It was supposed to be just an investigation.

A simple field survey of the ruins of a research facility that had conducted experiments on angels.

Yet, the sight that greeted Rinka, Lutra, and me as we stepped into that abandoned place was something none of us could have anticipated.

(What… is happening…?)

A girl who was supposed to be the strongest, the loneliest—one of the walls I had to overcome—was being devoured by a girl who looked exactly like her. The sight was more than enough to shake Touraku’s mind to its core.

Beside him, Rinka had also lost her composure, her face twisted in rage. If she had any abilities at that moment, she would’ve used them without hesitation to attack.

“―This is exactly why I hate humans.”

A familiar voice, but an unfamiliar expression.

A girl who looked identical to Sorciera, yet was unmistakably someone else, noticed Touraku and the others and smiled.

While Touraku froze at the sight of that eerie, doll-like imitation of a human smile, Rinka glared and spat out her name with venom.

“Zero…!”

“Ah, right, you’re… Agiri Rinka! We met once at the hospital. So, tell me―have you managed to become a ‘worthy friend’ for my Master yet?”

“That girl is Zero…?”

Touraku had heard about her existence from Rinka.

The monster lurking within Narou Kei.

The source of Sorciera’s power.

“Hmm, so you’re my little sister’s contractor? Then I suppose I should greet you properly.”

Zero stood up, pinched the hem of her skirt, and gave a graceful, ladylike bow.

“My name is Zero. The Queen’s Coffin, the progenitor of the brilliance that humans worship as stars. Pray to me if you wish. I might grant your wishes on a whim.”

Every movement was meticulous, yet devoid of any heart.

Like a machine programmed to mimic human behavior, her unnatural demeanor only emphasized how alien she truly was.

“Now then―shall we proceed with the execution?”

“Wha―!?”

The next instant, Zero was in front of Rinka.

Not teleportation―just sheer, inhuman speed.

Zero grabbed Rinka by the throat and slammed her against the wall.

Rinka clutched at the hand crushing her windpipe, her face contorted in agony, but Zero didn’t let go.

“Gh―ah―”

“Stop it! Lutra, let’s go!”

『W-Wait, Touraku! Right now, Sis is―!』

Magic circles unfolded around Touraku as he tried to move.

Silver chains shot out, binding his limbs and even Lutra, who had taken the form of his blade.

A battle? No―it was over in an instant.

Touraku and Rinka had been utterly defeated.

“S-Stop…”

“Stop? Don’t be ridiculous. Do you really think I’d listen to you after you interrupted my precious time with my Master? How insolent. Well then, let me bury you with my own hands.”

“Ghh…!”

Zero’s grip tightened.

Touraku desperately struggled against the chains, but they only grew stronger as they absorbed his magic.

“…Ah…”

Rinka’s vision blurred, her consciousness slipping away―

“Zero, stop.”

A calm, yet firm voice.

Sorciera, the owner of that voice, glared at Zero as she adjusted her disheveled clothes.

Hearing her, Zero sighed and released Rinka.

“Haaah… You’re as softhearted as ever. That’s what I adore about you, though.”

With a snap of her fingers, Zero dispelled the silver chains.

Ignoring Rinka, who collapsed coughing, and Touraku, who immediately shifted into a iaido stance, Zero casually walked over to Sorciera.

“I won’t allow you to harm them.”

“Muu… If you say so. You are my Master, after all. I’ll listen to you.”

Zero hugged Sorciera from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder.

That smile was still there.

“We didn’t come here to play, did we? Fulfill your duty.”

“You’re right.”

Like a capricious cat―or perhaps a snake that had caught its prey―Zero traced Sorciera’s silhouette with her fingers.

Even as Sorciera remained expressionless, Touraku spoke up.

“What exactly is your goal?”

At his words, Zero summoned a massive scythe and poised it.

Tension filled the air once more.

“Who said you were allowed to ask questions?”

“Zero. They are… my friends. Treat them with respect.”

“Friends, huh? I wonder what face you’d make if they died?”

“Wha―!?”

Touraku raised his blade, shielding Rinka as she staggered to her feet.

Sorciera sighed at the sight.

“If you have time to spout nonsense, hurry up and finish your task. I hate being kept waiting.”

“Hahah, as stubborn as ever.”

Zero took Sorciera’s hand, kissed the back of it lightly, and smirked.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

With that, Zero vanished into the depths of the ruins.

Left behind, Sorciera looked at Touraku and Rinka and spoke emotionlessly.

“So, what did you want to ask?”

■

『Starreader’s Staff, didn’t I tell you not to go overboard? Especially with beautiful girls! I always say that, right????』

『Yes…』

I was furious.

The reason went without saying.

『And yet you grabbed her neck? Rinka-chan’s slender, delicate neck? You could’ve snapped it in an instant!』

『But they interfered first. A little pain is deserved―』

『Excuse me?』

『My apologies.』

『Don’t let it happen again.』

『Understood.』

『…That said, your unhinged lunatic act was well done.』

『Partner ♥』

I’d praise her.

But never again.

A mysterious beauty causing trouble for other beauties? Unacceptable.

Starreader’s Staff still doesn’t understand moderation.

Or rather, her Data Loid body is just too dangerous.

Even if I were in full Sorciera mode, in a purely physical fight, she’d overpower me instantly.

…Wait, does that mean Miyume-chan is actually the strongest physically?

Anyway, if Zero had stayed any longer, things would’ve gotten messier, so I sent Starreader’s Staff away.

I could’ve just absorbed her back into myself, but then I wouldn’t be able to pull off the “Narou Kei may be Sorciera, but deep down, she’s just a kind-hearted girl…!” act.

The key was maintaining the dynamic―Zero stepping away, leaving room for conversation.

A beautiful girl harboring an uncontrollable monster within her.

Mmm, perfect.

“Um… are you okay?”

His first question after being told he could ask anything… was worrying about me?

Damn, what a good guy. Protagonist material for sure!

“I don’t know what you’re concerned about. From where I’m standing, the two of you seem worse off.”

I brushed my hair back smoothly.

Fixed clothes, cool demeanor.

But those two wouldn’t forget what they’d just witnessed.

“N-No, we’re fine. More importantly, you just―”

“What about me?”

I tilted my head innocently.

A few moments ago, I was basically five seconds away from being devoured by Zero.

Might’ve even looked like I was already being eaten a little.

My feigned ignorance probably came across as a warning not to pry.

Being the good people they were, they hesitated.

I let out a bored sigh and continued.

“We came here for the same reason, didn’t we?”

“You mean… the records on Kisou Academy’s angel experiments?”

Rinka-chan was the first to take the bait for a topic change.

Her consideration warms my heart~.

Wait, they’re here for angel experiment records?

Huh.

…Wait, here?

There’s no way those exist.

This is the Decadence Field.

But Sorciera just happening to be in a place with nothing important would be lame, so let’s pretend this is the right spot.

『Starreader’s Staff, you got a sec?』

『Of course. Speak.』

『Can you look for the angel experiment records? If they’re not here, make them.』

『That second part is way too much to ask.』

Starreader’s Staff gladly accepted my request.

Now, all I had to do was play the tragic, mysterious beauty in front of them until she returned.

“Yes, I was investigating how much Kisou Academy knows about angels. After all, they’ve overstepped their bounds. If they’re trying to control the embodiments of ruin, I’ll crush them myself. I hate those who don’t know their place.”

“So the rumors were true… The student council president hasn’t been showing up in territory battles because he’s capturing angels.”

“Exactly.”

Clam-chan said something similar, so it’s probably true.

But that plan’s doomed to fail.

There’s no such thing in the original story.

“I’ll stop that plan myself. So, you two should focus on the territory battles. Let your guard down, and you’ll be swept off your feet.”

“B-But we can’t just ignore this―”

“Didn’t I say it? I hate those who don’t know their place.”

I glared at Touraku.

Sorry, Touraku.

But you have to impress Rokuhara in this territory battle.

“True, Kisou Academy’s forces make victory unlikely. But the chance isn’t zero. Do you know a man named Rokuhara?”

“Yeah, he’s a Demonsgear user like me. And an S-rank.”

“Correct. And one more thing―you stand no chance against him as you are now.”

“…!”

Touraku clenched his fists in frustration.

But it was the truth.

That guy’s insane. Seriously strong.

“Wanting to save those in front of you is one of your strengths.”

I smiled softly―the gentlest expression I’d shown all day.

“But don’t try to save everyone. There are people only you can save.”

“Kei… Are you among them…?”

I ignored Touraku’s words and stood up.

Then, I approached Rinka and gently touched her neck.

“Kei…”

“Right now, I’m Sorciera. Don’t call me that.”

The key here was to let a hint of sadness flicker across my face for just a moment ♥

Touraku’s insane reflexes would catch it.

A glimpse of the ordinary girl beneath the mysterious beauty―that was the secret ingredient.

“Zero seemed quite taken with you. Are you alright?”

“That’s what being ‘taken with someone’ looks like!?”

“She’s usually indifferent to humans. The fact that she got emotional and attacked you… Did something happen between you two? She did say something like that.”

“…No idea.”

Rinka tilted her head innocently.

Her skills from Silver Twilight made it seem like she genuinely knew nothing―but I wasn’t fooled.

Fufufu… Trying to hide that time you confronted Zero at the hospital, Rinka-chan?

Too bad. I was there.

Ahhh~ ♥ A beautiful girl’s desperate consideration fills my heart~.

“I see. Well, then. Stay still―I’ll heal those bruises.”

I gently touched Rinka’s neck, healing the faint marks.

They’d probably fade in a day anyway, but healing them now served a purpose.

“Rinka, don’t push yourself too hard.”

“…You’re one to talk―”

The moment she tried to retort, I whispered softly into her ear.

“If you get too close to me, you’ll really die one day. So please… stay away.”

“!? Kei, but then you’ll―”

Whispering to a beauty, touching her―with no legal oversight, I could do whatever I wanted!

I might as well go all out!

Hell, I could even hug her in a yuri-style still frame!

“I’m not Kei. I’m… Sorciera.”

I turned my back to them.

At that moment, my “mysterious tear ducts” activated, and a single tear fell.

“Kei…!”

Just as Touraku reached out with a pained cry, a gust of wind blew.

“Oops. Only I get to touch her.”

Zero―no, Starreader’s Staff―had arrived at the perfect moment.

Brilliant.

『I’m back ♥』

『Welcome back ♥ So, did you find what I asked for?』

『Yep. Shockingly, it was actually there ♥』

Seriously?

“Master, I’ve obtained the information. It seems the technology to control angels has already been established.”

Starreader’s Staff hugged me from the side, pressing her face unnecessarily close.

In her hand was a data chip―likely a copied version.

Ahh, I see now.

Starreader’s Staff, I know exactly what you’re trying to do!

“Good. Thank you.”

I took the chip and casually tossed it behind me.

“…Wait, this is―”

“You’d investigate this place anyway, wouldn’t you? Then you’d find out sooner or later. Keep it. And leave.”

This was the move, Starreader’s Staff!

The “cold yet kind Sorciera who secretly has a heart of gold” maneuver!

『As expected of my partner…!』

Starreader’s Staff grinned and wrapped her legs around me unnecessarily.

Try not to make us look too ridiculous if we trip.

“Oh? Are you sure, Master? How generous of you……………… Uh, this is kinda tight (whisper).”

At the end, she whispered that into my ear.

The sudden Sorciera ASMR sent shivers down my spine.

Seriously! I almost let out a moan there!

『Even Eco Mode isn’t enough. My tension’s too high… I’m exhausted…』

Starreader’s Staff couldn’t even use telepathy anymore.

Alright, time to go.

“……Let’s go, Zero.”

“Right. Well then, farewell, insignificant mortals.”

A magic circle unfolded, and I disappeared into it.

“W-Wait, Kei!”

“…I’m sorry.”

Sorry for ignoring you so much.

But I’ll make sure your original story turns out even better to make up for it.

With that, I vanished.

『Phew, almost forgot the camera.』

Oh come on, don’t joke about that.

Get it together, Starreader’s Staff!