I just realised something crucial…
Why did I so easily agree with Onee-chan's idea to investigate the case of missing persons? Sure, I love her—probably more than I'm willing to admit out loud—but it's not like I blindly go along with every ridiculous idea she throws out.
And yet… when I really think about it, this isn't the first time.
Back when Viola was kidnapped by that rogue Esper, I remember how everything spiraled. I was panicking, even though I had already awakened my ice ability and had gained a decent level of control over it. Still, I'd never used it in a real fight before—not against someone dangerous.
But then, there was Onee-chan.
She had no powers, no abilities to speak of. And yet, she suggested-no, insisted—that we storm the enemy's base and rescue Viola ourselves. At the time, I should've pushed back. I should've told her it was too reckless. But instead… I was completely on board. No hesitation, no fear. Just… clarity. Determination.
Only now does it hit me.
Was that some kind of influence? A hint of a power I didn't recognise at the time?
What is Onee-chan, really?
"Irana?"
Her voice cut into my thoughts.
Not good—my expression must've looked too serious.
"Why are you daydreaming like that? Let's go already," she said casually, waving me along with that usual playful energy.
"Ah… yes, sorry," I replied.
Still, I couldn't shake that memory—the girl who looked like Onee-chan. The one who had powers like Father.
Was that really… her? Or someone else entirely?
"Onee-chan, can I ask you something?"
"Hmm? What is it?" she asked, not slowing her pace.
"Last Thursday… where were you, really?"
She sighed and rolled her eyes a little. "Why is everyone asking about that lately? I told you—I was with Iris. Viola's sister."
"But… how do you even know my sister?" Viola chimed in, raising an eyebrow.
"It just happened, okay? I didn't even know she was your sister at the time," Onee-chan replied. "You can ask her yourself if you want."
If she's telling the truth… then who was the girl I saw?
A third sister? Are we… triplets? That couldn't be, right?
…Unless…
Could it be Mom?
No. That's crazy. Isn't it?
"Uh, Irana—come on!"
Kotori suddenly grabbed my hand, snapping me out of my spiralling thoughts.
"They're already way ahead of us," she said as she pulled me forward, running to catch up with Onee-chan and Viola.
"Geez, we almost left you behind," Onee-chan said, turning around just as Kotori and I caught up. "Well then… now that we're all here—let's investigate the first victim, shall we?"
"Huh? How, though?" I asked, still catching my breath. "That case happened over three months ago. How are we supposed to investigate that?"
Onee-chan grinned—the kind that usually meant trouble.
"I'm so glad you asked, Irana."
Uh-oh. That tone…
"You see the building behind me?" she said, gesturing casually over her shoulder.
I glanced at it. Just a standard, nondescript apartment complex. Nothing special.
"What about it?" I asked.
"This… is where the first victim used to live," she said with a grin that widened just enough to be smug.
Wait, what? I blinked. How did she even know that?
"Yeah, how exactly did you figure that out?" Kotori echoed my thoughts before I could say anything else.
"Se~cret," Onee-chan sang, putting a finger to her lips, clearly enjoying herself way too much.
"Let's go inside!" she added, already walking toward the entrance like this was just some casual outing.
"Hold on! Don't tell me you're suggesting we break into someone's apartment?" Viola said, eyes wide.
"Right! That's a crime, Onee-chan!!" I followed up, my voice a little higher than I intended.
But Onee-chan just turned back and winked. "Don't worry! I got permission—and a key!"
Both Viola and I practically shouted, "HOW THE HELL?!" in almost perfect unison.
But Onee-chan didn't explain. She just chuckled, that maddening little laugh that told us she knew exactly how suspicious she sounded—and loved every second of it.
"No question asked, just follow me."I sighed and just resigned myself to it. Whatever… this probably won't lead to anything anyway. It's not like we're actually going to stumble upon a real clue or anything. Onee-chan probably just wants to snoop around for fun.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, my smartwatch buzzed on my wrist, vibrating sharply. Huh? A message? I lifted my arm to check, only to freeze when I saw the sender:
Elizabeth-sensei.
Why did she send a message? She probably watching from a distance.
A short, urgent message flashed across the screen:
"Danger!! A dimensional crack just opened in that apartment complex!!"
My heart skipped a beat. My brain blanked out for a solid second.
Wha—wait, what?!
I immediately snapped my head up—and my stomach dropped.
Onee-chan was already halfway up the stairs, standing closer to the second floor. When did she even get that far?!
"Wait! Onee-chan!!" I called out, hoping to stop her.
"No waiting! Gotta catch me if you can! I'll be on the seventh floor!" she shouted back, her voice echoing as she sprinted up the stairwell.
"Shit—!" I muttered under my breath.
"Wow… Irana," Viola chimed in casually, "That's unusual coming from you."
"Viola—no time for jokes! Teleport me to her! Now!" I demanded, spinning to face her.
"Huh? Teleport?" Kotori tilted her head in confusion.
Crap. I forgot Kotori was with us. My brain wasn't processing properly.
"Uh…" I stammered.
"Don't worry, I'm an Esper too," Kotori said calmly, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"You are?!" I asked, blinking at her in surprise.
"Yup. No need to hide anything from me," she said with a faint smirk. "So, what's going on?"
Okay… I guess it's fine to tell her. We don't have time to be secretive.
"There's a dimensional crack. Right here. In this building."
Kotori's expression immediately turned serious.
I turned back to Viola.
"Teleport me. Now!"
"Okay, okay! Geez…" Viola grumbled, holding out her hand and gathering focus.
Let's hope we're not already too late.
The scenery around me warped in an instant. One moment I was with Viola and Kotori on the ground level, and the next—
I was somewhere else.
The stairwell blurred for a moment before coming into focus.
And right there, just a few steps ahead—
"Onee-chan!"
I saw her. Standing with her back half-turned to me, already approaching the door at the far end of the hallway. Without wasting a second, I sprinted forward, my heart pounding with every step.
She turned slightly at the sound of my footsteps, but before she could say anything, I lunged.
I grabbed her by the collar of her shirt.
"Wait—! What are you—"
But the momentum of my dash, and the shock in her face, threw her off balance.
She stumbled backwards.
"Onee-chan!"
She lost her footing and fell back with a surprised yelp, landing on her backside with a dull thud against the cold corridor floor.
There was a moment of silence. Her eyes are wide. Mine, probably even wider.
I was breathing hard, my fingers still gripping the fabric of her collar as I stared down at her.
What the hell am I doing?