Sky Striker Ace, but Symphogear

Although the reason sounded somewhat far-fetched, Miku did not think too much of it.

"Hmm... Speaking of which, when you said Raye, were you referring to that... what was it called? The Golden Flash?"

Clearing her throat, Chris spoke according to Raye's instructions, still somewhat shaken.

"Ah... I forgot. When Raye rescued people, she apparently didn't say many unnecessary things. Yes, that's right. The person who rescued us was named Raye."

Seeing Chris ask that, Miku froze for a moment before speaking as if she had just realized something.

"Oh, I see. So her name was Raye. I never knew that before. Hahaha."

Chris forced a laugh, then silently raised her hand and wiped the cold sweat that had formed on her forehead.

That was terrifying! I almost blew our cover.

As she wiped away the cold sweat, Chris roared inwardly. Who would have thought that after surviving the most tense moment, she would immediately fall into a verbal trap?

It's not as if you would have exposed us. Even if you made some mistake, Chris, I would only have needed to expend a little more effort later to make your identity seem plausible while covering for you.

As Chris roared, Raye spoke through telepathy.

Still, to keep my workload from multiplying further and further, I recommend that you remain somewhat vigilant from now on, Chris.

Of course. I'll keep an eye on things and remind you what to say when appropriate.

Raye continued to add through telepathy.

...All right.

"Speaking of which, Miku, how did you know her name was Raye?"

While answering Raye inwardly, Chris naturally asked Kohinata Miku. To be honest, she felt that she had more or less gotten used to this sort of two-track operation.

"All right... Just as you thought, after Raye rescued me, I saw her again somewhere else."

Miku spoke with a somewhat melancholy expression.

"...Huh?"

Chris wore a genuinely surprised expression.

She had thought that being able to investigate some of Raye's past through that improper website was already quite fortunate. She had never expected that, less than a meter away from her, there would be someone who had genuinely encountered Raye in the past.

"So how did you two meet?"

Chris asked reflexively.

"..."

For some reason, after Chris asked that question, the black-haired girl in front of her seemed to grow conflicted.

"Miku?"

Seeing Miku press her lips together and frown, Chris felt puzzled.

"I'm sorry, Christina. I promised that I wouldn't say. I know that may seem impolite, especially since you've told me about yourself, but... I'm sorry."

After struggling with it for a while, Miku gave that answer.

"Is that so? All right, then."

Although Chris wanted to continue investigating, she was worried that saying too much would arouse suspicion, so she did not press the matter.

"Thank you. Speaking of which, weren't we just talking about the game? I can't say much about it, but I can still give you some tips on how to clear it."

After ending that topic, Miku took the initiative to offer Chris some help getting started with the mobile game in order to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"Sure. It's almost finished downloading anyway. Miku, tell me how to play."

Now that she no longer had to rack her brain to disguise her probing, Chris relaxed as well and smoothly moved past the previous topic.

It looks like I don't need to pay too much attention to things here for now. In that case, I'll put some effort into my own matters. First, this website...

Raye also let out a faint sigh of relief, shifted some of her attention away from Chris, and continued working on her own affairs.

P.S. Getting back into the swing of things.

P.S. Good night. I'll get up early tomorrow and continue writing.

"We have other things to take care of, so we'll be leaving first."

"All right. Take care."

After that exchange, Raye and Chris began making their way out of Lydian Music Academy.

The necessary installations had been completed while Chris was in class, so there was no need to remain in the other side's relatively dangerous base any longer.

Thus, after that class ended, Raye left Lydian Music Academy with Chris, who had spent the entire lesson chatting enthusiastically with her deskmate while completely ignoring the teacher's rising blood pressure.

Next, I'll choose a plan depending on the circumstances. Tomorrow... No, the day after tomorrow would be better. I should leave some time in between so they don't become suspicious.

After leaving Lydian and nearly completing the surveillance setup, Raye began thinking about her arrangements for the next two days.

Although she had encountered an unpleasant little incident at Lydian that had put her in a bad mood, one thing was one thing and another was another. The most important matter now was fulfilling her agreement with Fine.

Therefore, Raye temporarily suppressed her unpleasant feelings. If she got the chance later, she would eliminate the source of that displeasure by either physical or online means.

It would be worthwhile to create some incidents the day after tomorrow and test the Second Division's sensitivity, to see what level of disturbance would attract their attention.

Raye thought this over.

Although she had set up enough equipment near the other side's headquarters, those devices could not provide certain other types of intelligence on their own. She would need to coordinate them with other plans to probe out information from a more complete range of angles.

If they're too sensitive, I can use a certain number of feints to attract their attention and exhaust their energy. If they aren't very sensitive, I can try to see whether I can find gaps in their arrangements through places they consider insignificant.

Raye continued thinking, habitually preparing backup plans from both angles.

All right. That settles the work for the day after tomorrow... But if that's the case, what should I do with the free time tomorrow? Is there anything else I need to take care of?

Oh, right. I could study how to use the Staff of Solomon. If I become proficient with this sacred relic, it should make my future operations considerably easier.

With that thought, Raye ended the planning stage and moved into the execution stage.

No matter how much she thought things through in her mind, she ultimately had to put them into action. Neither side could be neglected.

"Whew. I should head back for now. There's still a lot of work to do, so I can't rest yet."

After entering the execution stage, Raye's first plan was to hurry back to the main base and complete the trap arrangements she had planned earlier.

"Hmm? Wait, where's Christina?!"

Just then, Raye suddenly noticed a small problem. Chris, who had been following beside her the entire time, had mysteriously disappeared while Raye was thinking.

"..."

Without making any unnecessary movements, Raye brought up the Airspace Zero system installed on her tablet. She quickly located Chris through it.

"Christina, don't play with your phone while walking."

Raye immediately took three steps in one and grabbed the shoulder of the white-haired girl, who had wandered off course while concentrating on her phone and was about to collide with a roadside utility pole.

"Wh—"

When Raye touched Chris's shoulder, Chris suddenly panicked. She fumbled frantically, trying to shut off her phone screen.

"Christina, what are you doing?"

Seeing Chris act so flustered, Raye asked.

"Uh, n-nothing. I just got absorbed in reading a manga. It's no big deal."

Coming back to her senses from the inexplicable shock, Chris answered with an evasive gaze.

"Is that so? All right, Christina. Remember to pay more attention to the road next time. Although manga can make people happy, it would be unfortunate if it caused a tragedy. Excessive joy leading to sorrow, and all that."

Raye pointed at the utility pole in front of Chris and spoke calmly.

"Th-that... Don't worry. I'll be more careful from now on. It won't happen again."

Looking at the white pole standing in front of her, Chris felt a lingering fear, but she also relaxed inwardly, relieved that Raye had not asked too many questions. What she had just been reading was not something she could let Raye see.

Also, I understand that you may never have encountered any art related to human aesthetics before. Upon first encountering audiovisual material so saturated with hormones, it is inevitable that you would develop a vague curiosity about the human form.

Even so, I hope you can control your desires as soon as possible and avoid letting this state affect your actions later.

At that moment, Raye's voice suddenly rang out in Chris's mind, giving her this explanation.

"...Huh?"

Hearing the voice in her mind, Chris's face stiffened.

Wait, wait, wait—Raye, how did you know what I was looking at just now?!

The next moment, Chris's face turned as red as a boiled crab, steam practically rising from it.

Yes, that was right. What had captivated Chris's attention just now was the very improper website she had always disparaged—at least outwardly.

Don't make such a fuss. You shared that website with me, didn't you? Naturally, I know what you were looking at.

Raye spoke inwardly as if it were the most natural thing in the world, wearing an expression that seemed to say she had seen through everything.

So, was my doujinshi good, Chris?

Raye then added that inward thought in a slightly aggrieved tone.

Well, saying it wasn't good would be a lie... But don't worry, Raye. I can tell the difference between fan works and reality. I won't think anything strange about you!

Hearing the tone in Raye's voice, Chris made that promise. Although nothing showed on the surface, she could sense that Raye was not in a good mood while discussing this matter.

There's no need to be so nervous. I'm not targeting you. I'm simply a little unaccustomed to having something like this happen to me.

In response to Chris's assurance, Raye immediately explained calmly, making Chris feel as if the emotional fluctuation just now had been an illusion.

Besides, you don't need to make such a pointless promise, Chris.

I know very well that when people encounter this sort of thing for the first time, developing some strange thoughts is perfectly normal. I won't get angry over it. Yes, that's right. I won't.

Raye spoke with a calm expression—or rather, only a calm expression.

All right, I understand. I get it.

Chris nodded obediently in her heart as she spoke, while also realizing that the feeling she had just now definitely had not been an illusion. Raye absolutely cared about this far too much.

P.S. Writer's block. Good night.

Good. I'm glad you understand.

Hearing Chris's words through their mental link, Raye ended the topic.

Whew... Raye, if there's nothing else, I'll disconnect the communication first.

Now that Raye had stopped discussing such embarrassing things, Chris sighed inwardly in relief and planned to shut down the telepathic connection herself.

She was afraid that the uncontrolled fantasies brought on by reading material that made her heart race would be transmitted to Raye through their mental link.

If you want to, you can disconnect. We'll be heading back soon anyway, and there shouldn't be any situation today that requires telepathic communication.

Raye thought for a moment about what she had to do next, then indicated that she had no objections.

Oh, all right—wait, Raye, what did you say? Head back? But it's still so early. Are we really going straight back without doing anything else?

Hearing Raye's words, Chris, who had just been about to end the connection, asked in confusion.

It's only four o'clock. Raye, didn't you say we were going on a "date" this afternoon? There's still a long time before the afternoon ends.

Chris continued asking.

As for that, I won't explain the exact reason. I have my own arrangements, and it has nothing to do with you, Chris. You don't need to worry about it too much.

Facing Chris's confusion, Raye did not directly explain the specific reason. Instead, she said this.

Why not? Is there something you can't tell me?

Faced with Raye's evasiveness, Chris asked directly.

It's not that I can't tell you. I'm heading back early because a minor incident occurred in my work. It had no major impact, but explaining it would be troublesome. If you're curious, I can send you my activity log later.

Looking at the confusion on the white-haired girl's face, Raye thought for a moment before finally giving that explanation.

Besides, heading back early means ending this meaningless work early. For you, it means you can escape these restraints sooner and relax. For me, it means I'll have more time to arrange other work.

Raye continued, using that to persuade Chris.

All right. I understand.