Zu sat at her desk once again, staring through her eyebrows. She had been brooding the entire day over the prospect of joining Matsuri's band, considering what vengeful songs they would be doing the next day. That night, as she succumbed to a light slumber in bed, she had a dream. In it was a fully disrobed Mei, standing before her in her marvelous glory, and she stepped forth from a refulgent light brighter than the sun yet gentle as the moon. Her appearance was as if she were a dark-haired, violet-eyed angel, her bare, breathtaking body illumined by the lush light which surrounded her. And yet, Zu saw in the dream that Mei's violet eyes were swollen with tears, as she gently spoke to her in this magnificent trance. Yuzu, Mei spoke in a heavenly hushed voice, I have returned. I would not let your love for me be returned to you in the way I first did. I never left you alone. It's just that I was taken from you by my selfishness. (Here Mei began to cry yet again.) But I didn't want that to happen forever, Yuzu, she said as a dainty smile crossed her lips. I wouldn't let you go through life in such a miserable way. I'm coming back to you, to comfort your broken heart. Wait for me. I will come to you. I would give the world just to have you by my side. Zu sat bolt upright in her bed, breathing hard and in a cold sweat. As she remembered Mei's words in the dream, her shock at her stepsister's reappearance soon became a flame of rage. The loathsome tentacles of hate sprouted yet again, and her eyes reddened. "Screw you, Mei!" she said out loud. "You're never coming back to me. I HAVE NO PLACE FOR YOU!" Zu growled. In spite of herself, however, Yuzu briefly resurfaced as she marveled at the vision of Mei's full glory. She couldn't help but weep over her own pitiful state before sleep overtook her once again. The next morning, Shō and Mei were having breakfast together in Grandfather's house. The elder Aihara was still asleep, and a heart-stopping sunrise made its way through the windows of the mansion. The father and daughter were conversing at the table, their first time to do so in years. "I was speaking with your grandfather about what happened at the gathering last night, Mei," said Shō, "and he was unsurprisingly angry about it. He said that you've failed us as the heir to the Aihara Academy by backing out of your promise. But I feel, Mei-" here Shō looked into her eyes with a kind, fatherly gaze of his that she had scarcely seen in her life-"that things couldn't have turned out any better than it did. "Now, I don't know who it is that's stirred your heart away from this marriage your grandfather had planned for you," Shō continued, "but I'm sure you really are following your heart's lead." "I am, Father," Mei bashfully replied, "but what about the Academy?" "That is why I will be going to the school with you today," he said. "I promised your Grandfather that I would take on the responsibility of being the chairman of the Academy in your stead. It's for your own sake, after all, Mei." "Thank you, Father," she whispered. "I just hope that Grandfather is ok with it." "He's still rather ruffled about it, but I took on the burden so you can have a joy-filled life," Shō reassured his daughter. "And besides, Grandfather will be fine about it as long as the Academy is in good hands." Mei said to herself, The only thing left for me to do now is to find my Yuzu. I wait for her with bated breath. Poor girl, she was in no way prepared to meet the apparition that had taken over her sister. Later that morning, they both drove to the Academy, and as they were making their way across the parking lot, Shō put an arm around his beloved daughter. "You've been waiting for this day for so many years, Mei," he said. "Your father has finally returned to the Aihara Academy!" Mei's heart skipped a beat. She had forgotten all about her wanting him to come back to the Academy since Yuzu entered her life, and she nearly missed the significance of what was about to happen. She kissed Shō on the cheek, and held her father close. "I love you, Father!" she said. "I'm sorry that I never got to tell you when I was younger, and I wanted to say it now." "I love you too, Mei," Shō said, returning a kiss. "I'm sorry I never got to tell you, either." The father and daughter then strolled up the grand walkway of the school. Shō said to himself, I never thought I would set foot in this campus ever again. But now I'm doing it with a glad heart. If only Mei would follow her heart's desire to the end of her days... Meanwhile, Yuzu was moping at her desk once again, and Harumin was trying to cheer up her friend. "Well, well, Yuzucchi, how's it going?" "Not much better," Yuzu replied. Her oni side was not yet aroused that morning, in light of that beautiful vision she had of Mei. "You know our band practice begins tomorrow, right?" Harumin continued. "Nene and Matsuri will be there, too." Yuzu didn't answer. She was looking out the window, where a large number of the students were gathering in the central square. "Harumin, what's going on?" she asked. "Students, please assemble in the central square to hear a speech from Aihara Shō and Aihara Mei," said the student council over the speakers. "They have an important announcement to make to the school." Zu instantly appeared at the mention of Mei. Her hair and lips swiftly darkened, and her eyes once again reddened into a flame of unquenchable fire. Harumin was surprised. "Why, Yuzucchi," she said with a laugh, "your face changed instantly during the announcement. Calm yourself down for a bit!" But her laughter soon changed into a gasp of horror as Zu's tentacles appeared. "Yu- - zucchi?" Zu quickly hugged her. "Don't worry. It doesn't concern you!" she whispered with her poisonous voice. "I have but unfinished business on my plate, and I'll save you by asking you to keep out of it." "Well, okay..." Harumin replied, still rattled over Zu's red eyes and tentacular hatred. "But you'll be there tomorrow night, right?" "I will," Zu replied. "Well, then, come on! Let's go to the assembly now." At this, Zu's fingernails disappeared, and in their place were black claws, dripping with venom. Her voice lowered to a menacing tone of rage, as she spoke with a terrifying countenance. "VERY WELL, HARUMIN."