"MIZUKI, WHERE'S THE PRESIDENT!!"

"I DON'T KNOWWW," Mizuki screeches as she backs up against the wall.

He towers over her, and Mizuki's eyes widen in fear.

"C-commander, I'm sure we can-"

"I want the president." He stares into her soul. "Now."

Mizuki shakes.

"Oh, by the way, nice ribbon."

Mizuki exhales as the commander steps back.

"There's a high chance that they're being housed by the redhead," Tecchou speaks up finally. "Before we found Tachihara, we paid a visit to the cafe where the redhead works."

"How'd we even find a redhead related to them?"

"A civilian said you got the ribbon from her." Tecchou blinks. 

Mizuki blinks. "Oh, Lucy-chan?"

"Yes." Teruko looks through the papers. "Lucy Maud Montgomery."

Mizuki closes her eyes. She didn't know if either of them was going to side with her.

"But the issue lies here," Jouno speaks up. "From what I've been told, Lucy has to carry around the area with her on something."

"Break her," Teruko's eyes form crescents, her face contorting in evil. "And then we'll have the entire-"

"I don't think it's on her," Tachihara speaks. "As much as I'd like to say they are, Lucy needs to have something on her around the size of a suitcase. I've seen her transport people."

Mizuki closes her eyes. "No. The girl's ability does not take up space in real life. She can leave the room as freely as she likes, but there's something else about her ability. She's capable of taking little to no space with her ability. She's the carrier."

"Then we kidnap her?" Tachihara raises a brow.

"I promised the coffee shop owner that I wouldn't bring harm to her," Tecchou speaks up. "She's headed to the sky casino."

Mizuki closes her eyes. "I'd like to go in civilian clothes to meet up with her. To catch her off guard."

"I'll go as well," Tachihara speaks up.

"Teruko will join." Fukuchi stares at the two.

"To make sure the dog doesn't bite the tail of its owner?"

Fukuchi smiles. "Absolutely."

Mizuki shrugs. "No choice but to comply then. I'm heading off first, and then the two can join later to avoid suspicion."

"Of course," Teruko grins at her. "Take care~!"

There's a bad omen behind Teruko's words.

Mizuki makes it to the casino without error, and she smiles at the sight of the familiar haircut.

"Mr. Manager!" Mizuki sings. "May I show you a trick?"

Sigma turns around to look at the woman. "Ah, are you new?"

"I'll be an old customer after this." Mizuki flips the coin, and a spectacle of gold erupts in front of him.

Sigma stares at the gold and then at Mizuki. A flake rests on his cheek, and he's caught in a trance.

The woman takes the chance to look around to check out any changes.

"...Mizuki."

Mizuki smiles. "Smile for me, Sigma-kun."

"Are... you here to stay?"

Mizuki grins. "You'll serve your purpose like before, but I'll be the one to steal you." 

Sigma stares at Mizuki.

"So you're using me as well?"

"Or would you prefer I pretend to be you?"

Sigma's jaw tightens. "I don't want to be used."

"Very well." Mizuki rips a paper from her notebook, and scribbles a contract on it. "Sign this for me for now."

Sigma pulls out a pen, and reads over the contents. "Why the transfer?"

"Just to give me a position." Mizuki hums.

He signs it, and Mizuki locks her hand on his scalp. "Say hi to my husband for me."

Sigma disappears, and Mizuki smiles. Changing her form into an older woman, she smiles at the wrinkles on her face.

Mizuki walks over to the staff, and holds up the paper with Sigma's signature.

If I remember correctly...

"Welcome, vice president," they smile. "We were waiting for you."

That easily?

Mizuki sits at the president's desk, and she clicks on her phone. 

"Would you like anything, madam?"

"MADAM!!!" Someone bursts into the room. "OH, MADAM, HOW WE MISSED YOU!"

Mizuki smiles gracefully. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Frank?"

The man sobs into his handkerchief. 

"Frank, as much as I'd like to catch up," She stands up to place a hand on his shoulder. "I need you to make sure the casino players are ok."

"A-ah, of course!" The man rushes out, and Mizuki closes the door.

There's silence before she speaks up again.

"If Teruko isn't on our side, you're completely welcome to devour her."

Even though her ability has been copied?

Mizuki hums, placing the teacup down.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. introducing .* :☆ﾟ. ───

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. Mizuki's aged form .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Don't I look cute, like an elegant old lady?" Mizuki hums. "I match Yu-chan now."

Mizuki hears Greed snort.

"Uh... vice president?" A voice is heard at the door.

Mizuki hums. "Yes?"

"There are... people here to see you."

"Who are they? Let them in," Mizuki smiles.

Teruko storms in with Tachihara behind her.

"Look. There are terrorists in the casino, and if we don't catch them soon, they're going to blow this place up." Teruko speaks. "Let us search every person-"

"Young lady," Mizuki smiles. "You may not search every person here. Each one of our guests are treasured, and though it might not matter to you, it matters to me. So while you may carry out your investigation quietly, there is no need to search everyone."

"HAH?! THERE ARE TERRORISTS IN THIS CASINO! WE'RE SENT BY THE JAPANESE G-"

Mizuki stares at Teruko, red eyes digging into hers.

"The sky casino does not fall under international law," Mizuki wraps her fingers around the handle of her cup, eyes glaring at the girl. "I'm already being kind by letting you search the place for terrorists. Don't test my limit."

"You're just an old lady; what can you do?" Teruko scoffs.

Mizuki smiles warningly. "There's a reason this old woman has been able to keep this casino running all this time."

Teruko grumbles.

"If you need regular clothes, I'm sure I can provide you with some," Mizuki smiles. "Have some fun while you're at it. You can bet with some chips."

Teruko feels the anger crawling up her spine, and Tachihara grimaces.

"Do you happen to have a redhead here?" Tachihara asks. "There's a single person who's their accomplice."

"Ah, a boy or a girl?" Mizuki tilts her head. "I can't tell you where they are, but they should be in the main room if that's the case."

The back of Mizuki's mind swirls in disgust.

Blood. I want blood.

"Alright," Tachihara smiles. 

"And if she's gone, feel free to have someone check the entrance." Mizuki hums, ignoring the disgust creeping up her chest.

"Thank you, Madam," Tachihara bows lightly and tries to lead Teruko outside. The younger complies begrudgingly.

Mizuki waits for their footsteps to fade before resting her head in her hand. "Greed, subdue the bloodlust. I'm not young right now."

Too bad. I need to eat.

Mizuki grimaces.

She turns herself back to age, and sighs. "Eat anyone you'd like. I'll pin the murder on the hunting dogs... or, actually. Devour whoever they decide to attack."

Got it.

Mizuki closes her eyes, and leans back onto the seat.

"Light snow."

Date: XX - XX - XXXX

The Hunting Dogs enter the sky casino.