Chapter 20 : When the Lioness Steps Forward

Some time ago

The mekisa room was quiet too quiet.

Yumiko leaned against the desk, swinging one leg like teacher, pretending this was last part of  story.

“There’s something else,” she said. “Another unknown shareholder.”

Mekisa look up.

“Lustere Design Group.”

The name hit her like a whisper from the past.

“…Lustere?” Mekisa repeated.

Yumiko nodded. “Yes. But meeting their CEO is almost impossible. Even board members wait months.”

Mekisa’s fingers slowly tightened.

Yumiko tilted her head. “Your earrings the ones you designed back at the orphanage? They’re frighteningly close to Lustere’s premium line. Even I can’t touch designs like that.”

Mekisa stopped breathing.

Lustere.

Design.

Her designs.

Without warning, she gently pushed Yumiko aside.

“Hey !”

Mekisa opened her laptop.

Emails loaded one by one.

Then 

She froze.

From: Lustere Design Group

Subject: Invitation Designer Collaboration

The room felt suddenly unreal.

Two years.

Two years of sleepless nights.

Two years of quiet freelance work done after children fell asleep.

Two years of designing for earn extra money to fullfill orphanage growth .

They had seen her.

Her hands trembled as she typed an apology for the delayed reply.

Send.

Suprise !

Seconds passed.

The reply arrived almost instantly.

Accepted.

Meeting scheduled: Weekend.

Her heart sank.

“A week…” she whispered.

Too late.

She leaned back, fear creeping in. Her eyes drifted down to the dad pendant resting against her chest.

It shimmered faintly.

Kei’s voice echoed in her mind.

The children laughing.

The orphanage glowing under the sunset.

If she waited a week

She  going to lose everything.

Her fingers hovered above the keyboard.

Then shook.

She typed again.

A reckless message.

A dangerous one.

I request a special interview with the CEO tonight.

If this meeting is not possible, I will respectfully withdraw.

The screen stared back at her.

She knew what this meant.

This wasn’t confidence.

This was desperation wrapped in courage.

“…Impossible,” she murmured.

She closed the laptop and pulled the blanket over her head, hiding from the world.

Yumiko laughed awkwardly. “Wow… I thought I was dramatic. You change emotions faster than Neon City lights.”

No response.

Then

The blanket flew off.

Mekisa rose.

Yumiko screamed. “G-GHOST?!”

Mekisa calmly gathered her documents.

“Where are you going?” Yumiko asked, breathless.

“To meet Vyuk ito.”

Yumiko panicked. “No! I told you he’s dangerous!”

Mekisa didn’t stop.

“For my kids,” she said softly, “I’ll do anything.”

She paused at the door.

“Even eat the devil’s food.”

She reached for the handle.

Ping!

The laptop chimed.

Yumiko froze.

“…Sis,” she whispered. “Your email.”

Mekisa turned slowly.

The screen glowed.

Special Interview Approved.

Location Attached.

Time: Tonight.

The room fell silent.

Then Yumiko screamed. “WHAT THAT?!”

Present time

The doors of the Lustere Design Exhibition opened quietly.

White light washed over Mekisa.

Designs floated in glass cases elegant, bold, alive.

This wasn’t just a building.

It was a kingdom of creation.

Mekisa stepped inside.

Her heartbeat slowed.

I’m close, she thought.

Closer than ever.

Elsewhere Neon City Roadway

The car jerked violently.

Air hissed.

All four tires collapsed at once.

Lady Shizuka gripped the seat. “What is this?”

Mr. Kaito stepped out, eyes sharp.

“This isn’t an accident,” he said.

He looked into the dark streets.

“Years ago, Neon City had riders who hunted VIPs. Not for money. Not power.”

“For what?” Shizuka asked coldly.

“For fun.”

The engines roared.

Lights ignited in a circle.

Motorcycles surrounded the car.

Two figures approached.

One in a white long coat with a red line.

One in green.

Helmets hid their faces.

“The leader,” Kaito muttered.

“White coat. Devil symbol.”

“…The White Devil.”

The woman tilted her head.

“Looks like,” she said calmly, “I overdid it.”

The green-coated rider chuckled.

“Yeah, like always ” he replied. “Feels like cleaning duty tonight.

Like a frog king clearing the road.

While Mekisa stepped into the light

facing Lustere’s CEO in her first true challenge

Yukiro chose the shadow.

This wasn’t rescue.

This wasn’t romance.

This was loyalty expressed through dirt and danger.

The Lioness moved forward.

The Frog King cleaned the path behind her.

And Neon City watched

As the first hunt truly began.

~To Be Continue ~

Thanks for reading and support 

Next chapter coming soon ~