Sajyou Manaka is Siscon

"Pleased to meet you for the first time, Natsukawa Naoki. I am Sajyou Manaka of this world."

"My little sister, and my other self, have caused you much trouble. And my creation just now has brought you a lot of problems and difficulties. Please forgive me."

As soon as [Manaka] spoke, Naoki was stunned. After pinching himself slightly to ensure he wasn't dreaming—

(Are you sure this is your other self? Someone with such a gentle, ladylike aura is really you?)

Did Manaka have a personality like this?

Inside Naoki's body, Manaka, suddenly mocked like that, glared at him irritably.

[If you weren't so cynical toward me, I could occasionally talk to you like this too. For the Prince's sake, I've systematically studied palace etiquette.]

(Why don't I believe you?)

"I have indeed studied palace etiquette. If the situation allows, I could even show you a court dance." [Manaka] in the real world said with a faint smile. "Sorry, since we're both me, our consciousnesses can share to some extent. I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation. If I've offended—"

"Stop!"

Naoki hurriedly cut off her apology.

"Look… if I may, please don't be too polite—it's not that politeness is bad, but I'm used to trading jabs with your other self. Being treated so kindly and politely all of a sudden makes my skin crawl…"

It felt like Merry suddenly acting genuinely sweet and earnest toward Naoki one day.

[Is your impression of me too skewed by subjective bias? Didn't you start it by acting that way toward me?]

"Think about it—weren't you the one who tortured me first?"

"Hmm… I see. So, because your initial interactions were unpleasant, it led to your current strained relationship?"

Through their shared consciousness, [Manaka] learned about Naoki's relationship with her other self. She then crossed her hands in front of her stomach and gave a slight bow: "I apologize for the cruelty my other self inflicted on you, Natsukawa-kun. Though an apology won't change your experiences, if you need compensation—"

"I said, please don't be so polite! I'm getting goosebumps! Ayaka, was your sister always like this?"

"Huh? Oh… yes."

Snapped out of her daze, Ayaka nodded quickly: "My sister was always very gentle. More than a sister, she felt like a mother. Sometimes, she even gave off a saintly vibe…"

"That's a bit much, Ayaka. I'm not that great, just trying to interact with everyone calmly."

"That's already pretty excessive…" Naoki couldn't help but sigh. "So, showing up in front of me out of the blue—what's your business?"

His tone turned brusque.

Though surprised that [Manaka] was such a gentle, kind girl, Naoki didn't forget that he was likely trapped in Tokyo because of her, and [his other self] was her creation, along with Manaka.

Kill him—the order to [Naoki] came from [Manaka].

Despite her current display of goodwill, there was no guarantee she didn't have ulterior motives.

Still smiling, [Manaka] replied: "Just to stop you two from continuing your fight. Though you both might end up fine, Ayaka doesn't have your strength. It wouldn't be good if she got hurt by accident."

"Also, I'm sorry, Ayaka. Tonight has put you through so much. It's my fault for not keeping my belongings secure, nearly getting you hurt."

"I'm fine, Sister. And Naoki's been protecting me the whole time."

"Yes, I know, which is why I also want to thank Natsukawa-kun. If you hadn't protected Ayaka, I wouldn't have come to meet you."

(Something's off.)

Though [Manaka]'s words sounded perfectly normal—appearing just to thank him for protecting her sister—Naoki couldn't shake the feeling there was another meaning behind them. She wasn't here solely to express gratitude.

And it wasn't a misunderstanding; Naoki clearly sensed her tone briefly shift to resemble the Manaka inside him.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Ayaka." [Manaka] looked at Ayaka, "over these past eight years, have you been happy living in Tokyo?"

"Hmm… Happy… I guess you could say that. Though I was a bit lonely after you and Father passed away, thankfully, I met Ciel-senpai a few years ago, and now I've met Naoki too."

"I see, that's good. It means my efforts were worthwhile. Ayaka, your happiness is worth more than anything."

Like a child praised by her parents for earning an award, [Manaka]'s smile turned joyful.

"Then, in the future, I'll have to try even harder. Not just in Tokyo, I'll make sure Ayaka stays happy wherever she goes. A smiling Ayaka is the best Ayaka."

"Uh… Sister, this… are you praising me?" Ayaka suddenly couldn't grasp her sister's intent. It sounded like she was happy Ayaka was doing well, but her Magus instincts told her something was off with her sister's words.

At that moment, Naoki, who had been silent, seemed to realize something and let out a long sigh: "Haaa… So that's how it is? As expected of you, Sajyou Manaka. That familiar feeling's back."

"Naoki?"

Confused, Ayaka looked at Naoki, who seemed to be talking to himself, and couldn't help asking: "What's… what's wrong? Why do I feel like you and Sister are similar…"

"Your sister really loves you, Ayaka. Her love is so intense, I almost feel sorry for you—but sorry, Manaka, I can't let what you're planning continue."

"Stop me? The current you can't do that. The old you might've had a chance. You can't even defeat your other self, let alone stop me." Manaka said, no longer smiling. "I won't do anything to you either. You protected Ayaka, so I can promise you, I won't harm you. I can also retract my intent to kill you."

"Well, thanks for your generosity."

"W-Wait a second, Sister, Naoki, what are you two talking about? What's being stopped… Is Sister planning something dangerous?"

"Not for you, but for this world, yes."

"Your sister, to ensure her little sister can live happily every day, is preparing to rewrite this world."