"And then, and then! Mana-chan was all byoom and her Arcana went all boppin'! Then Serius and Coreanis came for me and hit me with a big ka-boom!"

Touko sighed, eyes closed as she slowly rubbing her right temple. Listening to Hoeru's fight report during their post-classes student council duties was something that made her regret ever putting Hoeru on the case in the first place.

It didn't help that the student council room was rather cramped, smaller than a regular classroom even, to the point Touko didn't have her own desk, just a spare classroom table where she kept items confiscated due to her disciplinary committee. Even the table the student council used during meetings was just four of them combined.

This isn't a fancy shmancy school like Heiwa or the triple yapper's Ourokudou, we have regular student council rooms and regular student councils in this institution.

Speaking of the council itself, Touko and Hoeru weren't the only members present. The council president's assistant, a first year with short black hair marked by a red streak, was sitting by the meeting table, tapping away at her laptop.

"I take it that is all... Right, Hoeru-san?" Touko asked after a sigh.

"Hmmmmm... Yup! Seiran-chan's Land of Smiles sounds pretty fun! We should totally wait to see it, Touko-chan!"

"Ibuki girl's endgame may sound nice, but it will just bring distraught and chaos to Yasojo and Abani. As we are now, we are already in a Land of Smiles, I believe. Do you not think so too, Saki-san?"

The assistant stopped tapping for a second, startled by hearing her name being called, but only shrugged.

"It doesn't have anything to do with me."

"Nishishishishi! You're so funny some times, Amane-chan! Anyway, I'm going home now! Bye bye, Touko-chan, Amane-chan!"

Touko couldn't even bid her comrade goodbye before the blonde blur was gone. She sighed again.

"That girl... Where does she get all that energy from, I wonder." She mused, stonefaced as always. "Perhaps it was a mistake to employ members of the student council from the beginning; outsourcing strong fighters in Yasojo could have sown better results. And considering the constant insults Ibuki girl and Kurozumi exchanged in Hoeru-chan's report... Saki-san, you are you going to Magnolia today, correct? There is someone I'd like you to pass a message to then. Have her come here tomorrow morning, I'll discuss this matter with her myself."

Amane closed her laptop and slid it into her school bag. Wordlessly, she got up and headed for the door, Touko's gaze following her every step and forcing an answer out of her.

"My duties are done. See you tomorrow, Kiba-san."

Amane's hand grabbed the sliding door's handle, Touko's grabbed her shoulders.

The shorter girl's body froze, the taller one tenderly tied her arms around her neck.

The black haired's eyes widened to the point of almost bulging out, the white haired's lips brushed her ear as she whispered.

"I'm counting on you, Amane-kun."

The student council's door was slammed shut, and the sounds of rushing footsteps echoed throughout the empty hallway.

But back to the main girl.

Ibuki Seiran had a good day. She saw her Mana-chan kick ass in the digital world, she demonozed Nerona a bit, the random meetings with that annoying Shiori were turned down tona minimun, she bought a bonsai sapling for her room, and now, after two days of being Abani, she was finally going to visit the town's live house, Live House Magnolia.

With Mana and Mashiro at her beck and call, the three entered the small entrance between two shops in the shopping district and descended down the stairway leasing to Magnolia, as the establishment was beneath the next door fruit parlour.

Magnolia was small, go figure considering the location, and everything accessible to the everyday customer could be seen from the same place. Upon entering, one would be greeting by the bar, in front of it the viewing area would the audience watched standing up, and further ahead, the live house's small stage. Everything else, such as Magnolia's small kitchen and the backstage was all out of view.

For someone who hadn't been to a live house since her and Taro's rare visits to DeLTA following Sirius' disbantment, Seiran was having the time of ther life.

"Sweet! Great! Excellent! Unstoppable!"

"What the... Was that english or something...?" Mashiro asked, raising a brow at the weirdo.

"Hehe... It's complicated sometimes." Mana chuckled. "It means she loves it. Shall we find a table?"

"Sure but I'm not gettin' anything. Even with the student discount, I barely had enough for the ticket..."

"Yet another piece of evidence that you're a hardcore guitarist. You waste all your allowance on picks and strings, don't you?" Seiran asked.

"How did you-"

"I saw a photo of you and the owner outside with the tagline 'Best Customer'. I'm glad to know Magnolia also sells musical equipment. That is useful. I take it they have no practice rooms?"

"Yeah, Magnolia's just too much of a hole in a wall for that. Worry not, we can just use my garage!" The drummer giggled.

"I love the idea but I don't want to be a nuisance to Tokiya-san. I suppose we can wait until we have a full band to decide on a practice spot. Until then, we can just jam."

"I get the feeling you're planning all of this thinking I said yes to being in your band." Mashiro brought up, hands on her pockets.

"Don't be foolish, Mashiro. I'm known to be a very persuasive woman."

Mana had to fight like her life depended on it to stifle the laugh that extremely bold claim caused, so she just went ahead to get them a table before the live they came to watch began.

With the three seated around a small table, the waiter came to geet their orders, but that would become secondary upon Seiran crossing eyes with him.

"Oya... It's been a while since the last Sawada christmas party, Seiran-san. You've grown quite a bit."

"That is a bold claim for someone a year older than me, Ryou-san."

That's right!

Magnolia's waiter was none other than the guy Mana glazed for like three seconds back in the first chapter, Ryuuga's son with a sharp gaze and a neat ponytail tying his long black hair, Sawada Ryou!

"Ryou-kun! I had no idea you worked at Magnolia!" Mana clapped her hands in surprise.

"I know you... You're the guy that stands outside the cafe when that super chibi with the cat headphones comes in to get her morning cat." Mashiro said.

"Yes, but please don't say those words around Sachika-san. She is very self-conscious about her height." Ryuo chuckled. "Are you here for Bitter Gabu's live?"

"Yup! I heard two of their members are still unavailable though. Are they performing with supports?" The drummer asked.

"Yes. Their keyboardist and guitarist got into a nasty skateboarding incident last month and have yet to fully recovered."

"Supports? And one of them is a keyboardist? I smell a new band member for our yet-to-be-named band." Seiran darkly muttered, rubbing her hands greedily.

"I kindly request you don't do that. Amane's the support keyboardist. Don't go annoying Amane." Ryou said. He could give Touko's stonefaceness a run for its money, yeesh.

"Amane-chan plays the keyboard?! I had no clue!"

"Who?" Mashiro asked.

"Amane-chan is Ryou-kun's sis-"

"Amane prefers Saki-san." The waiter corrected. "That one's very particular about who uses the given name. Just an Amane thing."

"Huh... Maybe we should go for a differsnt keyboardist, Mashiro." Seiran the surname ignorer sighed in defeat.

"Yeah... Worth the shot though, Sei." Mashiro who declared war on saying someone's full given name nodded in agreement.

"I assume Seiran-san will have the house croquette, Mana-san the cold brew latte, and Mashiro-san nothing because she wasted all of her allowance in new picks and strings. Thank you for your patronage as always, by the way."

"Oi, don't rat me out like that..."

"Croquette, croquette, croquette." Seiran nodded excitedly.

"Hehehe, cute. Yeah, I'll have the cold brew. Don't go easy on the ice!"

"The polar option, a brave choice." Ryou chuckled as he scribbled down the requests. "I'll be back briefly then."

"These Bitter Gabu girls must be famous around town. The live won't begin for the next thirty minutes yet the house is close to packed waiting for them." The bassit commented as she looked out to the audience, golden eyes locking in on someone who stood out like a violet haired thumb. "Even Kurozumi is here?"

"You don't know? Must be because the support guitarist is-" Mashiro held bsck her words upon feeling the very strong kick Mana had delivered to her ankle. "Bitter Gabu cooks good music, even Ne's into it, yup."

"Maybe Kurozumi grew some taste after all her meetings with us." Mana joked.

"It is true we've crossed paths quite often in the short time I've been in town."

Ryou returned with the latte for Mana and the croquette for Seiran, with an air sandwich on make-believe bread for Mashiro out of the kindness in his heart, and not long after, the band of the hour came into stage.

And as Ryou had revealed, Amane was in fact the band's keyboardist for the moment, though she did her best to keep her face hidden by having the hood of the hoodie the band provided her for the live up and her head down.

But then Seiran figured out why Nerona was here.

The support guitarist, lavishly waving at the audience and even striking poses for all the girls who wanted to snap a pic of her, was that god forsaken redhead theatre kid that Seiran wanted to see dead and buried.

"Surprise... Shi's a guitarist too. A pretty good one." Mashiro said in a failed attempt to better Seiran's mood.

"Hehe... Sorry, I knew you'd say no if you knew Shiori-kun was playing support. She actually plays support for alot of bands in town and even in the next city over." Mana explained.

"It's fine. I can just tune her out the same way Kurozumi does." Said way doesn't work. "I'm more interested in seeing Ama- Apologies, Saki-san's skills as a keyboardist."

"Thought we gave up on getting her in the band." The blonde recalled.

"Doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good performance. Even with that... Flamboyant thing on the stage."

As if of queue, Shiori spun her prized white guitar around her torso and sent a wink at the audience.

"Let us have a fleeting show, my dear kittens!"

"Nevermind. Mana-chan, let's end her."

Bitter Gabu's live went by in a flash, this one had a shorter setlist afterall, and ignoring Shiori had been rather easy thanks to Amane's stellar play. Her fingers swiftly slid across the keyboard and hit each key in less than the blink of an eye, resulting in a fast and upbeat rythmn that minded her of the fast paced jazz Futaba played when practicing with Taro.

Being unfamiliar with the band, Seiran couldn't tell if all their songs had that much of an emphasis on a fast keyboard tune or if they had just adapted the songs in the setlist to Amane's tempo, but she could tell one thing.

Amane played fast and violently, either as if trying to rush along the world her, or to rid herself of the stress and anger she felt via her keyboard. Her old guitarist had been the exact same.

"So? Whaddya think, Seiran?" Mana asked.

"I think me and Mashiro need to fix our problems with what we call people."

"Yeah, Ama's that good. It was like she had an extra set of hands when playing." Mashiro sighed.

"Make it two sets. Saki-san's an asura behind the keyboard." Seiran corrected.

"That being said." The drummer hummed, eyes fixated on the blushing bassist. She knew what she wanted to say.

"...Mama Rui clears."

"What a fangirl~."

"Don't tease me, Mana-chan!"

"Greetings once again, Mana-san. To you aswell, Seiran, Mashiro."

Oh look, what remained of Seiran's good mood just ran out the door now thay the surprise support guitarist had joined them.

"I hope you all enjoyed the live." Shiori chuckled, hand held near her forehead in that overdramatic way of hers. "Ah, how fleeting it was!"

"Looking good out there, Shiori-kun!" Mana giggled.

"Rocking as always, Shi." Mashiro said.

"I only listened to the keyboard." Seiran crossed her arms.

"My, how can I blame you for such Seiran? Fufu, Saki-san's skills are simply that outrageous! It is a fleeting miracle that she has yet to join a band as a main member, any group would be blessed by having such a musician amidst their ranks. Or so would I say, had I not known it is her who refuses the invites."

"That so, huh?" The bassist asked.

"Fleeting." Shiori nodded. "Saki-san is already a reserved person at school, and such extends to her life as a keyboardist. She will take support roles she finds pleasing, but never accept the role of a main stay, forever keeping the music world around her at arm's length."

"You know alot about her, Shi."

"Why, of course, my dear Mashiro. I have a close relationship with the Sawada family via my mother Kikka, born from the time spent as Ryuuga-san's pupil. Alas, most I know actually comes from dialoguing with Homura-san when she invites me over for tea. I don't talk to Saki-san that often."

"Maybe Hoeru-chan talks to her often? They're both in the student council." Mana mentioned.

"Meaning she may be the next person trying to stop the Land of Smiles. We will have to deal with her accordingly."

"Why not just ask her to not do it now?" Mashiro suggested.

"Saki-san had already left." The support guitarist revealed. "She always leaves once the live is over, not a second earlier, not a second later."

"The live ended like five minutes ago!" The drummer exclaimed.

"Damn. I guess we'll deal with her when she comes for us." Seiran sighed. "I think we can call it a day here. I have a new sapling waiting for me at home."

"Actually, I was hoping to discuss a matter with you, Seiran."

Just her luck, the guitarist prince pulled a chair for herself and sat down.

"I have been told you are making a new band. I would love to be your guitarist, should you allow me to." Shiori declared.

"Eh?" Seiran blinked. Alright, thinking cap time, she hates Shiori's flamboyant fleeting prince side but Mana-chan puts up with her for whatever reason, so she can't just say no. "Huh... We got Mashiro already?"

"I never said yes." Mashiro reminded.

"You used 'we' and 'us' enough times today, you're in the band." The bassist retorted. "Ahem, I appreciate the interest but the position is filled. I'll let you know if we need a support should Mashiro ever go into a coma."

"A coma?! Why that?!"

"You're a tough girl, you can play guitar with both arms broken."

"...I mean, I can still move my fingers-"

"Very well. I will go along with this." Shiori nodded and got up from her seat. "Thank you for listening to my request, Seiran. Now if you excuse me, I saw my dear Neronya-chan here. Everyone, I will see you tomorrow. Adieu."

"See ya tomorrow, Shiori-kun!"

"Bye, Shi."

"Yup, sayo-" Oh look she's gone. "That was a close call. Don't know how I'd survive if that one joined the band."

"Oh come on, Seiran!" Mana giggled. "I keep telling you Shiori-kun's not that bad. Her prince persona can be endearing at first, but once you get to know her better, you'll see she's a great gal deep down."

"Endearing is not in the top ten words I'd use to describe, Shi." Mashiro said as she looked over Magnolia's menu. "Yeesh..."

"You'll see. I'm sure she'd even help us fight Touko's attack on the Land of Smiles and stop her from destroying it!"

And then the following day's lunch break arrived.

"I have come to destroy the Land of Spites! Ah, how fleeting!"

Unprompted, out of the blue, and during what they assumed to be her usual prowling for Nerona, Shiori just walked up to Seiran and Mana in their usual corner of the rooftop as they prepared to start eating and made her declaration on the spot.

"What?!" Mana asked, jawdropped.

"Can this wait? I'd like to start and finish lunch before a fight breaks out for once." Seiran deadpanned.

"Of course, my dear Seiran. Please, be sure to chew properly before you swallow, lest you put those harmonious vocal chords in peril." Shiori said with one of her dramatic hand waves.

"Do not pull your princely moves on Seiran!" The drummer demanded, cheeks slightly flushed.

"Told you we should have ended her two days ago." The bassist said. "Also, again, Land of Smiles, not of Spites. I'm starting to believe Touko is calling it the wrong thing on purpose."

"But Shiori-kun, I thought you were our friend! How could you take Touko's side and backstab us like this?!"

"Ah, truth be told, Mana-san..." The redhead brought her hand to her face, covering half of it as she grimaced. "By no means did I wish to become your enemy, nor a threat to Seiran's sparkling heart-pounding ideal... But when Kiba-san called me to her office and told me the truth, I had no option but to act. Aaaaah, how fleeting!"

"It's kirakira dokidoki. Use my gimmicky lines properly." Seiran sighed. She picked up a healthy chunk of rice with her chopsticks and carried it to her mouth.

"Truth? What truth? Her entire speech about Abani being a peaceful paradise?" Mana questioned.

"Abani? A peaceful paradise? My, you new faces truly show how little about Abani you know." The prince chuckled. "But no, it wasn't that. Kiba-san told me that, in your quest to make this Land of Smiles a reality... You have abused my beloved Neronya-chan!"

"HA?!"

The shock was so big it made Nerona come out of her hiding spot behind the boxed fans. Oh yeah, she had been there for a while trying to hide from Shiori again.

"Ah! Fleeting, my Neronya-chan! Thy beauty spawned in front of me as I took up arms for they honour! Aaaaaaaaaaah, how fleeting!"

"Shut up, prince boy! Take your theatre kid crap somewhere else!" Nerona furiously shouted, teeth grinding from her wrath. "What the hell do you mean abused?! Those two are, at worst, annoying! They're not abusers, not even you're blind enough to not see that, Shiori!"

"Aaaah, she called me by my name~!" Shiori sang, hands on her flustered red cheeks.

"Lock in on the matter at hand, playboy!"

"We should start having lunch in class. Maybe Mashiro can join us." Seiran sweatdropped.

"Sure, but you know Mash eats with Shiori-kun, right?" Mana asked.

"Ugh... I can't catch a break." The bassist sighed.

"What exactly did that prissy know it all from the disciplinary committee told you?!" Nerona asked, joining the group with her arms crossed and furrowed brows locked on the tall prince.

"Neronya-chan-"

"Nerona! Ne! Ro! Na! Nerona!"

"What Kiba-san relayed to me was that Seiran, during her many excursions to realize her Land of Smiles, had made of you a punching bag for her most vulgar of word choices! Aaaaah, Neronya-chan! A damsel of your stature cannot have her dignity trampled upon in such a manner!"

"...h-huh? What?" Nerona blinked a few times and rubbed her eyes with her index and thumb. "God, this shakespearan lingo... I know I call you a guy to dodge the fact you're an atractive girl and I'm a lesbian, but could you not be such a himbo?"

"Oh? Do you see me a handsome pick, Neronya-chan?"

"I'd rather eat a pear." The class queen deadpanned. "Shiori. You know what bantering is, right? You know that it can get less than elegant if done between people who aren't fond of each other, right?"

"Ah..." Shiori blinked and crossed her arms. "I suppose it is possible Kiba-san got the wrong idea from Hoeru-chan's report."

"No, she just lied to you, hun."

"Yeah, Touko's that set on twarting Seiran's plan." Mana nodded.

"She keeps calling it Land of Spites for a reason." Seiran reminded her.

"Look, simply put, I just don't like these two that much."

"I don't like you either, Kurozumi." The drummer replied.

"I have a neutral stance. She can be rather amusing at times, sort of like an endearing little creature." The bassist explained.

"See? Banter. And some light insulting that flies both ways because god does this nepo bay bassist deserve it."

"Careful there, Imuzurko. You wouldn't want to learn what happens when you misuse musical references around me a second time, would you?" Seiran asked.

"What are you going to do now, Shiori-kun? As you can see, what Touko told you was just a lie, pure and simple. Why don't you join us in fighting for the Land of Smiles instead?" Mana suggested.

"We're not that desperate for members, Mana-chan..."

"Hm... Neronya-chan, what do you make of this Land of Smiles?" Shiori asked.

"I dunno." She shrugged. "Gotta see it to believe it. A land where everyone can smile is easier said than done. But an attempt needs to be made for it to happen in the first place. That's what I think.

"Then my decision has been made. If my dear kitten Neronya-chan wants to see the Land of Smiles, then I shall defend its creation with my very life! Aaaaaaah, truly, oh so truly, fleeting, how so fleeting!"

"For crying out loud."

Everyone focused their sights on the fifth girl on the roof, who walked through one of the doors upon hearing Shiori's words. Her own carried a very noticeable hint of disappointment and distaste.

"Touko!" Mana exclaimed.

"You were spying on us?!" Nerona asked.

"The most peaceful lunch I had since coming here was on the train..." Seiran groaned.

"I was making sure my chosen champion did not run away thirty seconds after meeting their target like last time. One Hoeru-chan is enough." Touko retorted, sharp gaze on Shiori. "Uekoshi-san, I understand they have changed your mind, but you and I had an agreement, did we not?"

"Indeed we did, Kiba-san. It is why it pains me to have to go against it, but as it's for Neronya-chan, regret is the one thing I do not feel." Shiori said with her hand over her heart.

"I understand where you are coming from, Uekoshi-san, but I still urge you to do as you agreed to. It doesn't hurt to respect one's promises."

"Not if said promise goes against my Neronya-chan's wishes."

"Then I recommend you put your grievances away for a moment and do as you agreed to do. Being respectful costs you nothing."

"But harming something Neronya-chan wants to see would cost me my sanity for all eternity."

"Even so, you agreed to. You must honour your promises, Uekoshi-san."

"I am a basic womanizer who throws herself at every woman she meets, honour is something I have long discarded."

"Uekoshi-san."

Touko glared at Shiori with her sharp gaze, eyes locked on hers.

"Fight the Ibuki girl."

"Kiba-san."

Shiori did her trademark dramatic hand waver, a theatrical smirk ever present on her lips.

"Or what, my kitten?"

The disciplinary comittee leader let out a long and drawn out sigh, followed by a deep breath. She slowly slid her Desire Specs out of the pocket on the side of her uniform and put them on.

"Rejoice, Ibuki girl. For once, your unreachable apex is not what moves my hand."

"Oh? Have I stirred you enough to anger you, my kitten?" Shiori asked with a wink. "How fleeting..."

"I am not particularly fond of those who break their promises, no. It matters not who they be, oathbreakers such as yourself deserve less than the insects squashed beneath one's heel."

"Crap, I never saw her this mad... Even the energy she's oozing is all out of whack..." Nerona muttered.

"Are you really going to fight her, Shiori-kun?" Mana asked.

"Of course. An actor must play on the stage he built, no? It's what Shakespeare and Goethe would have been." The redhead asked as she stepped forward, Desire Specs in hand. She put them one and adjusted them with the palm of her hand, becuase god forbid she did it normally. "Besided, Seiran has yet to enjoy a peaceful lunch. I do not see why I can't provide her with both it and a show. Wouldn't hurt to read up on the raid boss' kit, right?"

"Hm?" Seiran raised her head. Must have been the wind. "Sure. Go win or whatever."

"Fleeting~!"

"You and your fleetingless..." Nerona sweatdropped, if not outright cringing. She crossed her arms and looked way, that prince playaboy had no business seeing her flustered. "Look, just... Don't get yourself in troubles you can't handle. I can only help you so much..."

"Fufu... Will you be watching by bout, Nerona?"

"Of course I will, dumbass..." She pouted.

Shiori said nothing as she headed out fot her fight.

Now standing one across the other, with Nerona, Mana and Seiran watching from the sidelines with their Specs on, Touko and Shiori called out to their descending data cards as the Digital World's bounded field lifted around them.

Touko didn't move, she simply waited for hers to descend with her eyes closed. As her card dropped down to her eye level, she reopened her eyes, breaking her cards. Her crest took the form of two black rings around a dark red butterfly above her deck

As for Shiori, she allowed hers to float down to her palm, holding it up like one of the skulls used in theatre performances. She even recited a few lines under her breath before her card broke itself. Her crest was in the shape of a dark purple comedy mask and a light violet tragedy mask.

The system decided Touko would go first.

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"HeapUpOctaver, Proutta."

"Cute Teddy Bear, Titi!"

"Huh... I wouldn't have guessed Touko played Lyrical. Or whatshername Hear- No, she has that damn vibe..." Seiran sighed.

"Shut it, poser." Nerone clicked her tongue.

"You're awfully protective of Shiori-kun today, Kurozumi." Mana remarked.

"It's none of your business!"

"My turn. Draw. Ride, DynamicExciter, Eastiera. Set the Energy Generator. Eastiera's skill. Reveal Artisaria from the ride deck and add Shout in Shadow to my hand. Turn end."

Touko
Hand: 6
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

Shiori
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Ah, what a fleeting way of playing, yet so beautiful in its own right, my kitten." Shiori chuckled. "It is my act now! Draw! I shall ride Nutcracker Soldier, NachuNachu! With its skill, I add the set order card Toys Are Made For Children to my hand, and with Titi's, I draw a card! And of course, as I went second, I add three energy to my repertoire. I set Toys Are Made For Children, which allows me to scry five for two Happy Toys, one of which comes to hand, and one of which goes to my soul. To my hand, Bravylos; to my soul, Giant Fluff. I shall also call Sparkling Bunny, whose skills allows me to scry three and send a card to soul. It shall be a copy of itself. Let us partake in the joys of battle. NachuNachu attacks! (8000)"

"Godelieve. (23000)"

"Drive check! (Block Horse) Ah, a fleeting no trigger... Very well. Sparkling Bunny shall follow suit! (8000)"

"Yuika. (13000)"

"My, you are rather closed off, my kitten. You can open up to me, fufu. My act now ends."

Touko
Hand: 4
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

Shiori
Hand: 7
Damage: 0
XXO
OOO

"My turn. Draw and energy charge. Ride, WitchingVibrato, Lifel. Skill. Reveal Artisaria from the ride deck and add MegaЯoManiA to my hand. Call, AngelicEcho, Luminoel. Skill. Energy blast two and reveal Artisaria from hand to call a Shadow Army token behind Lifel. Battle. Luminoel. (10000)"

"I believe I shall guard using Tizkar. (15000) She will allow me to draw by paying her energy cost."

"Boosted by Shadow Army, Lifel. (10000>>25000)"

"No guard, my kitten!"

"(Fluffy Lady, Godelieve - Critical) Lifel, all. (25000>>35000/2)"

"Fleeting damage check! (Giant Fluff) (Fire Regalis)"

"Turn end."

Touko
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXX
OXO

Shiori
Hand: 7
Damage: 2
XXO
OOO

"Thus the spotlight returns to me. Stand and draw! Energy charge! I shall ride Coaster Shark! With its effect, another Toys Are Made For Children is added to my hand and subsequently set! Once again, I peer at five cards and add Toy Monster, Bravyloss to my hand and Sparkling Bunny to my soul. I have the Sparkling Bunny in my front row retreat to the back row to make way for Toy Monster, Bravyloss! Its skill activates, allowing me to draw in exchange of a counterblast. Let us partake in the fleeting joy of battle once again, my kitten. Coaster Shark shall commence! (10000)"

"No guard."

"Drive check! (Sugary and Scary Land, Heartluru) Ah, how fleeting..."

"(DevilishFlanger, Lufur)"

"But bear it no mind I shall. Boosted by Sparkling Bunny, Bravyloss will launch the next attack! (10000>>18000)"

"(Transparent Snowy Night, Beretoi - Draw) Lifel. (20000)"

"Still withholding your words... Fleeting. My act ends now."

Touko
Hand: 6
Damage: 2
OXX
OXO

Shiori
Hand: 9
Damage: 2
XXO
XOO

"My turn. Stand and draw. Energy charge. Upon this road you've built for me out of notes scattered across music sheets like slipped ink and innumerable empty vows lost to time, I cast you hypocrites from my life for eternity. Let my red truth be locked by black rings! Ride. PolyPhonicOverDrive, Artisaria."

"Artisaria's skill. Energy blast two, set Shout in Shadow from my hand. As I set it from hand, I draw a card. Shout in Shadow's skill. When set by Artisaria, a Shadow Army token is called behind Luminoel. I draw one. Call, Trailing Notes, Reverbera. Call, DevilishFlanger, Lufur. Skill. A Sound System card is set, thus she gets 5k. (10000>>15000) The same goes for Reverbera. (8000>>13000) Battle. Boosted by Reverbera, Lufur. (15000>>28000)"

"I shall have Natalia guard that! (30000)"

"Skill. Reverbera goes to soul, Lufur returns to hand. Skill. When Lufur returns to hand, counterblast to draw. Boosted by Shadow Army, Artisaria attacks. (13000>>28000) Skill. Counterblast, call a Shadow Army token. Rondeau of the Black Rings."

"No guard, my kitten. Show me your fleeting attack."

"(Cooling Heart, Yuika) (Hushed Diva, Hortense - Heal) Shadow Army. (15000>>25000) Heal."

"Fleeting damage check! (Toys Are Made For Children) Ah, how fleeting...!"

"It's fine. He has Giant Fluff in soul, adding that back to hand won't be an issue." Nerona informed.

"We didn't say anything though." Seiran said. "Could it be you're more concerned about Umiko than Mana-chan?"

"His name is not Umiko, it's Shiori!"

"I feel like me and Seiran are thirdwheeling here..." Mana sweatdropped.

"Shadow Army. (25000)"

"Block Horse and Avarice Wrester shall guard. The former gains 5k shield for as long as my Toys order is set. (25000)"

"Boosted by Shadow Army, Luminoel. (10000>>25000)"

"I shall take that one. (Gambling Juggler - Heal) Ah, a most wondrous arrival. I shall a point of damage and give my vanguard this power! (20000)"

"Turn end."

Touko
Hand: 9
Damage: 1
XXO
XXO

Shiori
Hand: 6
Damage: 3
XXO
XOO

"Hm... Kurozumi, you've been here the longest, do you know what Touko's Arcana does?" Mana asked.

"No clue. Never fought her, the sad sacks that lose to her never snitch about it. Too busy crying over a bunch of different things. Can't say I ever heard any of them say they saw her skill." The violet haired shrugged.

"Is that so..." The bassist hummed. "Maybe it's not about her not using it..."

"The spotlight shines upon me once again, now in time for the main act! Stand and draw! Energy charge! A magician, a ringmaster, or even a phantom thief- No role is too small or impossible for an actor such as this! To be or not to be; I choose to be all! Pull back the curtains, Sugary and Scary Land, Heartluru!"

"Once again, I set Toys Are Made For Children! I peer through my top five and add Giant Fluff to hand. No card for the soul this time. I rest two Toys to activate their skill and put Block Horse from the drop into the soul. Heartluru's skill! With three Toys in the order zone, I energy blast three to call that many Happy Toys from my soul! To my right, Giant Fluff; to my back, Sparkling Bunny; to my rear right, Block Horse. Sparkling Bunny's skill! Scry three, add one to soul and shuffle. Giant Fluff's skill! Soulblast two to return my wickedly damaged Toys Are Made For Children to my hand and damage the top card of my deck in its placed. (Steam Gunner, Tizkar) Heartluru's other skill. With at least three Toys set, my front row is graced by his stage performance! (10000>>15000) (13000>>18000) (10000>>15000) My dear kitten Kiba-san, let us partake in the joys of battle. Boosted by Sparkling Bunny, Bravyloss attacks! (15000>>23000)"

"Hortense. (25000)"

"Boosted by Sparkling Bunny, Heartluru attacks! (18000>>26000) May this dream last past a midsummer's night. Heartluru's skill! Counterblast. With three set Toys, Bravyloss stands with 10k, and Heartluru gains a drive check with 5k! (15000>>25000) (26000>>31000) Sparkling Bunny's skill has it restand, and Bravyloss' has it gain a critical! (25000>>25000/2) Phantom Scramble!"

"Christine, perfect guard."

"Once again, your defensive resilience peeks through in your plays, dear Kiba-san. Why must you keep this prince at such arm's length? Ah, fleeting..." Shiori did her stupid hand wave again. "Triple drive! (Giant Fluff) (Toy Monster, Bravyloss) (Stem Deviate Dragon - Critical) Ah, fleeting, fleeting! All to Giant Fluff! (15000>>25000/2) Boosted by Block Horse, Giant Fluff shall attack! (25000>>33000/2)"

"(AngelicEcho, Luminoel) (PolyPhonicOverDrive, Artisaria)"

"Once again boosted by Sparkling Bunny, Bravyloss commences his second strike! (25000>>33000/2)"

"Lumineol intercepts. Skill. Retire two Shadow Army tokens, add 20k shield. (38000)"

"Ah, fleeting... My act comes to an end. Having aided its companion a second time, Sparkling Bunnt retreats to the backstage."

Touko
Hand: 6
Damage: 3
OXO
OXO

Shiori
Hand: 10
Damage: 3
XXX
OXX

"My turn. Stand and draw. Energy charge. Let my red truth be locked by black rings! Persona Ride. PolyPhonicOverDrive, Artisaria."

"Draw. (13000>>23000) Uekoshi-san." Touko spoke.

"Oh? My, to have you finally address me, fufu... What do I owe the honour, Kiba-san?"

"In accordance to my respect towards good sportsmanship, I'll let this be known. By not using your Arcana last turn, you abandoned any possibility of winning."

"And why is that, my dear kitten?"

"This turn, I will use my Arcana. Next turn, you will use yours in a void last ditch attempt to clinch a victory forever out of your reach. The turn after that, I win."

"Bold, my dear, truly bold!" Shiori chuckled. "Did your mother never told you that those who boast about their next turn are those who never last long enough to see it?"

"No. My mother told me other things."

"Please forgive her this time, Touko-chan. You know how she is."

"White lies."

"She loves you too, Touko-chan."

"Empty promises."

"I promise you she has never once hated you, Touko-chan."

"Worthless vows."

"She'll make it in time for your birthday, Touko-chan. I swear she won't miss it, no matter what happens."

"I told my mother many things aswell."

"I remember it since I was a baby! The way she looks at me like I'm some creature... Like she's scared of me!"

"The red truth to her white lies."

"She hates me... She has never once loved me!"

"The red truth to her empty promises."

"You always take her side... Always making excuses for her... And for what? For her to lock herself in her studio under the pretense of working?! It's me she's avoiding, not you!"

"The red truth to her worthless vows."

"She won't come... She won't come and you know it! She never comes! And when she does come, all she does is look at me from the corner of her eye like I shouldn't be here... Why do you always defend her? Why do you never take my side?! I'm your daughter!"

"My red truth."

"You're a hypocrite, Kiba Yukie! Die!"

Black and red circuits lit up on Touko's head, moving to the side and around her skull until they met again, creating a crown of thorns around her head. Two red circuits descend down her face, crossing her closed eyes, until they reached her neck, but no roman numeral was formed by them.

She opened her eyes.

Carved into her left eye - XXI.

Carved into her right eye - XX.

"World-Judgement Ability."

"She has two Arcanas too?!" Seiran and Mana exclaimed.

"And a Judgement at that... If the rumours about Judgement Arcanas changing how the game works are true..." Nerona looked at Shiori with her teeth grit. "Shiori...!"

"King Nothing. Artisaria's skill. I set MegaЯoManiA from drop. Skill. Bravyloss, lock."

"Hm? You didn't say what your Arcana did, my dear." Shiori mused.

"That is because it does nothing. It's its namesake. King Nothing. An Arcana that does nothing. Changes nothing. What is here had always been here. It has always been a red truth."

"Huh...?" Mana narrowed her eyes. "Her energy count didn't-"

"Once again, Artisaria's skill. I set MegaЯoManiA from hand. Draw. Skill, lock Giant Fluff. Again. Artisaria's skill. Inset MegaЯoManiA from hand. Draw. Skill, lock Block Horse."

"What the hell?! Artisaria's skill is once per turn!" Nerona exclaimed. "You're breaking the rules!"

"Am I?" Touko questioned. "The system allowed me to activate Artisaria's skill more than once without paying a cost. Her skill has always been free to use, without any usage limitations. Nothing has changed. That is the red truth."

"You-!"

"I see... Her Arcana alters Artisaria's own text to let give her repeated use of her skill." Seiran said. "She's just being overdramatic about it. Calm down, Kurozumi. All her Arcana does is change a game rule on her side, just like yours."

"Even so!"

"Again. Artisaria's skill. I set Shout in Shadow from hand. Draw. Skill. Call a Shadow Army and draw. (15000>>25000) Call, Cooling Heart, Yuika. Call, AngelicEcho, Luminoel. (10000>>20000) Skill. Energy blast two, call a Shadow Army tokem. Yuika's skill. Add 5k. (8000>>13000) Artisaria's skill. With over two set Sound Systems, add a critical. (23000>>23000/2) Battle. Boosted by Yuika, Luminoel. (20000>>33000)"

"Ah, how fleeting, what a pickle I have found myself in... But even so, this actor adapts and overcomes any and every script! I shall guard with Natalia and Giant Fluff! (38000)"

"Skill. Soulblast, return Luminoel to hand. Boosted by Shadow Army, Shadow Army. (25000>>40000)"

"I shall take it! (Stem Deviate Dragon - Critical) I am without much of a choice, fufu. To Heartlure of course! (23000)"

"Boosted by Shadow Army, Artisaria attacks. (23000>>38000/2) Skill. Counterblast, call four Shadow Army tokens. (15000>>25000) (15000>>25000) My front row gains 5k for every two set Sound Systems. (25000>>35000) (38000>>48000/2) (25000>>35000) Rondeau of the Black Rings."

"Ridicule Disruptor shal perfect guard that attack!"

"(Shout in Shadow) (Want to Behold Thay Profile, Orpha) Nothing. Boosted by Shadow Army, Shadow Army. (35000>>50000)"

"No guard once more! (Ridicule Disruptor)"

"Boosted by Shadow Army, Shadow Army. (35000>>50000)"

"That I cannot have! I shall guard with Stem Deviate and Lively Breath! (53000)"

"Turn end."

Touko
Hand: 9
Damage: 3
XXX
XXX

Shiori
Hand: 4
Damage: 5
¤X¤
OX¤

"Ah, fleeting... To have been pushed against such a wall when I was on the lead; what a most cruel turn of fate... The malicious mistress as ever." Shiori mused with her trademark chuckle. "To think I'll have to put the Category Jack in me to use again... You are a cruel mistress aswell, Touko dearest."

"You can forfeit whenever you'd like. My forecast for the last three turns of the gane hasn't changed."

"Forfeit? A clash as wondrous as this? How could I ever! Theatre may be my passion, but I too am a cardfighter at heart. So no, I won't forfeit. I will stake my very soul on a great gamble yet to be sung!"

"Shiori..." Nerona muttered.

"It is my final act now! Stand and draw! Energy charge! Stand and draw! Energy charge! A magician, a ringmaster, or even a phantom thief- No role is too small or impossible for an actor such as this! To be or not to be; I choose to be all! Pull back the curtains and Persona Ride, Sugary and Scary Land, Heartluru!"

"I shall draw a card! (13000>>23000) My last Toys Are Made For Children, be set! From my top five, I add Sparkling Bunny to my hand and nothing to my soul! This new Sparkling Bunny, I call it over the one on my field! With its skill, I place a card from my top three into the soul! I use the skills of my set Toys! Rest four to have the two Sparkling Bunnies in my drop return to my soul! And then, Heartluru's skill! Join me in our stage, my actors! Behind me and to my rear left, Sparkling Bunny! Their skills activate one after the other! Scry three, one to soul. Scry three again, one to soul again! Heartluru's other skill! (23000>>28000) And now let us begin- The performance of a lifetime!"

Purple circuits lit up on her hips and creeped up her body like growing vines, converging on the center of her collarbone to form a roman numeral - X.

"Fortune Ability."

"All the World's a Stage, and All the Men and Women Merely Players! For every Toys set in my order zone, I scry five and put a card to soul! This is a cumulative effect, meaning that with four, I scry twenty cards and add any four of them to my soul! That being said, my deck merely has seventeen cards, so it is through those I look! Four unnecessary normal units are added to my soul!"

"I see... Her gameplay has her reduces the size of her deck, to the point her Arcana goes from a scry to a full deck tutor. Turning seventeen cards into thirteen is no joke." Seiran commented. "She is strong."

"But that is not all! Until the end of this turn, all of my Happy Toys shall receive the same trigger effects Heartluru does! Perhaps that is irrelevant when my field is locked, but I daresay it shall make all the difference here! Let us clash as the climax reaches its conclusion! Boosted by Sparkling Bunny, Heartluru attacks! (28000>>36000) May this dream last past a midsummer's night! Heartluru's skill! 5k and a drive are added! (36000>>41000) Phantom Scramble!"

"You knew from my forecast that I had the tool necessary to stop this turn. Christine, perfect guard."

"My unsung gamble was never to win this turn. Triple drive! (Lively Breath Dragon - Critical) A critical trigger! I shall give it all to Heartluru, and by extension, Sparkling Bunny! (41000>61000/2) (8000>>18000) (Lively Breath Dragon - Critical) Once more! (61000/2>>81000/3) (18000>>28000) (Sword Emperor Dragon of Supreme Karma, Mordigarra - Over) Ah... I was always terrible at poker, afterall. Fufu... Fleeting."

"No... Her gamble..." Nerona muttered.

"You reduced your deck not to get your overtrigger now, but during my turn where it would assure your survival. Your odds were already ten to one, but as it stands, they are ten to none." Touko stated.

"It's not over until it's over. It's one of the many cliches beloved by Mashiro. I never hated it myself. Afterall, a performance is only over once the curtains fall. I give it all to Heartluru, then remove Mordigarra from the game to draw one. As for the additional effect, I'm afraid I'm mandated to choose the lonesome standing Sparkling Rabbit. (81000>>200,081,000) (28000>>100,028,000) It is with that that I end my act. My locked units are unlocked."

Touko
Hand: 7
Damage: 3
XXX
XXX

Shiori
Hand: 7
Damage: 5
XXX
XXX

"It's time for your act to end. If you want to wait for the curtains to fall, then burn alongside your foolish theatre. My turn."

(OST - goldenslaughterer)

"Stand and draw. Energy charge. Let my red truth be locked by black rings! Persona Ride. PolyPhonicOverDrive, Artisaria!"

"Draw. (15000>>25000) (13000>>23000/2) (15000>>23000) Artisaria's skill. Energy blast, set Shout in Shadow from hand, draw. Skill. Call a Shadow Army to the back row and draw. Battle. Boosted by Shadow Army, Shadow Army. (25000>>40000)"

"I shall guard with two Lively Breaths! (43000)"

"Boosted by Shadow Army, Shadow Army. (25000>>40000)"

"Block Horse shall intercept from the back row! As Toys is set, 5k shield is gained! I shall also guard with Almethys. His effect returns NachuNachu and Titi from my soul to my ride deck to gain 15k shield! (43000)"

"Boosted by Shadow Army, Artisaria attacks. (23000>>38000/2) Skill. Counterblast, call four Shadow Army tokens. (15000>>25000) (15000>>25000) There are six set Sound System cards. Add 15k to my front row. (25000>>40000) (38000>>53000) (25000>>40000) Rondeau of the Black Rings."

"My final Ridicule Disruptor, perfect guard!"

"(DevilishFlanger, Lufur) (Elementaria Sanctitude) Boosted by Shadow Army, Shadow Army. (40000>>55000)"

"Fufu... Now this is a gamble worth calling my final one. No guard. Damage check. (Diabolos Girls, Natalia - Front) Ah, how fleeting..."

Touko removed her Desire Specs as the digital space around her began to close. Her unchanging grey eyes clocked onto Seiran's golden eyes.

"You are next."

The disciplinary committe leader turned her back to her enemies and left for the door, stopping with her hand on the handle to give them a final omen.

"And allow me to correct you on something, Ibuki girl. King Nothing doesn't erase Artisaria's limitation and cost."

"Huh?" Seiran looked out at her enemy.

"King Nothing does nothing. Nothing changes. What is there has always been there. That is the red truth. And with King Nothing, the red truth is mine to chose. In layman's terms-"

Touko twisted the door handle in her graps and exited the rooftop, her visage disappearing into the shadows of the bulkhead's inside, but her words ringing loud enough to strike a sense of fear into the four girls who heard them.

"Within the bounds of the digital world, I alone am God."

"I hate her." Nerona said with crossed arms once Touko was gone. "I just outright hate her. So much."

"Now you get why I don't fancy her." Seiran sighed.

"I feel like neithet of you is focusing on the bomb she just dropped about her Arcana..." Mana sweatdropped.

"If the implied double meaning of her words rings true, that there is one thing we can ascertain regarding King Nothing." Shiori said as she turned back to the girls, Specs in hand and off her face. "It has the power to alter whatever Touko desires at the time of using."

"Perhaps not everything and anything, though." The bassist countered, rubbing her chin. "If King Nothing could change anything she wants, why not reduce the damage needed for her opponent to lose? Why not begin the fight with it and alter the losing condition to something only appliable to her opponent? Though she claims to he god, her Arcana is anything but all powerful. There's a caveat to King Nothing. I'm sure of it."

"Then unveil it shall your task before you clash with Touko dearest, Seiran. Uncover King Nothing's inner workings, and overcome the one trying to abstain you from creating your Land of Smiles. I'm sure you can do it. Fleeting." That damn hand wave again.

"You totally just wanted to say fleeting but couldn't weave it into your previous lines..." Nerona cringed.

"Shiori-kun's not wrong. Figuring out how to counter her cracked Arcana would make beating her alot easier." Mana sighed with her arms crossed. "But how do you counter her locking your front row in the first place, Seiran's deck has no mirage..."

"I'll figure something out. That's how I roll. Until then-" Seiran shifted her focus to the tallest girl of the group. "Thank you. Even though your prince-like persona annoys the hell out of me, I wouldn't be this close to beating Touko had it not been for you getting her to use her Arcana. Reading up on the raid boss' kit... It's how we used to handle whatever new damage sponge was added to Neo Fantasia Online, wasn't it, Ori-chan?"

"E-eh?" The drummer. "Ori-chan? Wait, childhood nickname aside, you finally remember Shiori-kun?!"

"Ori-chan, eh? My my, how-" Nerona looked at Shiori and her image of her prince charming died a little. "HA?!"

Shiori turned into, simply put, a blushing mess staring at the ground, fidgeting from pure, unadulterated embarassment. Her lips quivered as she tried to muster up some words, to the point they looked like a child's depiction of a wave.

But she managed to steel her nerves and raise her head to face Seiran!

"S-sei-chan, d-d-d-don't call m-me that with people around! It's e-embarassing!" She weeped.

"You're taking the piss out of me..." Nerona blinked. "This is what exists behind that overzealous prince persona?!"

"Neronya-chan, how fleeting~." And Shiori was back to normal.

"Bugger off! Ori-chan, Ori-chan, Ori-chan!"

"Apologies, my beloved Neronya-chan, but such a name cannot provoke me any-"

"Ori-chan." Seiran whispered.

"S-sei-chaaaaaan!" And now she was back to being a girlfailure.

"Pffffft hehehehehehe!" Mana laughed. "That's our wimpy Shiori-kun for sure!"

At the end of the school day, it was back to the student council room for Touko and Amane, Hoeru being nowhere in sight out of either already finishing her duties when bored in class or chasing a pretty butterfly she saw outside, both were valid and had happened before

Touko sighed, eyes closed as she slowly rubbing her right temple, this time out of a common headache and not a messy report.

"Why must King Nothing always give me these headaches..."

The rapid tapping and clicking coming from Amane's laptop likely didn't help, but those sounds had a soothing effect to them. They had become part of Touko's so called paradise.

"Saki-san, I have made a decision. I must end this Land of Smiles bandwagon before it spind out of control. Enough outsourcing fighters prone to switching sides or ignoring their duties, I need one who takes their task serious and goes through with it. That to say, I want you to fight them next, Saki-san."

The tapping stopped.

A shaky breath came out.

And the laptop was closed.

"My duties are done. See you tomorrow, Kiba-san."

Amane didn't make it to the door in time; she was frozen where she stood by Touko's words.

"Hold it. You may not be part of the disciplinary committee, but as a member of the student council, the president's assistant no less, you have a duty to safeguard this school."

Her inhaling was slow, her exhaling even slower, yet both stopped as felt Touko's long arms creeping around her neck.

"You will stop Ibuki Seiran, won't you, Amane-kun? Only Amane-kun can do it..."

Touko leaned closer, lips brushing against Amane's ear.

"Because he loves his school more than anyone else, and he wouldn't want to cause trouble for the president he looks up to you. Amane-kun is a good boy. He will defend his school, right?"

Touko pulled Amane closer to her.

"You are a good boy. Right, Amane-kun?"

----------

They are making... A new Granfia...

Forget Chiharu dying and his life spiralling out of control, Bushi is giving Satoru a real reason to be a depressed alcoholic rooting away in Backlight :skull:

Anyway hi, hello, how are you? Gargrex got revealed and it was awesome, and against any and every odd, we actually got support in set 10 AND an overtuned Cerrgaon clone for dinos! We're never getting a dinosaur pg but screw that, Bushi is still really sorry about the dog!

God, Avantgarda support into a new Granfia not even a month after Hermina got a promi, Team Blacksync is on a roll of debatable quality, we'll see after testing.

Oh, speaking of those blokes, next time you'll hear from me will be on the arc preview for Bujin's Gunma Saga! I did promise I'd get that out in late June after summer began, time to lock in and pump out some character cards for whoever is involved in the arc... Goddammit.

But don't worry, Backlight's not going in a break, especially not after ending this chapter on that Amane cliffhanger, have fun theorising about that. The BujinLight schedule will be better explained in Bujin, but to give you a tease, I'll be trying to turn Bujin into a singular chapter story and alternate between the two since Backlight over here is a passion project of mine. Will that work? Well the first chapter of the Gunma Saga was gonna be a three parter so we'll see. 'Sides, single chapters means faster updates means Fox's to read list gets even bigger.

Btw go read re:Wings, the Fast Chase arc slaps and it had Taro and Bujin glazing on it, big win for birdwatchers around the world.

Anyway, that's about it. Happy pride month one last time and see ya on the next one.

The new Granfia is gonna suck because I got a 5* Tomoe off a freebie multi and the new 5* Sayo in two multis... Universe when I put my hands on you, I SWEAR TO GOD-