Reina.

Reina Kousaka. That girl Kumiko had known since middle school, which they attended together. That girl Kumiko had reencountered at the beginning of her Pokémon journey, where they defended two defenseless Ralts against a couple of thugs. That girl Kumiko had seen by her bedside when she recovered from her phobia of Bug-type Pokémon, who had guided and helped her through one of her most severe childhood traumas.

Reina Kousaka. She had volunteered to accompany Kumiko throughout the rest of her Pokémon journey, even though she had no obligation to. She had slept in the same bed as Kumiko just to make sure she wouldn't have any nightmares again, even though she had no obligation to. She had been Kumiko's reliable partner in battle time after time, even though she had no obligation to.

Reina Kousaka. The one person Kumiko loved above all else, who had confessed her true feelings on that mountain-top after they ran away from their prearranged date. The one person Kumiko loved above all else, who had been the first and only person Kumiko ever wanted to spend an intimate night with. The one person Kumiko loved above all else, who had popped the question of marriage to her out of the blue just yesterday.

And only a few hours ago, she had been taken away from Kumiko.

Screaming into her pillow, Kumiko didn't notice how damp it became after absorbing all the moisture from her tears. She could care less about anything even slightly unrelated to Reina. To her, the world she knew was already dead, ripped into shreds when HTT's goons snatched away her beloved.

In her current mental and emotional state, everything that happened once Kumiko woke up on the doorstep of her house had now become a complete blur, muddled by the frenzy of emotions she felt. The only thing Kumiko remembered after crumbling into her mother's arms was saying that her best friend 'got into an accident', before bolting into her room and slamming the door behind her.

Continuing to let her tears flow freely, Kumiko paid no attention to her immediate surroundings until her room began to dim. Though this was a signal night was beginning, it also reminded Kumiko of the first time she met Reina on her Pokémon journey. They had been little more than strangers to each other back then, but Kumiko couldn't help being attracted to the mysterious black-haired girl.

"Miss Oumae, what are you doing here?" Even now, Kumiko could clearly remember the first words Reina said to her when they met in Dacap Town. It had happened all those days ago, but the memory of Reina's words ringing in her ears was enough to intensify Kumiko's sobbing. The ghost of her beloved's voice was something Kumiko couldn't bear to push away, especially when she needed to hear it the most.

Reina. Reina really was gone now. This new reality Kumiko faced was a stark contrast to the one she had been living in up to a mere few hours ago. As the hums of Bug-type Pokémon travelled past Kumiko's window in the early evening, she felt a strong urge to scream even louder than she previously did, her inherent fears playing off of all the emotions coursing through her. However, Kumiko was certain Reina wouldn't want her to do that.

"I… was constantly keeping watch over you, since I didn't know when you would wake up. I didn't want you to be alone when you regained consciousness." Perhaps triggered by her previous experience regarding Reina and Bug-type Pokémon, Kumiko's mind immediately jumped to one of the first things Reina said to her when she regained consciousness in a Pokémon Center bed, a couple of hours after fainting upon seeing a Masquerain during her Gym challenge.

Because of a stupid dare she made with him (Kumiko didn't want to even think about his name) when they were both children, Kumiko had ended up with a crippling phobia of Bug-type Pokémon. This fear had plagued her for many years to come, but it was ultimately Reina who had helped her through it.

"We're almost there, Kumiko. Just remember that no matter how scared you may feel, you'll always have me by your side, forever and always." Recalling what Reina said to her as they entered the forest to overcome her fears together, Kumiko cried harder. However, it was Reina's next words which broke Kumiko down even more.

"I'll never leave you. After this is over, I'll never leave your side. Where you go, I'll go. Even to the ends of the earth. No matter what challenges you face, I'll face them as well." As Reina's bold declaration resounded through Kumiko's mindscape, it was impossible not to note the bitter irony of this situation. More than ever, Kumiko wanted to cry out all her worries on Reina's shoulder right now, yet her beloved's disappearance was what brought this on in the first place.

Fate's machinations were cruel beyond doubt. The last time Kumiko found herself crying on a bed, it was after she woke up from a mortifying nightmare. That eldritch dream too terrible to describe with any words she could think of, it was Reina of all people who immediately consoled her, protecting Kumiko with a tender embrace until she fell asleep again.

"If you don't mind, I'll also wrap my arms around you too to keep you safe in your dreams." Reina's presence during that vulnerable moment allowed Kumiko to get a good night's sleep, giving her the solace she needed to face the next day's Gym battle with renewed vigour. With both her fear of Bug-type Pokémon manifesting itself and the nightmare she suffered because of it, Kumiko's gratitude towards Reina for sticking with her throughout everything that happened on that day could never be paralleled.

Reina. Ever since they began journeying together, Kumiko's unyielding adoration for her had only compounded with everything they went through. From helping out at a farm to participating in that Double Battle tournament as a team, Kumiko had a front-row seat to the magnificence and excellence that was Reina Kousaka. However, she would find herself getting much closer when Reina said those words during their date.

"Kumiko, would you like to go on a hike with me?" With that simple request, Kumiko's world had completely turned upside-down. Though she was already blown away by everything which happened before that, the thought of running away from everyone else together with Reina was so exotic that Kumiko didn't know how to respond in the moment. Thankfully, she impulsively took up that offer.

Making their way up that hill during nightfall, Reina had proved herself to be unpredictable yet again when she asked Kumiko about performing a duet once they reached the summit. The sounds of their light night serenade ringing above a beautiful cityscape, the kiss right after, and the three little words Reina and herself said to each other. That was when Kumiko knew they were destined to be.

"Kumiko, I love you."

Hearing that once again in her mind, Kumiko's emotions went into overdrive, swelling to a point where she began pounding her fists into the mattress of her bed. Now that Reina was gone, that single sentence served as a reminder of what she lost along with her beloved. The joy of companionship, joy of coexistence, and joy of love. With Reina absent from her life, Kumiko wasn't sure if she could feel those emotions anymore.

"Kumiko Oumae, you are my love, you are my life. Will you marry me?"

Her clenched left hand sore from hitting the foam and fabric of her bed's mattress, Kumiko raised it up to stroke her hair, then paused when she felt the plastic of the white sunflower hairclip she got from Reina. Remembering how Reina proposed to her using said accessory, Kumiko couldn't believe that it just happened yesterday. Too much had happened since then. Too much that Kumiko now had to shoulder.

"Be free, Kumiko. Now, and always, I love you."

That was the last thing Reina said to her. That was the last glimmer of Reina's light shining down on her. That was the price Reina paid for her safety. That was the sacrifice Reina made to allow for her escape. That was Reina pushing herself to her limits for her. That was Reina showing once again why she would always be more special than her. That was Reina's ultimate declaration of love. More than anything.

That was all because Kumiko hadn't been strong enough to protect her beloved.

Slamming her head down on her pillow, Kumiko's throat was already sore from screaming so much, but all the pent-up grief and despair inside of her could only be expressed in so many non-destructive ways. Even her bedsheets were starting to get stained with tears, having overflowed from her damp pillow. The rhythmic pounding of her clenched hands were the only sounds she heard for a long time.

Bruises starting to form on the edges of her fists, it wasn't until the pain became too much to bear that Kumiko's thoughts slowly became lucid again. As her head gradually left the comfort of her soft pillow, Kumiko felt a soreness on her abdomen from laying face-down too long, oblivious to her own condition. Using her numb arms to push herself back up, Kumiko let her tears continue to drip from her eyes until her tear ducts ran dry, swollen to the point where she could feel them under her skin.

Slowly taking deep breaths, Kumiko's vision cleared itself up as all she saw now was the darkness of night blanketing everything, blinding her from what lay in front. With each ragged breath, Kumiko realized the air was beginning to get stuffy inside her room, mostly because of the shut door she slammed earlier.

Sitting herself upright before tucking her sock-covered feet into her slippers, Kumiko took a shaky step forward. Her legs barely able to keep herself standing after remaining still for so long, Kumiko nearly collapsed from both the physical and mental toll the day's events had wracked on her body. Eventually, she took another step. Then another. Then she finally reached the door.

"I wonder how Kumiko's doing." Mamiko commented as her mother prepared tonight's dinner. Upon learning that Kumiko came back home and broke down soon after, Mamiko had immediately returned as well, worried about her younger sister. She later found out from her mother the reason that Kumiko was so distraught was because one of her friends had been in an accident.

Going out on a limb, Mamiko suspected that 'friend' was Reina. However, that would mean whatever Kumiko's girlfriend had been involved in was no ordinary accident. Since the two were inseparable, it wouldn't make sense for Kumiko to return by herself. "Should I go check on her?"

"Mamiko, dear. Don't you see that your younger sister's going through a lot right now? Maybe it would be better to give her some space." Despite how much she wanted to make sure Kumiko was alright, Mamiko realized her mother had a point there. Giving Kumiko some time to process her feelings was the best way to help her, more than any words of advice Mamiko could offer.

"Alright then. Once she's feeling better, I'll try and ask her more about what happened. Kumiko sulking like that doesn't seem like her." Leaning back in her chair, Mamiko continued to watch as her mother made their meal for the night. Omurice. A dish that both Oumae sisters loved, Mamiko was sure their mother was serving it up tonight to make Kumiko feel better.

Hearing footsteps approaching from the stairwell, Mamiko thought that Kumiko had calmed herself enough to come down for dinner when their 'pitter-patter' increased in frequency. Turning to look in that direction, Mamiko saw Kumiko bolt by in a blur before heading to the doorway, slipping her shoes on, and exiting the house, all without saying a single word.

"Kumiko, wait…" Standing up and preparing to chase her younger sister, Mamiko froze in her tracks as she recalled her mother's words. Seating herself back down again, Mamiko could only look in the direction her younger sister ran off towards, only wishing Kumiko wouldn't do anything rash now.


"I want to improve."

Her frantic dash now slowing down to a reasonable pace, Kumiko's tear-stricken face was illuminated by the streetlights shining down on her. Despite the fresh air having somewhat cleared her mind up, Kumiko couldn't shake those thoughts out of her head. Those thoughts of Reina. Those thoughts of being unable to save her. Those thoughts of being too weak to help her.

"I want to improve."

Fueled by her frustration, Kumiko's footsteps began to speed up again. Throughout their journey together, it was her who relied on Reina more than the other way around. Reina could've gone through her journey on her own without any trouble, but herself? No, she had to be guided by Reina every time she couldn't do something. How pathetic of her.

"I want to improve."

Moving faster, Kumiko's walk now turned into a brisk jog. The sight of Reina using Z-Move after Z-Move replaying in her head, Kumiko became even more bitter about what happened earlier today. Reina had sacrificed everything just to give her a fighting chance, yet all she did was be a simple bystander. Even when their Pokémon were fainting left and right, she was just as powerless as ever. Powerless to shape her own destiny.

"I want to improve."

Breaking into a full-on run, the tears on Kumiko's face began to streak off, floating away into the night. What would Reina think of her now? Knowing her beloved's tendency to reject anyone who wasn't special enough, Kumiko suspected Reina would be sneering at her if she was here. Sneering at her ineptitude. Sneering at her inertia. Sneering at how she couldn't do anything to save the person she loved the most.

"I want to improve, I want to improve, I want to improve!"

As Kumiko made a turn onto that oh-so-familiar bridge, that was when everything hit home for her. That weakness which prevented her from protecting Reina. That weakness was something Reina wouldn't accept, not in a million years. That weakness was what the girl of her dreams so utterly despised. And right now, Kumiko was the epicenter of all that weakness, everything Reina hated rolled into one package.

"I want to improve, I want to improve, I want to improve!"

Even as cars zoomed by her in the opposite direction, Kumiko paid no heed to the light being shone on her by their headlamps. She wasn't worthy of such attention anyways. Not when she failed to live up to what the girl of her dreams considered ideal. Not when she failed to help her beloved in her greatest hour of need. Not when she failed to keep the girl she wanted by her side from being snatched away.

"I want to improve..."

Kumiko was the only person who could help Reina back then. And yet she couldn't do a single thing to save her.

"I want to be better than everyone! Everyone… Everyone!"

That was it. That was the purest form of the desire laying dormant within Kumiko's heart. She wasn't able to save Reina because of one reason: she wasn't strong enough. If Reina only accepted those who were strong into her inner circle, then Kumiko needed to be stronger. Stronger than everyone else who could pose a threat to her. Strong enough to prevent anything like this from happening again.

Finally, Kumiko slowed down. Turning her head, she looked at the river flowing under the bridge. The water sparkling from all the light it reflected, that dancing glow would normally be a mesmerising sight, but Kumiko was completely uninterested. Resting her weary arms on the bridge's wooden rails, Kumiko hung her head down and breathed deeply for several seconds. Then, her thoughts rang loud and clear.

"I WANT TO IIIMMMPPPRRROOOVVVEEE!"

A moment of silence. Afterwards, another voice broke through the night. Without looking over, Kumiko already knew who it was.

"Hey, Kumiko. What's up."

Shuichi. He had been there when she and Reina were attacked by HTT, so why hadn't he done anything to help them back then? If he had contributed somewhat, then maybe Reina would still be here now. Forget her being pathetic, Shuichi was truly the lowest of the low. Storming across the bridge to face him, Kumiko's next actions took Shuichi completely by surprise.

"Kumiko, what-" he began, but was met with a punch to the face. Then another. And another. Unable to restrain herself any further, all of Kumiko's bottled-up anger manifested itself violently as she beat Shuichi up with her bare fists. Every last bit of her rage erupting in Shuichi's direction, Kumiko cried out with the fire and fury of her unbridled feelings, going berserk upon seeing her childhood friend.

"USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! WWWWWWWHHHHHHHYYYYYYY? USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS! USELESS!"

Even while he was being fiercely attacked by his childhood friend, Shuichi came to realize this all stemmed from a simple misunderstanding. As Kumiko wasn't there when he was defrosted by Kousaka mid-battle, she had no way of knowing about how much pain he was in after being frozen for so long, which prevented him from helping them.

Being taken away by his Pokémon a short while later, the pain subsided once Shuichi ate an Aspear Berry they found, but it was already too late by then. Returning to the Gym a few hours later, the only thing remaining there were the impact marks from the battle, with both Kumiko and Reina nowhere to be seen.

Following a quick message from Mamiko confirming his suspicions that Reina had been taken away, Shuichi immediately went to check on his childhood friend. He was seriously concerned about whether or not she was alright after that chaotic battle. However, Kumiko had found him first and began attacking him out of nowhere.

Oh well, at least he had been through much worse.

Once Kumiko's beatdown finally ended, Shuichi was now laying on the ground in a crumpled heap, unable to pick himself off the floor. As he looked up at his childhood friend, Shuichi saw that her eyes were filled with even more tears than before, flowing down her face like a waterfall of grief. Giving Shuichi one last anger-filled look, Kumiko then ran away from him, loudly sobbing as she did so.

Right now, Shuichi could only pity what Kumiko was going through, unable to help her at all.


| Hey, Azusa |

| Sorry for texting you out of nowhere. Do you have a moment? |

| Shuichi? I haven't heard from you in ages! What's up? |

| Got something you need to ask me about trombones? |

| Well, it's actually about Kumiko |

| Kumiko? You mean our friend? What happened? |

| It's quite a long story, but basically, Reina Kousaka's been kidnapped |

| What? |

| What does that have to do with Kumiko? |

| I thought she wasn't close with Kousaka |

| Apparently, Kumiko and Kousaka hooked up while they were traveling |

| They're now madly in love with each other |

| Heh. Good for them. I've always known Kumiko was a big lesbo |

| So she's now heartbroken because Kousaka's been snatched away from her? |

| Pretty much |

| What makes it worse is that Kumiko was there, but she couldn't do anything |

|They were outside the Ubmedi City Gym when they were cornered by a mob |

| Kumiko managed to get away while Kousaka was caught |

| I was there as well, but I couldn't help since I was frozen in an ice block |

| Ouch. Feeling better now? |

| Yeah. My Pokémon found me an Aspear Berry, so my joints aren't stiff |

| Good for you then |

| Do you know anything more about that mob? Maybe I can help |

| If I remember correctly, they addressed themselves at HTT |

| Wait. Was their logo those three letters inside a star? |

| It was hard to make out from a distance, but I think that's it |

| Oh, then I'm not supposed to talk to you about that |

| Top-secret League stuff and all |

| What? What's so important about this mob? |

| I don't really know either, but senpai's mentioned them before |

| If she's involved, then it's definitely nothing good |

| OK, just wanted to try and help Kumiko there |

| A few hours after Kousaka was taken away, I went to check on Kumiko |

| Her sister said she completely broke down |

| I tried to console her when I found her, but she beat me up |

| Double ouch |

|Then she must be really depressed. The Kumiko I know doesn't act like that |

| Yeah, can't disagree with you there |

| That's why I'm messaging you in the first place |

| Since you're also one of Kumiko's closest friends, maybe you could help her |

| I think she partially blames me for Kousaka being kidnapped |

| That's probably why she snapped when she saw me |

| Maybe she'll react better to you |

| Can't |

| Senpai's gone because of an emergency, so she left me in charge |

| She said I can't leave because there's a chance something could happen |

| Have you tried talking to Kumiko again? |

| I'm afraid I'll just make everything worse by simply existing next to her |

| Fair enoug- |

Azusa's reply was cut short when she heard several knocks on her room's door. She was having a break right now, so nobody was supposed to disturb her barring a literal apocalypse happening outside. Judging by how the knocks seemed to be rather leisurely, Azusa assumed that wasn't the case. Who was it that wanted to see her?

Opening the door, Azusa was greeted by an unexpected yet familiar face.

"Sasaki." Framed by tea-brown hair, the violet eyes of Serina Hiiragi stared right at Azusa. Left speechless at her sudden appearance, a single bead of sweat formed on Azusa's forehead as Serina continued to speak. "Haven't seen you in a while. Guess you're managing just fine without me, huh?"

"You of all people should know that I'm a very busy person, Serina." Azusa chided. "Especially now that I'm in charge yet again, since Mirai-senpai's off on official business. Just what does she even do in the first place? Aggh, at this rate I'll be running the Gym more often than her!"

"And yet you still have time to relax in your room? I thought you'd be bossing people around left and right." As she questioned Azusa, Serina stepped into her room, closing the door and locking it with a 'click'. "Speaking of bossing people around, where's Amika? I thought she'd be here with you."

"Amika-chan's on duty right now. Her shift starts and ends an hour later than mine." Being cornered as Serina continued to relentlessly walk forward, Azusa was eventually forced to sit down on her bed, now being the one having to stare up. "There's 15 minutes until she's done. That should give us some time to get warmed up for her."

"Heh. I like your way of thinking." Serina smirked, quickly unbuttoning her shirt before throwing it onto the ground. Her chest now only protected by a lacy black bra, Azusa seized the initiative to take it off Serina. Left completely topless, Serina grabbed Azusa's shoulders with both her hands before slamming her down onto the bed, their faces now only a short distance away from each other's. "You already look so hot in the Rikka outfit, Sasaki. I can only imagine how sexy you'd be without it."

"Imagine? You don't need to do that. You've already seen what's underneath many times before." As she laughed, Serina undid her one-piece uniform for her, and was soon greeted by the sight of Azusa clad only in a tight-fitting sports bra and modesty shorts. Simultaneously, Azusa got rid of Serina's skirt, now leaving a single layer between their bare bodies. "Let's get started, shall we? I want to give Amika-chan a warm welcome when she gets back."

"Gladly." Allowing herself to be flipped over and pinned down, Serina closed her eyes as Azusa kissed her on the lips, their hands reaching to remove the last of their garments and touch what lay beneath. Flinging their clothes away as their activities became much more intimate, Azusa and Serina were now completely lost in their own world, exploring each other's bodies with the utmost privacy.

The only thing left for them to do was not tire each other out before Amika arrived.


Houkago Tea Time.

Ever since she and Reina encountered that band (during their first meeting outside of middle school, no less!), it had been nothing but misfortune for them. With their members popping up everywhere they went, Kumiko wasn't sure if they were fated or cursed to cross paths with each other. Given what she just suffered at their hands earlier today, it was most likely the latter.

Having immediately returned home after beating someone up (Kumiko forgot who she met on that bridge, but decided they weren't worth remembering anyways), she ate her dinner without muttering a single word before promptly returning to her room. Now here she was, sitting on her bed without moving a single muscle.

Just why did HTT invite them to their headquarters in the first place? Given how eager they were to forcefully kidnap them when Reina turned down their offer, it was obvious to Kumiko that they were both vital for whatever HTT was planning. Thinking back to every time she and Reina crossed paths with the band, Kumiko began to hypothesize a few reasons HTT would be fixated on two regular Trainers like them.

Remembering how the band previously mentioned they were interested in the Mythical Pokémon Meloetta, Kumiko's first guess was that she and Reina were going to be used in something related. With her and Reina having fought with some low-level HTT grunts near the Meloetta-related Messa di Voce, it was possible HTT thought they knew something about it. Besides, they even met Meloetta before.

Not that HTT would be aware.

Alternatively, it would be because HTT wanted to eliminate anyone who knew about them snooping around in Termezzo Town during the Ultra Beast attack. But if that was true, then they would also need to get rid of Asuka and Aoi as well. Kumiko suspected that was where the rest of those 'Stage Dolls' went. Assuming that was the case, Kumiko hoped they were alright. She didn't want anyone else to go through what she did.

Whatever HTT's reason for hunting them down, Reina's sacrifice had definitely thrown a wrench in their plans. However, just thinking about what her beloved gave up to let her escape nearly brought Kumiko to tears again. Holding them in with all her strength, Kumiko resisted every urge to let them all out. This wouldn't be what Reina wanted. She wouldn't want Kumiko to cry about losing something, least of all herself.

Rather, what Reina would want Kumiko to do was reach out and seize her destiny with her bare hands, any threads of fate be damned. If she wanted Reina back by her side, Kumiko would have to rescue her all by herself from HTT's clutches. No whining, no begging for help or miracles. Deep down, Kumiko knew this was what Reina would definitely do if she was the one who had been kidnapped instead.

But what now? Kumiko had completely no clue of where HTT had taken Reina, much less what they planned to do with her. Hell, she didn't even know if Reina was even alive! As that morbid thought slowly burgeoned in her brain, the true extent of Kumiko's despair was about to make itself known when she realized that question could easily be answered.

Sending Orpheus out, Kumiko asked him a simple question. "Can you sense Reina through Eurydice?"

Closing his eyes and concentrating, Orpheus dove deep into the psychic connection he shared with his sister. Though she was in her Pokéball right now, Orpheus could still confirm Eurydice was on the other end. Using her as a proxy to detect Reina's presence, Orpheus locked on to it and relayed the sensations he felt back to Kumiko. Opening his eyes again, Orpheus was confused when his Trainer began crying while smiling.

"Thank goodness…" Kumiko's voice was breaking in between sobs of gratefulness. "Reina's alive… and she hasn't been hurt by HTT at all. She's alright, and she's… comfortable? That's a relief!"

As Orpheus was sharing how Reina was currently feeling to Kumiko via Eurydice, he was also able to sense Kumiko's own emotions and mental condition as well. Curious about how his Trainer was coping after everything that happened today, Orpheus decided to take a peek inside her mind. What he 'saw' scared him to no end.

Below a thin veneer of happiness she gained after learning the good news about Reina, the rest of Kumiko's 'emotional landscape' (Orpheus wasn't sure how else to describe it) was filled with only a single black orb, hard and cold as stone. It wasn't the blazing inferno he expected, but Orpheus instinctively knew that sphere represented all of Kumiko's anger stored in the form of tranquil fury. This was bad. Very bad.

Nearly breaking out into a cold sweat after seeing how close his Trainer was to going off the deep end, it took all of Orpheus' willpower to keep himself from losing his composure. Steadying himself, Orpheus saw that Kumiko had now wiped away her tears, and resumed the expressionless face she previously had. Compared to the one Orhpeus usually saw on Reina, Kumiko's lack of outward emotion was devoid of any soul.

Just how much did losing Reina affect her?

As Orpheus was about to posit that question, Kumiko was beginning to send out the rest of his teammates, so he decided to shelve those thoughts for now. His Trainer definitely had something in mind, and Orpheus was obliged to give her his undivided attention. Perhaps he could learn more about her true feelings that way.

"Everyone, I'm sure all of you would agree with me that what we suffered today was our worst defeat ever." Kumiko addressed her Pokémon, her voice an unnerving monotone. "Not only were we significantly outmatched, but it was only because of Reina sacrificing herself that we were able to escape. As your Trainer, I have to apologize for not being strong enough to command you effectively during that battle."

"However, there is some hope." Kumiko continued. "Since Orpheus sensed that Reina's still alive through Eurydice, it means there's a chance she can be rescued. By Teleporting in then Teleporting out, that process will only take a few seconds if nothing goes wrong. Of course, given that Reina's being held captive by HTT, we'll need to give them a little surprise as revenge for taking her away like that."

Kumiko's face contorted into an eerie grin. "Get ready, because it's going to be payback time tomorrow. Let's hit HTT where it hurts!"


"Natsuki, wake up!"

Despite her alarmed tone, Yuuko's panicked voice did little to rouse Natsuki from her sleep. Her phone blaring out an emergency notification in the dead of night, Yuuko had been rudely awakened by that, which was why she had been trying to snap Natsuki out of her slumber ever since. With each attempt, Yuuko was becoming more and more certain Natsuki could sleep through the apocalypse no problem. Nothing had worked so far.

Having no choice left, Yuuko flung Natsuki's blankets off her before pouncing directly on top of her body, completely disregarding that they were both naked right now. Natsuki's eyes flashed open in shock from Yuuko's sudden impact, but they then narrowed into a seductive gaze.

"Hey, princess. So you're finally ready for another round now?" Natsuki greeted Yuuko, a yawn making her voice sound deeper and huskier than usual. "Man, you really did a number on me back there. I've never slept better in my life, and I'm the one who sleeps a lot! With you around, my sleeping problem's going to be gone in no time flat!"

"Natsuki, this isn't the time for that!" Yuuko's eyes widened. Slamming her hands down on Natsuki's bare shoulders, Yuuko then wrestled her out of bed before dragging her over to their hotel room's curtain-covered windows.

"Wait, is it already time for the raid? I thought we weren't supposed to meet up until morning..." Natsuki began, but Yuuko was having none of that. Tossing a bathrobe at Natsuki and putting one on herself to protect their modesty, Yuuko then flung the curtains open, revealing what she had been so distraught about.

"Holy shit…" Natsuki was left speechless. "Don't tell me HTT did all this…"

As she grimly nodded at Natsuki, Yuuko could only look up at the sky in abject horror. Above them, Ultra Wormholes stretched as far as the eye could see, every one of them pouring out endless legions of Ultra Beasts. Glancing at her phone, Yuuko saw additional reports confirming sightings of this phenomenon all across the region.

Under the League's nose, HTT had made the first move.


A/N: How was last time for a wham episode?

Kumiko and Reina being separated by HTT was always going to be a plot point from the very beginning, but of course neither side will take it well when it finally happened. Especially when Shuichi's being mis-blamed for it.

Serina Hiiragi is a character from the Rikka novels who has an... interesting relationship with Azusa, to say the least. In canon, she also studies at Kitauji and appears in the second year short stories, where she has an interaction with Midori. I hope this chapter can serve as an introduction to who she is for the English-speaking fandom.

And it looks like we've got an even bigger problem on our hands, courtesy of HTT. Is the League's planned raid in jeopardy? Stay tuned to find out next chapter!

Remember, chapters are now back to a weekly schedule again!