A deep sense of despair filled Yukina Himeragi's heart. Even under the sweltering heat of Itogami Island, she felt cold all over, her tears streaming down uncontrollably.
From Natsuki Minamiya, she had already sensed that Sayaka Kirasaka's arrival was unusual. After sharing everything she could, except for the information that absolutely could not be disclosed, she immediately took leave from school and rushed home, which also happened to be Sayaka Kirasaka's residence on Itogami Island.
She knocked repeatedly, but no one answered. Using her key, she opened the door to Sayaka Kirasaka's room, only to find it completely empty.
Maybe Sayaka had gone out for something urgent. Just a coincidence. It had to be a coincidence.
Even though she knew very well that, given Sayaka Kirasaka's personality, she would never leave at this time when they were supposed to meet after school, Yukina Himeragi still clung to that faint hope, trying to excuse the Lion King Organization.
She took out her phone, found Nagisa Akatsuki's contact, and after asking, learned Kojou Akatsuki's location. He had already been missing for over a week.
Before seeing concrete proof, she allowed herself that sliver of hope. But this was not denial. She would not hide from the truth just to preserve that hope, nor would she stay home pretending nothing was wrong.
When she arrived at the building Nagisa Akatsuki had mentioned, she quickly surveyed the surroundings. Based on the building's layout and window positions, she identified several locations that Sayaka Kirasaka would most likely choose as surveillance points.
In theory, as a Sword Shaman, trying to predict the choices of a Shamanic War Dancer was nearly impossible unless she had incredible luck.
But Sayaka Kirasaka was different.
They knew each other too well.
After checking several possible spots and finding nothing, Yukina Himeragi was starting to think she had overestimated the situation. Then, at the entrance to the final location, she found a Lion King Organization alert spell.
Her expression darkened. She drew Sekkarou and began her infiltration.
Thanks to the experience gained from years of sparring with Sayaka Kirasaka, she was able to avoid most of the traps set by a Shamanic War Dancer. For the ones she could not avoid, she simply broke through them with Sekkarou.
Step by step, she made her way to the entrance of the surveillance room.
Her expression turned heavy as she pressed her hand against the door and took a deep breath.
The location might have been luck. The presence of the Lion King Organization's spell might also be explained away as coincidence.
But now, she was ninety-nine percent certain the person inside was Sayaka Kirasaka.
The remaining one percent was nothing but wishful thinking.
Normally, a Shamanic War Dancer would have detected her presence long before she got this close. But Sayaka Kirasaka was an exception. After years of living together, they had grown so accustomed to each other's presence that they would not instinctively notice it unless they were actively on guard.
"Clack…"
The door opened.
The moment she saw Sayaka Kirasaka inside, that last trace of hope shattered completely.
Sayaka Kirasaka had taken over the mission to monitor Kojou Akatsuki in her place.
And all of it was because of her.
Because she had abandoned that mission, Sayaka Kirasaka had been dragged into it.
Tears flowed freely. The guilt and self-blame in her heart surged like a collapsing dam, overwhelming her to the point that, for a brief moment, she felt as if she lost consciousness.
After breaking down in Sayaka Kirasaka's arms for a while and making a promise to her, even though Sayaka knew nothing and still chose to comfort her, Yukina Himeragi made up her mind.
She would take responsibility again.
When she arrived at the Lion King Organization's Itogami Island branch, she believed she was mentally prepared. She stepped inside without hesitation, only to find that the branch, which usually had at least one person or a Shikigami present, was completely empty.
After waiting for a long time with no one returning, Yukina Himeragi grew increasingly anxious. Losing patience, she decided not to wait any longer and directly contacted her master.
"You want to give up your current mission and take back your previous one, monitoring the Fourth Primogenitor?"
A cold voice came through the phone, laced with surprise, disbelief, and confusion.
"Yes!"
Yukina Himeragi answered without hesitation. She wanted to settle this cleanly and decisively before any doubt could creep in later.
"Are you sure? You should understand that your current mission is one only you can fulfill. If your goal is to contribute to the Lion King Organization, there's no need to go this far."
Like a confirmation prompt asking twice, the cold voice questioned her again. But unlike those prompts that push you toward agreeing, this voice clearly wanted her to refuse.
"Yes, Master. I want to take back my previous mission."
"…Very well. Anything else?"
After a brief silence, the voice gave in, sounding somewhat resigned.
"I want Sayaka to withdraw from her current mission. I can handle it alone."
"..."
"I'm sorry. This mission was assigned by the Three Saints. I don't have the authority to interfere."
"Master?"
"I'll try to bring it up with the Three Saints, but… I don't think it can be revoked."
"Master! Sayaka is your disciple!"
The voice on the other end fell silent for a moment.
"This is just a mission. It's nothing serious."
"Then why won't you tell Sayaka the truth?"
"…Yukina Himeragi, you need to calm down. I'll put your request on hold for now. We can discuss it again once you've cleared your head. There are some things you can't change."
After that, Yukina Himeragi could no longer remember what was said.
By the time she came back to her senses, she was already at her front door, crouched on the ground, alone, her head buried in her arms as she quietly cried.
I… can't do anything.
"Is something wrong, Yukina Himeragi?"
Footsteps approached, and a voice spoke beside her. Yukina Himeragi slowly lifted her head.
"Senpai…"