Chapter 98: Until October?!

A convoy of black military vehicles roared to a stop outside the newly established security perimeter.

The moment the lead car came to a halt...

Click! Click! Click! Click!

A storm of camera shutters erupted.

Reporters and paparazzi rushed forward from every direction, microphones raised as security barriers strained beneath the sudden crowd.

"Move! Move!"

"Captain Morgan is here!"

Several military Awakeners immediately stepped forward, forming a solid wall between the press and the vehicles. Even with dozens of reporters trying to push through, none of them managed to break the line. The difference between ordinary civilians and trained Awakeners was simply too great.

The rear door opened.

Captain Morgan stepped out.

Dressed in her pristine military uniform with a long black coat draped over her shoulders, she adjusted the pair of sleek black sunglasses resting on her face.

The crowd instantly became even louder.

"Captain Morgan!"

"Captain Morgan, over here!"

"Captain Morgan!"

Microphones stretched toward her from every angle.

One particularly determined young reporter squeezed herself to the front.

"Captain Morgan! Do you believe the Night Empress is secretly working for another country and stealing resources from Japanese Gates?"

Before Morgan could answer, another voice cut in.

"Captain Morgan! Is the Night Empress an A-Rank Awakener or an S-Rank?"

"Captain Morgan! Do you believe she has a hidden agenda for clearing Gates alone?"

"Captain Morgan! Who exactly is the Night Empress?"

Questions poured over one another without pause.

Morgan calmly raised a hand.

The noise gradually died down.

"One at a time."

The crowd fell silent.

She removed her sunglasses, revealing a pair of sharp golden eyes that swept across the reporters.

"First of all, the identity of the Night Empress remains completely unknown."

Her voice remained calm and authoritative.

"As for whether she’s affiliated with another country or stealing resources from our Gates..."

She paused briefly.

"...We don’t know."

Several reporters hurriedly scribbled notes while countless cameras remained focused on her.

"Everything surrounding the Night Empress is still a mystery."

Another short pause.

Then a faint smile appeared on Morgan’s lips.

"But..."

A cold glint flashed through her golden eyes.

"...No one can remain hidden forever. It is only a matter of time before we find her."

Without answering another question, Morgan slipped her sunglasses back on and continued walking.

Behind her followed an escort of elite military Awakeners.

Ahead of them a massive yellow Gate quietly rippled beneath the night sky.

A B-Rank Gate.

The reporters immediately resumed shouting questions.

Camera shutters exploded once again.

Click! Click! Click! Click!

Morgan ignored every one of them.

She had never enjoyed dealing with the media.

Unfortunately, ever since the appearance of the Night Empress, every newly discovered Gate had become a circus.

Reporters. Photographers. News helicopters.

Everyone wanted the next big story.

She let out a slow breath.

’She’s definitely operating somewhere around Plush City.’

That much she was certain of. The only thing left was tightening the net.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"It won’t be long now. When I find you... I’ll make sure every secret you’re hiding becomes mine."

She wasn’t interested in simply arresting the mysterious Awakener.

Someone capable of clearing Gates alone was far too valuable for that.

Power like that belonged under military control.

Whether willingly or by force.

***

Completely unaware that someone was already planning his future...

Reiji lay sprawled across the living room couch.

A large bowl of popcorn rested comfortably on his lap while an action movie played on the television.

Crunch.

He tossed another handful into his mouth.

"...Haha look at this dumbass. He’s completely unaware of the storm coming."

Vel, curled into a fluffy ball beside him, lazily opened one eye before closing it again.

The house couldn’t have been more peaceful.

Outside, an entire military division was searching for the mysterious Night Empress.

Inside the so-called Night Empress was arguing with himself over whether there was enough butter on the popcorn.

Crunch.

"...Needs a little more salt."

He grabbed another handful.

Completely oblivious.

Or perhaps simply unconcerned.

Just as another explosion echoed from the television...

~Ring! ~Ring!

His phone vibrated across the coffee table.

Reiji’s hand paused halfway to the popcorn bowl.

A small smile naturally appeared on his face. He didn’t even need to check the screen. There was only one person who used that ringtone.

Hina.

He reached for the phone and answered the call.

The call connected.

Hina’s sweet, angelic voice came through the speaker, carrying a hint of longing.

"Rei-kun..."

"Hina..."

"I miss you so much..."

"You always say that," Reiji replied, completely unaware of the smile slowly spreading across his face.

"So... you don’t miss me?"

"What did I tell you, Hina? Don’t let thoughts like that get into your head." His voice became slightly firmer before softening again. "I really miss you. More than you think."

—He’s just after the Bond Points.

On the other end of the call, Hina blushed.

A warm smile slowly blossomed across her face.

Reiji suddenly thought of something.

"Hina... when are you coming back?"

Silence.

A few moments passed before she finally answered.

"...October."

"October?!"

"Remember... the vacation was supposed to last six months." Her voice sounded as though she had already accepted it, even if she didn’t want to.

It had already been more than three months.

But Reiji didn’t want to wait until October.

Forget about Bond Points.

He genuinely wanted Hina back.

He wanted to spend time with her again.

’I have to think of something...’

"Rei-kun..."

"Hm?"

"I want to see your face."

"Hina... you know it’s risky."

Silence answered him.

Even without seeing her, Reiji could already imagine Hina lowering her head with a disappointed expression.

"But don’t worry, my love." A confident smile appeared on his face. "I have a plan. If it works... you’ll be back before the end of this month."

Hina’s eyes widened.

Her mood changed instantly.

"Seriously, Rei-kun?"

"Seriously."

Reiji answered without hesitation.

The truth was...

He didn’t have a plan yet.

Not even the beginning of one.

He simply wanted to give Hina hope.

At the same time, he silently vowed to figure something out.

No matter what.

"I love you so much, Rei-kun." Hina smiled brightly. "I wish I could kiss you right now."

Reiji couldn’t help smiling as well.

"I won’t let you down, my love."

A deep blush spread all the way to the tips of Hina’s ears.

Lately, Reiji had started calling her "my love" during their calls.

Every single time...

It made her heart race.

She wanted nothing more than to see him.

To hug him.

To stay beside him.

Unfortunately...

Doing that now would only attract unnecessary suspicion.

And suspicion could lead to someone discovering the greatest secret in the world.

That Reiji was still alive.

Hina’s gentle eyes gradually turned cold.

’I won’t let anyone discover my Rei-kun... Even if I have to stain my hands with their blood...’

’I’ll do it.’

*Knock!* *Knock!*

The sudden knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

She quickly whispered into the phone.

"Rei-kun, someone’s at the door. I’ll call you later."

"...Bye."

"I love you."

"Take care."

Reiji chuckled softly.

"I love you too."

"And you take care as well."

Beep.

The call ended.

Reiji stared at the dark screen of his phone for several seconds.

A foolish grin still lingered on his face.

Back when he had first transmigrated into this world...

He had done everything possible to avoid Hina.

Now...

He wanted nothing more than to keep her by his side.

He leaned back against the couch before letting out a quiet laugh.

"...Time and circumstances really do change people."