???? ??? || Ni-ki ?

★

Natsumi sat at her desk, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, but her mind wasn’t in her work. It was stuck in last night’s encounter, replaying over and over like a scene from a film she couldn’t fast-forward.

Phantom.

She had finally spoken to him.

The warmth of his voice, the protective hold, the way he had shielded her—it lingered.

She had always believed in him, despite what others said.

While some painted him as a dangerous figure lurking in the city’s shadows, she had only ever seen him do good.

Helping people, running errands that no one else dared to take, protecting the vulnerable.

She had written to him so many times, handing over letters to strangers, hoping they’d reach him. But he never replied. Maybe he was too busy. Maybe he never even read them.

And yet, that didn’t stop her from liking him.

Even though she had never truly seen him, she had liked him for a long time.

A small sigh escaped her lips as she rested her chin on her hand.

Would she ever meet him again?

---

Meanwhile, Riki sat across from the old lady, arms crossed, listening as she gave him his next directive.

“You have to get closer to her,” she said, adjusting her glasses.

Riki raised a brow. “How close are we talking?”

“The client wants you near her. Observing her routine from afar isn’t enough anymore.”

Riki leaned back in his chair, exhaling. “Should I rent an apartment in her building?”

The old lady shook her head. “No need. The client has arranged for you to join her office.”

His brows furrowed. “Office? As in, work alongside her?”

“Yes. You’ll use a different identity, of course.”

Riki clicked his tongue in annoyance. “This client of ours is wild, you know that?”

The old lady smirked. “You’ve done crazier jobs.”

He ran a hand through his hair. Office work? That was the last thing he had expected.

He wasn’t the type to sit behind a desk and type reports. But work was work.

And if Phantom had to step into the daylight, he would.

Riki sat on the worn-out couch, arms crossed, watching as Rei and Maki threw ridiculous names at each other.

“I’m serious, Kai would be such a sick name,” Rei insisted, leaning back with a smug expression.

Maki snorted. “As in Kai, the kpop idol?.”

“He's so cool. And if I got a chance, I won't mind keeping that name.” Rei praised.

“I would have kept Taemin, but do you think it makes sense? I'm not Korean come on.” Riki interrupted.

“Then Tom or Thomas sounds hot.” Rei added.

“Eww. You have weird choice.” Maki interrupted.

Riki sighed, rolling his head back. “You two do realize I actually have to use this name, right? It’s not just for fun.”