'Reduce everything to ashes, Ifrit.' The demonic student council president counterattacks

Haruna gracefully touched the ground after the ascent, utilising the whitish aura, and laughed. ‘What do you think of that, meddler?’ She turned to where Yumiko should be, to mocking her, but she swallowed her words when she saw her face to face. Aki was paralysed as well.

‘No… it can’t be…’

‘Am I supposed to be impressed?’ Yumiko pointed out dryly. She was unscathed, not a single scratch or burn. Her hair was standing on end because of electricity, though. Haru tried to react, but it was already too late. The president didn’t give her a chance to say a word. She placed her right index and middle fingers on Haru’s chest. ‘Anima Sagitta!’ Haru was repelled, and blood spewed from her mouth. In Akina’s eyes, it seemed to happen in slow motion.

‘Haru!’ She let out a shriek as her sister careened to the ground. ‘You’re going to pay for this!’ She leaped onto her opponent, attempting to strike her. A frenzy of flames spun rapidly around the girl with the orange headband. Yumiko remained motionless once again. Just like before, she had no intention of avoiding the blow. A magic circle appeared around her, radiating with intense orange brilliance.

‘Turn everything to ashes, Ifrit!’ A whirlwind of fire, its flames devouring the air in a violent ascent that felt infinite. It stopped Aki, who was impressed and couldn’t tear her gaze away from the vortex. The president emerged from within the flames, which had formed two twisted horns of fire above her head. Yumiko let out a scream of rage, completely losing control, while Aki looked at she in terror. Yumiko launched herself at her with no hesitation. The irises of her eyes had turned crimson red, and a sinister smile appeared on her lips. ‘You shouldn’t play with fire if you’re not prepared to get burned!’ she pointed at Aki. A magical seal appeared between them. Something distracted her at the last moment, several blue flashes from Haru’s lightning. They struck her white armour but had no effect. The president turned toward Aki with a serious gaze. The legs of the redhead trembled, feeling the imposing presence of the president, and fear engulfed her.

‘Ha- Haru, a- are you okay?’ Aki’s voice trembled, her expression somewhere between fear and worry. Haru’s visage had gone alarmingly pale as her blood ran from her mouth, cascading slowly into the abyss. Her body trembled with sheer terror.

‘Silence!’ Yumiko’s tone was cold and authoritative. ‘You should thank your sister for saving your skin. I have nothing against you, but you’ve committed three unforgivable mistakes. First, attacking the student council president of Onmyou School is considered a serious offence within the rules...’

‘The pre- president!?’ Aki stumbling over her words.

‘I would overlook it,’ the fierce flames still escaping from Yumiko’s body. ‘Second...’ Aki let out a choked cry. ‘You claimed to be sisters, and you were fighting each other?’

‘It was just a joke,’ Haru’s voice expressed the extreme fear towards Yumiko. She was too fearful to raise her gaze. ‘W-we would never fight seriously, right, Aki?’

‘Yes, yes, it was all a joke. I love Haru very much. You’ve seen that we stood up together...’ Yumiko’s tone became sweeter. Her eyes returned to their amber colour, and the flames extinguished.

‘Yes, you stood up together to defend yourselves. That’s very good. Siblings should get along, protect each other, and love each other with all their hearts.’ She gifted them a cheerful grin. The sisters looked at each other, moved.

‘I’m sorry, Haru! I was foolish to think that you wanted to steal my prince, and I acted childish!’

‘I’m sorry too, Aki! I’m ashamed of my behaviour, assuming you would be jealous of the relationship between my darling and me!’ The two embraced each other and cried. The raven-haired girl shut her eyelids and joined the hug, touched.

‘Do you see how you can be two adorable sisters?’ Yumiko caressed her reddish hair. Afterward, she opened her eyes and distanced herself a little while.

‘So, will you forgive us?’ Aki was calmer, although her tears were still running down her cheeks.

‘Yes, all forgiven, right?’ The twins looked at the council president, hoping to have redeemed their faults. The raven-haired girl kept her warm smile, raised three fingers.

‘Third unforgivable mistake.’ Her tone of voice was still conciliatory. The sisters exchanged a puzzled look. Yumiko took a breath before brutally slapping at the twins. ‘You harassed, frightened, and attacked my dear Ayu without mercy! And the most serious offence of all is that you were trying to take him away from me! Of course, you are not forgiven!’ she screamed at the top of her lungs. The two twins fell unconscious to the ground. The president turned toward the direction where he had escaped and ran after him. ‘Ayu, don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you!’

***

‘Excuse me.’ Sakai opened the door to the bathhouse before turning back inside. Kurihara was lying on the sofa next to Natsu, who continued to fan her head. Sakai smiled ridiculously and bowed slightly, showing respect. ‘I apologise for what happened.’ The girl let out a sigh and waved her hand, showing for Sakai to leave.

‘You’ve already ruined my morning, and there’s not much else you can do. Go, or you’ll be late for class.’

‘I won’t bother you anymore.’ She closed the door behind her. The sound of Ayumu’s phone was heard, which she took out of her pocket. ‘A message from Ai…’ She tapped the screen and came face to face with the AI’s avatar. ‘Have you decided?’

‘I still don’t fully trust you, but if Ayu is really in danger…’ she made a pensive expression.

‘I promise we’ll find him, but in return, I want you.’

‘What!?’

‘You’re a strange AI, far beyond any invention of Sakai Labs. Besides, I’m not saying you won’t see Ayu again. I just want to analyse you thoroughly.’

‘I see, and how are we supposed to find Ayu?’ Ai hesitated. A glow illuminated the sky, capturing Sakai’s attention as a large lightning bolt struck the ground, followed by the sound of thunder.

‘I think that’s your answer…’

‘A- A- Ayu!’ Ai emitted a shriek before being overcome by tears and addressed to Masami. ‘I accept your proposal, but please, help him!’

‘Don’t worry, I promise I’ll get him out of here.’ Masami tried to hide her nervousness. ‘If he’s still alive…’