"We have somewhere to go." Aurelia put a hand on Tsukiko's shoulder.

"W-what?" Tsuki jumped.

"But we just got here!" Fumi groaned.

"It is important, I assure you." Aurelia towered over Tsukiko. "You may stay here and rest, I only need Tsukiko's help for this."

"What do you need my help--." Tsukiko didn't finish her sentence.

Aurelia wasn't wearing the same old complicated outfit. It was modern and simple now: a tight black dress and black and gold floral high heeled boots. Long black opera gloves covered her hands. White pearls wrapped around her wrist and neck.

"Is there a problem?" Aurelia grinned.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Tsuki jumped back a bit.

"Oh, this? I wanted to look more modern for once. Am I not allowed to experiment?" Aurelia smiled.

"Isn't it a bit... revealing?" Fumi pointed.

"I hear that it is a popular style." Aurelia looked down at herself.

"Yeah, at nightclubs." Fumi muttered.

"I dunno, the gloves and pearls are too wine-and-dine for that... Maybe a jazz club?" Tsuki discussed the outfit with Fumiko.

"Well, I am quite pleased with how it looks, so I would like to wear it." Aurelia remained firm.

"...you sure about that?" Tsuki stared at Aurelia's body.

"I am quite sure." Aurelia approached the front door to the shop and opened it. "Shall we be going?"

"I guess." Tsukiko awkwardly approached the door, passing through to the outside world.

"See ya later!" Fumi called out.

Aurelia stepped out, and shut the door. She turned around to lock the door and carefully flip over the sign to indicate that the shop had closed. They were now, according to the sign, out for lunch.

"Where're we headed?" Tsuki asked.

"It is not very far from here." The blonde smiled.

They both began walking down the street toward their unknown destination. The sun beat down on them, but it wasn't enough to be uncomfortable. The outside was bright, and the sky was a deep blue.

The streets were somewhat crowded, but it seemed to be the usual folks. The air wasn't too hot, just enough for there to be a clear summer feel to it. It had a certain scent to it that felt refreshing and energizing.

"Y'know, I don't think I've ever seen you outside of the shop." Tsuki remarked.

"I never have much reason to leave the shop. Everything I need is within one of the doors. Still, I enjoy exploring this city from time to time." Aurelia looked down at Tsukiko with a strange smile.

"I dunno." Tsukiko's eyes wandered back and forth. "I'm more interested in the doors myself, but that's probably cuz I'm used to being here. Tokyo must be something completely new to you."

"I thought I told you that I have been in this city for a very long time. I have always found myself drawn to the place, so I hardly ever leave. Everything is so interesting here." Aurelia mused.

"...but the doors lead you anywhere."

"Yes, but in the end I am leaving one place for another. Here, I get to see all sorts of things without having to leave. I have met so many interesting people here."

"What kind?" Tsukiko's curiosity got the best of her.

"I have met all sorts of people as Madame Jeanne. Fortune tellers usually get interesting people. People from all walks of life all have the temptation to try to find out what fate has in store for them."

"So you met the hopeful and the hopeless, huh?" Tsukiko's eyes wandered down to the ground as she got lost in thought.

"People who got good fortunes always brightened up with smiles on their faces and a new outlook. People who received bad fortunes always wore strong faces." Aurelia's voice became warmer. "They put on the face of someone who knew an obstacle was coming and they would face it with foresight and will. No matter how hopeful or hopeless they were, they all changed for the better."

"What kind of person was Fumiko?" Tsuki's curiosity forced her to ask.

"Do you really want to know?" Aurelia turned to the Third Knight.

"I'm curious... That's not bad is it?"

Aurelia paused for a moment before speaking. "Fumiko was... hopeful and hopeless. She talked about you often. I met her before she confessed her feelings for you. She was actually quite afraid of what you thought of her and what would have happened had you not accepted her. Yet, she was hopeful that she could win you over, no matter what."

Tsukiko went silent as she considered this. Tsuki struggled to remember any time that Fumiko had shown any weakness. There were a few times here and there, but she always came out on top. It almost made Tsuki a bit happy knowing that she mattered that much.

"Are you alright?" Aurelia asked.

"Mm, yeah. What about my fortune?" Tsukiko felt embarrassed.

"That is not necessary." Aurelia shook her head.

"Why?"

"Everything is going quite well for you already, no?"

Tsuki chuckled. "I must've had good luck."

"A fortune is only as strong as the will of the person it is bestowed upon." Aurelia added.

--

Aurelia did get the stares that Tsukiko expected. She still stood out, even more so. Her regular outfit probably would have made her look like a cosplayer. Definitely easier to overlook than what she had on now.

Aurelia's current outfit made her look like a jazz singer. Tsukiko didn't know how to feel about it. The stares bothered her, but she was already used to them herself. She worried more for Aurelia than herself.

"Heyyyyy." A male voice spoke from behind.

"Oh goddamnit." Tsuki groaned.

"Where ya headed?" A short awkward man asked Aurelia.

"Somewhere nearby." Aurelia answered vaguely.

"Is it important?"

"Yes." Aurelia kept walking.

He ran ahead and winked. "I was just gonna ask if you were free, we could get to know each other!"

"I am afraid not, this is important for her too." Aurelia turned to Tsukiko.

"Mmm Nah, c'mon... You can't ditch the sailor?" The man seemed to stare at Tsuki.

"I am quite sorry." Aurelia walked around the man.

He shrugged. "Well, I tried."

The awkward man immediately turned around and started walking in the opposite direction.

"What a weird dude." Tsuki looked back. "I don't look like a sailor, do I?"

"Be prepared." Aurelia spoke quietly.

"Prepared for what?"

"Though he seemed like a kind hearted fellow deep down." Aurelia muttered.

"Prepared for what?" Tsukiko repeated.

"Anything. Tokyo is an unpredictable city, you know." Aurelia had a sort of mocking tone to her voice.

"You're acting real weird today."

--

After a while, Tsukiko began to notice the strange path Aurelia was taking to her goal. They meandered through the city, stopping by nearly every landmark. It was much too long to have a real destination.

Aurelia must not have had a real goal in mind. It really was a request to walk together. Tsuki felt a little happy.

They arrived at a narrow street with dozens of shops. Colorful signs and adverts covered the walls on each side. Groups of people scattered about walked up and down the path. There were quite a few of them, but the street was far from crowded.

"Wasn't that guy weird?" Tsuki casually asked.

"I did not see anything unusual." Aurelia brushed the comment aside.

"He just up and turned around. Usually they're more insistent." Tsuki checked behind her back.

"I hope I did not intimidate him." Aurelia kept looking forward.

"You wouldn't hurt a--." Tsuki paused. "Actually, I'm not actually sure what you're capable of."

"It would be unwise to think like that at all times." Aurelia spoke coldly.

"Why?"

"Because, you do not know everything. You may never discover the answer you seek, or if you do, you will find that it answers nothing. Do not measure people on what they might or might not be. You will always be in the dark, searching for a light." Aurelia smiled.

"Uhhmm." Tsuki tried to parse the words.

"You could kill someone on this street. Anyone can. I could kill you, maim you, hurt you, yet you do not fear me. In that sense, everyone is a danger. Thinking this way will lead to nothing but madness." Aurelia crossed her arms.

"...that's certainly a way of putting it."

"Of course, it all lies in your own ability to--." Aurelia was cut off by a bizarre sound.

"You about done here?" A male voice groaned.

Tsukiko turned around. "Oh, you again? Seriously?"

A familiar black and silver mask sparkled in the sunlight. By Morgan's side were two Shakudos. The men at his side wore masks with crude floral patterns etched into them.

"Ah, I was correct!" Aurelia laughed.

"Fuck you laughing at?" One of the two lackeys growled.

"You. Who else would I be laughing at?" Aurelia smiled.

"That right?" The figure pulled its arm back.

"Don't waste your time, idiot." Morgan barked.

The figure pulled its arm back and turned back. Morgan nodded his head and the figure lowered its arms.

Aurelia stood still. She watched the masked figures weave around like an animal slinking around its prey. Her eyes narrowed.

Tsukiko retaliated, kicking the figure closest to Aurelia in the head. He fell mask first onto to pavement.

"You son of a bitch!" Tsuki shouted before turning to Morgan.

"Show some respect!" Another Shakudo shouted before approaching her.

The Shakudo swung at her wildly. Tsuki grabbed the robed man's arm and pulled him closer. She put her other arm around him, lifting him up and throwing them back down into the pavement. The man went limp as soon as he landed.

Tsukiko once again turned to Morgan. "Did you really tell your men to attack innocents?"

"You know, I--"

"Did you?" Tsuki repeated.

"It doesn't really matter now, does it?" Morgan raised his hands and chuckled.

"Answer the goddamn question."

A crowd began to form around them. People held their phones and watched in a mix of horror and excitement. None of them dared to cheer.

Most of them could tell that this situation was much more serious. In the seconds during the standoff, not a single one raised their voice. There was only a murmur and mumble, like an audience awaiting their show.

"Let's dance!" He chuckled.

Morgan ran forward, spinning into a kick. Tsuki just managed to move her head back, dodging the attack by an inch or two. Almost as soon as the kick passed, a fist came flying at Tsuki's face. At the last second, she was able to catch it.

Tsukiko tried to fight back, but his free arm took a swing, hitting her in the jaw. Tsuki took a swing of her own, hitting Morgan in the shoulder. After this, they both backed away, each one watching the other side carefully for any show of weakness.

The crowd remained silent, watching as they circled around each other. They moved forward, trading blows. Neither of them bothered moving out of the way of the other's attacks. Each swing connected after the other. It became a show of raw strength.

Both Tsukiko and Morgan danced around as they tried to down the other party. A stalemate formed, with the victor being the first to tire.

No matter how hard they hit, neither of them flinched. Their hands grew red and their bodies grew more and more sore with each passing moment.

The audience watched as the tension on the fighters' faces grew. Tsuki grit her teeth as her fist grazed Morgan's black mask. Morgan growled as his hand struck the Third Knight's raised forearm. Every time they broke apart, they choked and gasped, each one covered in sweat.

From the edges of the circle formed by the passersby, Tsukiko and Morgan stared at each other. Tsuki narrowed her eyes, staring at the silver and black mask. There was no real way of knowing how her opponent was feeling. She could only guess that he was getting as tired as she was.

"Himura!" A voice called out.

Tsukiko turned. There was a figure pointing a knife at Aurelia's stomach.

The blonde was too entertained by the fight to even notice. It was as if Aurelia couldn't even feel the presence of the masked person.

"Aurelia!" Tsuki ran into the crowd.

Aurelia looked down at the knife pointed at her stomach. Before she could even react, the knife was plunged down into her abdomen.

As soon as it touched the cloth, the blade bent and snapped off. The Shakudo looked down at the blade with a confused look on his face. Tsuki's fist came crashing down on his face.

The blade wielding man fell to the ground. Gloved hands covered Tsukiko's mouth and eyes, blacking out the scene. She struggled out of instinct before succumbing to the somewhat comforting embrace.

It was as if something incredibly soft and nice had wrapped itself around her. Her body relaxed as she felt the air around her go from cool to warm in less than an instant.

--

Just as soon as it began, the gloved hands released themselves. Tsuki fell to the ground in a daze, disoriented by a sudden change in surroundings. The crowd was nowhere to be seen. There was no more bright yellow sun. As Tsukiko got to her feet, she realized where she was. She was back in the same room looking over the same rainy city Aurelia had taken her just a few days before.

"Wh-what the hell?" Tsuki gasped.

"What?" Aurelia asked.

"Why'd you drag me out?"

"...I saw what I had to see." Aurelia bowed her head.

"Saw what you had to see?" Tsukiko cocked her head.

"I saw the Shakudos. I had never seen them before. I think I understand them better now." Aurelia reached out and laid her hand on Tsukiko's shoulder.

Tsukiko sighed. "So this was all just a game to learn more about the Shakudos? I could've gotten hurt."

Aurelia chuckled. "Do you honestly believe that? I thought you were confident in your abilities."

"I am, but you could've at least warned me first." Tsuki groaned.

Aurelia shook her head. "You would have been worried."

"Of course I would!" Tsuki groaned. "At least before I knew you were knife-proof."

"I think you very well could have defeated the Shakudos, but not their leader."

"Why not?" Tsuki stepped closer to Aurelia.

"He would have run away."

"Yeah, but still, maybe I could've caught him." Tsukiko walked across the dark and dusty room.

She stared out the window down to the perpetually rainy city.

"This will end soon enough." Aurelia spoke seriously.

"How can you tell?"

"You can feel it too, no?" Aurelia stepped behind Tsukiko.

"Well, I mean, maybe for now. Still, cut the head off and another replaces it." Tsuki took her hat off.

"Your goal was to find the man that hurt Fumiko. You already found him, yet you continue."

Tsuki stared at Aurelia's reflection in the window. "He's hurting innocent people. I have to keep fighting."

Aurelia stood next to Tsukiko. "You are a true Knight."

"What's that supposed to mean? Of course I'm Knight." Tsukiko turned around.

"Your path was like Shizuka's. Everything she did was for someone she loved. When she lost them, she kept fighting. Not for herself, but for everyone else." Aurelia had a slight frown.

Tsuki turned to Aurelia. "You think Fumi's gonna up and leave me?"

"That is not what I meant. You were both motivated by love, and it drove you to become Knights. Now, you wear that jacket because you fight for what you believe is right, love or not."

"What about Haruka?"

"She fought because of her love for her aunt, and her love for you. She cares about you very much." Aurelia put her hands together.

"She cares about me?" Tsuki asked with skepticism.

"Of course." Aurelia nodded.

"I dunno..."

"You do know. She only became distant when your family started falling apart. Was she not a caring sister before that?" Aurelia spoke in a deep, serious voice.

Tsuki looked down at the floor. "Yeah, she was one of my best friends. Her, Fumi and I used to do everything together."

"Then why doubt it now?"

Tsukiko laughed. "Cuz siblings are always supposed to be rivals, aren't they? None of 'em ever actually admit how much they care about each other, that's just weird."

Aurelia paused. "...Yes, that is often the case."

"When do I get to ask you the questions?" Tsuki edged closer to Aurelia.

"I am always listening." Aurelia took a step forward.

"...Where are we?"

"Above a rainy city. It is currently night here, but in our Tokyo, it is currently day."

"Why?"

"Does it really matter?" Aurelia chuckled.

"Can't even humor me?" Tsuki frowned.

"Scientists have spent millennia trying to understand the basic laws of the universe. They are no closer than they were at the beginning of time. It is better enjoyed than questioned. Girls like you have to live life, not ponder things like that."

"Hmmm." Tsuki seemed disappointed with the answer.

"You saw Lily's Mechanica, no?"

"Well, yeah." Tsuki nodded.

"Are you more interested in the act itself, or how it works?"

"Well... Maybe I'd wanna learn how to do it myself." Tsukiko tried to do something Aurelia wouldn't expect.

Aurelia walked forward and pressed her gloved finger against the glass.

She pointed down at the old automobiles. "One may spend an entire lifetime and know nothing. The average driver does not know how a piston works, or how a fuel-air mixture combusts."

"I get it, I get it." Tsuki scratched her head.

"That's the spirit. Just appreciate it all." Aurelia held her arms out.

"Second question!" Tsuki blurted out. "Why the weird outfit?"

"Would you rather have an honest or entertaining answer?" Aurelia joked.

"Honest."

"I liked the feeling of the fabric, and how it looked. I wore it outside because I wanted to see what people would think of it. It's been a very long time since I have worn something so... modern." Aurelia looked down at herself.

"And?"

"I would declare it a great success." Aurelia sounded proud of herself. "Though, I feel like I would miss my old clothes if I wore this regularly."

"Ehh?" Tsuki was caught off guard. "A success?"

"What? I'm quite fond of it."

"Well... If it makes you happy..."

Aurelia grinned. "I am a bit disappointed though."

"Why?" Tsuki asked.

"I was secretly hoping that Morgan would not have found us. We could have gone to lunch together." Aurelia blushed.

"I-I mean, it's still lunchtime somewhere, right?" Tsukiko blurted out. "We're already dressed for the occasion. Not gonna let that idiot ruin our afternoon, are you?"

Aurelia chuckled. "Thank you for heeding my selfish request."

"Why would it be selfish? It's just lunch."

"It has been so long since I have gone out to a restaurant with someone, I would not know what to do. You will have to guide me until I regain my bearings." Aurelia had a bashful look on her face.

"That's not selfish. What would our friendship even be worth, if I couldn't take you out for lunch?" Tsuki laughed.

"Good point." Aurelia smiled.