Nia: Eek! Little Kurumi... So Scary!

Qian Huanyue had no idea that what happened that day had been replayed over and over by Ratatoskr that very same day. Otherwise, she would definitely have fled Earth in embarrassment by now.

Inside the Tokisaki residence.

"My, with Miss Nia's Angel, searching for things has become much more convenient." Kurumi smiled as she poured Darjeeling tea from the pot into an exquisite porcelain cup.

"Hmph, naturally. Isn't my [Ratziel] super convenient, Little Kurumi?" Nia looked immensely pleased with herself. She snatched up the cup without caring about the heat and downed the tea in one gulp as though drinking a bowl of ordinary tea.

"My, tea is best when it tastes good." Kurumi narrowed her eyes, her lips curving into a smile. "Miss Nia, have you ever heard a saying?"

"Hm? What is it, Little Kurumi?" Nia set down the empty cup, licked her lips, and looked at Kurumi in confusion.

"It seems that strychnine has such an intensely bitter taste that people often mix it into tea or coffee when poisoning someone."

Kurumi said something hair-raising in the same relaxed tone one might use to discuss the weather.

"Pfft...! Cough, cough, cough!" The sudden remark made Nia choke, and she began coughing uncontrollably. Instinctively clawing at her throat, she stared at the empty teacup in terror.

That thought flashed through Nia's mind in an instant.

The answer was no, because back when she was in DEM... Gulp... she could not remember very clearly.

But once Nia realized it was harmless to her, she stopped panicking. Patting her chest, she breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared me, Little Kurumi, honestly..."

However, she did not get to finish.

Because she met Kurumi's eyes. The clock pupil concealed beneath her bangs ticked as time turned, carrying an overwhelmingly dangerous pressure. Kurumi's smile remained on her face, yet it sent an especially chilling shiver down Nia's spine.

"My, why would I put something like that in tea? It would be such a waste, would it not?"

She leaned forward slightly and, nearly enunciating every word, said in a sweet yet threatening voice:

"Please. Call. Me. By. My. Name. Properly. All right?"

Nia froze instantly. She did not doubt for a moment that if she called her by that "pet name" again, Kurumi might truly drag her into her shadow for a nice little talk the next second.

Her powers were time-based, the most broken kind! And Nia's Angel was not suited for combat. How miserable.

"Eek...! K-Kurumi!" Nia immediately changed her form of address from the bottom of her heart.

"Yes, that is much better." Kurumi instantly withdrew every trace of danger and returned to the appearance of an elegant young lady, as though everything just now had been an illusion.

Smiling, she poured Nia another cup of tea. "Please, Miss Nia."

Nia looked at the fragrant black tea before her, then at Kurumi's "gentle" smile. In silence, she carefully accepted the cup. This time, she only dared take small sips, tears streaming down her heart.

Sure enough... aside from Little Qian Qian, there was someone even scarier here! Why was her life so hard?!

Qian Huanyue held the rabbit hand puppet Yoshinon Junior in her hand—one of the two puppets made by Yoshino's mother, Himekawa Osa. Yoshinon represented her mother's alter ego, while Yoshinon Junior represented Yoshino.

At the moment, she was carrying an especially ornate umbrella, its design blending vintage elements with a fair amount of lace Lolita styling. Paired with bows, it looked absolutely stunning.

Was it pretty?

Very pretty.

But this. Umbrella. Seemed. To. Offer. Only. Light. Rain. Protection!

Qian Huanyue stood with her mouth half-open, staring at the tiny droplets seeping through gaps on the inside of the canopy. One drop, then another... fell onto the silver hair before her forehead, bringing an icy chill.

It was not broken, was it?

She carefully inspected the umbrella ribs and lace trim.

Although Kurumi herself had "generously" given her this impractical umbrella, if it got damaged, that sweet little-loli version of Kurumi's clone would put on a tearful expression. Then, in the name of "compensation," she would join forces with five Kurumis, including the Four Heavenly Kings, and turn Qian Huanyue into a life-sized doll for a dress-up game...

Gah!! That would bring terrible luck!

At the thought of that scene, Qian Huanyue could not help shuddering. Being surrounded by five Kurumis dressed in different styles and armed with lace, ribbons, and puffy skirts—once had been more than enough.

Since she had asked Nia to search for information, Qian Huanyue knew Yoshino's location at the shrine perfectly well. Originally, all she had needed to do was teleport there with [Seraph of Thousand Blades].

She only wanted to stop by and see Shiori on the way. Of course, not for any special reason.

Her phone had broken that day, crumbling into powder.

She merely needed to exchange contact information with Shiori again, and add Tohka on LINE while she was at it.

She had not seen Little Tohka in quite a while either.

Yes, her reasons were entirely sufficient.

Huanyue arrived at the shrine entrance and saw the Spirit she had wanted to meet.

A green hooded coat covered her body, rabbit-ear elements adorned her head, and the large hood concealed half her face. Behind her was a fluffy ball resembling a tail.

Yoshino was currently splashing around in the puddles.

Her little boots stepped lightly through the pooled water, sending up tiny splashes.

She seemed to be enjoying the tranquility until she noticed someone approaching. She nearly slipped on the water beneath her feet, then shyly hid behind a tree, concealing her entire body.

"Oh my~ Miss, may I ask who you are? Our little Yoshino is a bit shy around strangers." Yoshinon, the hand puppet, poked out from behind the tree and spoke in a lively, slightly cheeky tone, protecting the bashful Yoshino behind her.

"My name is Qian Huanyue." Qian Huanyue wore a gentle, entirely nonthreatening smile. "Yoshino."

Yoshino cautiously peeked half her face out from behind the tree, her pale blue eyes timidly examining the silver-haired older girl who had suddenly appeared.

"Miss... Qian Huanyue?" Yoshino quietly repeated the name, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

Yoshino was so adorable!

"That's right, that's right!" Yoshinon cheerfully chimed in, the puppet's mouth opening and closing. "It's a name we've never heard before! But she looks like a beautiful and gentle big sister, doesn't she? As cute as our Yoshino!"

At Yoshinon's words, Yoshino's cheeks flushed slightly, and she hid her face away a little more, leaving only a pair of watery sky-blue eyes to secretly peek at Qian Huanyue.

"And who is this little one?" Qian Huanyue indicated the rabbit puppet wearing an eyepatch with her eyes, a gentle smile lingering on her lips.

"I'm Yoshinon!" The puppet Yoshinon immediately introduced herself with great energy, even nimbly waving her tiny hand. "I'm Yoshino's best friend and knight! Nice to meet you, Big Sister Huanyue!"

"Yoshinon..." Yoshino softly reminded the puppet not to be too rude. As though gathering tremendous courage, she raised her voice as much as she could to a volume that would be steadily audible. "I'm... Yoshino."

This simple introduction was like completing an important ritual for Yoshino. After saying it, she lowered her head slightly, her cheeks tinged with bashful red. She truly looked like an innocent, harmless little rabbit.

Seeing that the girl opposite her appeared to bear Yoshino no ill will, Yoshinon was happy to let Yoshino interact with someone else.

After all, Yoshinon had seen Yoshino's loneliness too.