The night breeze carried laughter, the scent of sweets, and the faint sound of bells swinging above the festival stalls. Amid the crowd, Yukihana walked silently, her silver hair glimmering under the lantern light.
As she turned a corner, two small children rushed past her, bumping into her side. Startled, they froze, bowing quickly.
> Child (stammering):
"S-sorry, onee-san!"
Yukihana's lips curved into a gentle smile, her voice soft as snow melting on the first day of spring.
> Yukihana:
"Don't worry. It's okay."
The children's eyes brightened, relief and joy washing over them. They giggled, bowed again, and dashed back into the festival. For a brief moment, Yukihana's hardened heart felt warm—proof that despite the shadows gathering, this was what she chose to protect.
---
Scene Shift – Arzen & Elira
Not far away, under the festival's glow, Arzen leaned lazily against a wooden post, his half-lidded eyes betraying exhaustion. A stick of candy swayed between his lips, and he looked utterly unconcerned with the mission at hand.
Beside him, Elira, the Vice Chairwoman, folded her arms, her sharp gaze piercing through him.
> Elira (sternly):
"You really have no manners, Arzen. We're in the middle of an assignment, not on a holiday."
Arzen gave her a slow, sideways glance, chewing on his candy with deliberate laziness.
> Arzen (flatly):
"I know my work. I'm doing it."
His complete disregard made Elira's eye twitch in frustration. Before she could retort, a man wearing a wolf-shaped mask passed through the crowd. His steps were silent, his aura strange, like a shadow slipping between lantern flames.
Arzen's sleepy eyes suddenly sharpened. He pulled the candy from his mouth and straightened slightly.
> Arzen (murmuring):
"Interesting…"
He leaned toward Elira, whispering quickly.
> Arzen:
"I'll be back in a few minutes. Stay sharp. And… be careful."
Without waiting for her reply, he melted into the crowd, following the masked figure. His presence vanished so cleanly that Elira could almost believe he had never been there.
Left alone, Elira clenched her fists, muttering under her breath.
> Elira (gritting her teeth):
"That bastard…"
---
Scene Shift – Ryuu & Shiori
Elsewhere, weaving through the festival stalls, Ryuu was up to his usual antics. His lips stretched into a crooked grin, his posture far too casual for someone tasked with guarding the people.
> Ryuu (grinning creepily):
"Hehehe… if I protect everyone tonight, maybe I'll become the next Chairman of the Association. Imagine it—Chairman Ryuu!"
He burst out in strange, self-indulgent laughter, drawing awkward glances from passersby.
At his side, Shiori sighed deeply, rubbing her temple in irritation.
> Shiori (snapping):
"Why do I always get paired with this nonsense? Stop your perverted smile—people are staring at us."
Ryuu waved dismissively, puffing out his chest with mock pride.
> Ryuu:
"When I become Chairman, my first act will be to kick you out of the Association!"
Shiori didn't hesitate. She brought her heel down hard on his foot.
> Ryuu (howling):
"Oww! My foot! You're always trying to break my leg!"
> Shiori (smirking):
"Impossible, right? Especially from a 'weak woman' like me?
> Ryuu (groaning):
"Ughhh… my bones…!"
Shiori crossed her arms proudly, satisfied with her small victory.
But Ryuu's attention shifted quickly when he spotted a toy stall, its shelves lined with colorful spinning tops, wooden swords, and stuffed beasts. His eyes lit up.
> Ryuu (excitedly):
"When I become Chairman, I'll buy this entire stall! All of it! Every toy!"
Shiori yanked him back by the collar.
> Shiori (deadpan):
"You're not a child. You don't need toys."
> Ryuu (snapping back):
"Shut up, Miss Hitman!"
That single nickname was enough to make Shiori's face darken. Without hesitation, she stomped on his foot again.
> Ryuu (crying dramatically):
"AAHHH! Not again! You'll kill me!"
The crowd burst into laughter, entertained by their squabble, though Shiori's patience was nearly gone.
---
The Rising Omen
Then—suddenly—
The laughter died.
The air shifted. The warmth of the festival firelight dimmed, replaced by an unnatural chill that spread like ink across the night sky.
Above, the moon turned crimson, glowing like a bleeding wound. The light it cast was heavy, suffocating, and wrong.
The festival music faltered, drums falling silent as fear crept into every heart. The once-bright atmosphere thickened with dread. Shadows lengthened, twisting unnaturally, and the ground itself seemed to hum with an ominous vibration.
Ryuu stopped mid-complaint, his grin fading. Shiori's eyes narrowed, her instincts screaming.
Elira raised her head, frozen in place, while somewhere hidden in the crowd, Arzen had already vanished from sight.
And Yukihana—feeling the shift first—lifted her gaze toward the blood-red moon. Her violet eyes glimmered with both beauty and dread.
The world was about to change.
---