Haruka stared at the phoenix hovering above Kenji's shoulder, her jaw slowly dropping as she processed what she was seeing. Shreya flared her crimson wings dramatically, her fiery eyes sparkling with pride, as if daring anyone to challenge her magnificence.
"You mean to tell me…" Haruka began, her voice trembling with a dangerous edge, "that you've had a phoenix—A PHOENIX—by your side this entire time and didn't think to mention it?!"
Kenji winced and raised a hand defensively. "Uh, well, technically, she wasn't visible most of the time, and, you know, I had a lot on my plate—"
"'Had a lot on your plate'?!" Haruka shrieked, pacing in wild circles as her elegant demeanor slipped into pure indignation. "Master, this is not some trivial detail you 'forget' to mention! A PHOENIX is—ugh!" She threw her paws in the air, mumbling incomprehensibly while occasionally shooting glares at Kenji.
