RED

My name echoed through the air, halting my step as I left the school gate behind me. I turned, searching for the source.

Then I saw her:

A girl with short, jet-black hair (barely brushing her cheekbones) was running toward me, arms outstretched. "Ummm?" Before I could react, she flung herself into my arms, holding me like we were old lovers reuniting.

"... do I know you?" I asked, my voice edged with confusion.

She pulled back just enough to look up at me, her lips curling into a teasing smile.

"What?! You don't recognize me anymore, Laurent?" she gasped in mock offence, French accent thick— Before I could respond, she leaned in, pressing a playful kiss to my neck. The sound of her voice triggered something—familiar, yet distant. But a name? That I couldn't place.

Then she looked at me, her large grey eyes locking onto mine.

"Milla?!" I nearly choked on her name. "W-what are you doing here?!"

She grinned, mischief dancing in her expression. "I just had to see you, mon cher!" She stepped back, twirling once like she was showing off. "Do you like the new me? Don't you think I'm so much prettier now, love?"

I studied her—really looked at her.

And she had changed. Not just her hair or the way she carried herself. Something deeper. The Milla I remembered had been shy, delicate, like fine porcelain that could shatter at the slightest touch. But this girl? She was different. Confident. Bold.

Dangerous.

"Uh... yeah. Sure. It's... um..."

She giggled, the sound light and airy, like she knew exactly what she was doing to me. God. It was like she had completely transformed—blossomed into someone I could barely recognize.

But why was she acting like this? Why was she even talking to me?

We hadn't been friends. And after what happened... she should find me appalling, not appealing.

"You look speechless," she teased, her voice dipping into outright seductive as her hand ghosted over my chest.

I swallowed hard and shook my head, forcing my expression into something more serious.

"Just tell me what you want, Milla."

The playful mask slipped. She sighed, her shoulders falling slightly as she cast her gaze downward.

"Fine, have it your way~" she murmured. "I actually came to ask you for a favour."

A favour? My brows pulled together in suspicion.

"Do you remember None?" she asked suddenly, her voice quieter now.

Her twin sister.

If Milla was like fragile porcelain, None could be called paper—so brittle, delicate, always on the verge of breaking. The kind of girl people instinctively wanted to protect.

I gulped.

"I know of her. Why?" I asked, wary.

Milla hesitated. "She's... getting weaker, Laurent... and I-" She bit her lip, avoiding my gaze.

A heavy pause stretched between us.

"Milla?" I said slowly, warningly.

She took a breath and lifted her eyes to mine.