Chapter 7: A Gambling Partner.

All characters depicted, said or otherwise implied to have sexual relations are 18 years and older.

After…convincing Nagisa she’d be better off serving his goals, everything fell into rhythm. With no significant hiccups from rival factions, Lelouch and his inner circle pushed expansion rapidly. Their spy network—bolstered by Diethard’s administrative and media reach and Villetta’s military contacts—spread its roots throughout Area 11.

Many operatives became sleeper agents under Lelouch's Geass, while others were bent to his will through Mao's expert blackmail. She delighted in watching them squirm, their pleas for discretion only fuelling her amusement. Lelouch still marveled at how she concealed her chainsaw beneath that pristine uniform she never removed except to shower, sleep, or indulge his desires.

Kyoto's full endorsement turbocharged growth. Kaguya's intelligence and C.C.'s efforts—now overseen by Katese in China—extended their reach across the Federation. Through clandestine channels, they received reports of movements and secrets from as far as Euro Britannia, well beyond public broadcasts.

It wasn’t just intelligence; manpower, finances, and equipment poured in. Kyoto funneled hundreds of thousands to them weekly, funds Tamaki could not touch—while weaponry, supplies, and even Knightmare frames were all in no short supply. The influx eased logistical strains and freed resources for training. Kallen led flight drills with new pilots, aided by Urabe and Chiba, forging novices into competent Knightmare operators rather than expensive fodder. Meanwhile, Tohdoh and Senba specialized in close-quarters combat, heavy weapons, and guerrilla tactics.

Zero remained selective. He recruited the most loyal but directed many applicants into client cells—distinct yet obedient—to contain risk if one were compromised. Branding units with local names like Osaka Wolves attracted Japanese recruits who balked at titles invoking ‘Knights.

All these new contacts, supplies, and manpower made staying ahead of Cornelia child’s play. Since rescuing Tohdoh, they’d launched strikes on supply depots, rail hubs, and military bases. Each operation slipped past Cornelia’s forces, completing missions that further humiliated the once-feared Witch of Britannia.

A witch who, according to his cumdump, while on the verge of pulling her hair out—was under intense pressure from the Homeland. Lelouch almost felt guilty, but playing fair would shatter his plans and threaten his growing harem.

"I can orchestrate and execute flawless missions and still miss it,” he grumbled, stepping into his private residence.

“Welcome back,” C.C. greeted. She'd abandoned that tight prison garb for a pink-and-white Gothic Lolita dress with lace frills and bows.

Nunnally looked up from her braille book, her brow knitting as she sensed the strain in her brother’s voice. “Big brother, was your time with Suzaku that bad?”

He sank onto the sofa beside her and brushed a quick kiss against her temple. She giggled and playfully shoved his shoulder. "No, it's not exactly him—he's as tied up as I am. Hunting a rebellion doesn’t leave much free time.”

He’d scheduled a bowling afternoon with Suzaku and Rivalz, hoping for some simple guy time. “I hinted that the Black Knights are Japan’s only hope—but he dug in his heels something fierce. Rivalz joked Zero was a modern Robin Hood; Suzaku nearly turned green.”

Nunnally frowned. “He’s always been stubborn—remember when you first met?” She reminded him. “He’s your friend, big brother. If you explain—”

Lelouch scooped her into his lap. She curled against him, drawing comfort. “I want him to join because he shares our dream, not because of who Zero is.” He paused, his voice soft. That's why he forbade Mao from reading his mind to find out the root of this—using Geass on a friend…felt monstrous.

“Does he not?” C.C. asked, the woman taking no issue with her lover showing his baby sister some affection.

“He agrees that Britannia is rotten—but he’s obsessed with fixing it through the system,” Lelouch groaned, massaging his sore temples as his headache surged back. Their argument had derailed the entire day.

C.C. hummed, leaning forward and tapping her chin. “It puzzles me,” she said softly. “Suzaku hunts Zero as if it's his destiny. If he were Britannian, capturing you would make sense. Yet he defends Nunnally and you while swearing loyalty to an empire that enslaves his people. How does he reconcile that?”

Nunnally thought about it. “Perhaps it’s your triumphs,” she suggested gently. “Remember how Suzaku was thrust into the Lancelot by Lloyd’s orders? His performance was flawless—the one man who can thwart the Black Knights.”

Lelouch’s expression darkened. “Our victories elevate him. Schneizel's faith in Suzaku deepens with every depot we strike and every Knightmare we destroy. He becomes the empire's ideal—a hero crafted from our defiance.”

C.C. nodded gravely. “Approval from Britannia’s second-in-command would convince him that change within the system is achievable. That belief binds him.”

Lelouch’s thoughts drifted to Schneizel's cold calculus. Their eldest brother treated allies as pawns, discarding them once they outlived their usefulness. Suzaku's value lasted as long as he was the only pilot they had for the Lancelot and whatever came after.

The mood was broken by Lelouch's phone ringing.

“Excuse me,” he murmured, stepping into the other room and pulling the phone out. The screen read Villetta—despite her wanting to be listed as ‘cumwhore.’

He answered. “I assume you have intel?”

Villetta’s reply crackled through. “My agent intercepted a rumor about Princess Euphemia’s.”

“Speak.”

“In one week, she’ll leave Tokyo to meet a high-ranking dignitary from the Homeland.”

That sounded promising… too promising. “Why away from Tokyo?” Lelouch narrowed his eyes. A trap? She would need to have credible intel on his spy network.

“I don’t know more than that,” Villetta admitted. “Only it'll be at a Britannian naval base on Shikine.”

Lelouch’s pulse quickened. Shikine Island was remote, but it was also close to Kamine Island…they could work with that with plausible ignorance. “Excellent work, Villetta. You’ll be handsomely rewarded.”

“T-thank you, Master. I’ll keep my ear to the ground.” Villetta probably assumed he'd break out the whips and restraints he recently got…which was true; he would next time he had some alone time with the woman, though that was more Kallen's thing. Maybe he could have her handle that part, as she and Kaguya loved abusing their spy when they fucked.

Returning to C.C. and Nunnally, he let a slow smile form. “Good news: we have our chance to confront our greatest obstacle. But first, I need a break from plotting.”

Nunnally’s curiosity shone. “Where are you heading?”

Lelouch stood and straightened his jacket. “There’s one casino I’ve yet to conquer.” He paused, expression wicked. “Babel Tower.”

Line Break

There were days when Cecile wished she had listened to her parents and gone into civilian work. It would have certainly been far less stressful, both in terms of workload and colleagues… Lloyd and Suzaku. Lloyd, she had known him since the academy and knew what she would be in for when she was offered a job working under him, though there were days when she had to make sure she didn't get…aggressive because of how frustrating Lloyd could be.

Suzaku was meant to be different. She hadn't cared that he wasn't Britannian, only that he wore the uniform-same as her, and ever since, he had done nothing but prove his loyalty, honesty, and competence. It might have been contradictory for her, but she was grateful to Zero as while he had been the one to kill Clovis, it had also been the masked man who saved Suzaku when she and Lloyd had been unable to help him escape the Pureblood's sham trial and sure attempt to execute him for their own gains.

Still, ever since the hotel jacking, she couldn't say she hadn't been worried about Suzaku, as his response to her assurance that things would turn out okay wasn't normal. She was a soldier, same as him, but his faith in the system seemed to be a crutch, a refusal to believe in people. Things had only gotten worse since he had that panic attack at Narita. No one could explain it, not even Suzaku, as one moment, he had been moving to capture Zero; the next…

She didn't like thinking about the next, which she and Lloyd had heard in real time as he had just lost it. Listening to his panicked, fear-induced ramblings only made it clear that the boy needed a psychological exam. The fact that he had never received one when he enlisted disgusted her.

"Well, he might have the title, but in the eyes of the brass, he's still a number. Probably thought he'd be killed before any issues came up or just use it as an excuse to paint all numbers as mentally defiant; who can say?" Lloyd had been so flippant about it that she smacked him upside down. How can someone be so smart and yet so daft? She'll never know.

But at least she could rely on Princess Euphemia, who helped organize Suzaku's psychological exam. The results weren't the best, so she had pushed him to be taken off active service until he could handle such issues. He seemed dead-set, even to the point of reckless endangerment of his own life, to emulate his father.

‘If only Lloyd could think about more than the Lancelot!' She wanted to punch something as her boss hadn't signed off on it, having made the terrible decision to ask Suzaku first. She wasn't sure if he was just that clueless or if he knew what Suzaku's response would be. He would remain on duty, which came just in time for Cornelia to prove why she was called a witch as she changed Tohdoh's executioner at the last minute to Suzaku.

Had he not proven himself, was he not loyal enough for her? Would her fears and prejudice only be sated when she forced him to execute his former mentor? Or was it just their dear Viceroy who reminded him that he might be under Schneizel's payroll but still a soldier under her command.

It gave her more reasons to be relieved that the Black Knights had once again stepped and managed to rescue Todhoh before Suzaku would have to face him and put his hand on the level that would have opened the trapdoor. Though her relief was curtailed by the fact Suzaku had nearly been killed in that same battle, through a small fact that Lloyd had neglected to install a damn ejection system into the Lancelot.

Once things had calmed, she had made to…ask Lloyd why he could blow their entire budget on their Lancelot and yet forget something so critical and basic, something even models used for civilian models. Safe to say, she had found his answers…wanting and had made sure that he wouldn't allow the mistake to persist as they had to repair the Lancelot anyway, with the unit having lost an arm and leg during Tohdoh's prison break.

Since the Black Knights had been spotted all across central Area 11, and in most cases, they were either too far from where the Lancelot was or retreated before it could be deployed to the battle. The few times they had managed to arrive in time had been mixed, but all that only seemed to fuel Suzaku's desire to see the growing rebellion squashed, and Zero captured.

"At times, he seems more determined than Cornelia…" Cecile muttered as she finished up some work, as their Viceroy, after being humiliated so many times, didn't seem to take the humbling well and had been on the warpath; Suzaku believed it was because Zero was gaining more support by the day. Cecile bet it was because the woman was still furious after Zero nearly captured her and mocked her for fleeing.

Constant deployments, Lloyd being…Lloyd and Suzaku's refusal to rest and growing obsession with capturing Zero and dealing the Black Knights a killing blow had only made her work all the more stressful. She now had more to deal with as Lloyd had been summoned by Euphemia for a meeting. About what? She didn't know; Lloyd just waved as he walked out, placing her in charge of the A.S.E.E.C. till he got back.

That had been two days ago. Two days of going over all the stuff that Lloyd should have done, paperwork he should have filed and yet didn't because he probably was going to leave it to her, work that only added to her own massive workload and built up her tension.

All that frustration was getting to her, and anyone who looked like Lloyd had been avoiding her like the plague while the rest were walking on eggshells around her.

"Attention everyone!" she called out, drawing the attention of the staff. I'm sorry that I've been so…agitated lately. I don't want you all to fear me or work here. You can all pack up early and have tomorrow off." She announced, which got some relief sighs and happy calls from the mechanics who had been running ragged for weeks now.

“But Ms. Cecile, we still have—” Suzaku began, only to be cut off as she steered him away from the Lancelot’s cockpit.

“No buts,” she insisted, softly pushing him toward the exit. “We all need a break. Don’t make me order you out. Shoo! Go. Plan something nice—a pool day, a spa retreat…”

“But it’s November,” Suzaku protested.

“Then a heated spa,” Cecile countered, a playful smile tugging her lips, “or one of your secret dates with Princess Euphemia.”

His face paled. “What? I wouldn’t—”

Cecile arched an eyebrow. “Suzaku, they all know.” Every pair of eyes in the bay—welders wiping sparks, techs tapping tablets—tilted toward him, nodding in silent agreement.

Caught in the spotlight of their knowing grins, he froze. Their fortress of discretion crumbled. Mortified, he was easily pushed through the doors, where they heard him groan that Cornelia would kill him.

The mechanics exchanged relieved sighs and sheepish laughs as they resumed packing tools and parts. Cecile watched them momentarily, then checked her tablet and locked the last cabinet. She straightened, swept back her hair, and surveyed the empty bay.

“Now…what to do with all this free time?” she murmured with a grin, turning toward the silent Lancelot.

Line Break

"This was a mistake," Cecile sighed. She hadn't planned far ahead when she had called for some time off. As she had tried to just head back to her quarters and read for a bit, having bought some books, she was eager to crack open, but she grew bored of that pretty quirk.

She had felt like going out but didn't think there was much to do in the settlement, certainly by herself. However, she had heard some soldiers talking up a particular establishment as the best in the settlement and a great place to unwind. Looking it up, she saw it was a pretty high-society place, so she took a shower, pulled out one of her best dresses, and made her way to Babel Tower.

Then she got there and was thoroughly disappointed. Babel Tower was called the playground for the Area's rich and powerful, and in a way, it was as it was a fine establishment, one whose builders spent no expense in design and décor. The drinks were some of the best she's had in years, and they cost a pretty pound to get, the same as the food. The many games offered were also packed, and tables had crowds around them, watching as people won big or lost more money in a single roll of a dance, a single stroke of luck than most commoners made in a year.

But that wasn't the only thing available, as when she had arrived, she had seen that one 'main event' was a boxing match, not between professionals or even able-bodied fighters. Still, a fight between two Japanese brothers, forced to fight for the amusement of the crowd, who cheered and jeered like it was a cock fight.

That had soured her impression of the place. Still, it didn't take long for her to see why so many servicemen loved the place as one didn't need to look long in any particular direction to see the place was staffed by dozens of scantily clad bunny girls, most looked to be Japanese as well, young and fairly attractive, that would have been odd, but acceptable but Cecile could see the looks many of them were getting and realized that they were on the menu as much as the drinks.

Prostitution was illegal, but she learned a long time ago how the law didn't affect everyone equally, if it did at all. Considering how it seemed to be an open secret that drugs were also sold here and how many people were so clearly walking around on some sort of drug, she could soundly say it was a playground for the rich and the deprived.

"Should I just call it a night?" She sighed once more as she sat at the bar, wearing her crimson halter‑neck cocktail gown featuring a deep plunging neckline with a central keyhole cut‑out, form‑fitting bodice, and high thigh slit. All this revealed her toned, soft stomach and alluring, plump breasts and long, deceptively soft-looking legs. It was a look she completed with a lightweight ivory shawl draped over her arms and a small clutch.

“Oh, you don't need to leave so early," Someone said, their arm wrapping around her as what seemed to be a 30-something noble made a move on her, his eyes nowhere near his face.

"I'm not interested." She gently removed his arm from her person and reached for her drink, only for the man to take a seat next to her, uninvited when he had several others further away he could take.

“Oh, come on. You didn't even let me finish. I knew a few good spots we could go to, " he continued.

"I said," she started, opening her purse and flashing her service pistol. The man stiffened, not in the way he would have wanted at the sight of it. "Not interested."

“Fine, fine, don’t need to start killing people,” He got up and made his exit, probably to go grab some bunny girl to get his rocks off.

Line Break

Despite how much he would have wished to go elsewhere, Lelouch couldn't deny the draw of entering the snake's den and making them regret it. However, to get in and, most importantly, get taken seriously, he couldn't attend in his uniform as he typically did, and instead, he picked out a fresh suit he had just gotten the other day.

Arriving, he had chosen a purple suit with a white dress shirt, golden tie, and gold embroiled vest. His bis pants were a similar shade to his jacket, and he wore freshly polished black shoes. The entire thing was form-fitting, highlighting his height and slowly bulking frame. He wasn't anywhere near Suzaku, but his, as Shirley pointed out, 'Swimmer's build' benefitted from his style of dress.

At his side, stood Mao, in her maid uniform and head bowed, acting like all the world the humble, docile servant. He wasn’t supposed to bring his help with him, and his age could have been an issue, but passing the guard 200 pounds shut him up.

"Utterly pathetic," Lelouch uttered, sneering at the place, at how needlessly lavish it was, gold and jewels all over the place, same as the people who partook in what was…offered. Walking by one woman, she wasn't unattractive and had large hips and an ass that he wouldn't be against exploring, but the thick perfume on her made him wince. Did she douse herself in half a bottle?

“There is plenty going on in here, master.” Mao kept her head low, mainly to hide how she was also glowering, her geass shining in her eyes as she listened to the thoughts of the room. All the crime, all the dishonesty, how at least a dozen people were cheating on their partners for one stupid reason or another.

It was all fantastic blackmail material, and she was sure to remember whose secret belonged to each face, but fuck was it maddening. She hoped one of them didn't cooperate later so she would have the chance to vent on them before Master called her a 'good little psycho’ and fucked up till she was passed out and stuffed full of cum.

What a wonderful life.

“Which table should I hit first?” Lelouch asked Mao, the woman blinking, clearing away her geass before she hummed, looking around the place before she pointed to one of the blackjack tables. Approaching, Lelouch was as cool and collected as ever, meeting the gaze of the dealer who politely smiled and asked if he would like to play.

Lelouch decided that it would be good to rob not just some parasitic nobles but this farce of an establishment, so he bought 2,000 pounds in chips and went in 30 minutes, managed to leave the table with 20,000 pounds in winnings, and a dealer who seemed flabbergasted by it. Getting to the second table, bought 10,000 pounds in chips, which drew some attention as while many clients present could buy that much without issue, Lelouch's clear age had people wondering if he was just another young heir wasting his house's money.

Many laughed as they watched him seemingly make a mistake after mistake, losing over 9,000 pounds, all while Mao couldn't help but smile as she had full faith in her Master. Faith that was justified when Lelouch took what little he had, and managed to sweep it, winning back his chips and more. By the time he gave the poor bastard running the table mercy and bowed out, he was walking off with over 73,000.

Being on a roll and with attention building on him, he made his way to the third table. Now, the worker seemed scared and angry to see him, even having a few of the security present, as if to dissuade him from what they must have thought was cheating.

As if he would be that sloppy if he even bothered to cheat.

Buying 30K in chips, he walked off with 200K in tokens.

With over 250K worth of winnings, he moved into a craps game, the players present all being at least twice his age and none too happy to see him, but when he made increased the bet they had set at 100K to 200K, they let him in, probably to try and discredit him, or prove that his recent winnings had to be from luck or through cheating.

He did show them one thing: he could back up his confidence as he left the game with 2.2 million of their money atop what bet and didn’t lose. As he went from game to game, table to table, he kept on winning, drawing a crowd as people watched in awe, more than a few women trying to get close to him, which he rejected as while it would certainly help the image of a high roller, he wasn't here to appease them. They were his entertainment, and as he sat enjoying a chilled glass of wine, he was asked about the main effect.

Approaching, his small gathering of fans was dwarfed by what awaited them; surrounded by at least 2 dozen people and seated as relaxed as one could be with two bunny girls at his side was Douglas Deininger, who owned Babel Tower. Although Lelouch knew him better by his mafia moniker, the Black King,

"So, you're the punk?" The middle-aged mafia boss asked.

“You’re the old lion?” Lelouch shot back, looking down his nose at the seated man. “I was expecting something…more,”

"As expected from a young fool, no respect or sense." The man hardly seemed to care about the blatant disrespect. "I heard you got a little something of a hot streak but also that you wanted something a little more challenging than the regular games."

Lelouch played dumb, though he had been careful when and how he mentioned that to create this situation. “There’s only so much one can win before it gets boring," Lelouch said instead as he carried high-value chips that amounted to over 8.7 million pounds.

“Then why don’t we play a game of speed chess. We have 20 seconds a move and wager…how much 6.5 million.” The man suggested, with the crowd, which now also had Cecile, gasped at such a crazy amount of money.

“Agreed.” Lelouch agreed without so much of a thought. “In fact, let’s change a bit.”

The man laughed at that. “What? You need more time to think, boy?” He emphasized that last bit, which got snickers and rude remarks from those who backed their patron and the Master of this domain.

Lelouch sat, crossing his legs with a look that Cecile could describe as complete confidence, different from arrogance, as something just told her he could back that up. “Quite the opposite. You shall have 25 seconds a move, while I’ll only get 10.”

His suggestion had the reaction that one would expect as everyone around them looked on, shocked by it.

“What?”

“Is he insane?”

“He has to be.”

The Black King glared at him before smoothing it out with a smirk. “I’m game, just don’t bother begging when you start to lose.”

“One moment,” Lelouch pulled out a notebook and pen and quickly scribbled something onto it before tearing the paper out. “Maid.” He lifted the man, to which Mao stepped forward and took it, folding it and placing it in her pocket.

Line break

“Checkmate.” Lelouch shifted his white knight, corning his foe's king, the second-last piece on the board, as he just had a pawn on the other side of the table. Meanwhile, Lelouch had only lost a rook, a bishop, a knight, and three pawns.

Seeing the state of the board had stunned everyone watching.

“Wait, what?” One of the watchers asked, rubbing at his eyes to ensure he wasn’t seeing things.

“Impossible, he lost?” One of the Black King’s bunnies asked.

“But how?” Another of the quests asked.

"What's the matter?" The defeated mob boss looked up towards his opponent, who was basking in victory, a smirk on his face that seemed so arrogant it could be called royal. “Did you not have enough time? You were getting quite nervous near the end.”

The mob boss nearly drew his weapon, missing how Mao had done the same, but stopped when she heard his thoughts. The man tried to play it off, even as people around them started questioning him, and he couldn't have that. "Damn, that's inconvenient? How will I ever show my face again if people know I let something cheat me?"

“Cheated?” Lelouch asked, raising an amused eyebrow. Cecile wondered if he was insane as she could see what was happening, and all he had was a maid to protect him. Should she need to step in?

"Such a deceitful little man; you should have known better than to resort to such cheap tricks." The Black King tried admonishing him, but Lelouch looked at him like he was the fool, which was getting to the gambler.

“Maid,” Lelouch snapped his fingers, and Mao, reading his thoughts, didn't need him to say it as she handed the slip of paper to one of the Black Knight's guards, who passed it to his Master. “Read it," Lelouch told him.

The Black King could have ignored or torn it up, but he humored the boy and unfolded the paper.

Black King, you should be careful about who you mess with, else it won't just be another enforcer that's hung by their ankles with their warehouse of drugs burned down.

The man’s face paled as he read that…there was no way…it was impossible! “Who are you?” He asked, to which Lelouch’s smirk turned downright villainous.

“Me? Oh, that’s not important,” Lelouch waved it off, leaning forward. “But my father…well, shall we say he’s a special policeman.” For a criminal, that was as clear as day. It was a bald-faced lie, but the Black King would have no way of knowing he wasn't, in fact, the son of an OSI agent or that there wasn't any OSI investigation into crime in Area 11, at least as far as Lelouch knew.

“Get out.” Lelouch happily stood, made sure to collect his winnings, and bid the man a farewell.

“You there!” As they walked down the stairs towards the regular levels, they stopped when they heard Cecile approaching. "You're one of Suzaku's friends, right? I saw what you did back there. It was amazing, but how did you…you know?" She nodded back.

Lelouch gave her a charming smile as he bowed to her and once more placed a kiss on her knuckles. Only this time, Cecile had a couple of drinks, and while she grew flushed, she giggled at his move. "Lelouch Lamperouge, at your service, it's an honor to be in the presence of such beauty as yourself. Your dress only highlights how stunning you are compared to all the rest."

“As for what I did, well, when you gamble as much as I do, you tend to…hear things here and there, and it doesn’t take much to get more pieces from many types of sources.” Lelouch vaguely responded, though Cecile could guess he might have connections in the underworld.

Now, she should report that or try and question him…but she was off shift, and really, if he was using those connections to make a place like this bleed cash, what was the harm in letting him be? Surely Suzaku knew, but he hadn't made a move, so his friend had to be worth the benefit of the doubt.

“What do you suppose you’ll do now? I doubt he’ll want to see you here anytime soon.” She asked him, Mao remaining silent at her Master's side.

“He can complain all he wants; I have enough dirt on him to keep him on a leash.” Lelouch waved it off, making a note to have the man’s operations raided and hand over evidence to Cornelia so she could execute the bastard.

That was later. Right now, he had a fine woman who could use a good night, and one that Naomi would most assuredly think would be a good person to have on their side. "But before that, why don't I buy you a drink? I did, after all, just win another 5 million pounds."

Cecile could have refused. She was a busy woman; this was a younger man, a friend of her co-worker.

“That sounds like a plan.” But dammit, had she had a dry spell lately, and he seemed like he could scratch that itch and more.

Line Break

Well, with how much has changed, we've officially gone off the deep end and can hardly rely on the canon, which isn't a bad thing, mind you; it makes writing easier as now I can just disregard the timeline with how much has been altered. I still haven't appealed the removal of Kaguya's chapter, it keeps slipping my mind, but by now, it's available on other sites that don't have shitty A.I. reading it or just are too petty to admit they made an error and alter it.

Sadly, there'll be no smut in this chapter, as the last one was crazy long, and I had to cut this one's word count. BUT!!! The next is basically just.

Line Break

Inoue: I have to admit, I was expecting he would get into her pants by now

Cecile: Excuse me?!

Author: That'll come in the next chapter. I have a word count to worry about.

Kallen: Aren’t chapters meant for each girl?

Author: Yes...but also no, it’ll be something special.