The sound of a teacup being set in front of me on the table snapped me out of my thoughts. I noticed there was a small plate of fancy looking cookies, too.

This looks more expensive than anything I've had in my life…!

I felt a little nervous touching something so fancy as a guest but Celine had a gentle smile on her face.

“T-Thank you…” I smiled awkwardly. “Um, are you sure it's alright if I have these?”

“Of course. Oh, are they perhaps not to your liking? I could fetch something else—” She had a worried expression now.

I flailed my arms around to dispel the misunderstanding quickly. “Ahh, no, no! They look delicious! I-If it's really no problem with you, then I'd love to have some…!”

“Please do. There's plenty in the kitchen, so help yourself to as many as you like.”

I looked at the plate of fancy cookies and my stomach grumbled a bit.

Celine chuckled and I felt embarrassed. I decided to accept her offer and start eating.

“Mm…!” I took a bite of one of the fancy cookies and it was delicious as expected.

“Is it to your liking?” Celine asked.

I nodded enthusiastically, finishing off the cookie. “It's delicious…!”

She smiled warmly. “I'm pleased to hear that.”

If I weren't around strangers right now, I'd be scarfing these down…

It had been a long time since I last had them, so maybe that was why I got excited whenever I saw sweets. Especially cookies, which were always my favorite. I thought of my mom's recipe and of Noelle baking cookies for the three of us with that very recipe…

I miss Mom…

She was never coming back. Ability hunters had put an end to her. That's why I had to keep searching for the family I still have. For Violet, for Eon, for Noelle, for Crimson… I had to find them.

…I miss Noelle…

The more I thought of her, the more lonely I felt.

“Lulu!”

I remembered Noelle's gentle voice and the nickname she gave me. I remembered how she'd take the three of us flying with her on adventures every day and how she'd read us stories every night. Even this purple ribbon I was wearing was a gift from Noelle… I remembered how she'd tie my hair with it every morning. My hair used to be shoulder length but it had grown so much longer since those days.

This is bad. My eyes are already starting to feel warm…

I picked up the cup of tea and blew on it, staring into its contents while waiting for it to cool.

“I promise we won't be gone for long.”

That was what she promised when she left to go find Violet and Eon.

…Is six years not long enough to you?

I didn't understand. Was it because I left that house when she told me to wait?

I missed her. Terribly. I was focusing on trying to find Violet and Eon most of all but I really did miss Noelle. I missed the comfort and warmth of my big sister… I wished she could hug me right now and tell me that things would be alright.

There's no use dwelling on it. It is what it is.

Before I realized it, the tea was starting to swish around.

Blaze stared at the cup I was holding. “Hey, your ability is activating!”

“Huh…?” I looked down and my hands were glowing a light blue while the tea was swishing around violently, splashing outside of the cup. “Ah!? I-I'm sorry!”

I tried to calm myself to focus on my ability and stop the liquid from moving.

“No, you don't have to apologize… Are you okay?” Blaze asked with concern.

“I-I'm fine… I was… just thinking of someone…” I took a sip of tea to calm myself. “Um, have either of you heard of anyone named Noelle Belle?”

Regret exchanged glances with each other but they seemed to be clueless.

“Who?” Ettie asked confusedly.

“She has blonde hair and pink eyes— You know what, never mind…” I felt embarrassed for asking and awkwardly took another sip of tea.

Maybe Thorn Shadows would know…?

I wondered. Crime would likely know more about my family than Regret would. At least I hoped so.

“...Sorry, but I've never heard of her.” Blaze said.

“Yeah, I didn't think so…”

The silence was awkward. I grabbed another cookie and took a bite from it to try and distract myself.

…They really were pretty good.

Robin exchanged glances with Blaze. “Should we check if Crime struck?”

“...You're right. We should turn on the news.”

Robin reached for the remote and turned on the TV once he received the okay from Blaze.

“—...A pool of blood was mysteriously found in the park.”

The TV powered on and I immediately turned to face it once I heard the newscaster. Although I was staring at the TV in shock, everyone else seemed less surprised, as if they knew it would happen. 

There on the screen was footage of the park we were in just earlier and now it was stained with blood. A pool of blood leading to no bodies just like all of the previous reports. It was honestly terrifying but now that I was aware of his ability and his methods, I tried to push down my fears and focus my eyes to catch anything I normally wouldn't. I noticed small dissipating shadows, something the average eye wouldn't notice, near the pool of blood, left over from an ability.

I let out an audible gasp and pointed at the screen in my shock. “S-Shadows!?”

“If his shadows are still dissipating, that means it wasn't too long ago when he used his ability…” Blaze muttered, thoughtfully scratching her chin.

That means…!!

I quickly rose from my seat and took a running stance.

Blaze grabbed me by the hand and stopped me. “And where do you think you're going?”

“To find Thorn Shadows! He couldn't have gone far!”

“Don't be reckless! Ability hunters will be stationed in and around the park now that Crime has attacked!”

“You don't know that!”

“—...Ability hunters have stationed themselves in the area as a result of this attack. We advise others to stay out of the area until it's in the clear.”

Just as I yelled back, the newscaster issued a warning while showing footage of ability hunters standing guard.

“...Okay, maybe you did know that.”

It was honestly frustrating. Maybe God was doing it on purpose to mess with me.

“See? It's way too dangerous to go back right now.”

“But Crime's leader is out there! I can't just sit back and do nothing when I can finally find him!” I tried to brush Blaze's hand off of me but her grip was tight.

“And are you forgetting that you already almost died? You're lucky we heard you when we did!”

“I-I know, but…!”

“What do you plan to do if you get surrounded by hunters?”

“I-I'm stronger than you think I am!”

“Oh, really? And will you still be strong if they shoot you with another suppressor?”

I knew Blaze had a point but it was still frustrating arguing with her now that I finally had a lead.

“I'll… figure out something…!”

“Listen. To. Me.” She flicked my forehead with her finger, “Considering his ability which lets him travel quickly through shadows, he's likely already left the area by now. He could be back at Crime's hideout for all you know. You'll just be throwing your life away if you go back there again.”

 “Then, what do you suggest I do?!”

My forehead stung like a mild burn. She must have applied her flame ability to that forehead flick.

“Stop putting on these reckless stunts, for one? First, you fired off a water signal, and now you're trying to head out into a horde of ability hunters? Are you trying to get yourself killed?! Just stay put for now!”

“What I'm trying to do is find my siblings and I can't do that just by staying put!”

Blaze facepalmed in exasperation at my response, clearly fed up with our arguing.

She took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing what she had to say. “I didn't say you had to stay put forever. Look, I already said we would help you search for your siblings, didn't I?”

…That was true. But considering I hadn't agreed to join Regret yet, I thought that offer was off the table.

“I still think you should rest today but I have no complaints with starting our search tomorrow once things have calmed down with the hunters.”

“And you're serious…?” I asked.

“Do I look like I'm joking?” Blaze had a serious expression on her face but she was smiling with determination.

Seeing that face made me want to believe in her.

I know what I need to do now…

“I've made my decision.” I faced Blaze with a newfound determination. “I'll join Regret... On one condition.”

I could tell she was surprised but she kept that smile on her face. “Let's hear it.”

“I'll join Regret as a temporary member until we find Crime or my siblings. If I decide to become a full time member of Regret or if I decide to leave altogether… Well, I'll decide when the time comes. Do you agree to these conditions?”

Blaze hummed. “I see. So, it's a temporary arrangement then.”

She seemed to be thinking deeply about it.

“So, what you're saying is… you could turn out to be my enemy as well…?” She muttered. Considering how quiet it was, I doubted she wanted me to hear her.

“Huh…?” It was a stupid question but it was all I could manage to ask.

“...Never mind.“ She shook her head and smiled. “....Very well. I agree with your conditions.”

There was something off about her smile.

'As well'? Who else was she referring to…?

I thought I could see a flash of sadness in her eyes. I still didn't understand Blaze. Not the first thing about her…

“Welcome aboard, Newbie!” Ettie pounced on me for a hug, distracting me from my serious thoughts.

“Wah!?”

Ettie had such a wide smile on her face, I couldn't help but smile just a little. Her enthusiasm really was contagious.

“Alright then!” Blaze smacked her chest proudly. “Regret's first order of business with five members is to find Violet and Eon Ione! Rest up for today. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“You got it, Boss!”

“Got it, Boss!”

“Understood, Boss!”

“Huh? Um, y-yes, Boss!”

We all responded to Blaze's order differently. I still didn't think I could get used to calling someone 'Boss'. And the whole secret organization thing…

Jeez… Just how old are we?

I thought embarrassedly. Judging from their appearance and mannerisms, I assumed they had to be around my age. Maybe even a little older than I was.

I had no problems with this sort of 'secret organization' thing in novels, but in real life? It was more than a little embarrassing.

“...Can I just call you Blaze instead?”

“Sure.” Blaze seemed to have no problem with it at least.

“Aw, c'mon! At least play along, Newbie!”

“If she doesn't want to, you can't force her to.”

“Ooh, I know! What about if you called her Boss on missions?”

“I'll, um, think about it…”

Ettie's eyes gleamed enthusiastically while Blaze sighed with exasperation. It was awkward but I laughed just a little.

And so, I joined Regret as their fifth member. At the time, I couldn't grasp that things would soon become far, far more complicated than I could have ever begun to imagine…