Chapter 2.1

Miyuki awoke to a familiar ceiling, a hospital ceiling.

Many things had stayed the same. The flower curtains were drawn over an evening sun. Miyuki heard the same muted electronic beeping, the same automated blood pressure cuff wound around her right arm. A nurse walked briskly into her room, just like before.

“Are you okay? Can you hear me?” the nurse asked.

“Yes,” Miyuki said.

“How do you feel? Any pain in your head?”

A slight pang. Nothing to worry about, surely.

“No,” Miyuki said. “Where is everyone? Mamoru? Kazama? Captain Nakamura?”

“They’re here,” the nurse smiled. “They’re in the waiting area right now. They asked to know when you were awake. Do you wish to see them now?”

“Yes. Let them in.”

The nurse stepped out, just like last time. Miyuki wondered if she would see the same faces again too, those worried looks filled with pity.

“Miyuki!”

Mamoru was first through the door. His brows furrowed.

“That was reckless what you did out there,” he muttered, “but I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I’m safe thanks to you, Mamoru,” she smiled.

“It worked because I did what you told me to do,” he shrugged. “I guess now that I’ve seen one up close, I understand why you like watching these parties.”

Miyuki bolted upright.

“That’s right!” she gasped. “The Question. The Question! I didn’t hear Lady Baba Yaga’s Question!”

“Please sit back in your bed and rest!” the nurse rushed back into the room. “Please, don’t move too much yet.”

“Mamoru, tell me,” Miyuki ignored her. “The Question!”

“What is imaginarium?”

Reiko answered on Mamoru’s behalf. She and Fujiko entered the room together.

“Is that a test, captain?” Miyuki pouted. “You won’t tell me her Question until I give you a textbook response?”

“That is her Question, Kobayashi.”

“What?” Miyuki frowned. “That’s not possible.”

“Why is that?” Reiko asked. “Has an Egregore asked this already?”

“W-well no,” Miyuki stammered. “But imaginarium theory is the foundation of all magic. Asking ‘what is imaginarium’ is like asking what magic is.”

“Aren’t the Egregore supposed to ask questions like that?” Mamoru asked.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Miyuki shook her head. “The imaginarium required for asking a Question like that would be exponentially larger than the size of a city like Sapporo.”

“Well, Kobayashi,” Reiko shrugged, “that doesn’t change the fact that it was what the Lady Baba Yaga asked.”

“I wish I had been there,” Miyuki sighed. “Magic’s a system of suggestions. How she intonated the Question could have changed her intentions!”

“Fortunately, you’re in luck,” Reiko replied, “because in case that punch to your head knocked out your memory, we’re still running security for the tea party.”

“I thought that was the tea party,” Mamoru muttered.

“They haven’t even had any tea yet, Fujimoto,” Reiko rolled her eyes. “Anyway, the old government office is the intended venue. In a few days, each Egregore will arrive there. We’ll be managing security inside.”

“Why are we needed at all?” Fujiko folded her arms. “Surely they don’t trust us to protect all six witches in there.”

“I can answer that one.”

Section Chief Kazuo Shinomiya strolled into the hospital room. At this point, the on-site nurse cast an agitated scowl on everyone, including Miyuki. There were too many people crowding the room, and her patient seemed more eager talking about work than getting the rest she needed.

“Sorry I’m late,” Kazuo apologized. “Kobayashi, I’ve finished speaking with your family. They’re worried, but with the curfew still in effect, they’re unable to come see you. You should give them a call later.”

“Thank you, Chief Shinomiya,” Miyuki bowed. “I will.”

“As for Kazama’s earlier question,” Kazuo said, “we’re mediators between the Egregore. Most of them hail from a major industrialized power. Lisa Everest from America. Fang Fang from China. Our youngest Egregore Baba Yaga from Russia.”

“Conflict between the Egregore is both an international incident and a risk to public safety,” Kazuo continued. “Any clash between them could be seen as an act of aggression. Each of these countries would likely prefer their adversaries not have an Egregore of their own. I should remind everyone here of Japan’s close ties with the Americans. Lisa Everest’s safety is by far priority one.”

“So we’re playing favorites?” Fujiko asked.

“No. I’m playing favorites,” Kazuo corrected. “Japan doesn’t have an Egregore. That we rely on the Americans for help is not a state secret, nor is the fact that the Americans often ask us for favors disproportionate to the help that we receive.”

“Can we expect support from Arataki then?” Reiko asked.

“Officially, I’m told,” Kazuo replied, “because America and Japan are known security partners, we can’t be seen offering too much public support and risk reprisals.”

“You could’ve just said we’re on our own,” Reiko muttered.

“Oh, but you’re not on your own,” Kazuo grinned. “Samukawa Group will be providing the resources for the tea party, remember? I told you you’d be seeing Mrs. Polar Bear a lot more.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Miyuki realized. “Where is Mrs. Samukawa?”

“Who do you think carried you here?” Reiko replied. “That woman looked so much more in her element as a doctor than as a businesswoman.”

“The Prime Minister and the Diet are doing photo ops with the Egregore until tomorrow,” Kazuo explained. “I need everyone well rested. I’m sorry, but that includes you, Kobayashi.”

“With all due respect, sir,” the nurse snapped. “Miss Kobayashi will only be cleared for discharge if she is allowed time to rest. Alone.”

“I think that’s our sign to leave,” Reiko laughed. “Kobayashi. The kind nurse here will leave the radio by your bedside. Let us know if you need anything.”

“Rest. First,” the nurse glared as she ushered herself and Section Eight outside.

“As usual, I’d like to stay longer, but I’ve got another call with the Safety Commission,” Kazuo plucked his phone from his pockets and waved himself goodbye. “I’ll be in contact, Reiko.”

“You two can go home now,” Reiko said. “We’re meeting at the old government office tomorrow.”

“Fine,” Mamoru shrugged. “I’ll enjoy my night off then.”

Mamoru paused for a moment, believing Reiko and Fujiko would turn around and leave. They didn’t. Instead, they looked at him as if to pass the onus of walking off first back to him.

“Are you guys not going?” he asked.

“Didn’t you say you were going to enjoy your night off?” Reiko raised an eyebrow. “Why aren’t you going yet?”

“Uh…”

“I think Fujimoto wants to stay here, near Kobayashi,” Fujiko guessed. “Perhaps we’re interrupting something, captain.”

“Oh,” Reiko then asked. “Is that the case?”

“That’s not what’s happening,” Mamoru panicked.

“I’m not too fond of office romances, Fujimoto,” Reiko said, “but enjoy your youth, I suppose.”

“Like I said, that’s not what’s happening!”

Reiko decided to lead by example and leave first. When she reached the hospital entrance however, she noted curiously that Fujiko had still not stopped following her.

I suppose this was going to happen eventually, she thought.

“Something the matter with you too, Kazama?” she asked.

Fujiko’s hands twirled sheepishly inside her hoodie pockets.

“Actually, I locked myself out of my apartment. I need a place to stay the night.”