"A secret..."
Yuno Gasai was a bit at a loss.
Living together day and night, the sharp girl could indeed often sense that something was off with Sen Getsusa. But just as Tsukisa didn't ask about her own ritual, Yuno Gasai never intended to pry into her hidden secrets.
But at such a dangerous moment today, was the answer suddenly going to be revealed by such an absurd, joke-like remark?
But on second thought, if it's Sen Getsusa's secret... then it means I really am moving forward, right?
When Yuno Gasai's uncertain heart settled slightly, her palm subconsciously relaxed, and the axe handle was immediately snatched away by Sen Getsusa.
"Tsukisa?"
"No need for this~" With her light green thumb and index finger, she picked up the heavy, blood-stained fire axe, swung it a few times like casually swinging a water bottle, and threw it far away.
Yuno Gasai opened her palm and then clenched it again. On her thin back of the hand, veins were faintly visible: "Too weak..."
"I'm too weak."
"If it weren't for that, Tsukisa wouldn't have to—"
From behind the pale white bone mask, the voice began to become gloomy and sharp: "I thought after becoming a Ritualist, I could protect you..."
"At least be with you."
She didn't expect that under the dark gun muzzles, she would still be pierced through by a sense of powerlessness, just like when she couldn't protect herself from her adoptive parents who were infected by chaos.
Cold firearms, dense bullets—even with her own flesh and blood, how many could she block?
This was the second time.
Yuno Gasai had a feeling that Sen Getsusa seemed to be on a completely different track than her. Every time she worked hard to move toward the girl, the other person had already inadvertently walked much further.
She already had a preliminary understanding of the difficulty and absurdity of a Ritualist's promotion, but even so, the other person still stood far away on the mountaintop, as if she had walked that thorny and dangerous path during the climb without any effort.
She has the feeling of a 'protagonist'...—Sigh, if Tsukisa were as 'weak' as me, facing countless gun muzzles, we should be dying together in each other's arms right now, right?
—If it were like that, it would be 'Eternity'...—How terrible...—I'm a little eager for it.
"Protagonist?" Looking at the dazed girl, Sen Getsusa leaned her body and bumped Yuno Gasai with her shoulder.
A few strands of her pink hair were blown onto the mask. Sen Getsusa picked them up and put them back into the hood. Her emerald-colored nails brushed over Yuno Gasai's cold mask, as if she were stroking her face—like a long-desired goddess finally casting a gaze of pity on her believer one day.
Yuno Gasai, under the mask, trembled slightly and shook her head, hiding her dark thoughts back into the corner.
Feeling Sen Getsusa's fingertips move across her mask, she suddenly came alive. Her blood was like a living stream of Water, surging and rushing through her veins, dispelling the chill.
Yuno Gasai raised her voice: "It's nothing. Tsukisa protected me once again."
Sen Getsusa gave her a thoughtful look, then turned to face Kojimagawa.
"Barrier Master, I am the Captain of the Second Squad of the official Ritual Institute."
"Kojimagawa."
"And then?" The girl nodded with a face full of boredom, standing on her tiptoes, moving up and down, her little head swaying left and right. She seemed to be trying to observe the people around her from different angles, yet she also looked like a casual and active ballet dancer.
Kojimagawa paused, a bad premonition welling up in his heart.
"We come with the goodwill of cooperation."
Sen Getsusa took Yuno Gasai's hand, her voice drifting in with the evening breeze.
"Goodwill?"
"Do you mean these guns?"
The forest of guns remained pointed at the two of them, unmoving.
"This is already part of the goodwill." Kojimagawa narrowed his eyes. "Your sect's recent actions are all under our control."
Whether they were based on hard evidence or speculation, the man pointed them out one by one, his words implying that he had already mastered all of their movements.
The two figures within the perimeter remained silent.
"Do you know what kind of behavior this is?" Kojimagawa's eyes flickered. "Vigilantism is illegal."
"Repelling chaos and maintaining order. If this is your side's goal, I personally agree with it in principle."
"But the premise is that it must be done legally."
Inside the perimeter, Sen Getsusa took a small step forward. Her distorted and interlaced figure merged with countless fragments, like a virtual image reflected multiple times by a prism in a kaleidoscope, making it impossible for curious onlookers to ever find her true self.
It was a silent, gorgeous, and fake Shadow.
Kojimagawa warily touched the holster at his waist. "All Ritualists must be managed uniformly by the authorities. Private associations are not allowed."
"After discussion by the higher-ups, we have decided to give you..."
"...a chance to make amends." The man leaned forward, raising his eyebrows in an attempt to project a sense of pressure. "Join the Ritual Institute, and the authorities will assign your missions."
"We will provide logistical support, and you will also have a legal identity—"
Kojimagawa seemed reluctant to commit too much; he stopped his statement there and changed the subject:
"Please seriously consider our proposal."
"After joining the Ritual Institute, we will not interfere with your other private lives, other than completing assigned tasks. Otherwise..."
Suddenly, a light laugh broke the atmosphere Kojimagawa had created.
"Eh, I really want to know..." Sen Getsusa asked curiously, "How did you determine that I belong to the order side?"
Kojimagawa moved his finger, lightly tapping the gun handle.
Because of the analysis report.
The conclusion reached by the entire research team, combined with police analysis experts and professional Profilers, would not have significant deviation or error, as long as the target was still human.
Since the Barrier Master first appeared during "the mist incident" until the last time, all of its actions and data, including its recent methods and results in dealing with chaos, have been recorded.
—87% likely belongs to the order faction.
—12% likely belongs to the Chaos faction.
—Tends to favor individual will but has a moral bottom line. Its methods of action do not follow society's general standards for judging good and evil, possessing a strong sense of self-identity uniqueness.
—A reckless rebel.
This was the reason Kojimagawa had deployed his entire force.
He didn't believe the so-called incorporation would succeed, and the goal of Minister Shimoda and himself was certainly not to incorporate this spontaneously formed, gar—bage—or—ganization.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have used such coercive behavior as the start of the conversation.
—Heh, a year and a half ago, before the mystery descended, who among these arrogant weaklings would dare speak to him face-to-face like this?
—They are just a bunch of ordinary people who gained powerful Abilities without professional training.
—Garbage belongs where it should be.
Returning to the analysis report regarding the Barrier Master.
If one read carefully enough, they would notice that 1% was missing—that was the 'unique' conclusion given by Kawahara Kensaku, who had just been transferred to the Department of 'special item Management' and was formerly the head of the research team.
Kojimagawa highly suspected that the fox-faced, middle-aged, sinister man had gone insane from frequently coming into contact with 'secret rites'.
The one percent possibility given by Kawahara Kensaku was that the target had a chance of being a non-Ritualist. According to White Torch's description, this possibility was valid.
But Kojimagawa didn't think so... Ha, a non-Ritualist?
To fabricate such irresponsible words just to show off—he really deserves to be friends with White Torch.
The absurd one percent.
Looking at the man lost in thought, Sen Getsusa grew a little impatient: "Special Police Officer, sir, may we leave?"
"I'm a little hungry."
"Furthermore, for such a major decision, shouldn't we have the right to go back, discuss it, grab a bite, run a dungeon, sing some karaoke, and then make a decision?"
Of course.
—No.
As long as he killed or controlled these two people, he could confirm their identities. Once their identities were clear and filtered against the database, this organization would be transparent to the authorities.
The Equilibrium Sect is not the Masquerade Ball, and there shouldn't be a second 'Any Door'.
The man sneered, letting out his frustration.
The necessary procedure was complete. It was time for Kojimagawa to reveal his true intentions: "I cannot let two murderers leave."
"Barrier Master, accept the proposal, unlock your Ability, and surrender."
"Or... wage war against the authorities."
The man subtly provoked them, raising an eyebrow: "I assume not all of you want to oppose the authorities, right?"
Kojimagawa didn't care how many people were in the Equilibrium Sect, but surely not everyone would go down the path of no return and dare to confront the authorities head-on.
Unfortunately, he didn't know that 'everyone' was already surrounded by them.
During a lull in the conversation, Yuno Gasai suddenly interjected: "We have never held a chaos ritual, nor have we harmed innocent people."
"Those Contactees who were killed all had countless lives on their hands."
—Do those things matter?
Kojimagawa shook his head.
What if they hurt ordinary people? It didn't matter if they violated regulations, as long as they grasped the hand of immense power reaching down from above...—The so-called ultimate, unforgivable sin.
—It's because you chose good, you garbage organization.
—To gain the support of conglomerates and the government, Japan's sole organization for salvation and maintaining peace must be run by the authorities.
"As long as you disband and join the Ritual Institute, I can offer you some official assistance..."
Even while advising, the man's tone was still full of mockery: "Even if you don't need it, doesn't anyone else in your organization need it?"
"Is it okay for you to make decisions for them like this?"
Sen Getsusa turned her head to look beside her: "Is it okay?"
Yuno Gasai nodded obediently: "Hai, no problem."
Sen Getsusa turned back: "No problem."
Kojimagawa:...It seems... The man's left hand, hidden behind his back, quietly made a gesture. Then, he slowly retreated without a trace, speaking soothingly:
"Alright, no problem. Then let's discuss something else..."
Retreating, retreating.
Finally, one of the team members pulled the trigger!
Bang!
Clang—!
The scalpel precisely sliced the bullet coming from behind her!
Before the surrounding muzzles could spit out fire, Sen Getsusa raised both hands level and opened her palms.
"Earth!"
Dimensional Manipulation!
Boom—
The muddy ground began to ripple, and four thick earthen walls quickly rose up, completely enveloping the two people.
Bang bang bang!
Gunshots crisscrossed densely, and huge explosive sounds came from all directions, hitting the earthen wall, sending dust and mud flying!
Yuno Gasai was held in place by Sen Getsusa.
"Wait for me, okay."
Just as she spoke, Yuno Gasai's fingers passed through Sen Getsusa's intersecting barrier and precisely grasped the girl's slender wrist.
Looking up, the girl removed her mask, stood on her tiptoes, and pressed her soft, warm lips against Sen Getsusa's forehead.
A brief touch before parting.
"Be careful."
"..." Sen Getsusa was stunned.
After two seconds of stillness, the black-haired girl mumbled a response, then swung her arms, turning and lifting her leg like a stiff puppet.
Clinging to the girl's flushed ear, Arrietty watched the whole show unfold perfectly.
"Hehe, Your Majesty the Queen..."
"Arrietty, I don't want to hear you talk right now."
"Oh... but is this'same-hand, same-foot' walking style some kind of latest fighting stance?"
"Shut up."
"Ara ara, Your Majesty the Queen..."
"Don't imitate Senior Kasumigaoka."
"Oh, that pink Little Darling..."
"Shut up."
"Ara ara, embarrassed..."
"Arrietty!"
The Little Sprite giggled, swinging its legs back and forth in Sen Getsusa's hair: "I still prefer that girl named Kasumigaoka..."
"Your Majesty the Queen, what about you?"
"Your Majesty the Queen?"
"Your—Ma—jes—ty—the—Queen—"
A hand quickly shot up and covered the bulging part within the black hair!
Following a cry of pain, the tiny, sharp sensation of little teeth biting a finger began to appear densely.
"Mmm... let go of me!"
"Even the Queen cannot restrain her subject's free heart that loves to watch a spectacle!"
Sen Getsusa kept a straight face. Not only did she not move her hand, but she started rubbing quickly: "I'll give you one more chance."
The good Little Sprite refused to yield even unto death! Arrietty angrily scolded her Queen: "Let go of me quickly... you beautiful girl!"
Sen Getsusa: →_→ Cowardly brat.
"I don't need you this time, hide well."
After pinching the Little Sprite's cheek a few times, and while it was making fierce, clawing expressions, Sen Getsusa silently drew two scalpels, her expression returning to calm.
"Hold tight."
Sen Getsusa gripped the sharp blades, tensed her body, and leaned forward—
Bang!
Mud splashed!
Grabbing Sen Getsusa's soft black hair, Arrietty screamed excitedly!
"Woohoo! R-R-R-R-Roller coaster ha ha ha—"
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