The party came around quickly and the SSB banquet hall was where the party would be taking place. Medovukha and Gedo restricted wandering to all unauthorised personnel. Anyone wandering outside of the banquet hall would be restrained. This was explained to every guest attending the party to avoid any unnecessary mishaps.
"Fuck... Patrolling empty halls is boring..."
"Just bear with it. Leader is entrusting us with this sector."
Yuzuha and Takuya were grouped together, covering the eastern wing of this SSB building with others. In front of them were Aiku and Mina. Mina was the younger sister of Nina. Surprisingly, they got on well.
They were sneering at Yuzuha and Takuya for god know's what reason. Takuya glared at them but it only made them chuckle harder.
"I've never wanted to hit a girl so bad in my life."
"I understand you, which is weird."
In the western wing, Renya was patrolling with Yuji, Ai and Roku. Yuji and Roku were in Aiku's squad while Ai was in Nina's squad.
"I'm really sorry."
"Uhm, it's fine..."
Renya found it strange. Yuji, who adopted a similar personality to Aiku, was different. The change did not seem fake. It was real. He became more apologetic and friendly compared to how snake-like and insulting he was previously.
The white-haired man wanted to know what brought about the change but he was the type not to delve into people's affairs. Renya always believed in 'curiosity killed the cat.'
In the northern wing, the one nearest to the party entrance was Kuroha. She patrolled with Nina, who pestered her for the entire patrol. Kuroha decided to sigh openly, causing Nina to act up and shout at her.
Patrolling with Kuroha and Nina was Satou from Nina's squad and Chirou from Aiku's squad. They did not talk and did what they were supposed to. Nina was the only one willingly conversing.
(I hate the fact that I was paired up with this annoying bitch.)
"Hm?"
Someone walked towards the four of them. It was a man. It was difficult to tell how old or who he was because his hair was covering his face. The most peculiar thing was the fact that no one noticed him. No one but Kuroha. Chirou and Satou were staring in his direction and yet, he walked past them without them saying a single word.
She thought she would look weird and insane if she mentioned him, so, instead, she moved closer to him and attempted to grab him. Her hand went through him. The man stopped to look at Kuroha.
"What...?!"
He continued walking before he turned the corner. Kuroha swiftly followed him and peeked around the corner when—
"He's gone,"
The man disappeared into thin air. It was almost like he was not there. Perhaps, he was not. Kuroha felt troubled.
"Was that him or just my imagination?"
"Hey, Ms Kuroika."
Chirou called out to Kuroha.
"Hm?"
An SSB officer was standing next to them.
"There's a noble—no, actually, two who want to meet with you, Ms Kuroika."
"A noble...?"
·———·
Kuroha was then guided to the VIP room which Yuuki Hasegawa was guarding. He was standing outside of the room.
"Oh, Kuroha, what're you doing here?"
"I'm not even sure myself."
"Ah, Mr Hasegawa, our guests are in the room, so you can go inside."
The SSB officer said to him.
"Okay, then..."
Kuroha entered the room and Yuuki followed him from slowly behind. The room was lit fantastically. Blue lights lit the room, illuminating the white spider lilies around the room. It was a beautiful room with luxury furniture and drinks.
"Yo!"
Someone called out to Kuroha.
"Huh?"
She was laying down on a sunbed. The woman removed her sunglasses and winked at Kuroha. The black-haired woman sighed.
"Oh, so it was only you."
"Huh, what do you mean, only me? You haven't seen me since high school and that's how you react?"
"Wait, aren't you...?!"
Yuuki's finger shook as he pointed at the woman.
"You're the heir to the Reishville family, aren't you?"
"That's me."
The woman was wearing a black swimsuit that highlighted her seductive figure. Her purple hair gently flowed as she took off her straw sunhat. Her golden eyes stared at Kuroha and a smile appeared on her face.
"You're the one who called me, Anastasia?"
"Who else?"
Kuroha noticed something on her face.
"You got hurt?"
It was a scar on her forehead. It seemed fairly new due to how barbaric it appeared. Nevertheless, Anastasia still appeared beautiful. It gave her a slightly serious demeanour.
"I challenged my brother to a duel for the title of heir only a month ago. This scar is what he gave me."
"Oh... So, you came to Japan in place of him because you're the heir now?"
"Exactly."
She grinned while standing up.
Yuuki Hasegawa stared in awe. He was enchanted by Anastasia's beauty and figure. She noticed his gaze.
"Who's this?"
She asked.
"Oh, he's a colleague of mine."
The man snapped out of it.
"Ah, I'm Yuuki Hasegawa! I'm assigned to this area! It's a pleasure to meet you."
"You seem like a pushover."
Anastasia commented, not interested.
Yuuki looked at Kuroha. She shrugged and turned to the purple-haired mistress.
"I have a few questions but, firstly... why are you in a bikini when there's not even a pool up here?"
"I just wanted to be in a swimsuit. Hysaka didn't mind."
Anastasia brandished her hand—she suddenly donned a black dress. It was like she equipped something in a video game.
"That doesn't—huh? Hysaka's here?"
"I've been here the entire time."
The voice came from the ceiling. Hysaka was floating in the air, upside down, above the trio. She was floating due to her Singularity. Hysaka looked the same as she did last when Kuroha saw her.
She had the same yellow eyes and snow-white hair. The only difference was the length of her hair. Her hair did not go beyond the base of her neck. Hysaka wore a suit, which fit her character.
She descended and raised her hand.
"Yo!"
Yuuki's mouth gaped wide.
"You're..."
"...CEO of the multi-millionaire company, Shirogane Enterprises? Yes, I am. That's me!"
"Do you really need to brag about it?"
Kuroha asked, grimacing.
·———·
"Rin, where did you go?"
At the banquet, Kafka was sipping wine as the man, Rin, walked over to her. Rin was a young man. He had jet-black hair and purple eyes. He had several scars. On his face, he had one on his eyebrow, one beside his mouth and another under his left eye. Due to his multitude of scars, he was often called handsome or badass.
"I got lost."
"Lost, my ass. How many women talked to you on your way here?"
"Uh... At least ten."
"At least you said no to them."
Kafka restrained herself and turned away from Rin, blushing.
"I noticed something strange though."
"Hm?"
"White cloaks."
Rin told her. Kafka narrowed her eyes and set her cup of wine down.
"The Ankh are here?"
"Are they after Master?"
"I doubt it. We haven't been spotted by them for a year or so. Meaning that they're here to murder some officials."
Kafka and Rin walked to the corner of the banquet party and continued talking there.
"..."
"What's wrong? Are you worried?"
"No... It's just that... I have a feeling that Albatross is here too."
Rin furrowed his brow, thinking about the masked man.
"Let's go, we need to stop them before they do anything serious."
Kafka pulled Rin's hand.
"Right."