That night.
The moon—woven in black and white—still hung in the sky, unchanged as ever.
Perhaps since the founding of New Eridu, or maybe even long before that, its appearance had never altered. It simply floated there in silence, spilling its faint, insignificant light upon the world below.
"Senior, what do you think Zane's situation is right now?"
Zhu Yuan rested her chin on her hand at the table. A cup of hot tea sat before her, but she clearly had no mood to drink it.
She thought back to Ellen's words from earlier. Even though she'd been in the driver's seat, she had heard every word.
To be honest, she wasn't as indifferent as Ellen claimed. Deep down, she was worried—very worried. But worrying wouldn't change anything. Better to trust Zane than to panic over what she couldn't control.
"Who knows what he's up to this time?"
"The Cretan Hollow, the underground black market, Hollow Zero... hasn't he already been involved in enough big messes? If you ask me, people like us shouldn't even bother worrying. We'd just be dead weight."
Qingyi's tone was calm, almost detached. But hearing her, Zhu Yuan couldn't shake the feeling that there was something hidden between the lines...
As for what Zane might face when he returned, all Zhu Yuan could think to offer him was a quiet apology.
This time, her senior was truly angry.
Qingyi sat in silence for a while, setting the teapot aside. Her gaze lowered toward the cup before her.
They'd made a promise before.
That he would tell her everything important.
Even if she couldn't help, just knowing what was happening would have been enough to set her mind at ease...
Did he not understand how much this uncertainty unsettled her?
She was his mentor—no, more than that. Their bond had long surpassed that title. What could possibly be so difficult to share with her?
Qingyi clasped the warm teacup in both hands, tightening her grip slightly.
She wasn't ignoring her own safety. Though she was a doll, she was still recognized as a citizen—there was no real danger in her existence.
And after the situation with Shin was finally resolved, all restrictions on her operations had been lifted. The title of "Forensic Automaton" had become almost meaningless.
So why hide anything from her?
Still... she couldn't deny it—she was a burden now.
Qingyi's hands relaxed around the cup. She had already fulfilled her role as a mentor. Everything she could teach Zane, she had already passed on.
After that, there wasn't much else she could do.
Her memories of the Dead End Hollow incident were gone, so she didn't even know how she might have helped him then.
And that uncertainty—it gnawed at her.
"Senior, you..."
Zhu Yuan lifted her hand slightly, hesitating. She could tell Qingyi was troubled. After all, she'd been holding that hot cup the entire time.
A doll might not be harmed by temperature, but she still had a pain system. Qingyi wouldn't have just switched it off.
Which meant her thoughts were elsewhere.
But Zhu Yuan wasn't used to this kind of thing.
The Qingyi she knew—the forensic automaton—would never have acted this way because of someone.
After a moment of hesitation, Zhu Yuan decided to speak—but when she looked up, Qingyi's expression was already calm again. She took a slow sip of tea, her tone returning to normal as she glanced over.
"What's wrong, Zhu Yuan?"
The words caught Zhu Yuan off guard. Wait—since when had the roles flipped? Why did it sound like she was the one with the issue now?!
Shaking her head, she quickly replied,
"It's nothing, Senior."
"Alright then. It's getting late. I recall the Public Security Bureau still has matters waiting for you. You should go take care of them."
"After all, the Bureau still has a lot to handle regarding the Hollow Disaster."
Qingyi waved her hand dismissively, her voice even.
The Special Investigation Unit's status had risen sharply lately, and with that came greater responsibilities.
"Alright, Senior. I'll go handle it."
Zhu Yuan sighed softly, drained her tea, and stood up.
The reminder was reasonable, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Qingyi was deliberately ushering her out.
Still, she didn't dwell on it. After bidding Qingyi farewell, she turned and left. The sound of the door closing echoed softly.
In the warm, dim light of the living room, Qingyi remained seated, motionless.
Minutes passed. Then, quietly, she spoke.
"You came to see me for something, didn't you?"
Her eyes stayed on the now-cold tea in her hands. Her voice was soft—barely above a whisper—but it carried clearly in the silence.
A few seconds later, a faint sound stirred outside the window. Hearing it, Qingyi set her cup down, stood, and walked toward the sound.
When she reached the window, she looked up. A figure stood balanced atop a pole outside.
Not too high, not too low—just right.
Qingyi opened the window, and a cool night breeze slipped through, brushing against her face.
"Senior," came a calm, familiar voice, "as the Master's closest confidant, I need your help."
Hoshimi Miyabi stood in the dark, dressed in a combat suit of deep shadow. A half mask covered her face, leaving only her eyes to glint faintly under the moonlight.
"How can I help you?"
Qingyi was slightly surprised to see her, though not entirely. She'd never heard Miyabi call anyone "Master," but given the situation, she knew exactly who she was referring to.
"Help me... put on a performance."
Miyabi's voice was soft, but resolute.
Qingyi's hair stirred slightly in the night breeze, her expression shifting.
Outside, the streets were calm and quiet.
Moments later, faint rustling echoed through the alleyway—two or three cats padding by, tails swaying lightly.
By then, the figure on the pole had already vanished.
...
Time flowed quietly by.
In just two days, rumors across New Eridu had continued to swell and spread.
And inside Tanuki House, next to Sixth Street—though Zane was absent—the place was anything but empty.
"Oh, honestly! I told you, I don't know what's going on with Zane either! And I'm worried about him too..."
Inside the Tanuki House, Nekomata knelt on a rug, surrounded by a mountain of cats.
If Zane were there to give the order, they might have buried her completely by now.