"What are you talking about, Aisha? I was just called to help out, that's all."

"Mm, I know." Dark Aisha nodded obediently, a rare smile on her lips. "Called to help out using another girl's body. I totally get it."

Miles snapped in his mind, 'That doesn't sound like you get it at all!'

'Besides, weren't you the one who loaned me out in the first place?'

Then it struck Miles. "Wait... Aisha, do you actually care about this?"

Ever since she started living in the Millennium Puzzle's room, Dark Aisha hadn't said much to him over the past two days.

She'd either be fiddling with a Deck or reading manga.

This might be the first time she initiated a proper conversation with him.

"...Huh?"

For just an instant, Dark Aisha looked flustered at Miles' question—but only for a moment. She quickly masked it.

"The one who cares... isn't me."

Her tone shifted, suddenly more serious.

"Actually, I've been waiting for you to return so I could tell you something."

"Tell me something?"

"Mm. There was a reaction from a Millennium Item just now at the academy."

"Wha—?!"

That made Miles jump.

"You can sense Millennium Items?"

He glanced at the ahoge twitching atop Dark Aisha's head and curiously grabbed it.

"So this is the radar, huh?"

"It is not! Let go of me!"

Irritated, Dark Aisha kicked Miles in the shin.

Unfortunately for her, soul-state bodies didn't feel pain.

"So if the ahoge isn't the radar, how do you know?"

"Hard to explain. But I'm certain—during your Duel with Kaiser, there was a distinct pulse from the direction of Fusion Academy's library. It was absolutely a Millennium Item."

"You're that sure..."

Seeing how firm she was, Miles turned serious.

Since Dark Aisha had manifested as an independent personality through the Millennium Key, it wasn't unthinkable that she had some special connection to other Millennium Items.

"Aisha, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it, Mr. Miles?"

He told Aisha about the Millennium Item reaction coming from the direction of the library. Since she didn't know about the existence of Dark Aisha in his Soul Room, he worded it carefully to avoid revealing too much.

"Amazing, Mr. Miles! You can sense Millennium Items now? Is it a radar feature?"

She believed him without question, as always trusting him 100%.

"Yeah... you know, people tend to awaken weird abilities at weird times. Totally normal (not normal at all)."

"Well, I was planning to visit the library anyway. I wanted to check if Irena-senpai has recovered from her cold and whether she's on duty."

So off they went toward Fusion Academy's library.

In the end, Millennium Item holders are drawn to each other—if fate decreed it, then this time, he would follow it. Not run from it—but take the initiative. Seek out another Millennium Item holder himself.

"Hehehe, it feels like it's been forever since I came to the library."

Following along of her own accord, Irene stood proudly at the library's front doors, one hand on her hip, the other shading her eyes as she looked up at the building.

"It's true, Ren-chan rarely comes here. A quiet place like this really doesn't suit someone as lively as you."

Ever since they were little, Aisha could count on one hand the times she'd gone to the library with Irene.

Simply put, Irene could never sit still.

Even if she came determined to read or finish homework, within half an hour her butt would get restless like it had wheels.

Eventually, even Irene gave up trying to study in a place where she couldn't even talk.

"Trying once in a while isn't bad. Maybe I've developed enough self-discipline to pull it off."

"Ren-chan, just sitting in a library doesn't count as a great accomplishment."

For now, Aisha didn't tell Irene the real reason they came—to find the Millennium Item holder.

However, as they entered, her gaze constantly swept the room, subtly examining everyone.

Fusion Academy's library wasn't super crowded, but it wasn't empty either.

There were always a few students hanging around who didn't like clubs or wasting time at the dorms or in town.

So for Aisha, most regular library-goers had become familiar faces.

After a quick scan, she didn't see anyone unfamiliar who might be the Millennium Item holder Miles mentioned.

Miles also glanced at Dark Aisha, hoping to confirm again.

This time, Dark Aisha merely averted her gaze and said nothing.

"So... maybe they already left?"

After all, Dark Aisha did say she felt the pulse during the Duel with Deion, and quite some time had passed since then. Even if Millennium Item holders were fated to draw near each other, expecting to meet two in just two days might be pushing it.

Still, Aisha had another goal to fulfill.

She approached the librarian's desk, relieved to see the familiar figure of Irena in her usual seat, witch's hat atop her head.

"Irena-senpai!"

Then—

Suddenly, something seemed off.

The blue-eyed beauty rested her cheek in one hand, appearing to study the book before her—but really, she looked dazed, her expression visibly fatigued.

"Irena-senpai?"

So spaced out that Aisha had to call her twice with no reply.

"Senpai!!"

"Wah!"

Aisha was practically nose-to-nose with her by the time Irena snapped out of it, jolted like she'd been startled.

"Aisha... sorry, I was kind of zoning out."

"You don't look so great. Is your cold from yesterday still lingering? Don't push yourself too hard."

"Cold... Huh? I had a cold?"

Her blue eyes darted briefly before realization dawned.

"Oh, right, right! I totally had a cold! (The excuse she gave Aisha before.) But I'm fully recovered now. Thanks for your concern."

"Really? That's weird. You seem very spaced out today."

Then Aisha brushed aside Irena's silvery bangs and gently pressed her own cool hand to Irena's forehead.

"Not warm. But even if you're better, you still need to rest, senpai."

"Relax, I'm not a kid."

Ding-a-ling—!

Miles, who had given up on finding the Millennium Item holder, abruptly heard it as Aisha's palm made contact with Irena's skin:

The unmistakable sound of wind chimes that accompanied the Millennium Ring.

…

TL: Irene confirmed to have ADHD.

...

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