give it all to miss machima

The other person glanced at Hiiragi Nana's junior high school uniform.

"You're a senior from the junior high school, right?"

"Uh……"

"It's alright, it's alright!"

The other party quickly waved their hand:

"Actually, almost every day curious students sneak up here. Most of them come to pray for blessings or something. Lady Kikyo doesn't mind at all, and even welcomes them quite a bit, as long as you don't get caught by the disciplinary committee."

The cat that had previously stolen Hiiragi Nana's amulet also came over, disdainfully put down its prize, and then walked away arrogantly.

The girl quickly picked up the amulet:

"Don't mind her, Xia Lan is just mischievous sometimes, always playing tricks on new visitors. Eh? Is this a charm made by Lady Kikyo herself? You've been here before?"

Hiiragi Nana shook her head:

"No, it was a gift from my... friend."

"So, this is your first time visiting a shrine?"

A hint of excitement flashed in the other person's eyes.

"You're here to pray for blessings too, right? But Lady Kikyo isn't here right now, so... shall I show you around?"

Looking at the other's expectant eyes and fluffy hair, Hiiragi Nana had a strong urge to pet the cute little animal in front of her.

"Is...it okay?"

"Alright, let's start... Oh, right! My name is Inukai Mitsuru! If it's alright, could you tell me your name?"

"I……"

Hiiragi Nana always felt that she couldn't quite handle this kind of energetic girl.

"My name is Hiiragi Nana... You can call me Nana too."

The girl named Inukai Mitsuru was visibly happier. If the other girl had a tail, it would probably be wagging it fast right now.

"Then...we're friends now, Nana!"

"And so... the gears of fate began to turn..."

"Under the intervention of a great being, two girls who were destined to meet embark on an intertwined life in a unique way..."

What changes will occur in their stories? And what will be their ultimate fate?

Let's...wait and see~

As the two walked away hand in hand, Machima, lying on Kikyo's lap on the wooden floor on the other side of the courtyard, watched this scene with a smile.

Kikyo, standing to the side, looked bewildered. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke:

“I understand the situation with Inukai Mitsu, and I’m glad you sent her to me. But… is there anything special about the other child?”

"Well...who knows?"

Machima stroked Haruaki, who was standing next to her. It was Haruaki who maintained the illusion that the two of them were so close, yet Hiiragi Nana couldn't see them.

"Mitsuru Inukai is a very kind child, so don't do anything bad."

Kikyo glanced at Machima with some unease.

The latter shrugged:

"Don't worry, I just want to see... whether the two of them can still spark any chemistry. This is just one of the many little pleasures I seek."

Chapter 255, Full Moon Arc, Initiated!

The appearance of Inukai Mitsu was undoubtedly a deliberate arrangement by Machima.

After learning that there was a girl named Hiiragi Nana, Makima knew that there was probably another one named Inukai Mitsuru as well.

After all, it was an anime series that she had watched in her previous life and that was considered "heartwarming," so compared to other anime series, her memory of the plot and the characters was still somewhat vague.

So she slapped her forehead and immediately put into action the "Human Innovation Council" that she had casually set up a long time ago. They mobilized their forces and, like searching for a needle in a haystack, found the girl throughout Japan.

This impressive-sounding organization has actually been almost forgotten by Machima in the past two years—its original purpose was to select talented children from all over the world, provide them with intensive training, and then send them to Machima for her control, thereby enhancing Machima in all aspects.

But plans can't keep up with changes. The various demons and monsters that appeared later, especially during the Warring States period, meant that Machima's strength had already reached the level of a natural disaster, and she no longer cared about the meager talents of these mortals.

As a result, the organization that originally selected talents for Machima has completely transformed into a non-governmental organization similar to an "educational charity foundation," and has cooperative relationships with many elite schools, including Tokiwadai.

Interestingly, precisely because this structure is not a formal organization with official backing and vertical management by Machima, it operates quite well—funded by sponsorships from various conglomerates, and almost all staff members are now completely unaware of its existence. Therefore, after coming to the attention of the CIA and FBI, after a brief period of suspicion and investigation, Yu was ruled out as a subject of investigation.

Inukai Mitsuru's family was fairly well-off, but the conditions offered by the "Human Innovation Council" were also excellent. After a series of operations and arrangements, he was assigned by Makima to be Kikyo's apprentice shrine maiden—once the apprenticeship was over, he could go to Tokiwadai at the foot of the mountain to enroll in school.

As for the other characters in the original story, Makima didn't find any clues—mainly because she couldn't remember the others at all, only the girl with short blonde hair who died in Hiiragi Nana's arms and had a gentle personality like a puppy.

As a kind and benevolent person, Machima naturally had to intervene.

This time, I still want to see the pink-haired girl pounding the ground and crying!

Kikyo, seeing Machima grinning mischievously again, grabbed her ear in annoyance.

"You are not allowed to do bad things."

"Then let's do something good!"

Machima turned around and pinned Kikyo down.

"I went to the Sengoku period a while ago. The power of the Bone-Eater's Well seems a bit unstable for some reason. But Kagome has completely decided to spend the rest of her life in the Sengoku period with that idiot Inuyasha. Her family supports her decision. I think they might even be pregnant already... When should we..."

"What...what nonsense are you talking about!"

Kikyo's face flushed slightly, and she quickly turned her head away to avoid Machima's gaze.

"Putting aside the fact that we're both women, and... this clay body is simply impossible, isn't it? You clearly know that..."

Machima's originally smug look suddenly became more complicated when Kikyo said those words.

Even with such immense power... she still hasn't found a way to fully revive Kikyo—the matter involves the soul, and it's not something Makima can solve by simply creating a few bodies.

Moreover, she also understood that Kikyo's tolerance for her, even to the point of allowing her to have affairs while maintaining a stable home life, stemmed from a different kind of emotion.

Because Kikyo never considered herself a living being who should pursue her own happiness. Her companionship with Machima was more out of a sense of responsibility, her helplessness at being unable to live or die, and Machima's shameless and persistent pestering...

I'll find a way to revive you sooner or later, Kikyo...

then……

Machima lowered her head and gently bit Kikyo's lips, but after tasting them, she didn't go any further. Instead, she hugged Kikyo tightly like a clingy cat.

If no new opportunities arise in the next few years... then it's time to...

While Machima and Kikyo were enjoying their wonderful time...

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department

"So... all the remaining programs and data related to the Cocoon were taken away by the CIA?"

"Yes……"

Inspector Megure nodded, looking apologetically at Professor Agasa and the two small figures beside him.

"Because it involves too many people and dangerous international terrorists, the entire Metropolitan Police Department has no authority to intervene in that incident. Only the Japanese Public Security Bureau is qualified to participate."

"I see. Thank you very much, Inspector Megure."

As key figures deeply involved in that shocking kidnapping case, Conan, Ai, and others were repeatedly questioned by the Metropolitan Police Department about the details of that period. But now it seems that the case has come to an end.

However, this also means that even if the CIA has a way to repair the remaining data of the AI ​​Reese, it is not something Ai can access—the latter has been paying attention to the data repair of Reese, but the Metropolitan Police Department is powerless to do anything about it this time.

The three of them slowly walked out of the building and headed to the parking lot.

Conan held his head and sighed.

"So... the trail has gone cold again. Of course, if even an organization like the CIA can't find anything, I don't think we'll gain anything even if we get the remaining data."

He looked at Ai, who was standing silently to the side.

"Speaking of which, why are you so certain that Kwanghee and Machima have a significant relationship?"

Ai gritted her teeth.

—Of course, it's because there was no Kwanghee from beginning to end, only that bastard Machima!

However... for some reason she herself couldn't explain, Ai didn't tell Conan this important information.

Once Machima is involved, everything gets weird.

Moreover, Machima is far more dangerous than the organization, so for an idiot like Kudo, the best thing to do is never get involved with her.

But... Ai must admit that it's all too late. Putting everything else aside, her hope of seeing her sister now rests entirely on Ran's side.

Hey, you silly sister, why don't you go check on Xiaolan? Are you really hopelessly addicted to Machima's charms?

Conan looked at Ai, who was still silent, and couldn't help but feel a little worried.

"Haibara...you haven't looked well these past few days. Don't think too much about it for now, just get some rest."

It would be strange if it didn't get better.

With no news of her sister for a long time, and with Reise's demise seemingly a foregone conclusion, Ai is now experiencing incredibly bizarre dreams every night under immense anxiety and pressure.

For example, she dreamed that her sister had completely transformed into Machima's pet, found her wearing a collar and cat ears, and wanted to become Machima's pet with her again...

She also dreamt that the AI, Raise, was repaired, but it no longer remembered her. After the two of them finally became friends with Raise again, in the blink of an eye, it turned out that Raise was actually Machima in disguise...

Or perhaps, she never found any news of Makima or her sister again, and continued living as Ai Haibara until she finally faced reality and forgot the name Shiho Miyano...

There were many other strange dreams...

With her sleep so terrible, Ai felt that she was indeed feeling a bit unwell lately...

Or, let's make an appointment at a hospital or clinic another day when we have some free time...

The three of them got into the doctor's Beetle and left the Metropolitan Police Department's parking lot.

Unbeknownst to them, in a corner of the parking lot, in the driver's seat of a Chevrolet C-1500, Shuichi Akai was keeping a close eye on Ai Haibara, one of the three.

It's so similar, so incredibly similar.

During that cyber kidnapping case that shocked all of Japan, he noticed that Ai and her girlfriend Akemi Miyano looked somewhat similar when they were young.

Moreover, the other party is also very close to that kid named Conan Edogawa.

And that brat is staying at Ran Mouri's house... Ran Mouri, on the other hand, was involved in his operation to capture Vermouth in New York, and Vermouth has now disguised herself and entered the school Ran Mouri attends...

Too many coincidences...

With so many coincidences coming together, it can't be a coincidence.

Shuichi Akai felt he was about to uncover the truth.

Chapter 256 An Unexpected Reunion

2-22, Yoneka-cho

"The egg drop porridge is ready!"

Wearing an apron and carrying a tray, Xiaolan came to Xiao Ai's bedside.

But looking at Ai, who was nestled in bed and not making a sound, she couldn't help but tilt her head:

"Sigh, this child... has fallen asleep again?"

The professor, who was standing nearby, walked over and scratched his head. "That's strange... he was awake just now..."

Ran didn't think much of it: "Then I'll leave it here for now. Conan, after she wakes up and finishes eating, remember to ask her how it tastes! I have an appointment with Sonoko, so I'll be going now!"

Watching Ran leave, Conan, with a forced smile, could only wave and say, "Goodbye, Ran-neechan~"

After the other person had completely left, he glared at the motionless Ai with annoyance:

"Hey, hey, what's going on? Xiaolan heard you weren't feeling well and kindly came to cook you porridge..."

Ai Haibara sat up and looked at Conan expressionlessly: "I'm not very good at dealing with enthusiastic people like her, you should know that."

and……

Xiao Lan looks so much like her...

She's so much like her older sister, Akemi Miyano—that gentle, kind nature towards everyone…

With nothing to do, the two, each lost in their own thoughts, spent their time in the living room. Ai started reading fashion magazines, while Conan turned on the TV.