Zwei-san had appeared out of nowhere and continued to stare me down with a piercing glare, even after our handshake ended. It was daunting—truly unnerving. What really unsettled me, though, was the fact that I couldn't read her emotions at all with my Sympathy Magic.
Of course, my Sympathy Magic wasn't some invincible power. It didn't work on Shiro-san or Eden-san, and Alice seemed more than capable of faking her surface-level feelings. As for Ein-san, Lilliwood-san, and Ozma-san, there were times when I could read them and times when I couldn't, which suggested there was some kind of technique to block it.
Zwei-san was just like Shiro-san and Eden-san—I couldn't read a thing. But unlike them, she was glaring at me with eyes that looked ready to strike me dead. The pressure was staggering, and it left me feeling incredibly anxious.
"……"
While those thoughts raced through my head, Zwei-san finally broke eye contact. She walked toward Fia-sensei as if nothing had happened.
Her reaction had been icy, consisting of nothing more than a stiff introduction and a look of pure displeasure. She might have been the coldest person I’d met since Shia-san.
Had I done something to make her hate me? Now that I thought about it, Fia-sensei and the others had mentioned that Zwei-san was extremely strict about etiquette and personal grooming. Maybe I had failed some unspoken test. Or perhaps she was just irritated that she couldn't scold me the way she did her family members, since I wasn't technically part of Kuro's Family.
"Fia."
"Y-Yes!"
"Do not tarnish Chrome-sama's dignity. Be more mindful in the future."
"Yes! …Wait, what?"
"Now then, I must return to Chrome-sama’s side. I shall take my leave. Miyama Kaito-san."
"Eh? Ah, yes!"
After giving Fia-sensei her warning, Zwei-san turned those sharp, piercing eyes back on me.
"Let us meet again. If the opportunity arises, I would very much like to have a long, thorough talk with you."
"……Y-Yeth."
Why was she saying that with an expression like she was staring at her parents' murderer? I couldn't help but wonder if "physical" was the kind of "talk" she meant. Or was it that legendary three-hour lecture Fia-sensei had warned me about? How did things end up like this?
While I stood there trembling, Zwei-san gave a polite bow and walked away with a perfectly measured stride. I watched her back in a daze until Fia-sensei muttered something in a voice full of disbelief.
"……Zwei-onee-chan... didn't give me a lecture?"
"I-I can't believe it either. Usually, Zwei-sama would have locked you into a three-hour course for sure... To think she would stop at such a gentle warning..."
"……Is that the part that surprises you!?"
If that counted as "gentle," then just how terrifying was she normally?
The encounter reminded me of how my Sympathy Magic had failed, so I decided to ask Fia-sensei, since she seemed like an expert on magical theory.
"……By the way, Fia-sensei. I couldn't read Zwei-san's emotions at all with Sympathy Magic."
"Hmm? Sympathy Magic?"
"Ah, well..."
I realized I hadn't explained my Sympathy Magic to her yet, so I gave her the full rundown before asking my question again. Fia-sensei didn't even have to stop to think; she gave me an answer immediately.
"……Isn't it simply because Zwei-onee-chan isn't leaking any magic power?"
"U-Uh-huh?"
"Well, to put it simply... Miyama-kun's Sympathy Magic reads emotions from the minute magic power that leaks from a person's body. That means you can't read the feelings of someone who keeps their magic under perfect control and holds it inside. I can do it too. See?"
"Y-You're right. I can't read your emotions anymore, Fia-sensei."
That explained it. That was why I could only read Ein-san and Lilliwood-san some of the time.
"This is an incredibly difficult technique as far as magic control goes, but there are plenty of demons who can pull it off. In battle, preventing your opponent from reading the flow of your magic power is extremely effective."
"I see..."
"Well, it's quite exhausting, so very few people stay in that state constantly. Shaltier-sama uses it during her Stealth Force operations. Isis-sama's magic power is so massive that it seems like she just can't suppress it. Releasing magic power gives you more presence—more majesty—which is probably why Megiddo-sama and Magnawell-sama don't bother holding it back."
"I get it now."
Come to think of it, I had never been able to read Alice’s emotions whenever she turned invisible.
"Zwei-onee-chan is strict with everyone, including herself. I think she stays in that state all the time as a form of constant training. That’s why you couldn't read her, Miyama-kun."
"That makes perfect sense. Thank you."
Dear Mother, Father—looking back, it was obvious. If there was magic that could read emotions, there were bound to be ways to block it. Still, even something as basic as everyday magic power was full of complexity. Just as I thought—magic was truly a profound subject.
Walking with a perfectly measured stride, Zwei reached the Central Tower, where Ein was waiting to receive her.
"It has been a while, Zwei. Chrome-sama is currently in a meeting, so you will have to wait for a bit..."
"Yes, Ein. That is no problem. I was the one who visited unannounced. I have plenty of time to spare, so I shall wait."
After exchanging courtesies in polite tones, the two of them moved together into the tower. Along the way, Zwei stared at Ein with sharp eyes and spoke quietly.
"I had the opportunity to speak with Kaito-sama just moments ago."
"……I see."
"And I believe there is a matter that requires immediate attention."
"……What is it?"
"The portraits being distributed to the members of the Kaito-sama Fan Club... Having seen the man in the flesh, I realize now that those illustrations don't capture even a hundredth of Kaito-sama's brilliance. They must be improved immediately."
Though her tone was flat, Zwei's voice carried an intense heat. Ein nodded slowly in agreement.
"I understand your sentiment, and I concur. However, I must tell you that creating an illustration superior to those is a nearly impossible task."
"Guh... I see... So you are saying that a mere painting cannot hope to express Kaito-sama's sublimity?"
"Exactly."
"……It is a bitter pill to swallow, but I suppose I have no choice. Meeting him in person made me realize it—that overflowing refinement, that beauty... it is simply beyond the reach of current technology. The world hasn't caught up to Kaito-sama yet..."
Zwei bit her lip, her expression one of genuine frustration. Had Kaito been there to hear this, he would have had a mountain of things to say in protest, but there was no one present to play the voice of reason.
"……That aside, how did it feel to finally speak with the Kaito-sama you admire?"
"Let's see... to put it simply... is that gentleman not far too handsome for this world? Eyes more beautiful than any jewel I have ever seen, hair that practically glows, a manly and gallant face... He was so dazzling that it was difficult to look away."
"I understand completely."
This was, of course, purely a matter of personal perspective. To any outside observer, the "unwavering gaze" Zwei spoke of had looked like nothing more than her silently glaring Kaito into a state of terror.
"My heart wouldn't stop racing, and I was so nervous I couldn't even speak properly... Could this be... the feeling of being deeply in love?"
"Without a doubt, that is exactly what it is."
"I knew it... It was inevitable. After seeing Kaito-sama, who is like the concentrated essence of all the beauty in this world, how could anyone fail to fall in love? Even for a magic doll like me, his image is burned into my mind."
"It is a path we all walk, but do not let yourself be consumed by it. Both you and I are glorious Kaito-sama Fan Club Single Numbers. Let us act with that pride in mind."
"I am aware. I shall devote myself to the goal of, ultimately, being chosen by Kaito-sama."
"As expected of Zwei... It seems I had no need to warn you."
"No, I appreciate the concern."
Again—the voice of reason was nowhere to be found. In Zwei's eyes, Kaito appeared roughly four hundred times more handsome than he did in reality.
~Kaito Fan Club Single Numbers & Member Names~
No. 1: Mysterious Transcendent Beautiful Girl Chairperson No. 2: Miyama-sama's Meat Slave and Filthy Female Pig (Self-proclaimed) No. 3: ……Kaito is…… the Coolest…… in the World No. 4: Lilliwood (Isis registered her without permission) No. 5: Chrome-sama and Kaito-sama's Maid No. 6: Kai-chan! It's me! Support me! No. 7: Help Me, Milady (A no-good maid who heard about the club through her connections in the Underworld King Fan Club. She joined thinking it would be good for a laugh, but now she bitterly regrets it because the other members are so terrifying.) No. 8: Kaito-sama is the Supreme Being! No. 9: Also Considering Remarriage
Others:
Kuromueina... Unaware the fan club exists. Shallow Vernal... Sees no benefit in joining (she can access any information about Kaito whenever she wants). Eden... Appreciates that her beloved child is being praised, but has no intention of socializing with "lumps of talking meat."