Story:

Ai spoke first. “Kannagi-sama.”

Her voice was quiet, but it carried clearly between them.

Ai and Mai had remained in seiza throughout the argument. Now Ai bowed, placing her hands neatly on the tatami.

“We are battle miko from Yamato Shrine, serving under Shrine Master Kannagi Chitose-san. We came here on a mission to save our world.”

Mai bowed beside her. “Our companions are worried because we were separated from someone during the crossing,” she added.

“Please let us explain before you decide what to do with us.”

Seira finally gave the twins her full attention.

For a few breaths, she studied their posture, their robes, the careful way they held themselves despite their exhaustion.

“Yamato Shrine,” she repeated. “Never heard of it.” Ai lifted her head.

“But the name Kannagi—”

“Yes, an interesting coincidence. Perhaps more than a coincidence. That will require investigation.”

Seira settled back. “Our summoning was intended to address a problem in our own world. We have neither the time nor the interest to take responsibility for a crisis in another one.”

The twins went very still.

Beside Ai’s knee, her fingers curled against the fabric of her robes.