I watched through SERA's live satellite feed as Akane moved across the rooftop, low and silent. The moment she settled into a prone position overlooking the villa, I teleported.
I arrived beside her under full invisibility. For a second she remained still, then her head turned sharply toward the empty air where I stood. Even without seeing me, her instincts had locked on.
"…You. What are you doing here?"
I deactivated the invisibility and quietly lay down next to her on the cool concrete, matching her prone posture. The night wind brushed over both of us.
"Nothing. I was worried about you when I found out you were going after the mastermind."
Akane's masked face stayed pointed toward the villa, but her shoulders stiffened.
"No need to bother yourself. Go back to your girlfriend."
The words came out cold, almost dismissive, yet there was a faint tremor underneath that she couldn't fully hide. I activated telepathy and immediately caught the chaotic spiral of her thoughts.
