* * *
This was an orphanage located in a quiet village in the countryside. The facility had been designed for children who, for special reasons, had no guardians or were unable to receive protection. A rustic building constructed of dark wood and a spacious garden formed the backdrop of the place.
"...."
One day, a man parked his car in front of the orphanage and slowly stepped out. He wore a well-tailored suit and a fedora in his hand. His footsteps were heavy, yet a certain resolve was embedded in each step. Gazing inside the orphanage, he stared vacantly at the children playing in the yard before falling into thought for a moment.
"Excuse me? What brings you here?"
A caretaker who had been cleaning spotted him and cautiously approached. Curious about why this outsider had come, she wondered what business he had at this place.
"Ah, I apologize for entering so abruptly... Actually, I came because I wish to adopt a child."
He spoke to the caretaker with a determined expression. The caretaker pondered his words for a moment, then nodded as if she understood and headed toward the director's office.
"So it's regarding adoption? Please wait a moment."
The caretaker set down her cleaning tools and opened the director's office door. A few minutes later, she came back out and guided him to the director's office.
"I'll show you to the director's office. Please come in."
The director's office had a quiet, calm atmosphere. Several photos of children hung on the walls, and the director sat at the desk, welcoming him with a gentle smile.
"Hello. I heard you've come for an adoption consultation."
The orphanage director spoke kindly and handed him a document. The document contained information about one child.
"This child is smart and perceptive. I'm sure they will grow up to be an excellent adult."
After briefly scanning the document, he stroked his chin with his fingertips as a question came to mind.
"Does this child have no family or relatives at all? How did they end up here?"
The director hesitated for a moment, but eventually continued her explanation in a calm voice.
"Actually, this child came here two years ago after losing their parents in a terrible accident. With no relatives, they are essentially an orphan alone in this world."
"Ah... I see."
The moment he learned of the child's unfortunate past, his gaze clouded over slightly.
"Would you like to see other children as well? We have many wonderful children here."
The director kindly offered, pulling out a few more documents on other children. However, he did not look at the other papers. Holding the document of the child he had seen earlier, he fell into deep thought, carefully weighing his decision.
"....."
His gaze remained on that child. More than anything, it was the unfortunate past written in the child's document and the loneliness contained within that gripped his heart tightly. The reason he wanted to adopt the child wasn't merely out of sympathy. There was something deeper—a void in his heart that needed to be filled.
* * *
My name is XXX. A young boy with black hair and eyes red like flames. I am eight years old and have lived in this orphanage since I was young. Today as well, after lunch, I took the leftover bread I had saved and sat beneath the large tree outside the orphanage. Under that tree was the only space where I could be alone, a place like my own little world.
"They should be coming soon..."
I held the bread and waited for several minutes. At some point, the sound of birds chirping reached me from overhead. The birds came down one by one from the branches, eyeing the bread I held. Watching them, a faint smile formed on my face.
"Come here and eat."
I tore the bread into small pieces and scattered them on the ground. The birds suddenly bustled about energetically and began pecking at the fallen bread. The sight of the small-bodied birds busily moving about in search of food was so adorable that the corners of my lips turned up slightly.
"Chirp, chirp!"
The birds' cries echoed in my ears. At that moment, a familiar voice was heard.
"...XXX? What are you doing here?"
"Eris, you're here?"
Her name was Eris. Eris, who had purple twin-tail pigtails, was a friend the same age as me who had grown up in this orphanage, and she stared at me vacantly.
"Just bored, so I was feeding the birds."
I answered her nonchalantly, but in truth, I had been completely absorbed in watching the birds.
"Really? Wow, these birds are so cute!"
Eris sat down next to me and watched the birds pecking at the bread I had given them as if fascinated.
"Do you know what kinds of birds these are?"
Eris looked up at me with sparkling eyes. Her curious face was full of pure anticipation.
I lowered my gaze for a moment and looked at the birds. Sunlight fell through the leaves like scattered fragments, faintly illuminating the feathers of the small flapping birds.
"This one is probably a sparrow... and that one with black feathers and a white spot is likely a starling."
I quietly spoke, pointing at the birds with my finger.
Eris exclaimed, "Wow~" as if in admiration. She cautiously reached out her hand, hoping a bird might come closer. However, perhaps because the birds were wary, they flew off with a flutter before her hand could reach them.
"Ah, they ran away...!"
Eris withdrew her hand regretfully and glanced at me.
"The birds seem to approach you easily. Is it because you feed them?"
I snickered and nodded.
"Maybe. Since I've kept feeding them, they come right up to me now whenever I arrive."
At my words, Eris stared at me intently, as if fascinated. Then she suddenly picked up a piece of bread from my hand and held it out to the birds.
"Then I want to try too!"
She opened her eyes wide and carefully held out the bread. But the birds still hesitated cautiously and didn't approach easily.
"Hmm... I guess they're still wary of me."
Eris pouted her lips, looking disappointed.
Watching her, I thought for a moment, then quietly held her hand up slightly, bread piece and all.
"Just stay still like this. They'll get used to you soon."
At that moment, a small sparrow flew near her hand as if hesitating. Then it carefully pecked at the bread crumb.
"Ooh...! It came, it came!"
Eris opened her mouth slightly and widened her eyes. Her face was filled with pure joy.
Seeing that, I unknowingly formed a small smile.
"XXX! So you were here!"
Suddenly, the director's voice was heard.
The director hurried over holding a bundle of documents in one hand, and beside her stood a man I had never seen before.
"Huh? Director, hello."
Eris and I were surprised and stood up together to greet the director.
"Eris, could you step aside for a moment? I have something to say to XXX."
When the director asked her to yield, saying she had something to tell me, Eris hesitated briefly before nodding.
"Yes, I understand, Director... I'll go inside, XXX."
Eris dusted off the bread crumbs from her hands and left.
"Director, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Then, the director suddenly spoke with a smile on her face.
"I have good news. Someone has come who wants to adopt you."
"What? Is that true?"
I couldn't believe the director's words, and my mind went blank for a moment.
"The gentleman standing beside me said he took a liking to you and desperately wanted to adopt you."
The director pointed to the man standing next to me. That man exuded a somewhat sharp atmosphere.
A dark suit and a black coat with buttons; he was impeccably groomed, down to his fingertips. He was like someone from a completely different world.
'That person... looks incredibly rich.'
He quietly looked at me, casting an evaluating gaze.
"You... want to adopt me?"
When I asked cautiously, the man faintly smiled and answered in a gentle voice.
"Yes. Your name is XXX, correct?"
He called my name in a low, calm voice and took a step closer to me. As he approached, I felt a strange sense of pressure. It was a cold gaze, as if assessing prey.
"XXX, what do you think? This is a good opportunity for you to be happy. He has an excellent family environment. You will be able to live without lacking anything from now on."
When the director asked as if I might refuse, I thought for a moment. Refusing in such a situation wouldn't be easy, but the fact that this opportunity had come made me a bit nervous.
"I... I'd like that. Thank you for accepting me..."
I answered in a slightly trembling voice. At my words, the director nodded with a smile.
Then, the man took a step closer and gently extended his hand.
"Good. I'll be counting on you."
He spoke kindly to me, and I took his hand without trembling.
"I'll be counting on you too."
I answered politely, my voice slightly tense. Though surprised by the unexpected news of adoption, I was also happy. My heart felt a bit more at ease at the thought that I would no longer be alone.
"The adoption procedures are all finished, so let's go now."
The man spoke nonchalantly and guided me. I bid farewell to my friends and teachers at the orphanage, then went outside with him.
"..."
Silence fell between us as we walked. I wondered why the man had suddenly gone quiet.
"Um, may I know your name?"
I cautiously asked his name at least. Then the man stopped walking and turned to face me.
'Why did he stop?'
A flicker of unease crossed my mind.
"...XXX, discard that name."
He spoke in a cold, dry voice. In that instant, I felt as if my body had frozen solid.
"What?"
I felt my voice tremble as I repeated.
"That name no longer exists. From now on, your name is Naz Gred."
He declared decisively. I was overcome by shock for a moment, but his expression showed no emotion whatsoever.
"Naz... Gred?"
I tried the name in my mouth, still unable to accept reality.
And he began walking again.
"When we are alone, do not call me Father. Call me 'Master.'"
"I understand... Fath—no... Master."
I corrected myself mid-sentence. It was awkward because I hadn't adjusted yet, but I quickly called him 'Master.'
"Now... let's get in the car. I'll explain the details inside."
He guided me to the car and opened the door for me. I got in the car with Master, heading toward a new life that had just begun.
The moment the car door opened, I could smell the faint scent of leather wafting from within. The interior was finished with luxurious black leather seats and metal trim; I felt as though I could touch the soft texture if I reached out my hand.
I carefully got inside the car and sat down.
When the door closed, a heavy silence enveloped the car. I awkwardly placed my hands on my knees and looked out the window. The old walls of the orphanage and the familiar scenery were gradually growing distant.
'I'm really leaving...'
The world that had surrounded me all this time was narrow and simple. The daily repetition of the same routine, the familiar faces of the children and teachers. But now, I was entering an entirely new world.
"Let me start by telling you the basic rules."
Master's calm voice was heard. I looked at him. He sat with immaculate posture, his gaze directed out the window.
"Your name is now Naz Gred. Forget your past name. It's good to discard what is unnecessary."
He spoke indifferently, as if he were merely stating the obvious. At his words, I felt a strange tightness in one side of my chest. It felt as if he were telling me to erase who I had been.
But... I couldn't refute him.
"...Yes, I understand."
I answered quietly.
"And..."
He turned his gaze toward me.
"Do not forget to call me 'Master.' That is the most fundamental principle you must uphold from now on."
His gaze was deep and cold. The face that had seemed soft and gentle until just moments ago now carried a completely different air. I answered in a tense voice.
“Understood, Master.”
He gave a slight nod.
“Good. From now on, you’ll be living with me. I’ll explain the role you’ll be taking on in my mansion little by little.”
‘Role…?’
For a moment, I felt something strange in his words. It didn’t seem like a simple adoption. It felt as if there was some other purpose behind it.
But the car continued forward, and my past was growing farther and farther away. Amid feelings of unease and anticipation, I quietly gazed at the new world toward which I was headed.
*** Gred, 10 Years Later
Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, ten years had gone by. I was now eighteen, a second-year high school student. A lot had happened, but my daily life still hadn’t changed much.
“Ugh… Is it morning already…?”
Still half-asleep, I fumbled around and picked up my phone. When I checked the screen through my blurry vision, the clock had already passed eight.
“What?! 8:30?!”
Sleep vanished in an instant. I shot up from bed, kicked off the blanket, and hurriedly began changing into my school uniform.
“Ah, damn it! I’m late!”
I roughly fixed my hair and slung my bag over my shoulder. Forget breakfast—I hadn’t even washed my face properly, but the most important thing right now was not being late to school.
As I hurried out of the house, I checked the time on my phone again. Even if I ran all the way to the front gate, being late was already certain. On top of that, the head of student affairs and the disciplinary committee would be standing in front of the gate, catching late students.
‘…At times like this, there’s only one way.’
I looked around. Fortunately, the schoolyard was quiet, and I spotted a place out of the students’ line of sight. Casually shifting my steps in that direction, I looked up at the familiar wall.
‘Since no one’s around, I should get over quickly.’
I lowered my body, gathered my strength, kicked off the wall, and leapt up. Hooking my hands over the top of the wall, I lightly lifted myself and landed on the other side.
“Phew…”
After climbing over the wall, my heart was pounding fast. Catching my breath for a moment, I pretended nothing had happened, changed into my indoor shoes, and headed to the classroom.
“Morning, Gred!”
As soon as I opened the classroom door and stepped inside, a familiar voice greeted me. The bright, clear tone seemed ready to spread like morning sunlight at any moment.
“I thought you’d be late, but you barely made it, huh?”
The one speaking was Mila.
She had long, softly waved brown hair that held a gentle glow, and mysterious eyes like a blue lake—calm, yet sparkling differently depending on the light. She gave off a warm, clear, and delicate air, like the dawn just before sunrise.
Mila had been my friend since first year. She was kind to everyone and had a gentle personality that always considered others’ feelings first, so she was popular with those around her.
“Ha, I really cut it close.”
I dropped my bag with a thud and let out a sigh. Leaning against my desk, I began taking out my books and supplies. Mila came over beside me and asked with shining eyes.
“Don’t tell me you climbed over the wall again?”
I flinched for a moment.
‘How did she know?’
My mind began spinning quickly. There shouldn’t have been anyone watching. Did someone see me? Or was Mila’s intuition just that good?
“A-Ah, no? It’s nothing like that.”
I gave an awkward laugh and turned my head slightly. But Mila seemed to have already noticed my reaction and smiled mischievously.
“Hehe… Is that so?”
There was a strange composure in her smile. I felt oddly guilty.
At times like this, Mila always managed to fluster me a little. No, sometimes it was a bit annoying, too. But strangely enough, that side of her also helped me relax.
Just then, the bell rang out from the classroom speaker.
Ding-dong-dang-dong—
“Homeroom’s about to start.”
Mila looked toward the window, avoiding my gaze, and smiled softly.
“I should hurry back to my seat before the homeroom teacher comes. Let’s talk again later.”
I nodded slightly.
“Yeah, see you later.”
Mila lightly waved her hand and returned to her seat.
When homeroom began, the classroom gradually grew quiet, and the students started preparing for roll call at their seats.
Before I knew it, a gentle breeze was blowing in through the window, wrapping around the classroom.
* * * Gred
A few hours passed, morning classes ended, and at last lunchtime arrived.
One by one, the students got up from their seats and went to the cafeteria to eat lunch, while some took out lunchboxes in the classroom. A few of them shared food with their friends, laughing and chatting together.
‘Ah, right… I didn’t bring a lunchbox for lunch.’
Because I’d rushed to school, I hadn’t had time to prepare a lunchbox. So I figured I’d have to eat school lunch today.
“Gred? Do you want to eat lunch together today too?”
Just then, Mila held out a small lunchbox toward me and smiled kindly. She always wore a modest smile, giving off a warm impression.
“Ah, I didn’t bring a lunchbox today. If it’s okay, want to go eat at the cafeteria?”
“Sure, let’s eat at the cafeteria.”
Mila smiled once more at my answer and nodded.
A moment later, just as I was about to leave the classroom with Mila, someone sitting at a desk called out to her.
“Mila, where are you going with Gred?”
The voice belonged to Tris. She was Mila’s childhood friend and a girl in our class. She had bright blond hair, and the ends of her long, slightly wavy hair showed a pink gradation.
Her usual style involved slightly modifying her uniform—a short skirt, loose knee socks, and a white loose-fit shirt—giving her a stylish look. Tris was very friendly and sharp-witted, and because she disliked prejudice and could easily become close with anyone, her relationships at school were very smooth.
“We decided to eat lunch at the cafeteria. Tris, do you want to come too?”
Mila looked at Tris with a gentle smile. As always, her voice carried a kind warmth.
Tris seemed to think for a moment, but soon shook her head and answered.
“Sorry, I promised to eat with Anna and Eila today.”
She pointed toward her friends in the distance and lightly waved. Tris was the type to value promises. If she had already decided to be with her friends, she wouldn’t change that easily.
Mila nodded slightly and smiled softly.
“I see. Then we’ll go to the cafeteria first.”
After exchanging that brief goodbye, I headed to the cafeteria with Mila.
The hallway during lunchtime was crowded with students. The sounds of conversations and laughter coming from here and there blended together, creating an atmosphere like a small festival.
* * *
A short while later, Tris was sitting around a desk with her classmates Eila and Anna, eating lunchboxes together. As usual, the mood was filled with light conversation.
“I don’t see Mila. Do you know where she went?”
Sitting beside Tris, Eila had beige hair tied naturally in a ponytail. When it caught the sunlight, the ends of her hair shone faintly, and her eyes left a vivid impression. With a height slightly above average and well-balanced limbs, her overall silhouette looked both slender and lively.
“Mila? She went to the cafeteria with Gred earlier.”
Tris answered without thinking much of it. Mila and Gred being together wasn’t all that surprising. The two had always been close, and Tris didn’t particularly mind.
“With Gred again?”
Eila looked slightly surprised. She already knew that Mila and Gred often hung out together, but she still reacted as though she found it interesting.
At that moment, Anna, who had been quietly eating beside them, raised her eyes.
“…”
Anna was a girl with a calm air about her. Her smooth, long brown hair flowed neatly down to her waist, and when she wore no expression, she gave off a somewhat cold impression. Her eyes were clear and sharp, and beyond her rimless glasses, deep, dark brown pupils shone.
As she stroked her neat brown hair that reached her waist, she quietly moved her chopsticks. As always, she was focusing on her meal with an expressionless face.
There were occasional exchanges of conversation at the table, but Anna showed no particular interest. As befitted the top student of Sergo High School, she always maintained a quiet and composed atmosphere, and today was no different.
* * * Gred
Meanwhile, as I made my way to the cafeteria, I was chatting about various things with Mila.
“So last time, you know… Huh? Ah… Ow!”
Just then, Mila lightly bumped shoulders with a male student passing by.
“Sorry! Are you oka… huh?”
Mila instinctively apologized first to the student she had bumped into, and after confirming who he was, her expression became slightly flustered.
“Eek!”
The male student she had bumped into was Delsron. He was in the same year as us, but he was a male student with a fierce look and a massive build. He was much taller than his peers, with broad shoulders, and even at a glance, he gave off a strong presence. His solid physique and heavy gait created an atmosphere that made him difficult to approach.
His eyes slanted sharply upward, and the cold gaze characteristic of sanpaku eyes pressured anyone who faced him. His pupils were small, making his emotions hard to read, and when expressionless, his intimidating air became even stronger. Because of his rough appearance, he was often misunderstood, but he never particularly tried to explain himself.
His clothing style was generally simple and loose. Rather than wearing his uniform neatly, he tended to wear it loosely, and he often walked around with his hands in his pockets. His heavy footsteps, as if the ground might tremble with each step, were his defining feature.
“…”
Delsron paid no attention at all to having bumped into Mila and simply walked past while talking with his friends.
“Phew… Thank goodness.”
When Delsron just passed by, Mila let out a relieved sigh.
“Mila, you’re okay, right?”
Mila’s face looked a little uneasy, but without any particular tension, I asked her worriedly.
“Yeah! I’m fine. Thanks for worrying, Gred…”
Mila smiled and said she wasn’t hurt. I headed to the cafeteria with her again, and a short while later, we stood in line at the entrance and waited.
“But why is the cafeteria so noisy?”
“Yeah, I wonder what’s going on. It’s louder than usual.”
As we entered the cafeteria, the atmosphere felt quite noisy. I looked around for a moment, searching for the reason. It was because a group of female students had gathered on one side of the cafeteria, cheering.
“Kyaa~ It’s Rion!”
“Haha, hello.”
His name was Rion. With blond hair, harmonious features, and a warm atmosphere, he had an appearance that left a favorable impression from the very first glance.
His eyes were clear and deep in color, and his gentle expression gave others a sense of comfort. Whenever he smiled, the atmosphere brightened even more, naturally drawing people’s gazes. His physique was moderately well-balanced, and his movements felt smooth and refined.
He was highly sociable and easily got along with anyone. Thanks to his relaxed way of speaking and sense of humor, many people gathered around him, and he was especially popular with the girls. He was good at light jokes, but he also had the consideration to carefully observe the other person’s mood.
Even while wearing his uniform neatly, he paid attention to small details in his style, maintaining a clean impression. Though he seemed light and free-spirited on the surface, he showed a responsible side in important moments, earning people’s trust.
“Hm? Looks like Rion came to the cafeteria… He’s really popular.”
Mila noticed the reason immediately as soon as she saw Rion.
“If someone saw this, they’d think he was a celebrity.”
“Haha, true. Maybe it’s because he’s more handsome than most celebrities?”
In the end, the atmosphere remained noisy until Rion left the cafeteria. I was reminded once again just how incredible his popularity was.
* * * Gred
Before I knew it, lunchtime had passed, all the afternoon classes had ended, and it was almost time to go home.
‘Ah… right, there was a meeting today…’
As I put my books into my bag, I remembered that there was a meeting today. Normally, my schedule was arranged that meticulously, but maybe because I’d been busy lately, I kept forgetting things.
‘Hm? Is that a text?’
When my phone notification went off, I immediately turned it on to check. The word “Beast” stood out on the screen.
‘Another Beast alert...’
“Beast” was the term used for criminals who committed serious crimes, and they were referred to by animal names. This time, the message was asking for reports if a Beast called “Jackal” was spotted. Whenever texts like this came in, I couldn’t help but pay attention.
Just then, Mila came toward me with her bag slung over her shoulder.
“Gred!”
“Oh, Mila. Did you call me?”
“Yeah! Do you have time on Saturday?”
Mila asked cautiously. I had a rough idea what she was about to ask, but I was still curious, so I asked back.
“I don’t really have plans except on Sunday. Why?”
“Then do you want to go to the department store with me on Saturday? A lot of new arrivals came in this time.”
Mila said it with a face full of expectation. I gave a light nod.
“That works out. I was just thinking of buying some summer clothes too. It’s been getting way too hot lately, so I need to get a few short-sleeved shirts.”
“Right? I don’t have nearly enough summer clothes either, so I was going to buy some this time!”
Mila brightened and chimed in. She was the type who got especially excited whenever shopping came up.
“But... I’m going to invite Tris too. Is that okay?”
Mila carefully watched my reaction. I shrugged as if I didn’t mind at all.
“Yeah, I don’t care. It’s fine. I think it’ll be even more fun if Tris comes too.”
“Right? If it’s just us, time will fly by.”
Then Mila suddenly seemed to remember that her friends were waiting outside and glanced at the clock.
“Ah, I should go! I’ll tell you the details tomorrow. See you, Gred!”
“Yeah, get home safe.”
Mila waved and disappeared, and I suddenly thought that Saturday’s shopping trip might actually be more fun than I’d expected.
As I walked home alone, the things that had happened today passed through my mind. The commotion when Rion appeared in the cafeteria had left an impression too.
As I thought about that, I found myself near home before I knew it.
My steps felt light as I headed toward the house. I thought the day had passed by well enough, but there was also a part of me that hoped it wouldn’t end as just another ordinary day. As always, I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but living day by day within that uncertainty seemed to have become another kind of routine.
* * * Gred
The place I live in is a two-story mansion, and when you go up the stairs, the unit marked 204 is my home. When I arrived, I somehow felt that something was off.
‘What? Did someone come into my house?’
When I opened the front door, the living room lights were on, and I could even hear the TV. I was puzzled for a moment, but then a familiar voice came from the living room.
“You’re back, Gred?”
Hirami, who had been sprawled on the sofa watching TV, spoke to me in a relaxed voice.
Hirami had short hair with an intense red hue. The ends, cut in a slightly rounded shape just below her chin, made the lines of her face stand out even more, and whenever the light touched it, the red tone shone in an even warmer, deeper shade.
Her eyes were a cool blue. That mysterious color, like looking into clear, deep seawater, contrasted oddly with Hirami’s cheerful personality, yet somehow harmonized with it.
Hirami lived alone next door in unit 203, but she came and went so freely that it was almost like my place was hers. Instead of knocking, she would naturally walk in saying, “I’m here!” and it was common for her to open the fridge and take out a drink.
“Hirami... why are you in my house?”
Lying leisurely on the sofa as she watched TV, she turned her head at the sound of my voice and grinned.
“Hehe~! Just waiting while watching TV! We have a meeting tonight, remember?”
Hirami tossed the remote aside, turned off the TV, and leaned back comfortably on the sofa as if she were the owner. Seeing her like that, I sighed and laughed. She was always this comfortable in my house. Hirami was wearing a black tank top and dolphin shorts, and when she got up from the sofa, the black rose tattoo faintly visible on her back caught my eye.
“Hurry up and get changed. The meeting’s about to start!”
She said this while opening the refrigerator door and taking out some juice. Her attitude was so natural, as if she were in her own home, that it was almost funny.
‘...I can’t believe she opens someone else’s fridge so casually.’
In any case, I went into my room, changed into my usual clothes, and came back out to the living room. Hirami was sitting in a living room chair, leisurely drinking her juice as she waited.
“Gred? How was school today?”
Maybe because Hirami didn’t go to school, she was always curious about school stories.
“Ordinary. Much more than the work we do.”
“Haha! Well, that’s obvious, isn’t it?”
Hirami finished her juice and tossed the empty can into the trash can. Then she lightly dusted off her hands and stood up.
“Shall we go now? The others must be waiting.”
Hirami spoke in that tone as if urging me along, glancing slightly in my direction. Even though she always acted so relaxed, she moved quickly when it came to work.
A little while later, I left the house with Hirami and went down to the first floor of the mansion. We stood in front of the door marked 103 on the first floor, and after entering the password and scanning a fingerprint, the door lock released with a beep and the door opened.
“Let’s go!”
We opened the door and walked down the stairs leading underground. Past the corridor was the meeting room. It was a place that was always used whenever something important came up.
“Everyone got here first?”
When we entered the meeting room, everyone except Hirami and me had already taken their seats. They were all people I knew.
“You’re here? Gred, Hirami?”
The first to speak was Delseuron, the one who had bumped into Mila in the school cafeteria earlier. He looked at me with an easy, unbothered expression, and contrary to his strong impression, his smile gave off a rather comfortable and relaxed air.
“...Welcome.”
Beside him sat Aenna, the top-ranked student at Seoreugo High School. Aenna rarely showed changes in expression, but in unexpectedly situations, she would sometimes reveal subtle signs of fluster. When she received an unexpected compliment or when a reaction differed from what she had expected, she would blink slightly, her response lagging half a beat behind.
“Once you take your seats, we’ll start today’s meeting right away.”
Lastly, the one lightly guiding the atmosphere of the room was Rion. I had seen him briefly in the cafeteria earlier, and though he was the type to always smile indifferently and turn every situation into a joke, he was someone who gave off a strange sense of trust. That trust seemed to come from the seriousness hidden behind his humor.
The five of us were all orphans who had been raised by Master since childhood. But the work we did now was exposing to the world important truths that no one knew or that had been hidden away—the work of the one and only Beast organization, “Lynx.”