In the end, Reine managed to smooth things over by introducing Kaguya and Yuzuru as transfer students. Using the excuses that Tohka needed to rest after getting hit by a trash can and that the transfer students needed a briefing, the group—including Shido and Mikoto—headed deeper into the museum.
Although they escaped the murderous glares of the other students, Kaguya and Yuzuru continued to cling to Shido the entire way. The reason was simple: following Kaguya's proposal, the subject of their duel had been changed to "Feminine Charm". In other words, a reverse-conquest where whoever managed to make Shido's heart flutter would win.
"This has turned into quite a troubleso situation" Reine said, looking at Kaguya and Yuzuru stuck to Shido in the room.
"...Yeah" Mikoto sighed slightly.
"By the way, you guys still haven't answered . What exactly is this duel all about?" Mikoto asked again.
"Kukuku... Very well, I shall tell you. This sacred duel between Yuzuru and I..."
According to Kaguya, the two of them were originally a single Spirit nad "Yamai" who had sohow split into two. Although they didn't know the reason, the mont they saw each other, they instantly understood that there could only be one true Yamai.
In other words, the duel was to fight for the title of "Yamai". The winner would beco the new Yamai, and the loser would vanish completely.
"Mikoto, could I ask you to switch rooms with Kaguya? I will put you and Yuzuru in the sa room," Reine asked.
"Mhm, no problem."
Mikoto nodded, understanding Reine's intention. The hotel rooms were already booked, and originally, she, Tohka, and three other girls were supposed to share a room. But considering that Kaguya and Yuzuru were literally trying to kill each other, if a fight broke out, the entire hotel could be blown away. It was best to keep them separated.
"For so reason, we currently can't contact the Fraxinus, so providing support might be a bit difficult. Shin, help Tohka up and take her and Mikoto outside first. I have so things I need to discuss with Kaguya and Yuzuru."
Reine tapped on a small handheld screen for a mont before turning to the group.
"Who do you think you are? rely watching is one thing, but if you intend to interfere, I won't forgive you" Kaguya glared.
"Questioning. Who are you?" Yuzuru asked.
Although the Yamai sisters initially protested, Reine easily reeled them in by claiming, "I'll teach you how to conquer Shido."
_____________
"Yakumo-senpai, what do you think about Kaguya and Yuzuru?" Shido asked as they walked down the hall.
"Hmm... it's very troubleso," Mikoto pondered.
Only the one who survives can beco Yamai. In other words, Shido's conquest had to be built on the foundation of those two trying to kill each other.
"But I do have one question" Mikoto added.
"A question?"
"Hey, Shido. If Kaguya and Yuzuru truly want to fight to the death to beco the one and only Yamai, like they said... is it really necessary to hold a hundred matches?"
"Ah..." Shido froze upon hearing Mikoto's words.
She was right. If the two truly, wholeheartedly wanted to eliminate the other, they just needed to fight until one of them fell. Not to ntion, their so called "duels" included completely ridiculous events like foot races, eating contests, and karaoke.
"You an..."
"I don't know. But Shido, until we figure out what Kaguya and Yuzuru are truly thinking, acting recklessly will be dangerous. And besides..."
"Besides?"
"To be honest, I have a very bad feeling about this school trip," Mikoto sighed. It wasn't just because of the Yamai sisters; what truly made Mikoto uneasy was losing contact with the Fraxinus. She felt like that was a problem they absolutely couldn't just ignore.
At 6:50 PM. After chatting with Yuzuru in their room for a while, Mikoto left to find Shido.
"I didn't manage to get any new information."
The main topic of their chat was how to conquer Shido. While she did manage to learn a bit about Shido's preferences, rather than helping Yuzuru formulate a plan, Mikoto was far more interested in figuring out what Yuzuru really thought of Kaguya.
"Mikoto, let's go to the hot springs together!" A short while later, Tohka ca over and invited her.
"Umm... I think I'll pass," Mikoto smiled wryly, politely declining.
"Eh... we finally have the chance to enjoy the hot springs together. Do you not like hot springs, Mikoto?"
"Sorry, Tohka. The novel I'm reading just got to the best part, and I really can't bring myself to put it down."
While the novel was indeed good, the real reason was simply the fact that she was a gender-bent transmigrator.
"Ooh! You must recomnd that novel to too!"
"Mhm. If you don't mind, I can lend it to you tonight, Tohka."
"Umu! I'm counting on it! See you tonight!"
Watching Tohka excitedly run off to the hot springs, Mikoto smiled wryly and waved goodbye.
[There's absolutely no way I'd have the confidence to stay in a place filled with naked girls.]
Just picturing the scene was enough to make her face flush red.
[Whatever, I'll go for a walk.]
Closing her book, Mikoto looked out the window. It was evening, so taking a walk by the beach seed like a nice idea. Once it got late and there were fewer people, she could go enjoy the hot springs all by herself.
"This is Adeptus 1. The target has left the room."
[Understood. Do you need us to deploy the Bandersnatch units?]
"...No need. Against that Spirit, a small number of Bandersnatches is aningless."
Just as Mikoto left her room, Ellen, hiding in a corner of the hallway, began carefully tailing the girl. Under the guise of a hired photographer, Ellen had infiltrated the school trip in disguise. To avoid detection, she had been observing Mikoto and Tohka carefully from a distance. Now, seeing Mikoto acting completely alone, Ellen decided this was the perfect opportunity to strike.
"Huh? Isn't that the photographer lady?"
"Perfect timing! Let's go to the hot springs together! To the hot springs!"
"That's gross~"
Suddenly, voices called out from behind her. Ellen turned around and saw the three girls sharing a room with her target, Yatogami Tohka.
"Eh? Wait a second—"
"Co on, co on! Don't be shy!"
"Yeah! The hot springs here are absolutely amazing!"
"That's gross~"
As a result, despite her struggles, Ellen was helplessly dragged away to the hot springs by the three girls.
___________
As the orange glow faded from the sky, night fell.
"Ugh... I stayed out a bit too long."
Walking along the beach, Mikoto ntally scolded herself for walking too far just because she got caught up enjoying the sunset.
The ocean at night was completely different from during the day. If she were with Shido, it might be considered romantic, but walking alone on a pitch-black beach just felt kinda creepy.
Under the night sky, the ink-black seawater stretched endlessly, crashing against the sand before pulling back again.
[I feel like sothing is going to jump out at .]
Staring at the dark water, the girl's face turned slightly pale.
[Ugh... I can't scare myself like this. I can't scare myself.]
Mikoto shook her head, trying to stop her wild imagination, and started walking back toward the hotel.
[!!!]
But right at that mont, the corner of her eye caught a bizarre silhouette. It was a pitch black, human like figure standing in the receding seawater, taking slow, deliberate steps toward her.
"Eek..."
The young girl let out a small gasp. Under the dark night, she couldn't make out what it was at all.
[Soone swimming?]
No, the hair looked like long, ribbon like appendages, and there were sharp horns growing out of its head.
"Yaku... mo..."
"Eh?"
Hearing the monster call her na, Mikoto's already racing heart beat even faster. That thing knew who she was!
"Eek..."
She wanted to run, but her legs gave out, and she flopped onto the sand with a thud.
"Yaku... mo..."
The sea monster slowly closed the distance, eventually looming right over Mikoto. And then, it reached out a hand toward the young girl.
"Iyaa—!!!"
Faced with such an overly terrifying and surreal scene, Mikoto let out a scream, completely forgetting to even use her Spirit powers to fight back.
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