A/N : Short chapter before battle chapter.

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I can't believe I'm actually doing this,

Apparently, Maki isn't dragged in yet. After their practice for their new song and parted away with Maki, they actually followed her all the way until her home. Me and Nozomi stay as far as we could— watching them with the Binocular that Kitsune made. We hid behind the park bushes far in front of Maki's house.

"Mmm… Ericchi, I can see through everything…." Nozomi said as she looks through the binoculars.

"See through everything like what?" I asked.

"Well, apparently, none of them dyes their hair. Their hair colors are the same from the root of their hair until the tip, and even hidden hair color too…." Nozomi said.

I don't get it….. why there's hidden hair….?

"Hidden hair?"

"Yup, the one behind their panties…" she said.

"What?" I took the Binocular and try it.

I can see them naked.

"WH-wwhoa!" I quickly took out the two lenses that set in front of the Binocular.

"Hmmm.. does Ericchi like to use this?" Nozomi asked teasingly.

"I-It wasn't my idea! I was just using it…" I said.

"Kitsune is you, you're Kitsune. If you blame Kitsune you're blaming yourself…" Nozomi said.

I can't say that I'm using this to watch her naked.

"W-Well… it supposedly used to see through curtains. Yeah…" I tried to convince her.

"I see….." she smiled at me mischievously.

"I…it works for this, right? We can check on her room from afar…." I said.

She kept quiet and looking at me with her somewhat teasing glance.

"I..I swear I didn't use it for anything else!" I added.

She snatched the lenses off my hand very quickly. Then she began to look at me with those lenses.

"Mmm…. Ericchi looks good… I can see all Ericchi's sexy abs." She said with her face blushing red.

"N…Nozomi…." I tried to cover my sensitive part.

"I can't believe Ericchi keep something like this. Ericchi is a pervert!" she said teasingly as she put down a pair. I want to snatch it but she will see me if I let go my hand now.

"Ah, so two layers of lenses to see someone naked, then one layer of lens for the underwear. That's clever Ericchi!" Nozomi said.

"I….I never thinking like that…." I said.

"No…you have this in you…. Hmm…. Now I wonder if Kitsune can tell me more about Ericchi…." She smiled mischievously again.

"N…No way… haha…." I grinned.

I'll have to make sure Kitsune will never have private time with Nozomi or she might know too much about me… or maybe I shouldn't worry because if I'm on her place, I won't tell a thing.

"I'll keep these lenses, Ericchi…" Nozomi said cheerfully.

"N-no! You can't have it!" I tried to grab it back. She dodged me very quickly.

"I want to have it…" she said teasingly.

"No!" I tried to grab it again, she dodged me again as she did a few steps back.

"I want to!" she said again.

"No!" I tried again, she dodged me.

I keep trying to grab it yet she dodged me very quickly.

"I'd like to see Ericchi naked everyday too!" she said teasingly.

"No!" I still trying to get it back.

"Yes!" she said again.

"I said no!" I charged to her— pinning her on the ground.

"Ah!"

She moaned as she fell on the ground. I tried to reach her hand, grabbing the lenses and place it back into my pocket. I can see her eyes began to get teary. She is using her face as weapon against me again….. sigh…

"Ericchi…. Does Ericchi hate me….?" She pouts sadly.

"N…No… you just… can't have it…" I replied.

She remained quiet but giving me her cute sad face.

"I…..I'll just upgrade your glasses, ok?" I said.

"Really?" she asked cheerfully.

"Yes…. We will visit there by tonight…" I said.

I noticed her eyes look into somewhere for a while before she suddenly smiled,

"Aahh! I love Ericchi!" she shouted as she hugged me tight.

"W..wait..Nozomi, don't do that here!" I tried to wake up from her body but she is somehow too strong for me.

We can't be like this here, what if someone see us? They might be getting a wrong idea especially when I'm on top of her. What if they think I'm harassing her sexually? Not like I really care but still— I'm a student council now. I can't do that!

"Nozomi! Let me go!" I said.

"It's too good! I like Ericchi's warmth!" she said loudly.

"N..Nozomi! You're too loud!"

"Ahh…Ericchi! Please press me more!" she moaned loudly again.

Did she do this in purpose?

"N-Nozomi!"

"It's ok Ericchi! You can keep going!" she said loudly.

What happen here… what's that even mean?

"More Ericchi! More!" she shouted.

"H-Hey! You two! Can't you two be quiet?!" Suddenly Niko showed up from another bush, not so far away from us.

I didn't notice that. I guess your scout skill is too good… way too good for me…

"Aha, got you…" Nozomi smiled. I can feel her grip loosen.

"W…What the heck?" she looks surprised.

I woke up from her, tidy up my clothes and hair.

"What are you doing here, Nikochi?" Nozomi asked as she woke up and tidy herself up too.

"N….None of your business!" she yelled.

"Hmmm… Nikochi… you're suspicious, you know…" Nozomi said.

"W-What about you two? What are you two doing here?!" she yelled at us.

"Having a quick private time, couple stuff…" Nozomi said teasingly.

I don't know what to say now, but she seems to be able to handle this on her own. I can see Niko is out of words as Nozomi said it.

"So, what are you doing here?" Nozomi asked.

"N…None of your business!" she yelled again.

"Then what we going to do is none of your business too…" Nozomi said again before she dragged me into her embrace,

"Please continue to treat me, Ericchi! Let's do it real quick"

"W-What the heck, don't do that! It's disturbing, damn it!" Niko yelled.

"It's none of your business!" Nozomi replied.

"Darn it, alright, I get it…." Niko said.

Nozomi smiled mischievously.

"So what are you doing here and why you insist to be here?" I asked.

"I'm just doing a little look out…." She said.

"Look out for what?" Nozomi asked.

"They came to my clubroom last time…." Niko said.

"And….?"

"I ran away! I know what they're going to tell me!" she said again.

"Do you even listen to them…." I asked.

"I don't need to hear what they're going to say but I'm not going to let them have it! Never!" she said before she ran away.

I wonder what she is actually thinking and what on earth happening now. I assume it's about the idol club… does she not want to let them create the idol club? Why stalking then?

"Hmm… Nikochi… if only you want to listen to them…" Nozomi said.

"I wonder why she stalks them if she won't let them create it. Shouldn't be she is the one who run from them?" I asked.

"Ericchi, that's why you should talk to her sometime… Her logic is amazing…" Nozomi said. I sense sarcasm here.

"You often talk to her?" I asked.

"Not really, she made distance with me so I can't do much…" Nozomi said.

"I see…. Maybe we should tell the others about this…" I said.

"Yup…. But anyway speaking of others… where are they?" Nozomi asked.

Supposedly to be still hiding somewhere around the house, but they're gone….

"I…don't know… I think we're too busy doing something else…." I said.

"I'll give them a call…" Nozomi said as she took out her phone.

I don't know who she calls, but knowing her, she probably call….

"Kotori-chan!" Nozomi greeted.

Guessed so… They're often be on phone for hours at night… talking about whatever related to me— but I never understand a single thing and I just somehow feel like ignoring it.

"Ehh? So she caught you all and forced you to go inside?" Nozomi said.

Oh…. it's either Maki is good or they're just too silly.

"Hmm… I think we'll pass. Just tell us about your talk with her later…" Nozomi said.

They might invite us in, but yes, that's what I will say too. I'm not going in.

"Alright, see you…" Nozomi said.

"So we're going home?" I asked.

"Yup, we are. But there shouldn't be a problem for now. They said they tried to make Maki stand close to a big TV screen but she seems to not getting dragged or anything. Maki can even touch the screen normally too…" Nozomi explained.

"I see, so there's nothing wrong yet…." I said.

"Yup, but we have to make sure she is safe— or at least we know if there's anyone that pushing her in… once we caught the culprit, we might reveal something further about the midnight channel…" Nozomi said.

"I'm looking forward for that day…" I said.

"Me too…" she replied with a sweet smile.

"Now let's go home, Nozomi. I'll make your piroshky…" I said.

"R-really?" she seems to be excited.

"Yup, I promised. Then after that we can go upgrade your glasses…" I said.

"Aaahh! Ericchi! I love you!"

As we returned home,

I made the Piroshky enough for me, Arisa, and Nozomi…

That would be 30 Piroshky…

Nozomi eats a lot… she already ate 9 for lunch, then another 9 for dinner. She said she loves number 9 so much. But it should be fine for her because I also made her do a lot of work out during the day or morning.

"Onee-san! This Piroshky is a lot delicious than before!" Arisa said.

"Thank you…" I smiled at her.

"No wonder Nozomi nee-san eats so much!" she said.

"Yup, Ericchi's Piroshky is delicious!" she replied cheerfully.

"Ah! Onee-san! I wonder if Onee-san counts as parents. I need a sign on my assignment!" Arisa said.

"I can copy papa's sign. That's what I did when I got that kind of assignment…" I said.

"H…Harasho…. But ok, that works! Hang on!" Arisa ran to her room.

Nozomi giggled at me,

"So Ericchi did that too…" Nozomi said.

"You did it too right?" I smiled at her gently.

"Of course, how else we survive alone if we can't copy one of our parents sign…" she said.

We giggled together,

"Living alone was difficult at times, but since we lived together, I feel more living than before…" I said.

"I feel the same too, Ericchi. I really enjoy serving someone especially when that someone is a real hard worker like you…" she said— I can see a hint of blush on her face.

"Then I'll work harder for you so you can be happier." I said.

"Mmm… I feel happier if you keep your balance between work and rest. I'm not saying it's already balanced, you're working a little too much— but if you didn't, then I won't feel Ericchi as Ericchi…" she said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Ericchi always work a little too much, that's why I'm always there to support …" she smiled.

"So you are happy to support me? You're such a selfless person, Nozomi…" I appreciated.

She giggled,

"Ericchi is the most selfless person I know though. Ericchi always work so hard for everyone… Ericchi never think of herself… I really like that part of Ericchi…" she blushed.

"I really like every part of Nozomi…" I said.

I can see her face blushed madly as I said it.

"Ericchi… how could you say that so easily…." She whispered.

"What? It's true. I like all part of you…" I said again. She smiled sweetly,

"Right, you're always stays true to yourself…." She said.

"It's better that way than holding back. Though I know about moderation, don't worry…" I said.

She giggled again.

"You do? I never really notice that— but I guess so since I can see you trying to keep your good image as student councils…" she said teasingly.

"You do that too— and you better keep that!" I said.

"Yup, I know, Ericchi!" she giggled again.

I could hear someone's footsteps.

"Onee-san!" Arisa ran back to us from her room.

"Here you go…" she handed me her assignment.

"Ah-ah! By the way Onee-san! I found this pet shop when I was walking home with Yukiho! They have a Siberian Husky Puppy and it's almost all white like Zefir!" Arisa said.

"Zefir?" Nozomi asked,

"Onee-san had a Siberian husky, his name is Zefir, he is big and cuddly…" Arisa said.

Hmmm… that's a little painful to remember him, but I don't blame her. She didn't know about his death.

"Oh… if you're thinking to buy a puppy, I don't think we can do that. This house is too small and we both are too busy to take care of him…" Nozomi said.

Thanks, Nozomi.

"True…. I guess we can't purchase him then…" Arisa seems to be gloomed.

"But, if you like, we can pay a visit to that shop and play with him…" Nozomi said.

"Good idea!" Arisa said as she returned to her cheerful face again.

"We can do that now if you like…." Nozomi said.

"Eh? Now? Really?" Arisa asked.

"Nozomi, aren't we promised to…." I stopped— I hope she know what I mean.

"That can wait, Ericchi. I want to see the puppy more than that…." she smiled at me.

"Alright then, let me sign this and we can go there to check him out…"

We all decided to go to the pet shop that Arisa said,

I can see the Siberian Husky puppy that Arisa talked about running around the display box. He does really looks like Zefir— but smaller version since Zefir puppy was a lot bigger than this. He is very energetic and playful too.

"See? He really looks like Zefir!" Arisa said.

"Yup, he is…" I smiled at her.

I keep my eye on him, I could see him looking back at me cheerfully and barking as if he is calling me to go closer to him. I decided to approach him and he wags his tails cheerfully, I could even see his paws trying to reach me behind the glass wall.

He looks really eager to try to reach me, what a cute thing.

"He wants to play with Onee-san!" Arisa said.

"I think so…" I replied.

"Does Ericchi want to play with him?" Nozomi asked.

I smiled at them, then turning back to the white puppy. I put my finger on the glass wall, then moving it around in a circle motion. His head began to follow my finger.

"Aahh! So cute! Ericchi playing with a puppy!" Nozomi squealed.

"Aahhh! Onee-san! I want to play with him too!" Arisa said as she approached me.

I pulled my hand off the glasses, then Arisa tried to do the same with me— but he didn't take interest on her at all.

"He doesn't want to play with me…" Arisa pouts.

I grab Arisa's hand, then put my finger above hers,

"Ah…." Arisa noticed that he began to take an interest again.

I made a motion along with Arisa's finger. He followed it again.

"He is so cute, Onee-san!" Arisa said cheerfully.

"Yup, he is…" I said again.

"Ah, finally… customer…" the store owner said.

"Oh, sorry, we're just browsing around…" I said as I stood up to face him.

"Really? I thought you want that puppy…" he said.

"Well, I do, but we don't have enough space for him…." I replied.

The store owner smirked wryly as he scratches his own head. Looks like he is troubled…

"Is there any trouble?" I asked.

"Well… that puppy has been here for like two months, but no one interested in him because he ignore almost everyone…" he said.

"But… that puppy didn't ignore Ericchi…." Nozomi said.

"Exactly, that's why I thought you will want to buy him…" he replied.

We remained quiet. I don't know what to say too in this case.

"Ah! What about this. Can you work here until that puppy sold? I think you might be able to make him looks interesting for customer…" he asked.

That's not a bad idea, I can have extra money too.

"I might can work on that, but I'm pretty busy myself. Can we work that out later?" I asked.

"Sure, I'm not going to force you…" he replied.

"I'll be back later…" I said.

He smiled at me.

"Arisa, Nozomi, let's go home now…" I said to them.

"Ok!"

The next day, around afterschool,

I still can see Maki at school. I really wonder why it takes so long for the culprit to kidnap her, maybe it because she is good herself. I wonder what Arcana she possess though. Nozomi didn't say much but she is pretty sure her problem is about an important choice.

I decided to approach Maki who was about to go to the music room.

"Maki…" I called.

She turned at me.

"What?"

"Do you have any trouble?" I asked.

"Huh? No?" she looks confused.

"If you have any trouble, please call me…." I said.

"Is this anything related to the idol club?" Maki asked.

"Not exactly, but perhaps it's about music?" I said.

"Huh? What you can do about music…?" she asked.

"I'm an ex-guitarist, also an ex-dancer… I know music… I might able to help you out." I said.

She remained quiet for a while before she turned away.

"You don't know me…" she said as she walks away from me.

I guess that approach is no good. Should've brought Nozomi with me for this… I know I'm not very good at approaching someone.

I went back to my student council room,

Nozomi is already working on some of our daily paper works.

"Ah, Ericchi! You're finally here…" she said.

"I thought you went to meet up with Honoka?"

"Yup, I did. They said they're going to have practice today too, so we shouldn't be worried about Maki-chan…" she said.

"I met her at first floor, she went to the music room…" I said.

"They said about that too. Maki is just going to take her music sheet that she left at the school piano…"

"I see…"

"Does Ericchi still worried about her?" Nozomi asked.

"Well, the splitting into two parts worries me. Though she seems to be alright until now…" I replied.

"It's scary, yes. I don't want to imagine that to be happened…" Nozomi replied.

"I'm pretty sure we have to act as fast as we can to get her… though I'm still wondering about where it's going to be…" I said.

"I saw a room that looks like clinic… perhaps it has anything to do with that?" Nozomi asked.

"The clinic, huh? That might be, but why would Maki want to go to clinic?" I asked.

"I heard her family run a clinic…." Nozomi said.

"Ah, I see…. Hmm….."

Then the decision might be something about clinic and music…. Hmm… did she get some kind of pressure about that? What can I do to approach her?

"You shouldn't worry about that now, Ericchi. Let's wait until the culprit made their moves. If you keep your eyes like that— I doubt they will make any move…" Nozomi said.

"But we want to catch the culprit….?"

"Leave that to the others. They know her more than you right now…" Nozomi said again.

"True…"

"Let's just work these, Ericchi. We should finish this so we can relax and act if needed…"

After we finished the daily paper, we decided to go back home.

On the way out from school, we saw Maki sat on the bench near a big tree. I wonder what she is actually doing there…

"Maki…" I called her. Maki turned her eyes to me.

"I've been waiting for you…" she said as she stood up.

I gestured to her to make her sit back down before I and Nozomi walk to the bench and sat next to her.

"I have a question…" she said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It was just happened to me recently, I feel like someone is following me around— though they never show up. Whenever they're close, I feel myself question about what I supposed to do for my future…" she said.

"I believe you're not ready to tell the details, right?" I said.

She shook her head.

"No, I'm not ready yet, but I want to ask you— you said you're an ex-guitarist and an ex-dancer…. Then you said you know music…. But do you like them?" she asked.

"I do…" I replied.

"Why is it so easy for you to leave what you love? Are you truly loves them?" she asked again.

"I think love is not about possession, it's more about feeling…" I replied.

She remained quiet— might be in her deep thought.

"Sometime we have to let them be free— so that they never lose their charm. Just like a flower…" I said.

"I see…."

"I really like music and dancing a lot, but I have a responsibility— so I left them and work on what I supposed to do. Because I know when I got time to return to them— I'll be really happy and enjoy it more than anything else…" I added.

I can see Maki's faint smile.

"But if you're going to ask what to do, I can't tell you anything because it supposed to be your decision..." I continued.

I can see her sighed weakly.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"That's it. I'm going home…" she said as she stood up.

"Be careful on your way…" I said.

She just nodded quietly before leaving.

"She is a little too hard to approach..." I commented.

I can hear Nozomi giggled,

"What?"

"Nothing, it just that it's funny to hear it from you..." she said.

"Huh?"

"Nothing, Ericchi, let's go home!"

We took a long path to home today,

Nozomi usually enjoy the longer path because it's more refreshing than the shorter path, especially when she could see the refreshing river on the side of the road. I often ask her if she want to stay around there for a while, though she often refuses because she also has an urge to reach home.

Just today though, she suddenly asked me to stop by the river to see what fishes that existed around here. She said she wanted to buy an aquarium for our home since Arisa might want to have a pet around.

"Ericchi-Ericchi!" she called me.

"Yes?"

"Look! Catfish!" she said as she pointed to a catfish that swim around the edge.

"Looks tasty…" I said.

"Mmmm! I didn't mean it for food, but Arisa might like that because it looks so weird!" she said cutely.

"We can just buy the one in the pet shop, they're usually prettier…" I said.

"Well, it is, but Arisa must be more excited if she could play here and catch a fish— the pride is different, Ericchi!" she said.

"You want to catch fish?"

"Of course! Let's do that with Arisa though…"

"Alright…. I guess I'll have to buy a net and bucket…" I said.

Nozomi nodded cheerfully.

"Ericchi is a real good papa!" she said as she held my hand.

"Why papa…."

"Because if I'm the mama, Ericchi has to be the papa!" she said again.

She is really into playing house with Arisa…what a dorky girl.

"Hmm… alright then, mama, let's stop by supermarket too to buy ingredients for dinner…" I said teasingly.

She looks so happy as I said it though…

"Call me that again, Ericchi!" she said.

"Mama?"

"Yes, papa?" she replied with shy face.

That's embarrassing and awkward. I don't want to do that.

"I rather call you Nozomi! I like spelling your name…" I said.

"Oh? Then— I'm fine with that, I'll call you Ericchi!" she said.

"Yes, that's a lot better…" I replied.

She embraced my arms.

"Let's just go now— Arisa should be waiting at home for our return!" she said cheerfully.

Supermarket,

Nozomi and I browse around for ingredients, she seems to be very hyper again today. She is actually walking around the area so wildly, checking for discount and other thing, even purchasing for our daily needs such as shampoo and soap, then also dragging me around to check on some vegetables, not to forget about the meat.

"Ericchi! We should buy meat!"

"None of them is good today…" I said.

"Mmm…. It's good enough for me…" she pouts.

"Remember, I don't want you to eat like a scavenger. Those meats aren't as fresh anymore. We should wait for their restock…" I said.

"T-Then! What about mushrooms?" she asked.

"No, those mushrooms are not worth it. Too expensive, you can buy meat in that price…" I said.

"Vegetables?" she asked.

"Some are good, but what do you want to cook with it?" I asked.

"Uhhh…. Vegetable soup?"

"Alright— but I doubt you will eat much. Let's browse for fishes…" I said.

We walked to the fish counter. They have live fish stock. Their fishes look fresh today.

"Welcome! Welcome! Live fishes for dinner, miss?" the worker said.

"Uhh! Ericchi! I don't know how to choose fish…" she said.

The worker laughed.

"Many don't— but we can guarantee our fish is clean and fresh!" he said.

"Alright, let me pick some then…" I said.

"You're going to get it on your own? Then here is the net…" he handed me a net. I wonder why I just suddenly get this, but I guess this works.

I approached the big aquarium. I can see a few type of fishes. They're all active too. This would be a little difficult, but choosing live fish is a lot more difficult than the frozen one— but it's supposed to have better result when cooked or eaten raw.

I could see one strange looking fish— I never really see the type before but it looks like a salmon with strange pattern on its body. The fish is rather quiet, but I can see it looks like a tough fish. Is it the leader of these active fish or something? But either way, I have to go pick on some fish for our dinner.

"Alright— which one of you is healthy and fresh…" I said as I lift my sleeve up.

Suddenly, I could see the strange fish turned its eyes to me— then for whatever reason, the other active fishes just jumped into my net. At first it was only one, but then it followed by the others, even the eel too.

"W-what?"

"Eehh?! Ericchi! We can't eat that much!" Nozomi said.

"Whoa— Miss! You're really going to buy that much?!"

"N-No way! What happen here! They just jumped into my net!" I said as I tried to hold the net— the fish keep jumping into my net and some even already in the floor, yet the one on the floor also still insisted to jump back again to my net.

What's happening here?

"Ericchi, you surely have a strange magic with you!" Nozomi said.

The only person with strange magic is her since she can use her magic in real world...not me.

"N-No way?! Did you do anything to them Nozomi?!"

"Ahh! Ericchi might be too charming even for the fishes!" Nozomi totally ignored my question.

"N-Nozomi?! Tell me what's happening here?!" I'm still trying to put back some fishes into the aquarium along with the workers who start coming into the place to help me out. These fishes are wild… some even start to try to get into my pocket.

"Don't be greedy Ericchi! You already have me, you shouldn't pick on anything else especially animal…" Nozomi said,

I get a feeling she is actually doing something to these fishes… or maybe it was that leader fish?

Either way— How do I get out of this situation?

Night time at our home,

We ended to buy some of the fishes after all the hard work to put back the fishes, told the leader fish that I just need some of the best, and apologize for the incident to the workers. Since the fishes are actually fresh, we decided to prepare sushi. Nozomi seems to be really clever at this, it's like she is very used to use knife too. I wonder where she learned it, but either way, the sushi was great. I chose the correct fishes.

Arisa never really eat raw stuff like this, but she seems to be able to enjoy the food.

"Harasho… I didn't know raw stuff can be this good…" Arisa said.

"It's about picking the best catch— Ericchi did it great! It's like she has some kind of instinct or something…or maybe it just that she is so clever and charming like a fox." Nozomi said. Arisa giggled to it,

"That remind me, Onee-san has a nick name, did Nozomi know that?" Arisa asked.

She somehow guessed it before but I never really tell her that it was actually my nick name.

"No… what's her nick name?" Nozomi asked.

"Cute and Clever, Elichika!" Arisa said in a cheerful tone.

"Ahh! So cute! But I think I used to call her that before— but I said it Ericchika!" she said cheerfully too.

"Cute and Clever, Ericchika? That works too!" Arisa replied.

Suddenly, a phone call coming by on Nozomi's cellphone, she accepted it.

"Evening, Kotori-chan. What's up?" Nozomi asked.

I couldn't really know what she is saying, but I can hear that she sounded panic.

"Oh… got it. I'll tell Ericchi…" Nozomi said calmly.

I could hear Kotori said something again, but Nozomi just closed the phone.

"What is it, Nozomi?" I asked

"It's about Maki-chan. We should talk about this privately…" Nozomi said.

We looked at Arisa for a while.

"I'm sorry Arisa, we will talk to you later…" I said.

"It's alright, Onee-san!" she said cheerfully.

We went to our main bedroom,

"Maki-chan isn't returning to her home safely." Nozomi said.

"She is gone?"

Nozomi nodded weakly.

"Her family is worried about her already— knowing her as daughter of rich family, I believe they will start looking, but Kotori told them that she is staying over Rin's place tonight…"

"Way to make lies, but if that means she is already inside— how do we finds her? We don't know where she was kidnaped."

"Hanayo might be able to find her…" Nozomi said.

I could hear Arisa called us before we also could hear someone running towards our room.

"Senpai! Help me Nya!" Rin opened the door roughly.

"W-what?"

"Maki-chan's family called me— They thought Maki-chan is hiding on my place, Nya!" she cried.

You should thanks to Kotori for that.

"What to do Nya?! They will think I kidnaped her nya!" she gets panic.

"Calm down— we can save her tonight.." Nozomi said.

"Tonight? Isn't this a little bit late?" I asked.

"We have to hurry up for this one before their family reports her as missing and blame Rin-chan…" Nozomi said.

"Please-help nya!" Rin cried again.

"Ah well. Call everyone then, we should save her…" I said.

"Onee-san…."

Ah, I forgot about her being here. I shouldn't have said a thing…

"Arisa…. Please go to your bedroom…" I said.

Arisa nodded,

"Yup, good luck, Onee-san!"

She said as she turned around and ran down to her bedroom.

Did she know about this? How?

"Looks like someone already know about something— but either way, Ericchi. I'm going to call everyone…" Nozomi said.

We called everyone,

Then we're all straight to the other world through my Television. Apparently, Hanayo can scout for specific energy and it proved to be somewhat effective as she can lead us to where the power source is.

"Maki-chan…Maki-chan….Maki-chan…." Hanayo mumbled as she keeps walking in front of us with her persona.

I can feel the weather suddenly changed to winter.

"Snows…." Honoka said.

"Ah-ah! I should put on the winter costume!" Kotori said as she projected the winter costume to us all.

"Waaah. This is so cute, Kotori-senpai!" Rin said cheerfully.

"Yup, I made it special for you all!" Kotori said cheerfully.

"Ericchi is so sexy either way…" Nozomi giggled. She is already wearing her upgraded glasses. Kitsune added a small switch on her glasses so she can switch the mode whenever she wants— but I know Nozomi would always use the minus one layer mode.

"Ah, rabbit! That's cute, Umi-chan!" Nozomi said.

"R-Rabbit?" Umi flustered.

"You mean Sachi-chan? Yeah she is a cute rabbit!" Kotori said. Sachi is turning her head away shyly.

I tried to wear switch my glasses too to check on what actually Nozomi see. I can see Umi is wearing a white panty with cute rabbit picture on the back side. Well… that's cute, Umi… didn't know you're into that kind of panty.

I tried to check on the others, though most of them are wearing common design, only Kotori and Nozomi wear fashionable underwear. Well, I do too because I just somewhat like it— but it's more like because I love most kind of arts, even tailoring.

Hmm… maybe I'm just trying to convince myself that I'm not a pervert…

I switched my glasses back to the normal mode. I like this upgrade too since it's less obvious than the previous glasses. No one will know if I've been looking at their underwear.

Well… it's somewhat useful…

Anyway, Hanayo keep going forward until we stopped at a big house— we don't know whose house is this but the model is somewhat looks alike with Maki's house. The house is mostly decorated with music note pattern everywhere, then there's also some red and white ribbon, golden bell, gift box, and…. Hmm…. Why do this house Christmas themed? It's still spring in the real world…

"Woah… it's beautiful…" Honoka appreciated.

"This….is…where M…Maki-chan is….." Hanayo looks a little surprised.

"This place is really beautiful, nya!" Rin said.

"Winter Wonderland…" Kotori said— sound like she read something.

Everyone turned their sight to where Kotori look at.

There's a big sign say: Welcome to the Winter Wonderland, everyone is on the house.

Sounds like she is a generous person at heart…

"What does that sign mean, Nya?" Rin asked.

"I don't really understand it… but it sounds like a friendly greeting…" Kotori said.

"We have to go save her real quick…" I said as I changed my Arcana to The Moon. I began to be able to feel the power from inside… but… something is weird here. Why do I feel two power sources?

"Ah…. I feel like someone else is here…" Nozomi said.

"Same, I can feel it too…" I replied.

"I feel it too, but… the other one seems to be calmer while the other is a little agitated…" Hanayo said.

"Could it be… Maki-chan already split into two?" Kotori said in horror.

"Noooo! No-no-no! Don't think like that! Let's get going shall we?!" Umi said.

"Let's split into two group, Hanayo, Kotori, and Honoka, please go find the calm power source, I and the rest go to find the agitated one since it would be a lot easier to detect…" I said.

"Got it, let's go everyone!" Honoka said.

"W-wait!" Hanayo said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I…I need something to contact Nozomi-senpai…." Hanayo said.

"Oh, right, Ericchi, can you make something for all of us to contact each other?" Nozomi asked.

"Walkie-talkie?"

"Might works, but perhaps you can make it more simples so we don't have to use our hand to hold it around?" Nozomi said.

"Then, give me Kitsune all of your glasses, let her upgrade it…" I said.

Everyone gave their glasses to Kitsune. I added earphones and microphone on the glasses so it may works as Walkie-talkie. They just need to do a small switch to turn it on. Mine and Nozomi's glasses would be a little tricky since we both have that extra function, but at least no one know about it.

I hope Nozomi keep quiet about it too… sometime she is talking too much.

"Alright, we're all ready to go…" Honoka said loudly on the microphone. She seriously needs to lower her power usage sometime. The pain is direct hit on our ears.

"Ouch! Honoka! Don't talk too loud!" Umi said.

Kitsune quickly adjusted Honoka's microphone.

"That hurts nya…." Rin said.

"Honoka-chan…. My ears hurt." Kotori whined.

"Hehe…I'm sorry…" Honoka scratched her head shyly.

"Now-now, we should hurry up and find this Maki-chan, right?" Nozomi said.

"Yup, let's get going!" Honoka said again. The volume is just right. I guess we're all ready to go.

"Yeah!" everyone answered with enthusiasm.

We all decided to enter the house. I wonder what kind of challenge we have this time?

A/N : yup, that's it! Gonna work on battle scene.

Oh by the way.

I got a lot of PM and request to make KotoUmi fan fiction (too much so I can't deny everyone). I already got an idea for it but its going to be another AU. Kotori as Alchemist xD (Atelier Series reference) . But Its hard for me to not make NozoEri since they're basically my OTP. (I think I'm obsessed to them)

So I'm going to add it just as background pairing and its not going to be just hint like how I do KotoUmi, NikoMaki, RinPana in NozoEri fan fiction. The pairing of NozoEri will be so loud and clear lol.

but I'm not going to do it now. I'll be focusing to finish this one first.