Shinobu refused to show herself, and Yuko was out of ideas.
She couldn't actually throw Shinobu into the toilet. Did she still want this sword or not?
"Fine! You've got guts! You're above it all! You want to play mysterious!" Yuko took a deep breath, then gave a cold smile. "But don't forget, I've still got a secret backup."
"And that is... Crystal!"
Yuko slapped her hand on the table and solemnly called her name.
A long while later.
"Hello? Crystal? Don't tell me you're asleep at this hour too?"
Yuko patted the butterfly tattoo on the back of her hand. After absorbing Old Man Yama's spiritual pressure earlier, it still retained its orange-red flame patterns.
But the tattoo didn't react to her call.
Crystal usually appeared the moment Yuko called. Why was today different?
Could it have something to do with last night again?
Yuko's eyes widened. She had it! She'd thought of a possibility!
Shinobu thought Crystal was competing for Yuko's affection and threatening her position. So, while Yuko was drunk, Shinobu had killed Crystal!
That would explain why Shinobu refused to say a word about last night.
Oh, Crystal. What a terrible way to die.
The butterfly mark on the back of Yuko's hand flickered twice. A tiny flame butterfly emerged from the pattern and settled on her hand, weakly flapping her wings as though exhausted.
"Crystal? You're not dead?"
Crystal's airy voice reached Yuko's ears. "Dead? Why? Is Master going to kill me?"
"...No. What's going on with you?" Yuko felt a little annoyed. Did Crystal really think she was the threat?
Crystal struggled to wobble upright but remained sprawled on Yuko's hand. "Mm, my head's spinning. The ceiling looks like it's dancing, and Master has two heads..."
"..."
That reaction seemed a little