If anyone asks them, they wouldn't be able to answer. No one was sure of when it started. All of a sudden, she was there all the time, at their practices, at their games, having lunch with them. Often she would casually sit with them, but it was unusual. Her face that is.

Just as easily as she would break a smile, her face would fall into apathy. An unreadable face. Showing no emotion. After a few days, they fell into the same state.

Daichi looked at his team, once full of energy and chaotic shouts, now is more dull than any club he has ever seen. Although he couldn't really judge them, he was feeling empty too. Most of the time his body didn't seem to belong to him. Like there were strings pushing and pulling.

Michimiya appeared, asked him to be with her. He couldn't read her face. How could she have so much fun with her impassive expression? So dull. A couple of days later, Daichi saw himself in the mirror with the same absent look in his face. A few weeks was all it took for the others to look the same. Maybe it was the weather.

Daichi thought this was a good thing. No one was sad Oriana and Suga left anymore. Michimiya was with them now as well. No one missed them. No one felt anything at all anymore.

For the time being, Oriana and Sugawara decided to make Oriana's house their temporary home. If there was such a threat in Miyagi, they were to stick together, besides, there was plenty of space for the both of them.

Oriana was just relieved she could finally put her bags down. She felt like her arms would legitimately fall off if she had to take another step with the bag of food Charmy provided. As thankful as she was, Charmy definitely went overboard.

"Was it really necessary to bring all that food?" Suga was also putting down his bags in his new temporary bedroom, also known as the living room. "Pretty sure you weren't dying of hunger before."

"Charmy insisted. Besides, after you eat her food, everything else just tastes stale." said Oriana. "I even tried to learn how to cook from her, but I could never reach her level."

"You are seriously making me hungry."

"We can order take out or something. This food should be kept for later."

"Won't it go bad?"

"Charmy's food doesn't go bad as fast as normal food." Oriana only now remembered that not everyone knew about the miracles of Charmy's food. "And!, this food increases and replenishes mana. Which means that if we have to use our magic at any circumstance, Charmy's food will have the same effect as if we were in the Clover Kingdom, only that it works faster. And you're eating a delicious meal."

Sugawara seemed absolutely dumbfounded at this information. It's an ability that not many knew about.

"That's so cool!"

"I know, right? Basically, if an apocalypse were to happen, you would want Charmy around."

"No kidding. I'm super curious to taste her food!"

Then, a grin grew in his face for only a second before his expression changed to a completely innocent one.

"You know, I'm feeling so tired. Maybe I used too much magic in Clover and didn't refuel my mana completely." he said in a sluggish tone.

Oriana laughed at his dramatic scene. She had no structure to refuse Sugawara and she was also sure Charmy had baked them some cookies. Unzipping the bag, Oriana started her search for the round tupperware with the purple lid. That was the one Charmy always used to carry cookies for the squad.

"Save me some!" Oriana said before handing the tupperware to her friend.

"Thank you!"

"I'll turn the fridge on and store the food. Make yourself at home."

From the kitchen, Oriana could hear the boy in the other room saying wonders about Charmy's cookies. In a matter of seconds, he was at Oriana's leg to let him have an actual meal. Oriana sighed. She really thought Sugawara was supposed to be the responsible, motherly one, but apparently their roles would switch every once in a while.

That same afternoon, they were to meet with the Japanese Magic Embassy and make themselves behave at any cost. They were representing the Magic Knights in the Clover Kingdom and Marx reminded them to have decorum and behave adequately. Not to cause any trouble. To accept to help in whatever the Embassy needs willingly. To not drag their feet. The list was long, honestly. In that aspect, Marx reminded Oriana of her own father. To be so concerned with one's conduct might be a Royal thing. It was annoying, but they had to agree to all of Marx's so called 'suggestions'.

"Welcome, Magic Knights! Thank you for coming to our aid despite the situation in the Clover Kingdom." the ambassador of the embassy greeted them with an affable expression in his face.

"Of course, it's our duty." Sugawara replied.

"Even so, even so." the ambassador got up from his office chair. "My name is Iachima Chisaka, welcome to my humble office."

His office was different from the Wizard King's. It had the same elements, piles of paperwork, countless books on the shelves and a busy desk. However, the dark oak desk in front of Oriana was decorated with a gold plate with 'Chisaka Iachima' engraved in japanese characters. The curtains were heavy and barely any natural light came into the room, but Oriana could clearly see the Ambassador's self-portrait hanging in the wall behind his desk and the self-imposed expression. The blue suit he was wearing and his gelled hair only made the picture even more tacky.

"I would not want to bother the Magic Knights too much on their first day in Japan." Ambassador Chisaka rubs his hands together. "Maybe you could just ask our researchers to assess the situation for you and then-"

"If you don't mind, "Oriana interrupted, taking the Ambassador by surprise. "We would like to assess the situation ourselves."

She felt a light touch on her arm, as a reminder from Sugawara that they were supposed to behave.

Oh, right.

"Of course, of course. The Magic Knights have their own procedures." the Ambassador laughed. "Well, if it isn't too bothersome, I was going to ask this tomorrow, but maybe you could do a round in the east side of Miyagi in your brooms? We have some invisibility cloaks we would be thrilled to borrow you."

"It wouldn't be any trouble at all." Sugawara had a brilliant smile on his face.

"It is settled! I will ask my secretary to bring you the cloaks and take you to the departure zone on the roof."

Before he grabbed the handle of his landline, he turned to the mages once more.

"Although, I would just ask you to not approach the citizens. We are carrying this investigation slowly and no one we have interviewed seemed to answer coherently to our questions."

Both of them nodded.

Ever since arriving in Miyagi, Oriana has felt the flood of threatening mana surrounding the town. It was so dense, she couldn't tell where it was coming from. The whole town was a terror. The sad cloudy sky made justice to the empty, dirty streets. Anyone they would come across, walked in silence with their head low and a blank expression. It was hard to wonder what had happened to this lively neighborhood. So many restaurants closed and the shops were empty. Oriana clenched her fists around her broom. The last place to go was Karasuno Highschool, the one place she dreads the most. Seeing the building from above was enough to make her chest tight. Everything looked grey and gloomy. There was no light in Miyagi, not anymore.

"Do you think they know we might be the cause of this?" Suga asked suddenly, looking down on their old colleagues.

They have been watching them for a while, probably expecting to find a familiar face. Even from a distance, seeing them would provide them some relief. Or so they thought.

"If they did, we would be in cells under the Magic Knights Headquarters. Besides, we are not sure of that ourselves. It's just a theory. It could be a coincidence."

"A hell of a coincidence, if you as-" Sugawara's sentence was cut short.

Oriana felt it too. A sudden dark energy made the hair on the back of her neck rise. They were being watched. Looking around them frenetically, they tried to pinpoint a face looking up at them, but to no avail. Sugawara closed his eyes in attempts to focus his mana detection senses, but Oriana couldn't stop the panic overwhelming her. How could anyone see them? They were wearing invisibility cloaks. No normal person would be able to see through the fabric.

"It's no use, I can't tell where it's coming from." Suga divulged.

"Let's get some cover. I feel wide open in here."

The duo flew over the building and landed on the isolated roof. Oriana wished she felt more relieved, being out of sight, but her heart wouldn't stop pounding in her chest. Something was lingering. This place wasn't safe anymore. At this point, Oriana stopped caring about Marx's rules and warnings. They could come and arrest her if they wanted. She already decided she was going to act.

"I can't take this. We should find them."

"What are you talking about?"

"Daichi, Kiyoko, Tanaka, our friends. We should find them." Oriana explained. "Let's hide our brooms and robes here. No one will find them."

"We were told to just make the rounds. We aren't supposed to be investigating or making contact with anyone yet." there was frenzy in Sugawara's voice, mostly because he knew there was no way to stop Oriana once she had made up her mind.

"If they were really expecting a Black Bull to follow orders through and through, they are absolutely idiots."

"But-"

"Let 's go."

With no room for complaints, Oriana left her robe under her broom and made her way to the roof door. She waited for Sugawara to follow her down the empty stairs. The whole environment in the corridors felt different. No idle chatter or busy looking students, there was only the sound of dull steps and the occasional whisper. Without their uniforms, they were surely catching a lot of eyes. Oriana couldn't help the frustration rising in her. So many people, however, the faces she was looking for were nowhere to be found. If they ran into a professor or the vice-president of the school, they would be in serious trouble.

"Oh, look who it is."

This high-pitched voice was familiar to Oriana, she decided to ignore it. Out of anyone, it had to be her.

"Michimiya, hello." Sugawara greeted with an awkward wave, although Oriana was settled with a dismissive nod of her head, not bothering to look back at her.

"You two shouldn't be here."

This made Oriana actually halt and turn around. What was Daichi doing with her? Then remembered that it was a silly thought. They were friends, after all. That was normal, but the cold stare in Daichi's eyes wasn't, much less the close distance between him and the other girl.

"We came to check on you guys." Sugawara easily evaded Daichi, but it wouldn't be that easy.

"We are doing just fine." Daichi pulled an arm around Michimiya. "Actually. we're doing much better."

He was looking down upon Oriana, staring at her wide eyes. Oriana had no words to speak, she could only stare at their closeness as Michimiya caught Daichi's hand on hers.

"You should go home." Daichi said dismissively.

"No sense, Daichi. We want to say hi to everyone."

"I told you already, we are doing better without you. We moved on."

Oriana grabbed Sugawara's shoulder, maybe a little too tight, but she couldn't help it. Daichi's new attitude and Michimiya's striking smirk were pulling Oriana's last straws.

"Now that we are done over here," Oriana said in a gravelly tone. "We are very busy and have better things to do than dealing with you. If you don't mind, we will get going." she pulled for Sugawara to go ahead, then turned to face Daichi one more time. "Cheers to the new couple!" Oriana shouted.

With her eyes set aflame, Oriana didn't look back as she followed behind Sugawara.

"Did this just really happen?" Sugawara murmured.

"Fuck them. Let's find our friends."

Sugawara stopped in his tracks, but Oriana stumped passed him.

"Daichi was our friend too."

Oriana whirled to face Sugawara, fists clenching by her sides.

"That was not Daichi." she said. "Not the Daichi we know."

"What if the others feel the same and don't want to see us?"

"What are you even saying? This is not like you at all."

Then it struck her. There was a dark mage feeding off negative feelings. The blank expressions on everyone's face. The fact that Sugawara's despair etched in his features and the anger on Oriana's tone, even Daichi's attitude. This was probably the effects of whatever spell the mage is using.

"This was a bad idea." her voice fell with this new realization.

"It definitely was."

"No, that's not what I mean," Oriana took a couple of steps closer to Suga. "The mage's spell is starting to have an effect on us. If we stay here much longer we might end up like everyone here and then we won't be able to save anyone."

Sugawara blinked in surprise and then divulged,

"That must mean we are near the source."

"We just have to find it."

"No, wait." Suga interjected. "For now, that information has to be enough. We need a plan. We can come back when we are prepared."

Oriana was forced to agree, even if her instinct was telling her to act now and think later. The duo jolted from where they came from. Past all the dull looking students in the gray corridor.

However, when running up the stairs leading to the roof, they had an unexpected encounter. The cheeky look on Michimiya's face was revolting to Oriana. For sure, she hadn't changed at all. Probably because she was a source of negativity ever since she came out of her womb.

"Leaving so soon?" she let her crossed arms fall to her sides.

"We don't have time for you."

Oriana dismissed the other girl's presence and continued to climb the stairs. Sugawara followed her step.

"What a shame. It was good seeing you though." Michimiya touched Oriana's shoulder lightly as she passed her, making Oriana jump at the contact. "Don't forget to write us letters!" her voice trailed away as she disappeared to the next flight of steps under them.

Oriana had a bug-eyed expression as she turned to Suga.

"She took something from me." Oriana spoke with panic in her voice, holding the shoulder the other girl touched.

"Took something from you? She barely touched you." Suga scoffed.

"I know! When she touched me, I felt she… I-" Oriana paused. "I think she sucked mana out of me."

"How would she do that?"

"It's her." she stared down where Michimya disappeared. "She's the source. Michimiya is the dark mage."

Sugawara sighed at this assumption.

"You're not making any sense. That's not possible, we never sensed any mana from her."

"She could be masking it!"

His expression turned grim as he rested his hands on his hips.

"Let's just leave for now."

Oriana was sure of her statement. It had to be Michimiya, it made perfect sense. Why Suga and her always felt alert in her presence, why she was the only one who seemed the same in comparison to everyone else, the fact that she literally sucked mana out of Oriana from a light touch. She wanted to scream all of this to her friends face, but she had to agree. Maybe the sudden panic was due to the fact she was close to the source. Once she calmed down, she knew Sugawara would give her a chance to explain. With this in mind, she was content with going back to the embassy to report.

Oriana was just glad Marx's communication magic couldn't reach that far. She was sure she and Suga would be scolded for disobeying direct orders, even if it led to progress in the investigation of the dark mage. Since they had no other leads, they agreed to focus on Karasuno High, however Sugawara talked her out of pinning Michimya as the main suspect, because it was a rushed guess based on assumption. These were Suga's words, not Oriana's.

Whatever the case, it's been two days and it was driving Oriana insane. No one said a word about the fact that the mages contraried direct orders. Probably at the Ambassador's request. He was the one who was too fixed in pleasing the Magic Knights to say anything against them, and even accepted to take their lead on Karasuno, even without solid evidence. However, the investigation was taking too long. Too many bureaucracies and not enough action, in Oriana's opinion. Everyday they would waltz in the Embassy, sit for hours and end up with nothing. Oriana was restless on this specific day. She was sure they could come up with a plan to find out the mage faster than this. Honestly, even Asta could do it.

"Asta!" Oriana yelled suddenly, making Sugawara jump in his seat and other few glare at her.

"Who?"

"Asta could help us. He has this ki sensing thing." Oriana tried to explain as best as she understood of the matter herself. "Better yet, we need captain Yami! He could definitely find a dark mage and the source of all this in a matter of seconds!"

"Even if that's true, it will take any of them a week to arrive here. It would take too long." Suga divulged.

"It's not like we are making progress any faster." she opened her palm on the table, pleading for some comprehension. "We should have thought of this before! Actually, Marx should have thought of that."

"Having more back up would be nice."

"Oh, that won't be necessary, my dear Magic Knights." the Ambassador's voice emerged in the chaos that was the research room.

Suga and Oriana got up to their feet and greeted the director with confusion etched in their faces.

"You don't think we need back-up?" Oriana wondered.

"No, that would take too long." he hummed. "We have made the decision to give you permission to enter the Karasuno High premises and investigate further. The vice-president is already aware of your visit. If you could go today, it would be marvellous."

"We will do our best." Sugawara discloses. Oriana cleared her throat.

"Actually," she interjected. "We need permission to act upon finding the culprit."

Oriana didn't look at Suga's dour face, only fixated on Ambassador Chisaka as he pondered her request.

"It could be done, if you think that is necessary, of course."

Oriana was beyond satisfied. It was exactly what she wanted to hear. Biding their farewells, Suga and Oriana didn't bother to wait for someone to see them to the departure zone. Or better said, Oriana pulled Sugawara by his arm, carrying two neatly folded invisibility cloaks close to her chest.

"You are going to use this to clear your suspicions on Michimiya, aren't you?"

"What else?"

The boy sighed.

"At least you asked for permission."

There was really nothing they could do about the spell affecting them. The only hope they had was that they would snap each other out of despair. Also, the plan was to approach Michimya and directly ask about it. If that failed, they would have to come with a plan B, the plan Oriana didn't waste time on. She was certain of her suspicions. She knew what she felt when Michimiya touched her. More than mana, it was like it sucked her own life source. She couldn't shake that feeling off of her. Not until the girl was either clear of suspicion or behind bars.

During class hours, the corridors seemed even more depressing. Passing the classrooms, they could barely hear the professors teaching their class. Or students reading aloud. The inhuman silence made Oriana bite the inside of her cheek. This was it and would take all of Oriana's courage.

The school's vice-president had Michimiya be called from her class. Even his pompous self was now dialled down. Oriana could remember how the man would walk with his inflated chest and oily toupe scolding students for no good reason. Now, looking impassive and with a low tone, he disclosed he would leave the case to them, but he said he didn't want noise in the corridors anyways, so they would send Michimiya to the school roof where they could talk. And so, they waited. She was glad they were doing the talk in the exterior, the dark mana was dispersed instead of oppressing them between the walls. More important than that, if they had to use their magic, they didn't have to worry as much about stand-bys.

"Look who came back." Michimiya hummed as soon as she set eyes on Oriana and Suga. "And so soon."

Oriana closed her fists by her sides.

"We are going to be direct." she warned. "You're a mage, aren't you?"

There it was, that cheeky smile, like she knew better than anyone else.

"You mean, if I can use magic?" Michimiya sneered. "Do you really need to ask?"

"So it's also you who has been casting this dark spell." Sugawara disclosed.

"Most likely."

"What are you planning to achieve with this?" Oriana interjected.

"I'm just making new friends. There is nothing wrong with that, is it?"

There was innocence in her features, but her voice was poisoned with malevolence.

"Besides, none of this would have been possible without the help of the two of you." she continued. "It started with one new friend," she lifted one finger. "Then, the whole volleyball team were my friends. Soon enough, there was not one miserable soul who didn't want to be my friend!"

Oriana glowered at the girl. By her side, Sugawara had taken a step back and was holding on to Oriana's arm, trying to pull her back with him. The screeches in Michimiya's voice were like a terror, the confirmation to their suspicions. What she said next, was what made Oriana's bones shake.

"And believe me, you found me because I wanted you to." the girl lifted one of her arms. "You fell right into it."

With a sudden swing of her arm, Oriana felt what might be strings pulling her own arm as a command to open her grimoire against her will. Another swing and Oriana's body whirled in Sugawara's direction.

"Oriana? What are you doing?" Sugawara asked when his hand was snapped out of her friend's arm.

"It's not me!" Oriana shouted. "I think she's controlling me. Step back!"
Without warning, her bone blades emerged from her wrists.

"Stop this!" she ordered the girl.

"As I said, there is nothing you can do about it now." her expression was dark, in stance ready to command Oriana's body for an attack at any moment. "You are going to kill your own friend and soon enough I will add you to my choir of friends!" she cheered. "Nothing could be more despair inducing. The more you feel it, The stronger I'll become!"

Her shrill voice penetrated Oriana's ears as she tried to suppress her own body from moving, but it was in vain. With another swing, Oriana lunged in Sugawara's direction. The boy barely evaded the blade.

"Suga, you have to stop me!" Oriana yelled as she continuously slashed the air in front of Suga's face.

"How?" his voice quavered.

The boy's legs gave in. He fell, completely open for an attack. Lifting her arms, Michimiya made Oriana jump right on top of Sugawara. He rolled to the side as the blades pierced the cement.

"Perfect." Suga murmured, his grimoire glowing by his side. "Flora Creation Magic: Flora Root."

Vine roots emerged from the ground and wrapped around Oriana's legs and arms. Michimiya kept pulling her own strings with might. Suppressing her painful screams, Oriana felt like her limp might detach out of her body.

"That is just no good." the girl lowered her voice.

With another pull, she had Oriana shrieking. One of her blades reached the root holding her leg. Then, she got the other leg free. Oriana was patting for air.

"That's enough!" Sugawara screamed to Michimiya.

"Yeah that's right…" she glared at the boy. "That is quite enough of you."

With a pull, Oriana screamed in agony as the roots broke with the sheer force of her arms. Then, she jolted in Sugawara's direction. Her right blade pressed forward past his clothing and skin.

"No!" she shouted.

Red stained her white blade. Blood spattered to her face and chest as she slithered the blade from Sugawara's back.

"Suga!"

Sugawara rolled on himself before falling to his knees. His hands stained with warm blood. His body hit the floor with a thud. A pool of red started to grow under him.

"Suga!" Oriana shouted, as tears blurred her vision. "Suga, say something!"

"All that blood looks good on you. It really brings out your eyes." her voice was granting. "Don't worry, I'll bury him good and straight and right."

A/N:

So, I don't normally write notes in my chapters, because I really believe no one reads these anymore, but I feel I should say something after this chapter and also because I have some knews!

If you are feeling bad about Suga, I KNOW, I AM TOO. But trust me, everything is fine. I swear, just trust me. Also, I want to disclose once again that I don't hate Michimiya at all, I just needed a villian and she had the role I needed her to have. It was by convenience, really. Just trust me on this! Everything is fine, please don't stop reading because of Sugawara being hurt or because I made Michimiya a villain! I swear it gets better, hahaha.

Also, some news: I started a new story with My Hero Academia characters. It's a Kiribaku fanfiction in a scenario where they do have their powers, but none of our favourite characters got into UA, but some of them have marks that make them special. A "chosen-one" kind of thing. It's terribly explained, but if it sounds cool to you, give it a read. There are two chapters currently available, both in and AO3!