Under the crimson moon

I walked toward the university with a coffee in my hand, taking my time. Classes were just a formality, anyway. I had always found it amusing how humans spent years chasing knowledge, believing that books and lectures could prepare them for life. Life was never learned in a classroom. It was learned through loss. Through mistakes. Through surviving things that should have destroyed you. I took another sip of my coffee and smiled faintly. To anyone passing by, I looked ordinary. A university student rushing to class. A girl with a messy bag over her shoulder and a drink in her hand. Nothing special. That was the point. Being underestimated was useful. A black car stopped outside the small café beside the university. I slowed my steps. Three men stepped out. The first one immediately caught my attention. Tall. White hair. Calm expression. The other two looked almost identical, probably brothers. They walked straight toward me. Not toward anyone else. Me. The white-haired man stopped in front of me. “Tsukimi?” I looked at him with polite curiosity. “Yes?” “The boss ordered you to come with us.” For a moment, I said nothing. Then I sighed. Not because I was scared. Because I was curious. The world was always full of surprises. And someone powerful enough to send three men after me was definitely interesting. “I see,” I said softly. The man waited. Most people would have asked questions. Who is your boss? Why does he want me? Where are you taking me? But I already knew something. If they wanted me dead, I wouldn’t still be standing here. And if they wanted something from me... Well. That was much more interesting. “Do I at least get to finish my coffee?” The two brothers exchanged a look. The white-haired man stared at me. “You’re not afraid?” I blinked. Then smiled. A small, innocent smile. “Should I be?” He didn’t answer. Interesting. I followed them. Not because I had to. Because I wanted to see who was curious enough to disturb my peaceful morning. --- The mansion was exactly what I expected. Large. Beautiful. Cold. Humans loved decorating their homes with expensive things when they wanted to prove their importance. Marble floors. Ancient paintings. Furniture that probably cost more than most people earned in years. Everything screamed power. But power was always temporary. People forgot that. In the center of the room stood a woman. Dark braids. Green eyes. Bright red lips. She looked elegant, confident, dangerous. She immediately caught my attention. “New girl?” she asked. Her voice was sweet. But her eyes were not. I tilted my head. “I wouldn’t call myself new.” She raised an eyebrow. “No?” “No. I’ve existed for quite some time.” A small silence followed. Then she laughed. “You’re funny.” I smiled. Good. That was exactly what I wanted her to think. Funny. A little strange. Harmless. The easiest mask to wear. Footsteps echoed through the room. Everyone changed. The guards stood straighter. The woman stopped smiling. Even the air felt heavier. I turned. A man entered. Dark suit. Cold expression. The kind of confidence that didn’t need to be announced. Lorenzo. The famous name behind countless whispers. A man people feared. A man who built his world on control. His eyes found mine. And for a moment, we simply looked at each other. He expected fear. Everyone always did. So I gave him a little. I lowered my gaze. Just enough. A perfect performance. “Tsukimi,” he said. His voice was calm. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” I looked up. “Hopefully only good things.” The woman beside me hid a smile. Lorenzo watched me carefully. “You’re not what I expected.” I smiled politely. “Is that disappointing?” “No.” He stepped closer. “It’s interesting.” I held his gaze for a second longer than I should have. Then I looked away. Just a normal girl. Just someone who had been brought here against her will. Just someone who had no idea who he was. That was what he needed to believe. Because some secrets were safer when people thought you were weak. And mine... Was older than his entire world.