The Author's POV

Darkness engulfed Ashton's metropolis with the passing of the twelfth hour.

"Haaa..."

Melissa stared at the scenery outside and sighed. Her features were beautifully illuminated by the lights coming from above as she sat on a tiny stool.

"Ashton city looks a lot better at night, don't you think?"

"...Excuse me?"

The barista in front of her was taken aback. In spite of the current time in Ashton city, Melissa's orders were absolute, and he was thus forced to work at these hours.

"Y..yes, it indeed does look more beautiful."

"The beauty of the lights coming from the buildings is best appreciated at night.

They dispel the darkness brought on by the night."

"R..right."

The barista reluctantly nodded his head.

If he had to be completely honest, right now, all he wanted was to sleep. Additionally, he found Melissa's comments to be incomprehensible, which made the situation rather uncomfortable for him.

Regardless, a job was a job, and he could only put on a fake smile and nod his head.

"Pfff."

Melissa suddenly let out a small laugh as the cup in her hands loosely hung by the tips of her fingers.

"...Looks like you find my words boring."

The barista's face hardened. He had been caught red-handed.

Melissa laughed in self-depreciation when she saw his expression. She then waved her hand in his direction.

"Don't worry, you're not fired. I get it, I'm annoying."

Taking a sip of her drink, she smacked it against the counter.

"I'm one annoying bitch, so do me a favor. Give me another shot.

As she raised an eyebrow at the barista, a slight flush developed on the side of her cheeks. At this point, she was acting extremely differently from how she usually did. She was obviously inebriated, as evidenced by her flush and words.

"I don't think..."

"No point refusing. If you won't give it to me, I'll just get it myself."

Melissa stood up from her seat. Sweeping her eyes on the numerous bottles that stood behind the marble counter, her eyes paused toward a certain bottle.

"1987, Melionette? Sounds fancy."

Setting her eyes on the target, she tried to jump over the counter.

"Let's stop here."

A hand pressed against her shoulder before she could do that.

"Eh?"

Melissa turned her head.

"Emma? Amanda?"

It surprised her to see Emma and Amanda standing behind her. What were they doing here?

Emma ignored Melissa while she turned her head to look at Amanda.

"Looks like you were right, Amanda. She's acting exactly like you said she would."

"Mhm."

Amanda quietly nodded her head.

She was currently wearing a one-piece black dress that perfectly highlighted her physique. It was the same dress she wore at the funeral. The same was for Emma. It was clear from their attires that they didn't have time to change.

"What do you guys want?"

Melissa's eyes grew clearer as her thoughts started to slowly calm down.

"...How did you get in here?"

Emma flashed a black card.

Melissa's brows twitched when she saw the card. She could faintly recall giving one to Emma in the past when she was begging her for one.

Melissa gave her one out of pity. Naturally, she knew about her situation.

She was starting to regret that decision right now.

"What's with that look? You think we wouldn't know what you're thinking about after seeing the state you were in after we returned?"

Moving to the counter, Emma sat down on a stool. Then, looking at the barista, she pointed at the same bottle Melissa was previously looking at.

"1987, Melionette. A glass each."

"...Sure."

The barista nodded after taking a short glance at Amanda and Emma. They looked responsible.

"I thought you were going to stop me from drinking."

"Why would we?"

Emma asked while a small pill appeared in her hand.

She then handed it to Melissa.

"Not like I'm worried about getting a hangover with this."

"...Right."

Melissa weakly turned her head and sat on a stool beside Emma.

Amanda followed her example and sat next to her.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Silence permeated the room as the three women sat serenely next to one another. The stillness was allowed to linger since none of the three of them wanted to speak first.

"Your drinks."

The clicking sound of glasses being set down on the counter disturbed the silence.

Simultaneously, all three girls reached out for their respective glasses and took a sip.

The silence continued for the next minute.

laugh

on the

must find it amusing, I suppose. That Melissa Hall, who appears to be so powerful on the outside, really just wants her father's favor. and the only reason why she acts the way she does

she set down on the

"Must be really funny..."

"Nah."

set her glass down

arms,

"This is uncomfortably tight."

to herself, she turned her attention back to Melissa. Scratching the side of her cheek, she

I kind of get how you

the tip

did. It's not like I only knew you from the academy. Ever since we were little I would always see you try your best to please your father. At

"Jealous?"

Melissa shook her head.

as if anyone would be

the world, but you're also incredibly smart. There's many out there that don't

"...Smart, huh?"

and wiped them with

was actually useful in this day and

too little

Emma rolled her eyes.

but just your inventions alone have enabled civilization to rise to heights previously seen as unthinkable. One example of that is the magic card system. That invention alone has helped us

myself than on what other people think. It's what I've been doing, and it kind

"That so?"

lips as she thought of

see what Emma was trying to express, but she was still

Her brows furrowed.

keep it

took out several potions from her dimensional

look spread across Melissa's face when

"What are those?"

voice

the potions for a

that I need to get rid

memories exposed, seeing Ren's memories, and her talk with Emma...Melissa understood that

bit late, it was time

potions was the first step in her transformation. Taking another look at the potions before her, Melissa

if I took

"Take them."

pushed the potions

she almost lost

"Eh...right."

she was confused, she still complied. Then, she looked at

a while now, Amanda. Isn't there something that you

"Eh..ah!?!"

body flinched when she heard Emma's voice. Her reaction startled the two girls who looked at Amanda with an odd

on the counter. An area

"Amanda?"

"Yes?"

again

you not hear what we were sayi...my

as she finally got

she wiped

"You happy now?"

"For what?"

expressionless look. She was clearly trying to feign ignorance of

"You..."

***

Click—!

of me turned on when I inserted

while a dim white light illuminated the area around

the cursor till a message appeared on the

you like to

[Yes] [No]

my hand paused. I was starting to

"Haaaa..."

a nervous breath and tightened my grip

Click—!

top part

should I

the air once I pressed on the mouse, and I lowered

on the

in the same room I was sitting in. No, rather, it looked an awful lot less advanced than what it was at the moment. Clearly indicating that this video had been

I will have to go on a dangerous mission, but I guess you might never know what will happen in the future. Could just be a video log for me to

checked the

since nothing particularly important happened just yet, I won't make this any longer

"Smallsnake?"

void suddenly interrupted. It sounded

where are

"Haa..."

between the distant door and

like I'll have to

"Smallsnake!!!"

"I'm coming!!"

his hand, the screen turned

"Hahahaha.."

lips while my arm covered my mouth and my body trembled. I felt a

'...I remember this.'

something urgent. Was taken aback by

guess it

it's been a

image formed on

comparison to the last time, and beneath his eyes were prominent

voice also sounded

"Hmmm..."

chair and

about a

video was recorded while I was in the

you're dead, but I know you're not. The fact that Angelica is still doing fine is proof of that....cause you know, the two of you

his two

and stuff, so like...she would definitely know if you were alive or not and...what's the relationship between you two like? ...No, never mind...haaa...I can't do this...please

Smallsnake leaned forward

began to play

a fucking asshole, you know

aback by

human too. I've never had you not tell me to shut up after more than two phrases! The worst part is

Smallsnake smacked the desk.

a given! Not even that, Ryan has also started to pick a couple of things from you, and this is sadly one of the things! I can't do this

"Hehehe...he.."

head against my arm which was resting on the table, my body trembled as I tried to suppress my laugh. My other hand clenched at my chest which was

to replay, arousing

Should I open up a shrine for her? Remember when she said to apologize to me? Oh, god, the face you made....ahahhaha, you should've

calls me stick like human anymore!

just go on a trip without us just like that? How

sadness,

the timer started to reach the end as the videos continued to play. A sense

'No...'