I woke up the next morning, and for a second, I thought last night was just a weird dream. Then I felt the cold weight of the gem on my chest and saw the new contact in my phone: "Dark Heart Princess 🖤". Nope, all real.
"Well," I thought, stretching in bed, "time for another boring, lazy day, I guess." I addressed the cold weight on my chest.
"So, what should I call you, partner? Got a name, or should I just stick with stupid rock?"
The voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and cold as ever. "Awaken, host. The world didn't stop turning while you slept. Neither did my search." The voice was completely humorless. "Names are for lesser beings. I am a purpose, a force. You may refer to me as the Gem. It is all your simple mind needs."
"Gem, huh? A bit boring. How about Gemgem?" I smirked.
A pulse of pure, undiluted rage shot through my mind, so intense it made me flinch. It was like touching dry ice. When the voice returned, it was dangerously quiet.
"...We will discuss your continued insolence later. For now, focus."
As if to punctuate the point, a fresh wave of information flooded my mind, sharp and unpleasant, like a needle to the brain. It was a feeling, a deep, intrusive knowing.
Psych Scan Complete
Target 1: Magical Girl Luminous Sapphire
Real Name: Aoi Tanaka
Deepest Secret: She is consumed by a bitter jealousy of her younger sister, Akane. Aoi feels that Akane is more naturally talented, more beloved by the public, and that she has to work twice as hard for half the recognition. Her most selfish desire is to be the city's only magical girl hero, to finally have the spotlight entirely to herself.
Target 2: Magical Girl Luminous Ruby
Real Name: Akane Tanaka
Deepest Secret: Despite her cheerful and energetic facade, she is pathologically terrified of fighting powerful enemies. Her magical girl career is built on a foundation of codependence on her older sister, Aoi. Her most selfish desire is for Aoi to always be there to protect her so she never has to face true danger alone.
"The Luminous Sisters," the Gem stated, its voice cold. "A popular duo. They're signing autographs for kids in the Central Park plaza right now. Their bond is their strength… and their greatest weakness. A festering wound I want you to tear open."
"Alright, alright, Gemgem, I'm going," I murmured, pulling on some clothes. "But we're doing this my way. We wait until the kids leave. I'm not in the business of traumatizing children."
The Gem was silent for a moment. "Your caution, while born of pathetic sentiment, is strategically sound. We will wait."
The plaza was exactly as cheerful as you'd expect. Big fountain, dozens of kids holding wands and plushies, parents filming on their phones. At a table sat the Luminous Sisters.
The older one, Luminous Sapphire, was tall and graceful, with long, dark blue hair in a perfect ponytail. Her smile was polished, but it looked like work. The younger one, Luminous Ruby, was a ball of fire, all short, spiky red hair and genuine energy. But I noticed she kept glancing at her sister, a flicker of dependence in her eyes.
"And this one's for you, Timmy! Keep being a super good kid!" Ruby chirped.
"Akane, the line is getting long," Sapphire said, her voice gentle but firm. "Let's keep a steady pace."
Akane's smile faltered for just a second before she beamed again. I stood at the edge of the crowd, watching. A perfect duo on the surface, but the Gem had shown me the cracks.
"Interesting," I muttered. "So, do we take them both at once, or start with one?"
The Gem's voice was pure, predatory logic. "To attack them together is to fight them at their peak. Foolish. We will dissect them. Piece by piece."
"We start with the older one. Aoi. Her jealousy is the perfect poison. Once we have her, she will become the perfect tool to break her adoring little sister."
"The event will end soon. They will part ways. Follow Aoi. Wait for an opportune moment."
"Stalking a beauty, huh? I like the sound of that," I thought, waiting patiently.
Soon enough, the event ended. The sisters disappeared into a tent and came out a few minutes later in normal school uniforms.
"Wasn't that great, Aoi-nee? That little boy Timmy was so cute!" Akane chattered.
"Yes, it was fine," Aoi replied, her voice tired. "We have cram school in an hour."
"Aw, let's get bubble tea first! My treat!"
Aoi sighed, a flicker of deep weariness on her face. "I have to stop by the library. You go on ahead."
"Okay! See you later, Nee-san!" Akane said, bounding off.
Aoi watched her go, a complicated look of resentment in her eyes. She turned and walked down a quieter path leading out of the park.
"The prey has separated from the herd," the Gem noted. "Maintain your distance."
I followed her. She stopped at a weathered bench overlooking a quiet pond. She just sat there, her perfect posture slowly slumping.
After making sure there's nobody around, Aoi let out a long, shuddering sigh, the kind of sound you only make when you think you're completely alone. From my hiding spot behind some trees, I saw her shoulders begin to shake. She was crying.
"Pathetic," the Gem hissed in my mind. "This is the truth of the great Luminous Sapphire. This is the moment. Her emotional defenses are at their lowest. Approach her. Shatter her."
"Leave it to me," I thought, a plan forming. "Time to go talent scouting."
I put on a pair of sunglasses and stepped out from the trees, walking right up to her. "Excuse me, miss. This is going to sound weird, but I work for an entertainment agency. We're looking for new idols."
Aoi flinched, her head snapping up as she wiped at her eyes. "Wh-who are you? I'm not interested," she said, her voice sharp with alarm. But then my words registered. "Idol." "Agency." Her defensive posture softened just a tiny bit. "...An idol? Is this some kind of scam?"
"No scam," I said, offering her a flimsy business card from my old job. "My name is Hakuto. We're looking for new talent, and you have a certain… star quality, like your voice and face. May I ask your name and age?"
Her fingers trembled as she took the card. She bit her lip. "My name… is Aoi Tanaka. And I'm twenty." She said it almost defiantly.
"The bait is taken," the Gem noted.
"Well, we're a small agency," I said, scratching my head with a grin. "Looking to debut a new group, but we're also considering solo acts, if the talent is right. And you feel like you'd do well."
The word "solo" hit her like a physical blow.
"S-Solo?" she stammered, forgetting to be suspicious. "You mean… just me? Not in a group?" All she could hear was the promise of a spotlight all for herself. "I… I practice dancing. And I've had vocal training before. I suppose I could make some time."
"She is hooked completely," the Gem declared. "Tell her your office is nearby. Lure her away from this park."
"Well, our studio is right nearby," I said, turning to walk. "We could do a quick audition right now, if you're free."
In my head, I sent a silent command. "Make yourselves useful and find us a place for our prey, Gemgem."