Shiori: Right, I Haven't Made My Appearance Yet

The sight of Miku inevitably reminded Qian Huanyue of Shiori Itsuka from the original story.

Long blue hair, tea-colored eyes, and a clover-shaped ornament decorating the tips of her bangs. Every gesture she made radiated a virtuous, incredibly gentle aura.

Super cute, wasn't she?

It was just a bit of a shame that her true self was Shido...

The thought merely flashed through her mind. It wasn't important, really!

The more immediate problem was how to deal with this overly enthusiastic diva.

Because Miku had agreed that making Qian Huanyue happy was the condition for becoming friends, she began showing off her singing voice beside her.

She did not use any spiritual power, relying solely on her pure voice.

The beautiful melody seemed almost magical, leaving a deep impression in Qian Huanyue's mind. She lightly applauded.

Miku's eyes widened in delighted surprise, a faint blush appearing on her face. "Does Huanyue-chan like my singing?"

"It sounds amazing!" Qian Huanyue's eyes sparkled as the words practically burst from her mouth. "This is practically heavenly!!"

If this were a band anime, she would definitely invite her to join a band for life.

"...That's wonderful." Miku's voice softened. "To receive such praise from Huanyue-chan... I'm very happy."

"Then..." Seizing the moment, Miku kept her voice gentle, though it carried a trace of hopeful probing. "Are we... friends now?"

"Mhm."

That soft hum, tinged with tsundere pride, sounded to Miku like the sweetest possible permission.

"That's great!" Long accustomed to expressing intimacy—and possession—through physical contact, she did not hesitate before enthusiastically spreading her arms and pouncing on Qian Huanyue, who was still holding the cat, hugging her tightly.

"Mm—!"

The white cat in her arms was startled by the sudden squeeze. With a protesting "Meow!" it nimbly slipped through the gap between the two of them, jumped onto the bench, and flicked its tail in displeasure.

"Wait...!" Qian Huanyue finally managed to turn her head out of that soft "confinement," trying to breathe in fresh air.

This was so similar to all those intimate things she had done to Kurumi before. What went around came around, and now Qian Huanyue got to experience what it felt like to be held tightly.

Kurumi, I'm sorry. Next time, I definitely... still won't change.

Kurumi, who was searching for information on the Second Spirit: "Achoo!"

Miku seemed completely unaware of her discomfort. Or rather, she simply did not care.

Instead, she tightened her arms, affectionately resting her chin on Qian Huanyue's shoulder as she whispered by her ear in a sweet, smiling voice, "Come on~ Isn't hugging perfectly normal between friends? Huanyue-chan is so soft, and she smells so nice~"

Eek! Pervert!

Qian Huanyue felt thoroughly taken advantage of, heat rushing straight to her head. But just as her emotions teetered on the verge of losing control, she suddenly jolted—

Calm down, Qian Huanyue. Don't show any signs of embarrassment. She's not a "Shido" who gets flustered after just a few words, nor is she Kurumi, who indulges me so much!

The one in front of me is a genuine yuri monster!

Stay calm. Yes, that's right! Stay calm... my ass! How could anyone possibly stay calm at a time like this?!

Before her embarrassment and anger could fully erupt, she almost instinctively chose the most direct counterattack—

"[Seraph of Thousand Blades]!"

The air around them gave off a faint hum. She did not swing her sword to attack; instead, she let the flying sword act on its own, seemingly casually slicing through the air beside her—

"Rip!"

A spatial rift edged with starlight opened in response, almost instantly.

The sudden development stunned Miku, and the arms she had wrapped tightly around Qian Huanyue unconsciously loosened.

Now!

Qian Huanyue turned the tables, grabbing Miku's wrist, which was still around her, before taking her hand.

Pulling Miku along before she could fully react, she stepped into the spatial rift.

"W-Wait?! Huanyue-chan?!"

Miku's cry was swallowed in an instant. The spatial rift rapidly closed behind her, and the two beautiful girls in the park, along with the white cat, vanished without a trace.

As if in the blink of an eye, the two of them were already somewhere completely different.

Only then did Qian Huanyue release Miku's wrist. The [Seraph of Thousand Blades] in her hand dissolved into motes of light, while the white cat lay on her shoulder, curiously looking around at the entirely unfamiliar surroundings.

As if she had merely done something utterly ordinary, she walked to the edge of the rooftop, rested her hands on the railing, and gazed into the distance. Tenguu City lay spread out before her in full view.

"This place," she said without turning around, her voice drifting in on the breeze, "is beautiful."

The rooftop offered an exceptionally broad view. The setting sun was slowly sinking behind the city's skyline, dyeing the entire sky a warm orange-red. Rows of buildings were draped in soft golden light, while the traffic on the distant streets resembled glittering ribbons of lamps.

The abrupt change of scenery, combined with Qian Huanyue's calm appreciation of the view after practically "kidnapping" her, left Miku momentarily speechless.

She looked at Qian Huanyue's back as she leaned against the railing. Her silver hair glowed softly beneath the sunset, and the white cat rested quietly on her shoulder. It was beautiful.

"...Mm." After a long while, Miku softly replied. Her voice was no longer deliberately syrupy as before, instead carrying a genuine gentleness touched by the scenery. "It really is beautiful."

So are you.

For a while, neither of them spoke. They simply stood side by side in silence, watching the sun sink little by little.

After quite some time, Miku finally turned her head. Her gaze fell on Qian Huanyue's windblown hair and tranquil profile as she suddenly asked, "Was that... your Angel just now?"

"[Seraph of Thousand Blades]."

"[Seraph of Thousand Blades]..." Miku quietly repeated it, as if savoring the Angel's name. Then she suddenly smiled. "Using your Angel's power to bring a girl somewhere deserted, Huanyue-chan, you can be quite bold sometimes."

At that, Qian Huanyue folded her arms and turned her head away with a huff.

"Not as bold as you."

Miku choked on that blunt retort for a moment, then laughed even more happily, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Ara, is this revenge?"

"I had a wonderful time today, Huanyue-chan," she said. Her voice was soft, but every word reached Qian Huanyue clearly. "I heard your praise, saw your Angel, and watched such beautiful scenery with you."

Even if you're getting all poetic... I won't forget how you held me so tightly in the park that I nearly suffocated, Miku.

"Then, as thanks for making me so happy..."

"When we meet next time, would you like to attend a tea party with me? I'll prepare the finest tea leaves and pastries."

"Sure."

Mm.

And while I'm at it, I'll find some excuse to make "Shido" wear women's clothes.