A small karaoke parlor at the far end of town had, like most places on the edges of Mitakihara, survived handily against the assault of the Balancers, and needed only minor repairs. Its owner had long since returned to the establishment, and as he often did, sat in his back room, reading a comic book. What most of his visitors did not know, however, was that it was hardly the only secret room in the building. Indeed, several other secret rooms existed behind other booths. One such room belonged to the proprietor’s daughter, and in the interest of quelling the silence that would otherwise accompany the void left by her passing, he allowed his twin nieces to use the room for their own while they were staying in town.

Inside, two girls were playing on an older video game console, while the other was sitting behind them on a small leather couch. The two girls playing were giggling, exchanging playful barbs as one began to get the edge over the other, the third sitting in silence, her head down, eyes closed. Finally, the game ended.

Rio: Noooo…

Kiwako: Kyahaha! I win again, Rio-chan! That’s five in a row now?

Rio: Haaa…

Riko: (she sighs, shaking her head) We never could beat her in any other avenue, Rio. What makes you think we could win at video games?

Rio: Because! Usually, video games are fair and even!

Riko: And yet, you let Kiwa-chan pick the game…

Kiwako: (She turns off the console and stands up, stretching her arms) That was fun, though! Hey, hey, what should we do now?

Riko: As fun as this is, it feels like we should be moving, or doing anything productive. We’re still Birds, after all.

Kiwako: Hmm… I guess that makes sense. Can’t have fun forever, I suppose.

Rio: But what? What is it we should be doing? The city doesn’t have any need for us at present.

Kiwako: Mm, that’s true. Mitakihara seems to be doing just fine now. Welp, I suppose I can head back home, then!

Rio & Riko: What?!

Kiwako: Yep! I oughtta head back to Kamihama now. Everything’s under control here!

Riko: Are they, now? Because word on the grapevine is that things in New Eden are turbulent, even still. What of its proprietress’s state of mind?

Kiwako: Everyone else has it under control!

Rio: What about your friendship with Hanako…?

Kiwako: Lily-chan will be fine! Besides, we have phones! We’ll stay in touch!

Riko: How can you be sure that things with Yui will remain under control?

Kiwako: It’s not like there’s anything I can do about it! She doesn’t exactly wanna see me. I’d just be making things worse!

Rio: …You’re hiding something, Kiwa-chan.

Kiwako: (She begins to sway on the spot) Took ya long enough, Rio-chan. Well, no sense hiding it, then. Ahem… (Kiwako closes her eyes, and as she speaks, her voice is a bit lower in tone.) …I have a guest back home. She’s due to wake up any day now, and I wanna be there, just in case she… goes off the deep end.

Riko: You’re kidding… you’re harboring her?!

Kiwako: Of course! She’s a close friend of mine! I wanna take care of her, and also keep her out of trouble until she feels better. Now! Hm… (her voice returns to its usual, chipper octave) how about one more game for the road, then?

The twin birds are silent for a minute, exchanging concerned glances in tandem. Eventually, Riko sighs, declaring her turn and turning the console back on, picking up Rio’s controller.