"Don't play dumb," he warned.
"Don't give me that. I don't know Mio." She brushed off his words.
"Mio, my sister." He placed a hand over his chest.
"You never had a sister. Did you hit your head or something?" Her confusion was genuine, she wasn't playing dumb.
Denu didn't protest. He turned toward Akarum, soul quieting, and lowered his hand.
"Akarum, what about you?"
"Me too. I don't know Mio," Akarum replied.
Denu turned toward Asami. Why doesn't anyone remember Mio?
"My Ruler, Kashime is right. You never had a sister," Asami said, her voice tinged with mild confusion.
Denu stumbled back in disbelief.
"Don't play dumb. If I find out why all the maids and you are lying… Belly and I remember her. I won't forgive anyone." He jabbed a finger at Kashime, then Akarum, then Asami before sprinting outside.
"What's gotten into him now?" Kashime muttered, confused.
"Anyway, where were we?" She turned back to Akarum.
Denu ran through the trees, thoughts tangled in irritation and puzzlement. Belly and I remember Mio… why don't they? Why are they pretending? It's not funny.
His fists tightened.
Minutes later, he reached uTara Center. Leaders sat cross-legged on the ground, deep in concentration. They hadn't sensed him until he approached the large table.
They all jumped to their feet.
"My ruler?" They bowed slightly, palms over their chests, showing respect.
"Has anyone seen Mio?" Denu's gaze burned.
Silence. After a moment, a leader with a Divine Scar outlined in white spoke.
"Who's Mio, my ruler?"
"You don't know Mio?" Denu's voice hardened.
"Sorry to say, but you are right, my ruler," the leader admitted.
"Fine. You may go practice now." Denu gestured back, though he already knew something was terribly wrong.
"Also, warn Liyoku to stay ready. Devils could appear at any moment." He sprinted off.
"Now, they aren't playing dumb," he muttered, tone shifting from ruler to worried brother.
As he ran, the trees blurred. His movements were muscle memory, almost instinctual.
The only option left is a Divine. I need to reach the Infinite Library.
The moment he spoke those words, an overwhelming presence struck him. His body froze, bones shaking, every fiber screaming to run, but he couldn't.
A man appeared behind him, as if always there. Simple red-and-white shirt, top button undone, black pants, shoes matching the shirt. Hair fell forward onto his forehead.
"So, you were going to the Infinite Library, right?" The man adjusted a golden watch on his right wrist.
Denu couldn't speak, frozen by his presence.
"Di-Divine of War, Reon here," he stammered.
"Couldn't I be here?" Reon's tone wasn't a question, he was stating a fact.
"You know humans aren't allowed in the Infinite Library, yet you dared to think about it." Reon didn't raise his voice, his mere presence demanded obedience.
"I… I just have a question. I don't intend to go there." Denu swallowed.
"Questions, questions," the Divine repeated, almost mocking. "Humans ask too many. Fine. Go ahead, but make it quick."
Denu inhaled, trying to calm himself.
"Did you see Mio?"
Reon stepped back, folding his hands halfway.
"Such a stupid question." He opened his hands fully. "There are millions, maybe billions of Mio in existence. Which one do you mean?"
"My sister." Denu's reply was firm.
Reon huffed, unimpressed.
"Feels like you've lost your memory."
"Why?" Denu pressed, irritation rising.
"Shh." Reon placed a finger over his lips. Silence fell instantly.
"You don't have a sister. You're wasting my time. Remember my warning, I don't repeat myself."
A portal opened beneath Reon, swallowing him. It closed almost immediately.
Even a Divine doesn't know Mio. Did everyone forget her?
Where is Mio, in the first place?
Denu returned to Light's Mansion, questions multiplying, answers none.
He entered the courtyard. Belly sat on the stage, painting her nails with Edi beside her.
Edi tensed, expecting orders. Belly noticed Denu's expression.
"What's wrong, Denu?" She stood, approaching him.
"I couldn't find Mio. No one remembers her," he said quietly.
"Mio? You were visiting another woman after marrying me, Belly? Betrayal much?" Belly bent her wrist dramatically, placing her hand on her forehead.
"What?! This isn't a joke." Denu shook her shoulders. "Don't tell me you forgot Mio."
"I don't know," Belly admitted, puzzled.
"You just knew about her before I left to find her, and now… you forget her?" He pulled back, frustration evident.
"Bullshit." He gestured wildly, stepping back from her.
"What happened? You don't look happy." She leaned in slightly.
"Nothing. If you don't remember, I can't blame you." He faced her, hands on her shoulders.
"I expected something… better. You're acting sad?" She pouted. "See, doesn't the color look good?" She showed him her freshly painted red nails.
"Sure. It does."
"You disturbed me. Come, sit with me." She pulled him onto the stage beside Edi to finish her manicure.
At Heavenly Kaatoumo, Akarum sat on a chair, Asami on another.
"Kashime!!" he shouted.
"What is it??" She called from the kitchen, chopping chilies.
"Nothing!!" he replied.
"What?! You're screaming for no reason." She stopped mid-chop, irritated.
"You sure like stressing her." Asami chuckled softly.
"Gets boring," he replied.
Kashime resumed chopping deliberately. The rhythmic sound of cuts echoed.
Then, a portal opened. Bluesy and Lyanna fell through, landing in the courtyard. The portal closed immediately.
"See who arrived to remove your boredom," Asami remarked.