Funeral Parlor's secret base.
After Tsugumi and Shinomiya Ayase returned from seeing Inori, they acted as though nothing had happened. They did not inform Gai Tsutsugami about Inori at all, but continued as usual with the "search" for Inori's location.
At the same time, they had devised a plan to verify the truth of what Inori had told them. That plan was now underway.
"You said you received some strange information?"
Gai Tsutsugami arrived in their data center, where they carried out their work. At this point, Gai looked even older, relying on a cane to walk. The two sisters exchanged glances.
Tsugumi spoke up first:
"Yes. We received a bizarre encrypted message."
As she spoke, Shinomiya Ayase pulled up a fake letter they themselves had crafted.
Shinomiya Ayase said, "This letter claims to be from someone named Mana."
"!!!"
No sooner did she say 'Mana' than they saw Gai trembling fiercely at her side. His breathing grew rapid as he demanded, "Who? Did you say who?"
"…"
Seeing this, the sisters felt their hearts sink. Such strong agitation was more than enough to clarify many things. At this point, they nearly believed all of Inori's words, leaving them disappointed in Gai's behavior.
But since this was still Gai's domain, they held back from showing any reaction and followed through with the test.
Shinomiya Ayase continued fiddling with the system, opening the decrypted fake letter.
"After we cracked it, the contents turned out to be just two words."
They both fixed their gaze on Gai. His eyes were violently uneasy; shaking his head, he mumbled, "Impossible… This can't be…"
Seeing him like this, Tsugumi and Shinomiya Ayase felt any reverence for him vanish. It appeared Inori had indeed told the truth: Gai's aims had never aligned with Funeral Parlor's from the start.
They watched coldly as Gai grew agitated at the mention of "Mana." After a while, Gai managed to calm down somewhat. In his aged eyes flashed a sharp glint.
"This matter must remain secret. Erase that letter."
With that, he turned and left, failing to notice that neither of them still held any respect for him.
Once his dazed figure disappeared, Tsugumi couldn't help sidling up next to Shinomiya Ayase.
"Sis, Inori was right… He's just been using the Funeral Parlor—using us—as tools!"
She looked furious. "Shouldn't we tell everyone about this?"
"No. We can't speak up."
Shinomiya Ayase shook her head.
"Why not? You aren't making sense," pressed Tsugumi.
Normally, this would be when you'd tell people the facts so they could recognize Gai's true colors, right?
Shinomiya Ayase sighed. Her younger sister was still too naive.
"Tsugumi, even we had to try such a risky plan to confirm Inori's statements. What about everyone else?"
"…Oh…"
Tsugumi understood. Right, the others also deeply respected Gai, and wouldn't necessarily believe them. And the same trick to test him wouldn't work a second time, especially if Gai knew everyone was watching; he wouldn't easily betray any more evidence. In that scenario, they might be turned upon as traitors—everyone's target. That would be too dangerous.
"So… so what do we do, then?"
Shinomiya Ayase's eyes were dark and pensive.
"Tonight we'll modify the Leukocyte's data permissions, and use that to find Inori."
"Got it!"
They jumped into action quickly. They had to erase any trace of the Leukocyte, so the Funeral Parlor couldn't track them.
…
Meanwhile, at Shizuka Hiratsuka's place:
"Ugh, I just woke up. I checked the chat group—so you took Haruno away?"
Having just awakened, Shizuka hadn't seen Haruno there and was unaware of what had transpired. But having read the chat group's conversation, she pieced everything together, so she PMed Rei Ao immediately.
Shizuka: "Right now, is she at Yukino's place?"
Rei Ao: "Yes. She should be there with Yukino by now."
Shizuka: "…"
But that wasn't the most important issue. From the chat group's info, she concluded something else:
"You—you slept with Haruno's younger sister?"
Rei Ao: "Shizuka, don't phrase it so crudely. It was a trade."
Shizuka: "All right, a trade, but still…"
But, come on—this was all triggered by a misunderstanding! Haruno only came over to drink. On top of that, she took out her phone battery so nobody could contact her; Yukino thought she was in danger from some monster or otherworldly threat and set up a trade. If that was the case, then Shizuka felt incredibly guilty. If that ultimate sis-con Haruno ever learned that her darling little sister got slept with because of all this, Shizuka couldn't imagine what might happen.
Rei Ao: "Relax. Before the trade, I explained the situation to Yukino. She insisted anyway. It wasn't just a misunderstanding."
Shizuka: "That… fine…"
Shizuka: "You're really something else."
Rei Ao: "Haven't you already discovered how extraordinary I am?"
Shizuka: "Ugh, there you go running your mouth. If that's your stance, why not give me some action too?"
Rei Ao: "Oh? Are you into that drunk-play kink, Shizuka?"
Shizuka: "Hmph. If you dare, I don't mind. You know how ravenous I've become."
Rei Ao: "Hehe. Then be ready with your three holes, Shizuka. Even at school, I won't spare you."
Shizuka: "Th-three…?"
Her cheeks, having nearly sobered up, flushed again—not just from embarrassment but also a hidden anticipation.
Shizuka: "Do it if you want. As your teacher, I need to straighten you out!"
She was just being mouthy on purpose, wanting to stir him up for a wilder outcome.
Shizuka: "Anyway, watch out for Haruno. She's an extreme sis-con. If she finds out you slept with Yukino, I worry she'll do something insane."
Rei Ao: "Heh, think I'd be scared of her? Or the Yukinoshita family?"
Maybe he'd flip it on them, taming them all as he pleased, even the whole family. Right, a man as strong as he was wouldn't fear them.
Shizuka: "Fine. As long as you know what you're doing. Just… treat Yukino well. She's a strong, stubborn girl but also fragile."
Rei Ao: "Got it. I've already talked things through with her."
~~~
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