"You took your time. Were you off flirting with some other girl again?"
Under the dim light, a black-haired girl in a moon-white kimono stared discontentedly at the man who had finally arrived.
Though her voice was as cool as ever, perhaps because she had just cut off a serial killer's head, Shiki Ryougi's face bore an excited flush, making her complaint sound more like a lover's reproach.
"Just what kind of person do you think I am...? Well, I can't exactly argue with that today."
Roland stepped out of the shadows and looked at the apartment building before him.
"I thought you might charge straight in after killing that fellow and having your bloodlust stirred up. Is there something you still need to do?"
Shiki clenched both hands, her whole body stiffening at Roland's words.
He was right. A killer on Rio Shirazumi's level could not quell her bloodlust at all. Instead, he had only made the austere girl more restless.
Compared with her earlier excitement and anticipation, Shiki now felt as though molten lava flowed through her body, ready to erupt at any moment.
Unless she dealt with the true culprit, that bloodlust would probably sweep her away, turning her into a new killer in Rio Shirazumi's place. Yet even knowing the risk, Shiki still had a reason she had to wait here.
"I won."
After delivering that abrupt statement, Shiki stared at Roland's face and fell silent.
Completely ignoring her burning gaze, Roland maintained his teasing smile.
"That's right, you won. Well done, Shiki."
His smile was so bright and gentle, yet his words sounded like those of an adult humoring a child.
Shiki turned her head away and voiced her request in a whisper as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"My reward..."
"Sorry, I didn't catch