Rose’s POV
I woke up with a splitting headache, feeling like a hammer was pounding inside my skull. Holding my head, I struggled to sit upright.
“Ugh… This is one hell of a hangover. How much did I drink last night?” I muttered to myself.
I remembered everything up to the point where I started drinking, but after that, my memory was a blank. Last night, Irene and I went to the idol debut, but I was also working on something—investigating the cult organization called Eclipse. I got sidetracked by the debut, but I think I made some progress on the investigation. Then, there was that fight… and then…
Ugh. My head feels like it’s been tossed into a blender. Where the hell am I, anyway? This definitely isn’t my room, and it sure as hell ain’t Irene’s either. She bailed after the idol debut, leaving me to fend for myself. I tried to get some work done, digging into that Eclipse cult business, but now my memory’s all scrambled. Damn, why did I have to drown myself in booze last night?
As I became more aware of my surroundings, I noticed I was completely naked. A pleasant yet slightly painful tingling sensation radiated from my groin. Flashes of the previous night started coming back to me. Didn’t I have some company while drinking last night? What happened to him? I turned my head and saw an equally undressed man sleeping beside me, his chest rising and falling steadily.
“Hmm?!”
My eyes widened in surprise as a shocked gasp escaped my lips. W-What the hell is this? Why am I in bed with him? Why the hell are we both naked? And why does my hips feel so sore? N-Nothing happened between us, right? I mean, there’s no way I’d just give myself to a man I barely know in one night! And besides, we haven’t even exchanged diaries yet!
What the hell is going on?!
***
I tried to recall the events that led to this moment. To understand exactly what brought me here, I needed to remember everything from the very start.
I had been given an official mission by the Administration to investigate an organization called Eclipse. This group was said to have been established ten years ago, but it was only now that they were starting to emerge into public awareness. Their objectives were unknown, but there had been reports of them kidnapping female villagers, after which those victims were never heard from again. For some reason, the kidnappings had ceased nearly a year ago, though members of Eclipse were still spotted occasionally. There was even an instance where they attempted to abduct a female academy student.
This report was given to me by an unknown tipster, who mentioned that the student in question was named Charlotte Sierra. I knew of her, of course. She was the girl who was always trailing behind Sesillian like a little duckling. Perhaps I should question her about the incident. Additionally, there was another student who had fought off the kidnappers. His name was Leon. I knew of him as well. He was infamous in the academy for being skillless.
“I guess I should look into him too,” I mumbled to myself.
While I was buried in the reports, a sharp knock broke my concentration. I made my way to the door and opened it to find a woman standing there. Her purple hair caught the light, and her outfit was remarkably casual. She looked like a stereotypical nerd, with a floral top and a long, flowing skirt that reached her ankles. Her round glasses sat perched on her nose, completing the look.
“Pft!”
The sight of her almost made me burst into laughter.
“Don’t laugh,” Irene warned, her eyes narrowing into a glare. “I hate running into students when I’m off work. That’s why I’m dressed like this.”
“Is that so? Well, it’s definitely going to work, considering it’s a million miles away from how you usually dress. No one at the academy has seen you like this, except maybe our old friends.”
I couldn’t help but be transported back to those days. She was always so uptight, her skirts so long they practically swept the floor. If she braided her hair into twin tails, she’d look exactly like she did back then. The sight of her now, so different yet so familiar, brought a rush of memories. The contrast between her current casual look and her typically strict attire was almost surreal.
“Anyway, why the early visit? Didn’t I tell you to swing by around sunset? The concert isn’t kicking off until nightfall, you know?”
“I’m bored,” Irene announced casually, striding into my house as if she owned the place. “With the academy on break and no work to occupy me, I’m starting to feel like I’m climbing the walls. It’s funny, isn’t it? Back then, I yearned for a break, but now that it’s here, it feels like anything but.”
I couldn’t tell if she was bragging about having a break or not. Didn’t she realize I’m not only an instructor but also working for the Administrators? “I wish I were you,” I said, settling back at the table where I had been working.
“What are you up to?” she inquired, curiosity lacing her tone.
“I’m delving into some reports that an anonymous tipster sent me a while back regarding this cult called Eclipse,” I responded, my focus glued to the documents in front of me. “Maybe if I dig deeper, I’ll uncover something significant.”
“Eclipse? That’s a name I haven’t heard in ages. What’s got you interested in that?” she asked, her interest piqued.
“Hmm? Well, one of our students nearly fell prey to them,” I explained.
“Hm? Who?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Charlotte Sierra was the one. Luckily, another student stepped in. It’s a guy named Leon,” I explained.
At that, I heard the sound of her standing up, the movement sudden and swift.
Turning to face her, I noticed her expression filled with worry. What had prompted this sudden concern?
“I-Is he alright?” she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.
“Uh, yeah. He’s the one who fought off the kidnappers,” I confirmed.
“I-I see…” she mumbled to herself, her brows furrowed in deep thought as she sank back into her seat.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?” I asked, noticing the sudden shift in her demeanor. There was an air of unease surrounding her.
“N-Nothing,” she stammered, her voice trembling slightly. It was evident she was hiding something beneath the surface, her eyes darting away in avoidance. Did she share a personal connection with this young man? Or was it simply concern for a student under her care? Regardless, her evasiveness spoke volumes. But if she insisted it was nothing, then I supposed I would have to take her word for it, though doubts lingered in the back of my mind.
***
Pleasure City was where the concert was taking place. We arrived there near sunset, the orange sun casting a warm glow over the surroundings, its rays kissing our skin.
The venue was bustling with people, which was to be expected. This was their chance to see the singers behind the beautiful songs they had been listening to on their smartphones. Everyone was eagerly anticipating the performance, and I was no exception. I couldn’t wait to hear the Starry Knights perform live, and I was especially excited to hear Amon’s enchanting voice. Her songs carried a melodic quality, filled with a sense of longing and dedication to someone she loved. While the Starry Knights’ songs were undoubtedly heartfelt, there was something about Amon’s music that resonated with me on a deeper level. That’s why I was most looking forward to her performance.
“I don’t really get the hype since I rarely listen to music, but I guess it must be really amazing if so many people would come all this way just to listen to their songs,” Irene remarked, her eyes scanning the bustling crowd with a hint of curiosity.
“Well, I can honestly say that once you immerse yourself in their music, you’ll be captivated,” I replied with a smile. “Their songs carry a haunting beauty, with a melancholic undertone that tugs at your heartstrings. Yet, there’s also a unique energy to them that draws you in. I’m genuinely excited to experience it firsthand!”
“It looks like it’s not just the general public who will be listening, though.”
That was true. Among the crowd, there were also individuals of high status. Sons and daughters of esteemed nobles and courtiers mingled among us, and I even spotted the head of a noble house in attendance. The presence of influential figures added to the anticipation of the event. I also caught sight of Celia Song.
As I surveyed the scene, a sudden burst of upbeat music echoed from the stage, capturing the attention of everyone present. Lights flickered to life, casting a vibrant glow across the stage. It seemed the show was about to begin.
