“AhaHAHA!” Thorn laughed delightedly, pulling me in for a hug and nuzzling closer. “I've been looking all over for… you....” He started to trail off mid-sentence and stared at me, leaning in to get a better look.

Isn't he way too close…?!

He was practically leaving no space between us!

“You… really do have such lovely eyes…” I was surprised by the sudden compliment. We had only just met yesterday but it didn't seem very in-character for him.

“T-Thank you…?” I was a little flattered but that feeling quickly got overtaken by my shock. “N-No, wait, Thorn Shadows…?! W-What are you doing?!”

“You remembered my name?!” His eyes looked like they were sparkling, which was a total contrast to his void eyes from before. “That makes me so happy!”

“O-Of course I would remember your name…? I wouldn't forget the name of Crime's leader…”

And especially not one as strange sounding as 'Thorn Shadows'…

But Thorn seemed surprised by my answer. “You… wouldn't forget my name?” His cheeks flushed a bright red with a bashful giggle. “I wouldn't forget your name either, Ribbon. Ehehee…”

Except you did!? Where did 'Ribbon' even come from?!

“That's… not my name…” I laughed nervously.

“Of course I know that, Luna Ione!” Thorn playfully booped my nose. “It's a term of endearment. Cute, right?”

I really wanted to know what Thorn’s definition of 'cute' was if he thought that was a good name.

“U-Um, I don't really get it…”

“You don't? Well, your ribbon is cute, and it feels more intimate to call you by a pet name, sooo... I'm calling you 'Ribbon'!” He smiled cheerfully. “You can call me whatever you like, too.”

I was sure he was inviting me to use a pet name on him so I politely refused. “I-I think Thorn is fine…”

He immediately brightened and his eyes began shining again. “I'm used to being called 'Boss' so it's more than fine with me! It means we're closer than a boss and subordinate!”

I was confused by what he was implying. “We’re not boss and subordinate, though…?”

He chuckled. “Not yet, anyway.”

What is he trying to say?!

“Get off her already!” Blaze kicked Thorn to the side and he fell to the ground with a thud.

“Oww!?” Thorn groaned and turned to face her. “Who the hell— ….Oh. So, you were here, Blaze?” His eyes were void again and he sounded completely uninterested.

Blaze pulled me up by the hand before proceeding to glare at Thorn. “What kind of reaction is that?! I’ve been here the whole time! Just watching you do whatever the hell it was you were doing!”

Thorn lifted himself up from the ground and patted down the dirt off his cloak. “Have you, now? I was looking at Luna Ione the whole time so I didn't notice.”

“Yeah, I could tell. So, why were you searching 'all over' for Luna, anyway?”

“Welll, we went to your hideout to retrieve her, but the place was empty so I assumed you were out on a mission. Looks like my assumption was right.” Thorn glanced around like he was surveying his surroundings. “So, what kind of mission are you guys on, anyway? I don't see the rest of your little friends.”

Come to think of it, it was strange we hadn't heard from them yet.

“Where are they?” I whispered to Blaze.

“I don't know… They should have been here by now…” Blaze whispered back with a frown.

We hadn't gone that far from them, I didn't think.

“....They'll be here.” Blaze answered Thorn, but she looked like she was unsure.

Thorn hummed. “Is that so? Well, I’m only here for Luna Ione, so it doesn't really matter to me.”

He smirked at me in a way I could only describe as… oddly flirtatious, so I awkwardly averted my eyes from him.

What’s gotten into him?! He’s like a completely different person from yesterday!

No! After dragging everyone into this, I needed to get answers out of Thorn no matter what!

I mustered my courage and tried to get my words out. “...I-I actually came here for you!”

“For… me?” Thorn blinked. “O-Oh, wow…!? Are you saying what I think you're saying…?!” He held his cheeks with his hands and… blushed. For some reason.

“....W-What do you think I’m saying?” I asked slowly.

“This is a love confession, isn't it?!”

“....I'm sorry?”

Did I hear him right? There's no way I did, right?

“You're a lot bolder than I thought, confessing to Crime's leader so suddenly! But I don't mind because it's you…” Thorn’s face was gradually growing more red, and he began to twiddle his fingers. “My heart is racing with excitement!”

“I wasn’t—”

“I haven't been able to stop thinking about our kiss, you know.” He giggled shyly. “It filled me with such a warm feeling. Seeing you fills me with a warm feeling... I’ve never felt like this before…”

No, hasn't there been a major misunderstanding here?! What on earth is he talking about?!

“Do you feel that way, too?” He grasped my hands with sparkling eyes and leaned in close. “You must, right?!”

Actually, this feeling is probably closer to fear for me…!!

But Thorn seemed to have a completely different idea from that entirely!

Does Crime’s leader actually like me?! There’s no way, right?! Surely I’m just misunderstanding!?

I thought I could see shadows shaped like hearts floating in the air above him and I felt more confused than ever.

“Uh… Love confession?” Blaze looked utterly dumbstruck, pointing to both me and Thorn in her disbelief. “You? And Thorn?”

“N-No!?” I desperately tried to clear up the misunderstanding. “I’m just trying to ask about—”

“Aw, no need to be shy, Ribbon! C’mere!” Thorn pulled me in for a hug and held me tight. “I’ll accept your love! ♡”

“T-There’s no love here to accept!?”

“Thorn.” The Crime member spoke sternly.

“Ah… Right, right! The mission!” Thorn released me and backed away with a nervous laugh.

The Crime member sighed. “Don't go scaring the girl off again.”

“I’m not scaring her, Lillia! We were just talking.” Thorn pouted.

“And you call that 'talking'? That girl looks terrified of you.”

“Well, she’s not!”

“Why don't you ask her yourself if you’re so sure?”

The Crime member, Lillia, and Thorn both turned their gazes to me.

Thorn stared with void eyes, his white pupils gazing into me menacingly. “Are you scared of me?”

“Ee—! Ha… haha…!” I almost yelped but covered it up with a nervous laugh. “N-No! I-I’m not scared of you or anything! Not at all, haha…!”

My acting was terrible in my fear, but Thorn grinned, seeming to have bought it. “See, Lillia? She said she isn't scared of me at all!”

“Uh huh. Keep telling yourself that.” Lillia nodded, unconvinced.

Wait… 'Lillia'…?

Was this the Crime member Thorn was on the phone with yesterday?

I stared at her. Though she had her hood up, I could see light sky blue hair sticking out of it.

“...What are you looking at?” Lillia asked coldly.

“Eep! I-I’m sorry!” I quickly lowered my gaze.

“Hey, you’re the one scaring her right now!” Thorn scolded. “Sorry about that, Ribbon. She’s less scary than she looks, really.”

“As if you're one to talk about looking scary?”

“Shut up, Lillia.”

I glanced at Blaze, wondering how she was viewing this rather silly exchange, but she looked like she was in pain.

“...Blaze? Are you okay...?” I asked quietly.

Blaze took a deep breath and approached the two of them, while still maintaining a distance. “....L-Lillia…” She spoke, only slightly raising her hand.

Lillia, who didn't appear to be very expressive, twisted her face with anger. “....Blaze.”

Blaze fearfully lowered her hand and held her own arm. “H-How have you been…?”

“....I have no interest in engaging in small talk with you.” Lillia spoke coldly, glaring venomously.

“I…” Blaze gulped. “I’m sorry…”

Lillia’s expression didn't change. “It’s far too late for that.”

“....So, you’re pretending you care about us now?” Thorn laughed bitterly.

Blaze clenched her teeth and raised her voice. “I’m not pretending—!”

“Then, why did you abandon us?!”

Thorn screamed and the three of us all turned our gazes to him.

I feel like I shouldn't be here right now!

The mood was incredibly tense, and the three of them seemed to be having a serious argument.

“Don’t act like you care after you abandoned us for seven years! We mean nothing to you and you know it!”

“That's not…!” Blaze’s voice was cracking now. “That’s not true!”

“Cut the bullshit! You cut me out of your life and now you're just trying to waltz back like nothing’s wrong?! I won't forget what you did! I can't forget!” Thorn's face darkened in anger, but he looked like he was about to cry.

“Calm down.” Lillia put her hand on Thorn's shoulder, appearing to apply ice to cool him down. “I understand how you feel, but the mission comes first.”

“....You're right. I’m sorry.” He murmured.

“Thorn…” Blaze started to approach him, but Thorn shot a shadow blast near her feet.

“Take this as a warning.” He clenched his teeth. “If you get in my way again, I won't hold back.”

Blaze clutched her chest and looked down sadly.

'A brother and a sister'…

I remembered the story Blaze was telling me earlier, and suddenly the relationship between the three was starting to make sense to me. Was it possible Thorn and Lillia were Blaze's siblings in the orphanage…?

It's no wonder she's so pained…

My heart began to ache for the three of them. I didn't know their story, but it was clear they were all hurting.

“Blaze…” I gently squeezed Blaze's other hand, trying to ease her pain if only a little.

Blaze gasped and turned to face me. “Thanks…” She whispered and squeezed my hand back. I closed my eyes momentarily, taking in her warmth.

“....”

“Eep!?”

When I opened my eyes again, Thorn was glaring at us with a darkened face that screamed death.

Why is he so angry all of a sudden?! And why isn't he saying anything?!

No! I couldn't think about that right now! We came here for a reason!

“I-I came here to talk to you, Thorn!”

That got Thorn's attention and he immediately smiled again. “I’d love to get to know you better, too!” The switch-up was a little unsettling.

“N-No, I wanted to ask you about Violet and Eon… You know where they are, don't you?”

“Ah…” He looked a little disappointed for some reason. “I told you I’ll answer that once you join Crime, didn't I?”

“That’s not an answer I’m satisfied with.”

He laughed. “Well, it's not supposed to be an answer.”

My eye was starting to twitch. “Then, give me an actual answer.”

“Wooow. You really are stubborn, aren't you? I kind of like it, though.”

“Ghh…!” I was only getting more frustrated with him avoiding my questions. “I won't take no for an answer, so tell me where my siblings are!”

“Welll, I won't take no for an answer until you agree to join Crime, sooo, what will you do about that?”

He’s just treating this all like some sort of game!

At this rate, he wouldn't tell me anything!

“You could just tell her, you know. There’s no point in hiding it anymore.” Lillia spoke.

“And where would be the fun in that?” Thorn chuckled. “I plan to tell her soon enough, but doing it too early will spoil it.”

“I don't get you sometimes.” Lillia sighed.

“What are you two talking about?!” I demanded.

Lillia narrowed her eyes and stared at me. “I say we just immobilize her and haul her back to the hideout.”

“Eep!?” I instinctively hid behind Blaze.

“Can you not say something so threatening like it's normal? You’ll freak her out!” Thorn scolded.

“If she refuses to go with us, we might as well.” Lillia said matter-of-factly.

“I’d rather she come with us willingly!”

“Chances of that are looking very slim.”

“Urk… Well, maybe she’ll change her mind?”

“And if she doesn't?”

Thorn paused before answering. “....Then, I’ll open the portal and we’ll drag her back with us.”

“Ettie! Robin! Celine!” I internally called out to the three of them.

Blaze shielded me with her arm, and I could see she was starting to sweat. “Thorn won't give Luna any answers, and he has backup! Where are you now?”

Suddenly, the connection sounded like it was getting fuzzy, but I could hear Ettie’s voice. “Boss…! Luna…! We’re fighting two Crime members! But they're crazy strong! I don't know if we can hold them off with just us…!”

“What…?!” Blaze audibly gasped.

“Boss, what do we do?! WAAH—!?”

“Ettie?!” I was sure I made a noise out loud in my worry.

“I-I’m okay! But it’s hard to talk and dodge at the same time…!”

“Hold on, we’re coming to help you!”

Ettie sounded reassured from hearing Blaze's message. “Okay! We'll hold them off as best we can…!”

Once Ettie signed off, Blaze glared at Thorn with fire in her eyes.

“What did you do to them?!”

“I don't know what you're talking about?”

“Don't play dumb with me! Ettie said you sent two of your members to ambush her and the others!”

Thorn scoffed. “Jumping to conclusions again, are you?”

Blaze looked like she was about to lunge at him in her anger. “You sent them to distract the others while you dealt with me and Luna!”

“A good idea. If only I thought of it. I came here with Crime, but I didn't send anyone after those three.”

“Quit lying to me, you—!”

“I don't think he's lying, Blaze. I think he's telling the truth…” Or at least, I thought so.

Thorn looked surprised. “...Huh. You actually believe me? Well, it's true I'm telling the truth this time.”

“Tsk!” Blaze clicked her tongue. “We're going after them! Come on, Luna!”

“R-Right!”

While I still wanted to question Thorn about my siblings, I was more worried about the others at the moment. But just as we were about to run off, I came to a sudden halt.

“I-I can't move…!?” I was stuck to the ground.

It didn't seem like Blaze could move either. “T-This is… Shadow Possession…?!”