Watatsumi Island
Upon returning to Sangonomiya Shrine, Lumine was appointed Captain of the Swordfish ll Squad due to her outstanding performance in the recent battle.
Kokomi had initially intended to appoint Yuna as Captain of another squad, but Yuna declined.
"Since Lumine is Captain of the Swordfish ll Squad, I'll serve as Deputy Captain," Yuna insisted.
This arrangement had been agreed upon beforehand; Second Sister Kuki Shinobu only needed to stay by her side.
Besides, Yuna was closest to Lumine here, so being on the same squad made perfect sense.
Kokomi had no objections, and Lumine was naturally pleased.
Afterward, they greeted the Swordfish ll Squad members, introducing themselves and getting acquainted.
-
Life in the Resistance wasn't bad at all, far more exciting than her days in Inazuma City.
They periodically ventured out to clear nearby Wanderer encampments, occasionally ambushing Shogunate Army patrols.
Fortunately, there hadn't been any major battles like the one at Nazuchi Beach.
Before long, Yuna had been with the Resistance for quite some time.
True to the original storyline, Teppei had somehow acquired a Delusion and began using it in secret.
Over the past few weeks, his health had deteriorated rapidly. When they last met yesterday, even his hair had turned white.
Yuna didn't intervene much. This was Teppei's choice.
He understood the Delusion's drawbacks, knowing that while it granted immense power, it would demand a corresponding price.
Yet he still used it.
For soldiers on the battlefield, especially those on the front lines, a Delusion might not necessarily be a bad thing.
-
That day, Yuna was outside when she encountered someone she absolutely despised.
The man wore his signature half-mask, making her itch to punch him in the face.
He strode right up to her and stopped, leaving her no choice but to acknowledge him.
"Hey, who are you? Why are you blocking my way?"
The Doctor pulled out a Delusion from behind his back, a sinister smile spreading across his face...
-
That evening, at their temporary lodgings on Watatsumi Island:
"Second Sister, what are you doing?"
"Writing a letter."
"A letter? Who are you sending it to?"
"The Boss, and... Big Sister."
Yuna nodded. Sending it to Big Sister probably means she'll be more understanding than Dad, that old-fashioned geezer.
"Second Sister, Lumine said that Vision holders gradually forget the wish that earned them their Vision once they lose it. But why doesn't the Boss seem any different?"
Kuki Shinobu: "Uh..."
How exactly did the Boss get his Vision again?
It seemed like he had just woken up with it one day. As for what wish had caught the God's attention...
Kuki Shinobu truly had no idea.
Still, the lack of impact from losing his Vision must be a good thing for the Boss, right?
Yuna lay on her bed, tossing the Delusion—given to her by a masked man earlier that day—in her hand.
"They say the conditions for obtaining a Vision are incredibly strict, and many people never manage to get one in their entire lives. This thing called a Delusion allows ordinary people to gain power comparable to Vision holders. I wonder what kind of mechanism it uses."
Even as Kuki Shinobu wrote her letter, she kept an ear trained on Yuna's muttered grumbling.
The moment she heard the word "Delusion," she immediately stopped writing.
"Is that a Delusion you're holding?"
Kuki Shinobu walked over and took the Delusion from Yuna's hand, examining it closely. She confirmed it was indeed a Delusion.
"Who gave you this thing?"
Seeing her sister's serious expression, Yuna sat up in bed.
"A guy wearing a half-mask. Second Sister, what's wrong?"
"Is it just you who has one, or do others have them too?"
Yuna thought hard, then shook her head. "I'm not sure."
Kuki Shinobu studied the Delusion intently, sensing the sinister aura within. She turned to Yuna and said,
"Rest for now. I need to go out for a while."
"Go out? At this hour, Second Sister? Where are you going?"
"This matter is of grave importance. I need to speak with Miss Sangonomiya."
After Kuki Shinobu left, Yuna lay back down on the bed.
Strange... why would the Doctor's "Segment" of himself show up here and target me?
Does he recognize the potential in this body? Or is he just using me to stir up trouble in Inazuma?
-
The next day, Sangonomiya Kokomi summoned the squad captains.
She produced a Delusion, explained its dangers, and ordered a thorough investigation of all Resistance soldiers. Any Delusions found were to be surrendered immediately.
As the crowd dispersed, Kokomi called out to Teppei, who was about to leave.
It was clear to everyone that Teppei was no longer the man he once was.
"Teppei, how long have you been using the Delusion?" Kokomi asked gently.
Teppei now looked aged beyond his years, his entire presence resembling a flickering candle in the wind, on the verge of being extinguished.
"Lady Sangonomiya, I..."
Kokomi sighed inwardly. It was already too late.
Teppei continued, "Lady Sangonomiya, I always knew the Delusion wasn't a good thing, but it gave me power!
"When I fought against the enemy, if it hadn't been for the Delusion, I would have died. For the man I was then, even if it accelerated my aging, the trade was worth it.
"I originally planned to use it only once, but... humans are ultimately greedy. I lost myself in the intoxicating sensation of power, unwilling to settle for mediocrity. That's why I used it so desperately after acquiring it."
"Teppei..."
Lumine and Paimon had noticed Teppei's exhaustion earlier, assuming he was just overworked. They never imagined it was due to a Delusion.
"Cough, cough—"
Teppei suddenly began coughing violently. Yuna and Lumine reached out to support him, but he waved them off.
"I'm sorry, Lady Sangonomiya. I've failed to meet your expectations..."
Kokomi: "You've done more than enough."
Teppei handed over the Delusion and walked away, his shoulders slumped with dejection.
Lumine, Yuna, and Paimon watched Teppei's retreating figure, their eyes filled with worry.
"Yuna, I heard you also received a Delusion. You haven't used it, have you?" Lumine asked anxiously.
"No. I have a Vision. Why would I need that thing?"
Lumine and Paimon both breathed a sigh of relief.
Paimon glanced back at the direction Teppei had left, still uneasy. "Yuna, Lumine, let's go check on Teppei. Something about him feels really off."
Lumine and Yuna shared her concern and immediately gave chase.
Outside Teppei's dwelling.
Teppei, now too weak to stand, leaned against the wall of his hut, his eyes meeting theirs with listless resignation.
"Ah... it's you guys. You're here?"
"Wait a moment, let me try to stand up... Sorry, my body's so weak..."
"I haven't had a chance to tell you yet, but I've achieved several more great feats recently."
"..."
Teppei continued speaking about his recent experiences, as if he knew his time was running out.
Lumine felt a sharp pang of anguish, watching yet another friend slip away before her eyes, powerless to stop it.
"Teppei, the Delusion... who gave it to you? When?"
"Probably the day you became Squad Captain of Swordfish II. I never saw his face. He told me if I wanted to become stronger, this... Delusion... would answer my call."
Yuna, who had been observing Lumine and Teppei's conversation, gently patted Lumine's shoulder.
"So, I really am not watched by the gods."
Lumine remained silent.
"When our squad uniforms are ready, retrieve mine too... Let's... wear them together..."
"Why that look, buddy? Don't worry. Just let me rest a while... rest a while... and maybe I'll be fine..."
As Teppei finished speaking, his eyes slowly closed.
Paimon's face crumpled with sorrow. "Teppei..."
Lumine clenched her fists and ran off.
"Lumine, wait for me!" Yuna and Paimon quickly followed.