It's been one week and five days since the incident with Elizabeth, and now the matter of the Servants weighs heavily on my mind.
"Hey Andri!" one of my friends called out.
"Let's go to karaoke together!"
"Sure! It's been a while since we hung out."
"Don't fall for it. Andri, this guy just wants to go past the area where Marya Cash is filming."
"Is it around here?" I asked while leaving the classroom with my friends.
We walked down the stairs and grabbed our shoes from the lockers. As we chatted about the famous actress filming nearby, I realized that although I wasn't particularly interested, there was something about her that stuck with me—her gaze. It was strange… almost unsettling.
As we walked further, we arrived at an area crowded with people. This must be the filming site my friend mentioned.
"There she is!! Look!" one of them pointed.
"What kind of film are they shooting?"
"It's a detective movie. Marya plays the kidnapped girlfriend who's rescued by the lead detective."
"Not only that," another chimed in, "the romantic scenes in this film are apparently intense. And rumors say the lead actor and Marya are actually dating."
"Well… that's not surprising, is it?"
"What are you saying!? Marya Cash is a goddess in the film world! She's never been in a relationship. She's like a sacred woman—every guy who sees her falls in love!"
"Oh Marya… I wish I could be one of your soulmates."
Okay, he's completely lost it.
"H-hey look! She's coming this way!!"
"Hmm?"
When I turned my head, I saw Marya Cash—the world-famous actress and model—walking directly toward us. One of my friends panicked and hid behind me.
"So—you came to watch the filming?" she asked sweetly, tilting her head slightly with a gentle smile.
"Y-yes… W-we wanted to s-see you… and the f-filming process," my friend stammered.
"What's wrong with you?" I muttered.
"Haha, you're kinda cute," Marya chuckled, approaching my flustered friend.
"Sorry. Are we bothering you? We'll leave if—"
"Oh, don't be so stiff! You can watch anytime," she said casually.
"Ms. Marya!! We're ready to shoot the next scene!" one of the staff called.
"Ah! Sorry—I'll be right there," she replied and turned to leave. But after a few steps, she stopped and looked back at us.
"Oh right! Thank you all for your support!"
She gave a bright smile and winked. Did she just look directly at me? Or was it just my imagination?
"Let's go," I said.
"Oh, Marya Cash… she's truly an angel. And how were you two so calm!?"
"Honestly, I was kind of shocked. But Andri, you didn't react at all!"
"Really!?"
"Tch, well he already has Sylvia."
"W-what do you mean, you idiot!?"
"See? He's blushing!"
"T-that's not true! I told you we're not in that kind of relationship!"
"Okay, okay—just treat us if you two ever become a couple, alright?"
"I said we're not!!!"
We continued walking and eventually reached the karaoke place. As we booked the room, I thought I caught a glimpse of Sylvia. Could she be here? No… why am I thinking about her so much!?
We sang and played games together, laughing and having fun. Eventually, I got tired and went to get drinks and snacks.
"Hey—Keant, Ghoel, I'm going to grab some stuff. Want anything?"
"One soda!"
"Fries for me!"
*
I picked up the snacks and drinks, then headed back to the room. Just as I reached the door, I saw Sylvia standing there, holding a tray of food and drinks. Her hand was on the door handle, and her eyes met mine. We froze.
"Andri!?" she said in surprise.
"S-Sylvia!?"
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"My classmates invited me out for karaoke. You?"
"Pretty much the same."
"I see… Well, see you—"
"Wait!"
What am I doing!? Why did I stop her?
"Do you want to join us!?"
Stupid!! Why would I say something so weird!?
"Huh?"
"I-I mean, it might be fun… if we hang out together…"
What is wrong with me!?
Suddenly, the door Sylvia was holding opened.
"Sylvia!? What took you so long?"
It was one of Sylvia's classmates.
"S-sorry, I was—"
"Oh!? You…"
"??"
"You're that guy who's always with Sylvia lately!" she said, pointing at me.
"Wait—"
"With her?"
"Ah! You're at karaoke too!? With your friends? Why don't we all hang out together? Hey! It's okay, right Sylvia?"
"W-wait, don't just invite strangers!"
"But you know him, don't you?"
"Well… yeah. Okay, fine. Let's go."
"Eh?"
"So, are you joining us!?"
Eh? What is happening? The atmosphere suddenly shifted. Even my friends were shocked when they realized we were joining Sylvia's group.
"Thank you, Andri! You're a god!"
"Stop it!"
"Now that we're a group of six—let's toast!!!" shouted one of Sylvia's friends, holding a glass of orange juice.
"Cheers!!!!" the rest joined in.
"Sorry it turned out like this," I said to Sylvia.
"It's fine… Honestly, it's not that bad."
For a moment, a soft glimmer of light passed my eyes. I realized I had been staring at Sylvia's face for too long. She noticed.
"W-what is it?"
"Eh? N-nothing. I just thought… you looked like someone else."
"What's that supposed to mean!?"
"Forget it. Let's just enjoy the moment," I said, raising my soda.
*
Meanwhile…
A stunning woman stepped out of a luxury car, dressed in a red gown, preparing to attend a party.
"Miss, the producers and guests are waiting in the lobby," said one of her attendants.
"Sorry for keeping them waiting. Let's begin the party!"
The doors opened—blinding lights filled the room as the crowd cheered and clapped.
"Miss, you look as gorgeous as ever."
A handsome young man in a dark suit approached, offering her a glass of wine.
"Thank you! You look charming yourself."
"R-really!? Haha, I'm flattered."
"To celebrate the success of the film—cheers!" said another man in a silver suit.
"Cheers!!!!" echoed the crowd.
The woman stood in the center of the party, smiling sweetly yet gazing sharply at everyone around her.
"Something wrong, Miss?" an attendant asked.
"Nothing… Let's enjoy the party."
"As you wish."
She slowly made her way to the balcony, holding a glass of wine.
"It's time to move."
A bandage unraveled from her left hand, revealing a golden rhinoceros beetle with a glowing blue gem beneath it.
The beetle flew off into the night.
The woman smiled faintly and looked up at the star-filled sky under the bright moonlight.
"Now," she whispered, raising her glass, "let the real party begin."