"So, what's this all about, huh?"
As Rikishi Shiina plopped into her seat, Aine could practically smell the tension in the air, sharp as a demon's claw. She shot a desperate glance at Soyo, the one who'd dragged them all here in the first place.
The only reason they were gathered in this cozy little Feather Café was because of Soyo. Aine and Tomori had barely said their goodbyes to Nero when Soyo's message pinged their phones, practically demanding they meet up here.
"Now that you mention it, the message didn't exactly spell it out, did it?" Soyo said, brushing off Rikishi's prickly tone with a disarming smile. "I called you all here because I want to talk about… reforming the team."
"Reforming?" Rikishi's tough-girl act faltered for a second, her eyes flicking to Tomori. "Tomori, what do you think?"
Caught off guard, Tomori fumbled, "Uh… well…"
Before she could string a sentence together, Aine raised a hand, cutting through the awkward silence. "Hold up, Soyo. If I heard you right, are you saying we're putting the Demon-Slaying Girls' squad back together?"
"Exactly," Soyo replied, propping her chin on her hands with a sly grin.
"Then… isn't it kinda messed up to leave Runa out of this?"
Aine, ever the voice of modern-day manners, softened her tone but didn't mince words. "Does anyone have her contact info? I mean, she was the one who wanted to team up in the first place, and now we're just ghosting her? That's not cool, right?"
"Does it even matter?" Rikishi cut in, her voice dripping with attitude. "If that chick wants in, she'll show up."
Her sharp tone made it clear she wasn't thrilled about Aine interrupting her moment with Tomori. Aine's temper flared in response.
"Pretty sure it's common courtesy to at least tell her!" Aine leaned forward, half-rising from her chair to match Rikishi's intensity. "Don't you think it's rude to just ditch her like that?"
The air crackled with tension, and Soyo had to step in before things got uglier. "Rikishi."
"Hmph." Rikishi crossed her arms and slumped back in her chair, glaring at nothing in particular.
Soyo shot Rikishi a look that said rein it in, then turned to Aine, her expression softening. "I get where you're coming from, Aine. But you know Runa didn't exactly leave us her number when she took off, right?"
Aine blinked, realization hitting her. "Oh… yeah, you're right." She scratched the back of her neck, chuckling sheepishly. "My bad, Soyo. Got a little carried away there."
"No worries," Soyo said with a warm smile. "But let's keep it down, yeah? This is kinda hush-hush stuff, and besides…" She glanced at Tomori. "We don't want to spook Tomori."
Aine followed Soyo's gaze and noticed Tomori shrinking into her seat, looking like a scared kitten.
Soyo paused, scanning the group's mixed expressions before continuing. "So, sounds like nobody's got a problem with this plan, right?"
Aine's eyes left Tomori, and she nodded at Soyo. "I'm all for teaming up with you guys…"
After all, her weapon, Almathea, was a shield meant for conjuring barriers, not slaying demons solo. She needed the crew.
Soyo gave a satisfied nod and turned to Tomori, waiting. Tomori was the only partner Rikishi actually respected, so if she was in, Rikishi would likely follow. This whole deal hinged on her.
Tomori met Soyo's gaze for a split second before looking away, her eyes dropping to the table. She stole a quick glance at Aine, then nodded slowly. "I… I'm okay with it."
Soyo's eyes shifted to Rikishi, silently asking, Tomori's in. You gonna play ball? Rikishi sighed, turning to stare out the window. "Tch, fine. I'm not against it."
With everyone on board, Soyo let out a quiet breath, sitting up straighter. "Alright then…"
"Alright, time to give our squad a name, right?!" Aine jumped up, practically vibrating with excitement.
No team was complete without a killer name, and Aine (in her own mind) was a naming genius.
But to her surprise, Soyo froze.
"Huh?" Aine faltered, wondering if she'd said something wrong. She glanced at Rikishi and Tomori for backup, only to see Rikishi's face harden and Tomori clutch her notebook tighter.
Oh, crap. She'd definitely screwed up. Aine shrank back into her chair, lowering her voice. "Uh… is there a problem?"
"No, you're right, Aine," Soyo said, her brow furrowing as she rubbed her forehead. "A name is important, but…"
Rikishi, blunt as ever, didn't bother sugarcoating it. "I vaguely remember we had a name before. Just… can't recall it."
She looked at Tomori, who shook her head, equally clueless.
Soyo sighed. "That's probably 'Little Sho's' doing, isn't it? Whoever she is."
"An important… friend," Tomori mumbled, barely audible.
Aine glanced at the silent group, unsure if she should say anything. Rikishi broke the heavy silence first. "Whatever. If that chick made us forget the name, she probably didn't want it anyway."
She shrugged, leaning back. "So, let's just pick a new one."
"Rikishi…" Soyo started, like she wanted to argue but didn't know how.
Tomori nodded faintly. "Yeah… a new name's fine. What's gone… it's not coming back."
Clink.
Soyo's teacup rattled against its saucer, the sharp sound cutting through the room. Everyone's eyes snapped to her.
"It's fine," Soyo said, her face calm as she set the cup down. "Tea's a bit hot. Slipped my grip."
Aine raised an eyebrow. A cup with an ear-shaped handle could burn your hand? Maybe Soyo's fingers brushed the cup itself. Aine set her own cup down, but a nagging doubt crept in.
Soyo's grip was that fancy noble style—three fingers pinching the top of the handle, nowhere near the cup's body. So how…?
She didn't dwell on it. Soyo was already talking again.
"Before we get hung up on names, there's something more important I need to bring up."
"Huh? What's that?" Aine asked, leaning in.
"It's about our old teammate… Mutsu Wakaba," Soyo said, her tone firm, leaving no room for debate.