One of the biggest critiques of New Eden was the disjointed, cramped and overall cold and unwelcome vibe of Yui’s office. Yui never really rectified this, though it was not for lack of care. Yui simply had no knack for decorations in a way that made an office feel warm and inviting. Why would she, anyway? It was an office meant for Yui and Alice alone, not necessarily for the public to use.

And yet, whenever anyone had a problem to bring up with Yui, this was where they chose to speak with her. Perhaps it was the most isolated area with which to speak to Yui privately, perhaps the offputting room made it easier for difficult conversations or confrontations. Perhaps it was just convenience. But when the door to the office opened swiftly, Yui showed no surprise.

Yui: Figured you two would be wanting to talk, sooner or later. Only made sense for—

She paused. Koharu was expected. Yosuke was predictably at her side. But behind them, a third person, one Yui did not recognize.

Yui: Er… hello there? You uh… all on school business, then?

Yosuke: We’ve, eh… done some recruiting. Don’t worry, eh… (he lowers his voice) she’s got the proper clearance level and all that.

Sara: Hiya. Yui Arashi. That’s your name, not mine. My name is Mitsunaga. Sara Mitsun—

Koharu: Didn’t leave us much of a choice. She knows about magic because of a— (she frowns, turning to Sara) … Remind me, how’d you learn about magic again?

Sara: You told me. It’s the story of the century, magic. I’ve been workshopping some things I could potentially wish for when I ever bump into Mister Kyubes.

Yosuke: Yeah, we’re not calling him that.

Yui: Absolutely not.

Sara: An associate of mine from middle school was one of you Lovely Cures, yes? 

Yui: You all replaced Hanako or something?

Koharu: Hanako’s with your apprentice.

Sara: The apprentice’s apprentice! Anyways, that girl and I, we both went milk carton for a few days, two years ago. She never made it back. I don’t like to talk about it, but senpai here had to go and namesearch ol’ Sara Mitsunaga on the internet and she figured out what’d happened.

Koharu: … You were pulled into a Witch’s labyrinth.

Sara: Bingo. So I knew exactly what you were talking about when I happened to overhear one of your “editorial board” meetings.

Yui: …Somethin’ familiar about all this. (she shakes her head) Point is, sure, level one clearance. Is uh… that why you’re here? Somethin’ happen?

Sara: (ignoring Yui’s question) My sib’s told me all about you, Yui Arashi. They said you’re, like, “king shit” around here. The head honcho. The top dog, even. (she studies Yui carefully) … a Griffon Bruxellois, perhaps?

Yui: …I’m not a boss of anything or anyone, kid. I run this gym, sure. Some Puellae look up to me. S’bout it.

Sara: Hmm. So more like a Great Dane, then. Yes.

Yui: Did you just call me a fucking dog—

Yosuke: In any case, I was approached by that Melati woman, prying into my, eh, past.

Yui: (Her eyes widen, and her tone becomes more serious) …So that’s what’s up, eh? She really is going around, interviewing all of us. Keeping to her word, I guess, but… well, what’d she say? Like, what kinda vibe did you get from her, Yosuke?

Yosuke: (he shrugs) Like a misguided police detective, kinda. She said there were rules for Balancings and seemed real concerned about how many of those Kyubey had broken. I couldn’t really get her to understand that Balancings are, y’know, inherently evil.

Yui: Probably in deep with her Incubator. She met with Alice, god knows who else she’s met up with. From what I can tell, she hasn’t gotten to Hanako or Seia yet, at least. God, what is she really after, though? Incubators can’t have that corporate PR cultural bullshit, right? We’re just livestock to them.

Koharu: Still degrees of morality in immoral people.  Like slave-owners being abhorred by other slave-owners treating their slaves badly.

Yui: That’s an apt analogy actually. So then, what do we do about breakin’ our chains?

Yosuke: That’s, eh, what we’d like you to tell us.

Yui: Heh. Figured. Still, can’t help but wonder what it’d be like if someone told me a plan in advance for once. Even if this Melati is playing straight, we don’t know her motives. (She folds her hands over her desk, the business card lying under them)

Koharu: Might have to take her at face value. Could be legitimately running some kind of investigation against Kyubey dictated by higher-ups.

Yosuke: You saying we should collaborate?

Koharu: Not collaborate. Just… not interfere.

Yui: …You suggesting I take her up on her offer, then? Play nice, see what I can get out of her?

Koharu: Enjoy the option of peaceful conversation now it still exists, yes.

Yui: …I’m not sure. It could still be a trap. My contact might be a catalyst into her next steps, whatever those may be. If she even inadvertently gets information out of me—

The door to Yui’s office opens once more, a familiar sight standing in the doorway. 

Freeze.

Yui and Cecilia both tense up, but Yui’s the first to relax, and that cues Cecilia to do the same.

Cecilia: Apologies for the intrusion. 

Yui: I’m assuming this is important, but… well, ‘case you hadn’t noticed, we’re uh, in the middle of something.

Sara: That’s a tubular eye patch, lady! Are you here to enact vengeance onto your long-lost twin sister?

Koharu: (she crosses her arms) This makes things a lot easier. (she glares at Cecilia) You. What do you know about that Balancer woman?

Yosuke: Gonna have to be a bit more specific than that, senpai…

Koharu: It’s Koharu.

Sara: How come you don’t know your own girlfriend’s name, Brosuke?

Cecilia: … (She glances around the room, shaking her head) Not much, unfortunately. My sight is not yet returned to me in full. It’s the other known Balancer that I am concerned with. 

Yui: You know where Diana went?!

Cecilia: No. But Kiwako, she… she’s hunting her. Alone. I do not need to state why this concerns me, Yui.

Yui: That fucking little— is she suicidal?! I know what Diana did, but come on, Kiwa! You lost when there were four of us fighting her! God damn it… 

Cecilia: I am at a loss, Yui. Do you… have any method or idea to find Diana before Kiwako does?

Yosuke: Isn’t that Melati woman also looking for her?

Yui: (She stares down at the business card for a long moment, as if looking through it) …I hate this. It feels so… purposeful. Intentional. Even if that doesn’t make sense. Y’know what I mean, right? If Melati somehow had a hand in this, I’m bein’ lured in. If not, I’m dancin’ to someone else’s beat. But… damn, I ain’t got any other leads. Still, Koharu ain’t led me wrong so far… (with a sigh, Yui pulls out her phone, and after another deep breath, dials Melati’s number)

Melati: … (She answers quickly, within a couple rings) Hello, Melati Nyaua speaking. 

Yui: Yui Arashi. We met at New Eden not too long ago. You left your card in case I needed something business related. Well… I might have need of your unique services. (She exchanges a knowing glance with Cecilia, then leaves the office) Got some time?

Melati: Of course. I figured it’d be today or tomorrow that you’d call. Hold on. I’m close. I can be there in a minute. 

Yui: Wait, what? What do you mean—

She’s cut off by the jingle of the front doors opening, and in the entryway, there she was.

Yui: …Hell of a coincidence. (She ends the call and pockets her phone) Guess that makes things easier, though.

Koharu: … You’ve been watching this place, then?

Yui glances back, having seen Koharu silently slip out of the office behind her, her friends in tow, but pays them no mind. Her attention remains on Melati.

Melati: (She hangs up her phone and pockets it) More like I was already on my way here. This gym is the “center of the world” in this town, after all. 

Yui: I guess. But I didn’t call you to give you a hard time. I need something, and I have leverage. So… let’s do business. (Yui slowly walks around the ring in the middle of the floor, meeting Melati in the entryway) An’ don’t worry about my friends in or out of the office. You’ve already interviewed them, so it’s not like there’s anything to hide.

Melati: (She surveys the assembled group in the office) Yes, I guess I’ve already met most of you. (She looks at Sara) … Except you. Did you just join up? 

Sara: (she nods) … You could say that.

Yui: (She spares a sidelong glance in Sara’s direction, but continues) I’ll get to the point. I know you’re tracking Diana Caelum, and thus, probably don’t know where she is. But that’s what I’m asking of you. I need to find Diana as soon as possible.

Melati: Believe it or not, she’s a somewhat higher priority than you are. If I found out where she was, though, I’d probably go to deal with her myself. What do you need her for? 

Yui: (Her eyes begin swirling with violet color, lightning streaking across her pupils) …Let’s just say I need to find her before someone else does. Good enough for now?

Sara: (she leans into Koharu and Yosuke, whispering) Whoa… I get why you guys can’t get enough of this stuff now…

Koharu: … It’s not a game.

Melati: Well, I haven’t got GPS coordinates for you I’m afraid, but if it’s information on her, I have plenty of that. You know, so long as it’s worth my time on the clock to stand around here… (With a sigh)  Running my mouth about old times. 

Yui: So it’s true. <You’re her other “old friend” then.>

Melati: Oh, she calls me that still? (She laughs sadly) Isn’t that a shot to the heart.

Yui: <She talked a lot about you, all without giving any details.> So like I said, let’s do business. What can I give you that’s worth a method to track her down?

Melati: Besides that I stumbled upon Diana while I was here… I’m here to investigate Kyubey. I expect you know a lot about what he’s been up to on his own in this city for so many years. 

Yui: You could say that. (She pauses) …Sorry, force of habit. I can give you a bit of what Kyubey’s been up to, if I get a beat on how to track your old friend. Fair enough, no?

The group begins gravitating towards Yui’s office. Cecilia passes a glance Melati’s way, but otherwise keeps her eye on Yui’s desk. Once everyone is inside, Yui shuts the door behind them, then returns to her side of the desk.

Melati: From experience, I’d say the main challenge isn’t in finding her, but getting that result to stick. I’ve found her plenty of times in her favorite haunts— at least, I’m sure I have— but her power to redo the situation when she doesn’t want to be found is the most troublesome. 

Yui: God, you can say that again… fighting her was in the top three worst fights I’ve ever been in. But does she have a pattern? She stalked me at a bar not too far from here when she was breadcrumbing me with her stories.

Koharu: … You were having casual conversations with a serial killer this whole time?

Yui: In my defense, I didn’t figure out she was a killer until she wanted to Balance us.

Melati: Balance? (She shakes her head with a scoff) She quit being a Balancer almost a century ago. If she’s still doing work with Kyubey, that’s a big problem. 

Yui: I don’t think she was working for Kyubey, exactly. It’s… a long story. This fucked up game of cat-and-mouse for a while. She might’ve been lying about Balancing being her goal here, even. She did wanna fight us, though, and she did. But that’s beside the point. 

Yosuke: … You told me you can’t just quit being a Balancer, didn’t you?.

Melati: Yes. To still be here today, she’s killed several Balancer teams sent after her. 

Koharu: (she scoffs) Perhaps they were able to convince you to kill others for the sake of “balance” in the universe. But convince people to kill others because they stopped killing others? Ridiculous. Why would anyone bother?

Melati: It’s because she hasn’t stopped killing people. Don’t tell me you forgot the investigation you performed yourself. (She sighs) She does this a lot. With other Balancers, too. 

Koharu: So you’re only after this woman because she hasn’t stopped killing? Yosuke is safe, then, no? Or not? Some concern for ethics you Balancers have. Sending in one who’ll lecture us on deontological standards only after a handful of remorseless killers. (she narrows her eyes) … Do you really represent who you claim to represent? ‘Cause from a rational point of view, it’s lunatics like that trenchcoat woman and that girl with the armored legs who are the real Balancers, and you’re the outlier. You’re lying to yourself.

Yosuke: (he whispers) S-senpai… I-I think it might be time for us to skedaddle…

Sara: (she nods, poking in her head as if Yosuke called for the three of them to huddle up) Affirmative. Some weapons are better left undeployed if they don’t get our target to co-operate.

Melati: (She takes a deep breath while they speak) Perhaps my skills with Japanese are lacking. All of the Balancers you just listed are Kyubey’s hires. If I– actually, even Diana. A long, long time ago. The only Balancer you’ve met who wasn’t one of his is me. If I seem different to you, that only makes sense. This type of thing is the reason he’s being investigated. 

Yui: Can we focus?! (Her voice comes out a bit more irritated than she intends, and after a moment of stunned silence, lightning darts across her eyes as her gaze meets Melati’s) …Do you have a method of tracking Diana Caelum, or do you not?

Melati: You– (She stops abruptly, chuckling) Sorry. I don’t know if you meant to, but you sound just like her. I don’t have a magic radar to tell me where she is. But I know where she’s likely to show up… and the places she’d show up when she’s trying to avoid me… and the places for when she’s trying to avoid those places. 

Yui: Got a list? ‘Cause even though she kicked our asses, I just need to find her before someone else does. I can probably get more out of her than anyone else, ‘side from you. I don’t plan on gettin’ in your way, don’t get me wrong.

Melati: (She hesitates, though only briefly) I’ve put together a list of places like bars and lodgings I think she’d use in this situation. I’ll send it to your phone. 

Yui: …Alright. But is that all you can give me, really?

Melati: I think it’s my turn to say that now. I am still on the clock here. (She pulls out the same device as when she and Yui met, a white rod that projects several holographic displays) I understand you don’t trust anyone with the title of Balancer, but you shouldn’t have any reason to keep Kyubey’s secrets to yourself. 

Yui: Tch… I did say I was ready to do business. Fine, then, hit me.

Melati: I appreciate it. Now, as you know, I’m here to investigate Incubator misconduct. Now, I know many Puellae might regard everything an Incubator does as “misconduct,” so let’s be clear what I’m asking about. Bear with me for a second. (She raises her device, and it projects a set of three holograms into different spots in Yui’s office. Melati walks to one, slightly to the left of Yui’s desk) 

… Pardon the look of the instructional materials. There are three categories of… offenses he might have committed. 

A silhouetted image in light blue, of Kyubey reaching into a person’s chest and extracting a Soul Gem.

One. Offenses in the formation of contracts. 

Melati: This would be… making contracts that are pointless or dangerous. People that are too unlikely to ever become a Witch, or those who he knew, or should have known, would cause damage to the balance. That could be Puellae who are violent to the general public or risk the exposure of magic.

Yui: So, people like me.

Melati: Yes, quite possibly. 

On the other side of Yui’s desk, a silhouetted image of an organizational tree, with Kyubey at the top and several lines drawn downward towards familiar silhouettes of his Balancing team, Fei, Shiori, Ophelia, Luca, and Yosuke. 

Two. Offenses in the administration of Balancings.

Yui: …

Cecilia: Yui?

Yui: So what’s the “ethical” way of doing Erasures? You’re not gonna tell me that’s a Kyubey specific kind of Balancing, and you and this Aisha only do “beneficial” Balancings. 

Melati: I don’t do Erasure work and that’s why I don’t do it. The ideal way to do one, in my opinion, is to manage things better beforehand so it never gets to that level. Ever.

Yui: Feel pretty strong about that. S’that a trait of your Incubator? Or just a personal grievance, and others outside of Kyubey do it too?

Melati: It’s not just Kyubey. But no, my Incubator has never asked me to do something like that. 

Yui: You tolerate it though, right? Your hands ain’t exactly clean. (Her eyes flash)

Melati: Not that I’m here to be biased but… the reason I’m here looking into this is because I don’t tolerate it. 

Yui: Would’ve been nice to have ya around half a year ago. Hell, maybe even longer than that. Could’ve prevented a bunch of shit. No harm bringing this up, I know you already heard, but Kyubey’s been plottin’ against us for a while, going back to dirtying its own paws.

Melati: Well, I’ve already heard he may have murdered Mikoto Rinju himself, without going through a Balancer, which is already an offense. Apart from this, employing dangerous or reckless Balancers who damage the balance themselves. (She points her finger at the silhouette of Ophelia, and then Shiori) Already looking into that.

Yui: Oi… Shiori was my friend—

Sara: (she looks at the silhouettes, then at Yosuke) Look, senpai! It’s you!

Yosuke: Yeah, yeah…

Lastly, by the door, is one Melati doesn’t approach. An image of Kyubey rising into the air, a radiant light bursting from his chest.

Three. Heresy. Offense to the stability of the universe itself.

Melati: …  I’m mainly asking about the other two. Kyubey hardly seems like the type to be a Pather.

Sara: (as Yosuke attempts to lower her arm as it is pointing at the silhouette, the mention of that last word causes her to look at the third hologram) That’s…  (her eyes narrow, as she mutters under her breath) … not a very creative way of putting it. (she wriggles out of Yosuke’s grip) Not that I’d expect otherwise from a Pale Warden cron—

Koharu: (she frowns) What do you mean?

Sara: Hm? Oh, I just mean, like… “pather”? You sure the word you’re looking for isn’t “psychopath”, lady? Or “sociopath”? Cause I’m pretty sure Mister Kyubes is all of those things, yes.

Melati: … You said “Pale Warden.” I’m surprised you know about that. Did you hear something about it while you were working, Nishioka-san?

Sara: Huh, what? Him? (she looks at Yosuke)

Yosuke: W-What? I don’t know anything abo—What?

Sara: I don’t know anything about “what” either? What’s “what”?

Yosuke: What is what you said!

Sara: I said “what”. “What” is what I said.

Yosuke: (he raises his voice) No, you said something about “Pale Wardens”! 

Sara: What?

Yosuke: Pale Wardens! What the hell were you talking about?

Sara: Pale what-nows?

Yui: (Snapping) Cut the fucking sketch comedy bullshit for five FUCKING SECONDS! This is serious. 

Freeze.

Despite a crystal clear sky overhead, thunder rolls from outside of the gym, the only sound breaking the stunned silence.

Yui: …Stay on track, or get the fuck out.

The silence hangs a moment longer, but Koharu is the first to break it this time.

Koharu: Pale Wardens. (she turns to Melati) What are they?

Melati: (She shakes her head, looking at Sara with skepticism) It seems some of us might already know, but… well.

She brings the “Path” hologram of Kyubey into the center of the room, and creates another one, of Kyubey sitting in a neutral position with a black mote in his middle.

Melati: The species that Incubators are a part of is– or was– divided into two schools of thought. Pale Wardens are the dominant one now. You’re familiar with them– fighting entropy by carrying out this Incubator operation, and opposing the Path, or Magia, or whatever you might call it. Believe it or not, long ago, they had people pursuing Magia too. 

Cecilia: Until they suddenly didn’t, right? This “heresy” you speak of, that was Kyubey— or the Pale Wardens’ doing, am I correct? An internal purge of all who follow The Path?

Melati: Yes, there aren’t many Path adherents left today. Although it occasionally still happens… just recently we had one trying to abuse his Incubator position to take human hosts. 

Yui: Wait, what? They can do that?!

Melati: By misusing the conduits that are supposed to be for making the temporary bodies they use here on Earth… sure. (When she mentions the conduit, an image appears of a white piece of metallic substance, with a glassy sheen and countless traces marked upon its surface like a circuit board) 

Cecilia: (She remains silent, but her eye is fixated on the conduit)

Yui: I guess that’s how Kyubey keeps makin’ copies of itself whenever we bash it up. That explains a lot… but then, they could, in theory, use this conduit thing to inhabit a human?

Melati: That was what this particular Incubator did recently. As a Path adherent, it seemed he longed for a body with a proper soul. As is the norm, he was put to death as soon as this was discovered. 

Yosuke: (he raises his hand) Ehm… Sorry, but, eh, can I ask a question? When I was with the Balancers, I’m pretty sure Kyubey mentioned this “Path” thing a couple of times, and he seemed to hate it even more than you do. In fact, I think he called it “heresy” as well. It was kind of his whole justification to do what he did.

Melati: Yes, I don’t expect Kyubey to be the type to do this sort of thing, but if it ever happens, I’d ask you to call me to deal with it. Since this incident with this other Incubator, I have the tools needed to remove one safely from a human host. 

Yui: So if we see a conduit, or an Incubator of any kind tryin’ to take over a human form… (She nods slowly) A’ight. Consider my cooperation on that front full and open. That’s somethin’ I don’t wanna mess with. If I see anything like that, I’ll let’cha know. That’s your department. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. In return, all I ask is any beat on Diana, if you find her. Fair trade?

Melati: Hah. I think you’ve made a promise to do something you won’t ever need to do. I guess you’ve baited me into prattling on again. So? Has Kyubey made any contracts that you thought were suspicious?

Yui: Besides mine? Or the other Malefica Kyubey made?

Melati: … I saw his note about that. Anything about those, or about other contracts that aren’t productive or caused a lot of harm would be fine. 

Yui exchanges another glance with Cecilia, and while Yui shows no outward reaction, Cecilia takes the window to speak up.

Cecilia: Puella Malefica, or a few years ago known as “Angels”. A hybrid between a Puella and her Witch, usually upon contract, though our culminations were all different. I was the “first”. Yui was the “fourth”. We’re all dormant now, one of our number has perished, but… 

Yui: We chalk it up to Kyubey’s “mad science” bullshit. He’s done a lot, ‘specially around here. God knows where else.

Melati: (she raises an eyebrow, anger slipping into her voice) Doing “mad science” requires approval. I never heard of him receiving it for all of this. 

Yui: (her own tone, conversely, softens a bit) Figured as much, and that’s the only reason I’m saying anything in the first place. ‘Cause if you’re bein’ straight with me and tryin’ to punish Kyubey for all the shit it did, then I’m not gonna stand in your way. We’re on the same side for as far as that stuff goes.

Sara: Um… So, eh, sorry, miss Yui, I mean… Well, mad science is an obvious no-no, I get that, but what’s the problem with wanting to be human? I think being human is pretty swell. I’d certainly prefer it over being a fuzzy little ferret guy. Opposable thumbs, and stuff.

Yui: It isn’t that I have a problem with an Incubator goin’ human, per se. But unless this Aisha turns out to be completely benevolent or benign, I don’t have a good track record with the lot. Kyubey left a pretty bad impression. …If it ever became human, I might have to break my rule—

Cecilia: It is Kyubey’s insistence on toying with our lives for its mission that makes it our enemy, Mitsunaga-san. Not anything else beyond that. The forceful nature of this other Incubator concerns me. But otherwise, I don’t see anyone here really… abhorring the idea outright.

Yui: Yeh, what she said.

Sara: (she does a thumbs-up) Gotchu. Makes you wonder if there’s a nice Mister Kyubes out there.

Koharu: Nicely manipulating people into signing away their souls? Doubt it.

Melati: She still works as an Incubator, if that’s what you’re asking. You’d likely still be at odds. … But she’s more responsible than Kyubey.

Yui: (She’s quiet for a long moment, then nods) In any case, you’re a busy woman, and I’ve taken up a lot of your time as it is. Hopefully all of this helped your, uh, investigation.

Melati: I have a good overview of things he’s done now. Now the real legwork begins. (She says with a sigh, closing the holographic display and putting it away) 

Yui: Good luck, at least, to the point where hopefully it doesn’t come to you Balancing Mitakihara.

Melati: I told you, I’m not doing that kind of work anymore. If anyone does try to “Balance” you in the meantime, by the way, I’d like to hear about it. We don’t need Kyubey covering up the evidence around here. (She checks her phone, having apparently received a message) … Seems it’s time for me to go on to the next thing. Thank you all for your time. 

Cecilia gives a polite smile, Yui giving a slight nod as they watch Melati leave the office, and then, the gym itself. Cecilia gives another silent glance to Yui, and it becomes clear to the others that they have been communicating telepathically the entire time. Eventually, Cecilia leaves without another word, and Yui lingers on the edge of her office, just outside the doorway.

Yui: …My recommendation stands. Give her just enough to get her off your backs, but nothing concrete. And if you give her anything, get something back. And… (She glances at Sara) …You’re exactly like Naomi. Just a bit more hyper, but the same cutting edge to your words, sometimes. A city with scars, though… just be careful where you use the sharp edge, ‘kay? (Yui then leaves the Newspaper Club alone in her office)

Sara: (she salutes) I’ll make sure not to cut anyone!

Koharu: (she waits until Yui is out of earshot before she asks, out of the blue) … What was that about “Pale Wardens”?

Sara: “Pale Wardens”? Dunno, when did anyone mention “Pale—

Koharu: Don’t play coy. You knew that the Incubator’s a part of these “Pale Wardens”. I never told you that— We never told you that. We told you everything you know about magic, and we never told you that. Never even heard of any “Pale Wardens” before.

Sara: Are you sure it didn’t just get away from you, boss?

Koharu: I don’t forget things.

Sara: Oh! Then… What was my name again?

Koharu: … (she furrows her brow, meeting the white-haired girl’s innocent affect with a glare) … That… doesn’t matter one bit—

Yosuke: Oh, come on! (he steps in) That’s a low-effort “gotcha” if I’ve ever seen one.

Koharu: (she turns to Yosuke) You familiar with these Pale Wardens at all? Incubator ever mention them when you were with him? Maybe, you—

Yosuke: Are you serious? No! This little— She obviously said too much, and now she’s trying to— (he walks up to Sara, narrowing his eyes) Now that I think about it, things’ve been awfully convenient for you lately, haven’t they? Tell me… How did you learn about magic again?

Sara: My associate from middle school, remember? She—

Yosuke: What was her name?

Sara: … Aki… ko… Yuki. Akikoyuki.

Yosuke: (he narrows his eyes) You wanna give that obvious lie another shot, there?

Sara: I forgot her name! I never said she was a friend, she… An associate, yes. An associate.

Koharu: (she puts a hand on Yosuke’s shoulder) Lay off her. This is pointless. (as she removes her hand, she turns to Sara) Truth of the matter is, though— I’m pretty sure I don’t remember ever telling you a thing about magic.

Yosuke: Neither do I, and yet here you are, talking along with veterans like you’ve been in this game for years.

Sara: Y-You’d be surprised at how little I know, senpai. I-I mean, I’m pretty sure that whole Pale Warden thing came to me in a dream, eh—

Koharu: I’ll find out what your deal is.

Sara: I… I’m an open book, boss, but, eh, maybe not now, I… think I just heard a… cute little kitty stuck in a tree meowing for help and I urgently need to go call the police, yes. (she moves to leave, making towards the door)

Yosuke: (he steps in the way) My ass.

Sara: I’m not sure I’m the appropriate person to talk about your rectal health with, senpai.

Yosuke: No, I mean “my ass” as in—

Koharu: Let her go. She’s not gonna talk.

Sara: I can talk if you wanna, just, eh, not about “Pale Wardens” or whatever you think I said. Yes. (she nods, slipping past Yosuke as he lets her) Thank you, boss. Sara Mitsunaga, signing off. Look forward to the report of my findings out in the great wide open tomorrow, yes. (she pumps both of her fists before dramatically opening the office space’s door, zooming out) Woosh!

Yosuke: (after a few seconds of silence, he speaks up) Why’d you let her get away? What if she’s this Incubator spy disguised as a human Melati was talking about? I mean, the white hair and the red eyes, the — no offence — complete lack of social awareness? The lying?

Koharu: We have no evidence. And if she is, what are we going to do? We’re powerless—

Yosuke: Oh please, when has that ever stopped you, “Ace Detective April”?

Koharu: …  That was a mistake. That woman wanted to get caught. She played me like a fiddle, I’m not falling for that again.

Yosuke: (teasing) You just don’t like the fame. 

Koharu: Because I don’t deserve it. 

Yosuke: Why would you say something like that? You’re allowed your victories, you know? You really can save the day even when you’re just an ordinary girl, I mean—

Sara: (she pops her head back into the office) … Anyone know how to get to the train station from here? I just realized I have no idea where we are.

Yosuke: (he sighs, rolling his eyes) Follow me.