can.
"Understood."
Sakuya moved with a grace that defied physics, her hands a blur as she simultaneously kneaded dough and tended to a simmering pot. Ruby watched, mesmerized. "It still amazes me that she can do all that at once."
Once the kitchen was clean and the food served, Sakuya's expression sharpened. "Yukari, can you check on Westcott's location?"
"Sure." Yukari waved a hand, tearing a gap in the air. Through the tear, they could see a private terminal; Westcott's plane was already taxiing onto the runway. "He's here. Do we kill him now?"
Sakuya's lips curled into a faint, dangerous smile. "I could just stop time and end it... but where's the fun in that? Besides, according to the flow of this world, his arrival is early. I should head to the school where the other Spirits are gathered."
With a soft shimmer, Sakuya vanished.
"Heh. You think I'd let you have all the fun?" Yukari chuckled. She dropped through a gap in the floor, reappearing instantly at Sakuya's side just as the maid materialized near the school grounds.
"Well then, let's go," Sakuya began, but she didn't get five steps before a familiar, melodic voice rang out.
"Ah! My fated namesake!"
Miku Izayoi lunged forward, her arms outstretched for a predatory hug. In a flicker of stopped time, Sakuya stepped to the side. When reality resumed, Miku was clutching thin air.
"What do you think you are doing?" Sakuya whispered, her voice like ice.
Miku didn't flinch. Instead, she turned, leaning closer to Sakuya with a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "Oh my... a maid with a bite. You're even better than I imagined. You'll fit perfectly in my collection."
"I am not a collectible," Sakuya snapped, her fingers twitching toward the hidden knives in her sleeves.
"Everything has a price, Sakuya-chan," Miku chirped, her eyes sparkling with obsession. "The finest organic, hand-picked tea leaves from the mountains of—"
"I have those," Sakuya interrupted.
"Well, I have—"
"Just stop," Sakuya cut her off again, her gaze piercing. "You have nothing I desire."
Sakuya began to walk past her, but Miku's voice turned uncharacteristically serious. "I have a proposal for you."
Sakuya paused, turning back. Miku gestured to one of her followers, who stepped forward to hand Sakuya a flyer for a 'Battle of the Bands.'
"If you win this competition, I'll stop bothering you," Miku said, a playful yet challenging smirk on her lips. "But if I win... you're mine. What do you say?"
This could work, Sakuya thought. I can use this to my advantage.
"Sure," Sakuya said.
Miku beamed, looking as though she'd already won. "Good! See you there!"
As Miku strolled away, Yukari crossed her arms, looking genuinely offended. "Can I just ask... did she not even notice me?"
Sakuya let out a small smirk. "Well, perhaps it's because I am much more popular than you."
"Oh, you want to go, huh?!" Yukari barked, rolling up her sleeves and ready to throw hands.
"Yukari," Sakuya said firmly, "we are in a public zone. Present yourself accordingly. People are watching."
Yukari paused, looking around at the students staring at them. "Oh..." She quickly smoothed her dress and opened her lace parasol with a dignified thwip.
"Let's get going, then~"
"Understood."
Meanwhile
"They definitely forgot about us," Killer muttered.
"Yes," Murder agreed. "They absolutely did."
"Welp, let's head back. No use staying here," Killer sighed. With a series of quiet pops, the four of them teleported away,
Ps: no omake this time run out of budget.