“You’re one of Yharim’s minions? Are you Calamitas?”

“Well yes, but truly no. I’m Supreme Calamitas.”

“You do look a lot like her. So, you’re a necromancer, correct?”

“Yep.”

“Impressive! I want to try the mage class, but melee and rogue are extremely overpowered, especially post-Supreme Calamitas. Also, I have a question.”

“Yeah?”

“Is brimstone flame waterproof?”

“I have no idea. However, I do not think any part of my human form is brimstone.”

“So, does that mean you can go to the beach with me next weekend? I’m inviting all of you to tag along.”

Callie nodded. “Of course!”

Serafina asked, “Is Itsuki coming? If Itsuki’s coming, I have to as well.”

“I was going to let you tag along anyway.”

“R-Really? I’ve never been invited to anything. Not many people outside my family even know that I’m alive.”

“Here’s Imya’s address. Meet me at her house on Saturday at noon.” Natsumi handed a small piece of paper to Serafina.

Itsuki looked at the piece of paper. She smiled. “Now that I know where Imya lives, I can watch her sleep.”

Imya turned towards her. “What?”

“Oh my god, did I say that out loud?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Oh my god, oh my god…” Itsuki started breathing heavily. Serafina leaned forward.

“Breathe, Itsuki. Breathe.”

“O-Okay… I’m breathing.” Itsuki started trembling.

Imya chuckled, “I think you might need Serafina’s help ringing my doorbell. You might be too short to reach it.”

Itsuki reached for Imya’s neck and began jumping repeatedly.

“What are you doing?”

“Attempting to suffocate you. As you can see, it’s not working very well.”

Imya grinned and bent down. “Better?”

“Yes. Thanks.” Itsuki grabbed Imya’s neck and pushed her down.

“Wow. You’re quite strong, considering your height…”

“I’m an SCP. This type of strength is normal. One time, I strangled someone and ‘accidentally’ snapped their neck. SCP-173 was visibly unhappy that I took its job. Before that happened, I didn’t even know that that thing had emotions.”

Natsumi paused. “SCP-173 has a train of thought?”

“Somehow, yes.” Itsuki tightened her grasp on Imya’s neck. Imya put her arms around Itsuki’s waist and pulled her closer. Itsuki’s eyes widened. “What are you doing? Can’t you see that I’m trying to strangle you?”

“I know.” Imya smiled. “Admit it. You wanted this to happen.”

“N-No I didn’t!” Itsuki stopped. She whispered under her breath, “M-Maybe I did…”

“What?”

“N-Nothing!”

“That is cute.”

“You drive me crazy.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

Itsuki buried her face in her comforter. Imya hugged her from behind. She picked Itsuki up and placed her on the bed and turned to walk away. “I wish I could stay longer, but my sister needs me. I will see you tomorrow.” Natsumi, Callie, and Imya left the room and walked towards Gate A.

“So, Callie, are you ready to tell Natsumi that-”

“Shush.”

Natsumi looked around. “What’s going on? I’m confused.”

Imya put her hands in her pockets. “You know, you two would make a really cute couple.”

Callie’s face turned bright red. “S-Shut up!” She shoved Imya. Imya collapsed into the wall.

“I think that you forgot your strength, Callie. I might have dented the wall.”

“Could have been worse. Could have been a window. Are you all right?”

“Sure. Having two uninjured lungs is overrated.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s all right.” Imya stood up. “So, Natsumi, what was I saying? Oh, right. Callie has a huge crush on-”

Callie reached into a pocket Imya didn’t know was there and pulled out a red flaming projectile. “Do not make me use this.”

Natsumi tapped Imya’s shoulder. “What the actual hell is going on?”

“I have no idea. But I think Callie might have broken my wrist.”

Callie sighed, “That is the last time I tell you one of my secrets.”

“Well, when I like someone, I just go for it. I take them out for a date, bring them home, sleep with them, ‘do it’, etc.”

“Yes, you’re a horrible role model. And a minor.”

“So? With no parents around, I can do what I want.” Imya continued, “Plus, I can technically do this legally. The age of consent in Russia is sixteen.”

“Savasina’s more mature than you and she’s like a younger sister to you.”

“Well, I mean, she’s older than me.”

“But she follows the rules.”

“Yeah, I don’t think following the rules runs in the family, because both of my parents were shoplifters, kidnappers, and once murdered someone. But being tall does run in the family. My parents were just a little bit taller than I am. I think. They died when I was twelve and I was in an orphanage for a year before being adopted by Savasina’s family.”

“There’s someone taller than you? That is possible?”

“Yeah.”

Natsumi laughed and rolled her eyes. “Come on, let’s go.”

They left the facility and headed to the nearest helicopter. As they flew home, Imya asked Natsumi, “Did you hear what Serafina said about Itsuki’s ‘coping mechanism’ or something? Do you know what it is?”