The morning sun shimmered across the stone plate ,Tsukimori Association, a vast complex built into the side of a mountain. Its white towers spiraled upward, engraved with glowing symbols of the four ancient ancestors. A faint hum of Eien Ryoku lingered in the air — calm yet alive, like the building itself was breathing.
Kaito adjusted his uniform collar, still feeling the faint ache from their last mission. "So this is the place, huh? The heart of every Tsukimori?"
Sayaka nodded, eyes wide with awe. "It's beautiful… it feels sacred."
Akihiro, chewing on a toothpick, smirked. "Sacred or not, I heard the instructors here are merciless. I bet we're walking into hell disguised as heaven."
Kaito chuckled. "Guess we'll find out."
As they reached the entrance, two robed Tsukimori bowed politely before opening the massive silver doors. The interior was a blend of tradition and modernity — marble floors etched with star-shaped sigils, floating lanterns casting soft light, and large murals depicting the four great ancestors: Tenkei, Reishin, Seigen, and Kage no Michi.
Sayaka's gaze lingered on Reishin's mural. "She looks… kind."
Akihiro muttered, "Yeah, before Kage lost his mind."
Kaito shot him a look, but before he could reply, a calm, melodic voice echoed through the hall.
"Talking about ancient bloodlines without paying respect? Tsk, tsk… how very rookie of you."
They turned sharply.
Descending the staircase was a tall woman in a flowing black-and-white coat, her hair a shimmering silver-pink that caught the light like silk. Her expression carried both grace and mischief, and the faint aura around her shimmered with pink luminescence. Her eyes — a deep rose color — seemed to hold galaxies within them.
She smiled faintly. "You must be the new Stellar Grade recruits."
Kaito straightened instinctively. "We are. I'm Tenkei Kaito, this is Reishin Sayaka, and Miwahara Akihiro."
She approached slowly, every step measured, elegant. "Ah, so polite. I like that." Then she stopped right in front of Kaito, her gaze sharp but playful. "And you… the descendant of Tenkei himself."
Sayaka blinked. "Wait—who are you?"
The woman tilted her head, letting her silver hair cascade over one shoulder. "Hishimiya Itsugoyorozu. Second strongest Tsukimori under the Association."
Akihiro nearly choked. "Wait, the Hishimiya Itsugoyorozu? The one with the—"
"—Pure Fate Eien Ryoku?" she interrupted, smirking. "Yes, that one."
Sayaka gasped softly. "Pure Fate… that's the ability to alter destiny through emotion and—"
"—love," Hishimiya finished with a wink. "A dangerous thing, love. But in the right hands…" she let her aura pulse briefly, and the petals from the cherry trees outside suddenly swirled through the open windows, forming a heart-shaped spiral around her, "…it can rewrite the flow of luck itself."
Akihiro's jaw dropped. "So you're telling me you fight kuzuremono with—love?"
Hishimiya gave a musical laugh. "Love, darling, is the most unpredictable weapon of all."
Kaito tried not to smile, but her aura was… magnetic. Even the air felt lighter around her.
Hishimiya's gaze flicked to him. "Tenkei Kaito," she said slowly, testing the weight of his name. "You're the one who manifested dual Eien Ryoku — Celestial Covenant and Hikari Ami Fusion. Quite rare."
Kaito nodded carefully. "That's right."
She leaned closer, her expression unreadable — and then, in a teasing whisper, asked,
"Tell me, Kaito… do you think I'm attractive?"
Sayaka froze. Akihiro's eyes went wide. "Huh!?"
Kaito blinked, completely caught off guard. "W–what kind of question—?"
"It's a simple one," she said sweetly, smiling with dangerous calm. "Answer it honestly."
He swallowed, flustered. "You're… definitely confident."
"Confidence is attractive," she said, stepping back. "Good answer. You passed the first test."
Sayaka sighed. "That was a test?"
Hishimiya nodded. "Pure Fate thrives on truth and sincerity. Lies weaken its power. A Tsukimori who can't speak honestly can never control their own destiny."
Akihiro muttered under his breath, "So basically, flirt training."
Her gaze snapped toward him instantly. "I heard that, Miwahara."
He paled. "Noted."
They followed her deeper into the Association, passing through long corridors filled with shimmering light and whispers of ancient energy. Every wall displayed relics of past Tsukimori — weapons, robes, scrolls — each glowing faintly with residual Eien Ryoku.
At the end of the hall stood a massive door bearing the emblem of the Stellar Crest. Hishimiya stopped and turned to them.
"This," she said softly, "is the Hall of Resonance — the core of the Association. Inside, the spirits of past Tsukimori watch over us. It's also where all Stellar Grade members report and receive missions."
As the doors opened, the trio's eyes widened.
Hundreds of Tsukimori filled the room, each seated in formation, the air thrumming with concentrated power. At the center stood a towering man with sleek white hair tied back in a ribbon, his aura steady like a mountain.
"Hishimiya," he said, his tone even. "You brought the new ones."
She nodded. "As promised."
He turned to the trio, his gaze piercing but calm. "Welcome to the Association. I am Kishimiya Ren, First Rank Tsukimori and commander of the Stellar Division."
Kaito felt a chill — this was no ordinary Tsukimori. His presence felt like gravity itself.
Ren continued, "From today onward, you will undergo field training under Hishimiya's guidance. The Kuzuremono activity has been rising again, and we believe the seal holding the Kage no Michi fragments is weakening."
Sayaka frowned. "You mean… the darkness is spreading?"
Ren nodded. "Exactly. That is why we need all four bloodlines active again."
Akihiro raised a brow. "All four? Even Kage's?"
Ren's expression darkened slightly. "Yes. There are rumors that one among the living carries his reincarnated essence."
The room fell silent.
Hishimiya's eyes flicked briefly toward Kaito — not out of suspicion, but quiet concern.
Then, she smiled lightly, breaking the tension. "Well, I think that's enough grim talk for one day. Let's get our rookies settled in before they faint from pressure."
Ren allowed a small smile. "Very well. I'll leave them to you."
As the trio followed Hishimiya out of the hall, Akihiro whispered, "Man, these people are intense."
Sayaka nodded. "But it feels… important. Like we're really part of something bigger."
Kaito glanced at the pink-haired woman ahead of them — confident, radiant, unpredictable. "Yeah," he said softly. "And something tells me our mentor's going to be… interesting."
Hishimiya turned her head slightly, as if she'd heard him, and flashed a knowing smile. "Oh, Kaito," she said, her voice teasing. "You've got no idea how interesting it's going to get."
The doors closed behind them, sealing the beginning of a new chapter in their journey — one guided by Pure Fate, unpredictable and beautiful.