My black turtleneck hugged my torso perfectly, jawline seeming even sharper. I left my pitch-black jacket unbuttoned—earrings on, rings on. I caught my reflection through the strands of hair over my face. Amber turning into a spiraling gold. A golden Pearl— luxurious and charming. That spiral was entrancing, but... terrifyingly terrific at the same time. Like a mermaid's song, luring you in. Lifting a hand to adjust my long earring, I pushed myself off the sink and left the men's restrooms, stepping in the vast club. Underground affairs and spies crawling through the shadows. The most dangerous meetings were held there. Illegal activities were just background noise.
Fingers curled around a glass of expensive wine— placed on the silver tray of the waiter, offering him a charming smile, capable of making every girl, or man swoon. The waiter rolled his eyes playfully before walking away, on his way to serve other clients. Tsundere.
Classical music buzzed in the background, lights of honey gleamed through the entire place. Some men, "high-ranked" ones— surrounded by women, each one in red and velvety attires. They were facing the desperate looks of the losers, their own faces filled with pride as they relished in their desperation.
Nauseating.Disgusting, repulsive. Each face mirroring Foolishness and Pride. Only Luck was by their side. A chuckle suddenly escaped my lips at my own thoughts. Steps slow and silent towards the counter— special favorite place in this shithole. Who am I to even say this? What differentiates us is the fact that I acknowledge my fall.
However, I might've encountered a demon ready to take my place. And I won't lie, it scares me. That thought didn't differentiate me now that I realize.
— "Oh, greetings, Tanizaki-sama." I say first, signature smirk easily taking place as I took a seat on one of the chairs, crossing one leg over the other and taking a sip out of my drink, looking at the other through the transparent texture where my drink was in—acting as if I didn't think he would be here, I did.
The man two seats away glances at me after a silence, his eyes in the reflection of the glass glowing. Glowing a deep midnight blue. Like the sea, vast. And empty. Too bad, I'm the one who drained him. How he easily believed in peace, too soft for this world. An open book, seen and vulnerable. Guarded, how cute. Like a cat. A fragile cat hissing at their owner when they 'accidentally' stepped on their tail.
— "Our contract. You said you'd let me go." the man replied, his soft lips trembling slightly.
At least he was trying. Trying to appear unaffected. Or was he just too tired to show emotions? Pathetic.
— "Did I? My bad," I say, a sadistic smile crawling on my face . "I just remembered I have Alzheimer's. How can I know?"
I can't know. Because I burned the contract. My eyes gleamed in sadism, drilling through Tanizaki's soul in front of me. Twenty-nine and already mine. I could just make him shut up— but the pleasure of his pain makes my day.
— "Fuck you, Rin." he replied, his tone lost all colors, but eyes glaring daggers.
Glaring daggers at a wall. My smirk widened, tapping on my glass, my head tilting to the side as I finally look at him. I let silence pass, making him uneasy and still under my control.
— "Tone, sweetheart." I hum, gold appearing in my eyes—lips shutting as his gaze narrowed, Pearl activated. "One word and you're lifeless. Without effort."
— "Poor him, aren't you being a bit too harsh on him?" the barman speaks up, refilling my glass with some expensive wine. Which I don't drink.
— "Harsh? He's a Pearl user, barman." I say, eyes flicking at the barman, then my gaze follows the light flash and moving right on the sea eyed comrade of mine. "Pearl somehow haunts you. And we're all prepared to face that Bloody Gift."
My finger moves to tilt Tanizaki's chin, forcing his trembling pupils to meet mine. Fierce expression. However of no use in front of the Devil. "Sadly, you aren't."
Tanizaki's eyes widened a slight moment in fear, slapping my hand away with a small smack. Another chuckle escaped my lips. After all, he knew. He wasn't useful to me any longer. And he knew that being useless meant being erased.
I like it when my pets are feisty. Feisty not in the idiotic way of course— he disgusts me.
— "I, I can still prove my worth, Rin-sama." he reluctantly cries out, eyes narrowing while forcing these words out.
— "Very well then, prove it to me." my voice echoes, the barman next to us stifling a laugh.
— "I- I can do whatever—"
He cuts himself, seeing my lips move while his eyes nearly pop out. Pearl.
What was my Pearl about? Controlling someone's mind. Twisting them. Breaking them. Both mentally and physically. My pets, and me the owner. All I have to do is putting on the leash—being stronger mentally. Opposite never happens.
What a beautiful gift. And I wonder which punishment I'll get. Just thinking that makes me have goosebumps. I had to bite back a sound I'd regret before Tanizaki cut me.
— "W-Wait! No, stop..."
I lift my glass up, watching the liquid inside move around— waltzing with the icecube inside, glowing at the contact of light. Just like my eyes.
— "Tanizaki-sama." I exhaled softly, voice loud enough for him only to hear, but the barman was reading on my lips. "Send my regards to your mother."
His whole body trembled, as his hidden gun appeared. That was his Pearl, making him stock items. Unlimited. But, somehow, he left evidence of him. He got caught.
And I, the eraser of evidence, shall make my perfect crime true. Crimes. Beautiful.
His trembling hand moved towards his temple, the gun glued to his head as everyone's eyes turned on him.
— "Be cursed." his last words were, a tear falling down his cheek. Mhm. Love that face. Eyes filled with hatred, anger, and a glare that could make people freeze. But not the one who freezes people.
My eyes smiled in amusement, as I tilted my head to my glass. Another day. Another wasted ability. He could've been useful… One… two… A tap on my glass with my fingertip…
Boom.
Tanizaki's body falls limp on the floor, his eyes glowing as he's laying on the floor, gun in hand. A suicide. Sure. Nothing else. He took a gun and killed himself for a contract with the Devil.
But who even trusts The Devil?
Everyone's gaze stays on the body for five mere seconds—returning to their affairs without much shock. Gambling, bantering, you name it. The sudden pause of laughter faded to its usual affairs. Five seconds was still quite long though. Either way, Tanizaki's nothing. A simple living being. The world was still turning on itself, no changes. Some well-dressed men arrived and cleaned the scene, as the Bartender spoke.
— "Aren't you gonna taste the new drink I prepared specifically for you?"
— "I still have tasks to finish before enjoying myself." I replied, poison's not my flavor.
— "Even after my 36th time of offering my drinks to you? You surely hate me, or are just a dull person."
Dull? Exactly, I am dull. Everything is only an act. I plastered a mask on my face.
I glanced at the bartender, offering him a grin as I ran a hand in my hair, the body next to me now empty air. No blood, no fingerprints. Those men were useful, more than him at least. After a moment of silence, I speak up.
— "I've met my match. Good or bad thing?" I ask, nonchalant as ever.
— "Neither. It's a warning." he responds with, cleaning the empty glass of Tanizaki, some blood smeared it, before continuing playfully. "Who knows if that person is The Consequence?"
A laugh left my throat, amused. What if? That would be fun, immensely fun.
— "They practically deleted my entire life." I add, rolling my eyes as I remember myself checking my files. Only to be met with a message.
'Kiss my ass, dawg.'
— "Have any idea who it is?" he fills someone else's glass, slipping it on the counter to land in front of that person. I could see on his face that he was surprised, that someone could make my eyes roll.
— "Not one. Mind's empty—" my eyes twitch as I remember my earlier meeting.
Sora, Sora Takeda. Cybersecurity major. I couldn't read him. Nor did I feel anything out of him. Ah, did you finish? I asked, though it sounded more of a confirmation, on purpose. However he didn't answer. Which means my Pearl didn't work on him. His self control was… incredible. Unnerving at the same time. My phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket, snapping me out of my thoughts. My hand reached out in my pocket, unlocking my phone with my fingerprint.
Intrusion Alert.
Encrypted drive "TIDELOCK" – login failed. Brute-force attempt logged. Time: 16:34:27 IP: scrambled / proxy chain detected
Catched you, FOUR, or maybe... Sora? Crazy coincidence— and confidence at 4PM. Just after we met. If FOUR is Sora, he's got some ego to think he wouldn't fail. I shove back my phone in my pocket. He got past the first two layers, but not the others. Only Four could've passed the first two... and why not the others? It could not be him, or he had... a less powerful PC. 40 minutes after our encounter, 2 days after my encounter with FOUR...
— "Take back what I said." I say, my eyes narrowing in amusement as my smirk reappeared. Sora, is it you? I can't be sure, but this proved my point. You made a mistake, FOUR.
The bartender smirked back, knowing that look all too well. He was the only witness of all my troubles, as a bartender is. They're witnesses, who are bound to have a stitched mouth. One word from them and they could cause a war. But bartenders live for the fun, for the subtle drama.
A person soon appeared next to us, well disguised. A bit too well disguised. And even with those combat boots, that person was way too silent. Their posture, the way they were dressed. Tryin' to appear anonymous. Usually, I'd caught on to the gender at least. But... that person was unknown. Nothing could give them up.
Yurei Kurobane | FOUR
I open the door of my apartment, far away from uni. Doorknob down— no one entered. With a creak, I close the door behind me, the darkness and I the only people in the room. I turn on the lights, kicking off my sneakers. My figure landed in front of the mirror. Yurei. I was Yurei Kurobane. A disgusting, horrific, wench. At least I couldn't change that fact.
Pushing the door of my room, I throw my bag on the bed. A blank room. Decoration's useless after all. It doesn't bring me that coziness they talk about. I sit on my bed, letting me think of whatever's happened. I got... outsmarted. Even if the laptop probably was too weak for this, I could've got to layer 4 max. But I didn't. And knowing Rin, he'd catch on that it was Sora. Even if it isn't now. He'll know. That asshole. Letting go of those thoughts, I unzip my bag, taking out some mangas I stole. Too easy, I just had to shapeshift into a worker.
Last tome of Jujutsu Kaisen. The end was predictable after all. Either the best part is in the middle or at the end. Not worth its price. Some Death Note and Code Geass mangas I noticed and stole too. Too easy. I place them on the black shelf, contrasting the white walls.
In the shower, I undress myself, my clothes shuffling on the floor, as I pull the curtain and turn on the washtap, letting the cold water relax me. Who was Rin? What did he want? Why can't I read him? Why is he so goddamn hot— that last question is unnecessary.
I know something though. It's a challenge. I catched onto Rin's lies, and he responded to them. I couldn't tell if he was telling the truth or not after that. Didn't I practice my smile enough? Damn, I'm fucked.
Leaving the shower, hair wet and the room filled with a mist. I cover my body with a towel before opening the window, aerating the room. If I go back and try to hack him and that he knows, he'll know I'm Sora. Hacking him back and succeeding, that would uncover me. However, if I don't... I won't know who he is. And why was his security so familiar? Each code, script, everything. You can't copy someone else's codes to perfection. It can't just be a coincidence. But that doesn't prove it.
Phone rings, I sit on my bed, taking the phone in hand and getting the call. Unknown, but I already knew who it was. My long hair wetted the sheets on my bed, as I waited for the person on the other side of the phone to talk. Swinging my legs like I had nothing better to do, wearing boredom like a habit. It made things easier.
— "FOUR?" the person speaks up, a woman.
— "Four here. You have some damn ping." I sarcastically reply, not even paying attention to my words. "Who died t'day— Nah, forget 'who' — how many endpoints just went offline?"
My voice was deep-toned on the other side of the phone, making me unknown. Make me look like an edgy edgelord. Heh.
— "How funny." the other mumbles. I could guess from her tone that she was annoyed, but it changed to a more serious one. "Half of us either accidentally died or suicided. Before dying, they gave a coded message: "Error is back to haunt you."
— "Hm?" I hum, amused by the message from the guy. Error, is they? They know who I work with... how irritating. "Am I paid to hear you whine?"
The woman clicks her tone, not amused at all. They were gonna die anyways, one day.
— "You said you'd protect us until we weren't useless."
— "And when were you useful?" I cut her, with the same tone, letting her speak with silence.
— "That isn't—" I hang off, putting the phone down.
I stir my arms, letting out a yawn. Getting up and taking some clothes from my wardrobe. Gotta leave my antisocial habits. Unidentifable. maybe even a man. Being in Sora's mode would give me away. I put on black contact lenses, hiding my emerald ones and my pupils becoming more difficult to see. Adding the sunglasses too.
---
My steps heavy under those combat boots, uncomfortable, but mandatory to keep my anonymous status. The light shined on my face. My hair was tucked in my hoodie, forehead and tiny hair covered by a black cap. Sunglasses large enough to take half of my face, and my mask taking the other half. My hoodie was already oversized enough to hidd my figure, but I had to add a puffy jacket. Who knows? Maybe the Devil's gonna see me.
I look around, analyzing the place. It wasn't often I came here, and was just for the mood. One word and I might get caught. My hands in my pockets, I attracted some of the attention for a single second. Sitting on a chair near the counter, I glance briefly at the people around me...
Rin?
And he was even hotter than usual. Looking like a literal underground boss. And not a cringey Mafia Boss, don't worry. That was... weird. He didn't seem to catch my gaze, since it was covered by sunglasses. But he did notice the way my body seemed to avoid the lights, stiffed a bit. To hide anything from me. It wasn't that strange here for people to try to go unnoticed, so he didn't really pay attention. Or so I thought.
My gloved hand sometimes made subtle movements, such as sliding a finger on the table. Or tapping a key on my laptop before erasing the letter. The letter wasn't going with the right letter, but however I felt Rin's gaze burying into me. I was talking silently to the bartender, and he noticed me. Then he finally glanced at me for real this time, his signature smirk returning with ease, his feline eyes analyzing me. On guard.
— "Hey," he goes on, "putting on fake messages to test me is rude, y'know?"
I glanced at him, my eyes hid because of the dark tinted glasses covering my eyes. I merely placed my chin on my elbow, watching him. Even now, I couldn't read him. That irked me, but I would never show it.
— "Ah, acting mysterious now?" he starts, taking a sip of his glass, the same amused tone reappearing. But he only met my silence, and my gaze through my sunglasses.
— "Well, to get to know each other through silence…" He started, and I couldn't guess what he was gonna recommend. "... why not a game of chess?"
The bartender clapped his hands, then the psychology student got up, walking towards a chess table. I closed my laptop, silently wondering if I would beat him. And it was the first time I thought like that. I always win, and why was I wondering that? Because I failed to hack him? Just... shut up, Yurei. My steps followed after him, sitting at the opposite chair from him, watching the waiters place a chessboard with the pieces along with it.
He was... taunting me. Putting me on the stage, and refusing would be backing down. Everyone was looking at me, observing me. Their eyes were filled with curiosity, as if I was a creature. What... was the issue with Rin? Their faces were one of pity, mockery—towards me. Who exactly is Rin?
Anyways. I was here to enjoy myself, so I'm going to. Rin, let's undress that cover of you.
The white side was towards me, signaling for me to start. With a gesture of his hand, Rin tells me to start, the same charming smile etched on his face. But I knew this smile all too well, a snake. The pawn between my fingers, I place it on e4. A classic opener.
He mimics me, his eyes narrowing in amusement, e5. The way I moved my fingers, everything about me, he was analyzing it. Watching my every move, trying to decipher me. But I saw that annoyance deep in those amber eyes. He was irritated. Irritated of not achieving that equation. Who was that equation? Me. Obviously.
Ha, he wants to play? Let's play. My other pawn moves efficiently to f4, King's Gambit. No hesitation. Sacrifing others is one of my talents, after all.
— "You sure are ruthless." he speaks up, as the same pawn takes mine, going to f4 and taking my sacrifice. "But I'll gladly take it."
My head tilts up slightly, a small scoff coming from my lips, on purpose for him to hear it. He raised an eyebrow at the scoff, a chuckle escaping from his lips. Bishop to c3, I develop the board as if it's in my palm, eyeing the King's diagonal. Pressuring him.
Lunging his pawn forward, he threatens my knight on f3. But he's exposed too. My answer? I cross my leg over the other, a hand on my knee as I move my knight to g5, threatening his pawn on f7 now. I watch him, try to discern him. Nothing gave him away. I couldn't read his next move. Then, I realized I tilted my head subconsciously, him noticing I was looking at him and studying him.
— "Not used to my charm?" His smirk widens more, calling me out in a 'gotcha' manner, defending his pawn by placing his Knight on h6 fast. As if he already knew my move. That irked me. And he knew it, that was the purpose of that move.
The outfit helped me more than I realized, hiding practically everything, even my expressions. And I silently applaud my design choices. Looking like a star hiding from fans, but also a drug dealer. I bring a hand up, waving it to disagree, with a flick of my fingers. Meant to annoy him and hide my own annoyance. That amused him further, crossing a leg over the other too.
Rin Shiranui
That one is surely entertaining. I couldn't read him, and he didn't hesitate moving his pieces. A rival. Dangerous.
Attracting 3 enemies in 3 days. I should get an Oscar. While I'm analyzing him, he lifts a hand to move his pawn on d2 to d4, taking the center. Hm, let's add fire to the game. Pushing my pawn forward, landing on f3, glancing at him. No reaction, he predicted it. Annoying.
In answer to that, he castles kingside, his Rook facing my Pawn. He was waiting, taking his time, like a predator. My expression retransforms to a calculated, unreadable one. I decide to move my Bishop to g7, glancing at my diagonal.
Without hesitation, he slices the center, launching his Pawn forward on e5. I take the center immediately, my Pawn walking to c6, next to the enemy. I give nothing away, he doesn't do too. And beneath all these clothes... that was hard. Hard to discern anything.
Bishop takes d5 immediately. Every move is calculated, no second missing. Each move of that anonymous person was as sharp as a knife. Daring me to do something each move. And he caught me, my Pawn moving to c6, hitting on his Bishop. I'll kick him off this center and win. Only option.
He slides his Bishop to b3, but that isn't a retreat. It's the song of the siren, entrancing you, a bait. Ah, I snap. Queen takes g5, his Knight. How did he manage to control me that well? I was... entranced. It was a Siren's sing.
---
Pieces disappeared each move, the chessboard becoming war. Rin had a more calculated expression on his face, knowing that this person can't be taken lightly. His chin was lazily resting on the back of his hand, trying to mask his calculated expression with one of nonchalance. But he knew that Yurei— No, this anonymous person— noticed that hidden expression of his. It scared him, more than anyone. Yurei though, was unreadable, her look helping her disguise herself. Her leg was crossed over the other, leaned in her chair. Not even one movement could give her away. Everyone around them were now entranced, only the classical music playing in the background. But even the music seemed to lower, letting the two geniuses play. No one ever saw Rin like this, that expression on his face... It was surprising. And everyone knew something, even Rin. That anonymous person was... dangerous.
---
Yurei Kurobane
Rin's gaze was a mix of annoyance and amusement. He was surely enjoying himself, and wasn't hiding it.
— "If you continue playing like that," he starts, but continues in a mocking manner. "I'll lose."
I turned my head towards him, tilting my head to mock him like he did. My finger moves to point at him, then I glance at his King, a single and soft tap on the floor—soft stomp. He caught on the message, chuckling for the 8th time of the game.
— "You sure are confident in your words." his hand moves the Rook to f8, doubling it with his twin. He was defending, and baiting my Queen.
With no hesitation, I capture his Knight with my Queen, taking the sacrifice with ease. I didn't flinch, my gaze on the chessboard, sometimes flicking to Rin. What was a college student doing here? My suspicions on him increased.
— "Bold." he commented as his eyes narrowed in calculation. He countered while taking my Queen. As the exchange was for, my Bishop took his queen. Exchanging it. But at the same time getting hella close to his King.
Rin smiled, not out of joy. But because he knew he was fucked up. Only two rooks were next to his King, but exposed from the diagonal. While I was secured, my King chilling on g1, 2 pawns and a Rook resting with me. Desperate to have room, he moved his Pawn to g6, trying to get more room for his King.
I sacrifice my rook, taking f8 Rook. The other rook on the side takes my rook, the only move. Nah, his King wasn't gonna go away. My bishop moves to f5, blocking his King from moving forward, staying in the corner. He had nothing to defend. Reluctantly, he moves his Pawn to g6, and my Bishop takes it, not even letting time to enjoy his loss.
Checkmate.
Rin Shiranui
I... lost. Everyone was silent, only putting tension to the situation. My smirk widens, letting out a laugh. I tilt my head up, eyes wide as I stare at that anonymous person. My chin was away from my hand, and I felt... I felt it. That mocking gaze. I felt that mockery through those sunglasses. Revealing me. Pulling off my covers. I wanted one thing. To snatch that mask and sunglasses. See who that person was. Only one person ever outsmarted me: Four and Sora. Was I being weak? Or... they were the same person. Still pathetic of myself.
The air was thick. But, that masked person moves his hand, cutting the tension like a knife. They lift their thumb and index fingers over their head... Loser. With that, my smirk completely widened, eyes wide. But I said nothing, only watching this person. That anonymous person. That feeling of losing... It was unnerving, but I was obsessed with it. I wanted more. Ah, so that's how those roaches feel at gambling? Except we weren't gambling for money. But pride.
The sunglasses person brought their hand in their pocket, leg back on the floor, getting up as if nothing happened. I couldn't read them at all. Their figure, way they maintained themselves, that confidence... Who the hell were they? They turned on their heels, the movement silent and calculated. Walking away, they brought a hand up to say goodbye. But I spoke, testing them:
— "That was a good game, Sora." my voice echoed in the entire room, the music was paused. "Or Four."
But the masked person continues his path, not an ounce of reaction visible, putting their hand back in his pockets. Maybe it wasn't them. However... I lost. A demon took my place.