Her lips pulled into a sharp smile, almost mocking herself. And yet, no matter how much she wanted to laugh it off, her hand still trembled when she lowered it from the window.

She turned away and forced herself to keep walking.

By the time she reached her quarters, the unease hadn't faded. Instead, it had twisted into something else, something that made her chest tighten with irritation.

Obsession.

Her mind wouldn't let go of his words, his presence, or the cold certainty behind them.

Alice threw herself onto the bed without even changing out of her uniform, staring at the ceiling as moonlight spilled in through the blinds.

"…Everdusk Stone, huh."

The words slipped out before she realized it.

Her heart gave a small, traitorous flutter.

For years, that cursed relic had consumed her thoughts, her every move. She had given up more than she cared to admit chasing it. And now someone had dangled it in front of her, like it was nothing more than a bargaining chip.

She closed her eyes, gripping the sheets tight.

If he really had it… if he really could grant what she wanted most… then there was no choice at all, was there?

Alice laughed softly, bitterly.

"…Guess I'll have to see just how deep your conviction really runs, masked man."

Her voice carried into the silence of the room.

And though she hated to admit it, she already knew—no matter how dangerous it was, she would chase this until the end.

---

Rin Evans POV

"What the hell…? Is this mask cursed? Why does this always happen the moment I put it on?"

—No. No matter how you look at it, that's just your true nature bleeding through.

"Shut up. That can't be right."

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. Honestly, this had been the plan from the start. Really. I hadn't meant to go that far with my words or act so over the top. But the moment I opened my mouth, everything just… escalated.

—Then why did you do it?

"…Do what?"

—When you called that witch out.

"Oh. That?"

I scratched my cheek, trying to look innocent, though there was no one around to see it. The truth was, I had sent Professor Alice something that looked suspiciously like a chain letter.

To anyone else, it might've read like a nasty prank. But for me? It was a heartfelt warning… and a little groundwork to reel her in as an ally.

The letter had gone like this:

[If you don't come alone to the designated place by 10 PM tonight, those you cherish most will soon be in danger. Choose whether to save them or abandon them with your own hands.]

"See? Totally sincere."

—That's not sincerity. That's textbook villain behavior.

"It's not a lie, though! They really will be in danger."

—…And your solution was this?

"Exactly. Because once she came, I'd swoop in at just the right moment, drive the threat away, and say something like, 'Don't worry, I'll help you.'"

I nodded to myself, proud of the brilliance of it all.

"If I appear dramatically and save her from danger, her guard drops. Instant trust. Classic move."

—Classic, huh?

"It is! Sure, it's a cliché, but clichés exist because they work. And honestly? It wasn't a bad plan."

I leaned back, folding my arms with a self-satisfied grin.

…At least, that was the idea.

Yup, a brilliant idea from but Zaho Yuren don't think so.

—No matter how much you deny it, it seems like your true nature is that kind of edgy sensibility.

"Edgy sensibility? What the hell does that even mean?"

—You know. The type who can't just say hello like a normal person. Instead, you drag someone into a dark corner at midnight, spout cryptic lines about destiny, and vanish into the shadows like you're auditioning for the role of 'Final Boss #3.'

"…You're making it sound way worse than it actually is."

—Am I?

"…Okay, maybe not way worse."

I groaned and pressed the heels of my palms against my eyes. Looking back at it, the whole thing had spiraled far past what I'd intended. All I wanted was to create a controlled situation, make Alice feel cornered, and then… give her a hand. The Everdusk Stone, the mask, the theatrics—it was all just to push her into the mindset where she'd actually listen.

But somewhere between "controlled situation" and "cornered," I might've… accidentally unleashed a nightmare aura and declared myself the harbinger of a new world order.

…Whoops.

—And now she thinks you're the kind of man who could erase her existence with a thought.

"Well, maybe that's not a bad thing. Fear keeps people cautious. Respectful. Besides…" I smirked under the mask, though there was no one around to appreciate it. "If she's that shaken and still chooses to stick around, it means she's serious. She's not someone who runs at shadows."

—Or she's someone who thinks she can manipulate you back.

"…Fair point. But either way, she's useful."

I stood, brushing imaginary dust off my coat. The mask felt heavier now, as if it had soaked in the intensity of the moment.

"Fine. Call me edgy, call me dramatic, call me cursed—whatever. The truth is, it worked. Alice won't be able to ignore me anymore. She's hooked."

—Hooked like prey on a line.

"Exactly. And the best part?"

I grinned, though the mask swallowed the expression whole.

"She still thinks she's the one holding the rod."

The shadows stirred faintly at my feet, as if amused.

—Just remember: the more you play at being a monster, the easier it'll be to forget you're not supposed to become one.

I paused at that, staring down at the black tendrils coiling lazily around my boots. For a moment, I thought of Alice's trembling laugh, the way her bravado cracked at the edges.

"…Yeah. I'll keep that in mind."

Still, my smile didn't fade.

"After all… monsters get results."

---

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