User blog comment:AquilaeAltair/OnS Theories (S3). Fourth Theory - Mahiru’s deal with the First Progenitor/@comment-36009152-20190830235741

This previous theory here!

With possibly coming into contact with Shikama Doji during the extraction, what if Mahiru were possessed then and all her plans are just to benefit the first?! XD Oh and based on her reaction to coming across him, was certainly a taken aback one for a stranger… unless she wasn't and Mahiru has seen him before. This extraction may have pulled out Shikama Doji’s true complete form for her to see and recognize later, and in which case he was fit to speak freely and having the power in his corner was able to create a deal, one for his benefit.

In their interaction, the silence would have been deafening if Mahiru was questioning him. Not replying, using messengers, pretending to be an enemy, there are so many fronts maintained as the characters communicate directly or indirectly with one another.

Why Shikama Doji didn’t spring into Mahiru when moved between hosts may well be answered that Mahiru offered herself willingly as the next. Everyone knows she would have no problem outmanoeuvring Kureto as next in line and Mahiru was more closely connected to Shinoa too. Though in the back of Mahiru’s mind her true purpose may have been to defend Shinoa from the first.

Promising Shinoa to Shikama Doji, and lying point blank to him sounds and hopefully is an option!