<Nocturnal Harmonia>

Unfairness was the name of the game, as Yugi saw it. He was here to win by whatever means necessary, his prize of choice being a harem beyond what even existed in fiction. The Players had the Shadow Army. It was only right that they double-down on establishing the kingdom that army should serve. Actually... that sort of thought brought Yugi to another. What was the point of an army at their command, and concubines and the like surrounding them, if the army only served the monarchs? It didn't make any sense. As such, Yugi found himself focusing on Shutara's shadow around the time she was taking that picture. One Shadow Infantry was taken from the Players' shared storage as it slipped into another shadow by his will. 'Huh. That's fucking broken,' he thought before addressing Shutara's flight that apparently couldn't be missed. "Well catch your flight, if you want to be boring and miss the first night of onsen. You said your group is coming back early though, didn't you? I'm guessing that includes you. So here..." Pausing there, Yugi produced one of the extra System Smartphones he'd purchased to offer the young woman. "If a picture involves me, it goes to this. Nobody sees it, or there are going to be a lot of problems. We're in a weird, technical renegade situation."

Daikichi Hiruko, Vice-Chairman of the Japanese Hunters Association, was an extravagant man. He reserved the right to be dramatic in these moments around Makima, particularly as it involved a certain few people. "I needed her to look into something for me too. I wanted to go for a joyride in the new Lamborghini, and I told her I wouldn't buy it until she could come with me~" Hiruko stated, playfully pouty about the missing woman. Well, there was nothing to be done about it now, and he wasn't going to have Gojo Satoru as his temporary assistant; they wouldn't actually get anything done together. As such, one Miwa Kasumi became his target. Without even knowing what Gojo's job truly entailed, the blue-haired woman believed she wasn't qualified. Hiruko disagreed. A quick once-over was given, and he decided she was plenty acceptable. "You're not underqualified at all, Asucchi. Torucchi doesn't know what his actual job is either," he asserted, only for Gojo to look proud about the claim. "The only job I know is getting money and fu─" No, Hiruko thought, interrupting right there. "See? No earthly idea. Just do what I say, when I say. Everything will be fine. There shouldn't be anything major happening either, so for the most part... just sit there, look pretty, and keep me company. You can easily do that for me, right, Asucchi?♥~"

The Players were indeed inherently unfair. But that didn't mean they wouldn't be having fun. They would be taking on new conquests and going on about their day with each being happy about their next conquest. No matter, but what did matter was apparently the idea that Shadows didn't have to exist just in the shadow of the Monarchs. Miko's eyes and ears were trained, she saw the movement of that shadow from their collective into Shutara's Shadow. 'That is beyond fucking broken!' she looked up at Yugi flabbergasted. Whatever the case Shutara was to go and catch her flight and be boring, but she accepted it even as she put down her other one and looked it over. "This is so weird. But I can respect it. Anything to keep everyone safe. If you need to leave the country sometime, just hop out with us~" she offered freely knowing that such an extension would be offered for Miko's sake regardless. And taking into consideration the oddity surrounding her parents she'd log that away as a potential necessity. No matter, those pictures ere taken on her new device which apparently already had both the Players' phone numbers. "I have questions I'm not sure I want the answer to... so I'll move on and ask when we have more time..." Shutara mentioned. "I sat your songwriting book on the piano when I got here. You left it over a year ago... and while someone didn't read it. I did, and you should record that one~" she said with a smile. "Also... a warning," she looked at Miko directly. "Be very careful when you see him next. He hasn't been in a good place for a while now... so much so that Mitty seems like the emotionally stable one," Shutara told Miko. That girl's brows furrowed immediately, "He did seem a bit mad when I called him, but I didn't think it'd be that bad. Oh and could you apologize to his PA for me. It sounded like he might have been scared out of skin when he said my nickname," Miko added sheepishly. "Yeah, that's something you'll have to talk to him about... but I'm sure you could figure it out on your own, if you thought about it a bit~ I'll chat up the PA as well~" she offered the girl a smile and a more platonic hug with a few pats to her back. Her regular alarm going off again, as she headed for the door of he music room. "I will be back soon, we should hang then? If the onsen thing doesn't hit... I'll take you somewhere so much cooler. Let you finally take advantage of being famous~ Secretly of course~" she added with a wink. "One more thing~" Shutara said, she'd use the strings to lift the lid of that piano, showing Yugi that perfectly inlaid mural of a slightly younger Dreameater staring off into the clouds. "WAAAH♪!~" Of course this was done only so he would understand how much the girl didn't see the forest for the trees. Miko hopped back to close the lid while Shutara slipped off cackling like she'd done something hilarious. "Thanks for letting me drop by. I really do have a flight to catch though. I'll hook you two up with those concert tickets though, just tell her when you're up for one~" Shutara claimed as she headed for the door, two phones on her person and a whole lot of new information to share with a very specific target.

Meanwhile, Makima was left to be amused by likely her most extravagant pet, while he whined about a different one being missing. "As if you need an excuse like that to buy a new car, and help her skip out on curfew," Makima said with a casual eye roll. Still, she often allowed quite a few antics on the parts of her favorites. At the same time, Miwa Kasumi was being sweet-talked into a job she knew she didn't deserve. Daikichi Hiruko was the kind of man who could make any girl feel way more important than she ever did. Kasumi knew she was an 'average' person at best, C-ranked Mana and all... but here and now, he made it sound like she was the best suited for the job of keeping him company. He'd even pointed out that Gojo's job was basically taskless personal assistant. Though that did come with a hiccup or two that had the girl peeking at Gojo sheepishly. But soon enough her attention was back on Hiruko and she was blushing furiously and bowing again. "Well, I mean... if that's all it is. I can't really say no. I'll do my best!" she affirmed. What was keeping a Vice-Chairperson doing paperwork company and being paid for it? Nothing really and so her new duties were assigned and settled. "Hm, that took even less time than normal~" Makima observed almost absent-mindedly. Given how easily the girl caved, she wondered what kind of scene she'd walk back into when she was done dealing with her newest pets.

A few notes were exchanged between Shutara and Miko regarding the man whose attentions the latter obviously overlooked. Yugi already thought that would be an interesting reunion, but now... he thought it might be a bit tenuous as well. No matter. That was a massive personal situation he had nothing to do with currently, so he looked over it completely. What he couldn't overlook, was Shutara's effort to flip the lid of Miko's special, overpriced piano to reveal an image of Dreameater from some time ago. Miko freaked out as anyone might expect her to. Shutara found much amusement in her own antics, which Yugi agreed to... but beyond that, he thought to comment on the mural itself ─ specifically while using Ruler's Hand to lift the lid again for another look. "That's actually really good," he stated. Ah, but with Shutara taking her leave, Yugi was content to reequip his pants and put another rush on the onsen trip. At some point during said rush, he had something else to say. "Oh, Sensei agreed to a house call. Gotta make up for that threesome that didn't happen. Twice."

In that same time, Hiruko managed to get himself a temporary personal assistant. He needed no such thing to perform his duties as acting chairman, but much like Makima, he desired companionship and... some occasional entertainment. Kasumi wasn't going to keep denying the idea. Surely she'd be doing anything but, whenever a few more things about her 'job' became clear. "Of course that's all. You'll do fine. And agreeing without too much hassle? That's a good look~" he declared. Makima thought the whole ordeal of getting Kasumi onboard was even quicker than normal. "Of course. You want that vacation, right? Go on. We'll take care of things just fine while you're gone. Just send word if there's anything extra you need~" he told the chairwoman. By then, she would indeed have a message from Kaito about the onsen. This is the only onsen Shirogane Miyuki has appearing on his statement. The timeframe is consistently a follow-up to every successful Raid he signs to. Pricey but on the lower end. Fancy enough. You have the top private suite, patio and such.

Miko currently had no placement for understanding the kind of danger she was walking into when it came to Dreameater. As far as she knew they were friends, musical soulmates who had a fundamental disagreement about the nature of music. Still, she didn't imagine him being in such a bad way. She'd be careful for his sake, she didn't want to cause any harm, she never wanted that. A cackling Shutara was about how the young woman always left, it was a part of the rhythm of the relationship between Miko and her big sister type friend. She didn't even take it personally, aside from being very embarrassed about her painting magnum opus being shown off with out it being her intention. It'd been her instinct to shut the top, and so she was quite surprised when a use of Ruler's Hand came with a compliment of her work. That blush went nowhere, but she softened a bit, "Thanks, I found myself in art instead of entertaining the idea of joining the school orchestra. This was my big end of the year project. It's just embarrassing because well, it's such an obvious show of my neurosis," Miko admitted. She wouldn't have shown anyone, Kaguya had seen it, her mother likely had, and so had Shutara and maybe one other friend. But she truly didn't mind Yugi seeing it. As she made sure she wasn't flashing panties or anything like that she heard a that they'd be getting a housecall. "Chii♪~ Working on a best day ever♪!~" she chirped about the doctor's house call. Beyond that she received a little caring text from Shutara while she sat in the back of that car headed to the airport. That mural is excellent. So is the song, you shouldn't be os terrified of your work. Keep comin' out of your shell, love you♥! Miko saw the text and smiled softly. You're still a meanie Shu-nee (˶˃⤙˂˶) But I love you too, safe travels ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎ All the while they were joining the others, getting ready for this trip. And Miko was fitting her phone into it's new case with her credit card, all the while, she had a smear of green lip gloss all over her lips and face.

Meanwhile, Makima was watching one of her earliest pets work his magic and creating his own pets. Miwa Kasumi was average by most standards, but that didn't mean she wasn't worth a bit of investment. Even Makima understood the nature of a solid role player overall, which is how she ended up with someone like Aki among her personal assistants. Kasumi for her part in this was already being buttered up beyond reason, "If you say so!" the skittish girl acknowledged. She had no idea what she was truly signing up for, but it seemed Makima was being rushed along on her vacation. Luckily for Hiruko she was receiving a bit of imformation. "Well, well, it looks my reservation is ready. So I guess I'm clocking out. Be good while I'm gone!~" Makima said almost playfully before recording a voice message and sending it straight to Kaito. "Good boy~"

The Players parted ways with Shutara, and Makima parted ways with the Hunters Association. Some very important pieces would be entering their daily life arc... even if that arc included a bit of scheming on some parts. In due time, the Players were sitting in the back of a low-end luxury sedan being driven by Miyuki. Yugi was none too pleased about the trip itself, but he supposed it was better than being dragged around by Gojo. From within the back seat, he thought it would be best if there was a better way to communicate. Thinking about that, he remembered to craft another set of that special makeup he'd now given both Kaguya and Makima, dropping it in Miko's inventory. He could always speak silently enough to only be heard by her, but Yugi didn't have super-hearing himself. As such, he'd make it so that wasn't even necessary. "New batch of makeup. It's the stuff that'll hide your voice from anyone you don't want hearing it with a little bit of mana. Can't think of a way to do it for me, but I'm not too worried about it," he whispered.

Makima was also gone, leaving Hiruko in charge for the time being. Gojo didn't care to stick around, nor did Hiruko care to have him working. Did Gojo Satoru even officially work for the Hunters Association? Most didn't know the truth, but that didn't matter. Hiruko spent a few minutes skimming over news from the past week in the area, now gesturing for Kasumi to take a seat. "That's a lot of Gates for one week. Guess my luck ran out; I wasn't here for any of it. A whole Dungeon Break covered by Ishigami Daisuke early this morning too? Wow. Asucchi, were you involved in any of these Dungeons lately?"

The Players would over time end up in the backseat of a low-end luxury sedan. Miko though she knew this would lead to something she wanted to be involved in, wasn't very pleased to be inside of a vehicle with an engine that was on. She was outwardly cringing and rubbing her temples gently a bag which looked like a designer backpack in her lap to cover any random 'shop' or 'item' drops she needed to handle in front of Miyuki. Strangely enough even while she was trying very hard not to think about the noises coming from all around her, soft words were spoken by Yugi which gave her something else to focus on and thus tune out the noise. He mentioned the makeup and Miko opened her bag and rummaged through it, while opening her items and picking up the makeup. She chose something simple a clear tube of gloss which rolled onto her lips clear, currently. "I mean since it can be clear you could just use it... or even go all freaky fox markings or eye framing. No one can talk shit to a man that can fight~" Miko murmured quietly only for Yugi to hear. "Also have I mentioned how much I hate sitting inside of cars, because I always have," Miko complained without shame.

Soon enough, Makima was gone and Gojo went as well. That was a tad disappointing to Kasumi but she hadn't quite worked up the courage to talk to that man directly. He was enigmatic but also very hard to approach. The Vice-Chariman whoever was such a personable man Kasumi found herself capable of easily conversing. He was looking through those reports and making notes. She did know about quite a few things but she'd not been directly involved. "There have been quite a few, most of them popping up on that same side of Tokyo. I haven't been involved in them though... I couldn't really handle most of that for a bunch of different reasons," Kasumi said seeming a bit shifty. "I did hear about them though, a bit indirectly..." she added to make sure she actually answered any questions.

One thing Yugi hadn't considered may have been the most obvious solution to the problem possible. The makeup was clear, so there was no real reason he couldn't equip it. Having that simple matter pointed out, Yugi let his head fall back in exasperation. "God damnit," he groaned. Miyuki looked into the rear-view mirror, hearing that utterance. "Everything alright?" he asked. "As alright as it can be for an idiot," Yugi responded. With that, Yugi shifted his gaze toward Miko, looking only through the corner of his eye. He entered Inventory to equip a layer of lipstick, leaving it clear. "There we are. Anyway... engine noise? Visual stimuli from passing so many things? Movement that isn't your own body? All of the above? Just focus on something inside the car and find another noise to distract yourself," he suggested.

Meanwhile, Hiruko leaned back in Makima's chair. Kasumi hadn't taken a seat despite his open gesture. He'd assume she was a little too worked-up for this position in reality, if her own words hadn't already confirmed as much. When confidence went missing, it seemed to leave the country entirely. No matter. There was still a conversation to observe, even while he sorted through information. "They are pretty close to be popping up around the same time. But why couldn't you be involved? You're a registered Hunter. I'm sure you could take on an S-rank under the right circumstance~" he said lightly, finally relaxing enough to take off those sunglasses and flash a pair of eyes that were oddly magenta with cyan diamonds around equally vertical diamond pupils. "Not taking a seat, Asucchi? Were you waiting, hoping I'd offer my lap?"