Chapter 12: The Missing Children Case

A week had passed since Kanata’s “accidental date” with Itsuha, and Tokyo Magic Academy had suddenly fallen into chaos.
The morning news filled every screen: children had begun disappearing across the city. No traces, no magic residue, nothing but the grief of their families.

Even elite magic task forces had been dispatched—but every trail led to nothing.

Kanata, sitting in the school cafeteria, watched the report with a bored expression.
His chopsticks hung lazily between his fingers as the reporter’s voice echoed through the room.

“Authorities suspect the culprit is a high-ranking mage… possibly one using forbidden magic.”

He sighed.

“Not my problem.”

Moments later, Itsuha and Celestine appeared, carrying their lunches—one with her signature spicy burger, the other with a neatly packed bento.

“The city’s going crazy over that story, huh?” Itsuha said between bites, the smell of chili practically burning the air.
“No wonder everyone’s worried. Most of the missing kids were students’ siblings.”

Celestine nodded.

“Kanata, aren’t you worried about Haqua?”

“She’s fine. Haqua can take care of herself.”

“Don’t be so careless,” Itsuha snapped, glaring at him. “This isn’t something to shrug off.”

“She’s right,” Celestine added gently. “If the culprit really is a mage, your sister might be their next target.”

Kanata scratched his head and gave a half-hearted nod.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Itsuha rolled her eyes.

“Honestly… how can someone so strong be this dense?”

“What was that?”

“N-Nothing! Just—make sure you tell Haqua about it.”

Kanata walked home under the golden sunset, his hands in his pockets.
Haqua was waiting near the gate of her middle school, waving cheerfully as always.

“Kakak, you’re late again!”

“Sorry, Haqua. Something came up.”

“Hmph. You owe me ice cream again.”

They laughed as they walked together, Haqua clutching her teddy bear and cat doll.
On the way, Kanata brought up the news.

“Did you hear about the missing kids?”

Haqua nodded seriously.

“Yeah. I think I know what might be behind it.”

“You do?”

“It’s the work of a Banshee-type mage.”

Kanata froze mid-step.

“A Banshee?”

“Mm-hm. They’re a kind of dark witch. Most of them are women who use forbidden rituals to steal souls—especially from children.”

“…Why children?”

“Because children’s souls are pure. Untouched by sin. Their energy can be absorbed to keep the witch eternally young.”

Kanata stared at his sister, genuinely impressed.

“You’ve thought this through, haven’t you?”

“Hehe, don’t praise me like that! You’re making me embarrassed.”
She hid her face behind her dolls, blushing lightly.

Kanata smiled faintly.

She’s smarter than half the academy combined.

Back at the cafeteria, Kanata gathered Itsuha, Celestine, and Rio.

“My sister said the kidnapper might be a Banshee-type mage.”

Itsuha leaned forward, her expression darkening.

“That makes sense. The elite units found traces of dark mana at the latest scene.”

“So she’s right,” Celestine said quietly. “We’re dealing with a witch who feeds on souls.”

“Then we’ll catch her,” Kanata said simply. “But we’ll need bait.”

Rio’s jaw dropped.

“Don’t tell me your plan involves—”

“—Turning ourselves into kids.”

Celestine choked on her tea.

“What?!”

“Relax. I’ll ask my mother to use transformation magic. We pretend to be children in a public area, draw her out, and let the elites finish the job.”

Itsuha sighed.

“Only you would come up with something this insane.”

“It’s efficient.”

“It’s stupid,” she corrected, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “But fine. I’ll watch your back.”

Rio groaned.

“Why do I always get dragged into your bad ideas?”

“Because you’re my friend,” Kanata said flatly.
“And friends suffer together.”

Tokyo’s streets were quiet. The air shimmered faintly with leftover mana from the investigation teams.
Kanata, on his way home, turned a corner—and collided with someone.

“Ah—sorry, miss! I wasn’t looking.”

The woman he bumped into turned slowly.
She had long, jet-black hair, a dark violet gown with faint runic patterns glowing along the hem, and eyes like liquid amethyst.

Her voice was calm, almost melodic.

“No, it’s my fault. I wasn’t paying attention either.”

“Still, I should’ve watched where I was going.”

They exchanged polite smiles and went their separate ways.
But as Kanata took a few steps, his body stiffened.
A chill ran through him—an aura of thick, suffocating darkness.

He glanced over his shoulder. The woman had vanished.

“…That energy…” he muttered.
“Could it be—her?”

The air grew heavier, the faint echo of a woman’s laugh drifting through the night.

“Poor little lambs… how sweet your dreams must be.”

Kanata’s eyes narrowed.

“So the Banshee finally shows herself.”