Hello, hello! Welcome back!

Unfortunately this story fell under a bit of a hiatus as I experimented with different ideas with different chapters, all of which I wrote in full before throwing away. I have a lot planned for future chapters but found myself a bit stumped on how to present all of it. Thankfully, with some help I've managed to figure out how the next chapters will play out.

Sorry about that!

As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Info-chan groaned.

She was sitting, had been for a while. She didn't know how long.

The second that Samuru and her arrived at the main household of the Ronshaku family, she had been overwhelmed by it all.

The entrance lead to a spiraling staircase, which then moved on upwards until they reached a massive hall that had been adorned with bright and sparkling decorations. There were endless rows of tables hosting champagne, caviar, and who knew what else. Only well-dressed and smug women and gentlemen as far as the eye could see, chuckling and joking, or exchanging contacts behind the scene.

Info-chan couldn't really manage to stay in the hall for more than a minute. In a panic, she had rushed to the nearest bathroom and holed herself up at a stall.

Which lead her to where she was now, sitting on a toilet for a good twenty minutes, with the disgusting smell of urine in the air. She growled and grumbled as she held her head in her hands.

This was a horrible idea. Info-chan had no idea how she was supposed to keep her cool in front of such a massive crowd. It wasn't long ago when she was used to being holed up in her room all by herself, this was too much of a drastic change to her life, it was impossible to cope with so fast.

'I'm on the main floor, where are you?'

A voice came through clear in her earpiece, a voice that she despised so much.

"I'm in the bathroom. I can't handle it out there, Samuru."

'Now isn't the time for this, you need to focus. If we don't look for Ronshaku tonight, we might never find him.'

Info-chan shook her head, closing her eyes. "I can't."

'Hm. Looks like I'll have to add some more incentive.'

"...what?"

'If you can pull this off, I'll tell you something really interesting after.'

"Interesting? What're you talking about?"

'I'll let you in on a little secret..of your father. One that only he and I know.'

Info-chan felt her body instinctively seize up.

Her father?

There was no way. He couldn't possibly know something about her father that she didn't, or couldn't.

But she remembered who she was dealing with. This man was one of power, as well as someone who had been following her father's activities for a long time, perhaps he had truly learnt something about him. She had no way for knowing for sure, and this could've just been Samuru's way of bluffing and instilling a fake determination into her.

And yet, still...

Info-chan stood up. She could almost feel her blood boiling. She already hated Samuru more than anything, but now he'd made this personal. Shuffling around uncomfortably in her dress, she burst out of her toilet stall and out of the bathroom in a hurried stride.

If this was how Samuru was going to play it, then she was going to beat him at his own game.

A large crowd immediately came into view as Info-chan entered the main hall, but this time she was not fazed, or at least she tried her best not to be. So many faces, so many eyes on her, so much light and dazzle.

She focused on what Samuru had said to keep herself from running. Nothing would stop her.

The dress had slowed her down, but Info-chan had made it to the very centre of the hall, right next to a table that was serving small bowls of caviar. There were too many people around to move freely, and she couldn't see anyone that looked like Mr. Ronshaku.

She had seen his pictures from her valuable sources, he was big and burly, his face decorated by a thick, curled mustache along with a stern expression that was difficult to replicate. The most notable thing about him was his scar over his right eyebrow, old and wrinkled. Even if she wasn't sure if a man was him or not, that scar was all she really needed.

A waiter with a tray of champagne quickly brushed by. Info-chan could see a few individuals staring as she walked through the thick blanket of guests aimlessly, causing her to swiftly grab a glass from the waiter's tray to blend in, sticking out would only make her anxiety worse.

Breathe. Focus.

She scouted the area ahead of her. She didn't see Samuru anywhere, her earpiece was silent as well. Info-chan had only realized that the line was one-way until they had already been separated at the entrance. She cursed under her breath, wondering where the hell he could've been. He was the one who insisted that she be in the planned area, and now he had just up and vanished.

Her attention was elsewhere, her face was met with a soft collision with a silky fabric, her draped dress getting caught under the heel of her shoes.

"Woah, careful there." a voice chuckled.

Info-chan regained her balance and turned to the person she had bumped into. "Sorry."

She got a good look at the person, a woman donning an elegant dress, black from head-to-toe. The first thing that Info-chan noticed was a veil that was obscuring the person's face. The colour scheme and the veil made it look like the woman was attending something more akin to a funeral than an extravagant party.

"My, that's a beautiful dress. I've seen that brand before."

Info-chan was still searching the area with her eyes, but faced the woman to better hide that fact.

"Uh, yeah." she paused, seeing a tall man that fitted Mr. Ronshaku's height. She continued once she got a good look at the man's face and saw no scar. "Thanks, it's from a...friend."

"So how are you enjoying the party?" the woman's posture was calm and tranquil, leaning slightly against a table with a glass of champagne loosely held in one hand. "It's grand, isn't it?"

She still couldn't find Samuru anywhere either. It was like being in the dark during the most crucial part of a mission.

"Yeah, it is..."

The woman giggled. "You seem distracted."

"I guess." Info-chan started looking at the veiled lady again, paying a little more attention to her. "I'm looking for someone."

"And who would that be?"

"Our host, Mr. Ronshaku?" Info-chan hoped to get filled in, even just the slightest. "I haven't seen him yet."

"Oh, right!" the woman laughed. "Of course you are. Everyone is. He's made us wait a mighty long time."

"Yeah,"

"He knows only his friends are here, so it seems he's confident he can his time with this party."

Info-chan frowned. "All these people? His friends?"

"Well," the woman tilted her head, a faint grin just barely visible behind her veil. "Friend is a strong word. I meant the people that Ronshaku has business with, all of his connections around Japan."

"R-Right."

"Which brings the question; how do you know Ronshaku? Do you own a partnering business? A firm in his care?"

The black-clad woman had asked too much. Info-chan started to worry. She had no story, no plans for answering these kinds of questions. She wasn't even meant to interact with the guests to let such a thing happen.

She seized up. Carelessness had put her in a tough spot.

"I..."

The woman continued to stare at Info-chan. Even if her eyes were hidden, Info-chan could feel them digging into her.

"I'm..."

But she was cut off.

"Oh, I'm just messing with you." the woman spoke abruptly. "I already know who you are."

Info-chan frowned. "You...do?"

"Of course. It's a pleasure to meet you, Info-chan."

"Info..." she whispered back.

This person knew exactly who she was, but that wasn't possible. There were no pictures of her circulating around, or personal information, that had all been taken care of by herself and her associates. She wasn't supposed to exist on any database or be recognized by anyone except her allies.

Now Info-chan was really beginning to wonder why the women before her had a black veil on. She could feel the atmosphere grow dangerously tense.

"I knew you'd be coming here. I only had to follow the bread crumbs." the woman explained, not bothering to wait for Info-chan's response.

Info-chan took a step back, slowly putting her glass down on the table.

The woman took a step closer at the same time, wanting to get into Info-chan's space.

"I suggest you don't panic. That would cause quite the scene." the woman's tone sounded significantly different.

The damned woman was right. It was too crowded to act suspicious, at least one person would pick up on it.

Info-chan remained frozen on the spot, her body unwilling to swift, like prey for the predator.

"Who...are you?" she whispered, looking around to make sure no guests had picked up on her fear.

Another laugh from the woman. Quieter this time.

"I've been searching all over for you, turns out you're rather difficult to track down." her tone dripped with sense of smugness. "I'm guessing Samuru is with you?"

"Wha-?"

"Nevermind, of course he is. I'm sure he's having the time of his life right now."

"You didn't answer my question. Who are you?"

Two burly men ushered guests out of the way, moving closer to the veiled woman until they were standing right behind her. They had clear earpieces on them, shades on as well, along with smart black suits.

These men looked like Info-chan's security, but far more hardened and intimidated. It was astonishing to find men bigger and bulkier than even her own men, she didn't think they got any larger.

Info-chan was frightened.

"It looks like to me," she whispered. "You're not in a position to ask questions. I am."

Info-chan shut her mouth. There was no rebuttal.

The order she had given to her men to stand down during this mission was coming back to bite her. Even if the purpose of such a decision was a calculated move to draw less attention to herself, it had left her vulnerable and weak. Now she had to suffer the consequences.

"Why don't we go over to one of the smoking rooms?" the masked lady chimed, motioning her guards forward with her gloved hands. "I think we need to have a little talk."

There was obviously no way out, this stranger was in control now.

Info-chan bit her bottom lip as she followed slowly behind the cheerful woman, the two bodyguards walked briskly beside her both left and right to ensure she didn't escape.

Pushing through crowds lead them to a glass room right under one of the stairways, unorthodox and yet curiously stylish, in which several men and women stood in and smoked away on cigars and pipes. Info-chan could almost feel the reek of smoke physically hit her in the face as she moved inside after her escort.

There were a few tables and a couch, but other than that it was empty and quiet. The people smoking inside weren't like the crowds outside, they were silent and relaxed. Info-chan appreciated the atmosphere better.

But she couldn't enjoy it. Not as one of the bodyguards placed his hand on her shoulder and pointed to the vacant blue couch in the corner. Info-chan nodded and sat down.

The veiled woman sighed and sat down next to her, stretching out her arms and legs in relief, then rested her hands on her lap and chuckled.

"Sorry about that. Truth be told, I hate parties." she paused and presumably smiled. "I never was an outdoors person."

Info-chan folded her arms. "What exactly did you bring me here for? Trying to protect Ronshaku?"

"The opposite, actually. I came to this party for the same reason as you."

"Huh?"

"But that changed when I saw Samuru waltz on in through the front door with you by his side. He could throw a wrench into all of this."

"How do you know Samuru?"

The woman stopped.

She turned her head, looked at her bodyguards, then back to Info-chan.

"Ah, right. Somehow I forgot I put a veil on before coming. You're probably confused."

The woman grabbed the black veil over her face and delicately pulled it off, revealing silky silver hair that had been tied back neatly and two golden earrings hanging from her ears.

The second that Info-chan was greeted by silver hair, she already knew who she was dealing with. The removal of the veil also showed a smile that sent chills down her spine, seeing how eager and smug it was.

A beautiful, silver-haired woman nodded politely towards Info-chan, her pure and elegant beauty seemingly blinding.

"I am Megami Saikou. A pleasure to meet you."

Info-chan said nothing.

Just a second ago, she feared the bodyguards standing next to the couch more than anything, but now there was something even more frightful in the room.

"Megami..." she uttered in disbelief.

Info-chan hadn't expected someone so majestic and alluring to be Megami, it was staggering how incredible she looked. None of the hundreds of guests Info-chan had seen even came close to Megami's level. Her sharp silver eyes felt like they were piercing through her.

And her sleek black dress only amplified all of her features.

"I...never thought we'd come face-to-face." Info-chan said as she continued to stare.

Megami leaned back, comfortably.

"Yes, neither did I. You're not exactly someone that likes to be tracked down, Info-chan."

"How do you know it's me?"

"Process of elimination," the woman's voice was powerful and commanding. "When I saw you with Samuru, I had to figure out who you were, but it didn't take me long. If my brother was going to get help from someone, it'd be you."

"So, you're going to try to take me out?"

"Hm?" Megami raised an eyebrow.

Info-chan was equally as confused.

Why wasn't Megami taking her outside and offing her? She was a threat to Megami and everything she was trying to do.

But then the realization hit Info-chan.

Megami didn't know that she was working with Ayano Aishi. They had managed to keep their partnership under the wraps without anyone finding out, except Samuru.

For now, her secret was concealed.

"Y-You know," Info-chan quickly reacted. "My network is everywhere and I can see everything, it'd make sense if you want to try to shut that down."

Megami frowned. "Well, I suppose so. You are a dangerous person lurking around throughout Japan...but I still have bigger fish to fry."

"Ronshaku?"

"No, Ronshaku is second in line." the woman raised her hand and gently chewed on one of her fingernails. "First things first, I have to deal with Samuru."

"Need to stop him dirtying the family's name?"

"Oh, not at all."

Megami wore an expression of deep complexity, containing a small hint of every emotion, all in one. She draped the bottom of her dress over to the right as she crossed her fingers, her head leaning back into the soft texture of the couch.

"He has no relation to the Saikou company anymore. The problem is his interference with my work. I've travelled far and wide looking for Boss, the same as him, but now Samuru is butting in and making things more complicated for me. I don't know how he built up connections again from nothing, but he's being a thorn in my side once again."

Info-chan couldn't tell her that Samuru managed to steal all of her connections and build a network from it. She decided it would be best to withdraw information like that.

"Why did you remove him from the company anyway? What did he do?" Info-chan inquired, still confused.

Megami's left eyelid gave a small twitch out of irritation. She folded her arms as she gazed up at the ceiling of the glass room.

"Because he ruined everything."

"Huh?"

"You still don't know anything about him, do you? I'd wager you're still clueless as to what his true agenda is."

"He wants to take down Boss."

"Oh, yeah? Why?"

Info-chan stopped.

The real answer was that she didn't know, but she felt reluctant to admit it. It only served to make her look more like a fool.

But Megami caught on regardless. "See, he's playing you. This is all one big game to him, and he plans to hurt you just like he hurt me. Boss means nothing to him. Somehow, this is just part of something bigger."

"Part of what, though?"

"That's for you to find out." Megami chuckled. "Before you get in too deep."

"So why drag me to the side like this? What's the point?"

"The point," the woman finally got off from the couch and faced her bodyguards. "Is that I'm warning you."

"What do you care?"

"Because someone of your talents and expertise could be of use at Saikou corp. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste when Samuru inevitably gets you killed. Feel free to contact me if you're looking for work, I promise you I can offer you far more than he can."

Info-chan stared at the ground.

She wasn't doing this for work. This wasn't some kind of assignment or task of the day. This was important.

"But can you tell me the truth about my father?"

Megami had her head turned. She didn't bother to face Info-chan when answering, only slowly folding her arms as one of her guards carefully pulled her veil back over.

Her voice was more quiet than before.

"No."

There was a pause of silence before Megami spoke again.

"I'm aware that my brother had some sort of history with your father, but that's the extent of it. That kind of information can only come from the horse's mouth."

"I thought so." Info-chan whispered.

The silver-haired woman, her face obscured once more, turned around one last time to glare at Info-chan.

"But is it worth it?"

The impressionable woman left the room, her stride followed by her men. She didn't even bother to harm Info-chan in the end.

But honestly, Info-chan had preferred if she had. Now she was left all alone, nothing but doubt floating in her mind. Doubt and anxiety.

She shook her head and raised her chin.

This doubt needed to be addressed, but not in the middle of a mission. For now, she needed to focus.

She swiftly pounced out of her seat and went on the move, ready to finish what she started.

But doubt shadowed her every step.

It was time for answers.