'Where is that perverted, womanising?' The encounter between the genius girl and the magical AI.

Sakai calmly sat on Ayumu’s bed and easily unlocked her cloned phone. ‘Time to snoop.’ She grinned as a plethora of missed calls and messages appeared on the screen. ‘Wow, someone’s popular.’ The girl’s eyes caught sight of the strange messaging app. ‘And what’s this?’ she smirked. ‘Is this his H-collection? Let’s see those fetishes portrayed on 2D girls.’ Masami tapped on the app logo, but instead of what she expected, Ai appeared on the screen with glassy eyes.

‘You had me worried all night! Idiot!’ Ai called out, her expression changing to one of surprise as she found a perplexed Masami standing in front of her.

‘Hello?’ the virtual assistant’s gaze completely changed. If looks could kill, the student would have dropped dead. AI spoke in a sinister and dry tone, surrounded by a foreboding aura.

‘Who are you? Where is that perverted, womanising, and cheater, Ayumu?’

‘Wow! Fascinating!’ Sakai looked fascinated by the AI’s realistic emotions and her natural speech. ‘I had heard that AIs were advancing, but I never imagined I would encounter one so complex! You speak and even emulate emotions in a super realistic way! You’re amazing!’ the student examined the details of the girl’s avatar. ‘What’s your programming code?’

‘Listen, blondie, I don’t want to repeat it a second time…’ A magic circle appeared in front of Sakai’s nose. It emitted a reddish glow, while Latin words were hastily and accurately written between the outer and concentric circles. ‘Unless you want this to become your funeral pyre…’

‘Ah, you’re a magical AI?! Wow, that’s unexpected!’ With a bright face, she didn’t seem scared, quite the opposite, which puzzled Ai.

‘Eh?’ The spell stopped before it was completed, confusing the Virtual Assistant. ‘You’re supposed to be intimidated!’ Ai looked frustrated and bewildered. ‘Well… tell me where Ayumu is, or I’ll warn you that…!’

‘I’d like to know that too,’ Masami smirked, confusing Ai. ‘If we don’t find poor Ayu soon, he could get into big trouble.’

‘What?! I believe nothing you’re saying.’ Ai crossed her arms.

‘Ah! No? Well, a boy sneaking into a female academy is pretty serious on its own.’ the blonde shrugged. ‘I consider it a mistake, but not all girls will share my opinion. In a regular dorm, this could be solved by non-lethal force, but…’ The blonde girl paused, taking a coin out of her pocket. A small magic circle appeared on Sakai’s palm, emitting a faint greenish glow, leaving Ai astonished. The coin flew out and pierced the ceiling like a bullet. It fell back down, hovering above the palm of the blonde. Masami gave a mischievous smile to Ai. ‘The girls who attend Onmyou are just like you. All of us have certain peculiarities. Our eccentricities may be catastrophic to him, and that’s not what we want, right, Ai?’

***

The clearing in the forest was illuminated by the early sun. Kate leaned against a sturdy tree trunk, while the twins were accommodated on one of the branches. The trio observed the porch of the dorm, awaiting their friend. After a yawn, Kurihara disappointed and broke the silence. ‘What a waste of time.’ The second-year student rummaged through the right pocket of her jacket and took out her phone. The day had already exceeded seven o’clock. ‘We should go back. The dining room will already be open.’ Haru leaping down to the ground and concurred with her companion.

‘That’s right! It’s breakfast time!’ Aki glanced at her sibling and Kate before addressing them.

‘But what about Masami?’ Haruna turned to her sister, wearing a mischievous expression.

‘I bet the ghost devoured her. It serves her right for mocking them,’ Haruna crossed her arms, nodding in approval of her own supposition. Kate interjected, slightly irritated.

‘I’ve told you, there is no ghost! Perhaps Sakai is playing a prank on us, or she encountered an obstacle like a jammed door or a broke stair that is preventing her from getting back.’ Kate scrutinised the house. The two sisters exchanged glances, and Haru questioned.

‘Shouldn’t someone go in and help her?’ Both sisters looked at Kate.

‘What!? It was your idea to come here! You go in!’ Kate called out, as Haruna and Akina wore mocking smiles.

‘You say that because you’re scared, right?’ Akina taunted.

‘Yes, Miss ghosts don’t exist, already isn’t so brave,’ Haruna chimed in a provocative tone.

‘Enough already!’ Kate interjected, her anger apparent. The second-year student walked towards the entrance. ‘I can’t believe I allowed myself to be provoked by those two morons with not a single shared brain cell.’ Kate internalised with annoyance, gripping the railing and cautiously ascending the dilapidated steps.

‘Wait, Kate!’ Aki’s words caused her to turn around, her expression filled with anger.

‘If you dare to say that, if the ghost catches me, you even entertain the idea of claiming my dessert. I’ll suspend you by your ears from the rooftop of the dormitory!’ the twins instinctively touched their ears, wincing at the thought.

‘How frightening!’ Haruna proclaimed.

‘Yes, Kate is scarier than the ghost!’ Akina confirmed.

‘Enough with your nonsense!’ Kate cut them off, exaggerating her anger before going on towards the door. Kurihara cast a glance back at the twins and sighed. ‘I’m not gonna hang out with them anymore.’ Kate turned the doorknob, to the anticipation of her companions, and went inside, closing the door behind her. The two sisters clasped their hands together, closing their eyes in prayer. A noise from the back of the house caught their attention, and they exchanged looks.

‘Could it be?’

‘I don’t think so... right?’ Haruna’s expression turned sinister as she gazed at her sister. ‘The ghost is real!’

‘It’s coming for us!’

‘We haven’t disturbed its resting place. Imagine the fame we could achieve if we provide evidence of the Onmyou ghost’s existence! Aki, check over there!’ Haru pointed towards the back. Aki appeared puzzled.

‘What? Me? No way! I’m not selfish enough to take credit for discovering the ghost, Haru.’

‘Don’t be afraid, Aki, I’ve got your back! If anything bad happens, just scream, and I’ll come to your rescue.’

‘I’m not afraid! It’s just that…’ Aki paused for a moment. ‘I’ve been diagnosed with a ghost allergy. I can’t even get close to them. You go, and I’ll provide cover for you!’

‘If we keep arguing, we’ll get nowhere,’ Haru resigned herself, after taking advantage of the situation. ‘I’ll check out. After all, I’m the older one, right?’ The yellow headband girl took a step forward, preparing to circle the hot springs house, but her sister grabbed her arm, somewhat infuriated. ‘Now what?’

‘Since when are you the elder sister?! When did we decide that?! If the big sis checks, then I’ll go first!’

‘But didn’t you mention you were diagnosed with an allergy?!’ They exchanged gazes. ‘Besides, I’ll go to inspect all alone. It’s my duty as the big sis to protect my little sister!’

‘I took my medication this morning... when you weren’t looking!’

‘Sure, allergic to ghosts!’ Haru averted her gaze and exhaled. ‘Just admit that you’re scared. That’s why you can’t be the elder one.’ Flames erupted from Aki’s body. Ayumu watched the two girls arguing from the back of the house.

‘This is my chance to escape and meet Miss Serizawa. I must go through the forest and…’ A scream from Haru halted Ayumu’s train of thought.

‘What did you say?!’ Lightning crackled around Haru’s body, striking the ground. ‘You stay here, crying in fear!’

‘You’ll see now!’ A white aura enveloped Aki’s body as the girl feigned a move, causing Haru to retreat, believing her sister was looking for a fight. Aki swiftly sprinted towards the rear of the house.

‘Hey, cheater!’ Haru’s body also became surrounded by the same aura.

‘You’re too slow, Haru!’ Aki briefly turned, gesturing mockingly.

‘Aki, be careful!’ Haru warned, observing Ayumu emerge to escape. Ayumu whirled to them but couldn’t scream.

‘No way I’m gonna be fooled.’ Aki looked ahead, unable to halt her momentum despite her efforts. Tripping over an obstacle, she was sent hurtling through the air. Frame by frame, Aki witnessed the impending collision with a surprised Ayumu. They screamed in unison as they flew into the forest. Haruna winced in pain, closing one eye as the impact reverberated dozens of meters around.

‘Aki!’ Haru hastened after her sister into the depths of the forest.