Story:

The clerk looked from Butterfly to Violet, then down at the uniforms all three customers were wearing.

Her school’s uniforms.

That somehow made the situation worse.

She drew a careful breath and recovered a professional smile. “Customers… are you checking out?”

Peach finally put down the bread. “Oh.”

Violet turned toward her.

Peach winced. “I met her earlier today.”

“You what?”

“In the changing room at school. I was going to tell you, but then we went to the shrine, and there were the twins, and Seira-sama—”

Butterfly slowly turned her head.

“You forgot?”

“A great deal happened!”

Across the counter, the clerk’s smile had begun to stiffen.

Violet studied her again, taking in every familiar feature with renewed suspicion. Then her eyes narrowed.

“You followed us.”

Peach felt a small, immediate sinking sensation.

“Euphy.”

“Through the shadow gate,” Violet continued. “How did you manage it?”

The clerk’s eyebrow jerked.

“Euphy, she isn’t—”

“And why disguise yourself as a shopkeeper?”