Chapter 15: Uzuki Saori

On the other side, in the preparation room.

The cool air from the air conditioner was mixed with a faint, fruity fragrance.

Ephnel stood in front of the mirror, took off her wig, and her raven-black hair cascaded down her snow-white shoulders.

The chest binder was removed, and her casual jacket was exchanged for a sky-blue dress.

She let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumped, and her expression became languid.

Ephnel sat down in a chair and stretched her arms.

“Phew… this is still much more comfortable. Nami, can you help me out?”

“Oho, coming! What do you need, Ephnel?”

“This.”

Ephnel sat up straight.

Yonomikenami helped her smooth out the hem of her dress, buttoned it up, and tied the bow.

“Oh, by the way, why didn’t you set aside a commemorative poster for Yukina today?”

“She already has this one.”

Ephnel combed her hair, gently pulling back a fishtail braid and securing it in a side ponytail.

She looked from side to side and sighed.

“Changing outfits every day is so tiring.”

“What’s this~ What’s wrong with our cute Ephnel-senpai all of a sudden? Have you finally seen the light and don’t want to be an ‘older brother’ anymore?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Ephnel tilted her head back, glancing sideways at Yonomikenami.

“I just think this is more relaxing, that’s all. It has nothing to do with anything else.”

When acting as “Yanase Naoto,” Ephnel had to constantly be mindful of her facial expressions, demeanor, posture, and movements, deliberately displaying a “tough” side that matched the identity of an “older brother.”

Although that level of disguise wasn’t too difficult for Ephnel, maintaining such a tense state was naturally exhausting.

So, when she was “Ephnel,” she always felt a sense of contentment from the bottom of her heart when her whole body was relaxed.

“Is that so?”

Yonomikenami tilted her head noncommittally, her gaze falling on Ephnel’s milky-white neck.

It had to be said, Ephnel was really beautiful.

“By the way, Nami, have you heard from the Commander in the last two days?”

“Have I… or have I not?”

“…? So, have you or haven’t you?”

“I haven’t…”

“I see.”

Ephnel took out her phone, her fingers, like slender, smooth scallions, swiping across the screen.

Her brows were slightly furrowed.

“There haven’t been any large-scale ‘Erosion’ disasters in the city these past few days. Hmm… although that’s good news, I have a bad feeling… Don’t you think the behavior patterns of those ‘Erosion organisms’ that attacked five days ago… were a bit strange? I’m a little concerned…”

“Yeah… the relevant investigation has already begun, but the internal affairs department just sent a notice today, complaining to us.”

Answering distractedly, Yonomikenami let her gaze slide down from Ephnel’s neck to her collar.

The graceful curves held her eyes captive.

It was hard to imagine that such a prominent bust could be pressed flat by that inconspicuous chest binder.

If you weren’t paying close attention, you wouldn’t even notice.

“By the way, I’m curious.”

“About what?”

Ephnel tilted her head up to meet Yonomikenami’s gaze.

She saw Yonomikenami dramatically raise a hand to cup her own chest, even suggestively flexing her fingers, her expression mischievous.

“Doesn’t it hurt… to bind yourself like that?”

“…? None of your business!”

“Ehehe…”

Yonomikenami laughed heartlessly, and Ephnel shot her a fierce glare.

“Besides! Was I even talking to you about this??”

Knock, knock—

Just then, a sudden knock on the door echoed through the air.

“I’ll get it!”

As if grasping at a life-saving straw, Yonomikenami quickly escaped and ran to the door.

The door opened, and Ephnel looked out as well, seeing the visitor.

A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.

“Saori?”

Uzuki Saori, Agent codename Lily, was one of the juniors who had fought alongside her five days ago.

She had been injured in the battle and had only just regained her mobility.

She was still in her recovery period.

Like Ephnel’s sister, Shiomi Yukina, she was a student at Yuzumi Girls’ Academy, in her second year.

She was a schoolmate of Shiina Rin, also known as Agent Furan, though they were in different classes of the same year.

In the eyes of others, their relationship was exceptionally close, enviably so.

As Agents, Saori and Rin had joined the “Order” at the same time.

They often acted together, and their seniority as Agents was higher than Fifina’s.

They were very outstanding and beloved juniors.

In the past, they would always attend Ephnel’s performance events.

Sometimes in the audience, sometimes backstage, and sometimes they would even appear on stage as guests.

But today, only Uzuki Saori stood alone outside the door, holding a small bag in both hands.

All alone.

Ephnel pressed her lips together, a trace of hesitation in her eyes.

Shiina Rin was injured, “infected” by the Erosion, and was still in isolation for treatment.

Naturally, she couldn’t be here.

This reminded Ephnel of Fifina, Fuurin Shion.

In the past, Fuurin Shion had been Ephnel’s fan, liking her with a passion that was both intense and a little shy.

She came to every performance.

Even after becoming an Agent, she was still the same.

But this time, she was absent.

Saori was welcomed in by Nami and greeted both Yonomikenami and Ephnel.

“Ephnel-senpai! Good morning. And Yonomikenami-san, good morning.”

Yonomikenami waved her hand: “Good morning to you too, Saori-chan~”

“Good morning, Saori.”

Ephnel brushed the thoughts from her mind and smiled at the girl.

“Since Saori is here, you two can chat~ I’ll go get something. There’s still a lot to prepare.”

Yonomikenami glanced back at Ephnel, stuck out her tongue, and then ran off.

“Yonomikenami-san…”

Saori seemed a little confused.

“Did I… interrupt you two?”

“Not at all, it’s not your fault, Saori. Well… never mind. Let’s not talk about that. Please, have a seat.”

Ephnel sighed helplessly and got Saori a bottle of orange juice.

“We don’t really have anything to offer our guests here. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“N-No! I really like this drink!”

Saori waved her hands and smiled, not showing any signs of distress.

Three days ago, Saori had been devastated by Shiina Rin’s (Furan’s) injury, wailing outside Shiina Rin’s hospital room.

Just as Yukina was the most important person to Ephnel, Saori and Shiina Rin, both orphans from an orphanage who had suffered from an Erosion disaster, were also the most important people to each other.

They had always supported each other to get to where they were now.

Shiina Rin’s serious injury must have been the most unbearable pain for Saori, right?

The memory of that moment flashed before Ephnel’s eyes, causing ripples in her own.