Far in the southern district of the Main City stood an old factory, long abandoned, yet impeccably maintained. Not a single piece of litter marred the premises; not even wild grass dared to sprout near its walls. It was as if the land itself respected the stillness of this place.
A turquoise RX-7 with sleek black trims, custom-built for racing, rested silently by the building's right side. Next to it, Rindo Chihaya, a female mechanic known for her unmatched precision, wiped the sweat off her brow with a stained rag while sipping an electrolyte drink. She radiated calm—a warrior in repose.
From the main road, a pink truck rolled in at a steady pace. Chihaya, recognizing the vehicle at once, stood to attention. It belonged to her senior. She readied herself, already sensing that today would be far from ordinary.
Out stepped Risu from the driver's side. Towa followed from the passenger door, and with her came a young girl with soft violet-white hair tied into twin braids. Chihaya squinted, a flicker of memory dancing behind her eyes—she had seen this girl before.
The back of the truck hissed open, revealing its cargo hold. Two hooded figures in brown cloaks emerged, prompting Chihaya's pulse to spike. Her expression shifted from composed curiosity to open panic. She stormed toward the group.
"Towa-senpai! What are you doing? Why did you bring Sora-senpai and Roboco-senpai here?" she cried out.
Towa laid a firm but gentle hand on Chihaya's shoulder. "Calm yourself," she said with a hint of mischief. "Let's talk inside."
The first floor of the factory was no less than a paradise for gearheads—a fully equipped garage filled with tool cabinets and shelves stacked with spare parts. Hiphop music thudded softly from a speaker in the corner. Risu and Towa exchanged a knowing look—only Chihaya would blast tunes during a work session.
Lined up like regal trophies were two military trucks, three Porsche sports cars, three superbikes, and one Harley-Davidson. Roboco's eyes widened. Where in the world had Towa and her group found the funds to amass such a fleet?
Towa led them up to the third floor, the team's unofficial lounge. As the elevator doors slid open, the rhythmic pounding of feet filled the air. Kureiji Ollie, the undead girl with relentless energy, was sprinting on a treadmill.
Takane Lui—elite operative of Holocorp's secret unit, Holo X—sat elegantly on a couch, absorbed in a book. But it was the maid at the table, placing a cup of tea before Lui, who made Sora's breath catch.
Nekomata Okayu.
The violet-haired local goddess—Lady of Cats—wore a maid outfit that did nothing to conceal her divine nature. Her feline ears twitched at the top of her head as she offered a serene smile. Sora recognized her instantly.
Why were these unreachable Holocorp elites all gathered here?
Towa answered before Sora could speak the question. "They are my comrades," she said. "Though one of us is still on a personal mission."
At her voice, all conversation ceased. Everyone turned to face the elevator. Ollie blinked in disbelief at the sight of Sora, Okayu offered a warm greeting, and Lui narrowed her eyes at the gemlike girl beside Towa.
It was Koseki Bijou—The Gem of Emotion.
Sora stared unblinking at Towa, her voice calm but edged like a drawn blade. "What exactly are you planning, Towa?"
"Nothing dangerous," Towa replied with a grin as sharp as her horns. "Now, everyone, listen up. As of today, Bijou will be joining our ranks. I expect you all to treat her as one of your own."
Bijou's face paled. Not once during their journey had she been informed of this. She had assumed her involvement ended with the last battle. Now Towa was recruiting her—without even asking.
"Koseki Bijou—that Bijou?!" Chihaya gasped. She remembered the girl. The one who had shielded her from a street-racing collision long before Chihaya joined Holocorp. That crystalline aura was unmistakable.
"I didn't agree to this!" Bijou protested.
"It's too late, Biboo," Risu said sweetly, slinging an arm around her. "Towa-sama has made her decision. You're one of us now."
"I—!" Bijou opened her mouth to protest again, but Towa turned and locked eyes with her. That glare—cold and absolute—froze her on the spot.
Bijou shivered. That gaze felt like a verdict, the kind that could condemn her to stand trial before the Council. Swallowing hard, she forced a sheepish smile.
"W-Wow… uh… happy to be here, everyone," she mumbled. Towa nodded and turned away.
"I'll be taking Sora-senpai and Roboco-senpai to my office. Be nice to her, understood?"
The trio disappeared into a room behind Lui's sofa, while the remaining team members gathered around Bijou and Risu, bursting with questions.
---
A-D-V-E-N-T
"So?" Sora asked once the door was shut.
"My reason for requesting this meeting," Towa began, "is Bijou."
Sora exhaled. As expected. She could allow Bijou to remain hidden and continue her battle against the demonspawn of the Ancient One… but she would not make it easy.
"You understand, don't you? Neither Holocorp nor I have jurisdiction over the Advent case. That belongs to The Council. I only helped you conceal Bijou's presence in the last battle," she said, eyes glittering with unspoken warnings.
"I understand, Sora-senpai," Towa replied. "I don't ask for more. Bijou is under my care now. I'll be responsible for her actions."
Sora nodded slightly. "You want her to keep fighting, yes? Then I'll offer a solution—but it comes with a price."
Towa didn't flinch. "Name it."
"First, explain how you closed the dark portal. Second, reveal your true purpose behind this hidden base. And lastly… any information you find about the Ancient One—no matter how small—you'll share it with me."
Towa sighed in relief. These were reasonable terms. She trusted Sora and Roboco, perhaps the only two in Holocorp who still believed in her.
"I agree."
She explained her method for sealing the portal. "It used a summoning spell sequence. I inverted the runes and layered a low-level destruction spell over them. Others in Holocorp should be able to replicate it."
Sora was impressed. Zeta had suggested a similar theory, even without witnessing the portal herself. She silently praised her brilliant junior.
Then Towa revealed her real goal. HoloCorp, she believed, was too shackled by rules and ideals. So, over the years, she had handpicked talent from within to form her own covert defense group.
"My organization will do what HoloCorp cannot. We will protect the world… even if our hands must be stained with sin."
Roboco smiled faintly, recognizing the admiration still burning in Towa's eyes for Sora. Even after all these years.
"And the third condition?"
"I'll report anything I discover about the Ancient One, I swear it."
"Good." Sora's voice softened. "Contact me or Roboco if anything comes up."
She looked to the ceiling, remembering her silent promise to a certain detective. This is the first step, Ame-chan.
"So, what's your solution, Sora-senpai?" Towa asked, curious now.
Sora smirked. "The Council forbade Koseki Bijou from fighting. But what if she's no longer Koseki Bijou?"
"…Come again?"
"She was born from human emotion, yes? We'll create a new identity for her. A demon hunter, with a different name. If she's no longer Bijou, the Council won't have reason to interfere."
Towa's brow furrowed. "Can that even work?"
"High-tier disguise magic. One of my thirteen knights specializes in it. I can help you—if you're willing."
For the first time, Towa grinned genuinely.
---
A-D-V-E-N-T
Back in the lounge, the others gathered around Bijou with burning curiosity. Risu, sensing Bijou's discomfort, stepped forward to explain everything—how they met, why Towa chose her.
"Towa-sama wants to protect this world from every unknown threat. She saw something in Biboo—something worth trusting."
The girls turned to Bijou.
"You haven't told us yet," Lui said gently. "Why did you do it? Why risk everything, defy The Council, and endanger Advent's freedom?"
Bijou exhaled and told them. The same truth she had shared on the bridge.
Ollie hugged her tightly. "It must've been so hard to carry that decision alone."
"You're not alone anymore," Okayu added, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Lui nodded. Chihaya gave a thumbs-up. "You can count on us, Bijou-senpai."
Bijou bowed her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. But when she looked up again, her smile was radiant.
"Thank you… all of you."
The door swung open. Towa, Sora, and Roboco stood there.
"Bijou," Towa said, her voice steady, "come with us to the rooftop. It's time."
To cast the spell. To change her name. To unshackle her from fate.
So she could fight again.