A figure stood cloaked in shadow, swirling a glass of wine as moonlight spilled faintly through the tall window. Another knelt before him, his head bowed low.
"Master," the kneeling one said, voice measured, "Lady Alpha seems to be… changing. She's growing distant from Shadow. I believe she may be harboring certain emotions."
The man's eyes flickered red in the darkness.
"Then we'll use them."
The subordinate hesitated. "Use them, sir?"
"Let her feel it—what it means to be left behind. Let her drown in that loneliness. Fear breeds obedience."
"But… Master, the Protocol Instinct hasn't been—"
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"…Understood."
At Mitsugoshi Company
Cid stood awkwardly beside Rose as they stepped into the luxurious heart of Mitsugoshi. His eyes trailed upward at the grand chandeliers and elegant architecture.
I never really stopped to look at this place before, he thought. It's kinda crazy. All this started with a random throwaway idea of mine…
Ahead, a familiar figure caught his eye—Gamma, poised and graceful. She locked eyes with Cid and let out a soft gasp. Her smile, though subtle, brimmed with restrained excitement.
Shadow… here? He came to my estate? And he's looking at me?
While Gamma's thoughts spiraled into bliss, Cid's mind was in full calculation mode.
How do I make this the most boring, average date in recorded history? He smirked slightly. Let's see her handle true mob energy.
Rose greeted Gamma politely. Gamma, catching herself, hid her jealousy behind a civil smile.
"Well then, shall we take our seats?"
The trio sat. As the date progressed, Cid executed his plan to perfection—brief replies, zero enthusiasm, textbook blandness. Rose lowered her gaze as she ate quietly.
Maybe he's not having fun… she thought, sneaking glances at his unreadable expression.
Cid, chewing slowly, gave a faint nostalgic smile. The food tasted oddly familiar—something he remembered from a distant past. Rose caught his smile and softened, believing she'd finally made a small connection.
As the night wore on, the lights in the dining hall began to dim.
"Now then," Gamma stood with poise. "It's time for the entertainment portion. First on our list…"
She smirked.
"Cid Kagenou."
Cid flinched. Rose gasped. Gamma gave a not-so-subtle thumbs-up from the shadows.
You traitor, he thought.
The spotlight landed squarely on him. Rose gently took his hand.
"Do your best, Cid," she whispered. She leaned in and gave him a quick, nervous kiss on the cheek.
Cid's mind blanked. The claps of the audience blurred into a dull roar. His thoughts raced:
Stay a mob… or…
He sat behind the piano.
No. I'll give them a glimpse. Just one.
With a graceful motion, he placed his fingers on the keys—and played. The melody that followed shimmered with elegance. Each note struck deep, evoking tears from the crowd. Time slowed. Cid let himself get lost in it.
For just a moment, the world heard the music of a legend.
Elsewhere, in a forest outside the capital…
A lone man ran through the trees, hooded and panicked. Branches cut across his face as he stumbled.
"That woman…" he panted, collapsing behind a tree. "She took out five of us… in an instant. Didn't even blink. She's not human…"
His legs gave out beneath him. His breathing was erratic. Then—
A shadow shifted high above, dashing through the canopy with inhuman speed.
The man's eyes widened in terror.
A voice called softly behind him.
"Found you."
A silver flash cut through the night. The man's body split before he could scream.
The assassin stood above him, blade glinting with moonlight. She let out a yawn.
"Ugh, that was no fun. I was hoping for a little chase."
She twirled her weapon and turned toward the city.
"Alpha said once I was done hunting, I could find her again."
With one leap, she vanished into the night.