In Misaki City, the lingering night was gradually fading, and dawn was near.
Samael had been waiting in an alley by the shopping street since early morning. He rubbed his hands together in the cold wind and patiently waited for a certain wagashi shop to open.
As soon as business hours began, the window shutter was raised, and a rich, sweet fragrance wafted out. The ancient serpent, first in line, eagerly spoke up.
"Boss, two each of kusa mochi and sakura mochi, two boxes of dorayaki and taiyaki, plus one serving each of mochi and daifuku. Finally, give me a pound... no, two pounds of ohagi!"
"Sure, please wait a moment!"
A huge order had arrived the instant the shop opened. The owner was grinning from ear to ear as he readily packed up the freshly made sweets at the customer's request and swiftly passed them through the window.
"Aha, I finally got them after waking up early for once. Here, have a taste!"
After paying, Samael carried bags upon bags of wagashi to a bench by the roadside. Smiling, he sorted out a portion of the still-steaming treats and handed them to the girl he had lured outside.
"These... are for me?"
Kishinami Hakuno, sitting upright on the bench, put down her illustrated fairy tale upon hearing that. She pointed at the several boxes of wagashi stacked high and looked up uncertainly.
By now, the oversized, somewhat bulky black nun's habit Kishinami Hakuno had worn was nowhere to be seen.
In its place were a black gauze shawl and a crimson knitted sweater.
Her freed black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall before being bound with a red ribbon into an elegant bun.
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