The snow was as bad as the supernatural storm back on Jabberwock Island. Visibility was poor and the winds were forcing him to dig in his heels. Hajime wasn't entirely sure why bad weather was following him around, especially since this time he was on a trip specifically between him and Chiaki. They had long left the bus station and were standing right at the base of Mt. Fuji. The frozen ground beneath them was the only sound they both heard for a good, long while.

"You sure you wanted to climb this right now? We could've waited until Spring."

Chiaki shook her head. "I just felt like I had to do it right now. Before Naegi-san and the others fix everything."

"...just to see all the damage that happened?"

"Not just that, Hajime-kun." The SHSL Gamer adjusted her goggles over her cute cat beanie. "I died, remember? There were so many things I never got to do."

"Like climbing one of the highest mountains in the world during one of the most dangerous times to do so?"

"Even so, I still feel safe with you."

The former reserve course student almost choked on his words. "Ah, I...I see."

"Besides, have you ever snowboarded? I remember you seemed to like the rocking back and forth of the ocean before."

"Technically I have but..."

"Then why not try this outside of the Neo World Program? Kinda reminds me of Snowboard Lads."

"I can't really come up for another reason than it being potentially boring. I guess I'll try it."

She gave off a close-lipped smile. "There you go. Not so hard, is it?"

"Harder than you'd think."

"You're trying though. That's what's important." She started to pout. "Though I can't really feel your hand through my gloves right now."

"I don't think you'd even really feel it through this cold."

"Then how about this?"

Hajime looked over as Chiaki tilted up her face at him and pursed her lips together. He sighed a little and gave her a small kiss on the lips. They parted quickly and he chuckled.

"I did feel that, yeah."

"Still really warm. Like the sun! Or a nice bowl of ramen after a long day of item farming during a rainstorm."

"Speaking of which, there are a lot of ramen places in town. You wanted to try them?"

"Yep! I've never been out here but I've heard the food in Fujiyoshida. We could even go to a bar if we wanted."

"Oh, yeah, we're technically over 20." The brown-haired man looked a little nervous. "Not a big fan of beer, though."

"I wouldn't know."

"Right... you've mostly been playing the part of high school student ever since we got back."

"It's not fair." She pouted again. "You get to go out and have fun with everyone else."

Some sweat formed underneath Hajime's own brow beneath his own goggles. "What? Most of you guys are still technically students too. Oh, wait, I just realized another reason for this trip."

"It took you awhile. I guess you really weren't thinking about why I'd want to bring you here all by yourself. With me. Alone."

"Just felt natural to me. I try not to overthink things, lest I provoke my long-haired self."

"I'll take that as you really liking to be around me, Hajime-kun."

"Obviously."

"I really like how relaxed you've gotten. It makes me forget my worries sometimes."

He gave her a long gaze as she looked forward at the mountain before them. "It's just become easier to say what I want now."

"You've really over-leveled yourself. And not just from all those talents. I just hope I can catch up."

"...I think you can."

"Hey hey. You put too many points in your charisma stat. Now I'm feeling like I've been given the float status."

A relaxed chuckle came out of his mouth as she gave another smile back. He finally smiled back and they looked at each other for a few more moments.

"Got an idea of how you're gonna climb this thing?"

"Not really. But I'm not scared of it."

"...this is going to be a long climb, isn't it?"

"It doesn't really compare to how long I've waited for you."

"You have a point." Hajime stepped forward as Chiaki looked at him from behind. "You spent years and years trying to help everyone you could. I saw it myself out there. People who should be long dead walking around alive as if nothing ever happened to them."

"Exactly. If I can pull that off, I can reach the top!"

The two stood and watched the snowy mountain from where they were.

"Another inquiry, Kyoko-chan?" Makoto walked over to the Alliance head's desk. "What happened?"

"You'll find out soon enough. It was one of your recommended recruits this time."

"I'm sure it's a big misunderstanding."

"...we'll see, Makoto-kun."

"It's not like you to stress over this."

"What do you mean? The future of our organization could be at stake here."

"Didn't you do your own interrogation? I'm sure you already know the answer by now."

"I'm not infallible." Kyoko held the side of her face with a small blush. "But it's always nice to hear you praise me so."

"What's wrong?"

"...I suppose hiding anything from you now is foolish. I was reminded by Saihara-kun's fervor about the past."

"His fervor?"

"Yes. He truly believes in his colleague. Not to say his position is completely without foundation, but his actions do remind me of my younger self."

"Sorry, but I don't completely buy that either."

She held her hand in front of her mouth in a gasp for the first time in a long while.

"Maybe you're both detectives, but you two are still fundamentally different people."

"Hmhm. Seems you continue to get sharper."

"Please. What's going on with you?"

"...if you truly must know, I started to remember an old friend."

"Yui Samidare?"

"The list isn't very exhaustive, is it?"

"It had something to do with your hands, right?"

"I wasn't exactly making that a secret. But yes." She looked at her hands again. "I'm surprised. I've long known that my past has been serialized as a novel series. You've never read it?"

"It's tempting." Makoto replied. "But I'd rather hear it from you."

A small smile formed from the corner of her lips. "I see. Thank you."

The snow was calmly falling outside as they both stood by and looked out the window.

"I keep thinking about it over and over and you're quite amazing. Despite your humbleness."

"Huh?" He looked over at her. "What do you mean?"

"By every metric, things shouldn't have worked out as well as they have. It's almost unbelievable." She turned to him. "I suppose I'm jealous."

"Jealous? Why? You helped, too."

"I know I did, but my scars are a reminder that not everyone gets a happy ending."

Makoto swallowed his words and continued to listen.

"It was a failure on my part. And something I had to live with for the rest of my life." She paused for a few moments as she took off her gloves and examined her scars. "It wasn't my own skin that was scarred. My spirit was, too."

"But you're better now. You've come a long way."

"...yes, that is true." Her purple eyes locked onto the brown-haired man a small distance away. "You know, she was as reckless as you are. With a strong sense of justice. We weren't related but she was a big sister to me."

"You, uh, aren't about to tell me that I'm like a brother to you, right?"

"Never."

"I'm not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed now."

"Hehe." A blush came from a smug-looking Kyoko. "Still easy to read, Mr. Open Book."

"I guess you were a lot more sassy when you were younger."

"You wanted me to tap back into my nature. Are you regretting that decision?"

"Not at all. It's kind of nice."

"Stop." An unamused detective looks straight at him. "You don't make this easy on me."

"Sorry."

"You can be a little thoughtless. Aren't you already in a relationship? How shameless."

A worn sigh came out of his lips. "You're teasing me again, aren't you?"

"Hmhmhm. I suppose it's my turn to apologize." She looked back out to the falling snow. "It does feel nice for me, too."

"I'm just glad you're okay again. Don't be sorry about it."

"The saying that time heals all wounds does have some merit. But to say that it healed every single one would be a lie." She placed her scarred right hand up against the icy cold window. "Yui-nee-san was irreplaceable. Just like Makoto-kun is. I'm just glad I got to save you."

"Hey."

She turned over to the smiling young man next to her, who held out his own hand. His pinky was extended out to her. Smiling back, she locked her bare pinky finger with his in another wordless promise.

Shuichi and Kaede were waiting inside the newly-finished inquisition room, looking eerily similar to an official legal courtroom. From what they both overheard from people, apparently a "group of rowdy youths" worked tirelessly the past few weeks in order to finish up projects all over headquarters. Makoto, once again, took the position of "judge" – or officially, the witness official of the entire proceedings. The silence was interrupted as Mukuro came in with the person of the hour: Kokichi Oma.

"Is Harukawa-san not joining us?" Makoto asked.

Mukuro shook her head. "There would be too many problems if she did. I will be here in her stead."

"I understand. Is Oma-kun ready for the inquiry?"

A smug grin came from the short purple-haired boy. "Oh, I'm ready. Let's see how much of a farce this is."

"A shame that you feel that way. Investigator Saihara, you have the floor."

"Thank you, Naegi-san." His eyes locked with the SHSL Supreme Leader's. "We'll get to the truth of this case. Manipulations by Oma-kun notwithstanding."

"I'm curious to what you've found out, Saihara-chan!"

"We need your official statement about the incident, first. Your testimony please."

"Okay, okay. But only because you asked so sweetly." Kokichi placed his finger right on his lips. "You'd better listen closely. I can only repeat this so many times."

Shuichi and Kaede both nodded in response.

"Well, I clearly didn't actually need to go use the restroom. I figured the concert could be more fun if there was some flashy additions to the show. Namely, a pancake-flat idol! So I snuck backstage, managed to get past the guards, and started making my way on top of the scaffolding! I could've done it too, if you and that annoying assassin weren't in my way in the first place!"

"Are you confessing that you intended to harm Maizono-san, Oma-kun?" Makoto asked.

"I figured I'd make it more straightforward for you. A guy like you has to be busy with your little lady friend, right?"

The brown-haired man's eyes widened. "How do you know...?"

"Nishishishi. I have my ways."

"This definitely isn't good, Saihara-kun." Kaede pinched the bridge of her nose. "He's flat out trying to get himself punished! Why?!"

The SHSL Detective started to think to himself. He knew that the purple-haired brat was very fond of making games out of everything. But he also knew there would be some sort of ulterior motive attached to his twisted way of operating. For now, he needed to completely debunk his bogus confession in order to learn what truly happened.

"I really don't have much choice here, do I?" Shuichi pointed straight at the soda-loving youth. "Hold it! Were you acting alone?"

"Of course I was. Others would get in the way, you know. I mean, I have used someone before. But that didn't work out as well as it should've, didn't it?"

"Then your testimony doesn't make any sense."

"How so?"

He pointed to a projector with a blown-up picture of one of his pieces of evidence that he gathered days prior. It was a picture of the scaffolding with footprints appearing through the dust.

"As you can see here, there are actually four sets of footprints. But there were only three people that I can personally vouch that I saw up there at the time. How do you explain this?"

"Clearly another party was there before I put my dastardly scheme into action! Did you think you could discredit me that easily?"

"Not so fast!" Another image showed up on the projector, showing the counterweight that was to be the supposed murder weapon. "You never touched this, did you? I wasn't able to find your fingerprints."

Kokichi's face darkened for a moment, his eyes becoming hidden from view. "Upupupupupu..."

"What's so funny?!" Kaede yelled.

"It's just so...I'm about to cringe so hard right now! Your lies are still soooo bad, Saihara-chan!" He glanced over at his hand absentmindedly. "And still as underhanded as ever. You really know how to get to a boy's heart, don't you?"

"He's still as dangerous as he was in the killing game. Guess he's really fully embraced his new personality."

"No, I think you're getting to him."

"What do you mean, Akamatsu-san?"

"Well, he styles himself a liar right? But just for a moment, I was able to hear his breathing. It wasn't normal."

"So he's really hiding something."

"That much was obvious! Come on, even I noticed that."

"Yes, but who exactly is he hiding something from?"

"Huh?"

"We can't get through to him normally. I'll need your help."

Kaede smirked and clenched her fist. "Okay! I'll show you what I can do, Saihara-kun!"

"You two really are something. It's really kinda annoying. I wanna release this footage to the public!"

"I'm afraid there's no cameras running this time, Oma-kun." Makoto clarified. "That would be a violation of privacy."

"Boo. How boring."

"Enough stalling!" Kaede slammed the desk with an open palm. "It's time you came clean. What were you actually doing up there?"

"I'm insulted. Did you get bored with me, Saihara-chan? I promise I'll keep it interesting!" Crocodile tears started flowing from Kokichi's eyes. "Waaahhh! He hates me so much right now!"

Shuichi sighed. "The only thing I hate is your inability to try and be honest for an extended amount of time. With us and with yourself."

"But that's my whole schtick! To hating lying is to hate me." The tears stopped flowing on an unspoken command. "Or are you going to be lying to yourself, too?"

"Don't try to twist this. You aren't going to be manipulating us anymore!"

"Ohoho! So that's the truth!"

Kaede gave a long look at her partner.

...I see. That's why you've left this up to me.

"Let's focus." She clenched her other fist and hit her open palm in her opposite hand. "Even if you did actually touch the weight, that still doesn't fully presume your guilt."

"Really? Akamatsu-chan...you're sounding like a real idiot right now."

"Don't interrupt me!" Kaede gave a glare and then continued. "There's still the question of the other person that was up there before Saihara-kun and Harukawa-san entered the scene. How are you going to explain that?"

"Simple. I was lying before. I am a known liar. Come on!"

"No! You were telling the truth before. I know it."

"Do you really?"

"Don't underestimate me!"

"Then here's the truth!" A huge malevolent grin spread across the SHSL Supreme Leader's face. "I did work with someone that night. I had to sneak through to the top of the stage somehow, right? So I made connections with someone in the security detail right under Harukawa-chan's nose. I got let in and was able to make my way up where they set that counterweight for me to use! It was the perfect plan!"

"Hey, Oma-kun. Did you know that you pause a little bit whenever you have to think up a new lie?"

"What does that have to do with anything?!"

"Everything. Like how when guys who compliment my performance but have their eyes glued straight to my chest. Or when other girls would try to hide their smirks when saying nice things about my looks. It may not be evidence you'd be able to bring to a court of law, but this isn't one! This isn't even a class trial!"

"Ngh! You!" Kokichi turned straight to Shuichi. "More underhanded tactics? I'm actually impressed now, Saihara-chan!"

"You're always prepared for a showdown with me. But you hadn't seen Akamatsu-san in action for a while."

Kaede cut in. "And this is the piece of evidence that will seal it!"

The picture of the loose wall appeared in high definition with the SHSL Pianist herself standing in the space.

"If you had planned this all from that start, you wouldn't have needed the help. You would've known about this loose part of the wall already. There was no need for an accomplice that could mess up your plan."

"Hah! Not bad."

"I think we've been able to show that there's enough doubt that Oma-kun's confession doesn't make sense."

"Agreed." Makoto nodded. "Are you prepared to reveal to us the truth?"

"The truth?! Would it even have any weight from a liar like me?"

"Then I will explain what most likely happened. I expected that we wouldn't get much help from the accused."

"Go ahead then, Saihara-san."

Clearing his throat, he began to detail what he believed happened that night. "Kokichi Oma noticed something long before we did. Excusing himself to use the restroom, he decided to investigate on his own. Noticing the mysterious fourth person entering from the side of the wall, he managed to go through the same way and tracked them to the top of the scaffolding."

"Oh, I see." Kaede continued. "Then when he arrived, the other person was shocked. Running away, Oma-kun was left with the cartoonish counterweight and was found by both Shuichi Saihara and Maki Harukawa. Not having enough time to really explain himself and looking like the culprit, he decided to go with the flow."

"The question is... who was the person you saw up there?"

Makoto glanced over while Mukuro was continuing her stone faced sentry over the accused.

"Nishishishi! I don't have to tell you, do I? I've been cleared of all charges, right?"

"You would be correct. But why wouldn't you want to share that information?" The former SHSL Hope asked.

"I wouldn't want to besmirch anyone on the record. And would that information even be reliable? I could say it was anyone else!"

"Why you...!" Kaede was at the limit of her patience. Shuichi just shook his head.

"I guess this inquiry is completed then. Thank you all for your time." The brown-haired judge stood up from his desk and proceeded to walk to the back office. "Ikusaba-san, please escort them out."

The black haired woman nodded as the rest of them exited the chamber. Standing before all three of the youths, she looked over at Kokichi. "For someone exonerated, you don't look very happy."

"Because Saihara-chan ruined my game again. Ugh. You always do this. It's such a drag. But I could never hate you for it!" He placed his hands behind his head. "It's somehow always more fun with you around."

"You really are a twisted brat." Kaede groaned. "I don't even understand why making people angry is so appealing to you."

"Maybe you were able to have your fun. But you're right. We didn't get to play the game your way this time."

"Hmmm... maybe I'm slipping. Aw, too bad! But since you decided to make it even better than I imagined, I'll let you in one a little secret."

Shuichi blinked a few times as Kokichi grinned. He walked over to the investigator's side and leaned on him. Tip toeing to his right ear, he whispered something that the ladies couldn't hear.

Maki finally changed out of her Alliance-issued uniform and into something more comfortable for her, very similar to her outfit back in the famous V3 Killing Game. She looked like she was in a hurry, quickly dashing through halls of the official dormitory assigned to the group. Finally reaching the last staircase, she opened the door to the roof and looked over. The moon was a waxing crescent and Kaito was sitting on the ground still in the uniform.

"Harumaki! Couldn't sleep either?"

"Something like that." The red-eyed assassin walked closer and stood next to where the SHSL Astronaut was sitting. "I'd thought I'd be able to find you here."

"Yeah? Were you tracking me?"

"No. Ikusaba said she would see you sneak up here during your breaks."

"Hah. Got me." He rubbed the back of his neck with a goofy grin. "How's, uh, work?"

"Not as bloody as I thought it would be. But... it's not enjoyable work."

"Just like I thought."

"Huh?"

"Maybe you don't like kids, but you're way too nice to be a full-blown killer. My gut was right!"

She puffed her cheeks out and started playing with one of her enormously long twin tails. "I'm not nice."

"I saw you give some good life advice to Saihara during the game. Don't know where it came from, but I was pretty impressed. Good job!"

"...thanks." She stopped playing with her hair. "You were able to reach out to me. The one that came in before our minds got messed with."

"Don't think mine was messed with too much. I don't feel that much different than before."

"We can't all be that lucky. Or unlucky."

"Heh, well... things didn't turn out too great for me. I tried being a big star and, well, a lot of people outshone me if the fan rankings are any indication. Kind of a downer."

"I wasn't ranked too highly either."

"Really?" Kaito was shocked. "But you're pretty awesome. Bah! The audience has no taste."

Maki blushed as red as her outfit. "I hear you'll be going to space soon."

"Yeah. I wonder why they're pushing a space program so hard? Not too complain too much. I get to be on the news and everything! They told me they're even gonna livestream it."

"Wouldn't know. But... that means you'll be gone again."

"Hey. I'm not gonna kick the bucket in there this time. Believe it." Kaito looked over at Maki for a few silent moments. "Couldn't forgive myself if I let you cry again."

"Y-You...!"

"What? Why're you glaring at me so hard?!"

"Do you want to die?"

"No! I just said I didn't!"

"...sorry. A bad habit I'm trying to get rid of."

Kaito sighed in relief. "Guess we both got a lot of bad to try and get rid of. Thought I'd finally be happy now that I've got my chance. I mean, I may not have saved anyone, but I'd be a national hero."

"That's a lie."

"Huh?!"

"You saved me, Momota."

"It may not be as grand as what I'm hoping for but... that makes me really happy." The luminary of the stars looked away with a small pout. "How'd I do that? Didn't I just make you cry?"

"I remembered who I really was."

"...I think I like this Harumaki."

"Don't push it. But thank you."

"When I get back, I wanna ask you something."

"You do know people who are about to die say stuff like that." Maki glared. "Don't."

"Hehe. Sorry. But..."

"I'll wait for you."

Kaito was speechless. "For a guy like me?"

"Especially for a guy like you. You better come back."

He gave a thumbs up to her with his trademark fearless smile. "I will! I'm done lying!"

The two looked up at the night sky while clouds rolled by, covering the moon every-so-often.

"Ugh... the heck happened?" Leon's eyes blinked several times as he stood up. He rubbed the sides of his neck and found metal collar around it. "W-What the?!"

As he frantically tried to remove it, he noticed he was in a concrete room with bars blocking the only exit. Celestia was still unconscious on the floor next to him. Groaning from not being able to remove the invasive accessory from his body, he started to shake his cellmate to help her regain consciousness.

"Mmm...hm?! Unhand me you brute!"

A slap echoed throughout the place as the redhead held his cheek. "Hey! I was waking you up."

"A likely story. Have you become so desperate to do something like this to me? And here I had imagined you would try first on Maizono-san."

"Whoa?! Just what kinda image you got of me inside your head?" The SHSL Baseball Player let her go and looked out the bars. He noticed three other rooms from what he could see, as well as a metal door on the far end of the corridor. The lights were blinding.

"Just how the hell did this happen? First we were at some swanky rich person party and then now we're in jail!"

"I highly doubt this is a jail." The SHSL Gambler dusted off her skirt as she stood up. "But we were clearly drugged somehow. And now we have these strange things around our necks. Our lives, of course, are in danger."

"How the hell are you so calm?!"

"You must adapt. Otherwise you will die."

Noises were starting to come from the other cells. Miu and Keebo found themselves staring outside of their cell, while Great Gozu was trying to break through the bars with his bare hands. There was another person in the last cell, one with long blue hair and a five o'clock shadow. Before the former SHSL Wrestler could break through the bars, a large plasma screen appeared from the ceiling and lowered itself, blocking the metal door to the outside.

"Upupupupu."

Miu yelled. "Are you fucking kidding me? That shitty bear? Again?!"

As if to answer her question to erase all doubt, Monokuma made an appearance on the screen.

"Well howdy everyone! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Monokuma! And welcome to your new home. Ahahahahahaha!"

"Screw that! Let us out, now!" Leon yelled.

"I'm a fair bear, so I think I'll give you the chance to do that now."

Great Gozu crossed his arms. "You shitty fiend! You think we'd believe you after you've had the nerve to kidnap all of us?"

"Life can be unfair sometimes, don't you think?" The two-shaded bear asked. "But luck's pretty important. So let's try the most simple of games... a coin flip!"

The gothic lolita did not look impressed. "I highly doubt you'll be giving us a fair chance."

"I truly am!" Monokuma showed both sides of the monocoin. "Heads and I win, tails and I lose! Unless you'd just like to skip straight to what I've prepared for you?"

"Hey." The last man stood at the bars, alone. "We probably should take the bet. Might as well try, or die like animals in here."

"Die?!" Daisuke Bandai squeaked. The others, aside from Great Gozu, were shocked at how much his voice didn't match.

"Tch. Old guy's got a point." Leon answered. "Let's take the bet."

"Excellent! I always knew you'd be a good sport, Leon Kuwata." Monokuma flipped the coin for all to see. The camera focused exclusively on it as it fell and landed on a carpeted floor. To no one's surprise, it ended up landing on heads.

"Dammit! I knew you'd cheat!" Miu accused. "That bear's gonna give me a breakdown!"

"Iruma-san." Keebo interrupted in his emotionless voice. "I could see no tampering on video. We lost."

"Didn't I ask you all earlier? Life can be so unfair sometimes, right? Well... looks like my preparations won't be in vain! Night, night everyone!"

"Wait, what—" Before the mysterious seventh man could finish his sentence, everyone fell limp onto the floor. The last thing any of them heard was the laughing coming from the bear.

On the other side of the monitor, Monokuma started to walk away while Nagito was seated and looking on. Monaca entered the room where he was sitting, while Monokuma walked out of the door she came in through from.

"There you go, big bro. Happy now?"

Nagito shook his head. "This was only the start. We'll have to see if they really have what it takes."

"Is hope really that important for you?" Monaca glanced with boredom out the window of the office. The moon was completely covered by the clouds, hiding what appeared to be a full one. "Seems like a waste of time for me."

"Perhaps I couldn't get through to you. But I believe hope can come from the truly despicable."

"Even him?"

"Yes, even him."

Monaca shrugged. "Well, at least I get to screw with him more now. Not like I haven't before with his arm."

"You mustn't do anything too rash. He's still needed."

"Oh? But what if he decides to try and break the rules?"

"Then he'll be punished. Like anyone else."

"Hehe. Monaca hopes that he will, then."

ANote

It was a while since Himiko saw her friends. Shuichi was bogged down with a few investigations, Maki was busy on the field and even Tenko was busy having to train recruits in Neo-Akido. The night was dying down and it was getting close to closing time. She was looking forward to watching her soap operas and having a nice, comfy sleep. Someone entered the bar and she immediately looked.

"N-Nyeh?!"

Tsumugi walked in calmly and took a seat at the counter.

"You? What are you doing here? I should banish you with my magic! Or at least call the cops."

"I'm not going to stop you. Though I think I know why you won't."

Himiko broke eye contact with her and kept looking away.

"You're curious, aren't you? About why I wrote things the way they did?"

"Did you pity me that much, Shirogane? People say I was a useless survivor. I heard you only had me stay alive because it would be too dark otherwise."

"Heavens no! By the way, could you make me a drink?"

"I don't serve minors."

"I want to see you make a drink. That's all."

The SHSL Magician gulped and began to make a spirit with the SHSL Cosplayer watching intently. The redhead's skill in sleight-of-hand finally translated well as she expertly created an amazing looking cocktail. She looked deathly serious as she finished her preparations and presented it to her.

"...just as I thought. I don't even need to drink it to know that it would be thought-provokingly good."

"How would you know?"

"I used to be a bartender myself."

Himiko had a blank stare as she looked straight at the blue-haired enigma. Tsumugi stood up and smiled.

"Saihara-kun does have a special place in my heart, but you were always one of my favorites Yumeno-san. That's the reason. There's no long-term scheme or big-brained plan involved. We had a common thing between us and I knew we would get along with our interests. It must be plain to see now."

"Now I'm kinda disappointed."

"There's no reason to be. After all, you do have a magical ability."

"Nyeh?! What do you mean?"

"The ability to serve the 'Glass of the Gods."

Himiko looked more confused than she did at first.

"Hmhm. Well, I should be going. Thank you for the drink, Yumeno-san."

The former mastermind left as soon as she arrived, leaving the drink on the counter.