The view from Akira Valmont’s apartment was breathtaking, a glittering panorama of the city skyline stretching far into the night. The floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the dim glow of warm, ambient lighting. The space was the epitome of elegance—marble floors, a grand piano resting in one corner, and walls adorned with carefully curated art pieces. A crystal decanter of amber liquid sat on a sleek, modern bar cart, untouched.

Akira reclined in a plush leather chair behind a polished ebony desk. A single candle burned faintly beside her, its soft flicker casting long shadows across her serene, almost angelic features. The room was quiet, save for the faint ticking of an ornate clock mounted on the wall.

She lifted her phone, dialing a number from memory. Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile as the call connected.

The gruff voice of the veteran came through almost immediately. “Yeah? What’s this about?”

“Good evening,” Akira said smoothly, her voice like silk. “I trust I’m not interrupting anything important.”

“Depends,” the veteran replied. “What do you want?”

Akira leaned back, crossing her legs gracefully. “I have a task for you. Something that requires your…particular set of skills.”

There was a pause, and then a dry chuckle. “Didn't think I'd hear from the Ice Queen again. Thought last time was the curtain call."

“I don’t recall you complaining when your account was generously padded afterward,” she replied, her tone light and unbothered. “And this task will pay even better.”

The veteran grunted, unimpressed. “Let’s hear it.”

Akira tapped a few keys on her tablet, sending a file to his phone. “I’ve just sent you a profile. A young man. He’s…become a loose end.”

The veteran opened the file, studying Zane’s face on the screen. He raised an eyebrow. “A kid? Really? You’re hiring me to deal with a high schooler now? What’s he done—cheat on his homework?”

Akira’s smile remained, but her voice cooled. “He’s not as ordinary as he looks. Trust me, you’ll understand once you meet him.”

The veteran leaned back in his chair, clearly skeptical. “He doesn’t look like much. Are you sure you’re not wasting my time?”

“I never waste time,” Akira said, her tone sharpening just enough to make her point clear. “Zane Nakamura is dangerous. You’ll see soon enough.”

He snorted. “Dangerous? That scrawny kid? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Underestimate him, and it will cost you,” Akira replied, her voice like velvet over steel. “I chose you for this because you don’t make mistakes. Don’t start now.”

The veteran sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “If he’s so dangerous, why not take care of it yourself? You’ve got the resources.”

Akira’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes gleamed with something colder. “I prefer to delegate. Besides, I’m not in the habit of dirtying my hands when I have experts like you.”

The veteran chuckled dryly. “Well, aren’t you just the picture of civility? Fine. I’ll handle your ‘loose end.’ Just make sure the money’s good.”

“You’ll be compensated handsomely,” Akira said, her voice softening again. “But a word of advice—don’t let his appearance fool you. There’s more to him than meets the eye.”

“Yeah, yeah,” the veteran grumbled, ending the call.

The call ended. The city lights blinked below like a field of embers. Akira let the phone rest gently on the desk, then leaned back, eyes tracing the skyline with detached interest.

Behind her, Kaito stepped forward from the shadows, silent as always. He moved with precision, his dark coat trailing behind like smoke. Without a word, he approached the bar cart, uncorked a bottle of deep red wine, and poured it into a crystal glass.

Akira didn’t need to look at him. “What did you find?”

He handed her the glass. “The girl’s nothing special. Just a student. Ordinary.”

Akira raised the glass but didn’t sip. She turned slightly toward him, amusement curling at the edge of her lips. “You clearly have many talents, Kaito. But lying… isn’t one of them.”

Silence.

She continued, voice light but sharp: “Did you think I wouldn’t check myself?”

Akira tilted her head, eyes narrowing. “How long has it been since you betrayed her?”

A flicker. Barely. But it was there.

“She’s gone,” Kaito replied evenly. “Whatever connection there was, it ended then.”

Akira finally sipped her wine. “Even if this girl is her daughter?”

“She’s untrained,” he said. “She doesn’t even share her mother’s gift.”

Akira studied the glass, swirling the liquid lazily. “Yet you chose to hide it.”

Kaito met her gaze. “She poses no threat.”

“But you still have a soft spot,” she murmured, “for your old friends.”

A beat of silence stretched between them like a drawn blade.

Kaito’s tone flattened. “I thought you were only interested in the boy.”

Akira stood, walking past him slowly. “That doesn’t mean the girl isn’t an obstacle.”

“We can’t afford to make decisions driven by emotion,” Kaito said.

She turned at that, her smile returning like a slow eclipse. “Enlighten me then.”

Kaito’s jaw tightened. “If the girl disappears, the boy might take… a turn. One that may slow your plans.”

Akira’s eyes glittered. “Or speeds them.”

Kaito stepped beside her now, his voice low. “Either way. It’s a risk. He plays a crucial role in your vision. We shouldn’t provoke variables we can’t control.”

Akira paused at the doorway, candlelight catching her profile in gold and shadow. Her hand rested on the frame.

“That,” she said, voice soft and certain, “is why I like you.”

Then she vanished down the hall, leaving Kaito alone with the half-empty glass and the ghost of his past.