Hollow Special Operations Section 6.
"Miyabi, I've already brought him over."
Yanagi looked at the fox-eared girl who had been waiting long before they arrived, speaking with a helpless tone. "It's the first time I've seen you take something this seriously."
To bring Sol Mercer here, she had negotiated with Hoshimi Miyabi—agreeing to pick him up in exchange for Miyabi to properly review certain necessary documents. Those were files Yanagi could only prepare on her behalf; the final decisions had to be made by the Section Chief herself.
Yet here Miyabi was, waiting outside early. Those files… she must have barely skimmed them, or perhaps even just signed her name.
"I already looked through those documents. You handled them very well."
Miyabi stood composed and elegant, her tone calm. "Yanagi, I trust your ability."
Everyone knew Yanagi was the most reliable person in Section 6. Miyabi had always believed so.
If you use someone, do not doubt them. If you doubt them, do not use them.
Entrusting all documents to Yanagi was perfectly reasonable. Even a rough glance confirmed that everything had been handled correctly.
"But in times like this, that trust doesn't make me happy."
Yanagi pressed a hand against her forehead in exasperation. Even the reflected gleam on her glasses carried a shade of grievance.
Precisely because she was trusted so heavily, she had to take the work seriously.
Forget it—she would go back and re-check all the documents Miyabi supposedly reviewed.
Really… she had no way to deal with Miyabi at all.
At this moment, Miyabi had already turned her gaze toward Sol, saying sincerely, "Sol, thank you very much for coming. I'm sorry for taking up your time."
Sol smiled lightly and said casually, "It's fine—we arranged this long ago. And honestly, I'm pretty free most days."
Everything in his life was running smoothly. The Cunning Hares didn't require his attention to operate, and the varaints of the [Emperor Armor] was progressing thanks to Artemis.
He spent most days wandering around aimlessly. He might as well come tease the overly serious fox lady today.
"No matter what, I must thank you for helping my training."
Miyabi smiled, no longer being overly formal.
She remembered this favor—if Sol ever needed her help in the future, she would surely repay it.
Soon after—
The three of them entered the Section 6 office.
The lazy, sun-bathing Harumasa was nowhere to be seen. For someone who considered taking three days off per week the norm, yesterday had already been overtime.
After greeting Soukaku, Miyabi led Sol into the meditation chamber.
Within the Hollow Investigative Association, an independent training grounds had been set up specifically for Miyabi, the Void Hunter, to accommodate her daily practice.
Given her strength and status, this was only natural.
Yanagi sighed softly and returned to her document review.
Inside the meditation chamber—
Pale yellow wooden boards lined the floor. Golden sunlight filtered through the lattice windows. A few branches of pale pink plum blossoms released a faint, elegant fragrance. A wooden sword rack rested beside a vase.
Just entering the room brought clarity of mind and a serene comfort.
Two clean meditation cushions lay in the center—one new, one older.
Miyabi gestured for Sol to sit facing her. They were less than half a meter apart—their breaths close enough to mingle, and the sensation was strong.
Her expression carried a hint of apology. "Forgive me. Ideally, training this serious should be done at the Hoshimi family's dojo. But Father is holding a meeting there recently, so I can only bring you here."
"It's fine. This place is arranged beautifully. It's perfect for training."
Sol examined the quiet, simple room and smiled.
"As long as you don't mind."
Miyabi looked at the young man opposite her. Though her face was calm, her voice floated slightly. "So… shall we begin the discipline-training?"
"Of course. Anytime."
Sol extended his hand toward her.
"Please use your strongest technique. Don't hold back."
Hoshimi Miyabi's eyes steadied—like someone walking to their fate—as she placed her hand into Sol's.
Training, training… a swordswoman must overcome her own willpower.
She could not have weaknesses. Any trial—even harsh ones—must be taken head-on.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure you're satisfied."
Sol held that delicate hand—cool and soft to the core.
It was a beautiful hand. Skin pale as moonlight, fingers long and smooth like white jade.
Yet her palm carried a slight toughness, like the texture of ultrafine sandpaper—the mark of endless sword practice.
A special hand—beautiful in form and in spirit.
And unlike Belle, who had Osteoporosis, Miyabi's physical potential was extraordinary.
A perfect hand.
Hoshimi Miyabi thought so inwardly.
Long shape. Ideal proportions. Strong, controlled power.
"We're starting."
Sol warned gently, applying force along key meridians and pressure points.
In an instant, Miyabi felt a strange vibration surge through her hand and spread across her entire body—as if every cell had opened at once.
Her body turned soft, like a boneless creature; her strength drained instantly.
She bit her lip, a faint blush rising on her porcelain face. A tiny, involuntary sound escaped her throat—"Nngh~"
In just that moment, the firm ruby light in her eyes softened with a shimmer.
"How do you feel? Want me to go easier?"
Sol was thinking that Caligula was definitely a man, while speaking with concern.
Compared to when he first acquired the Purple Skill: [Lightning-Shadow Hand], he was now vastly more advanced. With numerous skills stacked together, his understanding of the human body had reached extraordinary heights.
Naturally, his massage technique was no longer "master-level," but something approaching the realm of artistry.
"I—I don't feel anything at all!"
Miyabi's delicate face strained with effort, but she insisted on continuing.
Forcing her body upright, she spoke haltingly: "A-Again… I-I'm… fine!"
This was only the beginning, yet her performance was worse than last time.
Hoshimi Miyabi, you cannot be this useless!
It had been a long time since the previous session. She had trained diligently since then—she should have improved at least a little!
How could she collapse here?
She must not collapse here!
Miyabi steeled her will with overwhelming determination.
"..."
Sol looked at the girl whose face was already crimson and said nothing.
Thank you, stubborn girl, for delivering yourself into this situation.
But since she insisted—he couldn't retreat either. He was a grown man; he couldn't lose face.
He continued applying force, adding a refined, precise twist to his technique.
The flow traveled from hand to body, stimulating various pressure points simultaneously.
But he did not apply continuous stimulation—he alternated rhythmically, allowing her body time to react, preventing desensitization.
Balance of tension and release—that was the principle.
It might sound profound, but in simpler terms, anyone raised in the countryside would understand.
"Mm—!"
Miyabi's voice grew louder; her expression flushed as she desperately restrained herself.
Something feather-soft seemed to brush her heart—she resisted with everything she had.
No…!
Hoshimi Miyabi… you cannot lose!
A few seconds later—
Her soft, delicate body gave out and collapsed unwillingly into Sol's arms.
"Hah… hah… hah…"
Miyabi leaned weakly against him, breathing in short, shallow gasps.
Looking up at his profile, her expression was one of defeat and helplessness.
She had lost. Again.