Noon, with overcast clouds obscuring the sunlight.
The Hidden Management Department's base in Akihabara remained bustling with activity as usual.
Yet in the shadows, figures were gradually emerging, encircling the area completely.
Uneven black locks swayed gently in the breeze like clock hands of differing lengths.
A black-and-red gothic dress fluttered slightly, while heterochromatic eyes - one gold, one red - shone brightly, glistening with both liveliness and eerie charm.
Silently, numerous Kurumi Tokisakis surrounded the Hidden Management Department's headquarters.
Meanwhile, inside a room on the fifth floor...
Kurumi Tokisaki, seated by a desk, looked up to see black-and-red ripples appearing on the floor.
A smiling version of herself in a gothic dress slowly rose from the ripples:
"To suddenly send out a gathering signal - has something happened?"
"Original."
The Kurumi Tokisaki seated in the high-backed chair called softly:
"You came earlier than I expected."
Opposite her, the original Kurumi Tokisaki in the gothic dress smiled:
"Because this is that man's territory, isn't it?"
"Among us, yes - the surveillance here takes top priority."
After saying this, Kurumi skipped further pleasantries and asked directly:
"So then, why the gathering signal? Is there important information?"
Hearing her original self speak this way, Kurumi immediately stood and extended her hand:
"Rather than troublesome verbal communication, don't we have a better method?"
Upon hearing this, the original Kurumi understood and likewise extended her hand with a smile:
"Quite right... myself."
Just as the clone Kurumi was about to grasp the hand, she noticed her original self suddenly withdrawing it.
"Hmm?" The clone tilted her head in confusion. "What's wrong, original?"
At this moment, Kurumi looked at her hand with lingering fear, then suspiciously at her clone:
"Wait a moment. After you arrived here, that man didn't... do anything to you, did he?"
"For example, like last time when he used his ability to put that sort of thing..."
Kurumi suddenly clicked her tongue, her expression unusually displeased.
Hearing this, the clone looked surprised but maintained a Madonna-like smile:
"How could that be, original? Kurumi Tokisaki wouldn't lie to Kurumi Tokisaki, would she?"
"That's true enough."
Finding this reasonable, the original Kurumi extended her hand and clasped her clone's.
The moment their hands touched, the ability was released. The clone instantly disappeared, returning to the original along with her memories.
Recent memories - specifically from this morning - showed no issues. After carefully reviewing them several times, Kurumi understood the current situation and why her clone had urgently summoned her original self.
After all, this concerned the nature of their abilities. Even Kurumi herself only partially understood her powers - while she could use them, their origins remained a complete mystery.
Thus, although she found Luo Shu's words somewhat suspicious, doubting whether his true aim was to lure her original self to the Hidden Management Department's underground facility, she couldn't deny her growing interest in that place.
However, when the memories reached yesterday's events, Kurumi's expression changed dramatically.
She saw the scene where Luo Shu publicly exposed her dark history due to her excessive provocation.
The moment her 'impurity' was revealed before everyone, Kurumi Tokisaki froze.
The girl's face instantly flushed crimson, her throat squeezing out a distorted voice:
"You promised Kurumi wouldn't deceive Kurumi! Liar! Damned liar!!"
At the sharp outcry, one Kurumi Tokisaki poked her head down from the ceiling.
"Did something happen, main body?"
"Eh? Did one of the clones malfunction?" Another Kurumi emerged mysteriously from the bedsheet.
Seeing this, the original Kurumi suddenly called out:
"Time Emperor!!"
Ding.
A massive golden clock materialised behind Kurumi Tokisaki.
Its rhythmic ticking symbolised time's progression, regression and cycles.
Angel Zafkiel.
The evolution of Kabbalah Tree's third Sephirah, and the source of Kurumi Tokisaki's power.
As Angel Zafkiel manifested, the original Kurumi reached up and plucked the clock's hour and minute hands, transforming them into an antique rifle and pistol.
"Eight!"
The golden clock rotated. From the numeral 8, a crimson-black energy flowed into Kurumi's pistol.
In the next instant, she pressed the gun barrel against her temple and pulled the trigger.
"Bang!"
With the gunshot, countless shadows converged from all directions - each a clone of Kurumi Tokisaki scattered throughout the area.
Having reclaimed all her clones, Kurumi fired again.
Another gunshot.
Five new Kurumi clones split off, but the moment they appeared, they collapsed face down in despair.
"No way... this is social suicide!"
"Is that man insane? Why would he reveal something like this?"
"Main body, you're utterly heartless! How could you deliberately share this memory with us?!"
"And that clone Kurumi is the worst! We must petition the council - this 'Kurumi deceiving Kurumi' behaviour must be banned!!"
Watching her clones' collective meltdown, the original Kurumi patted her chest and sighed in relief:
"Finally feeling much better..."
Hearing this, all five clones twitched at the mouth.
Though they understood their main body had recalled and redeployed clones to investigate the space beneath the Hidden Management Department, the fact remained she'd forced that embarrassing memory into their minds.
What kind of person sabotages themselves like this?!
Meanwhile, the now-cheerful original Kurumi issued orders:
"Numbers 1, 2 and 3 - proceed to the third floor. Take the sole elevator accessing the underground to scout that space. Report immediately upon discovery, but sever connection at any sign of danger."
Turning to the remaining two, she instructed:
"Numbers 4 and 5 - search Luo Shu's third-floor office for any notable documents."
"That's all!"
"Understood..."
The five Kurumis responded weakly.
Crimson-black ripples appeared beneath their feet as all five melted into the shadows.
"Aaa~"
Kurumi Tokisaki closed her eyes and slowly melted into the shadows as she murmured softly:
"Now then, let's see if Luo Shu's sincerity is genuine or not..."
...
At an Ichiran ramen shop near Shiba Park in Chiyoda Ward.
Seated at a two-person table, Luo Shu looked at the ramen just delivered by the staff and immediately thanked the girl opposite him:
"Thanks, Sharon. I didn't expect you to accompany me for ramen."
Sharon, wearing a sky-blue dress cinched with a black belt today—a stark contrast to her usual nun attire—picked up her cola and took a sip before asking:
"Do you particularly enjoy ramen?"
Luo Shu blew on his noodles: "Specifically, the tonkotsu broth and chashu pork."
"I quite like the aroma from the fat."
"Is that so..."
Sharon tilted her head slightly, wondering if she should learn how to make ramen.
At this moment, after taking a bite, Luo Shu glanced at Sharon curiously:
"By the way, why aren't you wearing your nun habit today?"
Sharon replied with a hint of mischief: "You seem to have forgotten I'm currently wanted."
"This outfit is my current disguise. After all, the wanted criminal Sharon is known for always wearing a nun's habit."
"Eh? Still wanted?" Luo Shu blinked, then said: "But I already notified the Operations Division. Has the order not come through yet?"
He rubbed his chin, somewhat puzzled.
'The Operations Division shouldn't be that inefficient. Could something have happened?'
As Luo Shu pondered, Sharon looked up at him with her emerald eyes, her tone lightly teasing:
"So you specifically arranged to meet me at the Hidden Management Department headquarters, then took me all the way here to Shiba Park by train... just for chain-store ramen?"
"Of course not."
Luo Shu reflexively denied while taking another bite. After chewing, he continued:
"I originally asked you out to collect something from headquarters, but circumstances forced a change of location."
Here, Luo Shu explained directly:
"To put it simply..."
"It's roughly because I needed to deliberately leave headquarters to let Kurumi Tokisaki properly investigate the Hidden Management Zone underground."
"Of course, if she's clever, she might search my office too."
"It would be ideal if she could find the contract in my office before entering the Hidden Management Zone."
Hearing this, Sharon showed some understanding:
"I see. You've got your eye on that Time Angel then?"
"Don't phrase it like that. 'Have high hopes for' would be more appropriate."
Luo Shu corrected Sharon's wording, ate another piece of chashu, then set down his chopsticks and spoon. He lifted the briefcase beside him, retrieving six contracts which he handed to Sharon.
"What's this?"
Sharon accepted the documents, scanning them before looking at Luo Shu in surprise.
Luo Shu said casually:
"As you can see, I'm planning to expand our personnel."
"If you come across any talented girls in the future, you can try inviting them to sign a contract. As long as the contract is signed, I'll sense it here."
"Oh, I see. Talented girls, huh..."
Sharon's tone was particularly meaningful.