AN:

Who would've thought after 152 pages of word document, the file would start acting all glitchy? I had to start a new word doc in order to salvage whatever was left of the old one, so that was my reasoning for the delay as well as few rewriting on this chapter.

May 17 20XX

Lunchtime

Unease sat at the pit of her stomach, feeling her back weighed down.

It's been two days.

It shouldn't be a surprise for agents to go without contact for long periods of time. But when Thomas spoke of how Chamomile wasn't the type who'd do things without informing him was enough for the team to feel anxious.

Mira folded her arms on her desk, staring out into the window.

She hadn't noticed it before, but whenever Chamomile was around, the entire room had always been more energetic than usual. Thomas often found the mood to exchange jabbing comments between each other like they were best friends. For most cases, the two Spring siblings often dominated the floor with conversations.

To have Chamomile-san missing-

Thomas was now a little more on-edge. William was frantic. Tinders even seemed troubled at the current circumstances. But most of all, the stoic Reina seemed more irritable the very moment she realised her teammate hadn't come home. So much to a point where Cobe had to take extra measures to calm the raven-girl down.

Mira didn't even realise it herself until now, but the team just didn't feel the same without that sunny girl's disposition. Despite how outspoken or overly-energetic Chamomile appeared to be.

Not to mention, orders from Tokyo HQ made a sudden request for a change of plans regarding their current mission. Though there hadn't been any further announcement to elaborate why this was happening, she couldn't help but feel anxious about the disruption.

Then there was also the issue that came up when she decided to search into Shido's profile. It became apparent that due to her low rank as a footman insider, details of his background were locked out. She hadn't brought it up to Akechi just yet, nor has she discussed what he had asked of her with Tinders either. The issue itself should not have bothered too much, but in the back of her mind, something definitely didn't feel right.

"…to"

"Saito-san."

The agent jerked a little at the light tap on her head, bringing her to look up.

"Oh, Akechi…san," she sighed a little at the sight of the ace detective standing before her desk.

"Is everything alright? It's been five minutes since lunch started."

"Uh, yeah," Mira nodded, standing up from her seat and grabbed the bag that hung at her desk.

"…Saito, that's your school bag," he pointed.

She glanced at the object and indeed it was her school bag instead of her bento.

"Oh," Mira then hung her bag back, grabbing the wrapped bento box from inside. "So, shall we go?"

Akechi said nothing, but nodded as they made their strides out of the classroom. Just as she passed her classmates by, she glanced over at Tsukino who, seemed to act a little less energetic than before.

…I wonder how Tsukino-san is doing?

Despite the freak incident that occurred on the previous week, Tsukino managed to come back to school as if it never happened. But ever since the slap from Iba and her saving her classmate from getting kidnapped, it seemed that their attitude towards Mira now lay dormant.

Despite Mira's acting ability, the more Goro spent time with her, the more transparent she was.

Did I expect too much from her?

Goro half-expected her to decline his request, but since the day she accepted it; she seemed more and more exhausted by the day. He felt a little guilty, remembering this girl also had her other occupation to deal with. It wouldn't feel right if he knew he had a contributed more to her current fatigue.

Since they were dating, he'd at least expect her to open herself up a little more. But so far, she hasn't said anything.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

"Hmm?" she raised her head absent-mindedly.

"You're not pushing yourself too hard, are you?"

"I don't think I am," she tilted her head. "…Thank you, though. For asking."

The two of them were sitting on the rooftop against the fence as usual, this time however, she seemed more distracted. Despite her bento box open, she hadn't lifted her chopsticks at all.

Even after he consumed his lunch in silence, the girl still didn't move, as it became apparent, she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. A small well of mischief came to mind, bringing him to hand-pick a stray tomato from the corner of her lunchbox.

"Hey!" she flinched as he swiped the food off of her.

"Thank you for the meal," Goro ate the piece with a small triumph.

She gave him a sour look. "What was that for?"

"You haven't touched your food, so I thought you weren't feeling hungry," his words earned him a glower from her. "From the looks of things, I'm guessing things haven't been progressing very well in your end."

Mira paused for a moment, then began eating her meal quickly.

"I… well, I guess you can put it in that way," she said once she had finished. "I'm sorry. I technically don't have an excuse, but… a few things came up."

The agent then began to iterate what she had found, specifically the matter regarding her investigations on Shido.

"So, in the end, someone of your rank can't access Shido's personal profile," Goro found that particularly suspicious.

He then held his chin in thought.

Could it be possible-

"…someone he's affiliated with might be part of your organisation?" he said aloud.

Mira dropped her chopsticks.

"…That can't be right…" she made an uncomfortable laugh. "Can it?"

"I only have a vague idea of how the SGI operates, but it could be a possibility," the detective continued.

"Wait-wait, Akechi," she waved his hand to stop. "I couldn't access his profile simply because I'm just a low ranked agent. It happens sometimes. It's too soon to make those conclusions based on that alone…"

She then paused, then lowered her head.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Sorry. I know you might've expected too much from me." -she then raised her gaze at him- "But, I'll see what I could do other than rely on the archives. There are other things alternatives, after all."

Seeing the determined look on her brown eyes gave him a bit more depth in understanding this girl before him. When given a little bit of kindness, she'd be the type who'd reward someone tenfold.

That is a little worrisome.

"Don't push yourself too hard," Goro rested his hand over hers. "And don't get yourself caught by Shido or one of his associates. And if he does… there's no guarantee what he'd do to eliminate any potential threats."

Don't make him make me stain my hands with your blood.

She eyed his hand and moved her own so that she could entwine her fingers with his. He noted how nimble her fingers were than his own, but were more calloused than his.

"I'll… try," she said timidly. "But as I said before I can't guarantee the results."

"Hmph," he scoffed, unconsciously lifting the corners of his mouth. "I'll look forward to it, Mira."

The agent's face grew red, as he felt her fingers moistened with a little sweat. He'd have to admit, this version of Mira was by far the most amusing to watch thus far.

"Too much?" he asked smugly.

"How do you keep calm while saying my given name so casually?" she covered her red face with the back of her free hand.

"Don't tell me, did you fall for me just then?"

"…You sadist, messing with me again."

"I can't help that," he grinned. "You're just too fun to tease."

Mira's face fell at the sound of the warning bell, signalling the end of lunchtime.

"Looks like we have to go," she said, picking up her fallen utensils and began packing her things.

He stood up to brush off any bits that clung to his clothes. When he offered his hand to her, she stared at it for a few seconds before she took it. As he helped her up, a question came to mind;

"Apart from my request," he began. "Did something happen, recently? As far as I've known you, I haven't seen you this low in a while now."

His girlfriend gave him a strange look, then blushed as she lowered her head. The unexpected reaction puzzled him.

"…need a hug…" she murmured so quietly, he almost missed it.

"Sorry, I didn't catch that," he said.

"No, never mind. It's nothing," she quickly said, her face was now red to the ears.

Feeling that spike of mischief, he drew closer. "Mi-ra… I didn't hear what you said earlier, so could you repeat that?"

"…I need a hug…" she said, hanging her head low. "…I'm just a little overwhelmed by everything at the moment…"

Goro shook his head hopelessly, not realising how much he found this side of her endearing.

"What am I to do with you," he chuckled, drawing her closer so that he could wrap his arms around her shoulders. "You should've been a little more honest."

"…" with her smaller frame, she managed to fit snuggly in his arms that she leaned in, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Noting her silence could only mean she still wasn't comfortable enough to be more open with him. Unconsciously, he cradled her head as he pressed his cheek on the top of her hair.

He didn't know why, but there was an underlying frustration he felt towards her. Her reserved nature merely gave him only smidges of herself, whilst, she had already known half of his life story and his current predicament. How does someone give him so much about herself, yet show so little of her true thoughts?

Oh. Now I understand.

His chest panged at the realisation.

To this person, I-

"…Goro…"

He stared down at her, surprised at the sound of his name from her lips. "Yes?"

"Sorry," she said. "…I just wanted to try and say it."

I swear. She is a handful. He sighed.

May 19 20XX

"You can't be serious!"

Thomas slammed his two hands on Daichi Saito's Desk.

"Our hands are already full, handling this code red," he pointed at the file on the desk. "And now you're asking us to divide our team even further?!"

"Thomas, know your place," Linda grabbed her subordinate's shoulder to pull him back.

Second officer Saito kept a stoic appearance despite the Starcatcher's outburst. As much as Linda saw Thomas's point, she knew better than to challenge the authority of the old veteran's position.

"The circumstances have changed," the veteran said. "Either we demand three of your members to join the Homura operative, or you'll agree on a joint operation until they have fulfilled their objective."

"Officer Saito," Linda took a step forward. "Pardon for my insubordination for asking, but I thought you know better than anyone else of the ramifications of what you are asking. This is the Homura operative. The team responsible for your granddaughter's-"

"Lieutenant Tinders," he interjected. "You must understand that regardless of my blood-relations with Mira Saito; at the end of the day, the very moment Mira had chosen her fate, this outcome was inevitable."

"With all do respect, sir," she said as coolly as possible. "An agent of my team is currently missing because a tip from one of your personnel. Three other Starcatcher agents who are our main intelligence and analyst specialists are current assigned on another mission. We are not capable of handling operatives that involve Northernern Realm politics. Even more so if it's Homura."

"Which is why, I'm suggesting for a joint operation, Lieutenant," Officer Saito nodded. "Your team are familiar with matters regarding the endowed of the Mystic Isles. Homura team are specialists with taking down persons of interest within our current government.

But at the moment, the Homura operative cannot progress further; not when some of their targets have either suffered psychotic breakdowns or became fragment vessels. It's either two Starcatchers and Mira Saito who will join Homura; or you accept my proposal for this joint operation."

Neither Thomas nor Linda said a word.

"Lieutenant," the veteran then shook his head. "I'll give you by the end of next week for an answer. It seems you all need some time to think about this."

Thomas seethed in his anger, trying his damned hardest not to stomp on the floor he was walking on.

"How's this guy Mira's grandpa?" he fumed. "He can't just make her change gears halfway."

"Hush," Linda chopped his head with her hand. "We've got another issue to deal with, remember?"

"Argh, don't remind me. If anything, I'm not worried about Cham at this point. I'm more worried about what she'll do with the operation."

"You're not in a doting mood today," his superior scoffed. "But, yes. I do agree with you there. Knowing Chamomile, she'll probably make things harder for herself just for the fun of it."

"I know. Which is what I'm actually afraid of. For the sake of her twisted sense of curiosity, she'd purposefully botch something just to see what it's like to fail. That idiot."

Thomas had always thought that if his sister were a scientist, she'd be dissecting all sorts of creatures' innards just to see what they're made of. Chamomile was perfect for her job as an agent; since she's had the knack of finding things beneath the surface. The only problem was, when an operation goes too well, she'd be the sort to purposefully throw a wrench to make things 'interesting.'

"I'm feeling sorry for the first poor bastard who'd cross her path," Linda nodded.

Thomas couldn't agree more.

May 20 20XX

Evening

The night Akira found her was when Sojiro had already left the café with Akira coming down to flip the sign and lock the door.

Just outside the laundry mat he found the girl leaning against the corrugated wall, her hand clutching the side of her abdomen. It was an odd sight, as he could've sworn the girl looked like she was glowing.

After she wearily told him not to call an ambulance, he knew there was one other individual who could turn to and sent Takemi a message instead.

What followed was something he didn't expect.

As soon as the foreigner collapsed, the girl's body illuminated against the nightscape, similar to a firefly's glow.

"She's glowing!?" the cat said, wide-eyed and its mouth agape at the sight.

"…have to… warn Linda… endowed… city…" the girl murmured right before she lost consciousness.

"Don't just stand there and watch, you gotta get her somewhere out of the rain!" Morgana chided.

"…Pardon me for this," Akira said as he tried to straighten her posture up to carry her on his back.

'This person,' he thought.

He felt her skin burning the very moment he had his hand on her shoulder. It didn't take long for Takemi to come into the scene, as the specialist lead him into her clinic. He immediately gave her an overview of what had happened, to which the doctor's cool demeanour responded that she had suspected the girl might be going through a case of mild hypothermia.

The evening after, Akira received a message from Takemi that the foreigner was still unconscious. Nevertheless, she insisted to see him that night to discuss with him about the girl.

"Tell me again, how did you find this girl?" Takemi asked.

"I found her in the rain, by the laundry mat entrance," Akira answered. "She had her hand on her side like this" -he then demonstrated the gesture- "When I was about to call for an ambulance, she stopped me and told me not to."

"And?"

"'And?'" he echoed.

"By any chance, was there something unusual about her?" the doctor prodded.

"…As soon as she collapsed, her skin was glowing."

"…"

Takemi then stood up and walked over to the light switch.

"Just as a full discretion, I'm gonna switch off the lights for a sec. Don't freak out, okay?"

Akira nodded.

As soon as the entire room blackened, at first, all he saw were the lights illuminating from the computer screen and the light-box on the wall. Not long after, the girl's body on the medical bed glowed a warm, yellow light on her skin. The sight took him by surprise, taking a step back.

"Have you heard of a thing called 'Bioluminescence'?" she asked. "It's basically a phenomenon that occurs when a living organism produces light in dark places. It's what happens to fireflies and glowing sea creatures like jellyfish. Warm-blooded creatures like human beings can't produce this kind of light since we don't have that unique biology like what I mentioned earlier."

"Doctor Takemi, are you saying-"

"Yeah," she nodded. "It's all possible this girl you picked up isn't human."

Four days after that incident, after coming home from school, he was greeted with the sight of the unconscious girl, now fully awake and eating curry with coffee.

"This is soo good~!" the girl said cheerily.

"That's good to hear," Sojiro nodded, wearing a smile he'd only give to most female customers he'd serve. By the looks of things, Akira had long suspected this man had a knack with treating women courteously.

The barista looked up. "Oh, you're back."

The foreign-looking girl perked her head up.

"Good evening," Akira greeted coolly.

The girl drank her coffee before she beamed him a smile, "Good evening."

"So, Chamomile-chan," the barista began, which was unusual since Akira often saw him feigning ignorance towards his customers most of the time. "Where are you from?"

"Oh, you probably haven't heard of it before," the girl answered. "I'm from an Island called 'Astra'. It's from one of the South Pacific islands."

"Hmm, I can't say I have heard of that place," the old man nodded. "Though, I do have to ask, where are your parents? Aren't you worrying them by staying out this late?"

The girl named 'Chamomile' laughed. "It's understandable you'd think that way, but I'm actually nineteen years old and living on my own."

"Wha-!" Sojiro sputtered. "You look so young!"

"Hehe, I get that a lot," she beamed. "I'm currently studying at H university on exchange. I have to say, I'm loving the North- Japanese culture so far."

"I'm glad to hear it. It's not everyday I get to serve someone from overseas everyday."

Akira had questions. Too many questions to ask about this girl; but from the looks of things, it would be impossible at that moment to do so. So instead, he decided to climb up the stairs and put his bag down by the cleanest shelf nearby.

"You go ahead and change," Morgana said as he climbed out of the bag. "I'm gonna go downstairs and listen in a little."

Akira gave the cat a curt nod.

As soon as he changed out of his Shujin uniform, Akira climbed down the stairs to see that the shop was now on closing-time. His customers had already been long gone, so all of who were left were Sojiro, Morgana and the girl.

"Ah, Akira-kun," the barista said over his shoulder as he washed his hands. "Don't forget to lock up behind me. Also, it seems Chamomile-chan here wants to have a word with you before she leaves. Make sure you could at least walk her to the station."

Sojiro then proceeded to cleaning up a few things before he left Lablanc; turning the 'OPEN' sign around. Akira turned to the girl 'Chamomile'.

Up close from where he stood, the girl before him had golden locks of hair, with clear, amber eyes that almost looked like glass. Even with her inconspicuous black-hooded jacket, she would no doubt, turn the heads of almost anyone who sees her. Not to say that her beauty could rival that of Ann, however, had it not been for her youthful appearance.

"Well, well. Who would have thought that Northerners also have endowed cats here," she said mischievously.

"Endowed?"

The girl then hopped off her chair and swooped in to grab hold of Morgana, who had been hiding behind the counter.

"Ack! Let go of me!" Morgana started squirming in her hands.

"Hello, pretty," she chimed as she turned the cat to face her.

"Ah…" Akira nervously spoke. "He doesn't like it when people carry him like that."

"Oh," the girl frowned at Morgana. "Is that so?"

He nodded.

"Akira! Save me!" the cat meowed in panic. "This girl's probably some crazy-cat lover-!"

"Hehe, squirm all you want, little one, I'm not letting go," the girl she said as she sat back to her seat.

"…"

The Shujin student had an aching suspicion that this girl seemed to understand what Morgana was saying. But more importantly, the way she conducted herself acted as if everything that happened five days ago never happened.

"You seem… better now," he noted.

"Hmm?" she tilted her head at his direction. After a short pause, her eyes widened. "Ohh! You must be my kidnapper!"

"Hu-what?!" Akira took a step back.

She made a wide, Cheshire grin.

"Just kidding. Although, I was slightly disappointed that I wasn't kidnapped by anyone in the end." -she then tilted her head to the other direction- "Hah~, if it did happen, that would've crossed a line off my bucket list."

He sweat-dropped at her statement, now utterly confused at this strange girl.

"Is that why you called me a kidnapper?"

"Yeah," she beamed. "Ah, but then again, passing out and almost dying was also another line off my bucket list. Interesting experience, that was."

"…" At this rate, he couldn't keep up with the conversation.

"Oh, I'm Chamomile by the way."

"…Akira Kurusu," he greeted back.

"Is it just me, or does this girl have a few screws loose on her head?" the cat said whispered loudly at Akira.

The girl turned to Morgana and asked; "And who might you be?"

"Morgana," the Shujin student answered.

"Huh, as in the magician? Odd name for a cat," she then stroked the cat's forehead with her thumb. "But then again, endowed felines have a knack to choose their own names. Ain't that right, Morgana?"

Akira paused as Morgana's fur suddenly stood up at her words.

"M-meow," said the feline, feigning ignorance.

"…By any chance, can you…" Akira swallowed hard. "Understand him?"

"Sorta? Why? Is that not normal?" she answered innocently. "Like I said, this cat's endowed."

"Hold on a sec," Morgan leapt out of her arms and onto the counter. "You can hear me?!"

"Hey, hey, not so loud, kitty, I can't speak cat properly," the golden girl began patting the cat's head. "I may not look like it, but I'm quite familiar with the sight of creatures like you. Ah, but then again, this is the Northern Realms, so I suppose it should've been more unusual to you folk."

"Northern Realms? This is Japan!" the cat hissed. "Now that we're on the subject, who are you? And how are you able to understand a word I say?!"

"Actually, I'd like to ask the same thing too," Akira chimed in, as he dragged the chair adjacent to her and sat down.

Chamomile looked at the two of them and blinked.

She frowned. "…I assumed since this cat's endowed, and you seemed to understand a word its saying could mean you would've figured out I'm… Oh."

The girl started sweating bullets, as she had come to a realisation.

"By any chance," she asked nervously. "…You're not familiar with the Mystic Isles or anything similar to it…?"

Akira didn't know what she was asking, so he shook her head.

The girl tilted her head, forcing a smile on her lips, "I'll walk myself out, now, so thank you for the small company and assistance."

She was just about to stand up until the cat jumped onto her lap.

"Hell, no. You're not leaving until you at least start explaining yourself," the cat said to her. "Right, Akira?"

Akira said nothing, not knowing whether or not he should follow the feline's suggestion.

The golden girl then made a sneering grin and grabbed Morgana with her two hands. "Oh? Do you really want to know? Curiosity kills cats, y'know?"

"Why you-! Unhand me this minute!"

"What should I do?" she hummed cheerily then turned to the Shujin student. "What date is it?"

"…20th of May," he answered.

"Tut, tut," she sighed, shaking her head. "Five days since I was out, huh. At this rate, Linda's gonna kill me. But then again," -Chamomile then grinned- "This might end up being another interesting experience."

"I said let go of me, you crazy lady!" Morgana squirmed in her grip.

"Alright cat," she set him back down to the counter. "I'll indulge you for a little bit under three conditions: Ask me five questions. Don't spill the beans. And don't. And I mean, don't try and pursue me any further than this."

"Huh? Why five?"

"Because five's not too little and not a lot. Oh, and since you asked me that, you're now down to four now."

"What the- that's not fair! Do you even understand the position you're in-"

"Of course, I do. You're down to three now."

Akira, bearing witness to this shook his head disapprovingly. Morgana was about to say something but held back his tongue.

Three questions huh…

He put a lot of thought into what he'd ask.

"…Right before you fainted, you looked like you were in trouble," Akira began. "By any chance, were you being pursued by anyone that night?"

She kept her Cheshire grin on her lips. "Yes, I was attacked by someone last night. My fault, because I could've knocked her out in one go, but I guess I teased her too much. I got a bit careless, then she found a loophole and stabbed me."

Both him and the cat gaped at her.

"Well, that's not the first time that's happened," she said nonchalantly. "But hey, it'll take more than that to kill a Starcatcher."

"How can you be so calm abo-!" before Morgana could waste another question, Akira covered the cat's mouth.

"Who and what are you, then," he asked his second question.

"Ooh, nice manoeuvre there," she mused. "Since I'm feeling particularly generous, I'll consider that as one question. But, I gotta say, that's a tough one to answer. Hmm… I am human… sort of. Actually, please elaborate, I won't count that as your third question."

Morgana was about to make another retort until Akira cupped his hand onto the feline's mouth once more.

"The doctor who examined you found no stab wounds. And while you were unconscious, we saw your body…glow in the dark. Normal human beings aren't bioluminescent, but your skin was glowing."

"Oh, you saw that?" she inhaled sharply once more. "Oof, now that's reeaally big problem if you saw that… Hmm- As I've introduced to you before, I am Chamomile Springs. I am born and bred on this planet; my parents are human buut… my ancestry's not exactly human… I guess you could call me a Starcatcher."

"That's it?" Akira asked right before Morgana raised its paw on his mouth.

Ah, dammit.

"You moron," the cat chided at him.

"Oh? Are you sure you'd want to waste your last question on that?" she smiled innocently. "Alright, I'll be nice. To reward you for your wit, I guess I'll elaborate a little. Starcatchers, or 'Star-eaters' as some cultures prefer to call us, are beings who rely on the essence of stars to sustain themselves. As a consequence, our skins glow in dark places and most pure-bloods can't survive without light. I'm just someone with a diluted blood, so, I don't rely on it too much."

"…Yeah, nope. I can't say I've heard of your kind before," the cat shrugged as if it gave up trying to understand.

Akira, on the other hand, wanted to know more; since the oddity of her circumstances were something, more or less too concerning to not know about. It's a pity though, that they were down to one question left.

"Alright, one more question," she beamed. "What'll it be?"

"Who attacked you and why?"

She smiled giddily. "Hehe, now that is a really good question to ask. Hmm… should I, should I not. That is the question."

"Come on, you can't just leave this up to suspense?!" Morgana said irritably.

"Oh, but here's the problem, cat," Chamomile sneered. "The moment I answer the question, there's no telling whether or not your friend here would want to get himself involved. Ah, but then again, I do have to fulfill my end of the bargain…"

She then nodded as she continued. "Alright, I'll tell you. You see, I'm here to investigate a few strange incidents that's been happening 'round. Thanks to a tip from a superior of mine, I came by to confirm a few things. Lo and behold, I did find what I was looking for, but suddenly this crazy lady attacked me. I'd assume she wanted to eliminate witnesses, so I messed around with her a little. The rest, is as I mentioned before. So, the short version is: I don't know who she is, but I gotta a feeling she's connected to something much deeper…"

"Wh-But that doesn't make sense!" said Morgana. "How does that answer the question?! They were just vague answers without any kinda sense at all!"

"Ah, too bad," the golden girl tilted her head. "You wasted two questions on something less relevant."

"That was cheating!"

Chamomile then stood up from her seat, walking over towards the café door.

"Ah, that wasn't so bad," she said, stretching her arms. "Now that I upheld my end of the bargain, don't pursue any further than this. Chances are, you'd find yourself digging a grave."

"What are you, some secret agent or something?" said the cat.

She looked over her shoulder and smirked. "Too bad. You should have asked that as your first question."

The golden girl then made her strides towards the door, humming cheerily like a kid. Akira didn't really like the sound of her last statement. Then there was the fact that she still hadn't explained how she was able to understand Morgana.

"One last question," Akira said.

"Oh, but you ran out of questions. Isn't that the point of my conditions?"

"You still haven't explained how you're able to understand Morgana. By any chance have you-"

"Tut, tut," she interjected. "I cannot answer any more than five… Hmm," -she then grinned once more- "Here's an idea. What about this: if you can catch me, maybe I'll grant you one more question. How about it?"

Chamomile then stepped out of the café, to which Akira and Morgana immediately followed to find her standing a few paces outside of Leblanc.

"Ha~!" she said staring out into the sky. "The stars are out tonight. Isn't that a blessing."

"What do you mean by catching you?" Akira asked.

"It's exactly how it sounds," she said nonchalantly. "Try and find me or catch me, and I'll reward you with a question."

"Are serious?" Morgana gaped.

"Yup, dead serious," she then bent her knees before she leapt off the cemented ground, only to land on a neighbouring rooftop; startling both Akira and Morgana.

"What the-!"

"Bye~!" she waved as she started hopping over the next few rooftops.

"She's insane!" Morgana's fur stood up. "How are we supposed to catch up to her with that speed?!"

"Let's not," Akira said with a frown. "I doubt she had the intention of getting caught."

"…Yeah, you're probably right. But I gotta say, that girl gives me the creeps. Just thinking about the way she carried me-" the cat shuddered at the thought.

His gaze lingered to where Chamomile had once stood, letting the words sink in at the prospect that this girl was hinting him on something he shouldn't cross. Just as he turned his back towards the café, something fell from the roof and landed on his head.

"Ow!"

The object landed with a 'clink' turning their heads towards the object.

Akira took a few steps closer to find a pin-badge sitting on the floor. He picked up the pin and inspected it closely. The pin had a logo of a gridded world globe, with a gear acting as its circumference. Just below the icon were three letters written in the English alphabet.

'S.G.I.'

AN:

Confession: Chamomile or Reina were characters I considered to make as the main OC of this fic. But, when I put a lot of thought into how well Chamomile or Reina would work within the P5 scenarios, I knew it wouldn't work in the long-run. Especially Reina's, since her character specifically was the type that came with a full package.

Chamomile's characterisation would've come off very Mary Sue-ish if she had been the MC, and the tone of the story would've turned out to be full of hi-jinks and sues. And all of the seriousness of the plot would've easily been thrown off the window.

This chapter for me was perhaps a nod to the initial idea, but I'm satisfied making Mira Saito as the star of this fic.