The five of us had been following the coordinates on my phone for a few minutes now. The air was surprisingly nice and crisp for what had been a warm spring, and the moon was bright and full. It was a pretty night, all things considered. If we weren't in such a hurry, I would have liked to stop and look at the sky more. But…

“...Almost there,” I mumbled with a gulp.

We have no time to waste.

The forest where we were supposed to meet Thorn was getting closer by the minute. 

“Is this it?” The GPS had finally stopped with a flash to tell us we had made it. I glanced around, but there didn't seem to be a person in sight. “There's no one here, though…”

“Well, we still have about nine minutes until midnight. Since Thorn can warp as he pleases, it’s possible he’ll arrive at the last minute,” Blaze said.

“That's true…” Still, considering how excited he was, I would have expected him to arrive earlier than us. 

“Hold on, lemme see if I can track his mind signal!” Ettie closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead with her index fingers.

…Should I try calling out to him?

Maybe he was deeper in the forest and couldn't hear us.

“It’s worth a shot…” I put my phone away and made a megaphone with my hands, “Thooorn?” I raised my voice and called out. 

“...What are you doing,” Robin cringed. He looked like he was experiencing second hand embarrassment.

“W-Well, maybe he’s nearby! He could be further in the forest for all we know!” 

“If he were here, surely Miss Ettie would have sensed his mind signal by now,” Celine said.

“That's true…” I knew I was just being impatient. I wanted to see my family, but at the same time, I was scared of how things would go.

“It’ll be okay, Luna,” Blaze smiled reassuringly, but I could see that her hand was trembling just a bit, her other hand placed over it to hide from the others.

She’s scared, too…

Of course she was. Not only was it painful for her to face Thorn and Lillia, but her older sister was a Crime member. The same sister that tried to kill her…

And she tried to kill Robin, all because she thought he was Blaze…

Of course she would be scared. Everyone was. But despite that, they chose to come with me so that I wouldn't be alone. 

Seeing Blaze’s trembling hand like that, I raised my own. I wanted to give her strength. She always seemed comforted whenever I held it, so—

But then I remembered the look on Blaze’s face when I tried to comfort her earlier. Her pale face with beads of sweat running down it…

She… wouldn't want me to do that, would she…?

Was it because we were in front of the others? Or was it because I was meddling too much? Either way, I lowered my hand and held my arm. 

What if Thorn tricked me? What if he decided not to come? What if it's because I didn't come here by myself? What if he believes my resolve isn't strong enough, and now he doesn't want to help me…?

I subconsciously took a few deep breaths, rubbing my arm in a repeating motion to get rid of those what ifs. I had so much anxiety that it wasn't getting rid of it completely, but it was helping alleviate it at least. 

“You called?” In a blink, Thorn appeared right in front of me with a creepily wide grin.

“EEK!?” I blasted him in the face with water on reflex.

“Oh, I found a signal!” Ettie pointed in Thorn's direction.

“A little late for that, don't you think?!” 

“Hey, Ribbon!” Thorn greeted me cheerfully despite being soaked.

“H-Hi…?” I forced an awkward smile, “N-No, wait, where did you come from?!”

Thorn was all smiles, “I got here probablyyy… about an hour ago?” 

“A-An hour…?” I expected he would be here early, but I didn't expect that early. “Where were you, then?” 

“Just waiting around for you, really. And once I heard your voice, I warped to your shadow right away!” He pulled me into his arms for a hug, nuzzling my cheek with his own, “I couldn't waste another moment!”

“W-Warped…?” 

“And now that you’re in front of me, I’m reminded just how pretty you are in person! I’ve never seen anyone so breathtaking…” He sighed dreamily. “Even more so under this moonlight… ‘Luna’ suits you perfectly.”

“...Huh? U-Um, thank you…?” I laughed nervously because I didn't really know how to respond to his compliments. “But I think the moon matches you more than it does me. Your eyes are even a similar color, so the moonlight complements them well…”

I tried to compliment Thorn honestly, but for some reason, he bit his lip and let out a muffled squeal.

As I thought, I really can't handle this guy…!!

Was he biting his lip so hard that it was bleeding?!

“U-Um, you really shouldn't bite down that hard!” I shoved him off, “Your lip is bleeding.” Then, I rummaged through my skirt pocket for a handkerchief. 

“A-Ah, so it is! How embarrassing!” He laughed awkwardly. “Hold on, I think I can tear off a piece of my cloak—”

“No, let me. You patched up my wound yesterday, after all,” I wiped his bottom lip with my handkerchief. “So, this makes us even, okay?”

Though the blood was gone, Thorn looked at me speechlessly with his jaw open.

Oh, crap! I just did what I would have for any friend! He’ll definitely react weirdly…!

“A-Ah…!?” Before I could try and explain myself, Thorn uttered a noise, his face flushing rapidly by the second. “Ahh…!?” He held his bright red cheeks and continued making strange noises like that.

“Um, are you alright—”

“Yes…!?” He squeaked in response. “I-I-I’m…! T-Tha…! Thank…! Y… ouuu…!” His voice was much higher than usual, so it was a little hard to make out what he was saying.

“Huh? Um, you're welcome…?”

“I-I-I need a minute…!!” 

“A-Alright…”

He quickly turned away from me, but because he was wearing his hood down, I could see that even the tips of his ears had gone bright red.

What was that about…?

I had no idea what just happened. His reaction was definitely weird, but not in the way I had expected it to be.

I folded my handkerchief up and put it back in my pocket.

“Woah. That Ribbon charm is even more powerful than I thought it would be…” Ettie said in awe.

“I-I wasn't trying to charm him! I just wanted to help his injury.”

“See, that's where you're too nice for your own good!” Ettie put her hands on her hips with a pout. “Like, if Crime Man bites his lip so hard it bleeds just ‘cuz you thanked him? That’s really all on him!” 

“Well, when you put it like that…” 

I glanced over at Thorn in the corner currently mumbling incoherently facing a tree. His face had gone as red as his cloak, and I was sure I caught my name being said a couple of times.

“W-What on earth is he doing…?” I was in utter disbelief.

“Beats me,” Ettie shrugged. “The guy’s a freak!”

“He’s never once acted like this in all the time I knew him…” Blaze mumbled.

“Perhaps I should have a heavy branch or two fall on him?” Celine suggested with a devious sneer.

“Pfft!” Ettie and Robin were trying not to burst out laughing.

“Don’t,” Blaze said with a facepalm. “We’re trying to keep things civil.” 

“Yeah… I would really rather avoid a fight breaking out,” I said.

Thorn, noticing my eyes on him, glanced over in my direction. It was nerve-wracking just being stared at by those empty white eyes, so I gave him a small, awkward wave to hopefully lessen the tension. 

Unfortunately, it worked too well. Thorn perked up and waved back, his fingers fluttering in what I could only assume was a flirtatious gesture judging by the lovesick smile on his face.

I quickly averted my eyes from him, but I could still feel his intent gaze digging through me.

Blaze narrowed her eyes on Thorn, “....Maybe one branch wouldn't hurt,” She muttered.

“Boss?!” 

Even though the three of them were raring to go, they were caught off guard by Blaze’s suggestion. 

Well, she’s usually strictly against picking fights, so I can understand why.

“Riii—bbon! ♡” Thorn came running into my arms with a thud, squeezing me tight.

“Oof!?” I groaned.

Not only did my back still feel a little sore, but Thorn’s grip was strong! If he applied just a little more strength, my bones would be crushed! Thorn, oblivious to this, only nuzzled closer with a content sigh.

“Y-You’re… crushing me, Thorn…!” I croaked.

“Oh, sorry!” Thorn quickly released me at that. “You’re still injured, after all! Are you okay, Ribbon? Does it hurt?” He immediately bent down and started checking my ankle in a hurry.

“No, you don't have to look that much! It’s a little sore, but it’s really not a big deal—”

Thorn rose to his feet, “It is to me!” He yelled.

I was taken aback by how angry he looked.

“Even if those assholes have already been done and dealt with, it's not enough! Nothing could be enough for what they’ve done to you!”

“I-It's really just an ankle wound…” I mumbled.

Honestly, the wounds from his attacks still hurt way more than this.

“Well, you won't have to worry about a thing anymore,” Thorn’s smile was eerily cheerful now. “Because I’ll protect you from all of that, Ribbon.” 

That smile sent a chill down my spine. It was different from Blaze’s heartfelt promise. 

He still doesn't know I’m staying with Regret…

I knew I had to tell him, but it was possible he would call off the meeting if I told him before meeting with my family. So, I didn't respond and anxiously rubbed my arm.

“Oh, before I forget! I have something for you,” Thorn rummaged through his cloak pocket, pulling out what looked like a pouch tied neatly with a black ribbon. “Ta-da!”

“Um…” I was honestly hesitant to take it, but seeing how eager he was, I didn't think I could refuse. “Thank you…?”

“Mhm, mhm!” Thorn nodded happily. He seemed to like it when I thanked him for some reason. “I tried to wrap it in a way you would like. Do you like it?”

“Y-Yes, it's very pretty?” I carefully unraveled the ribbon to open the pouch.

“I’m glad you think so!” Thorn said with a giggle. “I wanted to use a pretty purple ribbon like yours but I didn't have any on hand, so I substituted with a black ribbon instead. I was hoping you would like it—”

“W-What is this…?”

I blinked twice at the amount of silver coins in the pouch. Was he trying to bribe me?

Thorn, who had been rambling, stopped and smiled cheerfully, “Think of it as your mission's pay.”

“Um, pay for what…?” I was confused. It wasn't like I was a member of Crime.

“No need to be modest,” Thorn chuckled. “It was a joint effort, sure, but you deserve credit for most of the work. It would be wrong to keep the money for myself.”

“....Huh?”

I stared at the pouch of coins. On the surface, they looked ordinary, but there was something about them that was giving me an unsettling feeling in my chest.

“After all, it was your kill,” Thorn’s tone was so casual, he may as well have been talking about the weather and not the fact that he was giving me pocket money from a dead man. It terrified me.

I let go of the pouch and it tumbled to the grass. Coins spilled together, the cold clinking echoing in my ears.

“Ah,” Thorn didn't look like he expected that response. He bent his knees and picked up the coins, placing them back in the pouch with quick speed.

“I don't want it,” I mumbled.

“I want you to have it, though?” Thorn was smiling, but he didn't seem to understand. “Here, I picked it up for you.” 

Thorn placed the pouch back in my hands, but I immediately shoved it in his arms. “I said I don't want it!”

Thorn only blinked. He looked at the pouch, and then back at me, “Why not?” He asked.

“Are you seriously asking why…?” I was in disbelief.

Was it really inscrutable to him that I didn't want to accept pocket money from the man I brutally murdered?

“I-Is it wrong of me to?” Thorn laughed nervously.

“What…?” 

I didn't know what to say. Thorn’s body was starting to tremble. His face was pale, and he was beginning to sweat. 

What's gotten into him…?

Thorn’s body language had tensed up. He clutched the pouch as he stared at me with panicked eyes, “Am I doing something wrong again…?” 

“Huh?”

“Are you mad at me? You are, aren't you?”

With each question, Thorn stepped closer and I instinctively stepped back.

Snap.

He had stepped on a fallen branch. I winced; the loud crackling hurt my ears.

“Do you hate me, too?”

Thorn looked like he was about to break at any moment.

“I-I never… said that…”

Just as I was struggling to find the right words to say, Blaze stepped in front of me, spreading one arm out as a shield. “Knock it off, Thorn. You're cornering her.”

“....” 

Thorn stopped and looked at me. At his silent, empty stare, I held onto Blaze’s arm to keep myself from shaking.

With his gaze still on me, Thorn shoved the pouch of coins back in his cloak pocket. 

“...And here I was starting to think that you wouldn't show, Blaze,” Thorn’s fake smile was laced with venom.

Blaze flinched, “I’ve been here since Luna was here.”

“Have you, now? I didn't notice,” Thorn couldn't have sounded any more disinterested. “Or maybe I just didn't care.”

“And Boss isn't the only one who's been here!” Ettie pointed at Thorn with a finger.

“Great. I wasn't aware you three imbeciles would be joining us,” Thorn’s eye was twitching now. “Lovely,” he said sarcastically.

“What’s with that reaction!?” Ettie questioned.

“What do you think. I just saw you guys yesterday, didn't I? I shouldn't have to put up with you again this soon.”

“Hey, you saw Luna yesterday, too!”

“Yes, and? What would I possibly have to complain about when I want to see her? I would have no complaints if I saw her every waking moment,” Thorn’s tone was blunt. “But I have no desire to see Regret, so of course I would have complaints about that.”

He’s way too honest…!!

I could feel my face flaring up with embarrassment!