Ikebukuro District.
Nia Honjo's rented apartment.
In the bedroom, a girl with pale purple hair, dressed in loungewear and wearing a white face mask, was sorting clothes from the wardrobe while wearing white work gloves. As she worked, she called back to Nia Honjo, who was tidying the bedding behind her:
"So, Nia, why the sudden decision to move?"
"Don't tell me you've finally decided to come live with me?"
"Even if you did move in with me, it wouldn't exactly be comfortable living, would it?"
Nia turned her head to glance at the girl behind her, heaving a slightly exasperated sigh:
"After all, when two people who can't even do housework or take care of themselves end up together, it'd be nothing short of a natural disaster."
Having said that, Nia suddenly looked at Miku Izayoi with curiosity:
"But speaking of which, Miku, weren't you supposed to be preparing for concert rehearsals today? Why did you specifically come here... unless..."
Nia's expression turned teasing:
"Unless Miku's finally realised she doesn't like men after all, planning to abandon your fans and throw yourself into my arms?"
"My arms and bed are always open for you, Miku~~"
"Can I take that as sexual harassment, Nia?"
Miku shot Nia a disgusted look as she folded a skirt and placed it in a nearby cardboard box, muttering:
"The only reason I came was because you said you might be in danger recently. I wanted to check if you were still alive."
"But seriously, why would my reason be not liking men?"
"That's weird, right?"
"Even though you told me when we met that we're kindred Spirits, supernatural beings – but surely not all Spirits are lesbians?"
"Well, that much is true."
Nia stuffed the duvet into a vacuum bag while pondering:
"Excluding the two of us, the only active Spirits in this world right now are Kurumi Tokisaki and Mukuro Hoshimiya – and they're both straight."
"So that automatically makes me gay?"
Hearing this, Miku couldn't help but complain:
"I feel like you've arbitrarily decided my sexual orientation for me."
"Arbitrarily decided?" Nia narrowed her eyes meaningfully. "Not necessarily."
At this, Miku immediately became wary, frowning as she asked:
"What exactly are you implying?"
"That in your eyes, I'm destined to become a lesbian?"
A sudden chill ran down Miku's spine:
"No way, right?"
"There's no way I'd suddenly develop the same terrible preferences as you, Nia?"
"Hey! Don't make me sound like some sort of degenerate!" Nia's composure broke as she snapped irritably. "Besides, I never said I only like women!"
"Eh?" Miku's eyes widened in shock as she stared at her friend. "Wait, so you're the type who swings both ways?"
As she spoke, Miku Izayoi subtly moved closer to the door, seemingly ready to bolt at any moment:
"We've known each other for over two months now, and I never imagined you were this sort of person..."
"Don't just label people as perverts like that!"
Nia Honjo threw the blanket onto the bed, hands on her hips as she retorted angrily:
"I just enjoy getting close to pretty girls, that's all. It's not like I actually want to do anything inappropriate."
"..."
Miku Izayoi stared at Nia Honjo with dead-fish eyes:
"Over two months ago, when we first met, Nia, you grabbed my hand and kept rubbing it vigorously."
'If you weren't a girl, I would have called the police right then...' Miku added silently to herself.
Truth be told, if Nia Honjo hadn't suddenly appeared at her record signing event, grabbed her hand, and left behind a note explaining the strange abilities that had suddenly manifested in her...
If she hadn't been struggling with these inexplicable powers at the time...
Miku Izayoi would never have associated with someone of Nia Honjo's temperament.
'Her face was just as beautiful as mine - idol material for sure - but her personality... she might as well be a middle-aged man!'
'After prolonged contact, there's a huge risk to one's chastity!'
"It's not every day I meet a beauty like you, Miku. Plus, confirming that all Spirits are super gorgeous just got me a bit excited!"
Nia Honjo waved her hand dismissively, then suddenly remembered something and chuckled slyly:
"Though, the place I'm moving to next is packed with super cute girls~~ Hehehe~~"
"Here we go again..." Miku Izayoi gave the delirious Nia an exasperated look and shook her head. "No matter how many cute girls there are, they'll all run away after a few encounters with you."
As she spoke, Miku picked up another piece of clothing, folded it neatly, and placed it in the suitcase. She then asked:
"But speaking of which, didn't you say you'd offended some powerful demons recently and needed a safe place to hide? Wouldn't moving in with a bunch of girls risk dragging them into danger?"
"Oh that... No need to worry. This time I'm moving in with someone powerful enough to protect us all."
Nia said this while giving Miku a suggestive once-over:
"Speaking of which, should I put in a word and have you move in with me? After all, we'll be living together sooner or later anyway!"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Miku shot Nia a disgusted look:
"As an idol, cohabiting with the opposite sex is absolutely impossible. Don't you know that?"
"Just don't get caught then? Isn't that the whole principle idols operate on anyway?" Nia replied with a grin.
"Absolutely not."
Miku huffed disapprovingly:
"I've worked so hard to establish Yoimachi Tsukino as one of the leading names among the new generation of idol singers. How could I risk throwing it all away now?"
"Even if I were to date someone, it would have to wait until I'm at least 35..."
"35? That long?" Nia looked shocked. "By then, my kids would probably be in primary school."
"Huh?" Miku blinked, then gave Nia a strange look. "How old are you planning to get married?"
"Tomorrow would work, if they agree..."
As she said this, Nia picked up a small household vacuum sealer nearby and added:
"But honestly, Miku, setting it at 35 is completely unrealistic."
"I've never worked in showbiz myself, but I know exactly how the industry operates."
"Unless you find yourself a powerful patron, surviving in that world... well, it's impossible unless you're willing to use your abilities to control people."
"Now you're making me angry."
Hearing this, Miku set down her work with a frown:
"Are you saying there's no such thing as a clean, ultra-popular idol?"
"Sorry, but nope."
Nia spread her hands helplessly, then grinned:
"But forget idols for a moment - I don't believe for a second you'll wait until 35 to date."
Nia raised a finger playfully. "I bet you'll fall in love within this year~"
"Eh?"
Miku Izayoi froze for a moment upon hearing this, then eyed Nia Honjo suspiciously:
"Nia, you're not planning to use that so-called information Angel ability of yours behind my back, are you?"
"Like hypnosis or mind control or something..."
"Of course not... And aren't you describing your own Angel's abilities?"
Nia rolled her eyes before saying with a grin:
"I just happen to know some foolproof methods to win you over, Miku, and thought I'd share them with someone else."
"Honestly, I could do it myself, but it felt too underhanded to obtain you that way, so I gave up. But if it's someone I know doing those things, then I suppose it doesn't count as underhanded."
"Actually, how about this, Miku?"
"I'll have my chosen person win you over within this year. If you get conquered, we'll live together, deal?"
"Foolproof methods to win me over? You really do love joking."
Miku clearly didn't believe it as she folded clothes into a suitcase:
"Expect me to fall in love within this year?"
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Don't even think about it!"
Hearing this, Nia's face broke into a teasing smile:
"Ohhh~ I'll remember those words. When the time comes, I'll replay this for you using Raziel."
"You'd better worry about escaping those demons tracking you first," Miku retorted with an exasperated look.
"Heh heh heh~" Nia chuckled without rebuttal.
Just then—ding dong.
The doorbell rang.
Hearing it, Nia's eyes immediately lit up:
"Looks like our guest has arrived~"
"Since you're here too, Miku, why not come meet our future landlord with me?"
"Stop making decisions for others, you old hag Nia!!"