**Chapter 25 Countdown**
Saturday morning.
Seiryuu High School.
Two uniformed students were walking down an empty corridor.
“I can’t believe this year’s school trip is actually on a cruise ship. I’m so excited~”
“This time, the promotion and reports can be more spectacular than ever.”
The two spoke with excitement on their faces.
They were students from the school’s publicity department.
To prepare promotional materials and posters related to the school trip, their teachers required them to come back to school on Saturday morning.
They were planning to head to the art room to gather painting supplies.
“Is it here?”
They opened the door to the art room.
After searching through the shelves filled with various art supplies, they finally found what they were looking for.
“Be careful!”
But when they took it down, they accidentally knocked over a box on the side that contained students’ class assignments.
White sketch paper scattered all over the floor.
“Seriously, you need to be more careful.”
“I’m sorry, let’s hurry and pick it up… Hmm? What is this?”
As they hurriedly picked up the papers from the floor, a few sketches caught their eyes.
They couldn’t help but make a puzzled noise.
…
…
Kawano City, Tokuan SEMA branch.
In a spacious conference room.
It was now filled with people.
Tokuan SEMA had also received news that a “client” would be coming to Kawano City today.
Tokuan SEMA had been watching this group of hunters for a long time.
Today was the time to reap what they had sown.
This meeting was presided over by Ichiro Maki, the number two of the Tokuan SEMA branch.
Sitting beside him was the new head of the Tokuan SEMA branch.
Yuki Ueda, an A-rank esper sent from the Tokuan SEMA headquarters.
She was a black-haired beauty who appeared to be around 25 years old.
Her signature appearance included rimless glasses and a beauty mark at the corner of her eye.
She gave off a very proud and cold demeanor.
After Maki reported on the background of this mission.
Ueda glanced around the Tokuan personnel present and slowly said:
“This mission has a simple goal.”
“To find out the identity and purpose of that ‘client.'”
“We already have personnel infiltrated within the hunters, and we must protect their actions as much as possible.”
“Kawano City has not returned to peace after the False God Shirakage incident.”
“The number of fantasy monsters here is absurdly high, and more crucially, they are completely different from the fantasy monsters we are familiar with.”
“So I believe there are more and greater secrets hidden in this city.”
“And this secret must be related to the hunters flooding into Kawano City recently and their ‘client’ behind the scenes.”
“I hope that all of you, as the guardians of this era, will prioritize completing the mission.”
After Ueda finished speaking, she glanced at Maki beside her.
It seemed to say that if the time came, it would be up to the two of them.
Maki could only show his usual harmless smile.
But in his heart, he was praying fervently for the success of the mission.
…
…
The Tsukimi household.
Kanade was called to a stop by Yukino before leaving.
“Onii-chan, this is for you.”
Yukino handed a small spray bottle to Kanade.
“What is this?” Kanade asked curiously as he examined it.
“Breath freshener.”
“Huh?!” Kanade almost dropped it on the floor due to his lack of grip.
“Wh-why do I need this? Do I have bad breath?”
Kanade asked anxiously, even though he brushes his teeth and rinses his mouth every day.
“No, no, no. Mainly because you’re having lunch with Nagi-nee today, right?”
“That’s true…”
The tickets Tanba gave seemed to be VIP tickets, allowing for a free meal at the aquarium’s restaurant.
“Considering the kiss during the date, of course, you’d need to—”
“—K-kiss!? Wh-why are we suddenly talking about this?”
Just hearing that word made Kanade’s face flush.
“Well, when it comes to a date… isn’t a kiss quite normal?”
“I’ve said it before, Nagi and I are just pretending…”
“But Onii-chan is planning to confess today, right?” Yukino shot a sharp glance at Kanade.
“Considering it’s your first time today, you want to leave a good impression on Nagi-nee…”
Yukino sighed and shook her head.
“My dear brother is really thoughtful~”
“…What’s the real purpose then?”
“This is a lemon-scented cleaning spray, in case I can get a lemon next week to tease Nagi-nee and see her shy expression…”
“Hey, you just spilled everything out, didn’t you?”
“Wow~ I can’t believe that gloomy Onii-chan actually has a girlfriend now~”
“N-no, it might not work out?” Kanade replied to cover his embarrassment.
Yukino made a “what nonsense is he saying?” face, but she smiled in the end:
“Well, if it doesn’t work out, I’ll be sure to comfort you, so go ahead and be bold~”
…
…
“Nagin, do I need to prepare your dinner today?”
“Mm, Kanade-kun and I will be back in the evening~” Nagin sat in front of the vanity, with her mother combing her hair from behind.
“Really? Then tonight’s dinner will be her favorite fried chicken~”
Nagin’s mother said with a smile.
“Do I really not need to drive you?” Nagin’s father appeared anxiously at the door.
“Honestly, what are you adding to two kids’ date?” Nagin’s mother replied unhappily.
“But she’s so cute, what if she gets taken by bad people…”
“Yes, yes, just come over here for now, overprotectiveness is not good~”
After finishing Nagin’s hair.
Nagin’s mother patted her head, then turned and chased the overly protective father out.
In the now empty room.
The figure of Garuda appeared by the window.
“Master, are you really okay?” Garuda asked with concern.
“Ah, just act according to the plan.”
Nagin replied softly without turning around.
In her pitch-black eyes reflected the image of the black-haired, white-skirted beauty in the mirror.
“We must capture that client alive before Tokuan SEMA takes action.”
This was an event not present in the original story of “Star Drifter 2.”
The cause and background motives of the incident were completely unknown.
To prepare for the impending calamity.
All unstable factors must be eliminated as much as possible.
“Once Kanade-kun and I leave Kawano City, we will activate the domain.”
The aquarium as a date location was perfect as even if Tokuan SEMA and the hunters mobilized entirely, it wouldn’t affect her date with Kanade.
Even if she wasn’t there herself.
As long as Garuda brought out the real capabilities, there were no opponents in the current Kawano City that could rival it.
“If it really isn’t possible to take him down before Tokuan SEMA arrives, then just note down his hiding place, and after my date, we can visit him at night.”
Nagin added.
Then she glanced at the time; it was nearly the hour they agreed to meet.
“Master… are you really looking forward to your first date?” Garuda started before ultimately choosing another topic.
“I’m not, I don’t, don’t say that!”
But this truly was Nagin’s first date after living three lives.
She had imagined countless scenarios of dating others.
Yet she never thought that one day she would be dating a boy as the female lead.
“Time is running out, let’s see each other tonight~” Nagin waved her hand before leaving.
“Mm.”
…..
…
【6 hours until the star falls】
