District 15 lay beneath a velvet sky.
The faint scent of blooming rosesunique to the Scarlet region filled the Scarlet Estate. Lanterns lining the pathways flickered like tiny red stars, illuminating the polished obsidian roads. Even in darkness, it glowed. A massive manor of red marble, black stone, and white quartz, accented by delicate streaks of orange that shimmered in the lamplight like embers. Arched windows framed with soft pink-mist crystal caught the moon's reflection, giving the entire facade a dreamlike radiance.
Tall gates of bright red steel opened as Sylvie approached. She took a breath. Walking through this entrance always brought a mixture of nostalgia and tension. The Scarlet family was not merely rich or powerful, they were one of the Big 3 families. Every inch of this estate was built to display their influence and elegance.
Sylvie smiled softly. She stepped into the courtyard, cherry-red lanterns swayed above. Servants bowed as she passed. Inside the manor, chandeliers of clustered rubies glimmered overhead like constellations. Silken tapestries draped the walls. The air was warm, scented faintly of jasmine and smoldering incense. It was grand. Overwhelming, but beautiful. And unmistakably Scarlet. She made her way to the dining hall, an expansive room with a long glass table reflecting red and gold light from the candelabras.
There, sitting with regal posture and effortless grace, was—
Erika: "Mother."
Sydney Scarlet looked up.
If elegance had a physical form, it would be her. Flowing red hair. Crimson eyes framed by long lashes. An evening gown that blended crimson and black silk as if painted onto her. Even seated, she radiated a quiet, queenly authority.
She smiled faintly upon seeing her daughter: "Sylvie, darling. You've returned."
Sylvie bowed lightly before stepping forward:
"I'm home. It's late, could this not have waited until the morning?"
Sydney: "Of course not." She gestured gracefully. "Come sit. I've had your favorite prepared."
A servant lifted the silver lid of a platter. Lavender-seasoned steak with caramelized vegetables and a side of cherry-infused rice.
Sylvie lit up: "Mother…"
Sydney: "I thought you'd need something comforting. After that dreadful attack."
Sylvie sat beside her, placing her napkin on her lap: "Thank you. And… yes. It was frightening."
Sydney stiffened slightly: " I knew you would be alright. You weren't harmed, were you?"
Sylvie: "No. I wasn't."
Sydney closed her eyes briefly as if releasing a breath she'd been holding for hours: "Wonderful."
They ate quietly for a moment. Sylvie glanced sideways several times, trying to find the right words. Her mother noticed every time.
Finally, Sydney set down her fork with a soft clink: "Speak, my dear. You are never this fidgety."
Sylvie let out a tiny sigh: "I have something I want to ask."
Sydney raised a perfectly shaped brow.
Sylvie took a sip of tea to steady herself: "Mother… I want to join Odd Jobs."
Sydney froze.
The air froze.
The candles themselves seemed to flicker in shock.
Sydney: "…Odd Jobs," She repeated slowly.
Sylvie nodded.
Sydney blinked once. Then twice. Then, her hand flew to her chest in dramatic agony: "SYLVIE SCARLET—why—why must you destroy your mother's heart so casually—?!"
Sylvie flinched: "M-Mother?!"
Sydney: "Why must you join some unorthodox, chaos-fueled group?! I knew it—RETRIBUTION FOR NOT SPOILING YOU ENOUGH!"
Sylvie sighed deeply. Here it comes.
Sydney pressed her forehead against her hand like a tragic theater heroine: "My precious daughter… my youngest child… my sweet little Sylvie… leaving home to live amongst—among—freelancers!"
Sylvie: "Mother, they are Hunters…"
Sydney: "They take on silly little odd jobs and work at a cafe!" She exhaled sharply, lifting a handkerchief to dab at her eyes. "Oh, heavens… my darling… why must you abandon me again?"
Sylvie: "Not going to the Hunter Academy wasn't an option. I did come back home every break."
Sydney: "Those felt like mere seconds."
Sylvie rubbed her temples: "Mother, I met people I want to work with. They're strong. They're kind. They became part of my life at the Academy. And I… I want to grow alongside them."
Sydney looked wounded: "You want to leave the estate?"
Sylvie: "Well… yes."
Sydney opened her mouth—as if ready to cry dramatically again.
But footsteps approached.
Soft. Calm. Unhurried.
A figure entered, arms loosely folded, expression flat, voice monotone.
"Let the girl join."
Sylvie's face lit up instantly: "Aunt Ruby!"
Ruby Scarlet, Sydney's younger sister. Short hair the color of deep wine. Eyes half-lidded and unreadable. Posture lazy, almost uncaring. She's only had a couple of appearances so far. In the first arc and in Emeio's flashback. Shoyo makes fun of her for having so little screentime.
Sydney gasped: "Ruby! You were eavesdropping again!"
Ruby: "I don't need to eavesdrop. I hear everything."
Sydney: "No, I knew I wasn't seeing things. You literally cracked the door open a few minutes ago."
Ruby: "Incorrect."
Sylvie jumped from her seat and hugged her aunt tightly: "Ruby! I didn't think I'd see you here!"
Ruby lifted a hand, patting Sylvie's head as if she were a cat: "You've grown," she murmured, still monotone. "Emotionally, I mean. Your height hasn't changed at all."
Sylvie puffed her cheeks: "That's mean!"
Sydney glared: "Ruby, stop corrupting her."
Ruby ignored her sister: "I'm surprised you want to join Odd Jobs. Let me guess, you found someone interesting among the friends who will be there?"
Sylvie hesitated, then smiled softly: "Yes, that's right."
Ruby: "What's their name."
Sylvie's face flushed slightly: "Erika. Erika Tohsaka. She's… amazing. Inspiring, and fierce. Someone I deeply admire."
Ruby nodded.
Sydney, meanwhile, dramatically grabbed a handkerchief: "Oh no… she found a role model that isn't me…"
Ruby: "You should let her go."
Sydney snapped her head toward her sister: "Ruby!"
Ruby: "She's not asking to run off and marry someone. She wants to work. To grow. The Scarlet name doesn't need another sheltered flower."
Sydney winced: "That's harsh…"
Ruby: "It's the truth."
Sydney's expression wavered.
Sylvie placed her small hand atop her mother's: "Mother… I love you. And I love this home. But I want to grow more. And I want to stand beside the people I care about." Her voice softened. "I'll be able to take care of myself."
Sydney inhaled sharply.
Sylvie continued: "I'll return. Often. I'll message you, and call you. And I'll be careful. I promise."
A long silence followed.
Sydney's lips trembled: "My precious daughter… my blossom upon which the sun sets every evening…"
Ruby rolled her eyes.
Sydney: "…if you truly want this, if you truly believe this is your path…" Sylvie swallowed, hope rising. Sydney pulled her into a tight embrace. "Then I will support you. But on one condition."
Sylvie: "What condition?"
Sydney lifted a finger elegantly: "You may join Odd Jobs when the new year begins. Not a single day sooner."
Sylvie's smile bloomed instantly: "Yes! Of course! Thank you, Mother!"
Sydney, overwhelmed, waved a handkerchief with flourish: "Oh, heavens… my daughter is leaving the nest… I shall perish…"
Ruby patted her sister's shoulder: "You'll live."
Sylvie giggled, then hugged them both.
Her heart felt light, excited, anchored by love yet ready to chase her future.
She was going to join Odd Jobs.