A classic-style electric vehicle pulled to a stop in front of a luxury high-rise in the heart of the city.
"This is fine. Thank you for the ride."
Maki stepped out onto the pavement as the gull-wing door swung open. With the effortless grace of a cinematic starlet, she stood up from the low-slung chassis, leaned back toward the driver's seat, and offered a parting word.
Her lover—Shizuku's cousin—wore a look of lingering dissatisfaction, but Maki leaned in further. She pressed her lips to his cheek with a practiced smile, and the young man, easily appeased, drove away. Maki stood on the sidewalk, waving lightly until the vintage replica disappeared around a corner. The moment it was out of sight, her smile vanished, replaced by a look of sheer boredom.
"Pathetic," she muttered. "Walking on air without even realizing he's being used."
With a heavy sigh, she purged him from her thoughts and headed toward the elevator hall. In late 21st-century Japan, buildings exceeding a hundred meters were rare outside of specialized structures like the Yokohama Bay Hills Tower—especially residential ones.
Her apartment occupied the corner of the twenty-eighth floor—the very top. Even with advanced fiber-optic lighting ensuring the lower levels remained bright, the elite still craved the heights. Naturally, the top floor commanded the highest price. At this stage in Maki's career, such a residence would have been impossible without a powerful patron.
"Good work," Maki said as she entered.
Two female bodyguards stood in the hallway, anticipating her arrival. They weren't mere apprentices or gophers sent by a talent agency; they were hand-picked by her father. Maki's father was the president of a massive holding company with several media giants, including television stations, under its umbrella. While they might not rival the Kitayamas, the Kowamura family belonged to an upper class backed by formidable wealth.
Maki took a quick shower, changed into something loose, and sank into her sofa. She had her Home Automation Robot (HAR) prepare a bottle of wine and a glass. She was halfway through her first pour when her bodyguard opened the living room door.
"My lady, Lord Shippou has arrived."
"Takuma? Right... we did have an appointment. He's a bit early, but no matter. Show him in."
Despite her attire—which, given the circumstances, was somewhat suggestive—Maki showed no hesitation in receiving her guest.
"Understood."
Even as the bodyguard turned away, Maki didn't rush to fix her makeup. She was an actress. Even in her lingerie with a bare face, she was always "performing" a version of herself for others. Her ensemble of a relaxed dress and silk gown was more than enough "armament" to greet a green young man.
Guided by the bodyguard, the boy entered with the air of someone who owned the place and sat across from Maki without invitation.
"Good evening, Maki."
"Welcome, Takuma. Right on time. Would you like a drink?"
"No, I'll pass. Alcohol dulls the mind."
Maki hadn't actually intended to serve him any, but she kept that to herself.
"Enough of that," the boy pressed. "Tell me what happened. That's why you called me, isn't it?"
"True enough. Let's get down to business."
To Maki's tastes, Takuma's attitude was far too impatient, but she didn't bother trying to force her own pace on a boy nearly a decade her junior. To her, Takuma was neither a lover nor a toy. He was something else entirely.
"I've made contact with Shizuku Kitayama. For now, however, she only knows my face and name."
"…So, she has no interest in celebrities?" Takuma muttered, unable to hide his disappointment.
Maki allowed herself a confident, "starlet" smile. "Perhaps. But her friend, Honoka Mitsui, showed a great deal of interest in me."
"I see. Honoka Mitsui is also a top-tier honor student among the new sophomores. She would be a valuable asset to have on our side."
"Exactly. And if we can pull her into your faction, the chances of securing Shizuku Kitayama increase significantly."
The relationship between Maki and Takuma was one of "allies." For their own separate reasons, they both hungered for Magicians—specifically, pawns they could control.
"I thought it might be better to start by gathering allies among my own classmates," Takuma mused.
"No," Maki countered. "Let's make Honoka Mitsui our first target. The 'Elements' lineage is useful in many ways. You'll help me with this, won't you?"
"Yes, that's the plan... But Takuma, you really should practice calling her 'Mitsui-senpai.' If you aren't careful, you'll slip up and use her name without an honorific in public."
Maki moistened her lips with wine, her expression turning weary. It was, of course, a performance.
"Is something wrong?"
"As we discussed, Miyuki Shiba and her brother were at the party. I suspect bringing those two into the fold will be difficult."
"Did something happen?"
"No, we only spoke... but those two seem to have a 'special' relationship with the former Student Council President."
Maki was already lying. She hadn't gleaned this through conversation; she had been flatly rebuffed by Tatsuya and Miyuki before any real dialogue could begin.
"The former President... Saegusa!" Takuma's eyes flared.
Whatever cold logic he possessed was instantly smothered by a surge of hostility, fueled by Maki's calculated words.
"From what I've heard, the sister has a severe brother-complex, and the brother is quite disliked by others. There are rumors that he's 'deeply involved' with the Saegusa girl. That might be the wedge we need to drive in."
As Maki gave this "encouraging" advice, her mind drifted back to her brief encounter with Tatsuya.
(He didn't feel like a normal Magician... Those eyes. It felt like he was dissecting me... like he could see through every layer. What was that?)
She had no way of knowing that Tatsuya already suspected her. Maki watched the agitated Takuma and drained the rest of her wine in a single, cold gulp.
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