I wasn't able to get any sleep last night.

I was so awake after what had happened earlier that day that I ended up writing the new information I acquired in my Crime data book until the sun came up. But judging from everyone else's eye bags, it seemed like they didn't have much luck sleeping, either.

“...Boss still hasn't said anything about yesterday.” Ettie mumbled quietly enough so that Blaze couldn't hear from the kitchen.

It was true. When Blaze came downstairs after all of us, she greeted everyone with a good morning and immediately went to work on breakfast. We hadn't gotten the chance to speak to her about what happened.

“...Just give her time. She'll probably talk about it after breakfast.” Robin's tone of voice didn't match his words. I got the feeling he was just as upset as all of us.

“But what if she doesn't? Boss has been acting really weird ever since we ran into that freaky guy!”

“Shh! Keep your voice down! Do you want Boss to hear you?!” Robin scolded Ettie in a hushed whisper.

“But maybe she'd stop running if she heard us!”

“Idiot! She'll just run away even more if you do that!”

They were both whispering loud enough that I was sure Blaze could've heard them if not for the sizzling sounds coming from the skillet she was using.

I opened up my data book and went over the new information again. At first, I thought Thorn Shadows had discovered me through that water signal I shot off, but…

He said he had been searching for me 'for a very long time'...

So, I quickly crossed off that possibility. But now I needed to know how long he was searching for me. I had been searching for Crime for six years, but he couldn't have been searching for me as long as I've been searching for Crime, right?

…Or was he?

I was starting to doubt myself. He knew about me, and he knew about my siblings as well. Was it possible he was acquainted with them? It didn't seem like it was an unlikely possibility anymore…

He said I had a connection to Crime, too…

Was he referring to my siblings, or something else—?

Growwl.

My steadily coming together theories were interrupted by the sound of my growling stomach. I could smell the pancakes Blaze was making and it was starting to derail my thoughts.

It smells so goood…

I hadn't had pancakes since I was a kid, so I was honestly getting a little— okay, more than a little, excited. The last time I had some was when Noelle made them for everyone…

…Oh, now I'm just getting sad again.

I quickly shook my head. I couldn't afford to get sad about the past or excited for pancakes right now. We had more important business to attend to.

…I was smelling something fruity coming from the kitchen. Freshly cut berries, maybe?

Grrrowl.

Ack! Forget about the pancakes!

At the rate things were going, I wouldn't be able to focus at all!

“You must be really hungry, Luna!” Ettie laughed heartily.

“Huh? Um, I guess I didn't eat much last night…”

My mind was too concerned with everything that happened, but now I realized just how hungry I was.

“My, those eyebags are awful. And that bedhead…” Celine gasped. “You really ought to be taking proper care of yourself, Miss Luna. Did you get enough sleep last night?”

I decided to just be honest with her. “I barely slept a wink…”

“Looks like none of us got much sleep, huh.” Ettie laughed awkwardly. “Guess that's understandable with what happened yesterday, though.”

“Mm…” I yawned drowsily. “I was writing in the Crime data book until the sun came up…”

“That long?! Was there that much more to write down?!” She asked with disbelief.

I nodded. “I think I filled over ten pages with data last night…”

Robin made a face. “There was not enough data to fill up ten pages, come on now.”

“Any data on Crime is valuable to me, no matter how small.” I flipped through the new pages, making sure I had written everything down properly, and then I shut the book.

I needed more clues, of course, but after six years of going off of nothing but TV reports, it was crazy to me how much progress I was finally making with my search.

I need to find Thorn Shadows again.

It was clear he was the closest thing to locating my siblings, and it didn't seem like he would be impossible to find anymore. But…

“I look forward to our next meeting, Luna Ione! AhahAHA!”

I remembered Thorn’s creepy laughter and flinched. I was face to face with him, and yet…

…I was too scared to say anything…

As ashamed as I was to admit it, I realized I wasn't as nearly as prepared as I thought I was. Even though he showed no intentions of hurting me specifically, he was scarily powerful… and the anger he had towards Blaze only strengthened that.

“—Luna? Are you okay?”

I noticed Ettie’s hand waving in front of my face and shook my head. “Y-Yeah, I’m fine…” I forced a smile, but I could feel my hands trembling. Sitting here with my thoughts was only worsening my nerves. It wouldn't do me any good just staying put like this.

I shoved the data book back into my pocket and rose from my seat with a jerk. “I… I think I’ll go see how Blaze is doing!”

“Wait, Luna—!?”

Before Ettie could ask, I quickly ran into the kitchen.

Blaze, her long white hair tied back in a ponytail, was flipping pancakes at the stove. The sweet smell was even more distracting from inside the kitchen.

…Okay, maybe this was a bad idea. I wouldn't be able to focus on what I wanted to say with the smell of pancakes wafting in the air.

Focus, Luna! Say what you wanted to say!

“Um—!” I started, but was quickly interrupted.

“...Listen, I wanted to talk to you. About yesterday.” Blaze suddenly spoke. She didn't turn around, but she must have known it was me.

“I— Um…” I was a little taken aback by how easily she started the topic. “That's actually why I came in here to see you.”

Blaze chuckled dryly. “Guess that makes things easy for the both of us, huh. Look, I wanted to apologize for how I handled things. I was…” She paused, seemingly having trouble finding the words. “...Upset. At Thorn, and at myself… and I ended up taking it out on you and running away. I’m sorry for that.”

…I really didn't expect to hear such a sincere apology from her. I couldn't see her expression, but she sounded genuine enough that I felt I should apologize too.

“A-Ah, no, I’m sorry for bombarding you with so many questions…”

“No, you have nothing to apologize for. I don't know their motive, but Crime is after you. It would only make sense that you’re confused and looking for answers.”

“...So, you don't know why they’re after me, either?” I was kind of hoping she would be able to help me make sense of the situation.

“No… I’m just as lost as you.” There were still a lot of things Blaze was hiding from me, but it felt like she was actually telling the truth this time. She put her spatula down, and turned to face me with a serious gaze.

“But no matter what Crime’s reason is, I'll protect you.” She placed her hand on her chest, still wearing her apron, but I thought she looked cooler than ever… Like I could put all my faith in her. “I asked you to entrust your life to me when we first met, and you did. So, I’ll continue to give you my word… I promise to protect you, Luna.”

I had agreed in the spur of the moment while we were escaping, and looking back on it now, it was a little dramatic. But Blaze took those words seriously. So seriously that it was still on her mind.

I knew I was overthinking things, and I knew she likely didn't mean anything by it, but I couldn't stop my racing heart.

You're gonna give me the wrong idea…!

My cheeks already felt flushed.

“You… You're gonna make me blush, you know…?”

“O-Oh, sorry…” Blaze apologized, but she looked perplexed by my reaction. “Did I say something weird?”

“N-No, it's alright!” I quickly flailed my arms to assure her that wasn't the case. “I was the one who said something weird, so…”

“I didn't think anything you said was weird, though?”

I looked up again to face Blaze and we exchanged gazes. Her red eyes drew me in again, and before I knew it, I couldn't look away.

Her eyes were sharp, but so filled with kindness…

She’s so amazing…

Having her look at me this much really wasn't good for my heart…!

Blaze, noticing my gaze, tilted her head slightly. “Is there something on my face, or…?”

“A-Ah, no! I’m sorry! I didn't mean to stare! You’re just so cool, I…” I abruptly stopped myself once I noticed Blaze’s face had turned a shade of red. Ugh! Me and my big mouth! “I-I’m sorry!”

“You don't have to apologize…” Blaze cleared her throat to regain her composure but her face was still noticeably red. “But, uh… thanks. For the compliment.”

“Huh? U-Um, you're welcome…?”

…That really couldn't have been a worse response! There was an awkward silence while we stared at each other, waiting for the other to say something first.

But the sound of bubbling immediately had Blaze turning back to face the stove. She grabbed her spatula and skillfully flipped the bubbling pancake.

“...A-Anyway, breakfast will be ready in a few minutes, so, could you go gather the others for me?”

“Y-Yes, I’ll do that…!”

I quickly exited the kitchen and walked back into the living room, where the other three were staring at me with knowing looks.

“...H-How much did you hear?” I asked slowly.

Ettie smirked with a giggle. “So, y’think Boss is cool, huh?”

“I-I mean, I do, but—”

Before I could try and come up with an excuse, Celine chuckled. “Oh, don't tease her so much, Miss Ettie. When you're in love, you simply can't help such things! And isn't it cute how smitten Miss Luna is with Boss?”

“S-Smitten—?!” My voice went up a little higher in embarrassment.

Ettie nodded enthusiastically. “Totally! There's like, this pure-heartedness to their relationship, y’know?”

“Indeed! It's such a lovely sight for sore eyes. It warms my heart just to watch them.”

Amidst Ettie and Celine’s chattering, Robin rolled his eyes. “Get a room, god.”

“Shush, you! You just don't understand a maiden’s heart!” Ettie stuck her tongue out.

Celine’s cheeks suddenly flushed a bright red. “B-By a room, are you referring to a room for Boss and Miss Luna, or are you perhaps referring to a room for Miss Ettie and I?”

“I dunno, both? I don't care.” Robin answered with another groan, clearly aware of the meaning for Celine's question.

“Whaaat?! Cellie and I don't need a room!” Ettie objected, flailing her arms.

“If it spares me from whatever the hell this is, then yeah, get a room.”

“I-I don’t believe we need a room, but if Miss Ettie has no further objections…” Celine twiddled her fingers and shyly glanced at Ettie.

“A-Ahaha… I dunno about that! I mean, I love my room as it is!” Ettie laughed awkwardly.

…This is kind of painful to witness.

I was starting to feel second hand embarrassment from how obvious the signals Celine was sending Ettie were. At least the gossip surrounding me and Blaze had stopped, but maybe that would have even been less awkward than this…

“Plus, I’ve got a roomie now!” Ettie looked to me for help.

Don't drag me into this!?

“Hey.” Blaze peeked her head in the living room with perfect timing. “Breakfast is ready.”

“Ooh! C’mon, Luna! You’re gonna love it!” Ettie immediately made a run for the kitchen, dashing past Blaze.

“Hey, no running, alright!? The food isn't going anywhere!” Blaze scolded.

Celine sighed a little disappointedly, but quickly regained her gentle smile, following after Ettie, while Robin followed close behind the two of them with a slouch. Once the three of them left, I breathed a sigh of relief.

“You saved me…”

“Yeah, those three are always like that. It’s a real headache sometimes.” Blaze sighed tiredly.

I chuckled. “You all seem really close, though.”

“Well, we’ve been in Regret together for six years now. Celine joined a little later, so, for her, it’s been about four years.”

“Six years…” I murmured, thinking deeply.

Not only was I separated from Violet and Eon six years ago, but Crime had also formed six years ago, too. And something Thorn said has been on my mind. He said that he found out about Regret five years ago, that there were only three of them at the time, and…

…That Blaze had formed Regret to 'replace' him.

But what did he mean by 'replaced'…?

Blaze noticed the sudden solemn look on my face. “Something wrong?”

I shook my head and smiled weakly. “N-No, it’s nothing...”

Blaze was clearly shaken up by what Thorn said to her. I shouldn't drag it back up for her unless I had to.

And that wouldn't be very polite during breakfast, either…