Editing BlazBlue:Phase Shift 2 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 1===

Before they noticed, the sun had sunk into the western sea. The lights in Ishana's city started to flicker on, triggered by magic in the twilight.

When the sun had almost set, the change from noon to night on this island happened almost instantly. Disrobing from its cloak of sun, the wind dressed itself in night and ran through the town as if on a whim.

While hearing the happy sound of the door chime, Celica stepped out from a familiar coffee shop. The cold wind caressed her cheeks. As she viewed the western sky that was tinged with pink, Celica sighed while seemingly looking sad.

It had been while since she'd had such a thrilling tea time like today.

Earlier before, Trinity slowly stood up and started to talk while smiling as her irritation manifest itself. Celica had hoped someone would stop her. She wondered what would happen if someone had tried. Since she had personally experienced Trinity's anger... Celica didn’t think she could have stopped her.

"...indeed. The world is brimming with sad events. There is sorrow from being unable to stand up against threats, and also from inescapable destiny. But is it really just in the human's mind? Even when people, even when fellow people take each other's hands, share their grief, and rejoice together, their minds are able to drown in the distant sea of deep sorrow. Aah, that in itself is such a sad thing. Do we just, without thinking much about it, just think 'The world is full of sadness, if at least one person is made happy, it's good'? The reason of why people pray in the first place is to..."

There was one thing people couldn't forgive and one thing people had to endure no matter what. Starting from that topic, Trinity's lecture moved to why people get angry and sad before finally changing to her personal opinion about how sadness was born.

It wasn't clear what route she took as it subtly developed into religious studies before finally ending in some kind of dissertation. ...No one really remembered how it went anymore.

But the overwhelming amount of words and confusingly fast pace held the power to completely blow the listener's train of thought within ten minutes. They shouldn't wade in deeper than that. That kind of thought was currently brewing in Celica's mind.

Now, while feeling the cool night wind in front of the coffee shop, although she only briefly recalled what happened just before, the inside of Celica's mind was bubbling and made her fall into a deluded state.

As the door chime rang again, Nine, Jubei, and Trinity exited the store. At the end of the procession was Terumi. Fed up, he hunched his thin shoulders.

It wasn't just Celica and Terumi. It being his first experience, Jubei was shocked. Also Nine even though she had grown more accustomed to it than everyone else. She could only made a stiff smile given her exhaustion.

"I'm truly sorry, everyone~. It happened again... but at least we've finally had tea together~."

The only person who didn't show any signs of fatigue, Trinity, lowered her eyebrows in shame. She wrapped up both of her cheeks in her hands and dropped her shoulders.

Although Celica wore a bitter smile, she waved her hand to say it was okay.

"Don't take it to heart. It was my fault to begin with."

"No, please don't be mistaken~. I wasn't angry because you stood up, or because Jubei-san's feet hit the table. That was just an accident. Rather, I'm worried that the two of you may have hurt yourself~."

"A, ahaha. I'm okay, I'm okay. Despite the loud noise, it wasn't painful at all."

Yes, Trinity didn't get furious because the table was shaken or because Nine spilled her coffee.

She genuinely had lost control of herself simply because her glasses were stained.

They were only glasses, but they were Trinity's glasses. Because she lost herself over a single item that was nothing but a trifle ornament for most people, Trinity's wrath was frightening... or so Celica thought.

"Is it truly okay?"

It seemed she became worried when she recalled it. Trinity's apology had a different kind of worry as her eyes looked at Celica's feet.

When her wrath lessened, Trinity returned to her usual gentle and slow self. Nonchalantly throwing away the fear and fatigue that had been present until now, Celica smiled cheerfully.

"Yup! Look, there's no wound!"

While saying that, Celica lifted her skirt to show her unharmed thighs. Nine instantly slapped Celica's hands. A sharp noise rang out.

"What have you done!? What are you going to do if you catch the attention of some lecherous men passing by!? Consider your vulnerability and cuteness more!!"

"Ouchie~. You don't have to hit me. I wasn't particularly showing my undies or anything."

"Undies!? ...Excuse me, every living man in the world is just a creature obsessed with indecent fantasies from the time they were a brat. They’re a lump of wild lust and perverted thoughts. Because your fair skin robs the eyes of those near you, you're surrounded by many shameless fantasies... Aah, it's disgusting to even think about it. Listen, watch out the next time you do something thoughtless. I'll make sure none of the passing men are able to feel lust any more!"

"...Ain't your head itself got quite a few of those shameless fantasies?"

Terumi muttered at a spot several steps away. With force enough to dishevel her hair, Nine turned about. Her high heels clattered toward him. Quick as a flash, Nine kicked Terumi's stomach with the tip of her toe without hesitation.

"Gueh!"

"I have to find way to make men lose their function as a man. Should I practice on your body?"

"...I'm...against...violence."

Holding his stomach with both hands, Terumi crumpled and fell, starting from the knees. His groan could still be heard as he sunk to the floor.

Flustered, Trinity rushed over. Terumi responded by whispering something to the anxious Trinity. However, Celica and Nine didn't hear what he said.

"Well, time for me to go."

As the passing twilight wind rustled his whiskers, Jubei looked at each of them as he spoke.

Nine raised her face and tucked back the hair that was flowing on its own.

"Oh, already?"

"I've been requested to investigate more of Eastern Europe. Incidentally, there seems to be some information circulatin' in Ishana. I'm goin' lookin' for it."

"I see. Get in touch if something happens."

With the face of the commander of operation against the Black Beast, but also the face of a young lady, Nine sent off Jubei with a smile.

"Later," said Jubei as he turned back. Celica also frantically waved him off.

"Take care!"

His two tails swayed at his back as if returning the gesture.

As Jubei vanished around the street corner, the presence of the surrounding night became even more intense. When Celica looked up at the sky, distant stars started to blink.

"I should return home soon. Are you and the others still having a meeting later, Onee-chan?"

Celica linked her hands behind her back as she asked the question.

Trinity, who was lending a hand to Terumi as he got up, gently shook her head.

"The meeting is already over. And since I have heaps of documents to write, I'll be taking my leave for tonight."

"I'm gonna go home too. I have an assignment given by that hysterical woman."

No sooner after he spoke, the hem of his long coat swept past. Rough footsteps hit the stone pavement as Terumi walked away. He was heading to a housing complex managed by the Mage's Guild. Because of the Mind Eater, the scope of Terumi's ability to act alone was limited. The complex was also where he spent most of his time by himself.

While pinning down her hood so it wouldn't get blown by the strong wind, Trinity gracefully smiled and went on her way after exchanging farewells.

Standing on tiptoe, Celica waved her hand to her older sister's close friend. After the fairy-tale like figure faded from sight, Celica turned to Nine.

"Then let's go, Onee-chan. Ah, do you have to go back to the guild?"

"No, I'll return home. ...But Celica, can I have a moment?"

With a peaceful smile, Nine asked Celica while walking as if urging her to return home.

After catching up to her, Celica looked to her sister. It was rare for Nine to speak like that.

"Okay. But what is it? Is something wrong?"

The footsteps of both Celica's leather shoes and Nine's high heels beat the same rhythm as they hit the stone pavement.

Even without the fast pace, Nine's glossy hair drew a beautiful and gentle waves from the petty wind.

"I have something I want you to see."

"Something for me to see... Is it a present?"

Half hoping and half joking, Celica's eyes were gleaming. Nine narrowed her eyes gently at her.

"I'll tell you more later. Anyway, we should get back home... Come to my workshop."

The informed words made Celica unintentionally stumble before stopping. She couldn't quite breathe out the air she had involuntarily swallowed.

Nine's workshop. A place where none was permitted to tread with the exception of Nine herself.