Midday arrived on the second day since the lake had turned red.
The three of them were sitting around the low table, eating simple dishes for lunch. It was nothing like the abundant and refined meals from the day before, but no one complained too much. After all, the chef was being held in a room after murdering Genzou, and there weren't many alternatives.
Mochi was the first to break the silence.
"I know it sounds bad, but… can't we really release the chef?" she said while playing with her chopsticks. "Yes, he killed someone, but it was to avenge the person he loved. I'm sure that in a trial, his lawyer would use that as a defense. Maybe we could let him out for a bit… at least so he can prepare tonight's dinner."
Haruka shook her head without hesitation.
"That's not possible," she replied calmly. "This isn't a trial. Besides, I went to see him an hour ago and he's not mentally stable. Releasing him now would only bring more problems, and I'm not willing to take that risk."
She raised her gaze.
"As soon as we finish eating, we'll begin the next part of the training."
Mochi sighed, stretching without the slightest concern.
"Ahhh… I'm so full…" she murmured.
Without saying anything else, she slid to the side and rested her head on Haruka's legs, settling in as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"After eating I always get sleepy…" she said in a drowsy voice. "Haruka, be my pillow for a little while…"
And without waiting for an answer, she curled up and closed her eyes.
Haruka remained completely still.
Inside her, two sides began to clash.
On one hand, her duty as an agent: to train them, keep them alert, and not lower her guard in such a delicate situation.
On the other… Mochi.
Since the previous night she had been closer, more affectionate, constantly seeking contact. Haruka didn't fully understand the reason, but a part of her feared that if she rejected her now, this moment might never happen again.
"Well… I suppose the training could wait a little…" she murmured almost without realizing it.
Then she felt a gaze fixed on her.
Cold. Direct.
She looked up and met Miyu's eyes from the other side of the table.
"Ehh… I didn't expect Haruka-san to be the kind of person who gives in so easily to temptation and abandons her duty," Miyu said, crossing her arms.
Even though she had promised herself she would help Mochi make her feelings come true, seeing the two of them flirting shamelessly in front of her was… irritating.
Haruka cleared her throat.
Gently, she placed a hand on Mochi's shoulder and shook her lightly.
"Mochi… wake up."
"Mmm…" she protested, rubbing her eyes. "What is it, Haruka…? I want to sleep a little longer…"
"I'm sorry," Haruka replied with a small, tired smile, "but we can't postpone it. The sooner we start, the better."
Mochi looked at her silently for a few seconds… and then sighed in resignation.
"Ugh… fine…"
She slowly sat up, her face still sleepy, while Miyu watched the scene with a mixture of relief and slight frustration.
The break was over.
And the training… was only just beginning.
"I guess there's nothing we can do about it…" Mochi murmured. "It'll be a massage again, I imagine. Who goes first?"
"No," Haruka replied after a brief pause. "This time we'll move on to the second stage of the training."
Mochi and Miyu exchanged curious looks.
"As you already know, your weapons were forged from the core of a defeated anomaly," she continued. "The abilities they possess depend directly on the power that anomaly had while it was alive. Even though they're dead now, a part of their consciousness still remains inside the weapon."
Both of them listened attentively.
"In this stage, your task is to connect with those remnants of consciousness. You will see fragments of their memories: their history, their personality. By better understanding the origin of your weapon, you'll be able to resonate with it, discover its true power, and use it at will."
"Haruka…" Mochi said, sounding somewhat uncomfortable. "Let me guess. This method is also a bit… unconventional?"
Haruka nodded without hesitation.
"Exactly. Normally, this is achieved through constant use of the weapon over time. But this is a special case. We don't have that luxury. We'll have to force things a little."
"Is that safe?" Miyu asked.
"You won't reach the level you would achieve with traditional training," Haruka clarified, "but it will greatly accelerate your initial progress."
With that said, Haruka began searching through her luggage.
"This time, both of you will do this part at the same time. Lay out two futons."
She then took out two small bottles. Unlike the previous ones, these contained a dark reddish liquid, thick and viscous.
"You'll drink a special drug," she explained. "It will induce a deep sleep, during which you'll be able to connect with your weapon and experience a kind of vision. You'll see images—fragments from the weapon's past. How much you manage to see will depend on your compatibility with it."
"Drug…?" Mochi repeated, alarmed. "Did you say drug?"
"Haruka-san…" Miyu added with a nervous smile. "What exactly is inside that bottle?"
"Don't worry. It's completely harmless to the body. It doesn't cause addiction or side effects. Besides, it's made with natural ingredients."
"Natural…?" they both repeated at the same time.
"Concentrated ether," Haruka listed. "Anomaly blood…"
"Blood!?"
"Blood!?"
Both of them were shocked.
"That's enough questions," Haruka cut them off. "Drink it already, and without complaining."
With no other choice, Mochi and Miyu obeyed. To their surprise, the liquid had no taste at all, though its texture was strangely thick, almost like gelatin. Soon after, an overwhelming heaviness began to invade their bodies. Sleep came so quickly that they felt they could collapse at any moment.
Without wasting time, both of them lay down on their futons, firmly holding their weapons in their hands.
—
Mochi opened her eyes, disoriented.
She was no longer at the inn.
She slowly sat up and looked around. She was alone, in the middle of nowhere. Trees stretched in every direction, and further ahead a meadow covered in tall grass swayed gently in the wind.
She had no idea how she had gotten there.
The last thing she remembered was drinking that strange drug… and falling asleep.
"I've got it!" she exclaimed, finally understanding. "This must be the vision Haruka was talking about…"