I cut into a piece of my pancake, the sweet aroma filling me with excitement, before taking a bite. “It's delicious…!” I sighed with delight. The fluffy feeling was like heaven!

“Glad to hear it.” Blaze smiled. “It’s… to make up for yesterday, so, eat as much as you'd like, Luna.”

Suddenly, heaven was starting to feel more like hell as guilt began to wash over me again.

Even though they’re all so kind to me…

Thorn's creepy smile flashed in my mind again, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. If possible, I really didn't want to join Crime, but…

“Now then.” Blaze cleared her throat. “For our mission today, we’ll begin searching for Violet and Eon Ione. Any ideas where to start, Luna?”

Searching on our own won’t get us anywhere…

I knew that. Even if I had four people helping me, the results wouldn't make that much of a difference, would it? The more I thought about it, the more foolish it seemed to search for my siblings while ignoring our biggest lead to them.

“....I think…” I put my fork down and took a deep breath to remain calm. “Thorn Shadows knows where they are…”

Blaze flinched slightly, her expression more serious. “....Are you suggesting we search for Thorn?”

I nodded slowly. “I-If anyone knows my siblings’ whereabouts, it’s him. I think…”

“WHAAAT!?” Ettie slammed her hands down on the table. “Are you crazy?! You actually wanna go searching for that creep?!”

“I too strongly object to this! You will only be putting yourself in further danger by going to such lengths!” As expected, Celine also protested.

“That guy came to our hideout just to capture you for Crime! Do you seriously think he’ll just talk to you and let you be on your way?!” Robin was also against it, which left Blaze. But if the three of them objected, it was almost a guarantee she would as well.

Blaze inhaled deeply before asking me another question. “....And what do you plan to do once you find him again?”

“I-I want to ask him about Violet and Eon...”

Blaze looked at me skeptically. “He evaded all your questions. What makes you think it’ll be any different this time?”

“Then, I won't back down until I can squeeze the information out of him!” I was aware they were big words coming from someone who was too scared to corner him and ended up being cornered instead. But I wouldn't let that happen this time. I couldn't!

“Look, Thorn told you himself that he doesn't give information away for free. He isn't the type of person who can be easily swayed. Once he has his mind set on something, he won't change it. And if his mind is set, he won't give in to your demands unless he gets something out of it. No matter how much you try to convince him through your words.” Blaze explained.

“T-Then, I won't give him what he wants! I’ll keep questioning him so much to the point he’ll have no choice but to give me answers if he doesn't want me to pester him any further!”

“You…!” Blaze facepalmed with exasperation. “You are the most stubborn person I’ve ever met, you know that?! And if that weren't somehow enough, you're completely reckless! You have no regard for your own safety whatsoever!”

I was worried I went too far with how much Blaze was scolding me until she spoke up again.

“....Okay, fine. Seeing as we’re searching for your siblings, it’s only right that you decide our course of action here.”

“WHAAA—?!”

“WHAT THE HELLL?!”

“WHAT ON EARTH?!”

“Uh… Huh?”

The three of them each had their own unanimous reactions to Blaze’s decision, and even I was completely dumbstruck by her agreeing with me.

“You can't be serious, Boss!? Do you actually think this is a good plan?!” Ettie questioned, her jaw wide open.

“Oh, no, it's a horrible plan.” Blaze answered bluntly. “But Luna has a point. We don't exactly have any other leads to her siblings.”

“That's… true, but…” Ettie looked down with a pout.

“I still object to this!” Celine cried. “Surely we can find Miss Luna’s siblings without having to resort to that option!”

“And normally I would agree, but do you have any better ideas?”

“W-Well, no, but surely there must be something—”

“One of Regret’s goals has been to find and stop Crime. Searching for Thorn perfectly aligns with that.”

“...But are you really okay with that?” Ettie asked quietly. “I mean, that guy—”

“Ettie.” Robin gave her a look as if signaling her to stop before she said too much.

Ettie shut her mouth abruptly and lowered her gaze sadly. Robin seemed to understand what she was talking about, but Blaze herself seemed confused as to what Ettie meant.

“...Why wouldn't I be okay with that?” Blaze smiled forcefully, but a mutter escaped her lips. “It was bound to happen sooner or later, anyway…”

What happened between those two…?

I decided not to ask any more to avoid ruining the mood further.

We all went back to eating our pancakes in silence, leaving the questions for the mission.

“....It really is delicious…”

I mumbled before popping another forkful in my mouth.