Chiba City, Central District — Leo's estate.
Inside one of the mansion's spacious bedrooms, Yukino lay on a large, luxurious bed. A finely made quilt covered her, and at first glance, she seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
Except… she wasn't.
Her expression was tense, her brows tightly furrowed as if trapped in a nightmare. Her body curled up, trembling slightly.
In her dream, Yukino once again found herself reliving that moment—the face of a fallen angels, proud and cruel, looming over her.
"You will die today."
The same cold declaration rang out, followed by the flash of a spear of light being hurled toward her.
She could only watch helplessly as the glowing spear pierced through her body.
"Ah!"
A sharp cry escaped her lips as she bolted upright in bed, breathing heavily.
"I… I'm not dead?"
Her pupils trembled. Instinctively, she pressed a hand to her abdomen—but there was no wound, no blood.
"Was it… a dream?"
Even as she whispered to herself, the fear lingering in her chest refused to fade.
"No… wait. Where am I?"
Finally realizing something was wrong, Yukino looked around.
This wasn't her familiar apartment bedroom. The furniture, the decor—everything was foreign.
"Did someone save me?"
The thought flashed across her mind. She lifted the quilt—
—and froze.
Her body was completely bare beneath it.
Her face drained of color as she hastily pulled the quilt back up, clutching it tightly around herself.
Being stripped naked in an unfamiliar room—it was terrifying for any girl, and her mind immediately began racing with anxious, unwanted thoughts.
"They didn't… do anything strange to me, right?"
Biting her lip, Yukino hesitated for a long moment. Eventually, unable to bear lying there any longer, she stood up—still wrapped in the blanket.
Bare feet touched the cold floor. She needed to figure out where she was and whether she was safe.
Instead of rushing out, she went to the window first and pulled open the curtains.
But just as she looked toward the light, soft morning sunlight streamed in, washing over her.
"Nngh…"
Rather than feeling warm or comforted, Yukino flinched as a sharp, burning pain spread across her skin.
"Why… does this hurt so much?"
She stumbled back a few steps, retreating from the sunlight's reach.
Her entire body felt weak, drained. Even being near the daylight made her uneasy—almost repulsed.
"What's happening to me?"
Had she turned into… a vampire?
Her face shifted between confusion and alarm.
Knock, knock, knock—
Someone rapped on the door.
"Who's there?!"
Her grip on the blanket tightened as her voice rose slightly in panic.
There was no answer. Instead, the door opened quietly, and someone stepped in.
It was a young woman—around twenty, wearing a maid's uniform. She carried a neatly folded set of clothes in her arms—Yukino's own school uniform.
It had been washed and ironed, smelling fresh and clean.
"Who are you? Where is this place?" Yukino asked quickly, her tone sharp but anxious.
The maid said nothing. Without a word, she simply held out the uniform to Yukino.
Yukino frowned. She tried asking again, several times, but the maid didn't respond to any of her questions.
Left with no choice, Yukino took the clothes and dressed swiftly. Only once she had finished did the maid turn and head for the door—motioning subtly for Yukino to follow.
After a brief hesitation, Yukino followed.
They walked down a long corridor, the mansion silent except for the soft echo of footsteps. Eventually, they reached the first floor and headed toward the main doors.
"Ugh…"
The moment Yukino stepped outside, the sunlight stung her again. The sensation wasn't unbearable—but deeply uncomfortable.
At least she didn't burst into flames, so she probably wasn't a vampire. Still, something about her body was undeniably wrong.
Eager for answers, she followed the maid across the garden until they reached a small gazebo.
There, seated like a nobleman enjoying a leisurely morning, was a familiar figure—Leo. He sipped tea that a beautiful maid beside him had just prepared, smiling brightly as Yukino approached.
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san."
"…You?!"
Yukino's expression hardened instantly.
"Well, who else could it be?" Leo replied with an exaggerated nod, still smiling. "After all, who do you think would show up right after you got dragged into that mess?"
It was hard to argue with that.
Her emotions were far more turbulent than yesterday, but deep down, she knew he wasn't wrong.
"So… you saved me?" she asked quietly, finally acknowledging that what had happened wasn't just a dream.
"No need to thank me," Leo said lightly, still smiling as he stirred his tea. "I've already received my reward."
He gestured to the seat across from him.
"I know you've got a lot of questions. But first, sit down. Have some tea—calm your mind a little."
The maid beside him immediately stepped forward, pouring a fresh cup of tea for Yukino.
After a moment's pause, she walked into the gazebo and sat opposite him.
"Try it," Leo said, swirling his cup lazily. "It's made from some very rare tea leaves. I don't know much about tea, but I trust Sona's taste. She wouldn't stock anything cheap."
Sona? Yukino held back her question and took a cautious sip instead.
And immediately—she was captivated.
She didn't know whether the tea was truly rare, but it was easily the best she'd ever tasted. The aroma, the balanced sweetness—it was perfect. Even with her refined palate, she couldn't find a single flaw.
"Where is this tea from?" she asked before she could stop herself.
"Who knows?" Leo shrugged, clearly uninterested. "Didn't I say I don't know anything about tea? Maybe it's imported from the Underworlds or something."
Was that supposed to be a joke?
…Actually, considering the situation, maybe not.
Yukino's fingers tightened around the teacup. The air between them fell silent for a moment.
Then she finally asked, her voice steady but cautious.
"Yesterday… it really was you who saved me?"
"What's wrong? Hard to believe?" Leo gave her a sideways glance, smirking. "Or are you still trying to convince yourself it was just a dream?"
"I'm not running from reality," Yukino said softly, lowering her eyes. Her usual confidence was gone, replaced with quiet resignation. "Even if I can't accept it… the world won't change for my sake. So I'll face it."
Leo chuckled, clapping his hands once. "As expected of Sobu High's Winter Flower. You've got guts."
"Since you're taking this so well," he added with a grin, "go ahead and ask whatever you want. I'll answer everything."
"Then I won't hold back." Yukino leaned forward slightly. "That man yesterday—who was he? And why did he try to kill me?"
"That man was a fallen angels," Leo explained without hesitation. "Once, he was an angels who served God. But when he followed his own desires, he fell. The fallen angels are one of the three main factions that have been at odds with angels and devils since ancient times. Even ordinary people have probably heard the legends."
"As for why he tried to kill you…" Leo's tone turned faintly serious. "It's because you carry a power inside you—a Sacred Gears. To them, that makes you a dangerous anomaly."
"Sacred Gear…?" she repeated under her breath. "What is that?"
"It's a special power created by God himself," Leo said, as if reading her thoughts. "Throughout history, many famous figures possessed Sacred Gears. Their power is what made their names immortal. Even today, there are many well-known people who wield them. You're one of them."
"Then why am I considered dangerous?" she pressed.
"Because your Sacred Gear isn't ordinary," Leo replied, smiling faintly. "Its potential danger is beyond imagination. Tell me, Yukino—do you remember anything strange happening around you on the first day of school?"
Yukino froze.
Then, memories of that day came flooding back…