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Jinx sat in the backseat of the car, her tablet in hand, reviewing the meeting discussion in the Division Base. She skimmed through the report, her eyes catching the information about someone targeting vampires and Lycans, likely the source of the chaos unfolding.
'Is it you guys?' Jinx thought of Lucian and his team, who had disappeared and contacted her when they learned she was coming to Hungary. 'Why are you guys targeting them?' she pondered, trying to make sense of it all. She closed the tablet, snapping the case shut, and tapped it thoughtfully.
Although Jinx had surmised it was Lucian and the others, she wasn't planning to report it. After all, Lucian and the Ozunu clan were allies of the Arashikage clan, and she understood that aligning with Lucian offered far more advantages than reporting them.
Jinx turned her head to look at the woman beside her.
Mitsuki was gazing out the window, her curiosity evident, though if one looked at her hands, they'd notice her fingers constantly scratching off her nail polish, a subconscious sign of nervousness.
"Are you nervous? Because you're about to meet the real owner of the company?" Jinx asked, using her elbow to prop herself against the door, resting her cheek on her right hand. Her gaze locked onto Mitsuki.
The Arashikage clan had received intel about Mitsuki. She was the one who had helped prevent the Arasaka Company's collapse, implying that Mitsuki would play a significant role in the future of Arasaka, perhaps even becoming part of the Ozunu Clan if Lucian allowed it.
"Ah, yeah, sure," Mitsuki said awkwardly, turning her head to Jinx and nodding slightly with a wry smile before looking back out the window. She tried to hide her real reason for being nervous, attempting to suppress the urge to scratch off her nail polish, knowing it was that habit that had tipped Jinx off.
"Oh, looks like that's not the reason," Jinx said, raising an eyebrow as she caught a glimpse of Mitsuki's fleeting expression.
Jinx then leaned closer to Mitsuki.
"How about I guess it?" Jinx said playfully.
"Are you nervous because your company's satellite launch isn't ready?" Jinx asked, observing Mitsuki's body language closely.
Mitsuki didn't answer. She kept her gaze on the passing scenery, remaining silent, but her fingers resumed their frantic scratching, revealing her restlessness.
"You're not afraid of the real boss, and there isn't a problem with your report. So, that means, you are nervous because of Kim Yoo-ri?" Jinx asked, observing Mitsuki's fingers, which paused slightly when she mentioned Kim Yoo-ri's name.
Mitsuki continued to watch the road, but deep inside, her heart pounded. She knew she was being interrogated by Jinx for information, albeit subtly.
"I'm right," Jinx said with a grin. "Are you afraid of her, that's why you're nervous?" She asked, moving away from Mitsuki slightly, knowing she was close to the correct answer.
Mitsuki didn't respond, but she clasped her hands together, attempting to maintain her composure.
"So, you don't hate her," Jinx whispered before continuing. "Then do you like her?"
Mitsuki felt her heart race, biting her lower lip to suppress any reaction to Jinx's words.
"I'm just joking. Don't take it seriously," Jinx said softly, releasing a chuckle and turning her attention away from Mitsuki. 'Interesting Information,' she thought, pleased with herself for correctly guessing Mitsuki's secret.
Mitsuki dared not relax, even though Jinx claimed it was just a joke. Taking her eyes off the scenery, she opened her tablet and started reviewing the report she would present to the true owner of the company. However, her thoughts couldn't help but drift to Kim Yoo-ri and how they had met.
At the time, Mitsuki had just graduated from college and was preparing to apply for a job at JASA when she received an unexpected job offer that would shatter her perception of reality.
Mitsuki had always known she was different from others. Even as a child, she saw the world in patterns and codes, understanding things on a level that seemed alien to her peers. The government recognized her unique abilities and provided her with special opportunities, but this came at a cost. She struggles in social life making her feel too distant from other people.
When Mitsuki received the job offer from Arasaka, her initial reaction was to decline, as her primary goal was to repay the government for their support. However, her curiosity was piqued by a company that had skyrocketed to prominence in just one year, developing cutting-edge technologies from phones and laptops to advanced automobiles. The allure of such innovation was hard to resist, and she found herself drawn to the possibilities that Arasaka promised.
So Mitsuki visited Arasaka Headquarters in Tokyo, where she met Kim Yoo-ri. During their meeting, Kim Yoo-ri attempted to persuade her by offering her the truth of the world.
Initially, Mitsuki was skeptical. She scoffed and laughed, dismissing the notion until Kim Yoo-ri presented undeniable evidence: her tail.
For Mitsuki, this revelation turned her world upside down, shattering her perception of reality. She witnessed something that defied logic, something that couldn't be explained by patterns or codes. It changed her life completely, marking the first time she encountered something she couldn't comprehend.
From that day forward, Mitsuki knew she had to uncover the truth. However, finding information was impossible through conventional means or online searches, and she couldn't simply ask the government. This led her to join the Arasaka group, while fueled by her curiosity about Kim Yoo-ri.
As their working relationship developed, Mitsuki discovered that Kim Yoo-ri was not the true owner of the company. She lacked the technical skills to invent or build the advanced gadgets and didn't possess the business acumen needed to run the company successfully.
This led Kim Yoo-ri to hire Mitsuki as her secretary.
As they spent more time together, Mitsuki found herself increasingly fascinated by Kim Yoo-ri's unique qualities. She developed deep feelings for her, although she knew they couldn't be reciprocated, as Kim Yoo-ri's heart already belonged to someone else.
"We're here," Jinx announced with a hint of amusement, glancing at Mitsuki before stepping out of the car.
Mitsuki snapped out of her thoughts at Jinx's voice, looking out the window to see they were parked outside a restaurant. Quickly, she closed her tablet and followed Jinx, adjusting her clothes as she stepped out.
"Let's go," Jinx said, addressing Mitsuki before turning to her fellow Arashikage clan members. "You guys can wait here," she instructed, leading Mitsuki into the restaurant. She then pulled out her phone to call Kim Yoo-ri, knowing the supernatural side of the restaurant was hidden from human sight.
Jinx made the call, her eyes scanning the area. She noticed Mitsuki's brow furrow in confusion, and following her gaze, she saw people getting in and out of the elevator.
"What is it?" Jinx asked, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.
"I'm just wondering why there's no one using the other elevator," Mitsuki explained, shaking her head slightly. "Maybe it's just not working," she added, looking around the restaurant, comparing its design to Japanese restaurants.
Jinx canceled her call, tucking her phone back into her pocket. She looked at the elevator, unable to find the second elevator Mitsuki mentioned.
Realizing it must be hidden from her sight, while concluding that Mitsuki might be an Awakened Human.
With a hint of disappointment, Jinx approached Mitsuki, gently placing a hand on her arm.
"You lead the way," Jinx whispered, prompting a surprised look from Mitsuki.
Although confused, Mitsuki still led Jinx towards the elevator door. They didn't notice the waiter whose eyes glowed green as they passed.
"There's no button," Mitsuki whispered to Jinx, inspecting the side of the elevator.
"Is that so," Jinx replied, frowning. Without the ability to see the elevator, she looked around at the staff, trying to gather information. But then, she noticed that everyone in the restaurant had stopped paying attention to them.
"Hold on," Jinx murmured.
Mitsuki looked confused as she felt the strange atmosphere of the restaurant. She followed Jinx's gaze and frowned, noticing that people were ignoring them.
It wasn't normal. Earlier, people had stared at them because of their foreign Asian looks, but now, they were completely ignoring their presence.
Suddenly, the elevator door opened, and Mitsuki gulped. "It opened," she whispered, hesitating to enter, feeling it was suspicious.
"Then let's go," Jinx urged, tightening her grip on Mitsuki's arm.
Mitsuki sensed the tension and glanced at Jinx's hand on her arm, then back at the elevator, a realization dawning on her. She gritted her teeth and stepped inside with Jinx.
"Tsk, this place is frustrating," Jinx muttered, irritated. Although she understood the intent of the restaurant to conceal the supernatural world, she resented that she needed Mitsuki's help to just enter an elevator.
Releasing Mitsuki's arm, Jinx inspected the elevator interior, trying to understand why it was invisible to her from the outside.
"You couldn't see it?" Mitsuki asked, finally understanding why Jinx had been holding her.
"No, only Awakened Humans and supernatural creatures can," Jinx explained, meeting Mitsuki's eyes. Noticing her confusion, she shrugged. "Congratulations, you're one of them, or maybe both," Jinx said.
Mitsuki froze, overwhelmed by the day's revelations. As the elevator doors closed, she felt her world turning upside down once again.
•-----•-----•-----•-----•
What Mitsuki and Jinx didn't know was that minutes later, Scarlett appeared in the restaurant, her gaze sweeping across the room.
"Breaker, do you have any live feed here?" Scarlett whispered, still scanning the area but unable to spot Jinx and Mitsuki.
[Nope, there's no camera inside the restaurant. Only the elevator has one,] Breaker replied through the comms, having already tapped into the surrounding surveillance systems.
"Did they use the elevator?" Scarlett asked, a smile forming as she noticed a waiter approaching.
"Table for how many, ma'am?" the waiter asked, offering a professional smile while discreetly assessing Scarlett's actions, sensing something unusual.
"Just one," Scarlett replied calmly.
"Right this way, ma'am. Follow me," the waiter said, leading her to a table.
[They didn't enter the elevator, but I'm certain they're inside,] Breaker informed her, reviewing the CCTV footage from the streets surrounding the restaurant.
Scarlett nodded subtly, pretending to peruse the menu the waiter handed her, fully aware of his scrutinizing gaze.
The waiter stood patiently nearby, awaiting her order. 'This woman definitely seems suspicious,' he thought.
"I'll have one goulash and one Lángos," Scarlett said, handing the menu back.
The waiter accepted the menu with a slight bow before signaling discreetly to the kitchen staff.
"Let me know if you spot them. I'm pretty sure every employee in this place is keeping an eye on me," Scarlett said, glancing around.
[What's the plan?] Breaker inquired, aware Scarlett was their sole team member in the vicinity.
"Wait and enjoy my meal. I'm here to meet them, and they'll make an appearance eventually," Scarlett replied, poised to enjoy her order just as someone sat across from her.
"Surely you're not just here for breakfast," Marie commented, taking the seat opposite Scarlett, eyebrows raised inquisitively.
"Were you following me?" Scarlett asked, her frown deepening as her hand instinctively moved towards her waist, poised to draw her pistol.
"We just seek answers, answers you have," Abraham said, settling in beside Marie. Chris, the last of their trio, took the remaining chair, nodding at Scarlett.
"No need for a confrontation; perhaps the one you're after isn't here," Marie suggested softly, aware of the discomfort of being tailed.
Scarlett's expression softened slightly, though suspicion lingered in her narrowed eyes as she regarded them silently.
"Relax. The supernatural part of this restaurant is hidden by magic that clouds human perception," Marie stated calmly. "Fortunately for you, we're Awakened Humans," she added, standing and beckoning them to follow. "Are you coming?"
"Let's move. I know you're angry, but access isn't possible without our help," Abraham said, giving Scarlett's shoulder a reassuring pat as he followed Marie, with Chris trailing.
Scarlett hesitated before trailing behind them, aware that an improper introduction could lead to a clash between Lucian's group and theirs.
"What are we doing here?" Scarlett asked as they paused in front of the elevator.
"There's another elevator here hidden from human sight, but it's been sealed because some weren't comfortable with our presence," Chris explained, eyeing the employees.
"Open it," Marie demanded coldly, addressing the unresponsive waiter.
"Grimms and hunters aren't welcome," the waiter cautioned, his eyes glowing green. Nearby employees followed suit, their eyes mirroring his.
Abraham tightened his grip on his cane, ready to draw his sword, while Chris and Scarlett prepared their weapons.
"Believe me, forcing my way in isn't something you want," Marie said calmly, her gaze unwavering and intense. The supernatural beings visibly recoiled.
Reluctantly, the waiter and others stepped back, unnerved by Marie's eyes, which seemed to engulf them in a black void revealing their true selves.
"We won't be responsible if you guys die," the waiter muttered, as the elevator door hissed open.
"You don't have to worry. We can handle ourselves well enough," Abraham grumbled in irritation as he stepped into the elevator with Chris.
"No surveillance allowed," the waiter insisted, raising his hand towards Scarlett.
"Hand it over," Marie instructed, prompting Scarlett to remove her earpiece.
"I'll be taking it back after I'm done," Scarlett said, removing her earpiece and forcefully placing it in the waiter's palm before joining them in the elevator.
"Who are you meeting?" Marie asked curiously.
"An ally," Scarlett replied, unwilling to divulge any more information as the elevator doors began to close.
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END OF CHAPTER
Extra Chapter for 200 Power Stones
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UPCOMING CHAPTERS SPOILERS:
Chapter 100: Introduction, Chapter 101: Information, Chapter 102: Temptations, Chapter 103: A intense bath R18, Chapter 104: Wryness R18, Chapter 105: Mitsuki's Powers, Chapter 106: Getting Ready, Chapter 107: Getting Ready(2), Chapter 108: Corvinus Castle, Chapter 109: Corvinus Castle, Chapter 110: A Hybrids Fall, Chapter 111: I told you so, Chapter 112: It's You, Chapter 113: Continuation, Chapter 114: William's Prison, Chapter 115: William's Prison(2), Chapter 116: William's Prison(3), Chapter 117: Death of the Twins, Chapter 118: I Fucking Knew It, Chapter 119: I Fucking Knew It(2), Chapter 120: The Last Fight, Chapter 121: The Last Fight(2), Chapter 122: A Swear to a God, Chapter 123: The end of William Corvinus, Chapter 124: Aftermath, Chapter 125: Aftermath(2), Chapter 126: Kim Yoo-ri & Mitsuki Back in Japan
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