Vol. 2 Ch. 2 Ep. 1: A Secret Meeting

Oh, wow, a delicate super-genius beauty came to see you, and you didn't even turn on the lights to greet her...

It's very typical of you to be so inhospitable to guests.

If you stay cooped up in the dark with your eyes glued to a computer monitor...

Your eyes will get worse than they already are, Rio.

Our meeting must be kept secret from the outside world. I was just trying to ensure confidentiality.

Turn off the lights and leave no traces.

I made sure that your visit history isn't in the database. Officially, we never met today.

All of this is reasonable to protect confidentiality.

Rio, you're always too serious. I expected you to say, "Don't tell me what to do! You're not my older sister!"

This is how a super genius and delicate, beautiful flower lightens up the mood.

...What are you saying, Himari? Of course you're not my older sister. Can you be reasonable for once?

...Right, you've been always like this.

The word "reasonable"... That's your favorite word.

I wouldn't say it's my favorite. I was just stating the facts.

I thought we both agreed that today's meeting was supposed to be confidential.

Well, if you were that concerned about prying eyes, we could have met somewhere else.

...Somewhere else?

Yes, for example...

A secret place built by someone...

Like a safehouse...or something.

...

That's enough. Let's get to the point.

Not interested in small talk? Haha, sure, it doesn't matter.

Then let's check if we're on the same page.

The commotion caused by the Millennium students regarding the Mirror...

That was something we plotted together.

Yes, I prepared the Mirror as a means, and you provided the crisis, C&C.

It was a rare case where we worked together for the same purpose.

Right. All to uncover the identity of Aris.

...A lot of time has passed since then. Do we have the analysis results?

Of course we do.

The true identity of Aris is...

The artifact worshiped by the nameless priests...

A being that only exists in records...

The princess of the Nameless Gods.

...

...

It seems our analysis is in agreement.

So that means...the essence of her existence is...

Yes, Aris is...

...?

...Huh?

What are you saying, Himari?

I was going to ask what nonsense YOU were spouting, Rio!

...

...

...I see. Then our alliance ends here.

Yes. To clarify, it was a truce, not an alliance.

...

...

Oh, are these the...toys you've been working so hard on recently?

Do you really think I can just let you go now?

Well...I knew you were going to say that.

What?! You hacked my office?

Oh? Did you really think your rooms were invincible, Big Sister?

AMAS! Don't let Himari escape...

I'm sorry, but nothing is impossible for me, the delicate beauty!

(All of AMAS stopped working at once...?)

(Did she hack in when I was distracted by the lights going out?)

(I have to do something. First, restore control of the drones...)

Huh? Why is the lighting system not responding...?

Ugh!

Did Himari...

...already escape?

You truly are the president of Veritas.

This is why I wanted you on my side.

It's a shame we couldn't keep our alliance.

I didn't want to go down this route. It's not reasonable.

You didn't hesitate for even a moment when you realized I wasn't on your side.

It's been a long time since we last met, but you haven't changed a bit, Rio.

Well, it won't work on a super-genius, elegant, delicate beauty like me. ♪

Then let's see... Before Rio, I should...

Huh?

Ugh...?! Wh-Who are you...?

Aren't you...

The rumored fifth member of C&C?