Shattered Masks

The sun was low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the room of Mars, Hime's carefully crafted safehouse. She sat in her armchair, lost in thought. The soft rustling of papers and the faint tapping of her fingers on the armrest were the only sounds that filled the space. Hime had anticipated this day for some time—the time when Kazuki would come looking for her. She'd known that Kagezan, with its power and influence, would eventually realize the value of the information she possessed. But the question that lingered in her mind now was: why hadn't he come sooner?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the creak of the door. Berkeley entered, his shoulders tense and his expression lined with concern. He'd been her eyes and ears on Kagezan's movements, and his presence now meant he had something important to report.

"Hime," Berkeley began, his voice a mixture of concern and curiosity, "there's a rumor going around. Kagezan is looking for information about a princess. A deal from Kagezan is rare, but this one's different. They're searching for someone with inside knowledge. Do you know anything about any princess?"

Hime tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. She knew exactly what this meant but kept her expression neutral, her composure unshaken. "And who, exactly, is making these inquiries?" she asked, her tone calm yet probing.

Berkeley hesitated, as if reluctant to say the name aloud. "It's Kazuki," he admitted finally. "He's the one asking."

Hime allowed herself a small, knowing smile. Of course, it's him. The moment she crossed paths with Kazuki, she had sensed his sharpness, his hunger for control. It was inevitable that he would take the bait, though she'd expected him to act sooner.

She steepled her fingers, her gaze thoughtful. "Kazuki. I knew he'd be the one to come for me."

Berkeley's frown deepened, his discomfort clear. "Hime, this isn't like the others. A deal with Kagezan is dangerous. They have too many eyes watching, too many strings they can pull. You've stayed out of the spotlight for so long; why risk exposing yourself now?"

Hime's smirk widened slightly, though her eyes hardened with determination. "Because this is the moment I've been preparing for. Kazuki needs me, even if he doesn't realize it yet. I'll accept his deal—on my terms."

Berkeley stepped closer, his unease turning to frustration. "You always say you know what you're doing, but this is Kagezan. Kazuki isn't someone you can outmaneuver easily. This could bring everything crashing down."

"And yet," Hime replied smoothly, "he's the one searching for me. That gives me the upper hand."

Berkeley ran a hand through his hair, his concern evident. "You're going to meet him, aren't you? Face-to-face?"

Hime nodded, her expression resolute. "He'll want to test me, to see if I live up to the stories. And I want to see him. To understand him better. This isn't a game I'll delegate to someone else."

Before Berkeley could respond, Hime leaned forward slightly, her voice steady but commanding. "I need you to do one last thing before you lay low," she said. "Pass this address to Kagezan."

She handed him a slip of paper, her fingers brushing the edge of the table as she let it go. "It's one of my meeting places. An inconspicuous one. Make sure it gets to Kazuki through the proper channels. He'll understand its significance."

Berkeley frowned, holding the paper as if it carried the weight of her entire plan. "You're giving him your location?" he asked, incredulous.

"Not entirely," she replied cryptically. "It's a breadcrumb, Berkeley. Enough to bring him closer without revealing too much."

Berkeley's hesitation lingered, but he finally nodded, slipping the paper into his pocket. "You're walking a tightrope, Hime," he said quietly. "Just… be careful."

"I always am," she said, standing gracefully. Her confidence was unwavering as she looked him in the eye. "Now, after this task, I need you to lay low. No surveillance, no interference. This is my move, and I can't have distractions."

Berkeley hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. "And if something goes wrong?"

Hime's gaze softened, just for a moment. "Nothing will. Trust me."

After a long pause, Berkeley nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But remember, you're not alone in this. We'll figure it out together."

She watched him leave, her mind already turning over the implications of her next move. Kazuki was coming. And the game she had been preparing for was finally about to begin.