There was a knock on the door.
Ani snapped out of her daze and quickly adjusted her clothes. She opened the door to see Zane Cartel standing there, looking bright and energetic.
"Yo, looks like you slept well," he greeted with a grin.
Before she could respond, he took her hand and pulled her toward the dining area, guiding her to a seat at the table.
A moment later, he placed a mirror in front of her and grabbed a comb.
"Your hair's all over the place. Can't have you walking out looking like you fought a hurricane," he said with amusement.
Indeed, Ani's blonde hair had fluffed up during the night, strands sticking out in odd directions, a few rebellious tufts bouncing in the air. It looked unintentionally cute.
She glanced down, fingers nervously toying with the hem of her oversized sweater.
Why was he doing this?
Why was he taking care of her?
By all logic, she should have rejected it. But… the sensation of someone tending to her with gentle hands stirred something unfamiliar inside her.
She didn't understand the feeling.
And Zane, knowing her well through the memories he'd absorbed with the Blacklight Virus, saw through it instantly.
Beneath that icy exterior, Ani longed to be cared for—to be treated not like a soldier, not like a tool, but like a person.
That was why she clung to the idea of returning to Marley and seeing her father again.
Even if the man himself… well, his parenting could be questioned.
"I can do it myself," Ani mumbled with a faint scowl.
The words were almost inaudible.
Zane pretended not to hear and continued combing. At the same time, he began explaining his plan for the Giant World.
He detailed his goals, strategies, the potential risks and rewards. His voice was smooth, almost hypnotic.
As she listened, Ani's mind shifted from irritation to curiosity. She absorbed the information attentively, allowing Zane to finish braiding her hair.
When he was done, he placed breakfast on the table. They ate together while Zane continued the briefing.
Finally, once the meal was over, Zane pulled out a golden book—the Absolute Contract Code.
He opened it to the last page and slid it toward her.
"If you agree with the plan," he said, "sign here. Let's work together—for the future of both our worlds."
Ani studied the page. The previous ones were filled with what she could only describe as unfair terms, but the page he handed her was blank, save for the signature line.
After a long moment of deliberation, Ani nodded and picked up the pen.
Whatever his motives, his plan was sound. And she couldn't do it alone.
She signed.
Without knowing it, she had bound herself—body and soul—to Zane Cartel.
Zane grinned as he closed the book.
"Great. Now let's go shopping."
"Shopping?" Ani blinked.
"Clothes. Daily necessities," Zane said. "You can't keep wearing my sweater forever. And besides, this'll give you a better look at what life's like here."
Ani looked down at herself.
Because the sweater was so baggy, she could… see more than she wanted to.
Her face turned red.
She quickly nodded. "Alright."
The two left the apartment together.
Ani noticed that Zane was carrying a large sketchpad under one arm. She gave him a questioning look.
"That's your original manuscript… for the Giants?" she asked.
Zane nodded.
"Planning to submit it. Gotta start making money somehow. First manuscript fee, then profits, then investing back into the organization. Gotta think big."
Ani frowned. To her, the contents of that sketchpad weren't fiction—they were reality.
They held the key to her world's future.
Zane seemed to read her mind. He tapped her forehead lightly with the rolled-up manuscript.
"That world's going to change. You're going to help change it. And that means looking forward—not clinging to what's behind."
Ani remained silent. She understood, even if it wasn't easy to accept.
Meanwhile, in the apartment next door, Eri Spencer stood at her window, eyes wide with disbelief.
She had just witnessed Zane walk out—with a girl.
A girl who came from his apartment.
They were smiling. Talking. Laughing.
Walking side by side like a couple.
"WOMAN!" Eri screamed internally, pressing her face against the glass. "A woman came out of Zane's house!"
"And she's so close to him! They look like they've known each other forever!"
She collapsed against the windowsill in dramatic defeat.
"I've lost… completely lost today…"
Back in the city, Zane and Ani reached the bustling commercial street in Chiba.
The noise. The people. The chaos.
Ani looked visibly uncomfortable.
For someone raised in a military environment and used to high-alert missions, a crowd like this meant only one thing—danger.
She stayed close at first but quickly began to fall behind, eyes darting everywhere.
Pedestrians pushed past, and soon Ani was nearly swept away in the tide.
Zane glanced back and immediately noticed.
He reached back and grabbed her hand.
Her fingers were small, soft—too soft for someone with combat training.
That was likely thanks to the regenerative abilities granted by her Titan power.
She instinctively tried to pull away.
Twice.
Then stopped.
Their hands stayed intertwined.
They walked like that—fingers laced—as if they were just another young couple enjoying the city.
They reached a popular women's clothing boutique.
Zane pulled Ani inside.
A cheerful store clerk greeted them with a smile. "Welcome! How can I help you today?"
Zane gave Ani a light push forward.
"She's new here. Needs a full wardrobe—two or three sets to start."
The clerk's eyes lit up. "Right away!"
Ani looked at the racks of clothes, uncertain.
Shopping… wasn't something she had ever done. Everything had always been assigned or regulated.
But the store clerk guided her gently, helping her pick out sizes, matching colors.
Zane stood to the side, watching the scene unfold.
Somewhere deep in his heart, he felt an unexpected warmth.
Was this what it felt like… to raise a daughter?
He chuckled to himself, only half joking.
Then, his gaze shifted—and he felt someone watching him.
He turned slightly and saw her.
A blonde girl with a side ponytail, standing just outside the store.
Cute clothes, narrowed eyes, burning jealousy.
Eri Spencer.
End of Chapter
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