Amy just silently hummed. It seems that her plan worked. Hotaru finally makes her move, by secretly slip in the mushroom detector in her pouch when they went by each other. Though she had to admit, it seems that Hotaru has developed this invention earlier then it was supposed to in the original timeline.

But that's good. At least, she had the chance to suggest - like seriously, change the shape of this detector into less inconspicuous and won't lose easily. It will be troublesome if someone lost it and was picked up by the enemy.

Anyway, she already reaches to the designated meeting spot. It seems that there's only Subaru tonight. After casting her barrier, she greeted him.

"Good evening Subaru senpai. Where did Sakurako senpai go?"

"He has some urgent business he needs to handled tonight. He asked me to relay his message to you, saying that he is sorry he can't make it tonight."

"I see. That's fine. After all, you are here, so you can pass on the info. Anyway... your younger sister, Imai Hotaru. She just transferred here last month."

"Yes... I have heard.."

"What do you think?"

Subaru just lifts one of his eyebrows up. "What do you mean with, 'what do I think' ?"

"Well, your sister is here. Aren't you curious? Don't you want to talk to her? You never met her, right?"

"..."

"Geez, don't worry, I won't tell her." Amy just grinned though inwardly she adds, not directly of course.

Subaru knew that Amy is up to something. She was never the type to stray from the main discussion just because she was curious about someone else family. Amy - always went straight to the point. And her behavior right now scream suspicious.

But of course, it's not like asking her would provide him with any answer. He just throws his glanced at their surrounding; just to clear up his thoughts. Then he replied while feeling a bit hesitant,

"Imai...Hotaru. She is my sister. And my most... important person. But.."

"But..?"

"But, I don't want to see her nor do I want to contact her."

"I see..." Then, silence ensued between them. She knows why, and seeing Subaru's pained expression, she just...

"Subaru-senpai, you did so because you wanted to protect her, right? Just like me"

Subaru just remained impassive. Neither agree nor disagree. She just continues.

"However senpai, you need to see her and tell her how you feel. I'm sure any sister wanted to see her brother and wondered if you, hate her or like her or.."

"I will never hate her!"

"I know.. But, some things need to be said. Or.. you will regret it if you never had the chance to."

"..."

"Issokay, I won't force you or anything. Rather, I just wanted to say, she is all healthy and fine now. So, don't worry. Rather, she is so similar to you that I have just to check whether she is actually your clone or something" she grinned at Subaru. At this, Subaru just smile, though it quickly disappears as quickly as it appears.

Then, Amy yawn.

"Well then, I don't have anything to report. And, if there's any from your side, I prefer we bring it forward to another day. We have an exam tomorrow after all."

"Eh, wait.." Subaru baffled, due to sudden change in topic and tone.

"Not now senpai. We will just have to wait. Also, I suggest that we should contact Tono-senpai to act as our intermediaries in the middle school section. In addition, he is also one of those that are usually assigned with a mission- so he will be a huge asset for us. That's all"

"Wait, Amy. How did you know th-"

"Shhh... I will be going now. We need to go now. Bye senpai"

She then quickly scurried away, and her figure slowly swallowed by the darkness around. Subaru, at that point, just massage his temple as he thinks of Amy and Sakurano while silently murmur,

Just why am I surrounded by 2 storms that always do as they please...

But he decided just to go along with it and went away.

Meanwhile, in one of the rooms at the elementary dorm, Imai Hotaru lowered down her headphone and hugged her pillow,

"..Brother.."

The next morning after the exam, Hotaru went back to the lab only to saw a figure standing outside her lab, smiling. It was Amy. She waved to Hotaru while holding the Mushroom detector, and says,

"Yo! Having fun eavesdropping?"

Inside the lab,

"You knew?" Hotaru asks, feeling a bit wary of the other person who is currently in her private lab.

"I realized somewhat during my talk last night. That's why I stop halfway." At this reply, Hotaru remained indifferent, and asked,

"I see. So what are you going to do now?"

"Nothing!"

"Wait...nothing? Why? Isn't like the thing you guys did is like.. big deal?"

"Let's just say, I wanted to recruit you but it's not the time yet, and he will chock me if I let you in - not that I care to be honest. You are very important, but I, of course, won't force you to participate now. Rather than not doing it because of favor to your brother, it's more like, not yet."

"I see. I'm not sure what do you mean by not yet, but I decided to not think about it for now. But then, what are you doing here? Surely not to silenced me or something?"

"Nah, you know better than tattle on us. And it's good if you have basically aware that I am snooping around. That way, I can ask for your help."

"Help? What makes you think I will help?" At this, Amy just gives her a knowing smile.

"Oh, don't worry. You WILL help me sooner or later. Though, for now, I wish to have you work together with my sister!"

"Your sister? Sure, she does have superspeed Alice, but how does that help anything?"

"Ah, you will see. Later, I will introduce you both ok. Now I need to go. Bye!"

She immediately walked out. Hotaru just stared at her back... even after she turn around the corner and disappeared.

I guess Amy-san is a weird acquaintance. But at least, she is not a bad person.

-Pre-canon Arc: End-