Chapter 9 - The Gilded Cage

The Amatsu Tower pierced through the sky like a needle looming over everything beneath it. Akari smoothed the crinkled edges of the invitation in her hand. The neon-pink ink of the letterhead seemed to vibrate against the paper, fueled by a layer of glitter so thick it felt like sand.

“You’ve been invited to Lumen and Bolt’s live stream! Such growth is impressive for new Lucents... Meet us at Amatsu Tower, Terrace Ten. See you tomorrow! L & B!”

“As a Lucent, we’re figureheads as much as we are… ‘heroes,’ as our leader puts it,” Yuto muttered. He was obsessively adjusting the cuff of his sleeve, his movements clinical and sharp. “We need to stay focused. This isn't a game.”

Rika rolled her eyes, her boots clicking sharply against the polished marble plaza. “You’re worrying too much, waterboy. Aren’t you used to all the glitz and glamour? I thought the Hayasaka family lived for the spotlight.”

“I’m not like them,” he snapped. The stiffness in his shoulders, however, told a different story.

“We’re gonna be late if you guys keep bickering, c’mon!” Ami chimed in. Her voice was a bright, needed contrast to the brewing tension. She skipped ahead toward the massive revolving doors.

She’s always so full of energy... how does she do it? Rika wondered, letting out a heavy sigh.

“Ami is right. If you’re late, we’ll have to report to the Order and—” Seraphine started, but Rika whirled around, her patience finally snapping.

“You’ve been with us for days, and we still know nothing about you,” Rika challenged, crossing her arms. “Your little disappearing act is funny and all, except for when we’re actually out there dying! I don’t care if you’re some heavenly nun from the Order—right now, you aren't one of us.”

Seraphine’s placid smile didn't so much as flicker. She gripped the leather-bound book at her side a fraction tighter. “I understand your frustration. But as your designated dispeller, I have holy duties that require me elsewhere. I’m quite spread thin.”

“Then answer a few questions,” Rika demanded, stepping into the nun's personal space. “How old are you?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“Where are you from?”

“I’m not allowed to say.”

“What exactly do you do when you aren't with us?”

Seraphine’s head tilted slightly, her eyes remaining unreadable. “I can’t really explain that either.”

Ami stepped between them, She scanned Seraphine with a gentle, curious gaze. “I don’t think she has bad intentions, Rika. I get the feeling... she just believes in something so strongly she’s devoted her whole life to it. That's not a crime, is it?”

Seraphine bowed her head, her voice softening. “Like I said, please understand… I don’t do it maliciously.”

“Fine, fine,” Rika huffed, dismissing her with a wave of her hand. “But when we get back, we’re interrogating you for real!”

Akari let out a small chuckle, trying to bridge the gap. “Sounds fun! I’ll bring the snacks!”

A single bead of sweat traced a path down Seraphine’s temple. “Alright then…”

The elevator was a cramped box of tension that shot upward with a stomach-turning lurch. The digital floor counter blurred as they ascended at an impressive speed.

Ugh… I never thought I’d have to deal with public speaking so early. No, don’t psych yourself out! This is just like a tournament arc. I can do this!

“You know,” Yuto said, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone as he turned to Akari. “The entertainer part of being a Lucent isn’t difficult. It’s about appearances. Careful words. They ask about you, but you can’t show your true face.”

Akari blinked, confused. “How do you know so much, mister know-it-all?”

“I’ve told you. The Hayasaka family moves with a grace no one else possesses. We are the leaders of the future, the Dawn of Tomorrow. Our slogan has always been—”

The doors hissed open.

Standing in the hallway was a woman with cascading dark blue hair, draped in a white dress that looked more like a shroud of pure wealth than clothing. She was speaking to a man in a tailored suit.

“...Create the Dawn for Everyone’s Tomorrow. I hope you’ll take my offer into consideration,” she said, her voice like velvet-wrapped steel. Her eyes shifted toward the elevator, landing on Yuto. “Ah, Yuto. I was told you’d be here. Naturally expected from my child.”

Yuto stood frozen, his breath hitching in his throat. He cleared his throat, the sound dry and awkward. “Hello… mother.”

She stepped forward, scanning him with a predatory gaze. “What brings you here? I was told you got into Virelia, but nothing more.”

Akari, unable to help herself, poked her head out from behind Yuto. “Hi! Nice to meet you! I’m the reason! Akari Hoshizawa—!”

Yuto’s hand clamped over Akari’s mouth instantly. “Sorry mother, my subordinates are rowdy. You’ll have to forgive her…”

Subordinate?! This jerk!

Yuto’s mother looked at Akari as if she were a smudge on a window. “I see. Try to keep your dog on a tighter leash next time. And please, do not embarrass us. We have a reputation to uphold.”

“Yes, mother,” Yuto whispered. She swept past them without another word, her perfume lingering in the air like a cold mist.

“Miss Akari Hoshizawa, you’re on! Please come to the stage!” a voice boomed over the intercom.

“Shoot, that’s me! Catch you guys in a bit!” Akari shouted, her nerves replaced by a sudden burst of adrenaline. She sprinted toward the bright lights of the terrace.

Rika and Yuto watched her go, a shared sense of dread hanging between them. “Keep her out of trouble?” Rika asked.

“Read my mind,” Yuto replied, and the two gave chase.

Left behind in the quiet corridor, Ami looked at Seraphine. “Would you want to join me? I have something I need to investigate.”

Seraphine’s usual smile returned, though it felt thinner now. “Sure. What is it exactly?”

“Phase 2,” Ami whispered, her expression suddenly grave as she led the way toward a service elevator. “I heard men talking in the medical ward. They’re planning something against Akari, I think… and no one will believe me without evidence.”

As they walked down the pristine white corridors, Seraphine’s eyes darkened. “Just don’t get yourself hurt… You’re invaluable to the team, and this investigation isn’t worth your life.”

Ami clutched her chest for a brief second, a small wince crossing her face. “Wherever the emotions are strongest, it means there’s something to be discovered…”

“You’re acting weird,” Seraphine noted. “And you’re pushing yourself.”

“I’ll be fine! My powers just give me some… minor heart problems,” Ami said with a dismissive wave, though her hand trembled. “What matters is saving everyone.”

“Then why do you do this?” Seraphine asked, clutching her book. “You could stay away from the front lines.”

Ami stopped, her gaze fixed on the sterile walls. “Because being a Lucent is awful. I hate it. Akari and the others can smile and walk through the pain… but I’m up all night because the screams never let me rest. The hollow screams of the souls the Blight takes. I feel them withering away... but I do it because I know a kinder world can exist. I want to believe it can.”

They reached a handprint scanner. To Ami's shock, Seraphine placed her hand on it. The light flashed green.

She has access to the high-security floors? Just who is she?

Inside the room, the air was cold and hummed with mechanical energy. Two voices drifted from behind a heavy partition.

“And the project? Are we ready?” a deep, authoritative voice asked.

“Almost,” a tired, apathetic voice replied—one that sounded hollowed out of all humanity. “If you give me more soldiers, I can put them to rest.”

“You’re a sick man,” the first voice spat. “But his highness will use you like the pawn you are. Be ready in a week. The plan is being expedited.”

“Fine by me,” the hollow voice chuckled. “But the warlords are making moves.”

“That is our problem. All of your kind will be annihilated in time. Now get out, creature.”

The sound of a door slamming shook the room. Ami stood frozen, “Sera… who was that?”

Seraphine didn't answer. She grabbed Ami’s hand, her grip like iron, and pulled her out into the hall.

On the main stage, the world was a blur of flashing lights. Akari sat across from the famous duo, Lumen and Bolt.

“We’re rolling!” Bolt shouted, pointing a finger at the camera. “Get up and feel the spark, because today we have a Rising Star! The resident cloud-clearer and... from what I hear… the future Ms. Hayasaka, Akari Hoshizawa!”

Akari’s bright smile faltered. Her brain stalled. The future what?

“Wait, what was that last part—?”

“So Akari!” Lumen interrupted, leaning in close. “You’ve exploded in popularity! It must be stressful, isn't it?”

“Not too much! I just like to help!”

Bolt shoved a mic into her face. “Tell the audience... how do your parents feel about your accomplishments?”

“My parents, uhm…” Akari trailed off. The mention of her parents put her on edge.

Lumen waved Bolt away. “Let’s get to what the fans really want! Rumor has it you and your teammate are closer than anyone expected. Are you the future Mrs. Hayasaka?”

“Me and Yuto?! Where did you even hear that?!”

Akari and Yuto locked eyes, both wearing expressions of pure confusion, just as Yuto’s mother walked into the frame. “Don’t embarrass the poor child any further, it takes time to process these things,” she said smoothly.

Lumen nodded. “Ah, right! I understand! Then let’s take five, shall we? We’ll be right back!”

Behind the scenes, the camera finally cut to a commercial. Lumen slumped over the desk, exhaling a breath she’d been holding. “T-that was a good one, right?”

Bolt grabbed a cup of coffee, gulping it down quickly. “Pretty alright, I think. We’re gonna surpass those two if we just work harder! Numbers skyrocketed today.”

Yuto’s mother walked away, and Yuto scrambled to catch up to her. Rika reached out her hand. “Yuto…!”

He didn't hear her. He was already standing before his mother, his face pale.

“What the hell are you telling people?!” Yuto hissed, his fists balled at his sides.

She turned around, hitting him with a glare that shut him up instantly. “You’ve embarrassed us by losing to that trash! You think we wouldn’t find out about your losses? That if you go radio silent on us, you’ll live your life easily? We had to work, to step over countless bodies to reach this height! And every loss a failure like you takes undermines that work more and more!”

Yuto stepped back, silent. The words were stuck in his throat.

“The people like this girl. They’re feverish about her. You are going to get involved with this girl, no matter what. She will be your Ms. Hayasaka. Or it won’t just be you that’ll see consequences. Because this is something that will happen whether you like it or not.”

He sighed, his eyes closing tight. “...Yes, mother.”

Akari ran up to Lumen and Bolt with a panicked expression. “Uhm… Lumen, Bolt, I…”

Bolt gave her a weary smile. “Please, the cameras are off. Ren Ibaraki, nice to meet you.”

Lumen raised her head from the desk with a shy, exhausted expression. “I’m uh… Natsumi Orihara…”

“Whatever! I just… me and Yuto aren’t… How do I explain this…?” Akari stammers.

“We know.” Ren rubbed the back of his head. “But there isn’t much we can do. Our hands are tied.”

“After what we did a couple days ago, they told us to run with this story or else we’d be punished… I’m sorry…” Natsumi whispered.

Ren put a hand on Akari's shoulder. “You want my advice? Distance yourself from this… The strongest Lucents are the ones who try to stay away from the light.”

From the corner of her eye, Akari saw a familiar face—Kana—waving at her from the edge of the terrace.

“Thank you for the advice! I’ll be on my way now!” Akari exclaimed, before running off. Ren and Natsumi looked at each other, a heavy, worried expression growing on both of their faces.

Akari leaped in and hugged Kana, before pulling back. “How are you and the others?! We were so busy we couldn’t see you!”

“Could be better, but the others are doing just fine! I just had to listen to Junpei and Mira and their whole lovey-dovey stuff while I was recovering… But besides that, I’m back in action!”

Akari held her hand excitedly. “That’s great! You wouldn’t believe the day I’m having!”

A devious smile appeared on Kana’s face. “You wanna ditch here too? I’m not supposed to be out of the hospital yet, so I’m double ditching!”

“Heck yeah! Let’s do this!”

As the two of them ran off, laughing and chattering, Rika watched from a shadowed corner of the terrace. She looked at her teammates—all split up, all chasing their own shadows or running away from them.

She sat down on the cold floor, pulling her knees to her chest as she watched the elevator lights descend.

Akari…?

Rika stared at her own hands, feeling a sudden, biting chill.

I’m such an idiot.

Chapter 9 - The End.