"But..."

"There are no 'buts' left. I’m certain that so-called method isn’t benevolent. Remember what Lin Jincheng said?"

I cut Shen Shiyu off before she could utter more than a few words, then brought up Lin Jincheng’s example.

"Completely different! Totally different!"

Shen Shiyu shook her head vigorously at my suspicion, rejecting my implication outright. She was desperate to convey that Falling Wings’ method would never resemble Lin Jincheng’s.

"Then what *is* the method?"

Her fierce denial sparked a flicker of curiosity in me. Purely academic interest, of course.

"I can’t say. You’ll only know if you join us~"

"I see..."

"It’s Falling Wings’ secret. A secret tied to its survival. I can’t tell you, Taro..."

"Is that so? Understood."

When she called it a secret, I wisely swallowed my curiosity, pasting on a smile to show I wouldn’t press further.

"Aren’t you curious? I know you don’t want to vanish, Taro. Falling Wings is perfect—why refuse?"

Shen Shiyu still couldn’t grasp my rejection. She clung to her pitch like a ghost, determined to recruit me.

"Haven’t I already explained?"

I’d given my reasons long ago. Repeating them felt pointless.

"But—"

"Enough. Stop, Shen Shiyu. I don’t know why you’re so fixated—pressure from them? Go report back."

I waved her off as she tried to speak again, making it clear: nothing she said would change my mind.

"...Then I’ll take my leave."

Shen Shiyu gave me one last, deep look before setting down her cup. She rose slowly, head bowed, clearly preparing to leave. Her disappointment was palpable.

"I know your intentions are good, Shiyu. But I can’t accept. Don’t be too upset..."

Seeing her dejected expression pricked my conscience. I wasn’t heartless. An apology was the least I could offer. After all, I had zero desire to join Falling Wings.

"Bye..."

I couldn’t tell if she accepted my apology. She bolted out of the hall without looking back.

"Wai—"

I lunged to call after her, but she’d already vanished.

*BANG!*

Seconds later, the front door slammed shut.

"She left fast..."

I stared down the empty hallway, my outstretched hand useless. I’d meant to warn her about the white wolf at her side. I trusted Kyuubi’s words—after all this time, it felt more human than most people.

"You wanted to warn her?"

Kyuubi landed lightly on my shoulder as I lowered my arm, gazing calmly where I’d been looking.

"Yes. You said that white wolf is a Bonesoul, right?"

The creature beside Shen Shiyu... its motives couldn’t be pure.

"It is. But you can’t break their contract. Don’t bother. Better to find the woman who attacked you last time~~"

Kyuubi knew the wolf’s purpose all too well. Severing that bond was impossible—pointless to intervene. Hunting the true culprit behind the school tragedy mattered more. Lin Jincheng wasn’t alone; that other girl who’d attacked me... if I didn’t find her...

"You’re right. Let’s go."

I had a strong suspicion who she was. But since Friday, she’d vanished completely. If I’d known she’d disappear, I’d have stopped her that day.

"Actually... no need to search."

"She’s here?"

As I headed for the door, Kyuubi’s words made me pause and look down at it.

"No. I found her scent. And... also your brother’s."

Kyuubi hesitated, then spoke quickly: the woman was with my brother.

"Why is he tangled in this again?!"

Ice flooded my veins. Panic seized me—I sprinted to the entrance, flung the door open, and dashed outside.

"Kyuubi, lead the way!"

"Understood."

It leaped to the ground without hesitation, then trotted toward Park Front Road.

"Park Front Road?"

Memories surged: I’d last seen my brother on that very street. Was there a clue there?

Heart pounding, Kyuubi and I reached the alley entrance. A rift now split the air above it.

So he *had* been dragged into the Fallen World.

"Go in."

Kyuubi nudged me toward the rift.

I pressed my hand against it.

Color bled from the world—vibrant hues fading to ashen gray. Buildings crumbled into ruins; cracked earth stretched beneath a dead sky.

"Today’s your end, witch!"

A crisp female voice cut through the silence ahead.

"Hmph. Meddlesome fool. Would you really oppose me... for *him*?"

Another voice answered—familiar, chillingly so.

"Someone beat me to it?"

The voices clashed like blades. Two forces locked in combat.

"Seems so. Shall we watch?"

Kyuubi tilted its head at me.

"Of course."

I needed to see who was shielding my brother from that woman. If they saved him, I owed them my thanks.

I hurried toward the sound.

The alley opened onto a desolate Park Front Road. Trees lay uprooted; dust choked the air.

Two figures faced each other in the center: a girl in crimson-gold qipao, and the black-haired Lolita-clad girl who’d attacked me. Hostility crackled between them.

"Dongyu?"

Behind the qipao girl stood my perpetually unlucky brother. Three days, and he was caught in chaos again. He’d noticed me—his voice held wary confusion.

"Yep. My foolish brother. How’d you get dragged in *this* time?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, unable to look at his disheveled state.

"Is that how you talk to your brother? Get out of here! It’s dangerous!"

He glared, then remembered the peril and urged me to flee.

"You again?"

The Lolita girl followed his gaze. Her eyes locked onto me, lips tightening in bitter hatred.

"Boy! I can’t protect you both! Take your brother and run while I hold her off!"

The qipao girl shouted desperately, relief flashing in her eyes.

"You think I’ll let them go?"

The Lolita girl’s laugh was icy. Her gun snapped up, aiming straight at the qipao girl.

"Roar, Ulthregor!"

"Shield me, Gungnir!"

The qipao girl thrust a medieval lance into the ground, bracing against the blast.