Upon learning her current location, even someone as composed as Aya Tokoyogi couldn't help but twitch at the absurdity.
A life-saving escape mechanism had delivered her straight to the enemy's stronghold?
What kind of luck was this?
"And what brings you two to my office~?"
Equally astonished was Natsuki Minamiya.
She immediately set aside the painstakingly brewed cup of black tea she'd been enjoying and addressed the pair:
"Also, what's this about a substitute puppet? What do you mean by 'teleporting to the safest place in your heart'?"
At Natsuki's rapid-fire questions, Aya Tokoyogi merely paused for a beat before letting out a derisive snort. Her eyebrows arched slightly, lips curling into a smirk as she delivered her response with palpable disdain:
"I see. So, even my emergency escape measures have been tampered with?"
"To think Director Luo would stoop to such methods against a fellow Demigod. I underestimated him."
Hearing this accusation that sounded more like stubborn denial than genuine suspicion, Luo Shu's expression turned peculiar.
He studied Aya Tokoyogi's vividly expressive face - the very picture of contempt - and after brief consideration, decided against accepting blame for something he hadn't done:
"Is there a possibility... that I didn't tamper with anything at all?"
Aya Tokoyogi: "..."
"Your staring won't change facts. I genuinely didn't interfere with this."
Under Aya's death glare, Luo Shu maintained his righteous tone.
He'd own up to any misdeeds he'd actually committed, but for things he hadn't done? Unless there was a clear benefit, he'd never admit to them!
Facing Luo Shu's solemn expression, Aya Tokoyogi drew a slow breath before sneering:
"It appears I've been outmanoeuvred after all."
Watching Aya stubbornly cling to her narrative, Luo Shu gave her an odd look, momentarily at a loss for words.
Observing the silent standoff between the two, Natsuki couldn't help but massage her temples:
"So, is no one going to explain the situation to me?"
She glanced at Luo Shu, hesitating briefly before continuing:
"You were supposed to be dealing with Aya today, weren't you? How did you end up in my office?"
Natsuki had been aware of Luo Shu's plans to confront Aya Tokoyogi.
Her relationship with Aya was complicated - they could be called friends or enemies with equal validity. As Luo Shu was now her sovereign, Natsuki had turned a blind eye to his actions against Aya, provided matters didn't turn lethal.
After all, Aya possessed Familia qualifications and had achieved Demigod status before even becoming a Familia member. Natsuki understood Luo Shu wouldn't resort to deadly force.
Similarly, Natsuki knew Aya's stubborn nature well - the woman wouldn't heed anyone's advice, including her own attempts at mediation.
Since the conflict wouldn't turn fatal and Aya refused to listen, Natsuki had resigned herself to letting them settle their differences.
But settling differences was one thing - why were they dragging this mess into her office?
"Is anyone going to give me a proper explanation?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu fell silent for a moment, then glanced at Natsuki Minamiya before dispersing his Spiritual Power to make contact with her, explaining everything that had transpired.
Upon hearing this, Natsuki Minamiya froze for a moment, then her expression grew increasingly peculiar. After listening to the entire account, she tilted her head in thought before suddenly snapping her fingers.
Snap!
The clattering sound of chains swiftly followed.
Numerous chains extended from the void, rapidly binding Aya Tokoyogi's body, securing both her arms and torso together.
The sudden restraint didn't catch Aya Tokoyogi off guard.
After being bound, she merely cast a sidelong glance at Natsuki Minamiya before letting out a cold laugh:
"This sense of restraint... feels somewhat nostalgic."
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but retort:
"When I chased you, you desperately fled and even contemplated suicide. Yet when Natsuki binds you, you don't even try to dodge?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Aya Tokoyogi's face darkened, while Natsuki Minamiya beside her shot Luo Shu an exasperated glare.
Seeing this, Luo Shu chuckled, pulled Mukuro Hoshimiya—who had been watching the spectacle—into his arms, and casually flopped onto the nearby sofa.
Witnessing Luo Shu's behaviour, Natsuki Minamiya felt a headache coming on. However, since this wasn't the main issue at hand, she temporarily set it aside and instead turned to Aya Tokoyogi with hesitation:
"Did Mukuro really seal your power?"
In terms of actual combat strength, Natsuki Minamiya was no match for Aya Tokoyogi.
Whether in their original world or now, she had never been able to overpower Aya Tokoyogi in raw ability.
Her previous victories had only been possible because Aya Tokoyogi hadn't been sufficiently wary of her, never expecting her to resort to sneak attacks.
By the time Aya Tokoyogi realised her betrayal, she'd already been imprisoned.
And now, the only reason she could restrain Aya Tokoyogi was that the latter offered no resistance.
This was likely due to the presence of Luo Shu and Mukuro Hoshimiya—both regarded by Aya as Demigods. Faced with the choice between being bound by a Demigod or by Natsuki, Aya had chosen the latter.
After all, Natsuki Minamiya was well aware that her restraints held more symbolic than practical significance for Aya in her current state.
Even after falling from her Demigod Rank and having her power sealed, Aya Tokoyogi remained a Hero Rank with a Class, meaning she undoubtedly possessed the means to break free from Natsuki's bindings.
Thus, what truly astonished Natsuki Minamiya was that Luo Shu had actually succeeded in sealing Aya's power.
She knew Aya's temperament all too well—with her power sealed, Aya's desire for death likely now outweighed any will to survive.
Currently, Natsuki seemed to be the only person whose presence could make Aya choose to endure living under restraint.
So... had Luo Shu deliberately driven Aya to seek her out?
Just as suspicion flickered in Natsuki Minamiya's eyes, Aya Tokoyogi coldly stated:
"Isn't this exactly what you wanted, Natsuki Minamiya?"
Natsuki Minamiya found herself at a loss for words:
"Aya, I didn't—"
"Being beaten up by the other woman—isn't that what you wanted, dear husband?"
"That's not—that's not it! The other woman sought you out on her own!"
Swish! Swish!
Natsuki Minamiya and Aya Tokoyogi simultaneously turned their gazes towards Luo Shu.
Luo Shu casually peeled a pistachio he'd taken from the fruit tray and fed it to Mukuro Hoshimiya, then met the two witches' gazes with feigned innocence:
"Mukuro's still young and can't understand what you're saying. Me interpreting for her isn't too much, is it?"
Mukuro Hoshimiya tilted her head, playing along as she nodded:
"That's right, what you're saying really is too difficult for Muku to understand."
Natsuki Minamiya: "..."
Aya Tokoyogi: "..."