Clown

The Lantern Festival, as an annual grand event, naturally attracted many people to come and celebrate. Small vendors also flocked to the area, hoping to cash in on the festivities. After all, during times like these, people were mostly out for entertainment and more willing to spend a little extra for enjoyment, treating themselves for a year of hard work.

Moreover, most of the festival attendees were couples or families, who tended to spend generously, making them the favorite clientele of the vendors.

The Lantern Festival boasted a variety of booths offering a myriad of games. From solving lantern riddles, scooping goldfish, to arranging chess puzzles, most of the activities were geared toward children. However, they still held significant appeal for adults, many of whom sought to make up for unfulfilled childhood wishes. After all, not everyone had parents willing to spend freely on fun during their younger years.

"I want to play this! I want to play this!"

Tohka grabbed Kaguya's hand excitedly and ran toward a booth in the distance, stopping in front of a ring toss game.

The rules were simple: throw rings at items placed at a distance, and if you managed to hook an item, it was yours. It seemed easy, but anyone who tried quickly realized its difficulty. The lightweight bamboo rings made precision challenging, especially with the occasional gust of wind. Watching the two people trying beside them made this evident.

"Ah! Missed again," a heavily made-up, flamboyant woman clung to the arm of a portly man dressed like a wealthy businessman, whining coquettishly, "Honey, let's try again, okay?"

Her saccharine voice made Kaguya feel slightly nauseated. With her heightened perception, Kaguya could easily tell that beneath the layers of makeup, this woman's natural appearance was rather unremarkable. It made her marvel at the transformative power of cosmetics.

Still, as they say: "There are no ugly women, only lazy ones."

But for Kaguya, a more natural look was preferable. Beauty built on makeup could only last so long; once the makeup came off, it exposed the truth.

"Sure, no problem." The wealthy man pulled out a wad of cash with a flourish. "How much for all the rings? I'll take them all."

His suit and demeanor screamed nouveau riche, and only a nouveau riche would carry that much cash around.

"Uh…" The vendor hesitated, holding the money.

"What's the issue?" The businessman frowned.

"Actually," the vendor said, pointing toward Kaguya and her group, "those young ladies already paid for their turn. They were here first."

"How much did they pay? I'll triple it," the businessman said dismissively, turning his gaze toward the supposed competition—and froze.

He had never seen such beautiful girls, and there were so many of them. There was the tall, stunning one; the petite and adorable one; the cold, ethereal one; and especially the silver-haired girl in the center, whose beauty was simply breathtaking. Her flawless skin and radiant smile were a far cry from his mistress beside him, who now seemed like a gaudy chicken next to these swans.

"I'm sorry," Kaguya stepped forward with a smile. "We were here first. I hope you understand and respect the order. Don't you agree?"

Her melodious voice rang out like bells, snapping the businessman out of his daze. He immediately forced a smile. "Of course, of course. You're absolutely right."

But his mistress, noticing the attention he was giving the girls, became visibly displeased. Especially since she couldn't hold a candle to them in looks, her jealousy flared. Clinging tighter to his arm, she pressed her ample chest against him and whined, "Honey, I want to play first. Can't those poor students wait their turn? It's not like they can afford much anyway."

"What do you know?" The businessman frowned, reprimanding her in a low voice. "Keep quiet."

He had initially been impressed by her supposed charm and beauty, but now, compared to these refined girls, she seemed utterly tacky. He began to wonder why he ever thought she was special. Perhaps it was the lack of comparison until now.

As his thoughts wandered, his eyes once again drifted toward Kaguya's stunning face, stirring a desire to claim this silver-haired beauty for himself.

"This fat pig is so ugly; it's disgusting."

The soft, innocent voice shattered the tension, causing the crowd to fall silent.

It came from none other than Mukuro, who stood beside Kaguya. Her wide, innocent eyes showed no malice, but her blunt words struck like a knife.

Even a fool could tell she was referring to the businessman.

His face darkened. "Whose child is this? Such poor manners! What a disgrace to Japan."

Kaguya's brows knitted slightly as she stepped forward, her voice cool. "She's my sister. Is there a problem? If we're talking about disgrace, I'd say a greasy pig like you is far worse."

"Greasy pig?"

The businessman froze.

"Exactly," Kaguya continued, her tone calm but cutting. "Fat and sweaty—what else would you be?"

"You dare insult me?" His astonishment quickly turned to anger.

"And who are you to think I wouldn't?" Kaguya retorted with a scoff.

"Mom, the fat pig looks mad," Mukuro said, tugging at Kaguya's sleeve. Her innocent expression added a knife twist to her words, leaving the businessman speechless and his mistress fuming with rage.

The onlookers around them, who had gathered to enjoy the drama, burst into hushed murmurs and stifled chuckles. The spectacle of a wealthy man being put in his place by a group of young women was far too entertaining to miss.

The businessman's face darkened further as the crowd began to grow. Annoyed by the humiliation, he barked, "I suspect you all of theft. Come with us for questioning."

At his signal, several burly men emerged from the crowd, surrounding Kaguya and her companions.

The appearance of the men in black instantly turned the festive atmosphere tense. The joyous vibe of the holiday was dampened, and many onlookers began to quietly disperse. Judging by the scene, this fat man didn't seem like an ordinary person. Better to avoid being caught up in trouble when the authorities make a move.

Kaguya surveyed the black-clad, burly men surrounding them with a playful smirk. "Well, well, it seems we have a high-ranking official among us. What a surprise."

"Are you afraid now?" The gaudily dressed mistress stepped forward with a gloating sneer. "It's too late for that. Do you know who this important figure standing before you is?"

"Important figure?"

Seeing her smug expression, Kaguya raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Who might that be?"

"This is none other than the current Japanese Minister of Defense, Fukuda Michio, who also holds a seat in the Cabinet. He's highly respected within his party. Of course, ignorant little girls like you, who probably haven't even graduated school, wouldn't know that," the mistress said triumphantly, as though she were speaking of her own accomplishments.

The so-called Minister of Defense, Fukuda Michio, also raised his head slightly, seemingly pleased with his mistress's display of tact. What he anticipated even more was the reaction of these girls upon hearing this—he was certain they would be so terrified they'd collapse on the spot.

However, life rarely goes as planned, and events seldom unfold as one envisions.

"Minister of Defense?" Tohka blinked her large, sparkling eyes and turned to Kaguya. "What's a Minister of Defense? Is it something edible?"

Mukuro stifled a giggle, clearly finding Tohka's question amusing.

Tohka and the others had no concept of national institutions. To them, people were categorized simply as enemies, friends, or passersby. Matters of state were not something they cared about; they were far more interested in what was on the menu for tomorrow's dinner.

Only Origami appeared to relax upon hearing this revelation, lowering the hand that had been reaching under her skirt for her concealed firearm. To her, the only organization that posed a genuine threat was DEM Corporation. Apart from a few powerful individuals within DEM, no one else warranted her serious concern—not even members of the Ministry of Defense or AST. After all, she herself had once been a part of AST, and one of its elite members at that.

As for this so-called Minister of Defense, she had heard of him. He was nothing more than a puppet of a major corporation, known for his bluster and lacking any real capability. If it weren't for the sudden death of his predecessor, Nakaya Motoharu, Fukuda Michio would never have been able to claim this position.

For someone like him, there was no reason to be afraid.

The surrounding crowd erupted into murmurs. The unremarkable-looking man before them was allegedly the Minister of Defense? How could that be? Wasn't the Minister of Defense Nakaya Motoharu?

The news of Fukuda Michio's appointment as Minister of Defense hadn't yet spread widely, so it was no wonder the public was unaware of his identity.

Seeing the doubtful gazes from the crowd and hearing their whispered discussions, Fukuda Michio's temper flared. The smiling, fearless expressions of the girls in front of him only added fuel to the fire. To him, this was a monumental humiliation. He was a dignified Minister of Defense, yet they didn't take him seriously. It was utterly intolerable.

"Men!" Fukuda Michio bellowed angrily. "Arrest these girls immediately!"

His mistress beamed smugly, clearly pleased by Fukuda Michio's reaction.

These clueless little brats, she thought gleefully. They really don't know what's good for them. At first, she had worried they might steal her place, but it seemed there was no need for concern. Given Fukuda Michio's temperament, he wouldn't let them off lightly no matter how pretty they were. Once they were in his hands, they'd be at his mercy.

But to Fukuda Michio's astonishment, the black-clad men remained motionless as though they hadn't heard his orders. Not even their postures shifted.

"Are you deaf?" Fukuda Michio shouted furiously. "I said arrest these harlots!"

He repeated the command several times, but the bodyguards stayed rooted like wooden statues, completely ignoring him. His futile rage made him look like he was performing a one-man comedy show, drawing chuckles from the crowd.

The girls' amused expressions only made Fukuda Michio angrier.

"What's he doing?" Mukuro asked curiously.

"Probably some kind of ritual," Kaguya replied nonchalantly, making things up on the spot.

"A ritual?" Tohka's eyes widened in surprise. "Like the lion dance we saw earlier?"

"Hmm, something like that," Kaguya said, her tone serious despite her nonsense.

"Then why aren't they moving?" Tohka asked.

Kaguya rubbed her chin thoughtfully before answering solemnly, "Probably because the ritual failed."

"Oh, I see!" Tohka nodded, her face lighting up with understanding.

"You insolent brats!" Fukuda Michio's face turned crimson. Tohka's words, innocent as they were, sounded like mockery to his ears. He was seething with rage. "You dare to insult a national leader? I'll call the army and have you all obliterated!"

Pulling out his phone, he prepared to summon reinforcements. But Kaguya's sly smile and her quiet, mocking words stopped him cold.

"Doing this in public, no matter what your position is, won't save you from prison. Abuse of power and attempted kidnapping? Those are serious crimes," she said, her voice sweet but dripping with scorn. "Or perhaps you're just a mentally retarded rich man who should head straight to the mental hospital. Either way, you're doomed."

She gestured to the crowd. "See those people filming you with their phones? With solid evidence and witnesses, even if you're a billionaire, you won't escape. And with how fast scandals go viral on the internet, Japan cannot afford a Minister of Defense like you. This kind of disgrace will ruin you. Just wait—for death."

She didn't stop there, delivering another sharp jab. "Do you think you're the emperor, deciding life and death with a mere insult? Or are you living in some third-rate novel plot? Fat pig."

The crowd burst into laughter at her biting words, their mirth turning Fukuda Michio's fury into sheer humiliation.

"You…" he stammered, his rage choking his words.

Losing all composure, Fukuda Michio pulled out his phone and held it to his ear, ready to make a call.

"You might want to think this through," Kaguya said with a sly smile, blinking innocently.

"What do you mean?" Fukuda Michio snapped, glaring at her. "What, are you scared now?"

Having suffered such public humiliation, Fukuda Michio vowed to make Kaguya pay dearly. Even if she begged for forgiveness, he wouldn't let her off. He would make sure this silver-haired girl learned the cost of crossing him.

"Nothing," Kaguya said with a shrug, gesturing politely. "Go ahead, make your call."

Fukuda Michio hesitated, unease creeping into his heart. The calm demeanor of these girls was unsettling. Ordinary people in their situation would have been trembling with fear, yet these girls seemed completely unfazed.

Could they be the family or mistresses of some high-ranking official? That might explain the bodyguards' refusal to act. Maybe the guards recognized them and were too afraid to make a move.

In truth, the bodyguards were under Kaguya's control, ensnared by her genjutsu.

Just as Fukuda Michio stood there deliberating, a firm voice cut through the commotion.

"What's going on here? What's all this about?" A striking young woman with a single ponytail strode forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over the scene. She frowned. "Who are you people, and what are you doing here?"

Kaguya blinked in surprise. The woman was none other than AST's former captain, Ryouko Kusakabe—a familiar face she hadn't seen in a long time.

"Why are you here?" Ryouko instinctively took a step back, her eyes widening in shock as if she had seen a ghost. Her voice rose in a startled cry.

"Long time no see, Captain," Kaguya greeted with a warm smile, waving casually. "It feels like ages since we last met. Honestly, I've missed you."

Like hell I want you to miss me.

Ryouko instinctively reached for her gun but grasped at empty air. That's when she remembered—today was the Lantern Festival, a holiday, so she hadn't brought her weapon with her. Realizing this, cold sweat trickled down her back.

What now?

Truth be told, Ryouko had always been rather unlucky. Back when she was part of AST's Ground Self-Defense Force, she had been a squad leader and already promoted to lieutenant colonel. With her credentials, climbing the ranks to senior leadership seemed inevitable after a few years.

However, due to the incident involving Kaguya, she had been reprimanded by her superiors for gross negligence, accused of inviting a "wolf into the fold" and causing significant losses to AST. Her punishment was immediate suspension.

By the time the incident's aftermath had settled, AST itself had been disbanded. Ryouko's unit was reassigned to a government department, and while she was made a young Cabinet member—a notable achievement—it still fell far short of her previous influence.

What she missed most, however, wasn't the rank or title but the thrill of combat. Ryouko had always loved the heat of battle, and being confined to an office was torture. She couldn't stand the tedium.

Thinking about Kaguya made her grind her teeth in frustration. The memory of being utterly defeated in combat burned fresh in her mind. Countless nights she had stuck pins into a straw doll with Kaguya's name on it.

And now, of all places, they were meeting here.

"What are you doing here?" Ryouko snapped, adopting a defensive stance. Her voice carried a harsh edge. "What scheme are you plotting this time?"

"I'm just here to see the lanterns," Kaguya replied nonchalantly, shrugging. "What else would I be doing?"

See the lanterns? Who are you fooling?

I believed you once before, and look where that got me—stuck in an office job where I can't even touch a gun, let alone my beloved AST equipment.

Ryouko glared at Kaguya, her expression seething with unresolved grievances.

"Um... Are you Kaguya?"

A timid voice sounded from behind.

Hearing the familiar tone, Kaguya paused for a moment before turning around. She was surprised to see who it was. "Is that you, Mikie Okamine?"

Standing before her was a petite and pretty girl with brown hair tied into a light yellow ribbon. She wore a black school uniform paired with a light blue skirt. She looked pure and charming—none other than Mikie Okamine, whom Kaguya had once met during her time with AST.

"It really is you!" Mikie exclaimed with delight. "And Origami-senpai too!" She quickly ran over to them.

"Wait! Stop! That person is dangerous!" Ryouko reached out to grab Mikie, but her hand caught only air.

"Captain, long time no see," a familiar voice said from behind.

Ryouko turned around, stunned to see who it was. "Origami Tobiichi? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see the lanterns," Origami replied calmly.

"See the lanterns?" Ryouko looked baffled. She remembered Origami as the most diligent AST member, always prioritizing training above all else. Seeing her casually attending a festival was out of character.

"I want to apologize for before," Origami said, her voice tinged with remorse. "I'm sorry."

She was referring to past events during their conflict. Origami had refused to fight Kaguya, defying orders and even stopping other team members from engaging. As a result, AST suffered heavy losses, with their base nearly leveled. But even if Origami had fought, the outcome wouldn't have been much better. Her defiance had likely saved many AST members' lives.

Ryouko alternated glances between Kaguya, now chatting amicably with Mikie, and Origami before her. Disbelief colored her expression. "You're associating with these Spirits now? Don't tell me you've...?"

"Yes," Origami nodded, glancing at the group of girls nearby. "They're my friends."

"Friends with Spirits?" Ryouko felt as if she had just heard something utterly absurd. "How can humans be friends with Spirits? You must have been brainwashed or forced into this. If they've coerced you, don't worry—I'll help you."

Ryouko had long suspected something like this. As she spoke, her own theory gained momentum in her mind. She thought back to how Mikie had often seemed distant and distracted—wasn't that evidence enough? How could any human willingly befriend beings who endangered the entire world?

"No," Origami shook her head. "They didn't coerce me. And they aren't what you think. If you lived with them, you'd understand. They're not violent creatures. They're really no different from us humans."

Live with them? Is she kidding?

"You've been deceived!" Ryouko declared with conviction. "Don't worry, I'll call for reinforcements to rescue you." She resolutely pulled out her phone.

"The treaty prohibits humans from attacking Spirits," Origami pointed out softly. "Besides, there's no need for you to worry."

Ryouko froze mid-action. Origami was right—the treaty between humans and Spirits forbade any country or organization from initiating aggression. Violating it would invoke the Spirits' wrath, a consequence no nation could afford.

"You! Who are you people? Leave immediately, or I'll arrest you for obstructing official business!" Fukuda Michio, who had been ignored throughout the conversation and treated like a clown by everyone, finally lost his rationality. No longer thinking about whether they might be the family or mistresses of some high-ranking official, his voice erupted, laced with barely restrained fury.

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