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It did not take long for Hotaru to find two of her club-mates. Apparently they were running an errand of some sort, so she brightened up when they approached, only for both Suki and Kiyo pass her by.

In that moment, she felt as though she had turned into an ancient statue of salt. Her legs rooted in place as though ancient vines had encircled them. Her head felt as though it had been assailed by countless picks attempting to liberate the riches from inside the protective shell. The only thing she could think was why they had not noticed her. Sure, she looked different, but Kiyo-! She was supposed to know! She was the all-seeing eye!

With an audible stomp, she turned around and grabbed both of them by the collar of their school uniforms.

[color=#D8CD9F]”Good morning to you two!”[/color] The forced cheer in her voice could not be mistaken. [color=#D8CD9F]”I guess it’s difficult to recognise someone after they had a makeover, huh?”[/color] She let go of their collars and pranced in front of them with a smile, channeling the energy Kiyo knew her for so she could see the girl behind the presumably unknown face. At least she still [i]resembled[/i] Takae Shuuko - but she seemed more like a sibling than the ‘high priestess’ Kiyo knew.

[color=#D8CD9F]”No hard feelings, though. I…”[/color] She blinked. Huh. Maybe it [i]would[/i] be interesting to also hear what Suki had to say on matters of the heart. Surely, she had plenty of experience, right? [color=#D8CD9F]”Actually, I guess I could use some advice from both of you.”[/color] She crossed her ams and flashed a grin at her two club-mates. 

[hr]

Ember had tried everything in her power to get through to Sylvia. She pleaded, she remained honest, she even told the protector she was worried, but the facade, along with hints of the old bitch remained. Something severe had to have happened to her. She needed to find out what- she needed to call on the club as a whole to ask them about it. She only had to figure out how. Maybe she could fake a magic injury? That would be painful, but it could work.

And then came the umpteenth surprise of the day. Namely, that when they entered the school and Ember approached a teacher for guidance, they were told to report to different classes.

Sylvia went along with it. Ember tried to get her to stay and investigate what was going on, but the protector shook her head with that creepy smile of hers and said she did not want to be late for the second class of the day. Which made sense, but it made it so much harder to live up to her promise. But instead of playing model student, Ember decided she would play hooky for once to watch over the protector. Because something was not right. And she would be damned if she let Sylvia be hurt again.

Yet not even she could have been prepared for the sight in front of them. Namely, Ryoba Hananami being lifted into marshmallow heaven by what could only be described as a scarlet-haired bombshell.
Sylvia walked by, seemingly without any comment. Ember, however, could barely get her jaws off the floor, because the situation was unmistakable as far as she was concerned.

[hr]

Rooftop Takae Shuuko winced as she closed her eyes and took a peek at the various situations unfolding around the others. Would she have to interfere…?