Hii Hibiki: Don't Go Waaah Waaah!

Mio Takamiya—or rather, it was more appropriate to call her [Phantom] at this moment.

After all, she was not yet complete. Her other half, Reine Murasame, was still aboard Ratatoskr's Fraxinus and had not merged with her, so she could not yet be considered the complete Mio Takamiya.

She rested her chin lightly on her hand, her figure shrouded in a hazy mosaic-like glow as she quietly recalled the Spirit who had not descended into this world through her hand.

She had repeatedly examined the lingering Hibiki of the other's Spiritual Power—it truly was a genuine Spirit, not an individual she had created, nor one of the Spirit Crystals from her body that had suddenly gained consciousness.

Rather, it was a Spirit formed by a Spirit Formula from another world, an existence from beyond this world.

A mage in that world had activated an ability similar to this world's Spirit Formula, gathering the natural mana contained within the earth's surface into a single point and bringing forth—an Otherworldly Spirit.

It could be considered an existence similar to Mio Takamiya.

As for why she had descended upon this world? Mio Takamiya had already figured it out. Wasn't it obvious? The other's condition was clearly weaker than hers.

The Spirit Formula in that world was incomplete and had mistakenly sent her here, so part of her spirit particles had been returned to that world, leaving her especially weak in certain aspects.

As an Origin Spirit, she was incomplete.

But that did not mean she was not dangerous.

So the plan to have Shiori play the role of "Shido" really would not work after all?

After all, Little Shido was not male either... Spirits like the one at the Ninth Sephira were rare. If they forcibly brainwashed the Spirits and altered their subconsciousness, such an approach might come with serious drawbacks.

Mio Takamiya could only helplessly make slight changes to the conditions for sealing. Fortunately, the sealing was proceeding normally.

There was one unexpected point.

Qian Huanyue seemed to like Little Shido very much—enough to reach the minimum level of affection required for sealing.

However, Little Shido's ability was not enough to seal her completely.

Mio could say without the slightest exaggeration that the other's Spiritual Power was second only to her own.

From the other's perspective, the amount Little Shido sealed might have felt like nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

Qian Huanyue's control over her Angel was as immature as Mio herself had been when she was first born.

It could not help but send Mio Takamiya's memories drifting back to the distant past.

If she had properly mastered her Spiritual Power and Angel back then, if she had not been so naïve and softhearted...

Perhaps her most beloved Shinji... would not have died...

As she reminisced, Mio Takamiya revealed an especially cruel yet sorrowful smile.

She could no longer turn back.

Ever since the other had descended, Mio had been watching everything in the form of [Phantom].

She knew very well that Qian Huanyue had never truly unleashed her full power—undoubtedly, that was a good thing.

After all, this was the world Shinji loved. If it truly came to the point where she had no choice but to use her Angel to stop the other...

But now, it seemed unnecessary.

That's wonderful, Mio thought.

Huanyue's emotional state appeared very stable, aside from her heart being a little too soft—

But in Mio's eyes, that was the best possible "virtue."

If she could kill her with an unexpected strike, perhaps that would work?

Then she would not need to use the Third Angel, [Angel of Nothingness], to erase her existence.

So—

This was truly wonderful.

At that thought, Mio's eyes curved slightly as she let out a relieved chuckle.

Qian Huanyue would not interfere with her plan; she might even become an ally.

She no longer needed to consider how to kill this Otherworldly Spirit—besides, if the plan ultimately failed, perhaps being ended by her would not be such a bad outcome.

That was what Mio Takamiya, who had repeatedly failed to kill herself, thought.

"Achoo!" Qian Huanyue took the handkerchief Kurumi handed her and wiped her nose.

"A cold?" Hii Hibiki could not help thinking of that.

"No, no, not at all." Qian Huanyue shook her head. "I just feel like some ill-intentioned person has been badmouthing me or something."

"Only television shows would have something like that, right?"

"Does this performance outfit look a little too chilly?"

"Spirits do not catch colds. Besides, it only exposes the legs and arms. Does that even count as revealing?"

"It certainly is not very revealing," Hii Hibiki replied calmly, then used Spiritual Power to create another dazzling performance outfit with cutouts along the sides of the waist. "So, want to try this crop-top one, Huanyue-chan~?"

"No!" Qian Huanyue narrowed her eyes, a vein mark gradually appearing on her forehead as she wore a dangerously menacing expression.

She moved closer with ill intent.

"[Seraph of Thousand Blades] (Seraph of Thousand Blades)."

Sweat trickled down Hii Hibiki's cheek as she slowly backed away. "Um... Huanyue-chan, what are you planning to do to me...?"

"What. Do. You. Think?" Qian Huanyue gave a smile that did not reach her eyes and grabbed the outfit Hii Hibiki had just created.

The freshly summoned [Seraph of Thousand Blades] followed its master's will and dragged Hii Hibiki up.

"Eek! I was wrong!!!" Hii Hibiki cried out. "Huanyue-chan... what are you doing?! Mmph!!"

Hii Hibiki was forcibly dragged into the changing room.

"Oh my~" Kurumi blinked, sipping red tea with great interest.

"Mmph! Save me, Xiying!"

"Hibiki~ You deserve it." Her friend, Yangliu Xiying, innocently yet wickedly stabbed her in the back, wearing an exceptionally delighted smile. "I want to see what Hibiki looks like as an idol too."

"No!!" Seeing her friend looking so delighted by her misfortune, Hii Hibiki felt as though the sky had collapsed.

After a bout of wailing and shrieking—

Hii Hibiki emerged wearing the performance outfit she had just created herself, her face filled with utter despair.

Setting aside some of its cute puffy details, the outfit truly looked lively, nimble, and adorable on Hibiki, vividly bringing out the girl's innocence and charm. Though it exposed her waist and legs, with part of her back left bare as well, it did not feel the least bit sensual. It could be said to suit her perfectly.

But if Huanyue wore it, it would have an unexpected effect. If Shiori saw her dressed like that, she might very well feel her nose grow hot.

Meanwhile, Qian Huanyue stood to the side, covering her mouth as she laughed delightedly.

"Hmm~ hmm~ hmm~ Serves you right~"