A black sedan cruised steadily down the road.
Anyone who recognized the emblem on the vehicle immediately kept a respectful distance, fearful that even the slightest misstep could offend someone inside and lead to a terrible retribution.
Was this car owned by a local gang? Was there some crime boss sitting inside?
No, no. Comparing them to a mere gang would be laughable. The people inside this car belonged to an entity far more terrifying—one capable of shaking the country, even causing ripples across the world.
This was a vehicle belonging to the Shinomiya Group, one of the nation's most powerful conglomerates.
With a declared total asset value of 200 trillion yen and over a thousand subsidiary companies, the Shinomiya Group was a financial titan.
Anyone who understood their influence knew better than to provoke them—because if they did, they might as well kiss their entire existence in this country goodbye.
So, who exactly was sitting inside this car?
Beyond the tinted, impenetrable windows, in the back seat, a young girl sat calmly and elegantly.
Her delicate frame was adorned with jet-black hair, darker than the night itself. Her facial features were strikingly refined, but her expression was utterly emotionless, exuding an aura that warned people to stay away.
With her eyes closed, only her long, graceful eyelashes were visible, making it impossible to discern the color of her irises.
Suddenly, with the same poised grace, the girl reached into her pocket and retrieved an old-fashioned flip phone—so outdated that it seemed completely out of place in the modern world.
"Miss Kaguya, I've obtained the information."
"Obtained the information? What do you mean, Hayasaka?"
Her voice was cold and detached, completely devoid of emotion.
At the same time, her hidden eyes finally opened, revealing a gaze as vivid as a freshly risen crimson moon.
"Huh? The information about that person you asked me to investigate six months ago, of course!"
"That person?"
Tilting her head slightly, the girl's voice grew even colder, hinting at her growing impatience with the vague response.
The voice on the other end hesitated for a moment, clearly debating whether to bring up the topic. It seemed like this particular subject might further sour Miss Kaguya's mood.
After a brief pause, as if calculating the exact moment before Kaguya would hang up—
"It's about your fiancé, Miss Kaguya."
Her finger, poised to press the hang-up button, froze mid-air.
For the first time, a hint of distaste flickered across Kaguya's usually impassive face.
Being born into an extraordinary family meant that her future was not something she could decide on her own.
Especially as the heiress of the Shinomiya Group, her marriage was destined to be one of economic or political convenience—her partner likely another corporate heir or even a prince from some foreign nation.
Simply put, she was expected to enter into a business or political marriage.
"So—Ah!!"
Her voice abruptly turned into a startled cry as the car came to an unexpected halt.
"Miss Kaguya? What happened?"
"It's nothing—just some inconsiderate fool!!!"
She sounded visibly annoyed.
The sudden stop had been caused by a reckless high school student who had launched his bicycle off the sloped sidewalk, soaring over the car like a horse clearing a hurdle.
Right after, he twisted mid-air, landed smoothly, and immediately started pedaling again. His bike's wheels spun so fast that smoke formed from the friction, propelling him forward like a rocket.
A second later, another rider—this time a petite, blonde-haired girl—mirrored his actions, also soaring over the car in pursuit.
…Was this some kind of extreme sports competition?
"Stop right there, you bastard!"
The first rider, Yazuki, furiously pedaled forward, his heart pounding as a chilling, demonic voice echoed from behind.
A quick glance backward sent a shiver down his spine—his pursuer, a blonde loli with a giant bandage on her forehead, was rapidly closing in.
Was she using angelic powers to enhance her speed?!
And worse, she was getting so close that it looked like she was about to launch herself off her bike and dropkick him mid-ride.
Yazuki snapped his attention forward just in time to see a railroad crossing ahead.
Without hesitation, he leaned into his handlebars, increasing his speed. The moment the lowering barricade was within reach, he tilted his body, drifted beneath it, and passed just one second before the train thundered through.
A quick glance through the train's windows revealed his pursuer on the other side, glaring at him with an expression so furious that it looked like she wanted to blast the train to pieces.
[Bye~]
With a wave, Yazuki continued his escape—he had no intention of waiting for the train to pass and give her another chance to catch up.
Going straight wasn't an option anymore. If he stayed on the open road, she'd spot him immediately. His best bet was to dart into the narrow side streets.
Screech—
The sound of tires skidding filled the air, not just from his bicycle but also from his foot brake scraping against the ground.
With a sharp turn, he plunged into a small alleyway.
Screech!!
Another ear-piercing brake sound erupted. Someone had just emerged from another branching path inside the alley, forcing Yazuki to slam both brakes at full force.
His tires smoked.
And then—he yanked his handlebars sharply, lifting his bike's front wheel in a desperate attempt to avoid collision.
Unfortunately—
His front wheel still ran straight over the person's face.
"Ugh..."
The victim, a red-haired woman with emerald-green eyes, was dressed in office attire. And, unfortunately for Yazuki—he knew her.
She was the same woman he had previously gotten into trouble with, the one who had landed him in the police station.
What was her name again? Yusa? Yuno? Yuto? Something like that.
At that moment, she simply glared at him, her face darkened with barely contained fury.
And as if things weren't bad enough—
A menacing screech echoed behind him.
"I FOUND YOU!!!"
A twisted, murderous voice filled the air, along with an intense, soul-piercing glare.
Yazuki gulped.
Then—
"Look! A UFO!!"
"Huh?"
SWOOSH.
Before either woman could react, Yazuki sped off, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Seriously, who even falls for that anymore?!
Yet, somehow, the blonde loli also hesitated, glancing up in confusion.
"...Oh, that's it. That's IT!!!"
The red-haired woman, Yusa Emi, clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles cracked.
Her face still had fresh tire tracks from where Yazuki's bike had rolled over her.
Her fury was now at maximum level.
She took off running after him—but the problem was, without her sacred powers, she couldn't surpass human limitations. There was no way she could catch up.
Then—
Just as she ran out of the alley, she spotted a bicycle shop.
"I don't need a receipt."
Slamming a wad of cash onto the counter, she immediately jumped onto the fastest-looking bike and took off.