There was no visible or tangible barrier to mark the transition into Kamihama City. Nothing to mark where the city began or ended. But as the train pulled closer, a wave of calm warmth spread to two of its passengers in particular. A… not quite desire, or urge, but a subtle seed, planted and swiftly blooming in the hearts of the two Mitakihara residents. A pull. A little nod. A tiny voice, urging with the push of a small, lonely child. The urge was clear, as was the goal. Friendship. Company. The whisper of a cry to cure a deep-seated loneliness. 

The call was irresistible, but it was also not one that drowned out all other thoughts or feelings. Indeed, while the feeling was impossible to shake, it wasn’t a magnetic pull, either. The aura was calm, almost soothing. The unmistakable siren’s song of a lonely little girl who made a simple, yet powerful wish. Kiwako Kobayashi didn’t want to be alone anymore. 

Indeed, the name, as well as Kiwako’s face, both were clear as day in the mind’s eyes of the two girls traveling her way. Thankfully, at the same time, there was nothing to stop them from leaving, once the purpose of the visit would come and go. 

Hanako’s head snapped up, towards the window. The moment the effects of Kiwako’s wish hit Hanako, she recognized it instantly. Words failed her for a moment, but she finally managed.

Hanako: …Kiwa-chan’s alive, at least. She doesn’t seem to be in distress, either.

Yuzuki: (She lays a hand on her chest, in the seat across from Hanako) This city has a strange vibe. I feel… a bit like I’m walking into an orphanage, or something. 

Hanako: It’s… Kiwa-chan’s wish, I think. But… Tokai-san, it’s almost like… like you want to see her, right? Ever since we saw the city?

Yuzuki: Hmm. During the balancers thing I thought her being so chirpy in the middle of a crisis was a little annoying, but… (She nods to herself) Yes, I do feel a bit like… I don’t know, like I just found out her favorite teddy bear is all she has left to remember her parents, or something like that. That kind of feeling. Even though it doesn’t look like a bad city… 

Hanako: I know she lives alone, even now. I pieced together what I could while she was with me and Yasu, training in Tokyo. I also know that the cheery facade is, well… a facade. She doesn’t let people in, but… maybe now that we’re here, she might open up to us? Ah, our stop is coming up.

Yuzuki: (She quickly gathers up her bag) Well, that’s the hope… if her wish is still working, I suppose she hasn’t run into any more balancers or anything… 

The train pulled into the lone train station in Kamihama without incident. Passengers filed out in a wave of business and leisure, and before long, Hanako and Yuzuki rode it out. The pair left the station, but before either could make heads or tails of where they were, a familiar pair of girls stood in front of them. The sea of people seemed to flow around them, and their eyes were on the visiting Puellae.

Riko: It might seem ironic for us to ask, considering what our family is known for, but it stands to reason all the same. …What are you two doing in Kamihama City?

Yuzuki: (She gives a short chuckle) You know, it’s a little reassuring for once, for one of our Puellae in Yui’s circle to not have some omniscient idea what we’re doing before we even do it. 

Rio: W-We aren’t omniscient, just information dealers.

Riko: …Then again, I guess Uncle Kenji was right, we do tend to tunnel only on important information. 

Hanako: Well… um… we’re not here for anything major, that’s for certain. Right, Tokai-san?

Yuzuki: No, it seems not. We were coming to check on Kiwako… san, because she hasn’t been taking calls, but I guess she must be fine. 

Riko: (The twins exchange synchronized looks with one another before Riko speaks up) …She isn’t?

Hanako: N-No. I wouldn’t have made the trip if she was. I… I talked to Yui after Kiwa-chan’s fight with her, and—

Kiwako: (A familiar, chipper, saccharine voice suddenly calls out from behind a parked car, Kiwako peeking up from behind the trunk) You did what?! And you didn’t get any bones or organs broken or anything?!

Yuzuki: … Everyone’s here already. Maybe I shouldn’t have ruled out omniscience… 

Kiwako: …Oop. (She partially ducks back behind the car, but after a moment, realizes how silly it is to hide now.)

Hanako: (She sighs) …Kiwa-chan, you were the one who told me to use my phone. So where have you been, that you aren’t using yours?

Kiwako: …Okay. (She looks to the twins, who nod, then sighs as well. Her voice is a little lower, less artificially chipper.) Let’s talk at my place.  

Yuzuki: (She nods, but then eyes the car Kiwako was hiding behind) You’re… not driving, right? 

Kiwako: Of course not! We’re walking! And when we get there, we can have tea and cookies! (Her voice had gradually picked up to its usual demeanor, and at the mention of cookies, Rio visibly jumped and her eyes lit up.) Let’s go~!