Shinju exits the Dreamscape library, nearly slamming its door behind her. She quickly drops her smiling façade. She’d heard what Yui had said to Niko. 

Shinju crosses through the library’s imaginary front courtyard without paying attention to its decorations. Rabbits and decidedly out-of-their-natural-habitat chinchillas frolic through its well-kept grasses,  flower bushes, and fruit trees. Shinju has to slow down a little as they gather around her feet, but she doesn’t stop to pet them. 

Like all Dreamscape locales, the area fades into nothingness when she reaches the edge. Shinju was never very good at navigating this place. She’s walking just to walk, though she would love to come across Yui now. 

That very thought drives Shinju into the near edge of oblivion itself, the surroundings and domain becoming pure white around her. All white, save for a mirror-glass cube in the center. From this center, a single, familiar voice could be heard. The very voice Shinju sought out.

Yui: You’re sure, then? You guys had nothing to do with these secret killings? …Couldn’t have hurt to ask, though. Gotta take every inch I can with this shit. A’ight, where were we? I’ve taken my five.

Fei: (though it registers as Japanese in her ears, a language she’s never heard Punisher speak, the voice is immediately recognisable to Shinju) … You can’t “take five” in a real fight.

Yui: Jesus fucking Christ, are we back to the “every session’s a real fight” stuff again? Look, between the murders and that whatever-the-fuck happened before I fell asleep, my questions at least made sense, Fei. 

Fei: I don’t care.

Yui: Whatever, let’s get back to it. (The sound of Yui shifting into a fighting stance, though subtle, is clearly audible through the otherwise silent void)

Shinju: (The sound of her rapidly approaching footsteps is heard before she speaks) What is this!? (She makes a sharp gesture at Fei) Oh, this had better be an illusion! 

Yui: (Her eyes meet Shinju’s as she glances to the side) …You still got Magia. I lost mine. Got any other ideas how I’d go about gettin’ it back? I’m all ears, kid.

Shinju: (She turns to face Fei, apparently ready for a fight) Anything but asking her! Did you forget what happened? Who knows what she could do with you letting her be in here! 

Fei: (she glares at Shinju) She does not let me be here. I let her be here.

Yui: She’s dead out there! What harm could she possibly do with the Diva in full control of this place, hm? Niko knows she’s here, for fuck’s sake!

Shinju: Don’t throw her under the bus! You’re the one who’s down here palling around with her! 

Yui: And if you have any actual ideas on how I can get strong enough to keep Magia this time, I’m all ears. Liu Fei is a tiger who got de-clawed. Still tough enough down here for me to train with, but not a real threat up there! And aside from you, she’s the only other person in existence who has experience with Magia! Kotori had it for all of twelve seconds, Chiemi is gone, and unless you know enough to teach others how to get it, then Punisher is my only viable option.

Shinju: Is it so important you’ve gotta conspire with a Balancer? 

Yui: Again, what is your alternative—

Fei: (in a flash, she appears in between the two bickering guests, holding guns to both of their foreheads) If you see an enemy, don’t waste time talking. (she pulls the triggers)