SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT

She was afraid—terrified, even. She was scared—terribly scared, but she didn't know of what. That was the worst part. If it were an enemy, she would fight; that wouldn't be a big problem. But at this point, there was no such thing. It was more like something isn't right. And if things continue the way they are, she will forget that fear and lose it. But how strange—it's not common for someone to fear losing the feeling of fear.

This feeling began the first time she felt the tremors in her soul. They started shortly after the battle with Ialda. Yukihime attributed it to being part of the aftermath of the battle and a strong impression that originated from the fear of losing everything she had worked so hard to obtain. Soon after, she noticed that the tremors became less frequent, and everything felt as if it should be that way. The problem was with that "should be." For a vampire who had lived an incalculable number of years, things were no longer perceived as a subjective "should be" but were accepted from a broader perspective, and this was not how it should be.

Why did she feel it? Was it dangerous? But she felt that nothing mattered, whatever it was and its reason. All she knew was that it was very important.

After 5 months since Ialda's destruction, these tremors decreased in intensity to the point where they might never return.

A week after confirming Kagurazaka's pregnancy, they disappeared completely. And that was the reason why she was so scared. She didn't want to let them go. They were there to warn her of something, and she would lose it if she continued to ignore it. It would never return; she would never know what it was, how important it was, the void it would leave. She reached that conclusion. As long as the tremors continued, she could still regain whatever it was. So, she was scared of losing it—first of having it and now of losing it.

- "I'm sorry, teacher. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Deciding to ask her student, Yukihime told him the story of when the tremors appeared, how they gradually weakened, and she believed last week was the last time. But she didn't tell him anything else; her concerns and fears were something the proud immortal mage wouldn't casually disclose.

- "But listening to what you told me, it seems to be just an aftermath of the battle. As for whether I've felt anything similar to yours—well, no. You should ignore it for now. If that was the last one you think you felt, then it's okay. Besides, they were so mild that they barely felt like touches. It shouldn't be something that will harm you. We can do some studies..."

- "It's not necessary, Boya. I'll be fine. I just came to ask you to know your opinion, that's all."

Without waiting for Negi to finish speaking, Yukihime stood up and left.

- (The teacher seems quite affected by this issue. I don't think she told me everything on her mind, but still, to be so affected...)

Walking along the beach outside the facilities, Yukihime spotted a small pier, walked towards it, and sat down to watch the sunset. A fiery red sky—not of explosions, not of magical chants, not of blood or violence. This was a red of peace, beauty, a poetic red that said something has to end for something entirely new to begin. The end of a day to make way for tomorrow—that's what it said, plunging her into her thoughts, leading her into a trance. People long for tomorrow, seek the future, but not her. She didn't want this to end because once the future arrives, there's no turning back.

She continued with her fears...

- "I've come this far... ahhh well, I've decided. Whatever it is, however it is, I'll find it."

- "I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

The voluptuous figure that had been watching Yukihime all this time from the rooftop of a nearby building finally decided to reveal herself.

- "You?! Dana Ananga Jagannatha?!"