took 102 and leaped back to the industrial park, which was even more hidden and the true core stronghold.
She plopped 102 down and played around until her cheeks were red with embarrassment. Then she spun on her heel and left to purchase the fine things she wanted. 101 wanted new dresses, accessories, and cosmetics, anything that made her look more like a witch than a battle machine.
picked up a comb and neatly brushed her hair, which had been tousled by her sister, and then lightly ran off to the activity center to play with Bud. Shallow Dream was there too, collecting one cup after another from the ice cream machine. Both escapees from the research facility, Bud was naive and innocent, while Shallow Dream was sullen and combative, but 102 treated them equally.
"You can’t eat so much, you’ll get really fat!" 102 said, lifting Shallow Dream by the scruff of her neck with one hand.
Shallow Dream quickly activated Time Stop, escaped from 102’s grasp in half a second, and 102 felt something missing from her hand. Shallow Dream was already on the ground, holding her ice cream as she hopped away.
"Don’t mess with me!" Shallow Dream pointed and warned, "Be careful, or I’ll bully you. I am the master of time, after all!"
"Well, I am a millionaire now, so watch what you say." 102 counted her sister’s money as her own.
"That’s so childish." Shallow Dream shook her head, "Where did you get so much money from?"
"Believe it or not, I don’t care. I’m going to play with Bud." 102 glanced over to Bud, who had just finished class and learned arithmetic.
"She’s so dumb, what’s fun about that?" Shallow Dream didn’t understand.
"Dumb? I think Bud is as smart as me," said 102.
"Then I guess you’re actually right."
grabbed Bud’s hand and they ran to a gaming terminal. Once online, there were a lot of paid games available for unlocking. Before, they had no money and could only play the free block games over and over.
"I’m tired of it," Bud complained, not liking the repetition.
"Don’t worry!" 102 swiped her cash card, and bought a dozen new games in one go. There was a sports series that immediately piqued 102’s interest.
"This is a motion-sensing game. Let’s compete in simulated jump rope. You jump, and the little character on the screen jumps. Whoever scores higher wins," 102 said as she easily set up the game.
"Oh!" Bud was quite curious.
and Bud hopped and skipped in front of the machine, soon sweating profusely.
The weather was too hot and the air conditioner was off, prompting 102 to strip off her bothersome T-shirt. Bud, following her lead, did the same, and now everything could be seen.
Shallow Dream hadn’t gone far and turned back at the noise. She saw the thoughtless actions of 102 and Bud and her face flushed with embarrassment.
She quickly ducked down, hiding behind the bar, and contacted 101 for help. 101 leaped back, blushing even more at the sight of her sister and Bud’s behavior. Without Mizuiro Yoshioka around, there was no one to manage the young witches; Yoshioka was currently at Suzuki Springs healing, exhausted from overusing her magic power.
"Quick, dress properly," 101 ordered, "this is a public place, and Shallow Dream is here. The bad influence on teenagers is immeasurable..."
She didn’t want to reprimand them further, letting them be carefree and playful. 101 had no doubts that after this hard-won stability, a new conflict would arise.
Meanwhile, at Suzuki Springs.
Farosa and Xu Yang were together. She was more patient and calm than before, and Xu Yang, as usual, was casual, doing everything as he felt comfortable, striving for perfection.
Afterwards, she went to the hot springs to wash up.
Asa Katsuragi, looking haggard, pushed open the door to the hot springs and walked up to Farosa with a solemn expression on his face.
"What’s wrong?" Farosa leaned back, resting her arms on the scalding pool rocks.
"My brother," Asa Katsuragi knelt on one knee before Farosa, bowing his head, "please use your magic power to resurrect him."
"I’ve already stated my conditions," Farosa closed her eyes, "bring me witches with potential for power development, those with the finest and most special powers, not the mediocre ones."
Her evolution ceremony required the following of seven witches, and they were far from enough. With only 101, 102, Mizuiro Yoshioka, and Shallow Dream so far, they were just four. Farosa wanted not only a tally of numbers but also quality, and the magic power of these four was commendable; only 102 was slightly ordinary.
"Yes, I have prepared everything you’ve asked for," Asa Katsuragi said without raising his head, knowing Farosa’s pride and that he must be humble to gain her favor and assistance.
"Good," Farosa replied.
"I just want to confirm one more time," Asa Katsuragi said, "you’re looking for those ’special’ witches with special magic powers, right?"
"Wisdom over wrath, skill over brute strength," Farosa said calmly, "A Reality Manipulator is preferred over merely pushing reality, I don’t want those who create mere soundwaves, fire, or lightning. Bring only the best, the witches with the most developmental potential, to me. Of course, I know that Katagi District doesn’t have excellent witches, but I’m sure there are some whose potential just needs to be developed, needs to be activated, and then they’ll bring infinite surprises."
"Understood," Asa Katsuragi nodded, "I’ve already found one."
Asa Katsuragi knew a mysterious witch working on special tasks in Aizu City. If he could deliver her to Farosa, it would allow Farosa to resurrect his brother.
"When will I meet her?" Farosa savored the sensation of the hot water.
"No need to meet face to face, I’ll introduce her to you remotely," Asa Katsuragi bowed to Farosa and then swiftly left the hot springs.
As she left, Farosa closed her eyes again, enjoying the sensation of being submerged in the pool water.
If Nestor Corporation was a large tree, then the Katsuragi Gang was an important branch extending from that tree, capable of completing many of the trivial tasks for the main trunk. Thinking of this, Farosa felt a tinge of comfort.
The hot water made her body feel pleasantly warm, and the parts that had been overworked by Xu Yang were gradually healing. She slowly sank lower, finding the hot spring like another form of the ocean, tempting her to drown in its embrace.
Asa Katsuragi was heavy with concerns.
She had her subordinates carefully collect Nakano Osamu’s remains and cover them with a white cloth. Even though there was no blood relation, and Nakano Osamu was so different from her in many ways, she still didn’t want to lose this brother.
The following day, Asa Katsuragi had people plant the "Protecting Territory, Ensuring Peace" flags prominently on every street in Katagi District. They looked majestic, and all the motorcycles sent by the Suzuki Group were confiscated.
There were a few survivors from the Suzuki Group who, in need of travel expenses, caused trouble and robbed a number of shops. They were immediately pursued, made examples of, and swiftly executed to maintain order in the streets.
Afterward, Asa Katsuragi visited a bar named "Sunrise" at the end of a row of cheap apartments on Number 26 Highland, adjacent to a bustling commercial street brimming with sushi stalls, arcade centers, cybernetic clinics, and gun stores, all flourishing with business.
She wore sunglasses and a thick coat for this trip, not wanting to attract attention; she had to stay under the radar until Farosa got what she wanted. Asa Katsuragi could not afford to stir the waters.
Asa Katsuragi quietly blended into the crowd as the bar’s patrons enjoyed a performance.
A timid girl was awkwardly performing on stage, trying to imitate the moves of professional dancers.
The other dancing girls constantly spun and leaped, showcasing themselves. Clearly disliking the process, this girl was only performing because of the intimidating bouncers nearby. She had long black hair that shone with sequins and reflective dust under the chandelier’s light, a gaudy adornment intended merely to draw attention and not actually look good.
She once had a delicate, youthful face, but the intentionally heavy makeup made it look garish and attempted to push her towards a maturity that robbed her of the natural innocence of youth.
"Do that move again!"
"If you don’t, I’m leaving!"
"Hurry up!" the crowd urged, not satisfied with simple dancing. If they wanted entertainment, they could find plenty in Suzukawa Kiyo’s live streams, delivered more skillfully.
Amidst the screaming and urging of the people, the girl became more embarrassed, and the other professional dancers did not look pleased either. They were just her foil, occasionally glancing at her with disdainful eyes, jealous that she attracted everyone’s attention. After all, the girl’s true identity was that of a Witch, capable of things they could never do.
While the young Witch awkwardly danced, she glanced back at a monitor. Behind that monitor sat the bar’s controller, the organizer of the show. She wouldn’t display her magic power until she received his nod of approval.
"Are you trying to make us wait?" they shouted rowdily.
Asa Katsuragi raised her phone and recorded the scene, live-streaming it to Farosa.
"This is the Witch I wanted to introduce to you," Asa Katsuragi said.
"...A dancing girl? What use is she?" Farosa was uninterested.
"Please watch," Asa Katsuragi kept up Farosa’s curiosity, "I’ve always heard that this bar has a very special performance. Her magic power is unique, and even after many upheavals in Aizu City, her shows have never been interrupted."
People were still cheering, eagerly awaiting the start of the show.
The next second, a green light lit up from the direction of the monitor.
The Witch knew it was her time to perform. She threw the few clothes she had left into the crowd, who screamed and reached out to grab them. Then she closed her eyes in agony, awaiting their call.
"Monkey!" someone yelled loudly.
The next moment, after a flash of light and a puff of smoke, the girl’s body actually transformed into a fluffy red-faced monkey, baring its teeth and screeching.
"Haha—" they broke into laughter as the real show began, and the other dancers left the stage one by one, leaving it to the young Witch.
"Turn into a wave as big as a mountain!"
The bar’s spectators whistled and shouted repeatedly. In response to their calls, the Witch’s appearance kept changing, transforming constantly into different objects or beings, desperately trying to win their favor, alternating between inanimate and animate forms.
"That’s what I was talking about," Asa Katsuragi murmured, "the most unique Witch with abilities locally. I hope she meets your approval."
"Very good... very good..." Farosa whispered in response, "...You really did find me a fine new servant."