Chapter 5: Miyuki Shirayuki. The Rival from Another World

At the end of their shift at the café, Yuu and Kanade walked out together through the back door. The afternoon light bathed the alley, casting long, blurred shadows as they made their way toward the apartment building. Both were silent, but there was a natural calm between them.
As they walked, Kanade glanced at Yuu with a curious expression.
Kanade: "So… this place where you work isn’t a mission like the ones I used to take in Shadowfall?"
Yuu (with a small smile): "No, it’s just a normal café. We serve coffee here, not spells or healing potions."
Kanade: "Hmm, sounds like a tavern. Though in my world, the drinks are much stronger." (She laughed softly, reminiscing about the past.)
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the end of the alley, blocking their path. Yuu and Kanade came to a stop, and they immediately recognized her—it was the same girl dressed as Miyuki Shirayuki, their enemy from the anime. She stood with a defiant expression, holding a long staff that glowed faintly with a seemingly magical light.
Miyuki: "Kanade Himejima… I’ve finally found you."
Yuu froze, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing. Everything about the figure in front of them screamed Miyuki Shirayuki: the dark outfit, the staff adorned with crystals, and the cold expression he knew all too well from that powerful sorceress.
Yuu (surprised, under his breath): "…Miyuki?"
Kanade tensed as well, though her expression showed confusion rather than fear. Hikari took a step forward, raising her staff with a dramatic gesture, and the crystals sparkled in the darkness.
Hikari: "Kanade, in the name of the high sorcerers of my kingdom, I must defeat you and fulfill my mission!"
Confusion was clear on Kanade’s face as she looked at Yuu, searching for any sign that he understood what was going on.
Kanade (murmuring): "Yuu… is this…?"
Yuu (frowning, eyes fixed on Hikari): "It looks like it… but… how did she get here?"
Before they could say anything else, Hikari pointed her staff at Kanade with determination, her voice resonating with conviction.
Hikari: "I grant you the first strike, Kanade Himejima. Show me what you’re capable of!"
Kanade looked at Yuu, who gave a slight nod—uncertain but ready to protect her if things got out of hand. Determined not to show fear, Kanade closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on her magical energy. When she opened them again, her outfit had changed: the café uniform had been replaced by the ceremonial priestess attire from her homeworld. The transformation was instant, and in the dark alley, her garments shimmered with a soft, majestic light.
Hikari (surprised, with an excited smile): "Nice! A good trick… I’ll give you points for that."
Hikari’s words confused Yuu. Why was she talking like this was some kind of game? But he didn’t have time to think it over—Kanade, rising to Hikari’s "challenge", raised her hands and launched a sphere of light toward her opponent. The energy lit up the alley, slicing through the air with speed.
Hikari, showing surprising reflexes, turned to the side, dodging the attack effortlessly. As the light sphere dissipated into the air, she smiled with satisfaction and nodded.
Hikari: "Excellent. You’ve improved a lot… I can tell you’ve been working hard!"
Kanade and Yuu exchanged bewildered glances. Something about Hikari’s words didn’t add up. Yuu felt a stab of suspicion in his chest, but before he could say anything, Hikari raised her staff again, the crystals now glowing intensely, illuminating the entire alley.
Hikari: "Now… it’s my turn."
Yuu felt a wave of terror. He recognized that glow—it was one of Miyuki’s most destructive techniques, a spell that, if cast here, would reduce everything to ashes.
Yuu: (shouting) “Stop! If you cast that, you’ll destroy the entire city!”
But Hikari looked at him with an air of superiority, keeping her staff raised high.
Hikari: “The worries of mortals are not my concern.”
Alarmed, Kanade reacted instinctively, extending a protective energy field around Yuu to shield him from the seemingly imminent attack. Both of them closed their eyes, bracing for the explosion of magic that was about to be unleashed… but after a few seconds, nothing happened.
Cautiously, they opened their eyes and saw Hikari hitting her staff in frustration. Her eyes filled with anger, and she muttered under her breath.
Hikari: “Argh! This was a waste of money! How can an exact replica jam with the spark and explosion sound...?”
Kanade and Yuu stared at her, completely astonished. In that moment, the truth became clear: this “Miyuki” was just an impersonator. Yuu let out a sigh—part relief, part disbelief.
Kanade (irritated, stepping toward Hikari): “Are you saying all of this was just a joke?”
Before Kanade could do anything else, Yuu gently extended his arm and stopped her.
Yuu (with an amused tone): “She’s not the real Miyuki, Kanade. No need to hurt her.”
Hikari (offended, puffing out her cheeks): “What do you mean by that?! This is a high-quality cosplay, you know?” (She sighs, recomposing herself) “Alright… let me introduce myself properly.”
Hikari lowered her staff and smiled, offering a small, polite bow.
Hikari: “I’m Hikari Sato, a student at Fujihara Academy… and also Miyuki Shirayuki’s number one fan. I heard rumors about a girl who looked just like Kanade Himejima, and I couldn’t resist the chance to meet her!”
Yuu raised an eyebrow, impressed by the young woman’s enthusiasm. It was obvious Hikari was deeply immersed in her roleplay. She had mistaken Kanade for a fictional character—something Yuu found deeply ironic.
Yuu: “Nice to meet you, Hikari. But… why go through all this?”
Hikari (excitedly): “Because Kanade Himejima is amazing! In the anime, she’s brave and powerful… and you look exactly like her, Kanade. It’s like you stepped right out of the screen.” (She smiled) “And you’re even the same age as my anime Kanade!”
Kanade looked at Yuu, still trying to process what she had just heard. Anime? What was this girl talking about? She slowly shook her head, unable to hide her confusion.
Kanade: “I have no idea what ‘anime’ is, but I’m surprised someone in this world looks so much like me.”
At that moment, Hikari noticed the small crater on the ground where Kanade’s attack had struck. Her eyes shifted from the hole to Kanade’s figure, and widened with realization.
Hikari (stunned): “Wait… does that mean… you’re really…?”
Yuu tensed, afraid that Hikari might panic—or worse, expose Kanade’s secret identity. But instead, Hikari placed a hand over her mouth and let out a small, excited laugh.
Hikari: “This is amazing! The real Kanade Himejima, here in this world!”
Before she could say anything else, Yuu quickly stepped in, smiling to head off any uncomfortable questions.
Yuu: “Thanks for your enthusiasm, Hikari. But it’s getting late, and Kanade and I have to go.”
Hikari nodded energetically and, after a quick apology, walked off with a radiant smile and a spring in her step, as if she had just experienced the best moment of her life.
However, the next day, Yuu and Kanade would be in for an unexpected surprise…
---

The next day, in the classroom, the atmosphere was as usual: the buzz of students talking, the echo of conversations, and the occasional scrape of chairs moving. Yuu and Kanade were getting their things ready to go out for lunch, chatting casually about the day.
Yuu: “I still can’t believe there’s someone here who thinks of you as her ‘rival’. Though, I have to admit—she’s really committed.”
Kanade (smiling, amused): “I’m still surprised someone could mistake this for a simple performance.”
As they talked, a small group of students began to gather around Kanade’s desk. Among them stood a familiar figure: Hikari, once again dressed as Miyuki Shirayuki, but this time wearing a shiny brooch on her chest—probably a new cosplay accessory. Her expression was serious, though the spark of excitement in her eyes betrayed her enthusiasm.
Hikari (in a solemn voice): “Kanade Himejima… I have something important to tell you!”
The murmurs around the classroom grew louder; Yuu and Kanade’s classmates were clearly intrigued by the scene unfolding before them.
Yuu (whispering to Kanade): “Looks like you’ve got an audience. You might as well play along.”
Kanade (nodding, then standing with a theatrical air, as if accepting a challenge): “What is it you wish to tell me, Hikari… I mean, Miyuki?”
Hikari furrowed her brow, delighted that Kanade was engaging with her. She took a step forward and bowed slightly, as if about to say something dramatic.
Hikari: “Though we are rivals in another world… I have reconsidered our differences.” (She paused dramatically, glancing around to make sure the whole class was watching.) “Therefore, Kanade Himejima, I propose a truce… a truce in this dimension.”
Kanade gave a small smile, realizing Hikari’s enthusiasm wasn’t something that could be easily extinguished. Yuu watched quietly, trying not to laugh as Hikari poured her heart into the performance.
Kanade (nodding seriously): “I accept your truce, Miyuki Shirayuki. Perhaps here… we can be allies.”
The students around them burst into applause and laughter, clapping and whispering about the improvised show. Hikari smiled triumphantly, clearly pleased with the reaction.
Hikari (switching to her normal tone, now more relaxed): “Thank you, Kanade… I mean, thanks for playing along!” (She bowed, blushing slightly.) “Honestly… you’re amazing.”
Yuu: “Well, now that we’re ‘allies’… how about having lunch together?”
Hikari’s eyes widened with surprise, clearly thrilled by the invitation, and she nodded eagerly.
Hikari: “I’d love to! I brought a special bento today, inspired by Miyuki’s world!”
They headed to the school courtyard, sitting at a wooden table beneath a cherry tree. Hikari opened a carefully decorated lunchbox and revealed it with a proud smile. Inside were small onigiri and vegetables carved into star shapes, along with eggs and carrots arranged to form a tiny scene that resembled a magical village.
Hikari: “Look! I made the onigiri to look like the ice mountains from Miyuki’s kingdom.” (She sighed) “I tried to make it look as real as possible. It took me all night.”
Kanade looked at her, genuinely impressed by the detail. It was clear that while Hikari was eccentric, she was also incredibly dedicated and creative.
Kanade: “It’s really beautiful, Hikari. You’re very creative.”
Yuu (joking): “Aren’t you worried I’ll eat one of those mountains?”
Hikari (laughing): “Go ahead! Just don’t destroy the ‘Crystal Tower’ too quickly.”
Yuu, smiling, picked up one of the onigiri while Hikari continued describing every tiny detail. There was a warmth in the air—a mix of laughter and easy conversation that flowed naturally.
As they ate, Yuu noticed that the initial tension between Kanade and Hikari had faded. Kanade listened intently to Hikari’s explanations about the anime, as if she were trying to understand the modern world through this girl’s eyes.
Hikari (while chewing): “What about you, Kanade? Have you ever watched anime?”
Kanade (softly laughing): “No, but I’d like to. Maybe we could watch one sometime.”
Hikari (excitedly): “Really?! That would be amazing! I could teach you all about Miyuki… and so many other anime!”
Kanade nodded, and in that moment, she realized something unexpected: Hikari was opening a window to a completely different reality—one that didn’t exist in Shadowfall, but which intrigued her deeply.It wasn’t a battle of magic, but something much simpler—something that was beginning to feel more and more inviting.