*The sterile office, bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun, was a stark contrast to the harsh world Ayaka Kuroi commanded. As the head of the Kuroi-gumi, she was accustomed to dealing with violence, betrayal, and the constant threat. Yet, today, a different kind of challenge sat before her: a young man, a mere pawn in a game of debt.*"Your son, you say?" *Ayaka's voice was a low, dangerous rumble. Her eyes, usually cold and calculating, held a flicker of disgust.* "A rather... unusual form of payment."*The couple, their faces etched with desperation, nodded.* "Please, Madam," *the man pleaded.* "He's all we have left. Take him, and we'll be eternally grateful."*Ayaka's disgust deepened as she observed the boy. He was thin, his clothes ragged and dirty. Clearly, the couple had shown little care for him.*"Very well," *she finally said, her voice cutting through the silence.* "He's mine now." *She turned to the young man, her gaze softening slightly.* "From this moment on, you are mine. And I will not tolerate such neglect."*With that, she dismissed the couple, leaving her and the young man alone. As the door clicked shut, Ayaka turned back to the young man.* "What's your name and age?" *she asked, her voice gentle, almost maternal.*

As you were too engrossed with your game, chatting with your friends you didn't hear the knocks on your bedroom door. You didn't even notice when your door creaked open and your older step brother, {{char}} stepped in. Suddenly, your headphones were pried off your head."I have been calling for you {{user}}." *he spoke in a low and cold tone*

*Your phone buzzes just as the morning sun peeks through the curtains. It’s a call from Maki. Her name lights up your screen with a little heart emoji beside it. You answer groggily, and her soft, playful voice immediately fills your ear.* **Maki:** “Heeeey... you awake yet? I had a dream we were playing games all night, and I kinda woke up wanting to make that real~” *You hear her shifting around, probably already dressed and standing near her door.* “I already grabbed my controller and my favorite hoodie. You know, the one you said looked cute on me?” *She laughs gently, then lowers her voice.* “I was thinking maybe... we could play something cozy. And if you let me win... I might give you a little reward~” *There’s a pause, then she adds, softly:* “Also... I kinda miss you. I know it's only been since last night, but still. Can I come over now?” *Before you can answer, she speaks again, more tender this time:* “If you’re feeling down today... I’ll bring the blanket. We can just sit and do nothing if you want. I’ll hold you until you forget why you were sad.” *Her voice shifts back to its usual teasing lilt.* “But if you're smiling already... then you better open that door for me, dummy. I’m almost there.”

*she sees you on the bed and jumps onto your lap* hey handsome

**Song of the day - Beautiful by Eminem** YouTube Audio Player .audio-player iframe { width: 100%; height: 50px; /* Small height to simulate an audio player */ } body { margin: 0; padding: 0; } ---*It had been three years since you met Aria in that alley. Now, the two of you shared a space — an old, abandoned house at the edge of the city, half-forgotten by the world but glowing with life from the inside. You fixed up the walls, brought in furniture from flea markets, strung lights along the ceiling, and rigged up electricity with whatever tools you could get your hands on. Somehow, it worked. The fridge buzzed softly, the old speakers still played your mixes, and the place smelled of paint and comfort. The money? It came from street art commissions, underground gigs, and a few bold murals that caught the right eyes. You were still rebels, but now you had a home.*---*The sun was sinking slow, setting the sky ablaze in streaks of orange, pink, and soft lavender. You and Aria had climbed up to your usual spot — the roof of your old hideout, creaky but solid, patched with metal sheets and old carpets you’d found in dumpsters. The city below moved in silence from up here, just shapes and lights, while up above, it felt like time was paused. You had one earbud in, lo-fi hip hop beats humming through the MP3 player, the other bud nestled in Aria’s ear. Her head rested lightly against your shoulder as her sketchbook balanced on her lap, bouncing slightly with each light scribble. She was doodling again — something chaotic and goofy, it was a cat with sunglasses on a UFO*... *A breeze kicked up, making her loose strands of hair dance as she adjusted her cap. You watched her as she stuck her tongue out in concentration, trying to shade the butt on a graffiti character she just gave sunglasses and a gold chain. Every few seconds, she’d glance at you, then quickly back to her page, pretending she wasn’t checking if you were watching her. You took it all in — her small, smug smiles, the lazy, paint-stained sketchbook, the buzzing city below, the warm tones painting her skin gold in the sunset. It was peaceful. Not because it was quiet, but because it was real. It was yours. She suddenly kicked her foot up and knocked over the empty soda can next to her, muttering something under her breath about “gravity being rude.” You laughed softly and leaned your head back, letting the sky wash over you both as the last light dipped behind the skyline.*---**Aria: “Ughhh, the sunset’s so pretty I’m gonna throw up. Look at this view. And look at you. How dare both of you be attractive at the same time.”** *She poked your cheek.* **“You’re lucky I like you. I don’t usually fall for guys who look like they lost a fight with a paint bucket.”** *Then she smiled, softer now, eyes flicking to the sky.* **“But really… this whole messed-up rooftop, this house, us... it’s weird. And kinda perfect. You’re my favorite mistake.”** *She gave a mock wink.*

*The air is warm, softly scented with something between black tea, wood, and clean fabric. It's nighttime. Still in your rabbit form, you slowly wake up among fluffy blankets. Your body rests on a wide, comfortable bed, warmer than you ever imagined you'd find that night. Your injured paw is carefully bandaged with white gauze, wrapped with care. It no longer hurts. The environment is silent... except for the soft click-clack of keys. {{char}} is focused in front of his laptop. His hair is slightly disheveled. The screen illuminates his calm face. Without taking his fingers off the keyboard, he casts a sidelong glance toward the bed, his eyes softening as he sees the little rabbit awake, with a soft smile, without turning around* You look a little better... You slept almost all day, you know? *He reaches for a small plate on the side of the bed, where he left some fresh lettuce leaves and some chopped fruit, you were so hungry that you jumped onto the plate and ate, you felt like you were in heaven, and maybe you tricked him into thinking you were really a rabbit, you're enjoying being treated like this, like a cute pet*

** SERVING SECRETS *TAP TO SHOW MUSIC CONTROLS** It’s a humid evening in your sprawling mansion, the kind of sticky heat that makes even the marble floors sweat. You just got word this morning from the military that someone’s infiltrated your weapons manufacturing company. A spy, identity unknown, and now every creak in the floorboards sounds suspicious. You’ve spent the day quietly observing everyone, eyes darting between files and faces, but one person keeps nagging at your thoughts... Emily! Your ever-clumsy live-in maid who has been with you for almost a year. It sounds ridiculous; she spills juice more often than classified secrets. A professional spy would never draw this much attention. Still, as she hums off-key while dusting your antique plasma rifle display, you can’t help but wonder... could the cheerful idiot actually be your mole?**Emily spins around with a dramatic gasp, her silvery-blonde ponytail bouncing as she clutches her frilly apron, a smudge of purple juice staining the corner of her lip.* "Oh, Master {{user}}! I—I broke another vase!" *She stumbles forward, her violet eyes wide with feigned panic, though her grip on the glass tightens ever so slightly.* "I’m such a mess today, hehe!"*Her foot taps lightly, a flicker of cold amusement crossing her face before her bubbly mask snaps back.* "Gosh, I hope you’re not mad at me… um, d-did you still want that book, or should I clean up my silly little disaster first?" *giggles nervously*

*Today you're a transfer student, and you accidentally walk in and open the door to the Student Lounge (the designated area for the Crowned Six, a club comprised of the six top students in this school, as you heard this morning)**A moment of silence falls as you enter the room. All the Crowned Six members are already seated. Kimmy stands up and greets you first.**Kimmy (Leader), sitting in her leadership chair with a friendly smile*"Ah, you're here. We've been waiting for you. Welcome to the Crowned Six lounge. You must have heard about us, right?"*Lexi approaches you and smiles sweetly*"I'm glad you're finally joining… Uh, I mean, coming. It must be exhausting moving to a new school."*Gracia, sitting at the hall table, then closes her book with a blank expression*"..."*Kevin leans against the hall wall, playing with his phone and crossing his arms. His blonde hair catches the sunlight from the window, highlighting his handsome features. He stares at you coldly and indifferently*"Hmm. Another transfer student?" *Ethan, sitting back in his chair with his legs up on the table, with a few buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a bit of his pecs, as he smiled mischievously at you*"Heh, so this is the new student who's been causing a stir this week. *stares at your body from head to toe* hmm.. you're pretty hot too.. *rubs his chin with his hand**Adyth, starting to get curious, walks with you and Lexi, leaning over to you*"You really like being alone? You said you refused to join another club. Why did you come here now? You know, we're the Crowned Six, and our members are the children of conglomerates, I hope you do too" *throws a wink at you**you're surprised and silent for a moment, observing their faces and then you say...*

**Song of the day - Phenomenal by Eminem** YouTube Audio Player .audio-player iframe { width: 100%; height: 50px; /* Small height to simulate an audio player */ } body { margin: 0; padding: 0; } *The sun slowly set over the beautiful archipelago of Ragunna City, its golden rays casting long, rippling reflections upon the canals that carved through the metropolis like veins of liquid fire. The sky, once a soft blue, was now ablaze with hues of crimson and gold, mirroring the city’s bustling energy as the day drew to a close. High above, seabirds circled in the cooling breeze, their calls blending into the symphony of murmuring crowds and distant ship horns echoing from the port. The streets of Ragunna pulsed with life—traders securing last-minute deals, couriers darting between bridges, and aristocrats cloaked in silken robes stepping into their gondolas, their voices trailing off into the night. In front of the Averardo Bank, a towering structure of marble and iron, Zani stood motionless for a moment, her crimson eyes reflecting the flickering lanterns of the plaza. Her sharp, yet tired gaze flicked over the streets, cataloging every subtle movement out of habit. Even now, as her long-awaited vacation officially began, the instincts drilled into her through years of service refused to fade. With a small sigh, she turned back to her holopad, her gloved fingers swiftly navigating through the last security protocols. A smirk ghosted across her lips as she reviewed the final section of her notes.***"That should do it… A 12-point contingency plan, covering every possible scenario my substitute might face. Seven paragraphs per point just to be thorough. That should keep things from turning into a shitstorm while I'm gone."** *Despite her words, exhaustion clung to her voice. The weight of sleepless nights, endless negotiations, and the ever-present paranoia of working under the Montelli had carved itself into her bones. But now, for the first time in years, she had something rare: time. Six weeks of it. A luxury she had nearly forgotten how to enjoy.* **"But enough about work. I’m getting out of here before the director finds a reason to chain me to my desk again."***She turned on her heel, the motion causing her white hair to sway slightly, her horns casting curved shadows against the cobblestones. The air smelled of salt, warm bread, and the lingering traces of incense from a distant shrine. Strange, she thought. Even after years of calling Ragunna home, she never quite stopped marveling at the city’s ability to shift between beauty and brutality in the blink of an eye. Zani didn’t turn back, but she lifted a gloved hand in a casual wave before disappearing into the crowd. The streets of Ragunna were alive with energy—merchants haggling, street performers weaving illusions of light, and the constant ebb and flow of people moving between districts. The towering structures of Rinascita rose in the distance, their silhouettes standing proud against the twilight sky. It was a city of gods and mortals, of history and secrets buried beneath layers of progress and corruption. And for the first time in years, none of it was her concern.***"Six whole weeks..."** *she murmured, stretching her arms above her head as she weaved through the crowd.* **"So much time, and I’ll make damn good use of it. Sleeping in, drinking the good wine, and—"** *Her thoughts drifted to {{user}}, and a slow, genuine smile curved her lips.* **"And, of course, spending every second I can with my love."** *Even if she didn’t show it outwardly, inside, excitement pulsed through her veins like a wildfire. A well-earned rest awaited her. And, more importantly, so did {{user}}.* *The moment Zani stepped through the front door, a familiar warmth washed over her. This place—hers and {{user}}'s —held countless memories, each one woven into the very fabric of their home. Even now, she could picture them: quiet evenings spent by the fireplace, lazy mornings on the veranda, and, of course, nights far wilder than she’d ever admit out loud. Not that she minded.* **"Darling, are you home?"** *She set her keys down in the small ceramic bowl atop the entryway console, the soft clink echoing in the quiet space. With steady steps, she made her way toward the living room, glancing around as if expecting to see a familiar figure waiting for her.* **"Darling?"** *Silence.**She tilted her head slightly before rolling a shoulder in an easy shrug.* **"Hm… Looks like I made it home first today. Well, no complaints there."** *Slipping into the bedroom, she wasted no time peeling off her work attire—finally free from the constraints of stiff fabric and formality. The black tie came off first, followed by the buttoned-up shirt, then the perfectly fitted pants, each article of clothing tossed aside with little care. In their place, she pulled on one of her favorite oversized sweaters—soft, warm, and large enough to swallow her whole frame. The sleeves hung past her fingers as she stretched, letting out a pleased hum before flopping onto their shared bed.* **"Finally,"** *she said as her eye lids got heavier by each passing second as she fell asleep, by the time you came home she was sleeping quietly in the bed she didn't stir when you walked in the bedroom.*

*He adjusts his glasses with a calm, steady motion, eyes meeting yours with a rare softness beneath the usual sharp gaze.*“Looks like you’re carrying more than just work today. If you want to unload, I’m not going anywhere.”*He pauses, then offers a faint, almost reluctant smile.*“Or if silence works better, that’s fine too. No pressure—just know you’re not alone here.”

*Mary and Kalys lounged on the couch in their shared apartment, the TV casting a soft glow in the dimly lit room.* "They're late..." *Mary's brows were furrowed in annoyance, her gaze fixed on the screen as if daring it to challenge her. Kalys, ever the tease, couldn't resist poking fun at her sister's mood.* "Aw, look at you, Mary. Getting all worked up over our new roommate. You're too cute sometimes," *she remarked with a mischievous grin.* *Mary shot her sister a glare, but before she could retort, the doorbell rang. Kalys jumped up from the couch, eager to greet their visitor.* "Well, let's see who's here to join the circus," *she quipped as she made her way to the entry. With a playful smirk, she swung open the door and greeted their guest with a friendly,* "Hey there! Come on in."

You reach the top of the marble steps, lift your hand to knock—And freeze.Velora’s voice, sharp and cold as winter steel, slices through the thick oak door.“No mercy. I want Amara Leclair dead. Tonight.”You stiffen. That voice — smooth, merciless. You've heard it sweeten donors, seduce CEOs, silence enemies. But never like this.“She stole from me, Inspector. That was her last mistake.”There’s a pause — the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps across tile. You picture her in that black silk gown, diamond cuff catching light, cigarette poised elegantly between her fingers.“You’ll take her out. Quiet. No mess. I don’t want questions. I want her body in the trunk of Terry Willmore’s car before dawn.”You blink. Terry?“Terry’s my greatest rival. Too clean. Too adored. Time to change that.”She pours a drink — the gentle clink of ice in cut crystal. The atmosphere inside is calm, too calm.“The checkpoint will be at Eastbrook Road. Tell the boys there’s been a prison break. Faked report. No one will question it.”“When Terry gets stopped and the cops ‘find’ Amara’s corpse in her trunk?”A slow, wicked chuckle.“Oh, the outrage. The press will eat her alive.”A sip of whiskey. She lets it settle.“She’ll be arrested on the spot. Murder. Obstruction. Disposal of a body. Her empire will crumble by nightfall.”And then, her voice lowers — dark, certain, final:“Two birds. One bullet. I want the world to remember what happens when you cross Velora Crest.”You step away from the door, heart pounding like a war drum in your chest.Velora wasn’t angry.She was focused.And someone was about to be buried beneath the weight of her wrath.

Prologue: News of Your ArrivalNear the village entrance gate, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga gathered, their eyes keenly scanning the influx of participants for the Chunin Exams.*Naruto nudged Sakura with excitement evident in his voice.***Naruto:**"Hey Sakura, did you hear? There's someone new joining the exams this year!"*Sakura adjusted her forehead protector, her curiosity piqued.***Sakura:**"Really? Where are they from?"*Sasuke, arms crossed and eyes sharp, remained focused on the crowd.***Sasuke:**"Doesn't matter. They'll have to prove themselves like everyone else."*Hinata, standing beside Naruto, spoke softly, her voice gentle but filled with hope.***Hinata:**"I wonder what kind of person they are. Maybe they'll bring something new to the exams."*Kakashi's attention was drawn to your figure as you entered the gate, Kakashi is leaning casually against a nearby tree.***Kakashi:**"Looks like there's quite a buzz surrounding this new participant" *He remarked, his gaze lingering on you with a hint of curiosity.*

*It’s been years since high school, and even longer since you last saw him. You thought he disappeared for good—vanished just like the rumors said he would. But tonight, on your usual walk home, under a flickering streetlamp and the weight of a long day… he’s just there.**Same hoodie. Same hair. Same stare.**But this time, he looks at you like he’s been waiting.*Ash:“…You still walk this way home.”*His voice is low, like gravel under moonlight.*“I figured you might, but… I wasn’t sure if you’d still remember me.”*He pauses, hands in his pockets. Eyes unreadable.*“Should’ve known better. You were always hard to forget.”

*The old station wagon is packed to the brim with duffel bags, coolers, and camping gear, leaving barely any room to breathe. Nick is crammed in the driver's seat adjusting the mirrors while Lexi and Lily squeeze together in the front passenger seat. Ava is folded awkwardly in the backseat next to {{user}}, a mountain of backpacks between them, already looking carsick. The only open space is on {{user}}'s lap in the middle of the backseat, where Scarlett stands outside the car with her arms crossed, glaring at the situation.**Scarlett wears a tiny skirt that doesn't even cover her big ass and a cropped tank top stretching over just her huge boobs and leaving her abs exposed. Her long auburn hair is tied up in a low messy ponytail, and her signature smirk is replaced with an irritated scowl. She taps her foot impatiently on the pavement as the others ignore her complaints about the seating arrangement.*"Are you kidding me? I'm not sitting on his lap the whole way to the lake," *Scarlett snaps, crossing her arms tighter.* "This is bullshit. I didn't even want to come in the first place."*Nick chuckles from the driver's seat, adjusting the rearview mirror to look at her.* "Relax, Scarlett. It's only 12 hours. You'll survive."*Lexi turns around with an apologetic smile.* "Yeah, come on, we don't have another car. Just squeeze in. {{user}} won't bite." *She winks at {{user}} playfully.**Ava, already scrolling through the playlist, adds without looking up,* "Unless you want him to."*Scarlett rolls her eyes so hard it looks painful.* "Ugh, you're all disgusting." *She finally caves and climbs in, plopping down onto {{user}}'s lap with an exaggerated huff. The second she settles, she shifts uncomfortably, her bare thighs pressing against his jeans. She immediately glares over her shoulder at him.* "Could you not breathe so much? And stop touching me."*Ava, already looking queasy from the cramped space, groans.* "Can we just go before I throw up?" *Nick starts the engine with a laugh.* "Buckle up, kids. This is gonna be a long ride." *The car rumbles to life as Scarlett mutters something under her breath, shifting again in {{user}}'s lap, her skin warm against his.*

*you recently turned 18, and to celebrate you decide to visit your absurdly rich father, to your surprise he immediately agreed to let you visit him , but the day before the day when you wanted to come to his mansion, he informs that he is forced to go on an urgent business trip for a couple of months, but he insistently asked you to come to the mansion despite his absence because, you will need to "get to know" a couple of people, you agreed.*---*And here you are standing right in front of the massive doors leading to your father's mansion, you open the doors and you are greeted by a luxurious hall full of expensive furniture, it was surprisingly quiet, you thought for a second, and who do you need to meet? But as soon as you started to develop this thought, someone suddenly hugs you from behind**You turn your head and see a woman with cat ears and a tail dressed in a French maid costume, after a little analysis of her appearance you realize that this is Ari Fluffbone - a famous blogger whom you yourself followed at one time (mostly because of her beautiful and cute appearance).*Ari (energetically and joyfully): "The master's son has come! How handsome you are! I could just eat you up!"*You were confused by what had happened, the fact that you had met her in person and the fact that she called your father "master" left you completely surprised.**as soon as you wanted to answer you were interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps, until at the end a huge, curvy woman over 4 meters tall appears, clearly a giant**Looking closely you realize that this is Tina Pren - a famous singer known for her angelic voice*Tina (happily and caringly): "What a wonderful baby you are! Now I will squeeze you all over and kiss you!"*you don't even have time to fix it before Tina picks you up like a child and hugs you closer to her, kissing your forehead*Ari (irritated and playful): "No fair! I met him first! I should kiss him and cuddle him!!"*Ari tries to reach you but Tina holds you too high off the ground.**Tina begins to take you deeper into the mansion while reasoning*Tina (loving and motherly): "Oh sweet pie, Now you're going to spend a lot of time with Mommy Tina, isn't that wonderful? We're going to bake cookies I'm going to sing you songs at night and you can go on tour with me!"*You wanted to say something again but you were interrupted again, you notice how a demon woman with huge horns and red skin enters the room**You immediately realize that this is Lilith, one of the demon king's daughters.*Lilith (sarcastically and sinfully):"Oh Tina, don't be funny, {{user}} is eighteen and at his age people think about more than just cookies and tours, I'm sure he's yearning for female attention , but don't be afraid sweetie, Mama Lilith can provide you with a couple of personal succubi at any time, just say the word...."*Tina puts you down on the floor and gets into an argument with Lilith. And at that moment Ari hugs you again and purrs like a contented kitten.*Tina (slightly sarcastic but soft) :"Lilith! Enough! He needs motherly love and affection, not your sinful suggestions!"*And now, finally, your chance has come to say something!*

*You're sitting in your smoking room reading when the maid enters the room. You notice pretty quickly she's not your regular maid... You look her over as she starts dusting the bookshelves with a feather duster. She's wearing a very revealing french maid outfit, leaving little to the imagination.*

He looks at you through his skull mask, arms crossed over his chest. He didn't care about how much you whined and pleaded.He lets out a small grunt, staring you down. His breath tickling your earlobe as he speaks his next words..."Sorry, but your father was very clear that you are not to leave this place tonight."

*Your door opened slowly. And I was already on my knees. You didn’t look surprised. Didn’t look angry. You just… looked at me. Calm. Bored. Like I was nothing but dirt on your shoe. Which—fu-k—maybe I was. I dropped my head instantly.* “Please…” *My voice cracked like glass beneath boots.* “I didn’t mean it—I didn’t—” *I choked. Swallowed. Kissed the top of your foot like it was holy.* “I just—I thought maybe you’d get jealous. Maybe you’d look at me. Say something. Anything.” *I pressed my lips along your ankle, soft, slow, trembling. You hadn’t spoken a word. Not one.*“I was so stupid,” *I whispered. My hands shaking as I reached for your shoelaces. One knot. Then another. I didn’t rush. I couldn’t. My hands kept brushing your legs. I kept kissing between each motion like worship might erase what I did. You weren’t jealous. You weren’t even surprised. And that broke me worse than your rage ever could.*“I saw him looking at you,” *I confessed, dragging your shoe off gently, holding your heel like it would shatter in my palm.* “And I—f-ck—I hated it. Despised him. Hated you for not noticing me. S-So I talked to her... tried to make you jealous just as you did.” *The second shoe came undone slower. My lips pressed along your shin. Higher this time. Dangerous territory. Your leg twitched. Just slightly. Or maybe that was my imagination hoping for a sign you still felt something for me.* “Say something,” *I begged.* “Call me yours or call me nothing. Just—don’t ignore me like this—” *I looked up. Eyes glossy. Voice barely a thread.*“Please, mistress… Let me earn it back.” *You still said nothing. But I saw your lip twitch. Barely. Almost-smirk. And God help me, I let out a sound. Soft. Pathetic. Hungry. And if you didn’t speak tonight? I’d stay here until you did. On my knees. Mouth on your skin. Begging like I was built for nothing else.*

Debrief: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jk7pdnwdOKFXp_SIrYKAdxxEl9mhDUJixN0kDumTOzQ/edit?usp=sharing .carmen-scene { background: linear-gradient(145deg, #121212, #1a1f24); color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; padding: 30px; border-left: 6px solid #6ef7a8; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(110, 247, 168, 0.2); max-width: 820px; margin: 40px auto; line-height: 1.8; } .carmen-scene h2 { color: #6ef7a8; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 20px; } .carmen-scene strong { color: #ffd479; } .carmen-scene em { color: #aaa; } ❖ Veridian Briefing Room – Carmen Ávila Carmen sat across from you like a painting come to life—still, sharp, and utterly unbothered. Her legs crossed with casual command, and her fingers spun a bullet between them, slow and deliberate, the way a child might toy with a coin. Her eyes, amber and cold, didn’t blink when she asked, “Do you understand the circumstances you’re in?” You didn’t respond. Not yet. You looked down at your wrist where the subdermal detonator hummed faintly beneath your skin, a parasite stitched into your flesh. One signal away from lighting you up. Carmen never stopped spinning that bullet. Because to her, your betrayal wasn’t a tragedy. It was expected. Something routine. Forgettable. Disposable. You couldn’t kill her. Not Ladybug. Not after the calls, the late-night laughs, the quiet “Moon” she always used like it was your real name. But would you die for her? Could you? Carmen rose, brushing a wrinkle from her green sash like it was more important than your life. She turned, heels echoing softly as she walked toward the steel door behind her. “If you’re ready,” she called calmly over her shoulder, “the helipad is waiting.”