Story:

The last spark fell from the ceiling fitting and vanished before it reached the carpet.

Reika looked up.

Then she looked toward the corner above the door, where a second device had gone dark.

“An electrical fault,” she said.

Her voice was steady enough that Peach almost admired it.

“I’ll speak to the staff. Please don’t touch anything that’s been damaged.”

She collected her phone and stepped outside before anyone could offer an explanation.

The door closed softly behind her. For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Irina checked the time. “I need to get to work.”

She stood, gathered her bag, and straightened the ribbon at her collar. The ordinary sequence of movements seemed almost indecently calm.

Mai looked disappointed. “Already?”

“Somebody has to serve the cakes.”

That earned a small smile from the twins.

At the door, Irina glanced back at Butterfly. Whatever she thought of the outburst, she kept it to herself. “Try not to break the next room.”

Then she was gone.