Story:

A key turned in the lock. They straightened at once.

Shiki entered first. Behind her came Ai and Mai, carrying themselves with a brightness that seemed wholly inappropriate to the circumstances.

“Violet-san! Kicho-san!” The twins bowed with their usual politeness. Mai smiled. Ai smiled.

Shiki stepped aside, allowing the twins farther into the room.

Ai knelt before the low table. “Seira-sama came to speak with us.”

Violet’s fingers tightened against her sleeve. “Did she.”

“She listened to our story properly this time,” Ai continued quickly. “About Yamato Shrine, Chitose-san, Bel, and why we crossed the rift.”

“And Aunty Shiro,” Mai said. “Especially Aunty Shiro.”

That caught both sisters’ attention. Ai nodded.

“When we explained that she was missing, Seira-sama asked us many questions. Where she came from. Her abilities. How long she lived with us.”

Violet leaned forward. “What did she conclude?”

“She believes Aunty Shiro may be the person she was looking for.”

The room went quiet.

Kicho glanced toward Shiki, who gave away nothing.

“So,” Violet said slowly, “she summons strangers into her shrine, arrests them, and only afterward discovers she may have summoned the wrong ones.”

Mai’s smile became strained. “Possibly.”

Ai hurried on. “We have permission to stay here. Seira-sama also agreed that we can learn how the miko of Tensho Jinja draw and use mana.”

Kicho’s eyes flicked up. “There is a different method?”

“That is what we’re going to learn,” Ai answered carefully.

Shiki interrupted. “There is also a message for you.”

Her posture changed almost imperceptibly. Her chin lifted; her expression acquired a familiar air of bored superiority.

Even her voice flattened.

“‘Those two are useless to my plan, but I haven’t worked out how to get rid of them either.’”

Violet stared.

Shiki continued with professional precision.

“‘Therefore, they may remain temporarily at Tensho Jinja. They are forbidden to leave the grounds or contact people in this world. Tell them to behave themselves.’”