A black and white pairing of chocolate and cream, it was undoubtedly the most perfect combination for a pastry. At least, after tasting it, Riku felt it was the ultimate match. It had to be savored slowly.
It was a pity, though. Such a pastry should be paired with black tea, but for now, there was no suitable drink to accompany it.
Regarding this, Rika Minami, who had prepared the snacks, patted her chest and declared that she would take care of it. No joke, as one of the pastry chefs, how could Rika Minami allow such a major oversight?
As for Shizuka Marikawa, who was also technically a pastry chef?
'Sigh...' She was still over there in her own world, chanting "Maka Baka." One could not rely on her.
Pastries and black tea. Rika Minami was confident she could find the perfect blend. As for how long it would take, that was hard to say. She could only take it slow. Regardless, until then, Rika would fulfill her duty as a pastry chef by baking this "black and white" treat to perfection.
"The taste is really good," Riku praised Rika Minami's skill as he tasted the perfectly baked chocolate and cream pastry.
He never expected that the valiant and cool Rika Minami, who did not look like the type to step into a kitchen, would have such a talent.
"When you live alone, you have to learn to take care of yourself. I cannot exactly rely on Shizuka, can I?" Rika Minami said with a smile, resting a hand on her hip.
Riku agreed with that. One truly could not depend on a natural airhead like Shizuka Marikawa, who spent her days in a "Maka Baka" daze.
Exquisite pastries and black tea made for a perfect afternoon tea.
"Mr. Riku!"
At that moment, Saeko Busujima's voice rang in Riku's ear.
Riku tapped his ear, and a multi-functional earpiece resembling an Akasha Terminal, named the "Radiant Jade Machine" by Alice, manifested. For now, it only possessed the function of cross-universe communication. Riku had not had the time to develop more features, but it was sufficient for the moment.
"Saeko, what is it?" Riku asked.
"Mr. Riku," Saeko Busujima continued, "I am here at the Sanctuary. Saga wants me to retrieve the Triangulum Silver Cloth and become the Triangulum Silver Saint. Should I accept?"
That was right. Saeko Busujima had been sent by Riku into the [Saint Seiya] Universe.
As for the arrangements, they were very simple. After Riku arranged an identity for her, Saeko displayed staggering talent that caught the eye of the Sanctuary. In just about one year, she had already progressed to the level of becoming a Silver Saint.
As for the Cloths, in reality, aside from the Gold Cloths, the other Silver and Bronze Cloths were scattered across various locations on the Earth.
The Earth! In the [Saint Seiya] world, that planet was not just "Earth," but the land left behind from the Age of Myth. This was why Gold Saints could treat planets like glass beads in outer space, yet their destructive power seemed much more limited while on the Earth.
Back to the point. Most Cloths were scattered across the Earth, nourished by the planet's natural energy.
"You may," Riku thought for a moment and nodded. "Go ahead and retrieve the Triangulum Silver Cloth."
"Understood!" Saeko Busujima cut the connection. She already knew what she had to do next.
Rika Minami stood with a hand on her hip, looking thoughtful. "Mr. Riku, your plan for Saeko... is not the Capricorn Cloth actually the best fit for her?"
"Correct."
"However," Riku did not deny or hide his intentions, but he did not plan to say much more either. "There is no rush."
It would be meaningless to explain further. What Riku was eyeing was not just the 88 Cloths, those were merely the physical manifestations of the power of the 88 Constellations. What he truly desired were the 88 Constellations themselves. Or perhaps even...
Suffice it to say, he would take it one step at a time.
"A-Xiang, go and call Rei back."
"It is perfect timing. I will take this opportunity to bring you both into the [Saint Seiya] Universe as well." Riku had suddenly thought of something.
Rika Minami was stunned. As she turned to leave, she asked, "Mr. Riku, is it not a bit too early?"
"I will use this chance to have Saeko bring you into the Sanctuary. I will arrange your identities beforehand," Riku explained.
Rika Minami understood immediately. Saeko Busujima was about to become a Silver Saint. Therefore, using the occasion of retrieving the Triangulum Silver Cloth to bring back two talented individuals to the Sanctuary was a perfectly reasonable cover story.
Soon, Rika Minami returned with Rei Miyamoto. Rei's eyes were filled with determination, she clearly knew what was happening.
Riku did not waste words. He stood up and led the two women through the Universe Gate, arriving once more in the [Saint Seiya] Universe.
Upon arrival, a faint, eerie blue light flickered in Riku's eyes. These wisps of light rapidly modified the identities of Rika Minami and Rei Miyamoto.
If he were dealing with a much more powerful entity, Riku certainly would not be able to modify them yet. However, for these two, it was no problem at all. They were not powerful, so this slight fluctuation would not cause any changes within the [Saint Seiya] Universe.
Furthermore, the [Saint Seiya] Universe was not just a single universe, it was a full-fledged multiverse where space and time could be crossed and traversed. This tiny alteration was truly negligible.
***
On the Earth!
Saeko Busujima lowered her right hand like a blade, slowly striking downward. The barrier before her was severed in an instant.
The barrier had three nodes, connected in a triangle. In other words, if the three points were not destroyed simultaneously, the barrier would not break. Yet, with a single "sword" strike, Saeko had severed all three.
As the barrier dissipated, an ancient altar was revealed. Atop the altar sat the Triangulum Silver Cloth.
Saeko Busujima walked toward the Silver Cloth step by step. The moment her palm touched it, a brilliant silver-white light erupted. The Triangulum Silver Cloth split apart and attached itself to Saeko's body.
"So this is the enhancement provided by a Cloth..."
Saeko closed her eyes to quietly sense it. Feeling the boost to her Cosmo and the completely different sensation it brought, she could not help but let out a soft murmur.