[12:00]
The digital clock displayed the numbers 12 and 00.
Now, as Astra said, someone should be coming…
.
.
.
‘Why aren’t they coming?’
Did they get into an accident on the way?
As I pondered, all sorts of thoughts crossed my mind.
‘In the original story, only Black Night was mentioned, but there was no explanation on how to get there…’
But it’s a bit awkward to ask Astra about it now.
“……”
For now, let’s not panic and keep a calm expression.
Though, if Astra says something like “What are you doing?” it’ll be even more embarrassing…
Ugh-
Fortunately, it seemed like that wouldn’t be necessary.
Not long after, something began to glow in my arms.
When I picked it up, it was the invitation Astra had handed me earlier.
“The invitation is glowing.”
“If I tear it now, someone will come.”
Following her words, I immediately tore the invitation.
Ugh-!
Then, the torn invitation emitted an even brighter light than before.
‘Yes, this is it.’
I almost made a fool of myself.
A moment later.
Pit!
“Kyahaha! This luxurious scent must be Eclipse!”
A woman wearing a rabbit mask appeared out of thin air, laughing cheerfully.
“Oh my! Astra-nim~! Long time no see~!!”
As soon as her eyes met Astra’s, she greeted her warmly.
“…It’s been a while.”
Astra, who seemed to know her, responded.
Though she seemed a bit annoyed.
“You’ve gotten even prettier since I last saw you!”
“You’ve also become more beautiful, Clock Rabbit.”
“Ehehe!”
The woman called Clock Rabbit proudly patted her chest.
“Well then, let’s go! Astra-nim!”
“Ah, I’m not going this time.”
“Huh?”
Astra rejected Clock Rabbit’s outstretched hand.
Clock Rabbit’s eyes widened in shock.
“Another executive will go in my place. I’m just here to explain how to use the invitation.”
“I see. Then I guess I have no choice! Who am I supposed to escort?”
“Right here.”
With an exaggerated gesture, she looked around and then turned when she heard my voice.
“Oh my?”
She looked surprised when she saw me.
I was also surprised by her outfit.
From the collar-shaped choker to the revealing leotard that emphasized her lower body, and even the rabbit ear headband.
‘A bunny girl…?’
I hadn’t noticed earlier because she was wearing a jumper, but Clock Rabbit was dressed in a black bunny girl outfit.
“A rare handsome flower…”
The reason Clock Rabbit was surprised seemed a bit different from mine, but…
Anyway.
‘Astra managed to keep her composure while talking to her.’
From how smoothly they conversed, it seemed like she was just used to it.
Swish.
“Kyaa! Nice to meet you! You must be the Maker who’s been causing quite a stir this year! Just call me Clock Rabbit!”
While I was thinking, she confidently extended her hand to me.
“Nice to meet you, Clock Rabbit-nim. As you know, I’m Maker.”
I shook her hand and gave a polite greeting.
‘Hmm… she seems more capable than I thought.’
Though she had a carefree smile, her eyes were sharp, and her body seemed well-trained.
Hidden by her demeanor, she might actually be quite skilled.
“Aww, if you stare so intently, I might get a little shy~”
Perhaps sensing my gaze, Clock Rabbit twisted her body, pretending to be embarrassed.
But it didn’t seem like she was genuinely shy.
Then, she glanced at Astra.
With a mischievous expression, she leaned closer to me and smiled.
“Is this… NTR?”
“…What are you talking about! We’re not like that!”
After a brief silence, Astra, realizing what she had said, exploded in anger.
“That’s right. I don’t know how Astra-nim feels, but I don’t think of her that way.”
“…? Maker?”
At my words, which seemed to imply that Astra might have feelings for me, she stared at me with trembling eyes, as if feeling betrayed.
“Kyaha! Really? Then, is it BSS? Too bad~”
“…It’s neither!! Don’t treat me like I’m stealing someone’s partner!”
“Oh, is that so?”
“I guess so.”
“Maker!!”
Eek.
Clock Rabbit laughed cheerfully as Astra yelled.
“Really, no feelings at all?”
“None!”
“Oh, but there were?”
“No, there aren’t. Just!”
Amused, she kept teasing Astra.
“Is that so?”
Then, for a moment, she stopped laughing.
“But then…”
With a seductive smile, she looked at me.
“Can I take this one, Astra-nim?”
As if about to kiss me, Clock Rabbit began to wrap her arm around my neck.
‘Ridiculous.’
I pushed her head away to convey my refusal.
“Eek, why!”
Why? Because you’re trying to do something I’m not interested in.
Even if there’s some curiosity and amusement, I’m too valuable to be taken by just that level of interest.
“Let’s stop here and get going.”
“Oh no, it’s already time!”
If we’re late, the Queen will scold me!
She pulled out a pocket watch from between her cleavage and looked shocked.
Clock Rabbit urgently reached out her hand to me.
“Tch, I guess I have no choice!! Hold my hand tight!”
Ugh! We’re late, we’re late!
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her stomping feet.
“Well then.”
I took Clock Rabbit’s hand and turned to look at Astra.
“I’ll be back.”
“You remember what I told you, right?”
“Not to embarrass the organization. I know.”
“Have a safe trip, Maker.”
Ugh-!
With those words, the surroundings began to blur.
*
When I opened my eyes, I saw a space that looked like a medieval outdoor garden.
The well-kept grass and the black sky with holes in it were striking.
‘Beautiful.’
It was extremely dreamy and beautiful, but it didn’t feel artificial or out of place.
“So this is Black Night…”
“That’s right!”
She nodded in agreement to my muttering.
Clock Rabbit, true to her name, walked ahead of me for a while before turning back to look at me.
“This is Black Night!”
She greeted me with a bow, like a medieval butler or servant, polite but not submissive.
“The sanctuary of black stars hidden in the darkness! The holy land of villains! The social gathering of villains! Villain’s Hope!”
“That’s a lot of subjective statements.”
She stood up abruptly, stretched out her arms dramatically, and laughed genuinely.
“Welcome to Black Night!”
“It feels more like a strange wonderland than Black Night.”
“Kyahaha, let’s not get caught up in the details!”
The space was twisted, with crooked lampposts and benches that looked like they were swaying.
Overall, it was a dreamlike, strange space filled with irregularity rather than order.
I glanced around.
“Hoho! So I just took that hero’s eye and…!!”
“This guy’s always showing off!”
Some were having friendly conversations.
“Hey, stop moving. Are you trying to cheat?”
“You bastard… want to bet your wrist?”
Others were grabbing each other’s wrists, growling.
“Looking at the recent movements in the situation…”
“We should tell our subordinates to prepare thoroughly.”
Some were exchanging information in a gentlemanly manner.
Everyone seemed more normal than I expected.
‘At least on the surface.’
“Clock Rabbit-nim, are you leaving now?”
“Yes! My role here is done!”
When I asked, she nodded.
“And since I brought the guest late, I’ll have to be scolded… hmph.”
“I see.”
I nodded appropriately and responded to her.
“…Why are you asking? Are you sad or disappointed that I’m leaving~? Is this love…?”
No, that’s not it.
We’ve only known each other for about 30 minutes, so there’s no way I’d feel that way.
But seeing my expressionless face, she seemed to misunderstand and continued to flirt.
“In our Black Night, such things are possible, you know~”
Clock Rabbit put her hands together as if sharing a secret and whispered to me, then blew a kiss in my direction.
“If you want, you can request this sexy Clock Rabbit?”
Ugh, ah, yeah~
She puckered her lips and struck a playful, seductive pose.
“No, thank you.”
But I declined.
Spending the night with a beautiful woman was a tempting offer, but I wasn’t here to play around today.
“By the way, rabbits are in heat 24 hours a day, so you can satisfy your desires as much as you want…”
No, thanks.
I waved my hand as if shooing away a peddler, but Clock Rabbit just giggled and shook her head.
“Well then, I’ll be going~!”
“……”
After about 10 minutes of self-promotion, Clock Rabbit finally disappeared with a pop.
‘…She’s a weird one.’
Even though Eclipse is an organization that would make most people nervous, she could casually joke around with its executives…
She’s either genuinely naive or confident in her abilities.
If it weren’t for that, Astra would’ve locked her up long ago.
“Anyway, let’s get going.”
Since the event I’m aiming for will take a while, I thought I’d explore the area in the meantime.
‘It’d be nice if something interesting happens.’
As I thought that, while walking…
Thud!
“You bastard! Want to fight?!”
“Yeah, you punk! I’ll make sure you can’t walk on two legs today!!”
Just in time, the ground shook, and the sound of people fighting reached my ears.
‘What’s going on?’
Hearing that, I smirked and walked toward the noise.
