A Familiar Silhouette

After everyone had left, the once-crowded apartment felt utterly empty. While it hadn't been noticeable amidst the hustle and bustle, the quiet now settled in like a heavy blanket, amplifying the sense of loneliness.

The television in the living room was playing a lively comedy, with clowns performing silly antics to amuse the audience. Yet Natsumi, sitting on the sofa, didn't find anything funny. It all felt grating and annoying. She held the remote in her hand, flipping through channels in frustration, unable to find anything worth watching.

Finally, with a huff, Natsumi threw the remote aside and lay down on the sofa. She gazed at the ink-black night sky through the window. A full moon hung high above, its soft light filtering through her fingers as she stretched out a hand to block it. The silvery moonlight illuminated her delicate face but brought no warmth—only a deeper sense of chill.

"What's so great about it anyway?" Natsumi muttered angrily. "It's just a stupid lantern festival. Who cares? Hmph."

Her expression was one of irritation, but beneath it lay an undeniable sadness. She didn't even understand why she felt so down—only that her heart felt hollow, as if she were once again a solitary figure walking down a crowded street. Even amidst the noise and chaos, she felt nothing but a boundless loneliness stretching endlessly before her.

So, it's back to this again, is it?

Ever since coming to live here, despite Kaguya's relentless teasing and bullying, life had felt unexpectedly fulfilling. Each day was a battle of wits against that infuriating tyrant, filled with schemes to escape her clutches. And when those failed, she'd fantasize about spitting into Kaguya's food—though she never actually did it. Just imagining it made her feel slightly better.

That day, while browsing the internet on her computer, Natsumi had accidentally clicked on a strange link amidst the clutter of advertisements. The contents of the site left her stunned, as though she had opened a door to an entirely new world. It was captivating. Only then did she realize what Kaguya had done that night wasn't nearly as scandalous as she had thought. Apparently, humans did such things all the time, and it wasn't some form of torture like she had assumed.

It was, in fact, perfectly normal behavior.

Mortified by her mistake, Natsumi wanted nothing more than for the ground to swallow her whole. How could she have made such an embarrassing error? Fortunately, none of the other Spirits seemed to have caught on to this, sparing her the humiliation of being exposed. At least she could breathe a sigh of relief over that.

Later, Natsumi even confronted Mukuro to confirm her suspicions. After hemming and hawing, Mukuro had awkwardly admitted it was true, making Natsumi feel even more humiliated. She wished she could erase the memory entirely.

This only deepened her resentment toward Kaguya. If it weren't for that silver-haired tyrant, she wouldn't have made such a fool of herself.

So today's tantrum wasn't entirely unwarranted—it was an outlet for her pent-up frustration. But in truth, she hadn't really planned to skip the festival. If Kaguya had insisted she come along, she probably would have reluctantly agreed. However, that awful woman hadn't even tried to persuade her and instead left her behind to "watch the house."

How infuriating.

"What's the big deal about watching some dumb lanterns anyway?" Natsumi grumbled, stretching out on the soft sofa. She traced the outline of the moon with her fingers. In reality, she loved lively events like the lantern festival. They were her favorite. On nights like this, the crowds gave her a comforting illusion of company, even if none of those people knew her.

But being left behind in an empty house felt as though she'd been abandoned by everyone.

The thought crept in unbidden, spreading like a stain on her heart. The moonlight was dazzling, but her heart grew heavier.

What will happen to me in the future? she wondered, feeling increasingly restless.

"Fine, then! I'll just leave!" Natsumi shouted, but the words only deepened her discomfort. With a heavy sigh, she muttered, "I should've just agreed earlier…"

She knew her Spirit powers were still sealed, leaving her far more vulnerable than before. Memories of past battles still haunted her, and the thought of being caught outside defenseless was terrifying. She might end up in an even worse situation than this.

Still, her anger toward Kaguya made it impossible to stay. That woman was insufferable. But… Natsumi hesitated. She had finally found friends. Could she really walk away from them so easily?

Having experienced a semblance of companionship for the first time, Natsumi feared loneliness more than anything else. Only after gaining something precious did she realize how difficult it was to let it go.

"Actually, if you really want to leave, I might be able to help."

A clear voice suddenly rang out in the dimly lit room.

Natsumi jumped off the sofa, her body tense. She turned toward the direction of the voice, her tone wary. "Who's there?"

A figure emerged from the darkness, stepping into the moonlight that revealed their face.

When Natsumi saw who it was, her pupils shrank in shock. She gasped, her voice trembling. "It's you?!"

Meanwhile, at the Lantern Festival…

The event was far more crowded than expected. The streets were packed with throngs of people, celebrating enthusiastically. It was as if the recent war had left no scars on their spirits. To some extent, it made sense. Most of the casualties had been soldiers, with very few civilian deaths. Moreover, since the establishment of the Spirit Alliance, Spirit attacks and Spacequakes had ceased entirely. In fact, the frequency of battles had dropped significantly, making people optimistic about the future.

It was no surprise, then, that they celebrated the first festival under the Spirit Alliance with such fervor.

The only downside was the sheer density of the crowd. However, Kaguya had discreetly used her powers to part the people around her group, ensuring they weren't jostled by the masses.

"Are you really okay leaving her at home?" Origami's voice came from beside her.

Kaguya turned and smiled. "What's this? Has that little troublemaker already won you all over? Tohka and Yoshino said something similar earlier."

"No," Origami shook her head, her tone serious. "I'm just concerned that someone might take advantage of her being home alone."

"Don't worry," Kaguya replied, smiling gently. She handed Origami a skewer of glistening white dango. "Want some? The red bean dango here is excellent."

——

"What are you doing here?" Natsumi asked warily, her tone unfriendly as she stared at the beautiful girl who had suddenly appeared before her.

The girl had long golden hair and a strikingly elegant face. Natsumi recognized her immediately—they had crossed paths before, and "rivals" would be a more accurate description of their relationship.

She was Artemisia Bell Ashcroft, Ellen's younger sister. The two were nearly equals in strength, making Artemisia a formidable opponent that even Spirits had to take seriously.

Back when Natsumi arrived in this world, she had been inexplicably pursued and attacked by DEM Corporation. Leading many of those assaults was Artemisia herself. During their past battles, Natsumi had suffered several defeats, leaving a deep impression on her and a profound dislike for the woman.

Artemisia gripped her lightsaber tightly, pointing it at Natsumi as she spoke. "Where is my sister?"

"Your sister?" Natsumi blinked in confusion. The question caught her off guard. "Why are you asking me? How should I know where your sister is?"

"Don't play dumb with me!" Artemisia said sharply. "My sister was obviously captured by your group. Don't even think about denying it."

"Captured by us?" Natsumi's confusion only deepened. "When did we ever capture your sister?"

Wait… could it be that insufferable tyrant?

Natsumi's mind quickly conjured the image of that silver-haired fiend, Kaguya. She recalled how many other Spirit girls had already fallen into Kaguya's "clutches." It didn't take much for her to connect the dots.

It must be her! Natsumi thought. That conniving villain must have done something awful—kidnapping someone's sister and landing her in this mess.

Seeing Natsumi's dazed expression, Artemisia became even more convinced of her theory. She raised her lightsaber, its glowing tip now aimed directly at Natsumi's throat. "Spit it out. Where is my sister? If you don't tell me, I'll kill you right here."

"I have no idea where your sister is! Killing me won't help!" Natsumi's heart was filled with resentment toward Kaguya. Why is it that I have to deal with this mess? It's all that tyrant's fault!

"If you refuse to confess, then I'll make you talk!" Artemisia declared, her face darkening.

"Wait, wait, it's not me!" Natsumi exclaimed, but before she could finish, Artemisia charged at her. The lightsaber in her hand gleamed as it swung straight toward Natsumi's neck.

"Ahhhh!" Natsumi screamed, dropping into a crouch just in time. A scorching wave of heat passed over her head. When she dared to glance upward, she saw the wide sofa behind her had been sliced cleanly, wisps of smoke rising from the charred edge.

Terrified and furious, Natsumi could hardly contain herself. This mess had nothing to do with her! Why was she the one being targeted? And if that wretched tyrant hadn't sealed her powers, she wouldn't be in such a helpless situation.

"Why aren't you fighting back?" Artemisia asked, pausing momentarily. Then, in a cold tone, she added, "If it's guilt holding you back, there's no need for that. Just tell me where my sister is."

You think I don't want to fight back?!

Natsumi thought bitterly. It wasn't a matter of guilt—she physically couldn't fight back! If it weren't for Kaguya sealing her powers, she wouldn't be reduced to such a pitiful state. Her hatred for the silver-haired tyrant burned even brighter.

"You… you're insane! I already said I don't know where your sister is. Are you stupid?" Natsumi yelled in frustration.

"So, you still refuse to cooperate." Artemisia sneered, her expression growing colder. "Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson before you'll talk."

With that, Artemisia stomped forward. Her body shot out like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.

"Hey, hey! Can't you listen to what I'm saying?!" Natsumi screamed desperately. "Why is everyone I meet so stupid—"

She swallowed her words as the lightsaber's blade gleamed right in front of her, forcing her to dodge yet again. The sword's energy nearly grazed her nose, leaving her drenched in cold sweat.

A loud boom echoed, and sparks flew.

The television was sliced clean in half, its screen emitting a faint sizzle as smoke began to rise.

"Everyone is such an idiot!" Natsumi finally shouted in exasperation. But Artemisia's next attack came almost immediately, the blade swinging straight for her neck. If it landed, her head would surely be separated from her body.

In a panic, Natsumi grabbed a flower vase from the shelf and hurled it without thinking. Then she bolted.

The vase shattered midair with a loud crack, cleaved apart by Artemisia's lightsaber.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Natsumi scrambled on all fours to hide behind a wall. Covered in dust, she was a pitiful sight—perhaps the most pitiful she had ever been, even compared to her previous encounters with Kaguya.

"If only I could restore my powers…" Natsumi bit her lip, trembling in frustration.

Fortunately, she had turned off the lights earlier, leaving the room shrouded in darkness. Artemisia wouldn't be able to pinpoint her location immediately.

"You can't hide forever," Artemisia called out, her voice calm yet menacing. "You're no match for me in your current state. Come out and tell me where my sister is, and I promise I won't make this harder for you."

Who would believe that?! Natsumi thought bitterly.

Her delicate face was smudged with dust, making her look like a small, soot-covered cat. Hunched behind the wall, she crawled cautiously toward the corner where she had earlier tossed the black orb Kaguya had given her in a fit of anger.

Though she loathed the idea of asking Kaguya for help, it was clear this wasn't the time to let pride get in the way. Dying here would be far more humiliating.

Suddenly, a beam of light pierced through the thick wall, stopping mere inches from Natsumi's face. Her expression turned pale, and she collapsed onto the floor in terror.

"Found you," Artemisia said, her voice low and chilling.

The glowing blade twisted, and with a deafening crash, the wall collapsed. Amidst the dust and debris, Artemisia's graceful figure emerged, walking toward Natsumi with deliberate poise.

"Anything else to say now?" Artemisia asked coldly, looking down at the trembling Natsumi.

"Um…" Natsumi's gaze darted to the glowing blade at her throat. Forcing an awkward smile, she stammered, "Could you, uh, let me use the bathroom first? I… I really can't hold it in anymore."

——

Night had fallen, and as the day transitioned into evening, lanterns illuminated the streets. The sunset gradually faded, giving way to the serene darkness of the night sky, where a full moon shone brightly among scattered stars. The soft moonlight poured over the lake's surface, rippling slightly as the cool autumn breeze brushed past, causing the water and sky to tremble.

This year's Mid-Autumn moon was particularly large and bright. News reports had been calling it a once-in-a-century astronomical spectacle, saying the next such event wouldn't occur for another 137 years. Kaguya dismissed the hype with a scoff. It's just a natural phenomenon, what's there to be excited about? She thought to herself. It's like celebrating a once-in-a-century flood. Does experiencing it again warrant joy?

It was nothing more than idle chatter to fill the gaps of daily life.

Nevertheless, the allure of this rare lunar display brought out a great number of moon-gazers, and the festival grounds swelled with more visitors than usual. Everywhere Kaguya looked, the streets were packed with throngs of people, their shoulders brushing as they bustled through the festive scene. Lanterns of every shape and color lit up the night with a dazzling array of hues. Despite the crowding, the joy was palpable on the faces of those carrying small, ornate lanterns.

Bang!

A dazzling firework burst in the sky, scattering its fragments like stars across the heavens. More fireworks followed, their radiant displays lighting up the night like day. The crowd was abuzz with the excitement of the pyrotechnics, marveling at the spectacle.

"Wow!"

Tohka clung tightly to Kaguya's arm, her wide eyes fixed on the vibrant fireworks overhead. Her exclamations and cheerful shouts were uncontainable. Unlike other Spirits, Tohka hadn't spent much time in this world, and everything about it was still fresh and novel to her. Watching the vivid bursts of light in the sky filled her with wonder.

Beside her, Yoshino also held a small lantern that Kaguya had bought her, her eyes sparkling with joy. In the past, she had always observed festivals from a distance, her only companion being Yoshinon. But this year was different. She had people to share this experience with, and the absence of loneliness made the evening all the more meaningful.

Meanwhile, Mukuro clung to Kaguya's other arm, her expression a mix of wariness and an emotion she couldn't quite articulate. It wasn't the dazzling fireworks that held her attention—it was Kaguya herself. Mukuro often wrestled with feelings she didn't fully understand, unsure whether to embrace or push them away.

If Natsumi knew about Mukuro acting like this, she'd probably be furious.

"Big deal. Only children like this sort of thing," Origami said with a smirk. "It's just fireworks. Really, it's such a childish delight."

Of course, her laughter was disingenuous—a façade meant to hide her jealousy. It wasn't that she disliked the fireworks. What really irked her was seeing Tohka so closely attached to Kaguya. That had been her spot—before Tohka had shown up and claimed it for herself.

"W-who says I like them?!" Tohka huffed, quickly turning her head away. But her eyes kept stealing glances at the sky, betraying her fascination.

How can something be so beautiful? Why didn't I notice this before?

"Sure, sure," Origami quipped. "A child, through and through."

"You're the child!" Tohka retorted indignantly. "You're the one still drinking Kaguya's milk—"

She didn't get to finish her sentence. Origami quickly clapped a hand over Tohka's mouth, coughing lightly to mask her embarrassment. "Let's go find something to eat," she suggested, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I hear there are lots of great festival snacks."

Her words instantly brightened Tohka's mood. She peeled Origami's hand from her face, exclaiming excitedly, "Really? Where? Where?"

Even Kaguya couldn't help but feel a twinge of awkwardness at Tohka's comment. That's… bedroom talk. Saying it out loud is just—ugh.

Just then, Kaguya felt a gentle tug on her sleeve. Turning her head, she saw Mukuro looking up at her with her signature calm demeanor.

"What is it?" Kaguya asked curiously.

Mukuro tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips as she leaned in close. "Mother Moon is so very radiant tonight. Does it not warm thy heart?"

Her elegant tone and poetic phrasing made Kaguya's head buzz for a moment. Memories of that intoxicating night with Mukuro suddenly flooded her mind. She recalled the girl's delicate, pliant figure and soft curves, and it took all her willpower to shake off those thoughts.

No! I can't keep thinking like this! Kaguya scolded herself. I'm a decent, upright person!

Noticing something unusual, Kaguya turned her attention to Yoshino, who seemed a little distracted. "What's wrong?" she asked gently. "Something on your mind?"

Yoshino quickly shook her head, flustered. "N-no, it's nothing."

"Really?" Kaguya tousled the girl's hair affectionately. "If there's anything bothering you, you can always tell me, okay?"

"Okay." Yoshino nodded softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before Kaguya could say more, Tohka suddenly grabbed her arm and pointed excitedly. "Look over there! Look over there!"

Following Tohka's direction, Kaguya spotted a lion dance performer on a raised platform. The performer moved nimbly, executing impressive stunts. Flames even spewed from the lion's mouth, earning thunderous applause from the crowd.

The sight stirred old memories in Kaguya. As a child, she had often seen lion dances in her hometown during festivals. Back then, she would eagerly join her family in watching the performers. Now, as an adult, the spectacle no longer held the same magic, but Tohka's infectious enthusiasm convinced her to go along.

Unable to resist Tohka's insistence, Kaguya allowed herself to be dragged closer. Mukuro followed quietly, while Yoshino tagged along shyly.

But just as Kaguya approached, her expression suddenly shifted.

Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she caught a glimpse of golden hair—a fleeting silhouette in the crowd. But when she looked again, it was gone.

Was it just my imagination? Kaguya frowned ever so slightly.

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