Well things were certainly getting lively here. First the appearance of Ikkime’s new friend and his rather…colorful grandfather. Yes, Shiina had known the man for some time due to his regular visits in the café along with his more “unique” antics regarding their staff. And then Yamato came in with battle plans already drawn out for all of them.

Shiina nodded to him when he mentioned that she would be accompanying him in patrolling the city for Edward Harker. She had worked with Yamato before and so knew she could rely on him and his hamsters to make sure there were no unneeded casualties. 

[color=ed1c24]“We can start as early as tonight,”[/color] Shiina told him, carrying a fresh cup of tea in one hand and a bowel of water in the other for his hamsters. [color=ed1c24]“Eos can run the café in my absence. Now all we need to do is inform the others once they arrive.”[/color]

Speaking of Eos, the vampire raised an eye at the robot’s request. Keeping Rikka around until she could be helped? It was usually quite difficult, if not impossible in bringing a lingering spirit peace and helping them pass onto the next world. But she didn’t want to discourage the Electric Princess in her task so she refrained from voicing those objective facts aloud.

[color=ed1c24]“Of course you can,”[/color] Shiina replied with a smile to both girls. [color=ed1c24]“There’s a spare room next to the one Mistress Eiko was spending in last night and there’s always the room in the back as well. Please, take all the time you need.”[/color]

Shiina bowed to them both before making her way back to the counter and towards Ikkime, Amiti, and Mori. Upon closer thought, did anyone even know where Shiina lived at all? Some say she finds residence within the café itself, which would explain the spare room in the very back along with the fact that she was always the first to arrive and the last to close down.

Maybe, but rumors and speculation were always the norm regarding the vampire and this was merely one of them. Chuckling to herself, she stood to address Ikkime while bowing to Eiko and keeping an eye on Mori.

[color=ed1c24]“I hope you rested well last night young Mistress. Please, feel free to spend as much time here until you can find a new residence in this world,”[/color] she told Eiko before turning to Ikkime. [color=ed1c24]“I hope he’s not causing too much trouble for you,”[/color] she said in an amused tone, referring to Mori-

What was that?

The vampire’s eyes shifted over to the café’s front window, narrowing into slits. Nothing. Nothing was there. She blinked once before her eyes returned to the normal. Her mind was lost on the conversation present right now as she tried to consider what exactly it was that she had sensed.

She could have sworn she saw something, maybe a flash of color. But of what color, she did not know. Furthermore, she felt someone new for a brief moment and that was the most concerning observation. For someone to evade Shiina’s detection…they had to be incredibly strong or unpredictable.

Or both.